Death of a Robber Baron by Charles O'Brien Page B

thieves, as Pamela suspected, they might attempt to exchange a fake, paste ring for the genuine item.
    â€œSarah, I’ll serve this gentleman. You may help at another counter.”
    The gentleman and the clerk tried but failed to conceal their frustration and anger. After a tense moment, the clerk left. Pamela said to the man, “What may I show you, sir?”
    â€œOh, nothing, thank you,” he replied testily. “It’s late. I’ll come another day.” He stalked out of the room just as the closing bell sounded.
    Pamela released a sigh of relief, believing that she had averted a serious theft. Still, there remained the problem of Sarah. She shouldn’t be allowed to work at Macy’s, especially in the jewelry department. Without proof, however, it seemed pointless to report her to the store’s chief detective. He would simply say to keep a sharp eye on her.
    Â 
    The next day, Sarah served at her counter without apparent resentment or embarrassment. Pamela relaxed her surveillance somewhat, but her uneasiness didn’t go away. When Sarah glanced at her, she felt threatened.
    In the evening after work, as she walked to her rooms, she found herself looking over her shoulder. At the same time, she reproached herself for giving in to an irrational fear. The suspicious pair would try to rob a different store, she thought, since Macy’s jewelry department was on to their game.
    She was near the edge of the street when a man coming toward her suddenly leaped forward and pulled her out of the path of an unlighted cab. It had jumped onto the sidewalk and was about to run her over.
    â€œI saw the cab coming,” exclaimed the man who had saved her. “You could have been killed.”
    â€œThanks for risking your own life. Did you see the driver?”
    â€œNot clearly. He was bundled up. A thick plaid scarf and a cap concealed much of his face.”
    As a crowd gathered, Pamela’s gaze briefly lighted upon a woman’s face. It was Sarah, scowling. For a moment they made eye contact. Then Sarah disappeared into the crowd.
    Pamela began to shake uncontrollably. This was no accident. Sarah and her partner had tried to injure or kill her. Had they succeeded, and the jewelry department been left temporarily without strict supervision, they would have again attempted to steal the diamond ring.
    â€œAre you all right?” asked her rescuer.
    â€œYes, thank you,” Pamela croaked.
    â€œBy the way, the driver had full control of his horse and seemed to know what he was doing. You aren’t safe. May I walk you home?”
    She quickly assessed him. He appeared to be an artisan and an honest man. “Yes,” she replied. “I’d be much obliged.”
    The following day, Sarah failed to show up for work. Pamela wondered if she should report what had happened. Would the store’s chief detective take her seriously? She was personally convinced of the conspiracy to steal a ring and of the subsequent attempt to assault her, but she lacked demonstrable proof. The detective might simply dismiss her as an excitable, delusional female. She would take the problem to Prescott.

C HAPTER 8
    An Opportunity
    28 April–5 May
    Â 
    L ate that morning, Pamela walked into Prescott’s office. He glanced up, smiling. Then he frowned.
    â€œWhat’s happened, Pamela? You look troubled.”
    â€œI need your advice.” Pamela described Wednesday’s attempted theft of jewelry at Macy’s by Sarah Evans and her bearded partner.
    Prescott brightened when he heard how she had thwarted their scheme. “Well done!”
    â€œLast night,” she went on, “they tried to kill me on Fourteenth Street. Should I report this to the store detective or to the police?”
    â€œI think you should warn the store detective, a reasonable man.” He paused. “Macy’s is pleased with your work, Pamela, and so am I. Thieving in the jewelry