Moira gave a long suffering sigh but let Max step inside. “I should be turning ye away until the morn.”

“You’ll be glad that you didn’t. I assure you that my business is of the utmost importance and cannot wait.” Max said.

The statuesque red head gave him a look that promised trouble if he was lying, before leading through the foyer and down a creaky hallway. She produced a key and opened one of the many side doors in the hallway. Disappearing inside, she flitted about the edges of the room, turning on the gas lamps along the walls. The lights revealed a sitting room, large enough to house a pair of couches and several heavily cushioned chairs arranged around a low table.

“Please wait here.” It was more of a command than a request.

Max casually walked around the room. Pictures of hard-looking men and woman stared balefully back from the walls. A chess board leaned upright on an underused shelf, its pieces standing at attention, segregated by color. Wilting flowers sagged mournfully over the lip of a vase.