An Agent for Marianne Read online

  “Are you a doctor? You look too young to be a doctor,” Archie asked.

  “A nurse perhaps?” Angus chimed in.

  Marianne released his hand and he held it closer to his chest. “No. I just had a bunch of scrappy brothers that were always getting into scrapes.”

  “What’s your name, lass?” Archie replied in a soft brogue.

  Marianne felt his voice all the way to her toes. She would listen to that warm, soothing voice all day if she could. She leaned forward on her toes. “Marianne Chapman.”

  Archie turned to Angus. “Go.” When the man paused, he pointed his finger. “Now.”

  And the feeling was gone.

  Angus nodded and scampered back towards the house. Marianne could hear him hollering all the way from the road.

  “Archibald Gordon.”

  “Scottish?”

  The man’s lips turned up at the corners. It was so slight that Marianne thought she might have imagined it. “What gave it away?” Marianne laughed. This time his lips curved downward in a slight frown. “What do you need, Miss Chapman?”

  Marianne looked at him, tilting her head. She wondered if it was a rhetorical question or if he was serious. Probably serious.

  Marianne guessed that he was serious about everything in his life.

  “I need a place to stay. A job. And someone to help me find the man that killed my brother.”

  Archie lifted his eyebrow. “You don’t require much, do you?”

  Marianne would normally shift uncomfortably under his glare, but instead, she straightened her back and matched him in the staring contest.

  “Well, you asked. I told you.”

  “You aren’t one of those worldly-minded women, are you?”

  “Worldly?”

  “Always dreaming that they can do a man’s job. Wanting to do things no lady should be doing?”

  It was Marianne’s turn to lift her eyebrow. “And what do you think a lady should be doing, Mr. Gordon?”

  “Getting married. Having children.”

  “That sounds very archaic.” He didn’t respond. “Do you intend on getting married, Mr. Gordon?”

  He let out a sound that was a cross between a laugh and a bark. “No, Miss Chapman. I have no intention of ever getting married.”

  “That makes two of us, Mr. Gordon.”

  “What type of job are you looking for?”

  Marianne shrugged her shoulders. “I can clean. I’m good with mathematics and writing.” She looked at the firearm encased in a sheath on Archie’s hip. “I can dismantle and reassemble that pistol on your hip in less than a minute.”

  Archie raised his eyebrow. “That I would like to see at some point. But not today.”

  A commotion on the front porch drew her attention to a group of men coming down the steps. Marianne had never seen so many handsome gentlemen at once.

  “Are you Army?”

  Archie laughed. “Heavens no.”

  “What do you do here? Mr. Gordon?”

  “We never sleep.”

  What an odd response, Marianne thought.

  The men moved to the closest wagon. Each of them nodded to her. “Ma’am,” they said as they carried one or more boxes into the house.

  Archie pulled out his watch and looked at it once more before turning his green eyes towards her. “I can’t pay you.” Marianne caught her breath. “Or at least until Allan approves it.” He stuffed the watch back in his pocket. “There is a small apartment on the third floor if that suits you.”

  “What about all those men?”

  “There is a dormitory out back, on the other side of the garden. They stay there.”

  Marianne wanted to run and throw her arms around Mr. Gordon. “I’m sure that apartment will suit just fine.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “The Shaw House up the road. It is a dormitory for families.”

  “Do you have any family, Miss Chapman?”

  “They are in Nebraska. My brother was killed last week in a gun fight.”

  “I am sorry about that.” He looked as if he regretted offering her help now.

  “Oh…,” Marianne quickly replied, holding her hand out. “He was going after a cattle rustler. Michael wasn’t a thief.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said again, visibly relaxing.

  “I can bring my things over later this evening if that works.”

  Archie nodded. “I’ll have one of the boys help you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Gordon.” Marianne walked over to the wagon and picked up one of the boxes. It was heavier than she thought it would be. She could tell they were filled with books and files. “Where shall I start putting the boxes?”

  “My office is the front room. The one with the big window.” He pointed to the bay window at the front of the house.

  Marianne nodded and brushed past him to move up the porch steps. She just might stay in Denver now.

  “Miss Chapman?” Marianne turned to look at her new employer. “Welcome to the Pinkerton Detective Agency.”

  Chapter 2

  October 1871, Denver

  “Pearl!”

  There was no response.

  Archie shouted her name again. He listened for the sound of Pearl’s footsteps against the hardwood of the floor. Muttering under his breath, he pushed back from the desk and stood. He was just about to head to the door when Pearl popped her head through the door.

  “Oh goodness! Are we under attack?” she cried coming into the room.

  “Stuff and nonsense, Pearl. I was just calling for you.”

  “Oh,” she feigned relief, placing her hands over her heart in dramatic fashion. “I was sure with all that yelling that something dreadful happened. What is causing you to bellow?” she inquired, lifting one of her light eyebrows as she looked at him. Everything about Pearl was light.

  Her pale skin, white-blonde hair and light lashes stood out to anyone who saw her. If she noticed people staring, she never said anything. Archie liked the young cook immensely, and all the agents adored her cooking.

  He recalled the first time he met her. It was right after Marianne had hired her for the office. He was rummaging for a snack when she walked in the kitchen and whipped up a cake, unlike anything Archie had ever tasted.

  From that moment, he was sold on her cooking abilities. Hiring Pearl was just one of the many ideas that Marianne had brought to him. Every single idea his secretary implemented, brought efficiency, comradery and a feeling of family, to the office.

  She was infused in every single aspect of running the Denver office. He couldn’t imagine life without her.

  And therein lies the rub, he thought.

  She had only been gone for a few weeks and he missed her terribly. Not only for the way she helped him organize and keep on top of the many reports and assignments, but for the way she would come and have a cup of tea with him every evening before she retired to her room on the third floor.

  He couldn’t think of her in anyway but professional. He viewed her the same as all the other agents. As a friend, extended family, a younger sibling, meticulous employee.

  He felt lost.

  Archie sat back down with a huff and looked at Pearl. “I am looking for a file.”

  “Why are you asking me, Mr. Gordon? I’m simply the cook.” A slight smile curved at the corner of her lips.

  “Pearl, do not test me.”

  “Mr. Gordon,” she said, putting her hand up. “I was not hired to be your assistant. I don’t know anything about Marianne’s duties and I honestly have no desire to learn.” She turned as the sound of footsteps could be heard coming into the house. “And frankly, there isn’t enough tea in China to have me run interference with these men.” Archie could see a big smile break out on her face. “Hello, Bronco! Claudette! What brings you here?” Claudette appeared in the doorway and embraced Pearl in a hug as she gave a little wave to Archie.

  “We were passing through Denver and Bronco wanted to stop by and
meet with Mr. Gordon.”

  “Hello, Pearl,” Bronco said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “You look lovely, as always.” He stepped in the room. “Hello, old man.”

  Archie stood and went to shake Bronco’s hand. Bronson “Bronco” Wauneka was one of the first agents to marry in a group wedding when Archie set the edict down that agents must marry their partners. Archie paired … no, it was Marianne who paired Bronco with Claudette LaBas, a woman of French heritage from Louisiana. Her dark hair and pale skin complemented Bronco’s strong Indian looks.

  “Good to see you, old friend.”

  Bronco pulled Archie into a hug and gave him several slaps on the back. “Good to see you, Gordon.”

  “Shall I make coffee?”

  “Thank you, Pearl,” Archie said, leading Bronco over to the seats in front of his desk.

  “Got anything sweet, Pearl?” Bronco asked, giving her a wink.

  “I think I have some cake from last night. How about a big slice?”

  “Vanilla with chocolate frosting?”

  Pearl nodded.

  “How about I help you, mon amie?” Claudette said, looping her arm in Pearl’s and leading her away from Archie’s office.

  Archie could hear their chatter as they walked towards the kitchen. He looked at the agent sitting across from him.

  “What brings you out this way? I thought you were in Kansas City.”

  “Claudette wasn’t feeling well, so we decided to stop by for a visit before we go to Nebraska.”

  “Nebraska? I don’t recall any cases in Nebraska.”

  “I know. That is part of why I’m here.”

  Archie furrowed his brow. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m turning in my resignation.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Bronco laughed and picked up Archie’s nameplate from the front of the desk. He twirled it on his finger in the same manner he would do so with the knife he kept in a sheath tied to his leg. “I’m going to be a father.”

  “Congratulations. That is wonderful. When is the baby due?”

  “In about six months. Claudette became ill and we thought it was just an upset belly. Unfortunately, it lasted for nearly four weeks. She is finally feeling better.”

  Archie thought about his friend and his wife and what their children might look like. He was thrilled his friend had settled down and was having a family. As he reflected on the changes in the agency, his thoughts drifted to what it would be like if he had children of his own.

  He knew he was too old to start a family, but he could only think of one woman he would want to bear him a son. A woman with red hair, a smattering of freckles and lips the color of the poppies that would grow in his mother’s garden.

  He shook his head dismissing the thought. He realized Bronco had been talking and he hadn’t heard a word of it. “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “I asked where Marianne was. Will she be back soon?”

  Archie shook his head. “No. She’s in Chicago.”

  “Chicago? What’s she doing there?”

  “Helping.”

  “Here’s some coffee and two slices of vanilla cake with chocolate icing.” Pearl placed a tray down on the corner of the desk. She gave Bronco a little wink. “I gave you a large piece.”

  Bronco took one of the plates from the tray. “Thank you, Pearl. I’ve missed your cooking.”

  “I don’t get a large piece?” Archie asked, pulling the second plate towards him.

  “There is more in the kitchen if you want it. If that is all, I must prepare for dinner tonight. Are you staying, Bronco?”

  “We would be delighted. How many agents are around?”

  “Only a handful,” Pearl replied.

  “Pearl,” Archie growled. “That’s enough. I’ll fill Agent Wauneka in on the agents’ status.”

  Pearl rolled her eyes. “I’ll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me.”

  “Care to fill me in on what’s going on, old man?”

  “I don’t have a clue what you mean.” Archie shoveled a piece of cake in his mouth. The chocolate icing exploded on his tongue. Pearl’s baking was better than any professional bakery in Denver. He would be seeking out a second piece after dinner.

  “I mean, why are you walking around like a bear with a sore paw? Where’s Marianne.”

  “She’s gone. She left. Went to Chicago.”

  Bronco shifted in his chair and looked at Archie with determination on his face. “And why would she leave here?”

  “They needed help. That’s all I know.”

  Bronco placed his plate back on the desk. “That isn’t it at all, Gordon.”

  The cake turned to sawdust in his mouth. “I don’t know what you are looking for.”

  “She must have run away.”

  “Run away. No, she went to help out in Chicago.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Archie’s collar felt tight. He dropped the fork and tugged at his shirt, seeking relief. “Speak your piece, Bronco.”

  “She’s running away from you. If you can’t see what is in front of you, then you aren’t the great detective that deserves to be running the Denver field office.”

  “Bronco, you are treading into dangerous territory.”

  “Give it up, old man. Everyone knows how crazy in love she is with you. And you have shown her nothing but contempt and coldness.”

  “She’s my employee.”

  “She’s a woman first.”

  “It wouldn’t be proper.”

  “Ah-ha!” Bronco said, pointing his finger at Archie. “You didn’t deny it.”

  “Why should I? We are two professional people.”

  “If you can’t admit to yourself how much you care for her, then you deserve to have her gone. I hope she meets someone in Chicago that treats her like the precious jewel she is.”

  The thought of anyone marrying Marianne filled him with dread. If anyone should marry her, it should be him.

  “She told me she didn’t want to get married.”

  Bronco’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You asked her?”

  “Of course not. She told me she was never going to entertain marriage on the day I hired her.”

  Bronco slapped his knee. “You really are something. Are you going to go after her?”

  Desperate to change the subject, Archie thought of any question he might be able to ask Bronco. “What are you going to be doing in Nebraska?”

  Before Bronco could respond, the door to Archie’s office flew open. Zeke Preston, one of the newest agents, burst into the room, followed closely by Jacqueline Carroll. Jacqueline had been trained by Marianne to take over some of her duties before she left for Chicago.

  “What is it?” Archie growled. He would need to reiterate the rules that when his door was closed the agents weren’t to disturb him.

  “I just came back from town. There has been a fire in Chicago.”

  “That isn’t a reason to come racing in here like that.”

  “No…,” Jacqueline chimed in. “A fire in all of Chicago.”

  “I’m not following,” Bronco said, standing up.

  “It’s gone. The entire town is gone,” Zeke said flicking his eyes back and forth. “Consumed by an inferno.”

  Archie stood, a feeling of dread filling his stomach. “Gone?”

  “Everything has been burnt to the ground,” Jacqueline offered.

  “Anyone hurt?” Bronco asked. “What about the Pinkerton Office?”

  “I would have got a telegram if anything were amiss,” Archie said.

  “I know there were several hundred killed. And the Pinkerton offices are gone. Burned to the ground along with the rest of the businesses on that block.”

  Archie felt as though he might retch. “When did this happen?”

  “It started two nights ago. I was at the newspaper office when the news came across the ticker.”

  “What about the dormitory?” Archie was starting to fill with panic. Marianne was stayi
ng at the dormitory next to the office. “If the agents were asleep when the fire broke out …” he couldn’t even vocalize it.

  “Everything is gone. Everything. They’ve set up tents by the river to shelter everyone.”

  “I’m sure she is fine,” Bronco said softly, walking around to put his hand on Archie’s shoulder.

  Pearl appeared in the doorway “I just heard.”

  “How did you hear?” Archie asked.

  “One of the agents just came from town.”

  “Is it true?” Claudette asked pushing Pearl into the room.

  “Gordon!” George Hotchkiss yelled as the front door shut. He appeared in the doorway. “Oh, I wanted to come and let you know…”

  “About the fire?” several asked in unison.

  “It appears you already know.”

  “Let’s go to the dining room, everyone,” Pearl said, guiding the judge and several agents that were milling around the doorway back towards the kitchen area. “There is plenty of room. I’ll make fresh coffee and we can figure out what to do.”

  Archie was about to bellow that he was in charge. He would do that with Marianne when she took control of a situation. However, he didn’t know what to say. Grateful to have a reprieve from the shocking news he just heard, he followed them to the dining room.

  He put his hands on his knees and took several deep breaths. “Jacqueline,” he said.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “I need you to get me a ticket on the next train to Chicago.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, and with a swish of her skirt she was gone.

  “What are you thinking, Gordon?” Bronco asked.

  “I’m thinking that I need to get out there, because if they can’t send a telegram here, then there must be significant damage.”

  “Are you going to check on the office?” Zeke asked.

  Archie barked. “Are you daft? I’m going to find Marianne.”

  Chapter 3

  One week later, Chicago, IL

  The damage was much worse than he thought. The train dropped the passengers outside of Chicago and then they rode by wagon to an area of town where makeshift shelters had been set up along the river, just as Zeke said.