Quinn's War
Page 12
Chapter 11
Will Brown came back late and found a note from Floyd under his door. “A letter came for you. I smelled it and thought I should deliver it myself. Floyd.”
Will woke Floyd up early to retrieve the letter.
“You don’t have to say, but if it’s from that nurse, I’ll bet it’s good news.”
Will opened the letter. “Am I right?” Floyd said.
Will shook his head. “It’s Marjorie.” He handed the letter to his friend.
“Will. Do you remember our talk about good men and bad men? I think I met a really bad man today. Can you come by? I’ll be here.” Marjorie
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Wait here for me,” Will said.
Will Brown was ushered in by Winnie and led into the parlor. Marjorie came down. “I’m so glad you came, Will. Have a seat and I’ll get us some refreshments.”
When Marjorie came back she poured tea and sat and began her story. “I got a letter delivered three days ago asking me to come for an interview and that a driver would pick me up at two the following afternoon. He arrived here promptly and introduced himself and drove me out to the house, a lovely mansion in the old part of town. A butler was waiting to take me in and a maid served me tea and biscuits. I didn’t have to wait long. An elderly man came in and excused the help. He introduced himself as Jeffery Walker and asked about the ride out.
We maintained polite conversation while he poured tea, and he told me that I came highly recommended, not just for my beauty, but also for my discretion. The proposition he had for me was unique, he said. It was that I contract with him to teach a member of his household my trade.
‘I want you to teach her how to be a fancy girl,’ he said. ‘She’s quite pretty, so there’ll be no problem on that account, and she’s well spoken. The challenge will be in her willingness, her compliance. I will do my part on my end if you agree to help train her. She has a history of running away, so right off you or your maid will need to keep her in sight or under lock and key. Would that be a problem?’ he said.
I said no and he went on.
‘You would be compensated handsomely, and if you decide to end our relationship at any time you may do so without penalty. She would be available to serve your clients at your discretion and I will send colleagues of mine from time to time with my card. I ask that you return the cards periodically for remuneration. In addition to those fees, you will be paid $100 per month for her apprenticeship. Is that agreeable?’
‘Your payment is more than generous,’ I said, ‘but I need to talk with my confidante.’ Out of idle curiosity, I said, ‘Who’s the girl?’
‘A servant in my house,’ he said. ‘She has been mine since birth.’
I asked him to let me think about it for a day or two and I would get back to him by messenger.
‘Very good. And one more thing.’ he said. ‘Under no circumstances is she to be alone with my son. The last time he will see her is when he delivers her to you. After that...’”
Will interrupted. “So I’m your confidante, now, am I?”
“No, Will, you are my benefactor.” She reached out her hand. “Winnie here is my confidante.” She laughed. “Both are valued positions, I assure you, and the compensation is my eternal gratitude.”
Winnie spoke for the first time. “I’ve told Marjorie I don’t think it’s safe. Those are two bad men, father and son.”
Will nodded. “I’ll have to agree with Winnie. Do you, both of you, have guns?”
From an imaginary holster on her hip, Marjorie mimed a quick draw with the pointer of her left hand as she snapped her right elbow straight and opened her right hand to show the over-and-under derringer.
Winnie hardly moved, but she opened her palm in her lap and showed a matching pistol.
“Tools of the trade, Will.” Marjorie looked at Winnie. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer.”