“My husband has been kidnapped,” the middle-aged woman whispered. “I don’t know who the men are holding him for ransom, or where they’re holding him, but they promised to release him tomorrow night.”
Cecily nodded slowly. These men were definitely trying to stop the bills from being signed. “I’m assuming,” she motioned her head toward the book still in Mrs. Stephens’ hands, “that you are required to bring them money?”
“Yes. Every three days.”
Confusion filled Cecily. “Why every three days?”
Mrs. Stephens shrugged. “They didn’t tell me why, and I didn’t dare ask.”
“Where do you take the money?”
“To an old barn on the far end of town. It was the first blacksmith’s shop set up when San Francisco was being settled, but now it’s vacant.”
“Is someone there when you take the money to the barn?”
“No. I leave it in a book underneath the bale of hay in the middle of the barn.”
“What if…” Cecily’s mind searched for answers. “What if you didn’t take them money?”
A tear slid down Mrs. Stephen’s face. “They said they’d kill my husband.”
“Yes, well… we cannot let them do that.” Pausing, an idea popped into Cecily’s head and she smiled. She couldn’t wait to tell Rick, and she prayed he’d be proud of her. “Alright, Mrs. Stephens, this is what we’re going to do…”
* * * *
Rick’s heartbeat quickened from the excitement bouncing inside of Cecily as she pulled him down the street with her. In between breaths, she explained what Mrs. Stephens had told her. He was speechless, both from the information she’d obtained from the mayor’s wife, and from gazing into Cecily’s mesmerizing blue eyes.
He really couldn’t stop his heart from softening. For whatever reason she’d stolen a dead woman’s identity, it wasn’t because she was selfish. In fact, he was willing to bet she was running from her family. That could be the only reason she didn’t enjoy talking about them – which is why she lied.
Wanting to believe she was really the kind and caring woman he’d been partnered with, he let the doubt leave his mind. He felt as though she was about to tell him the truth earlier, before she’d spotted Mrs. Stephens. Cecily had mentioned they’d met previously, and he was sure her confession would break his heart in some way. But at least she was trying to be honest.
“We need to hide in this building,” she told him, pulling him around to the back of a saloon at the edge of town.
As they flattened themselves against the wall, he peeked around the corner toward the abandoned barn. “Mrs. Stephens is in there?”
“Yes,” Cecily answered out of breath. “But I’m certain she’ll leave shortly. All she has to do is put the book under the bale of hay and leave.”
As he watched the barn’s broken double-doors, a squeak ripped through the air as Mrs. Stephens hurried out of the rickety door, and didn’t look behind her. Her quick steps took her away from them within seconds.
“Now we need to wait to see who enters the barn, and that will be the kidnapper,” Cecily whispered.
He glanced at her. Cecily’s cheeks were flushed with color, and her eyes sparkled like gems. Once again, he was lost in her beautiful eyes. “I can’t believe you got the truth out of Mrs. Stephens.”
“The next time we see Mr. Gordon, we’ll have to tell him to thank Mr. Pinkerton for wanting to hire more female agents.” Cecily winked.
Rick chuckled softly as he cupped her face. The heat from her skin warmed his palms. “You’re an amazing woman, Cecily.”
As his mouth closed over hers, he pushed her against the wall. The kiss was as electrifying as he remembered from last night. A sigh escaped her throat mere seconds before she wound her arms around his waist.
For a moment, alarms went off in his head, reminding him that she was an imposter. And yet, the longer they kissed, the quicker the warning disappeared. If only they could stay like this – content and happy.
He broke the kiss, but continued to hold her as he stared into her enchanting eyes. “Cecily, will you…” He took in a breath of courage. “Will you tell me who you really are? I want to get to know the real you. Not the woman you’re portraying.”
Tears filled her eyes as defeat washed over her expression. “How did you know?”
“Archie sent me a telegram. Ruth Livingston’s family contacted him to tell him of her death.”
Her gaze dropped to his chest and she tried to move, but he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kept her against his body. He didn’t want her afraid of him. He wanted nothing more than to believe her.
He brushed his lips across her forehead. “Please, Cecily. I deserve to know the woman I’m falling in love with.”
Her gaze sprang back to his and her eyes widened. “You’re in love with me?”
“Against my better judgement, yes, I am.” He kissed her mouth briefly. “I cannot help myself. You are just too adorable.”
“Oh, Rick, I’m so very much in love with you.”
Just as she pressed her mouth against his, the squeaking of the barn’s double doors disturbed the passionate moment between Rick and Cecily. He didn’t want to stop, but it was more important to find the mayor right now.
He broke away and turned toward the barn. The man he saw entering caused shock to vibrate through his body. Mayor Stephens?
From behind him, Cecily gasped. “Is that who I think it is?”
“Yes. It’s the mayor.” Groaning, he removed his hat and pushed his fingers in his hair.
“What’s he doing going in for the money?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Rick threw a warning glance over his shoulder. “Stay here, and this time, do as I tell you.”
She nodded.
He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before hurrying toward the barn, placing his hat back on his head. He reached inside his suit jacket to his shoulder holster and pulled out his pistol. He’d be prepared for anything, because at this very moment, he wasn’t sure who to trust.
TWELVE
Rick took careful steps as he moved inside the barn. Immediately, his gaze moved to the mayor who knelt beside the single bale of hay, lifting it up as he pulled out the book underneath. Rick kept his pistol ready, just in case.
The mayor stayed kneeling until after he’d looked inside the book at the money, before he stood and turned around. The moment he saw Rick, the mayor’s body stiffened as his face lost color. His dark brown suit had spots of dirt on it, and was wrinkled. Even the man’s derby hat was soiled.
“What do you want?” the man snapped.
Rick swept a quick glance around the barn, but he couldn’t see anyone else lurking about. He met the mayor’s frightened stare. “I’m a Pinkerton Agent. Your council members hired me to find you.” He motioned toward the book. “Now it’s your turn. Why are you the one taking the money instead of your kidnappers? Or… are there kidnappers involved with your disappearance at all?”
The mayor scowled. “Of course there are kidnappers. They’re probably watching me right now.”
Rick looked around the barn again. “Are they here?”
“No, you fool, they are outside.”
Rick zeroed his focus back on the mayor. If the kidnappers were outside watching, they would most certainly be storming in through the barn doors at any moment, wondering why Rick had come inside. “Why did they take you, Mr. Mayor?”
“They are waiting for the allotted twelve days to pass without the signing of two bills. As you have probably guessed, these men don’t approve of the two bills I want to sign.”
Rick nodded. “Yes, I have surmised that.” He paused as he studied the man. The mayor didn’t appear frightened now. In fact, he looked quite upset. “What will happen if you don’t give the money to the kidnappers?”
“They will kill someone in my family.”
“How many men have kidnapped you?”
“Four.”
“Where have they been hiding you?”
“There’s a farm just up the hill that belongs to Mr. Trager. His son is one of the outlaws.”
“Are the other three men outlaws, too?”
“Yes. They have joined Trager just recently. I don’t trust them. If I don’t return with the money, they will follow through with their threat.”
Rick tilted his head, studying the mayor a little closer. “What else have they threatened?”
The man’s mouth tightened. “They told me that if I tried to bring up those bills ever again, the town will be in danger. They also warned me not to give away their identities to the police chief. I promised them I wouldn’t since I want my family safe.”
Rick gritted his teeth. Whoever these outlaws were must be more dangerous than he expected. “Do you know who these other men are?”
The mayor shook his head. “I’ve never seen them before, but they refer to the older man as Red.”
Red Sheldon.
Rick knew the gang’s identity without having to ask what they looked like. Red was a tall man, with gray hairs sprinkled throughout his dark brown head of hair. He had a scar by his lip. His sons resembled him with their dark brown hair, but they weren’t as tall, or as thin.
Theo and Ben Sheldon.
A pain shot through Rick’s stomach as though someone had shoved a knife through him. Cecily… Sheldon. Red Sheldon had one daughter – Cecily. Rick never knew if she was part of the gang, but he suspected she’d be. After all, the rest of the family was outlaws. Why not her?
Rick’s throat burned as the pain in his stomach intensified. Why had Cecily decided to be a Pinkerton Agent? Was it to help her family by making sure the agents were led astray? And yet, Red and his sons were here, and when Rick had told her they were coming to San Francisco, she was excited.
Things were not adding up.
Shaking his head, he tried to clear out the doubts about Cecily, and concentrate on the mayor. Saving him and getting the outlaws arrested was more important right now.
As he assessed the other man, Rick realized they were the same height and nearly the same build. Their hair was almost the same sandy color, too. If they changed clothes, Rick could return to the Trager’s farm as the mayor. He’d probably be able to take one or two gang members down, but not all four.
“Mayor, I have an idea, but we’ll need to bring in the police chief and his team immediately. Are you ready to do what I have planned?”
The mayor nodded. “As long as it doesn’t harm my family.”
“I pray it doesn’t. If all goes well, we will have the gang in jail by tonight. And, you can sign those bills by tomorrow.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Then let’s hurry, because we are going to switch places, which means, you’ll have to wear my clothes and I’ll wear yours.”
Confusion creased the mayor’s forehead, but he shrugged. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Rick felt confident this would work. But the question lingering in his mind was which side would Cecily go with once this was over? Would she go with her family, or stay with Rick?
* * * *
Cecily twisted her hands together and paced in the small area behind the building as dust from the dry ground puffed around her boots with each step. She watched the abandoned barn intently. She’d promised Rick she’d stay, but it was hard, especially since she didn’t know if he’d be safe or not. Although she’d never been trained to shoot a gun, she considered herself an expert at knife-throwing. She had even slipped one in each of her boots before they left the hotel room this morning, just in case she needed them.
It eased her heart slightly that Rick admitted his love for her even though he knew about her lie, but because she hadn’t gotten the chance to tell him her real identity, she still worried that he would reject her. This morning he’d looked at her differently a few times. She’d thought he was just upset about this case. Hopefully, she’d get to tell him about her family before he found out on his own.
A movement from the barn caught her attention and she pressed against the wall of the building, hoping to stay hidden as she peeked around the edge. Rick moved away from the abandoned barn, hurrying as fast as his long legs would take him. Instead of coming toward her, he headed toward Main Street.
Worry filled her, and she wrung her hands, not knowing what to do. She wanted to follow, but he’d told her to stay here. However, if something was wrong, he would need her help.
Without another thought, she darted after him, but kept distance between them. At times, he limped, and she wondered if he was injured, but then he straightened and continued on his way. He headed right for the police chief’s office.
Her stomach twisted. An eerie feeling inside her gut told her something was wrong. Why had Rick left the mayor inside the barn? Had they fought? That might explain his slight limp.
It didn’t take long before Rick was inside the office. Although she should stay back, her feeling told her otherwise. She must trust her feelings, especially when working on a case.
She rushed inside the office and stopped. Her chest burned from her fast breaths. Both the police chief and Rick turned toward her, removing their hats. She pinned her focus on Rick, preparing to explain herself to why she wasn’t still near the barn. But… it wasn’t Rick!
She gasped. “Mayor Stephens?”
His face was slightly pale, and a three-day bruise darkened his cheekbone. She finally realized that although the man resembled Rick with his height, build, and sandy hair, the mayor’s hair was lighter because of the gray hairs sprinkled throughout. But why was he wearing Rick’s suit?
“Where is Rick – Mr. Tanner, the Pinkerton Agent?” she asked before the other two could respond.
“Who are you?” The police chief stepped toward her, giving her a judgmental stare.
“I’m his wife… and a Pinkerton Agent.”
“We switched places,” the mayor said as he moved closer to her. “He bade me to fetch the police chief and the other policemen while he took my place at the Trager farm.”
The police chief snapped his hat back on his head. “I’m heading there now.” He nodded to the mayor before hurrying out the door.
Shaking her head, she tried to make sense of the confusion. “Rick went back to the kidnappers?”
“Yes, but he knew he’d not be able to handle them by himself, which was why he had me fetch the police chief.”
Panic surged through her limbs and caused her heartbeat to increase. “He needs me, too! Where is the Trager’s farm?”
“It’s just up the hillside from the abandoned barn.”
She whipped around and ran out of the office and onto the street. A saddled horse stood tied to the post out front, so she snatched the reins and hopped on the best she could in her dress. The hem of her dress nearly reached her knees, but she didn’t care.
As she rode in the direction the mayor had indicated, irritation boiled inside her. What was wrong with Rick? She’d told him of her skill with the knife, and yet he still didn’t trust her to go with him to the Trager farm?
Tears stung her eyes, as she urged the horse faster. She’d prove to her stubborn husband that she was a good agent – one he could trust to protect him. She prayed that she’d get there in time to show him exactly what she could do.
Seeing the farm on the hill made her slow the horse. She didn’t want to alert the kidnappers to her presence. She stopped the horse and jumped off before quickly darting behind a wide oak tree. There was no sign of the police chief. Of course, he was probably trying to round up his men first.
Crouching low, she rushed to the next tree, and the next bush, trying to get closer to the house. Over to the side of the house was the barn. The double-doors were cracked open slightly, and she could see there was a horse inside, but she couldn’t tell if anyone was in there.
She listened for sounds inside the house – mainly yelling. Once the
kidnappers realized the mayor had switched places with Rick, they’d be mighty upset.
She grumbled under her breath and shook her head. Why hadn’t Rick thought of that before he went traipsing into the house without anyone to watch his back? Personally, she didn’t consider that a good agent at all. Then again, Rick was used to working alone.
Drunken singing lifted through the air, coming in the direction of the Trager’s barn. Stumbling from around the double-doors, the mayor – or Rick wearing the mayor’s clothes and hat – staggered toward the house, holding a bottle of moonshine.
What is he doing?
Rick hadn’t had enough time to get drunk, so this must be part of his plan. Still… she prayed he knew what he was doing.
He reached the porch and tripped on the first step, rolling slightly down the slope. He sat upright, laughed, and then took another swig of his moonshine.
Suddenly, the front door swung open. A man, who appeared not much older than Rick, stood wearing a fierce scowl, aiming it toward Rick, who thankfully had his back toward the house so nobody could see his face yet. The other man whipped out his pistol and pointed it at Rick.
“What in tarnation are ye doin’, Mayor?”
Rick held up his container of moonshine, still keeping his face turned away. “Drinking!” He tipped it to his mouth and drank. Liquid sloshed down his chin and neck in a disgusting display.
“Git yer hide in the house, now,” the other man snapped. “That’s all we need is for someone to ride by and see ya.”
Rick turned to his knees and crawled toward the porch again. She knew what he was doing – trying to keep his face hidden until the last moment.
Someone inside the house said something, making Trager glance inside. “He’s got himself stinkin’ drunk.” The man paused for a few moments before shrugging. “I don’t know how he did it, but he did. He’s as drunk as a skunk.”
Shuffling of boots on the wooden floor echoed inside the house before three more men poured out of the front door to look at Rick. Recognition hit her immediately and she fell back against the tree. Her legs weakened and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. Shock shook through her, making her mind blank.
An Agent For Cecily (The Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 8) Page 9
