An Agent for Arabella Read online

  He shook his head and put the file behind his back. “No, too dark to read back here anyway. It’s only the preliminary. We’ll get the full report tomorrow. We can go over it at the hotel. We have a room at the Denver House.”

  “A room?”

  He grinned at her.

  She thought he looked more handsome than a man should, but that he was full of shenanigans, she had no doubt. She’d have to be on her toes as much in the room as on the case.

  He gave her a wry grin. “One room. We have to look the part and conserve our funds.”

  Just then Dr. Newsome walked by and motioned to her.

  Arabella excused herself from Gerard and went to the doctor.

  “Miss Powers were you able to secure a job? If so, I do need a deposit to keep your sister in treatment.”

  “I’ll have to talk to my boss and get back with you.” She hated that he’d come by and in front of Gerard. The less her partner knew about her life, the better.

  “Do that, Miss Powers. Quickly.” He nodded and went to another table across the room.

  Gerard stared at her as she walked back to the table. “Not a fiancé, I hope.”

  She glared at him. “No. The doctor caring for my sister. I need to pay him before we leave.”

  “We have an advance to cover expenses. I can give you some.”

  She leveled an angry glare at him. “That would be nice since half of it is mine.”

  He grinned and peeled out two hundred and twenty dollars. “Try not to spend it all at once.”

  Arabella grabbed the money and went back to the Dr. “How much do you need?”

  Dr. Newsome rubbed his jaw. His eyes focused on the money in her hand. “A hundred would carry her through the beginning of the treatment.”

  She counted out a hundred and handed it to the man. “Take good care of her. We’ll be checking in on her.”

  “Yes, yes. I will.” Dr. Newsome smiled.

  Arabella left the doctor to go back to Gerard and had the feeling that neither one of the men were trustworthy. She sat down, closed her eyes for a brief second, and then confessed to him what she’d just done with her advance. “I had to give the doctor a hundred for my sister’s care.”

  Gerard frowned. “You shouldn’t have used that money. We’ll be short.” Then he shrugged. “Well, no need to worry. Besides, your sister’s care requires it. I saw how sick she was.”

  Arabella rolled her eyes at the man and his attempt at compassion. “Yes, I remember how you wouldn’t go near her once you heard she had the lung disease. But thank you for caring enough to dole out our money.” A panicked thought hit when she wondered what Mr. Gordon would say when he found out? “What if Archie learns of what I’ve done?”

  “How is he going to find out?” Gerard hurriedly pocketed his money. “I won’t tell.”

  After taking a sip of water, Arabella wondered if Gerard would hold that over her. Then she wondered why she would even wonder. Of course, he would.

  Someone walked up behind her. “There they are, the newlyweds.”

  Arabella whirled around to face Marianne and Mr. Gordon. Panic set in as she wondered if they’d heard her.

  Gerard stood. “Come and sit with us.”

  Arabella sent Gerard a scathing glare. The man was threatening her. She could wind up having the shortest career in Pinkerton history thanks to her beastly partner.

  Gordon shook his head. “We’ll sit at our table near the front. Good to see you two getting along so well.”

  Arabella wasn’t sure if he was mocking them or serious. She smiled and waved, hoping they’d leave.

  Finally, their boss and Marianne were seated at a table by the window.

  Arabella glared at Gerard. “See? He almost saw you giving me that money and me giving it away.”

  “He didn’t. Relax. You’re not going to make a very good agent unless—”

  “Unless I learn to lie and misuse money? Get this straight Gerard, we’re going to do things by the book. You know why I took this job. My sister’s life depends on it, and I can’t afford to be fired. So, both of us are going to do things by the book.”

  Gerard rolled his shoulders. “You worry too much.”

  She shook her head. “You are the cause for much of my worry.”

  ***

  Finished eating, Gerard stood. The dinner had been excellent even if Arabella had been less than an eager participant. He glanced outside and saw that the sun had slipped behind the mountains and lengthening shadows covered the city in growing darkness.

  “Shall we go to the hotel? It’s just down the street. We can walk, or I can hire a cab.”

  Arabella looked at him, the glare in her eyes had softened a bit. “We can walk. I have a lot on my mind.”

  He took her hand. “It’s going to be all right. I’m good at what I do.”

  “And that would be what, Mr. Fletcher? Getting into trouble?”

  He looked away.

  “I’m sorry. Let’s call a truce.” She squeezed his hand before pulling away.

  “All right. I’ll behave. When we get to our room, we’ll go over the case.” He hadn’t looked at it yet. All his focus had been on her. Beautiful Bell. What a waste.

  She strode confidently beside him.

  Gerard darted a glance at her and wondered how he was going to keep himself thinking about the case while she was in the room. Their room. He’d never been good working with a partner. The Pinkerton agents had nearly gotten him killed on the last case, but then he should have told them what he was up to in the beginning.

  He grinned at the thought of that little Charity, she was a surprise. And a surprise to Seth too as the man married her for keeps. Too bad they quit the agency. Although, Gerard figured Charity had enough gumption in her to keep Seth running for cover for the rest of their lives.

  He stopped at the hotel and held the door for his partner. She walked through the entrance without a hint of a thank you and started for the steps when he called to her. “First floor. Room Five.” He went to the desk to check in and picked up the key.

  She grabbed the key from him, didn’t wait, and left him.

  The clerk smiled at him. “We cleaned your room and put in a few extras for the honeymoon.” The man grinned as if he’d been the one to be married. “We’ve had a rush of married couples who work for the Pinkerton Agency. Makes me want to join.”

  “Yes, I suppose.” He paid the clerk, took a newspaper, and followed after Arabella. Gerard figured that by morning, he’d know every word in the paper by heart. What a honeymoon.

  Ahead of him at the end of the hall, Arabella fumbled with the key and entered the room. The door clicked shut behind her.

  Gerard tried the doorknob, but it was locked. He rapped on the door. “It’s me. Your husband.” He waited. “Open up. Please.”

  After another couple of minutes, the door opened. Arabella glared at him with fiery eyes. But it definitely wasn’t the fire of love. “They delivered our bags. Yours is outside. I’ve put my things in the wardrobe. I’ve also made you a bed on the couch. Or you can use the floor if the couch isn’t long enough.” She didn’t wait for him to acknowledge and turned away.

  Gerard went back in the hall to retrieve his bag and heard the hotel door shut behind him. With a disgusted groan, he picked up the bag and turned to the door which was locked again. He rapped on the door.

  No answer.

  He knocked louder. “Arabella open the door.”

  After a few minutes, she reopened the door. “You should have gotten your own key at the desk.”

  “Apparently, you’re right about that.” He threw his bag in the middle of the room. On a small table he noticed a bottle of champagne and a plate of cheese and apples. He pulled the bottle from the iced container and held it up. “Compliments of the hotel.”

  She glared at him. “I don’t drink liquor.”

  “It’s our honeymoon. Come on.”

  She pulled the curtains shut and then pu
lled down the covers on the bed.

  He grinned. Maybe there was more to her than he thought. He put the bottle down and walked to her, sat on the bed, and took off his boots.

  She shoved him off the bed. “You are on the couch, remember? I already put the blankets and pillow on the sofa, so you’ll be comfortable.

  He whirled to face her. “Look, Arabella, I’m your lawfully married husband. And if—”

  In one quick motion, Arabella pulled a derringer from under her pillow and pointed it at his chest. “Let’s have an understanding of how this partnership is going to be. We work together. We pretend we are married outside, but once we’re in a room together, we go to our respective corners. Charity gave me her little gun. I know how to use it. In fact, I think your shoulder has a little scar from this gun. So, don’t tempt me to give you another.”

  Gerard backed away and held up his hands. “You are one mean woman. Don’t ask me for any favors.”

  “Ha! Like I would. You are an oaf. A boorish man who thinks more highly of himself than anyone else would. I hope you’re smarter than I think you are. Frankly, I hope you’re not an outlaw yourself.” She fluffed her covers and turned away from him.

  “You’re a beautiful woman on the outside, but inside, you’re mean. Don’t worry, you won’t have to worry about my advances anymore. I have no interest in you whatsoever. Now, I think I’ll go and enjoy the gift the hotel left for us.” He stomped to the table and poured himself a glass.

  She turned and scowled at him. “You said we’d go over the case.”

  He threw the folder at her. “Read to your heart’s content. I’ll look at it later.” He turned his back to her and enjoyed the snack. Furthermore, he had no intention of reading about the case. That could be her job. He’d wait until Archie told them all the parameters of the case in the morning.

  He propped his feet on the table and had another drink.

  Chapter 3

  Arabella woke long before Gerard. No doubt, he’d have a fuzzy mind by all the champagne he’d downed. But he’d stayed away from her. She hurriedly dressed and glared at the still snoring heap of disgust. For a moment, she thought about asking for a new partner, but Mr. Gordon had declared there would be no changes. Ready to leave for breakfast, she banged the empty bottle down on the table.

  With a start, Gerard sat up and grabbed his head. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going down for breakfast and then to the headquarters. Care to join me? Or do I have to tell Mr. Gordon that you quit.”

  He growled at her. “I’m no quitter. I’ll meet you at the headquarters.”

  “Be sure and clean up and try not to smell like liquor.”

  “Bossy woman. Just remember you need me. I’m the senior agent and responsible for your training.” He tried to stand, wavered, and sat back down.

  “I’ll try to remember that.” She went to the bed and picked up the folder and threw it at him. “You might familiarize yourself with the case.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do.” He threw the folder back at her.

  Arabella picked it up and stormed out the door, slammed it shut, and hoped the noise added to her partner’s headache. How she was going to endure the time with him, she wasn’t sure. He was so high on himself she could barely stand him. One thing was for sure, as soon as the case was solved, she was having the marriage annulled.

  It was a good thing she’d made Gerard give her a portion of the advance. At least she could pay for her meal. She finished breakfast and was about to leave the hotel when Dr. Newsome walked over to her.

  “Miss Powers, I’m so glad to catch you. I wonder if you could pay a little more for your sister. After examining her this morning, I realize that she will be here some time and, well, the beds are scarce and at a premium. I have at least two more patients waiting for a spot.” He shifted his feet and shrugged his shoulders as if from a chill.

  The money in her pocket burned hot. But it wasn’t really hers and was to be used for expenses while on the case. “How much?”

  “Another hundred if you have it.” He looked away from her and then back. “Any less won’t guarantee her a room for as long as she will need.”

  Arabella thought of her sweet sister. She had to take care of her that was all there was to it. Arabella took the money out of her pocket and counted out a hundred to the man, bitterly aware that she’d barely given a thought to paying out of the advance money. Perhaps she was becoming as much an brigand as Gerard.

  “Thank you. This will keep your sister in the best of care. I know you’re leaving town soon, if you can, leave a forwarding address so I can contact you if I need to.”

  Arabella nodded. “Yes, I will. Excuse me, but I am expected at the headquarters.”

  He tipped his hat and walked down the street toward the sanitorium.

  With a long sigh, she walked across the street. Not even one day on the job and she’d already lost her advance. Despite the troubles, she was excited about the case. She could do this. She would make Mr. Gordon proud and happy that he hired her. She put away her misuse of funds and held her head high. On the way to the headquarters, she didn’t see Gerard anywhere. It would serve him right if he got fired.

  Arabella opened the door and smiled at Marianne. “I hope I’m not too early. He did say nine o’clock.” She glanced at the clock and grinned that she was fifteen minutes early.

  “Not at all. Mr. Gordon and Gerard are in the office.”

  Heat flushed Arabella’s cheeks. That worm. He must have rushed to get ready and ran over here to make her look bad. She followed Marianne and took the only empty chair at the side of Mr. Gordon’s desk.

  She looked right at Mr. Gordon and ignored her high and mighty partner. “Hello, I’m excited to get started on the case. I reviewed the folder—”

  Mr. Gordon stood. “I was just discussing with Gerard that I’ve decided to give you two another case. I’m sorry to change it on you so quickly.”

  “Oh.”

  He pulled a folder from his desk. “Sorry, I only have one folder.” He handed it to Gerard. “You can give it to Miss, er Mrs. Fletcher when you’re finished.”

  Arabella tried to hide her disgust as Gerard, grinning like a fox, took the folder and nodded at her. “Yes, I’ll go over it with her and make sure she understands.”

  Mr. Gordon sat back in his chair. “This is an important case. One of our best clients has been losing money. He believes he’s been swindled but can’t prove it. That’s your job.”

  “Sounds easy enough.” Gerard practically purred his pleasure.

  “Mr. Jenkins has holdings in Chicago, St. Louis, as well as Denver. He owns saloons and gambling parlors. But he is sure someone is skimming the profit by swindling those running the parlors. Mr. Jenkins has paid us a pretty amount to see that we stop it and find the scoundrel.”

  Arabella wasn’t sure, but Gerard’s usual wily look of a cat having swallowed the canary had changed into one that had swallowed a bone that was now stuck in his throat.

  Mr. Gordon continued. “There is a suspect. Alford Long. But so far, no one has been able to catch him or even agree on what he looks like.”

  This time, Gerard coughed.

  Arabella glanced at her partner and wondered if last night’s champagne was taking its toll.

  Mr. Gordon handed Gerard an envelope. “Your tickets to St. Louis, the last place Alford was seen.” He turned to Arabella. “There may be a possibility that you will have to work in the saloon. Will that be a problem?”

  Now it was her turn to feel sick. “Well, I,” she thought of Anabella. “I guess I can if I know that my partner has my back and will see that I am kept safe.”

  Gerard stared at her. “I’ll be there. You don’t have to worry.”

  She looked at him and wondered why he looked so worried. And that worried her. Here they hadn’t even left the building, and she was shaking. But her sister needed her. She would and could do this. The Lord and Gerard would keep her s
afe. Well, at least the Lord. But then she wondered if God would watch out for her in a den of iniquity.

  Mr. Gordon walked to the door. “I already gave Gerard the advance. As in all our cases, if you run short, send a list of expenses, and I’ll see that we issue a wire for a bank draft, so you can get more. But what I’ve already given you should be enough.”

  Arabella nearly choked. Did he know she used the advance? She said a quick prayer that she wouldn’t wind up in jail with the criminals she was trying to catch.

  Gerard stumbled to his feet. “Yes, sir.” He gestured for Arabella to go.

  On shaky knees, she walked out the door ahead of her partner. Suddenly, her enthusiasm was gone. If it weren’t for her sister, Arabella wouldn’t consider such a job. Gerard stormed past her. She stared after him. What was she going to do?

  ***

  Gerard charged toward the hotel. The sunny day he’d felt this morning was now dark and dreary even if there weren’t any clouds. What had he gotten himself into? He could hear Arabella behind him. Seems the spark had gone out of her step, too.

  Well, not that he could blame her. Being a saloon girl sure didn’t fit her personality. Not that she was a prude, but he couldn’t picture seeing her neck much less anything else. He grinned. Might be fun to protect her.

  Then there was his situation. What a mess. He’d not tell her. Couldn’t tell her. She already thought low enough of him. Why he cared, he wasn’t sure. He drew in a deep breath of fresh, clean, free air and hoped he wouldn’t find himself in jail. This case was going to require some fast thinking.

  He stopped and held the hotel door for his partner. “We’ll pack and get to the train.”

  She nodded.

  He noticed she didn’t seem so happy either. Guess the saloon girl option had her worried. Maybe he could instruct her on how to act. Plus, she had that little gun to protect herself. If her saloon outfit had a place to hide it in.

  It didn’t take them long to pack. Gerard went over to her. “Don’t forget your little friend you put under your pillow.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got it.” She glared at him as if he were the enemy.