The more that Rob thought about his interview with Sheehan, the more he believed the subway platform of the abandoned Worth Street Station held the answer to the twin disappearances of Judge Crater and Helen Meltzer. He needed to visit that platform, feel its grime and taste its dust before he could write his column. He knew a guy who knew a guy who knew a social worker on the overnight shift of a 24-hour clinic in the basement of the Department of Health.
“There is an unmarked door in the sub-basement,” said the social worker, leading Rob down a narrow stairway. “It opens onto the platform.”
“Is it safe?” said Rob. “I mean the platform?”
“I’ve gone out there dozens of times,” said the social worker. “Never feel quite safe, but I’m still here.”
He pushed the bar enough to unlock the do
