Chapter Five
Fire Mountain
“What’s the news from Pierce?” Aunt Alicia passed the large platter of roast beef to Jamie then picked up the bowl of potatoes.
Connor spent most days in town managing the three saloons owned by Niall MacLaren and taking care of family business which included a stop at the post office. Today, he’d been surprised to find a letter from his younger brother.
“They’re all settled in Torie’s house and he connected with Louis Dunnigan.” Connor nodded to Jamie’s wife, who, with a small wave of her hand, brushed off the use of her mansion as nothing unusual.
Truth was Torie had never reconciled herself to the wealth she’d inherited from her first husband’s aunt. Although she was no fool and would keep the estate in the booming West Coast city, she rarely thought of it and had only traveled back four times in the years she’d been married to Jamie.
“That’s it? Nothing about how it’s going with Mollie?” Will filled his plate and tucked into the evening meal.
“Only that he’s more than ready for the assignment to end, which could take weeks or months. Poor guy, cooped up in a mansion that overlooks the bay with a beautiful woman. Sometimes, I don’t think Pierce knows when he’s got it good.” Connor smiled at his wife Grace then fell silent.
“Dunnigan sent me a letter a few days ago. I may need to travel out to the new offices in San Francisco to meet the employees and go over some of the legal issues regarding the lease of space to a law firm.” Drew MacLaren handled all the legal work for Taylor-Dunnigan as well as a good portion of the work for Dunnigan Enterprises. “Don’t know why he’d need me out there, it’s a simple contract.”
“Isn’t there another attorney that you hired to work on those types of transactions?” Jamie asked.
“Henry Thompson. Dunnigan says he’s back east working on the acquisition of another building in New York. That leaves me. I still hope to work it out so it won’t be necessary for me to go to San Francisco. There’s just too much work around here to do, and with Tess being pregnant…” He stopped at stunned expressions.
“Pregnant?” Aunt Alicia’s eyes widened at the news.
“Doc McCauley confirmed it a few days ago,” Tess smiled and leaned into Drew, who’d draped his arm across her shoulders. “I haven’t even had a chance to send a letter off to my parents.”
“We’ll do that tomorrow when I send a response to Dunnigan.” Drew stood and pulled out her chair. “By the way, Connor, I heard from Dunnigan that a man named Lee Hatcher may be traveling out to San Francisco to work with Pierce. You know him?”
The news surprised Connor. Lee worked for Alex McCann, a long-time friend to Connor and Pierce. From what Pierce had confided in him before leaving for San Francisco, Lee planned to work from the New York office on this assignment. Something important must have come up for him to travel across the country.
“I know Lee, he’s a good man. How’d Dunnigan hear about it?”
“He uses Alex’s firm on occasion. You know Noah arranged for Pierce’s office to be located in the building Dunnigan purchased in San Francisco, right?” At Connor’s nod, Drew continued. “All I’m saying is these men inhabit a tight circle. It’s interesting how much each knows about the other.” He looked at his wife. “How about a walk?”
Connor watched Drew escort Tess out the front door and into the cool night air, and wondered how Pierce truly was doing with his new assignment.
******
San Francisco
“Good afternoon. I’m Pierce MacLaren, and this is my wife, Mollie. We’re here to see Mr. Benstead.” Pierce and Mollie had already made the rounds to two other banks, discussing services and meeting the managers. This was the last one for today.
The middle-aged woman looked up from her desk at the handsome couple. She knew they didn’t have an appointment, and her boss had been quite specific about not seeing anyone who stopped by without being on his calendar. “Let me see if he’s available.” She started toward her boss’s office.
“Please tell him that Louis Dunnigan asked us to meet with him,” Pierce added.
Within minutes, the woman walked back to her desk with Mr. Benstead following a few paces behind. He held out his hand to Pierce.
“I’m Carlton Benstead.”
“Pierce MacLaren. This is my wife, Mollie MacLaren.” Pierce marveled at how accustomed he’d gotten to calling her his wife.
“It’s a pleasure. Please, come into my office.”
Benstead took a seat behind what Mollie thought to be the largest desk she’d ever seen, or perhaps the diminutive man was simply dwarfed by it. She guessed the banker stood at no more than five foot five, and was as thin as a knife blade. He sank into a tall leather chair and she found herself wondering if his feet touched the floor.
“You know Louis Dunnigan?” Benstead stroked the thin mustache above his upper lip, watching as Mollie took in her surroundings. Pierce’s eyes, however, were trained on him.
“Yes, I work for Mr. Dunnigan. Mostly with Taylor-Dunnigan, their cattle and timber business.”
“I see.” Benstead rested both arms on his desk and leaned forward. “I’d hoped to work with him on the purchase of the office building. Unfortunately, someone else beat me to it. He did, however, leave the door open for future business.”
“Mr. Dunnigan has had long-term relationships with a bank in New York and one in Denver. He is a very loyal man. I’m quite surprised he even discussed the transaction with you.” Pierce relaxed and watched the banker squirm in his chair then begin to finger his thin mustache once again.
Benstead cleared his throat. “So, what is it I may do for you and Mrs. MacLaren?”
“My wife and I are deciding where we would like to place our funds. We’re new in town, and unlike Mr. Dunnigan, plan to be long-term residents of this fine city. You were referred to us by my assistant, Miss O’Connell.”
“Ah, yes, Martha O’Connell. I’ve met her several times. She keeps a small amount of savings with us. Not much, you understand, lower than most of our customers. She’ll be married soon, you know. Her fiancé works for one of my finest customers, Gerald Black.”
“I hadn’t heard that,” Pierce replied. He felt that, with time and encouragement, the banker might be just the contact to supply insights on other customers. They wanted to learn as much as possible from him and establish a social connection with both him and his wife. “It is quite kind of you to handle small accounts for women with little income, such as Miss O’Connell.”
Benstead tilted his head and shrugged. “We do what we can for all of our customers, Mr. MacLaren.”
Pierce and Benstead discussed general details about moving funds to San Francisco, and then made plans to meet for lunch the following day. Mollie heard every word, yet acted bored and disinterested, as was the custom of most women in Benstead’s circle. The banker turned his attention to her once he and Pierce finished their business.
“I would very much like for you and my wife to meet, Mrs. MacLaren. She is quite involved in many projects. Perhaps something will catch your fancy.”
Perfect. This was exactly what Mollie had hoped to accomplish. “I’d be delighted to meet your wife, Mr. Benstead. Please, have her call on me when she has some time.” Mollie had already scheduled luncheons with two other women Torie MacLaren knew from her time in the city. Her social calendar was filling up much faster than expected.
******
“We’ve been invited to supper at the Benstead home on Saturday.” Pierce had returned home early after his lunch meeting with Carlton Benstead. He and Mollie sat in the library trying to figure out where various connections lay between people they’d already met. “There will be two other couples, prominent businessmen and their wives.”
“Mrs. Benstead visited today. She and I are to have lunch next week with two of her friends. Perhaps they’re the same women who will be joining us at supper.” Mollie disliked the social functions she and
Pierce were being forced to endure, yet she knew they were part of the job. She preferred to work alone, at a safe distance from society as well as Pierce MacLaren. The sooner they finished their job, the faster she’d be able to collect her money and leave.
A soft knock on the door interrupted them.
“Yes?” Pierce called out.
Penelope opened the door. “Miss Gagnon is here to see you.”
“Please show her in,” Mollie said and stood to greet the woman she had slighted on her last visit.
Eva Gagnon was one of those women incapable of entering a room in a subtle fashion. She didn’t have to say a word, yet she commanded space—attention really—from those who stopped in mid-conversation to follow her path.
“Eva, it is good to see you again.” Mollie took Eva’s parasol and set it aside as Penelope disappeared behind the closed door. Mollie looked up to ensure they were alone. “What news do you have for us?” She hadn’t failed to notice the way Pierce’s gaze followed Eva into the room, a look of appreciation on his face. She felt herself stiffen at his obvious interest in the other agent.
Eva walked to the large window which overlooked the extensive gardens outside. Although she believed no one had followed her, she couldn’t shake the prickling sensation that had accompanied her the past few days.
She reached into her reticule for the newest message then took a seat in a large, upholstered chair, arranging her skirt as she settled back. “I sent a message to Lee Hatcher, requesting that a trained agent be selected to join us. Someone of impeccable background from within the East Coast social set who would be accepted without thought into the social circles of San Francisco. Between the four of us, we are bound to find the information we seek more quickly and connect all the various messages stemming from odd transactions.”
“What about Chaz Yarbrough?” Mollie held her glass, but had yet take a drink.
“Chaz is an exceptional agent, and one who will be used extensively for this assignment. Although he has excellent contacts in the southern states, he is not well known in New York or Boston. The agent I’m requesting must be from that area, wealthy, with an impeccable pedigree.”
Mollie nodded in understanding and took a seat next to Eva.
“Has Lee found someone?” Pierce watched the two women, both competent and committed to this assignment, yet so different in appearance and approach. Where Eva was all cool finesse, patiently working every detail of their assignment, Mollie was like a finger itching to pull the trigger. Eva’s exotic features and poise set her off as a woman few would forget, while Mollie captured you with her down-to-earth approach and street sense. He was captivated by one, yet drawn to the other.
Eva opened the message. “I received his response this morning. He and Alex McCann identified an agent who has already been dispatched to San Francisco. He’ll arrive in time for the Mayor’s Ball.”
“Any idea who it is?” Pierce now stood facing the women, leaning against the edge of the desk with his arms folded, his shirt pulled taut across his muscled chest.
“My guess is an agent I’ve worked with in the past, Owen Kendall.” She rolled the glass of sherry between her palms, remembering the last time the two of them had worked together. She’d been married to Lee and incredibly in love. Owen had been the one to introduce them. Lee, a wealthy and very eligible bachelor, had proposed within weeks. They’d married and Eva had thought they were happy. The truth had been devastating, but at least they’d divorced sooner rather than later.
“What should we expect?” Pierce had watched the expression on Eva’s face change from wistful to emotionless within the span of a few seconds. He wondered what she was thinking.
“Owen is a professional, from a well-established family in Boston and is associated with some of the biggest names in East Coast society. He can be somewhat hot headed, but then all of us can be at times. He’ll do a good job.” At least, that’s what Eva hoped. She’d heard he’d changed over the last few years, growing more and more distant from the other agents and taking jobs where he was the only person involved. She hoped she’d made the right decision in requesting an additional agent.
She set down her empty glass and stood. “I’ll be in touch.”
Chapter Six
“Mollie? Are you ready?” Pierce stood outside her bedroom door, already dressed and waiting to leave for their supper engagement with the Bensteads. He wore a long tailcoat with a white shirt and white tie. He thought he looked good, if somewhat uncomfortable. Then Mollie pulled her door open and smiled, the first genuine smile she’d given him in weeks.
Pierce’s eyes widened and he sucked in a slow breath at the sight of her. He knew she was a pretty woman—her beauty had been all too apparent the first day he’d met her months ago. She’d been working as a barmaid at the Desert Dove, a saloon in Fire Mountain owned by his cousin, Niall MacLaren. At the time, Pierce hadn’t known she was undercover, trying to find the source of counterfeit bills being circulated in the territorial capital and taking orders from Noah.
He ignored the blood thrumming through his temples and the tightening of his body. Pierce couldn’t allow himself to think of her as anything other than a colleague, even though it took all of his self-control to stop from reaching for her and drawing her to him.
“We should be leaving. Are you ready?” His words were clipped, hard. He could see her face fall, her smile vanish, and wished he could pull the words back.
She didn’t say a word, simply grabbed her wrap and walked into the hall, passing him on her way to the stairs.
The ride to the Benstead’s was short, taking them to a large home a few blocks away. Both were silent, already knowing what needed to be accomplished and how they’d approach the guests.
“Ah, Mr. and Mrs. MacLaren,” Carlton Benstead greeted as his butler escorted them into the moderate-sized parlor. Three other couples were already present. Mollie recognized Mrs. Benstead, who sat alone on a small settee.
“Mrs. MacLaren, I believe you’ve already met my wife, Henrietta.” At Mollie’s nod, he went on to introduce them to Thomas and Virginia Traxton, and Gerald and Viola Black, both prominent couples. A third couple, Harold and Lottie Goss, had been added to the guest list. Pierce had met Harold Goss when he’d had lunch with Carlton a few days before.
Supper was served in a well-appointed dining room. Rather than sitting side-by-side, Henrietta Benstead distanced each couple, placing Mollie between Thomas Traxton and Carlton, who sat at one end of the table. Pierce was on the opposite side, between Virginia Traxton and Henrietta, who sat at the other end.
“Pierce, tell us of your experience working with Louis Dunnigan. Have you known the man long?” Harold Goss asked while enjoying both the food and wine offered by the Bensteads. He was a large man, both in height and girth, and offered an easy smile. Pierce came to learn he also possessed a quick mind.
“I’ve worked for Dunnigan long enough to respect the man and the way he conducts business. Not many are his equal.” Pierce sipped the French wine then replaced his glass on the table.
“Are you originally from the east?” Virginia Traxton asked. Pierce hadn’t failed to notice the way her eyes roamed over him, or her predilection for touching his arm when she spoke. He shook off his initial unease at her obvious interest.
“Yes, Boston and New York.” He kept his answer short, hoping to dissuade further questions from the woman next to him.
“Oh, then perhaps you know the Kendall’s? One of their sons, Owen, attended university with my brother.”
Although Mollie sat at the opposite end of the table, their eyes shot to each other, recognizing the name as that of the other agent Eva had indicated might join their assignment. Both knew it could be pure coincidence that his name came up, but neither was willing to write it off as pure chance.
“Yes, I’ve heard of Owen Kendall. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him,” Pierce answered.
“Oh, you’ll remember him if you ever do
make his acquaintance. He’s quite impressive.” Virginia smiled at Pierce.
“What she means, Pierce, is that he is quite wealthy, mainly family money, and eligible,” Thomas Traxton added in a mild tone.
Virginia’s eyes fell to her lap, and Pierce noticed how she fidgeted with her napkin. He thought perhaps the woman might know quite a bit about Kendall’s past.
“However, he’s rumored to have become quite successful on his own,” her husband finished.
Mollie listened, trying to assimilate the comments Virginia made against what Eva had told them of the man who might join their assignment. She hadn’t mentioned anything other than his wealth and temper. It appeared there might be more to the man than she’d shared.
“We’ll take our dessert and coffee in the parlor,” Henrietta instructed the butler, ending a conversation that had just become interesting, in Pierce’s point of view.
Virginia latched onto Pierce’s arm as soon as he’d pulled out her chair. He glanced at Mollie, not missing her questioning stare and arched brow.
“May I?” Thomas Traxton offered his arm to Mollie and escorted her into the parlor. She kept her eyes fixed on Pierce, not missing the intimate way he leaned down to hear something Virginia had said. She was one of the women scheduled to attend the luncheon the following week, and Mollie already found herself disliking the woman.
Pierce escorted Virginia to a large divan and stepped back, expecting her husband to occupy the spot next to her. Instead, the woman tugged on his hand. “Come, sit by me, Pierce. There are so many questions I’d like to ask you.”
He shifted his attention to Mollie, who sat across the room, Thomas beside her.
“My pleasure, Mrs. Traxton.” He tried to emphasize her married status, already knowing his subtle hint would be lost on the voluptuous blonde. Unlike the other women in the room, Pierce pegged her as someone who went after what she wanted, whether it was a married man or a prized horse. He guessed she was unaccustomed to being refused any overture.
Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Page 5
