An Agent for Zennia Read online

  An Agent for Zennia

  The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series

  Book 71

  By

  Patricia PacJac Carroll

  An Agent for Zennia ~ The Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 71 ~

  Author Patricia PacJac Carroll

  Copyright © April 2020

  Published by Patricia PacJac Carroll @ PacJac Publishing

  ALL rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, (except for inclusion in reviews), disseminated or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or audio. Including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, or the Internet/World Wide Web without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Cover by: Virginia McKevitt

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  An Agent for Zennia

  The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series

  Book 71

  By

  Patricia PacJac Carroll

  Chapter 1

  Kyle Logan read the telegram for the tenth time in the two minutes since he’d received it. Slapping it against his leg, he tamped down the anger that exploded inside him. Amanda was in trouble.

  He was the only one who could rescue her, but how was he going to get Archie, the head detective of the Denver Pinkerton Office, to let him go to Chicago? The man was Scottish cheap and would want to send someone from the local office.

  On his way to the agency, he paused to let his senses recover from the shock. Then he watched as a young woman pulled on the big oaken doors of the Pinkerton Agency. After a small struggle, she entered.

  “She’s determined.” Kyle leaned against the oak tree and toyed with an idea. Archie had come up with the plan of pairing women with experienced agents with good success. Kyle could use a female agent to get into Amanda’s college and help him find her.

  With a bit of determination of his own, Kyle entered the agency and headed for Archie’s office. After a quick knock, he opened the door, barged in, and threw the telegram on his boss’s desk. “I need to rescue her.”

  With an irritated look, Archie pointed across his desk. “I am busy.”

  Kyle followed Archie’s finger. There was the young woman he’d seen enter the building. She’d work fine and looked to be the right age of those in the girl’s college that Amanda attended. He smiled at the young woman. “I didn’t mean to intrude, but I have an urgent case that needs attending. Frankly, I could use the young lady’s help.” Kyle turned to Archie and leaned one hand on the desk and pointed to the telegram. “Read it.”

  Archie put his glasses on and picked up the crumpled piece of paper. “Help. I’m in trouble. Amanda.” Archie sat back in his chair and stared at Kyle. “Who is Amanda, and what kind of trouble?”

  “That was from this morning. She’s my fiancé, almost anyway. Her father sent her to a girl’s college in Chicago, and she told me in her letters that someone had been following her. I have to save her.” Kyle stood and waited.

  The young woman jumped out of her chair. “I can help. I am excellent at noticing things other people don’t. I can sketch people. I’m smart. I can go undercover. I can shoot a gun. I am your, er, woman.” She held her hand out to Kyle. “Zennia Fields, at your service.”

  Archie groaned. “You know Chicago doesn’t like it when I step on their territory.”

  Kyle shook the woman’s hand. “Kyle Logan, Pinkerton Agent.” He pulled his gaze from Zennia and looked at Archie. “I know Ursula works out of the Chicago office, now. She’d vouch for me. Maybe. I did hear she’s softened a lot since marrying that professor fellow.”

  Shaking his head, Archie put the telegram down. “Against my better judgment, I’ll agree to it.” He looked at the woman. “You’re very young. In the past, I have made my female agents marry the agent in charge of their training to protect their reputation. Kyle just said he has a fiancé, so I can’t see forcing you two to marry as a viable option.”

  Zennia leaned on the desk, inches from Archie’s face. “I’ll do anything. I was born to be a Pinkerton Detective, and you will not regret it.”

  Archie sat back to get away from her. “This is what I’m willing to do. Kyle, you’re an excellent agent, and I don’t want to lose you. I read the telegram and agree you need to go and see what you can do for,” Archie glanced at the telegram. “Amanda. Zennia, you can go as his partner, but under cover of being his younger sister.”

  “Perfect.” Kyle slammed a palm on the desk. “That is just what I was thinking. She can go undercover and find out what has happened to Amanda.” He grinned at the woman. “You’ll be Zennia Logan. My little sister.”

  She put a hand out to him. “Nice to meet you.”

  Kyle shook her hand and was surprised at her firm grip. “Sis.”

  Archie set out a paper for them to sign. “Kyle, I know you’re a good man, so I’m not worried about you. But watch out for her. She’s young and eager. The very ones who can get into the most trouble.”

  Archie handed a pen to Zennia. “You do exactly what Kyle says. No going off on your own. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir. I will make you proud.” Zennia stood straight and saluted.

  With a grimace, Archie shook his head. “That’s not necessary. Just do what Kyle tells you to do.”

  She nodded. “When do we leave? Do I get a gun, or should I buy my own? Are we riding horses?”

  Kyle put his hand up. “Whoa. We’ll leave on the next train to get us to Chicago. You can get a derringer, but just for your protection. I don’t want you shooing up the place. Follow me.”

  After a nod to Archie, Kyle left the office without looking back. Zennia’s quick footsteps let him know she was following. Despite his worry for Amanda, he liked his new partner. She was smart and eager, but like Archie said, that could get her into trouble. Kyle decided he’d keep a tight rein on her.

  Once outside, Kyle turned left to go to the train station. He’d taken several steps when he didn’t hear her behind him. He turned and saw her walk across the street and enter Walt’s Gun Store.

  Kyle rolled his eyes. What he didn’t need to be doing was to be following after her. Then he shrugged and followed her. Once inside the store, Kyle saw Walt showing her a lady’s special. The small gun fit neatly in her hand.

  Zennia saw him and smiled. “This one is perfect. It will fit in my skirt pocket or reticule.” She turned to Walt. “I’ll take it and a box of cartridges.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Walt nodded at Kyle and then took a box from under the counter and set it in front of her.

  Zennia paid and then pocketed the gun and turned to Kyle and headed for the door.

  Kyle caught her and tapped her on the shoulder. “Did you load that thing?”

  She turned and blushed. “I didn’t check.”

  “That’s the first rule of owning a gun. Always check and see if it’s loaded.”

  She yanked it out of her pocket and opened the chamber. “It’s loaded.”

  Kyle saw the way she h
andled the derringer that she was no stranger to guns and figured she must have been nervous. “Now, you know. It wouldn’t do you any good if you needed it, and it wasn’t loaded.”

  Swallowing hard, Zennia nodded and looked at him with a serious frown. “Note taken. I won’t forget again. Sorry.”

  “I’m sure you won’t.” Kyle held open the door. “Now, follow me and continue to follow me.”

  Her bouncy attitude returned. “Where are we going?”

  Hoping he wouldn’t have to explain his every move, he took the lead but called back to her. “To the train depot.”

  Zennia caught him and took his arm. “I need to pack my clothes. Surely, you’re not going to leave with only the clothes on your back.” She pulled him to a stop.

  He nodded. “Go ahead and meet me at the depot. Don’t worry, I’ll pick up my bag. I keep one packed for quick trips.”

  Pink tinted her cheeks. “Oh, I see. You are the expert.”

  “Meet me at the depot,” he pulled out his pocket watch, “in an hour and a half.”

  “Yes, sir.” Zennia walked quickly away from him and up the street.

  To say she was eager was an understatement. Kyle just hoped he could keep up with her. He stopped at his nearby boardinghouse, picked up his bag, and then went on to the depot. With the advance Archie had authorized, Kyle bought the tickets. The next train left later in the afternoon, so he’d have time for dinner. If Zennia got back in time.

  ***

  Zennia ran to the livery and rented a hackney cab to take her to her home. She had the driver drop her off several blocks from her house and paid the driver to wait. Keeping an eye out for her father, she quietly slipped in the back door and tiptoed up the stairs to her room.

  If he knew what she was doing, he’d have stopped her and locked her in her room. Of course, that never worked because she would climb down the trellis, but she didn’t want to risk a confrontation.

  Quickly, she packed some clothes and tiptoed down the stairs and back out the door. Her father had made a small fortune from the silver and gold he’d found and mined. Her brothers were scattered between the mines and the ranch Father had bought.

  She was left to herself and had tired of going to socials and having young men fall at her feet. Not that she was the most beautiful woman in Denver. That would go to Sheila Caldwell. Still, at every dance, the boys flocked to Zennia because of who her father was and his money. Zennia wanted a man who saw her for who she was.

  She also wanted an exciting life, and not the coddled life of a wealthy man’s daughter. Too bad she hadn’t been born a boy. She could take over the family business. Yet, she did enjoy being a woman. To save time, she kept her brown hair tied back to keep her hair out of her face, but that usually failed.

  She picked up her bag and ran back to the cab and told the driver to take her to the depot. Kyle Logan seemed like a nice enough man and capable agent. She thought of him and his light brown hair and blue eyes, although they had a little gray in them, too. But it was more than the color of his eyes that had impressed her, it was their sharpness.

  Yes, she thought him to be a good agent. The perfect one for her to learn from. Ever since she’d read her first mystery, she’d been intrigued with the idea of becoming a detective.

  Zennia had read about the science of crime-fighting and learned that they were identifying bullets to prove which gun was used in a crime. And then there was the idea that fingerprints were unique and could be used to prove if someone was present at a crime scene. Soon, there wouldn’t be any way for a criminal to get away with their crime.

  At the depot, she paid the driver and ran to the platform. A quick look at the watch she kept pinned to her blouse showed she was back with more than half-an-hour to spare. After a quick glance, she spotted Kyle sitting on the bench.

  His head was down, resting on his hands and elbows on his knees. Thinking. Maybe he was worried about his fiancé. Isn’t that how he’d described the missing woman? Or had he said almost fiancé?

  If she was interested in finding a husband, Kyle would be someone she would consider. But she wasn’t ready to get married. Father had tried to marry her off half-a-dozen times. Yet, as she watched Kyle, her interest in him grew. She wasn’t one to be impressed by young men her age, but there was something there. Maybe because he was her boss.

  Zennia walked in front of him. “I’m here and on time.”

  He looked up and appeared to be sizing her up. “Good. The train won’t leave for a time. Are you hungry?”

  “Yes, I am, Agent Kyle Logan.”

  He stood and grinned. “Just Kyle will do. Remember, you’re my sister.” He took her bag and set it by his. “The porter will watch them for us. The Cattleman’s Steak House is just down the street. Does that sound all right.”

  “Wonderful. I love their food.” She walked beside him, feeling almost as if they were a couple. The thought pricked her conscience. He was going to help save a woman who he thought of as a fiancé. There would be no romance in this partnership. She’d have to watch that.

  Kyle held the door for her and then found a table near the back of the restaurant. “I prefer to sit in the back so I can see who comes and goes.”

  She put the napkin in her lap. “That makes sense. Are you looking for anyone?”

  “No. But once you’ve been in the business long enough, you acquire your share of enemies.”

  “Aw, I see. Do you have many?” She took a drink of water and gulped. “Enemies”

  He grinned. “No. Not really. But it’s always good to keep a look out. You never know when you’ll see someone who is wanted.”

  Zennia had a bite of steak on her fork but stopped it on the way to her mouth. “Like dead or alive?”

  Kyle grinned. “Something like that.”

  “Do you just shoot them? I don’t think I could do that. I am a fair fighter.”

  With a raised eyebrow, Kyle shook his head. “Uh-huh. Women never fight fair. You’re a smart one, all right. I’m going to have to watch you, but ask me before you want to shoot anyone.”

  The only person Zennia wanted to watch for was her father. Although being this was Thursday, it would be the day for him to go to the club and have smokes and drinks with the powerful of Denver.

  She returned her gaze to Kyle. He was the professional, so she asked him, one detective, to another. “What will be our first move?”

  Cutting his steak, Kyle didn’t respond right away. He paused a minute and then looked her in the eye. “We’re going to wait and determine that after we get to Chicago and find out the circumstances.”

  She chewed on a piece of steak and nodded. “All right. I’ll follow your lead. So, tell me about Amanda? Where is she from, and how did you meet her?”

  Taking a sip of water, Kyle waited. “Later.”

  Hmm. That made Zennia wonder about him. Was Amanda his fiancé, or was there another reason he was involved in finding her? Jilted lover? Jealous fiancé? Her mind buzzed with ideas. For now, she’d trust him. But if he was so in love and worried about Amanda, Zennia would have thought he’d want to talk about her.

  Chapter 2

  Kyle paid for the meal and led Zennia to the depot. He had a feeling she would act every bit the younger sister and pepper him with nonstop questions. For the moment, she was busy looking at the train tickets and trying to decide if she wanted to sit by the window or the aisle.

  At least, that gave him time to decide what to tell her about Amanda. He glanced at Zennia and thought how different they were. Amada had blond hair that was always neatly in place.

  He almost laughed. Zennia looked the part of a little sister. Her brown hair was tied in the back with ample strands escaping and blowing in her face. She was of slight build. Smaller than Amanda and lacking the womanly curves. Though she was pretty.

  Amanda was beautiful. He’d met her in a park a year ago. He had been working with the Pinkerton’s in Chicago and had only come to Denver three months ago wh
en he was needed for an embezzlement case.

  She’d begged him not to go, yet, she’d turned down the engagement ring he’d offered her. That had left him with little reason to stay, but now, he wished he had. He missed her. Being with her and going to fancy restaurants and social engagements with her.

  Amanda came from the wealthy Vaughn family. Amanda had said their money came from the banking industry, but it wasn’t the wealth that had attracted him to her. Kyle had never felt about a woman as he had Amanda.

  He glanced at Zennia and had to laugh. His little sister. She was nothing like Amanda. Everything Amanda did, she did it with slow well-planned meaning. Zennia was brash and fast like a dragonfly buzzing about while Amanda had been the graceful butterfly.

  Kyle missed Amanda despite the bruised heart she’d given him. He thought they were finished until she wrote him a couple of letters. That had spiked his interest in her. Amanda had even talked about their engagement if he came back. He’d toyed with the idea, but it didn’t set right to have to ask Archie to transfer back to Chicago because of her. He needed to know she really cared for him.

  But that telegram had taken him by surprise. He’d do anything to save her, and she knew that. So, here he was waiting for the train to take him back to her. Just when he thought he was over her. Her letters had stopped. If he saved her, would Amanda think differently and agree to accept his proposal?

  He had no idea what kind of trouble she could be in. Still, as he thought back, there were times she’d been reluctant to be with him as if she had things to do that she didn’t want him to know about. Not to mention he’d only seen her parents once, and Amanda had been nervous around them. Kyle had thought she was ashamed of him in front of her parent’s wealth.

  She never told him why, and she never agreed to be his fiancé. He’d asked her twice, and she’d balked both times. That was one of the reasons he’d gone to Denver. He thought if he left, she’d come to her senses and agree to be engaged. But she hadn’t. Even though she had written him several letters at first.