Mayor Stephens’ bills had been signed, and for the past thirty days, Rick had been assisting the police chief to try to get these brothels closed. The mayor was lenient, only enough to give the harlots a few weeks to find another place of employment and get out. But their deadline was passed, and this particular brothel was still in business. Madame Simson had been a hardheaded woman when Rick first met with her, but now it was time to enforce the law.
As they reached the wrap-around porch, he could hear two women inside yelling. From some of the words he’d understood, one of them had charmed the other’s beau.
Rick exchanged wide-eye glances with Cecily. He shrugged. “This might get ugly.”
“I’m ready for it.” Cecily’s grin widened.
Suddenly, a loud crash was heard from inside, sounding like shattering glass. Apparently, whatever was happening inside had gotten really ugly. He hurried up the stairs, and as he reached the door, it flew open, and a petite woman with braided hair the color of a wheat field barreled out of the house… and smacked right into Rick. He grasped her shoulders, moving her back a step. She tilted her head back, staring at him with surprised eyes.
When recognition struck, he gasped and released her. Shock caused his tongue to turn numb and his mind to go blank.
“Broderick?” the young woman asked skeptically, but then she hitched a breath and slapped her hand over her mouth.
Rick mentally shook himself to awareness. “Evelynn Tanner? What in the blazes are you doing… here?”
Her face flamed three shades of red. “Oh, Broderick. It’s not what you think.”
He did a quick sweep of his gaze over her dress. The grayish pink day dress she wore was as proper as a minister’s daughter, which of course, was exactly what she was. “It had better not be what I think, dear cousin, or I’m sure your father—”
“My father,” she interrupted, placing her hand on his chest as her red face turned into a scowl, “will never hear of this. I swear, if you say one word, you’ll regret the day you ever stepped foot in San Francisco.”
Evie’s willfulness didn’t surprise him one bit. However, the fact that she didn’t want her father knowing, shocked him. Rick hadn’t seen his uncle or cousin for a few years, but the last Rick knew, this side of the family were as pure as snow. Now he wondered.
“I promise not to tell your father, just as long as you promise to tell me what’s going on.”
Huffing, she stomped her foot and folded her arms. “Fine, but not here. I never want to see this place again.”
“My wife and I are staying at the Grand Hotel. Meet us there at three o’clock this afternoon.”
Evie looked at Cecily and nodded. “I’m Evelynn Tanner, Broderick’s good cousin.”
Cecily smiled. “I’m Cecily. It’s nice to meet you. I hope we can be friends.”
Evie didn’t answer Cecily, but glared at Rick. “I’ll see you at three o’clock.” Without another word, she stormed past him and his wife, and taking quick steps, hurried toward town.
He glanced at Cecily. “That was awkward. Who knew my very religious cousin would be seen coming out of a brothel.”
Cecily affectionately squeezed his arm. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but in case I’m wrong, we can figure this out together.”
He caressed her cheek. “I love the sound of that.” Taking a deep breath, he turned toward the front door. “Alright, my lovely wife. Let’s make the Pinkerton Agents proud.”
“As always, my dear.”
Together they walked side-by-side into the brothel, ready to bring justice to San Francisco. Rick had never felt so blessed. He had the best life, and the best wife. Nothing could be better than that.
THE END
*** Watch for Evelynn Tanner’s story – An Agent for Evelynn – coming March 8, 2019.
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Other published stories from Marie Higgins
“Bargaining With a Rogue” – Regency Romance
“Finding the Perfect Man” – Romantic Comedy
“Stealing the Duchess” – Regency Romance Suspense
“Secrets and Lies” – Victorian Romance Suspense
“Haunting Secrets” – Victorian Paranormal Romance
“Love Lost in Time” – Victorian Time-Travel / Suspense
“Waiting for You” – Paranormal / Time-travel Romance
“Aim for the Heart” – 1920’s Romantic Suspense
“Becoming a Lady” – Regency Romance
“In the Arms of Danger” – Romantic Suspense
“Crazy For You” – Romantic Comedy
“My Heart’s Treasure” – Victorian Romantic Suspense
“Protecting the Heart” – Contemporary Short Story
The Tycoons Series (Billionaire Romance)
“The Billionaire’s Pursuit” – book 1
“The Missing Billionaire” – book 2
“The Irresistible Billionaire” – (release date 12/12/18)
“Loving the Billionaire” – (release date 3/27/19)
“The Billionaire’s Secret” – (release date 4/1/19)
“Trusting a Billionaire” – (release date 5/17/19
“Kissing a Billionaire” – (release date 6/23/19)
Sweet Savannah Home Series (American Historical)
“Surrender Your Heart” – book 1
“The Reluctant Widow” – book 2
“Lawfully Won” – (release date 4/23/19)
The Gifted Series (Regency Romantic Suspense – touch of paranormal)
“Madison’s Gift” – book 1
“Katrina’s Sight” – book 2
“Felicia’s Spirits” – book 3
Your Every Day Hero Series (Romantic Suspense / Romantic Comedy)
“Prince Charming is a Liar” – Romantic Comedy / Suspense
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Altar” – Romantic Suspense / Romantic Comedy
“Dangerously Close” – Romantic Thriller / Suspense
Where Dreams Come True Series (fairy tales)
“The Witch Hunt” – Young Adult Fantasy
“Champion” – Robin Hood / time travel
“Her Very Own Godmother” – Modern-day Cinderella, romantic comedy
“Keep on Believing” – Historical Cinderella
“Once Enchanted” – Rapunzel romance
Christian Historical Series
“A Walk in Heaven” – book 1
“Touching Heaven” – book 2
“Reach for Heaven” – book 3
Regency Romance Series – Sons of Worthington
“The Sweetest Kiss” – book 1
“The Sweetest Touch” – book 2
“The Sweetest Love” – book 3
“The Sweetest Secret” – book 4
“The Sweetest Challenge” – (now with book 1)
“Sweet Memories” – book 5
Regency Romance Suspense Series – Heroic Rogues
“Pretending You’re Mine” – book 1
“After the Loving” – book 2
“Wonderland by Night” – book 3
“Worth Fighting For” – book 4
Victorian Romance Series
“Love Me Always” – book 1
“Charmed by Knight” – book 2
“True Love’s Deception” – book 3
“Belong To Me” – book 4
“Love Comes Blindly” – book 5
Christmas Stories
“A Thrill of Hope” - Contemporary
“Dreaming of You” – Romantic Comedy
“Love Lost in Time” – Victorian Time-Travel
“Her Own Fairy Godmother” – Romantic Comedy
“Becoming a Lady” – Regency Short Romance
“Worth Fighting For” – Regency Short Romance
“Dangerous Kiss” – Conte
mporary Short Romance
“Snow Angel” – Contemporary Short Romance
“Mistletoe Magic” – Contemporary Short Romance
Author’s Bio
Marie Higgins is a best-selling author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She has over 50 heartwarming on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories, and broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her "Queen of Tease", because of all her twists and unexpected endings.
Website – https://authormariehiggins.wixsite.com/romance
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An Agent For Cecily (The Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 8) Page 11
