An Agent for Zennia Read online

  “You don’t have to get so upset. A simple no would have been fine.” She met his stare with her own challenging glare.

  His gaze didn’t waver. “Somehow, Little Sis, I doubt that. I’ve been watching you, and I think you’re used to having your own way. Spoiled rotten if you ask me.”

  Zennia huffed. “How dare you say such a thing. You don’t even know me. Not really. You will find me capable—”

  “And obedient? Somehow, I don’t think so. But I’m warning you if you don’t do as I say, I’ll send you home and write you up in a report that will make Archie fire you. You are in training. Remember that.”

  Her mouth was open. She closed it, thinking about how she must have looked like a catfish with it hanging open. How dare he, but he was right. “I understand. I’ll wait for you to figure out what to do. In the meantime, while you’re deciding, I’ll pray for Amanda that nothing awful has happened to her. Because, if it was me, I’d want people actively looking for me.”

  His eyes narrowed along with his lips. But before he could say more, the train lurched to a halt, throwing her against him.

  Zennia hit him in the chest with her head and shoulders. She felt his strong muscles and warmth. Embarrassed, she struggled to sit up straight and get away from him.

  He almost picked her up and set her back in the seat. “Are you all right?”

  “Of course, I am. Sorry. It caught me off guard.”

  “And that is why you need to do as I say.”

  She stared at him. His eyes had softened some, and the fight had been knocked out of her. “Yes, sir. I will.” Zennia meant the words, too. Pretty much any way.

  He stood. “Follow me.”

  “I thought we were waiting until the care emptied.”

  He pointed behind her. “It is.”

  She turned. He was right. Not a soul remained in the car. “They sure ran out of here. Wonder what the hurry was?”

  He pointed out the window. “I’d say they were meeting family. Loved ones.”

  Zennia stared out the window at a man embracing a woman. From the looks of it, they were lovers. Husband and wife? A man meeting his fiancé. She glanced at Kyle to see if the couple’s embrace affected him. Was he missing his fiancé? Worried about Amanda?

  Instead, he looked straight ahead and ushered her out of the car. Chicago was a bustling city on the go. Trains were boarding as well as letting passengers off. Excitement filled her at all the activity, and as she watched, people met with joy and departed one another with heartfelt sadness.

  She followed Kyle and took in the untold stories going on around her. Yet, as she looked at the broad shoulders of the man in front of her, she wondered about his story and his missing fiancé.

  He picked up her bag and then his. “We’ll get a cab and go to the Grand Pacific Hotel. It is one of the finest and first built after the great fire. I think you’ll like it. Five dollars a night but includes meals.”

  She nodded. “I’ve heard of it. The fire must have been terrible.”

  Kyle nodded. “It all started in a barn by O’Leary’s cow. I helped fight the fire. In fact, it was because of the fire that I met Amanda. I came into a relief center after looking for the injured.” He stopped for a moment. “It was horrendous, killing three hundred people. The fire was so hot it took days for it to cool enough before we could go through the rubble.”

  “That must have been horrible.” She felt his great sorrow.

  “Amanda handed me a cup of coffee. I’ll never forget her sweet smile. So genuine and loving. I was immediately taken with her. Over the next three days, we became friends. She told me she was going to Carver’s Girls College and invited me to come to their Sunday luncheon. After that, we met regularly.”

  Zennia waited for more, but Kyle was finished. He waved a cab over and helped her into the carriage.

  “The hotel has elevators and hot water. Excellent cuisine with French and Italian chefs.” He looked at her and smiled. “You won’t want to leave the hotel.”

  She grinned. Wealth was no stranger to her. Apparently, Kyle had not connected her with Arthur Fields and his grand wealth from the gold mines, ranching, and banking. Whatever her father touched turned to, if not gold, wealth.

  She sat in the carriage and adjusted her skirt. “I may do some shopping to find some dresses more appropriate for college. When you go, pick up a brochure so I can talk to the dean. I’m sure they’ll accept me. We hit the right time as this is the beginning of a new semester.”

  Kyle studied her as if looking at her for the first time. “New clothes? Well, the hotel has some stores in it. I don’t feel comfortable with you going about the city unescorted. I love Chicago, but it does have its seedier side.”

  Zennia had to admit, she liked the idea that he cared about her safety. But she did have her derringer. And she was a Pinkerton agent. It was not likely that other agents were babied by their partner while in town.

  She threw off her irritation and tried to get him to see her as an agent and not a little sister. “Will we stop at the Pinkerton Agency?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll probably meet with Ulyssa. She’s married now to Cade Monroe, a professor at the University. She’d be a good one to ask for help. Ulyssa knows the gangs and families in Chicago that might have a feud with Amanda’s family.”

  Zennia chuckled. “I guess Chicago isn’t far removed from the wild west.”

  “No, it’s not. After the fire, General Sheridan coordinated the federal relief efforts. Maybe he should have stayed and kept the peace.”

  “Is it that bad?”

  “No. Not really. I guess I’m just unsettled about Amanda.”

  Zennia put a hand on his arm. “Perhaps she’ll be in her room, and it’s all a big misunderstanding.”

  “Thanks, but I have a gut feeling that she’s in trouble. Her last letter was filled with her worry and trouble. Nothing big but small things. A stranger pushing her down. Someone stealing her mail. A man following her to class.” He looked away and tapped his finger on the carriage door.

  Sitting back, Zennia pondered the information he’d given her. Along with the examples he cited, and the ominous telegram, she couldn’t help but worry about Amanda. She prayed for the woman, asking the Lord to protect her, and that He would give them direction in saving her from danger.

  ***

  Kyle checked them into the hotel. He’d made sure that his room was across the hall from Zennia’s. He figured he was going to have to watch out for his eager partner. She fit the little sister role perfectly.

  It was early enough that he could take Zennia to lunch and then check out Amanda’s room at the college. He glanced at her door and smiled. Kyle wanted to show her the best and treat her to the wonders of Chicago.

  He knocked.

  Zennia swung open the door and looked at him with that funny adoring smile she had. “Yes?”

  “I thought we’d have lunch in the dining room.” He suddenly felt awkward as if he was betraying Amanda. Then he chided himself. Zennia was nothing more than his partner, and he only looked at her like a kid sister.

  “I’d love to.” She blushed and went into her room to gather her reticule and shawl. “It was a bit chilly in the carriage.”

  He offered her his arm. Amanda had said it was the proper way for a man to accompany a woman in Chicago.

  Zennia grinned and put her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Lead on, Big Brother.”

  He wasn’t prepared for the warmth of her hand on his arm. Kyle set his mind on Amanda, the reason he was here. Zennia was his partner only, and it was going to stay that way. He led her to the escalator and then to the dining room. He didn’t say much, and for once, Zennia was quiet.

  Kyle nodded at the waiter and followed him as he led them to a table at the far end of the room close to the window. After Zennia was seated, Kyle picked up the menu. He couldn’t read French. Amanda had always ordered for him.

  Zennia nodded at the waiter. “The F
ricassee de poulets en vol-au-vent, please.”

  Kyle stared at the foreign words.

  Zennia lightly touched his hand. “Would you like beef as in a pot roast?”

  He smiled and nodded.

  Zennia ordered, sounding as if she’d walked off the streets of Paris. After the waiter left, she smiled. “I could tell by the confused look you had that you didn’t read French. This is a lovely hotel and restaurant. Thank you for booking us rooms here. Did Archie give us enough of an advance to cover the cost?”

  Kyle nodded. The answer was no, but he thought if he scrimped, and if the case didn’t last too long, they’d have enough.

  Zennia grinned at him, looking mischievous as well as quite feminine. “Well, I have plenty of money if you need some. I can pay my own way.” She took a sip of water and set the glass down, running her finger over the crystal. “I’m quite wealthy.”

  He couldn’t have been more surprised. “I didn’t know.”

  She nodded. “Zennia Fields of Denver. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Field’s Mine? My father’s.”

  Kyle knew his mouth was probably hanging open, but he couldn’t even begin to close it. Fancy restaurant or not. Finally, he recovered from his shock. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. Not that it matters. You’re still my partner, and I’m the lead agent.”

  She laughed. A delightful light sound that set off a buzz of warning in the back of his mind. What had he been thinking when he agreed to take her along as his partner? What would Amanda think?

  Zennia shook her head. “Neither you nor Archie took the time to investigate me. I find that rather odd for a detective agency.”

  Kyle stared at her. She was right. “I guess I barged in and needed a partner to help me find Amanda. Archie must have thought that I knew you.”

  “Possible. Still, I would have thought that you would want to make sure I wasn’t wanted.” She grinned, and her eyes lit up playfully.

  He put a hand on the stem of his glass and tapped his finger. “Maybe we did. You don’t exactly fit the profile of a criminal.” He put a hand under her chin and turned her head as he studied her profile. “Nope, your nose is too delicate. Eyes are perfectly placed and not too far apart. I’d say you’re a wonderful young lady.”

  Zennia cleared her throat. “I’m a woman, Kyle. I may be playing the role of your little sister, but I am twenty-one years old. That makes me a full-grown woman.”

  He sat back and looked at her. “No, you’re my little sister. That’s the way that I’ll look at you.” He took a sip of water and watched her. Was it because she’d told him how old she was that she looked older and more mature? Pretty even. She’d fixed her hair. Changed into a nice skirt and blouse. He shoved thoughts of her away and concentrated on Amanda. That is, he tried.

  Head up and eyes shining, Zennia challenged him. “I don’t care what you say. I’m grown, and your partner. I expect you to treat me the way you’d treat any other partner you’ve had.” She pulled away from him.

  His hand slid from her to the table. He could still feel the warmth of her. The air between them was full of life and charged like an approaching storm. He could see that she didn’t like being treated like a kid, and in an instant, somehow, he wasn’t seeing her as a girl anymore.

  As she sat before him, he noticed that she had been transformed in his eyes to a grown woman. A lovely one at that. Although, he could see that her hair was already rebelling and falling from the bun she’d attempted. Yet, she was no longer the kid sister, but Zennia, a woman, and his partner.

  The food came, and he enjoyed it even though there wasn’t much of it. A good Denver steak would have filled him. This portion was barely as big as a woman’s fist. Maybe that was why Napoleon had been so short.

  Zennia ate her meal with a dainty hand, and with the etiquette, he remembered Amanda had used. Feeling outclassed, Kyle set his napkin down and pushed away from the table. “That was good.”

  She laughed. “Hardly enough to fill a proper man from the west.” Zennia slid one of her rolls toward him. “In case you have room for more food. By the way, I saw a shop in the front of the hotel. Would it be all right if I shopped there while you are gone?”

  Busy devouring the roll, he nodded. Still taken by Zennia’s looks, he wondered what had made the difference. He tore his gaze from her and watched the people coming into the dining room. He had to admit, he was hoping he’d see Amanda. They’d often frequented the fancy restaurants of Chicago. He needed to find Amanda. Soon.

  Staring at the chandelier, he recalled one of their last meals together. He was leaving in a week, and Amanda took him to a French restaurant near the lake. A going away meal she called it. They had arrived late. She talked to the head waiter in French, and he’d taken them to a table near the water.

  Amanda smiled as the music started, she danced with him. She was light as a feather and so warm in his arms and smelled so good. He grinned as he pictured Amanda in the royal blue dress, her blond hair shimmering in the flickering candlelight and the way she looked at him. Then he frowned. As he thought back, her look had been more of sadness and not love.

  He hadn’t thought about it, but there were times he caught her looking toward the door as if she was waiting for someone. More than once, he saw her gaze slide away from him. And the way she paraded him around the dance floor, it was almost as if she were showing him off.

  Funny that he’d never thought of it before.

  “Is something wrong?” Zennia was watching him, concern wrinkling her brow.

  Shifting his thoughts to the present, he nodded at her. “My fiancé is missing.” He hoped that would stop her inquisition.

  She blushed, but he could see she still had questions and didn’t buy his answer. His kid sister would bear watching. That’s all Zennia was. His partner in her role as his little sister. Nothing more.

  Chapter 4

  Kyle made sure Zennia agreed to stay in the hotel and had left her happily going through dresses in the expensive shop. At least she had money. That had surprised him. By her demeanor and excited zest to be a detective, he’d have never guessed she was the daughter of Arthur Fields.

  He’d met the man once at a dinner to support the law in Denver. As Kyle remembered, Mr. Fields was a tall man, rugged like the old west, and tough as a railroad spike. He wondered if he knew what his daughter was up to, and then Kyle doubted the man did, or he’d have never let Zennia join the Pinkertons.

  Amanda had also been the daughter of a wealthy man. Kyle had met him once. Amanda had arranged it. Trouble scratched at the back of Kyle’s mind. It had been an odd meeting. He didn’t know Amanda had planned it. They were at one of her father’s banks so that she could cash a check.

  They’d been standing by the counter when she turned away from him and waved. “Come on, I want you to meet my father.”

  She’d grabbed his hand and led him to her father’s office. Kyle had just gotten off from an all-night case and hadn’t slept in a day. His clothes were wrinkled. He didn’t know they were meeting her father until she opened the door and barged in his office, dragging Kyle along with her.

  Her father had looked shocked and none too happy. Kyle didn’t blame him. If Amanda had explained she wanted to introduce him to her father, he’d have cleaned up. Why had he not thought of these things while he was with her? Perhaps his head had been influenced too much by his heart.

  Kyle stopped in front of the taxi stand and put the past away. He needed to find Amanda. He gave the address to the next available cab and settled in the back of the hackney carriage. The air had turned colder as the wind blew in from Lake Michigan.

  Soon, he stepped out of the carriage and onto the college. Carver’s Girl’s College - a renowned institution for the higher learning of women, so the sign said. Amanda had told him repeatedly that is wasn’t a place for the simple-minded rich who needed to know social manners, but for women who were serious about studying.

  Amanda had been that way. She was intere
sted in Chicago politics and finances. But what was it she always said? Money makes money and how it was essential to protect your wealth.

  Kyle wouldn’t know. He’d never been wealthy. Not poor, but his family had worked hard to make a living. That Amanda had chosen him was still a mystery. She could have had her pick of any of the wealthy young men in Chicago. At least, that was what she’d led him to believe.

  He smiled, thinking about her. She always greeted him with a bright smile. That he enjoyed remembering. Kyle walked to the main office. He’d need permission to check her room and pulled out his badge to speak to the headmistress, Miss Walsh.

  The woman was stern and reminded him of a female version of General Sherman. Kyle took his badge and the telegram from the woman. “I need to check her room. I’m sure you can see by the telegram that she may be in some sort of danger. Have you seen her today?”

  Miss Walsh frowned. “No. Not for several days. I will have to accompany you. This is an all-girls school, you understand.”

  “Yes. I’m in a hurry, can we go now?”

  Closing the register that she’d been writing in, Miss Walsh stood and walked to a board by the door. She pulled a key from the wall and gestured for him to exit. She followed and locked the door behind her.

  “I do see that she has missed her classes. That is distressing. I know Amanda, and she is an excellent student.” They walked across the campus to a dormitory.

  Kyle recognized it. A few times, he’d helped her climb the trellis so they could have dinner together. He’d seen her room once. She’d enticed him to come in, and he remembered it as sparsely decorated for someone so wealthy.

  Miss Walsh entered the far door and exclaimed. “Man in the hall.” She turned to him. “That’s to warn the women not to come out unless they were dressed for the day.” One floor up, they went to room 234. The first room on the north side of the hallway.

  After unlocking the door, Miss Walsh opened it and entered. “You can take your time, Detective. But I’ll remain here with you if you don’t mind.”