An Agent for Zennia Read online

  “Not at all.” Kyle stood and let his eyes rove over the room. Nothing seemed out of place. No signs of struggle. In fact, everything was neat and tidy. So neat, he wondered how long Amanda had been missing. He’d received the telegram just days ago. He walked to the window and ran his finger along a bookshelf. Dust.

  What were you doing in here, Amanda? Not studying by the looks of your desk. He opened the desk drawer, but nothing seemed out of place. Her clothes were in the closet. Her bag under the bed.

  The bed was made. There was nothing to tell him what happened to her. In fact, he got the odd thought that there was too much of nothing. His senses were on alert, and he had that warning tick in the back of his mind that the nothing should tell him something.

  “Can I talk to the women in the room next door? And those across the hall?”

  Miss Walsh looked troubled. “The girl next door moved out before the semester began. Amanda requested her privacy, and the room was never filled. Across the hall, Jane Bigsby moved out three weeks ago, and the room next to her was vacant.

  “I see.” Kyle sat on the bed and studied the room. There had to be something. Although it was odd that Amanda never told him she didn’t have neighbors. She’d never struck him as one who wanted friends either.

  He rose and went to the dresser. Her brush was missing. “There’s no brush.”

  “Well, a woman would take that with her.”

  “I suppose. When was the last time you talked to her?” Kyle looked at the window to see if he could tell she’d climbed in recently, but the window was locked.

  Miss Walsh was frowning. “I guess it would have been a week ago. She was in her history class. Though from what I knew of Amanda, she didn’t socialize with the other girls.”

  Kyle thought back. The woman was right. All the times that he was with Amanda, she never spoke of having friends. Yet, she was warm and friendly to him. He went to the bookshelf and pulled out a history book.

  “Miss Walsh, do you have her attendance records? I’d like to talk to some of her instructors.”

  “Yes, let’s go back to my office.” The woman looked perplexed. “She was a very generous student. Or her father was. He paid for her tuition and always added extra for those less fortunate.”

  Kyle nodded. “Did you ever meet him?”

  “No. He always conversed by mail. Or Amanda.” She entered the building and unlocked her door. “Here we are. Professor Biggs teaches history. He has an hour off if you’d like to talk to him now.”

  “Yes, let’s go.” Kyle couldn’t shake the suspicions that had begun to mount against Amanda. Things were not right. He’d never noticed them before and thought she was a delightful woman. Perhaps the one he would marry.

  Any characteristics that he had found different about her, he had attributed to her being from a wealthy family. The lack of friends. Never meeting her parents even after she had suggested she might consent to being his fiancé.

  “Not a formal engagement,” Amanda had explained. “Just between you and me.” Amanda had whispered to him. So, what good was a secret engagement?

  Kyle had been so taken with her, he’d not paid any mind to the conditions. They were perfect together, so he’d thought.

  Within minutes, they were at the history professor’s door. Miss Walsh knocked and then entered the small office. “Craig, we have some questions about one of your students.”

  The professor looked the part, wearing glasses and beard to make him the perfect example of a college instructor.

  “How can I help you?” Professor Biggs lit the pipe that was in his hand. He listened to Kyle’s question, and after a few puffs, he nodded and took the pipe from his mouth. “Amanda Vaughn, yes, I remember her. Bright. Smart. And absent more days than she attended my class. I was on the verge of failing her when she gave me a substantial contribution to our college. I let her stay.”

  Kyle leaned against the desk. The man had an accent, but Kyle couldn’t place it. “Did Amanda sit by anyone in class? Did you ever see her with anyone?”

  “No. Amanda kept to herself. Amanda likes history and politics. When she did show up, she was an engaging student with unique ideas.”

  “Like what?” Kyle was curious.

  “She believed we should be free to do as we please. No rules. I got the impression her father wasn’t pleased with her ideas.”

  That was news to Kyle. Amanda had always spoken as if she got along with her parents. “Thank you, Professor. Miss Walsh. I may have more questions later.”

  Miss Walsh nodded. “I hope you find her. I had not heard of any problems, and I want to assure you that we go to great lengths to protect our students.”

  Kyle nodded and left the building. He checked his pocket watch and decided he better get back to the hotel and check on Zennia. He hoped she’d obeyed him and was there.

  ***

  Zennia shopped in the store and bought several skirts and blouses. She even purchased a few that were exquisite and perfect for an expensive restaurant. She wanted to be ready and prepared for whatever Kyle might come up with.

  Then she also bought some that were just right for a girl going to college. She wondered what Kyle found out. There was the chance that Amanda was in her room or class. But she doubted it. The telegram did sound as if the woman was scared and in danger.

  Still, Zennia pondered the case as she went back to her room to put her items away. Kyle seemed conflicted when talking about their engagement. How did he put it, almost fiancé? How could he be almost engaged? What had happened to keep them from setting a date?

  After pacing the room for an hour, she sat at the window and looked at the busy street below. Chicago was a city on the move, and Zennia found it both exciting and unsettling. Denver was a bustling town but didn’t have nearly the population.

  Tired of waiting for Kyle to return, she left her room and went to the large hotel lobby. It was extravagant, to say the least. Chandeliers with tall ceilings. Comfortable velvet couches with tables and newspapers from major cities around the country.

  Patting her skirt pocket to make sure she had her derringer, she settled on one of the couches and waited for Kyle to return. She used her free time to hone her skills by making detailed descriptions of those in the room.

  The man opposite her buried his head in a newspaper from St. Louis. But she didn’t think he was reading it. He was obviously watching someone or waiting for someone. She thought he was interesting and wondered what he was up to.

  Zennia pulled out her notebook and pencil to draw the woman at the counter. She’d been waiting sometime but appeared to be looking for someone. The lady had brown hair swooped up from her neck and hidden under a flowery hat.

  Her skirt was forest green that contrasted with a pale, yellow blouse decorated with ornate lace. She was a beautiful woman, but there was sadness in her eyes. Quickly, Zennia sketched the woman, wondering about her story as she filled in her hair and drew the intricate feathering on her hat.

  A glance at the man in front showed he had put the paper down. Strangely enough, he was looking at the woman Zennia had just drawn. The man seemed to be a little younger than the woman. He was slim, but she thought fit by the way his shoulders stretched his brown jacket.

  His hair was dark brown and slicked back. His hands were strong with short fingers. Short fingernails with some dirt around them. A hard worker. Not a genteel gentleman for sure. So, what would he want with Miss Pretty?

  After a glance at Miss Pretty, she changed it to Mrs. Pretty as Zennia saw that the woman’s delicate hand was graced with a wedding ring. Was she waiting for her husband? Had he agreed to meet her but was late?

  And why was Mr. Hard Worker watching her with such interest?

  “Well, I see you were watching for me?” Kyle sat down beside her. “If I’d been one of those wanted-dead-or-alive outlaws, you’d have been in real trouble.”

  She grinned and showed him her sketches. “I was practicing.”

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nbsp; “I see.” He took the notebook from her and stared at the woman. Kyle looked around. Where is this one?”

  Zennia went to point to the counter, but Mrs. Pretty was gone. Apparently, her husband must have shown up. “She was standing by the counter, but she’s gone now. Why? Does she look familiar?”

  He stared at the drawing. “No, I guess not.” He flipped the page and saw Mr. Hard Worker. “And this guy, where is he?”

  Zennia looked across from them and saw that he had left, too. “He was sitting on the couch opposite me. Perhaps your reputation scared them away, and they left when the Pinkerton agent entered the hotel.”

  He laughed and shoved the notebook against her shoulder. “You are a Pinkerton agent, too. I’m surprised you’d forget that.”

  “I didn’t. But I don’t have a reputation yet.” She grinned. She did like Kyle. He wasn’t at all like she’d thought he’d be. Of course, she’d pictured the Pinkerton agents to look like Archie Gordon. Beard, glasses, and all serious. Kyle was none of those things.

  “Well, would you like to walk around Chicago a bit? Then we can have dinner, and I can tell you about my meeting at the college.” Kyle stood and offered her his hand.

  Zennia took his hand, and warmth shot through her fingers. She smiled at him and was caught by surprise with sudden feelings at his touch. She reminded herself that he was almost engaged, and they were here to find Amanda.

  He put a hand lightly on her back and guided her toward the door.

  Her breath caught at his touch as tingles prickled her spine. Zennia chided herself to stop such silly school-girl feelings. He was her partner. Big brother. Nothing else.

  Once outside, he pointed to a carriage and helped her inside. “I thought a ride by the lake would be nice.”

  Zennia pulled her shawl around her. “It’s beautiful. Almost like looking at the ocean.”

  “The breeze coming off the lake is always cool. Are you warm enough?”

  A gust of wind caused her to shiver.

  Kyle reached under the seat, pulled out a blanket, and wrapped it around her shoulders. “How’s that?”

  Zennia looked at him, and their gazes met. “Fine. Thank you.” She wondered if he was looking at her as a little sister. She had to admit, every time he was near her or touched her, tingles went through the midst of her.

  He pointed to a restaurant. “I’ve eaten here a few times.” He grinned. “I can read the menu in this one.”

  She laughed. “I learned to speak French while I was in school. Thank you for showing me some of the sites of the town.”

  Kyle looked at her and smiled. “My pleasure. I’ve missed the city. Tomorrow, I want you to go to the college and ask to room in the dormitory room 235. That’s the room across from Amanda’s.”

  “Will do. I’m looking forward to getting started. What classes should I take?”

  Kyle helped her from the carriage and held the door for her into the restaurant. “I’ll give you the list of classes that Amanda was in. If you take those, that would be the best.” He led her to a table and held her chair for her.

  “I could get used to being treated this way.” She smiled at him and couldn’t deny she had feelings for him. She unfolded her napkin and tried to shake the feelings.

  Kyle sat next to her. “Amanda’s room looked like she hadn’t been there in a while. The one professor I talked to said she only came to class occasionally, and he hadn’t seen her in the last week.”

  “Did you talk to her friends?” Zennia stared at the menu and settled on the fish. With difficulty, she forced her thinking toward the case and away from Kyle. She watched him as he ordered steak.

  “I hope you like the hotel?”

  “I love it. Denver has some fancy ones, but this one is amazing. I noticed they had a menu of Game Dinners.”

  Kyle nodded. “Exotic game. If you want buffalo, bear, and more. We’ll have to try and eat during one of them. It’s a social affair, and sometimes the room is full.” His gaze lingered on her.

  Looking down to recover her bearings, Zennia then looked around the restaurant. It was decorated with musical instruments. French horns and trombones hung from the ceiling. A grand piano decorated the center of the room while a man in a tuxedo played soothing music.

  “The food here is wonderful. It was one of Amanda’s favorite places.” Kyle’s gaze turned to the center of the room, and he looked as if he was watching for his fiancé.

  Almost fiancé, Zennia reminded herself, and then she looked at Kyle and pictured him as a man missing the woman he loved. Her schoolgirl tingles abruptly stopped. She was here to be his partner and nothing else.

  She enjoyed the dinner and the music but was ready to go back to the hotel when it was over. Kyle was a perfect gentleman and offered her no reason to consider anything else other than her place as a partner.

  Zennia sat straight and reined in her thoughts. She’d be professional in her work and keep her focus on the case. To find Amanda. Kyle’s fiancé.

  Chapter 5

  Zennia had a quick breakfast with Kyle and then took a carriage to the college. She had memorized the classes she wanted to enroll in. History. Geography. Politics. Finance. It would seem Amanda was into economics and history with a side of politics.

  Well, she was well versed in history. Finance, her father had taught her well, and she knew quite a bit about the workings of money and wealth. History, Zennia had loved and should be able to do quite well in class.

  Zennia had been thinking about the Vaughn name and how their fortune was made. She’d kept from asking Kyle about it because she thought he might be conflicted. He seemed reluctant to talk to her about Amanda.

  The taxi stopped in front of Carver’s Girl’s College, and she exited the carriage and walked to the admitting office. Miss Walsh greeted her and welcomed her warmly. The woman was a little reluctant to let her enroll until Zennia pulled out a check register from her father’s bank. Only the wealthy were privileged to have them, and Father had made sure she was well taken care of should she want to shop.

  Somehow, Father thought the only things women could do was shop for clothes and trinkets. Although, Zennia had bought several horses before with her checks. Father had been angry until he saw they were excellent breeding stock for the ranch. Today, she was able to enroll in the college because of her position of wealth.

  “Would you like to see your room?”

  Zennia nodded. “When is my next class?”

  “Professor Biggs, your history class. But that won’t start until after lunch.”

  “Fine. I’d like to see my room. Later I’ll have my things brought to my dormitory.” Zennia followed the woman across the campus. Memories of her time in Virginia flooded back to her.

  She’d enjoyed her time, although her instructors had often been perturbed by her questions. Zennia didn’t care about how to greet dignitaries. She wanted to know why the rich thought they could rule nations. They considered her a bit of a rebel, and too soon, she was sent home.

  As she walked into her room, she glanced across the hall to Amanda’s room. The door was closed.

  Miss Walsh handed her the key. “I hope you’ll enjoy your time here. We like to challenge our students.”

  “I’ll enjoy that very much. Thank you, Miss Walsh.”

  After the woman left her room, Zennia looked around. It wasn’t bad as far as dorm rooms go. The bed was small but comfortable. She would definitely miss staying at the hotel and miss seeing Kyle, too.

  “Stop that.” She shook her head and looked around the room. After her class, she’d go back to the hotel and have her trunk delivered to the dorm. But for now, she needed to put something on the door across the hall so she could tell if anyone came back to the room.

  Zennia had a feeling that something wasn’t right regarding Amanda. No one had reported her missing. Tomorrow was Saturday, so she and Kyle would talk to the family and see if they knew of Amanda’s whereabouts.

  After sc
ouring her room, Zennia took paper from her notebook and tore it into small strips. Carefully, she shoved a strip above the door, and one shoved under the door. When she came back to her room, she’d check and see if anyone had entered the room.

  Excited to have a challenge, Zennia left her room and went to the building where Professor Biggs would teach about history. Carrying her notebook, she stuffed the pencil in her hair above her ear and went to the classroom.

  The professor nodded to her and welcomed her to the class. He tapped his pencil on the podium to get everyone’s attention and told them to open to page fifty-one. He glanced at Zennia and passed a book along the row to her.

  She opened the page and was happy to see it was about George Washington. One of her favorite heroes from the founding of the nation. Zennia tuned out the professor’s droning voice and read the chapter, finishing long before the professor.

  She used the extra time to look at the other students in the class and tried to decide who Amanda might have befriended. Zennia chided herself for not looking for a seating chart to see where Amanda had sat.

  The room was practically full. There was an empty seat in the back. Perhaps that was Amanda’s. Zennia locked the descriptions of the two women next to the empty chair and purposed to find them after the class and talk to them.

  She’d already come up with an idea. Zennia would pose as Amanda’s distant cousin. To be Kyle’s kid sister wouldn’t work to get her close to Amanda’s friends if she had any.

  Finally, the professor closed the book and said the class was dismissed.

  Zennia went up to him. “Fascinating. Washington is my favorite hero.”

  “Oh, is that so. I’m glad you enjoyed the lecture.” He cleared his throat and gave her a humorous grin.

  “I’m sorry. I opened the book and couldn’t help but read ahead.” She handed the book to him. “I’ll have to find out where to buy the book.”

  “Keep it. It’s exciting to find someone who enjoys history.”

  “Could I ask about one of your students? Amanda Vaughn. I’m a distant cousin, and I was hoping to see her.”