Mountain Ice (David Dean Mysteries)

"No wonder Annie looked the other way when he passed by!" Cynthia said.

"Naw," Fred answered. "That wasn't John Vanoli. John died later that same year. It seems like he either shot himself or died of venereal disease. He was forty-seven."

"Then who was Annie talking about in 1900?" Dean asked.

"Probably either brother Dominick or his son Tony. The business didn't stop, although there was a lot of talk in the newspapers about closing down all the bars and clubs. The WCTU and Anti-Saloon League were active and the churches sure didn't like the kind of business going on in Ouray. The town managed to close up the dance halls in 1902, at least for a year or so, but it wasn't long before the girls were at it again, full tilt."

"Well, at least Annie managed to 'retire' from the business," Dean said.

"Yeah," Fred grumbled. "I might as well go back to my mystery novels. This caper hasn't been much of a challenge. Miss Annie's pretty much spelled it out in black and white in this here journal, even if it was in code."

"Think of the bright side," Cynthia offered. "Now you're Bird Song's resident expert on girls of the night!"

Just then, Effie Quincy poked her head into the room.

"Claire is writing up her notes about Mrs. Martin," she said in her usual shy fashion. "Do you have any more of the journal I might read?"

Cynthia handed her the latest transcribed pages of the notebook. "Young Donnie helped me do these. He's a very bright boy."

Effie sat at the table, smiling first at Fred O'Connor, then at the others, before beginning to read the pages.

"That there's some pretty spicy material for the boy," Fred cautioned.

"Oh, he just follows the code and transcribes the letters. All he sees is one continuous line."

Effie looked up, concerned. "The boy wouldn't say anything to Claire, would he?"

Dean smiled. "I don't think Claire is one of Donnie's favorite people. Besides, he's too interested in Martha to pay anything else much attention."

"Yeah," Fred said. "She's a sweet little girl. She stopped by the library after school. Those two get along right well."

Effie looked up, a broad smile crossing her face. It was not a reaction the Deans expected when Effie read the sordid confirmation her great aunt was a prostitute and carrying on an adulterous affair. "This is so exciting! Imagine being a dance hall girl back then!" They both stared at her. "Well, I guess it wasn't all pleasure, but still-it must have been electrifying! Just think-handsome gamblers, rich miners, everyone dancing with music and liquor and lively fun every night! And now my Annie has a lover who comes to her in the night!" Before they could comment, she rose, and putting a finger to her lips, whispered, "We mustn't let Claire know our little secret." She nearly collided with Donald Ryland as she practically skipped from the room.