he said to Evangeline. “‘Richard Riley was beaten to death with a hammer by one or more assailants, who left his body on the stairs of the old Daggett Tavern, originally Woodward Manor, one of the great estates of pre-Revolutionary New York. His son, Timothy, aged thirteen, was hiding in the house. The boy found his father holding a piece of chalk in his hand, having just drawn an X on one of the stair treads.’”“The poor kid,” said Evangeline.“‘The son could not identify the murderers. He did not see them and heard mostly muffled voices. Richard Riley was known to have had troubles with Hell’s Kitchen gangs, but a motive for the slaying has not been established. He will be buried from Sacred Heart Church on Monday.’”“That’s it?” said Evangeline.“Too bad we don’t have an index for the New York Post,” said Peter. “The Times was already turning into the gray lady. Sensational murder but no sensationalism.”Just then, Peter’s phone rang.“Owen T. Magee here.”“What’s your decision?”
