In a Gilded Cage by Rhys Bowen

Black Cat. I could see why Emily came here. The other occupants were women and the tables had white cloths on them—overall an air of gentility. The waitress greeted Emily and two plates of the special were brought. It was some kind of meat pie and cabbage, mainly hot and filling but with little flavor. Maybe I had become used to good meals with Sid and Gus.
    After we had satisfied our immediate hunger I took out my little notebook. “So I’m anxious to get started on your case,” I said. “Let us begin with your parents’ full names.”
    “I believe they were William and Mary,” she said. “I think that’s what Aunt Lydia told me.”
    “And where in China were you born?”
    “I have no idea. In the interior, that’s all I know.”
    “What about your birth certificate? Doesn’t that give all those details?”
    “I have no birth certificate,” she said. “That’s the problem. As I understand it, a cholera epidemic was raging when I was born. My parents died when I was only a few days old and a devoted servant whisked me away to safety. I was deposited at the nearest mission and eventually brought back to America.”
    “What a romantic story,” I said. “Tragic, of course, but the fact that you survived against all odds is amazing.”
    She nodded. “I know, isn’t it?”
    “So where did your parents come from?”
    “Massachusetts, I believe. As I said, Aunt Lydia, who could have told me these things, died when I was too young to ask the right questions, and Uncle Horace showed no interest in me whatever.”
    “Your parents were your aunt’s relatives, then?”
    “I believe my mother and Aunt Lydia were second cousins, or second cousins once removed. Not close relatives, at any rate.”
    “And what was your aunt’s maiden name?”
    “I’m afraid I don’t even know that.”
    “That should be easy enough to discover. She died when you were five. There will be a death certificate.”
    “Of course.”
    “So I could go to her birthplace and check for other relatives.”
    “I understood that there were none. They took me in because they were my only surviving kin. At least that’s what Uncle Horace said once.” She saw my look and gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry. I knew this was not going to be easy.”
    “I love a good challenge,” I said. “And it can’t be that hard. After all, how many missionaries could there be in China at one time? Maybe twenty or thirty at the most. I know,” I perked up as a bright idea hit me, “we could start with that couple who came into your shop. You said they didn’t know your parents, but you also mentioned that they had been in China for twenty years. I presume you are older than twenty—”
    “Yes, I’m twenty-five.”
    “So it’s quite possible that they didn’t arrive until after your parents had died.”
    “That’s quite possible,” Emily bucked up at this.
    “At any rate, they could give us details of the various denominations of missionaries who were working in China twenty years ago, then all I’d have to do is contact their headquarters.”
    “Molly, you’re a genius.” Emily beamed at me. “I’m so glad I came to you. But as to your fees . . .”
    I hesitated. Part of me wanted to say that I’d work for nothing, but the other, more practical part reminded me that I had to eat and that this case would be occupying my time as well as costing me money in transportation and stamps. “How about we start with twenty dollars,” I said, “and if I find that I need to travel or take considerably more time, then we can decide how far you wish to proceed.”
    “Oh, that sounds wonderful,” Emily said. “But twenty dollars—I’m sure you usually charge much more.”
    “We working women have to stick together.” I smiled at her. “So what information do you have on the couple who came into your shop?”
    “It was about three weeks ago. They were called Hinchley and they were only passing through New York. They were