The Innocents (The Innocents Mystery Series Book 1)

by C. A. Asbrey

  She writhed in the chair, unable to turn away. Her breath came in great gulps of panic. “Let me go. Right now!”

  He was quick to identify the uncertainty in her voice. This was new, and he was getting to her in a way straight physical intimidation hadn’t. “Then talk, sweetheart. Tell me what I want to know, or I’ll take you right now on that table and keep using you until you do.”

  She bucked, trying to kick out at him before he let go of her hair and she rattled to the floor, jarring her elbow on the wooden planks. She shuffled backward, kicking out at him as he strode over her.

  “Talk!”

  “Go to hell.”

  He picked her up, holding her by her underarms as she screamed and raged in a language he didn’t understand. “Finally, we’re getting somewhere. Tell me what I want to know and it’ll all stop, Abi.”

  Her bound hands formed impotent claws behind her back as she jerked herself away, but he was too strong. His free hand roamed across her full mouth, caressing her fragile jaw before settling on her throat in a gesture of complete domination. Their eyes burned into one another, as he searched her face for surrender.

  “Names, Abi. I want names.”

  “I have nothing to tell you. I work for Alan Pinkerton. That’s it.” He felt her angry sob vibrate through the fingers on her throat. “Please. Don’t do this. It won’t get you anything.”

  He watched the angry tear run from the eyes, almost ebony in the poor light. She had given up; she had reached the bottom. He had found the weakness he had been searching for and shame kicked him straight in the guts at her final words on the subject.

  “You bastard! It’ll just prove everyone who ever loved you was wrong.”

  His eyes softened and a warm, caring smile of reassurance spread over his face. He nodded. “Yes. It would.”

  He pulled her upright and left her standing, head bowed. The fallen seat was righted, but as he put out a hand to lead her forward she kicked and screamed like a wild animal, recoiling from his touch. Nat put his arms around her in a tight embrace as he felt her tremble against him.

  “Hey, hey! It’s fine. I’m not gonna do anything to you. I never would. It was a test. It was only to scare the truth out of you.” He felt her stiffen in disbelief as he continued to hold her, rocking her from side to side as he whispered in her ear. “I’m not that kind of man. I needed to find your weak spot to get the truth out of you. I did that. I got you to the place where I’d get as much from you as you’d ever give. Nobody is gonna hurt you. It’s over.”

  He pulled back to look into the confused face, refusing to believe his assurances. Doubt and fear crowded her expressive eyes, which widened as he pulled out the knife from his belt.

  He sliced through the rope binding her hands, and led her to a seat before backing off, his hands raised in surrender until he stood in front of the range. He dropped his head and folded his arms as he allowed her to collect her rasping breath and shattered nerves. She crouched over and nursed her injured arm, staring off into the corner, the floor, or her feet; staring at anything but him.

  A wave of guilt washed over him. He was better than this, but he was fighting for his life. He had to be sure, but now that he was, he would make it up to her. “I’m sorry. I really am. I had to get the truth.”

  Accusing eyes darted over to him. “By threatening to rape me?”

  “By doing what it took to strip away your front.” He frowned. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re a professional, and so am I. We both understand this life risks everything.” He raised his hands in appeasement once more. “And it doesn’t mean I’ll take everything. I just had to see what you’d give me when pushed to your limits. I know the answer now. If you were just a random woman, you’d have told me everything far earlier. I believe you. You work for Pinkerton and you’re loyal to your colleagues. What you do there remains to be seen.”

  Her slim brows met in a scowl. “I am a detective, and a damn good one.”

  “Yes. You probably are. I’m a thief, and a damn good one. I’m sorry, but I had to find out who’s searching for us. At least I know they’re Pinkertons. That’s a lot better than rival criminals. At least, they play by a few rules.”

  His soft smile made his face look as gentle as a puppy. “How about a drop of bourbon? You look like you need a pick-me-up.”

  She eyed him with suspicion. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

  He flicked up an eyebrow. “I thought we just established I don’t need to.” He put down two shot glasses and poured out some amber liquid.

  Her stomach fluttered with nerves as she picked up the glass with a trembling hand. “So? What the hell was that all about?”

  Nat stood opposite and sipped his drink. “I’ve never seen a prettier lawman, that’s for sure.”

  She scowled and backhanded away tears. “I’m not a lawman. I’m an agent. If anything, I’m a law woman.”

  “Yup, and I didn’t believe you until I saw how desperate you were. You had nowhere to go. You were scared to death, and I was starting to think I’d never see that.” He raised his glass to her. “You’re a brave woman, Miss MacKay. More than a bit foolhardy, but gutsy as hell. If you’d been a man, it’d have been easier. We could hardly call you out for a beating. What could we do with you? If it’s any consolation, you’re more loyal than any man I ever questioned.”

  She gulped as she felt her thumping heart subside at last. “So? What now? I’m still your prisoner and I have been from the start, no matter how much you want to dress it up as recuperation. Just what do you intend to do with me?”

  He stared into her deep brown eyes, his voice tinged with regret. “I’m gonna let you go.” He shrugged. “I have to. I’d like to know you better though…you’re really quite remarkable. In all my born days I’ve never met another woman quite like you.”

  “Jake said he had the final say on that.”

  “Yeah, he does a good scary stare, but that’s as far as it goes with him and the ladies. He’s a pushover when it comes to women, so I had to yank something else out of the bag.” He pulled out a chair for himself and beamed his most charming smile at her. “You’re not in a hurry are you? You wanted to get to know more about us, why not stick around for a bit? I never met a law woman before.” He arched a mischievous eyebrow. “You could try to reform us?”

  She glowered at him. “I’m not ready to be flirted with, not after the little display you just showed me, Mr. Quinn.”

  Shame chastened Nat’s face, the dimple dropping from his cheek. “I’m sorry. I don’t like frightening people, but it was the only way. It was me or Jake, and he’d never do anything like that to a woman. I guess you’d got a bit desperate. It was my last effort,” he leaned over the table, “but we both know the dangers.” He rubbed his wounded head as he gazed at her, driving home his point, none too subtly.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you, but I thought things would get tough. I felt that I had to get away as fast as I could.”

  “Well, as it’s only a matter of time now, how about a truce? Let’s get to know one another like equals. One professional to another?”

  She flashed a glare at him. “I still intend to bring you in, and I’m very good at what I do.” She grimaced at the irony of her own words and rolled her eyes. “Generally, anyway. This has been a complete disaster, though.”

  “And I intend to do what I can to stop you. We could call this neutral territory.” He grinned. “We all have off days, there’s no need to be embarrassed. In our line of work when it goes bad it does tend to snowball real fast.”

  “A truce?” she shrugged. “What does that mean to me?”

  “It means we’re pleasant to one another and you stop smashing pottery on me. You realize you’re useless now as far as we’re concerned? We know you. You can’t get near us without us knowing why.”

  Abigail glanced at the floor. “I guess they’ll send someone else.”

  His eyes narrowed, sensing duplicity. “Yeah. I gu
ess that accounts for all the men asking questions about us—I hope.”

  ♦◊♦

  The men sat at the table the next morning, a tired Jake stretching out after his journey back. “I couldn’t find a thing. It’s like they disappeared off the face of the earth. I told her to keep her girls in town and use any influence she has to raise a stink. She’ll definitely have politicians and business men as clients, so that might help. The sheriff ain’t interested.”

  “’Cause there’s no money in it, no reward. I’ve got no time for dishonest lawmen. At least when we’re dishonest, we’re honest about it,” muttered Nat. “Only the worst have ethics for sale.” He shot a glance at Abigail, whose face lit up in anger.

  “Neither are mine. Don’t look at me like that.”

  Jake shook his head and nodded toward Abigail. “How sure are you she’s tellin’ the truth?”

  “I’m sure. Absolutely sure.”

  “Then I guess that’s good enough for me, but women in the law? How they goin’ to deal with the likes of me? It’s loco.”

  “You don’t need physical strength to pull a trigger, Mr. Conroy. Nor does it take muscles to be fast.”

  “True. Strength helps though. I’m more than just fast and accurate,” he turned to Nat. “When are we lettin’ her go?”

  Nat sat back and smiled as he gazed off at nothing in particular with his hands behind his head. “We need to get her clothes first. I should’ve gotten you to get some from Pearl. She’s not going anywhere with my trousers. It’ll ruin the suit.”

  “They look a lot better on her than they ever did on you,” Jake sat back. “What did you do to get her to talk?”

  Abigail blushed scarlet as Nat glinted with devilment at her embarrassment. “Let’s just say I made advances.”

  The blue eyes narrowed, reading the subtext. “I guess it was effective.” He gave her a lopsided smile and tried to lighten her caustic scowl.

  She shrugged. “It’s over. We’re still on different sides, but at least we all know where we stand.”

  “Yeah, I guess we do.” He glowered at his nephew. “I hope he didn’t frighten you too much.”

  “He did, but I’m not going to dwell on it.” She shrugged. “It’s something we train for, and I don’t frighten easily or I wouldn’t be doing this job. He did less than the men who trained me. I didn’t expect him to stop so suddenly. I thought he was playing emotional games, then I realized he meant it. You have a very confounding nephew, Mr. Conroy.”

  “Tell me about it,” Jake sighed. “I’ll ride out tomorrow and get you some clothes. We’ll drop you two miles from town to give us time to get away.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Conroy.”

  “It’s no problem. I want to leave money for Dora’s son before we go. He’s only eight and his ma’s disappeared. It’s a terrible thing. The poor boy has nobody.”

  Abigail gasped. “She had a son?”

  “Yup. His pa died three years ago. That’s why she had to work at Pearl’s. Try to keep Pearl outta this, will ya? She’s never hurt a soul in her life. She’s just someone we know and we won’t see her again after this. It’ll lead to nothin’.”

  She frowned. “Dora’s dead; you understand that, don’t you? I don’t believe she’d leave him, not with no other family.”

  “We know,” Nat muttered, “but the law doesn’t care. She’s just a prostitute to them.”

  Abigail’s brows met. “That’s not true. I care.”

  “Yeah?” snorted Jake. “Just what can you do about it?”

  Her dark eyes blazed with determination. “You’d be surprised, Mr. Conroy. I can find out a lot. I’m very good at it, and with a little help, I’m certain I can do more than just get information.” She paused. “You wanted to call a truce, Mr. Quinn. How about it? I get the information, and you two back me up? No one else cares enough to do it. What do you say?”

  “Why would you care?” demanded Jake.

  “Because I know what it’s like to lose people. It’s why I became a Pinkerton. What hope does that little boy have in getting justice? I could help. Besides, you saved my life. I pay my debts, and this seems like something I can help with.” She paused, “And I don’t like owing criminals.”

  The men exchanged a look. “What can you do we can’t?” Nat asked. “Dora’s boy needs a fighter. He needs to see she matters, and that someone cares about him and his Ma, or he’ll be angry for the rest of his life.”

  “Angry? That sounds like the voice of experience to me. Your choice, gentlemen. I’m offering you a cease-fire, no questions asked, to find the killer. As far as the agency is concerned, I was never held against my will until I tell them different, and no criminals are helping me. They’ll know what I tell them. It’s up to you. Do you mean it, or do you just talk a good argument? If not, I’ll walk away and put all my energies into you.” She tilted her head. “What have you got to lose?”

  “Our freedom.” Nat leaned forward. “How can we trust you?”

  “I messed up and I don’t go back with you, but at least I don’t go back empty-handed if I find the killer.” She fixed Nat with a gimlet eye. “After what went on here yesterday, Mr. Quinn, the question is how can I trust you? I’m out here on my own—you’re not.”

  Nat stood. “Let me think on it.” He gestured to Jake to follow him, walking out to the porch where he leaned on the handrail and stared out into the cool November air.

  The gunman closed the door behind him and eyed his nephew in disbelief. “Nat, you ain’t considerin’ this. Throwin’ your lot in with a Pinkerton? We’ll be carted off before the end of the week. It’s crazy.”

  “Is it? It might help us to get to the bottom of what happened to Bessie and Dora.” Nat mused. “I can’t think of a better way to find out how they work, and that can only ever help us. We have a good chance of spotting the other agents that way. We need to recognize them to avoid a trap.”

  “Or we could be walkin’ straight into one,” muttered Jake. “We can’t trust her.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Nat grinned, “but she sure as hell can’t trust us, either.”

  Chapter Eight

  “So, she was the law?” Pearl’s chins gathered above her well-upholstered bosom. “Well, dingle my dangle, if that ain’t the sneakiest, most underhanded, low-down trick I’ve seen since, well…” she paused, “since I met you two. I’m gonna have to be a lot more careful from now on.”

  “She’s gonna keep you outta this. She promised us. It just means we can’t see you again. I guess it was bound to happen eventually.” Jake’s eyes glistened with regret. “You sure we can still use the cabin until we head off, Pearl?”

  “Yeah, sure, Jake. No one’s been near it since old man White died. He left it to me. I guess we helped to make his last years more, ‘comfortable’. Is that a good idea, though? She knows where it is, and you’ve let her go. It’ll be the first place they head for.”

  “She’s been blindfolded and has no idea where it is. She’s now investigatin’ what happened to Dora and Bessie.”

  A cynical frown creased Pearl’s brow. “And you believe her, Jake?”

  The gunman folded his arms. “Hard to believe, ain’t it, Pearl?”

  “You’re idiots. Dumb as boiled bones. Stupid as glue. Brainless as bolloc—”

  “Now, Pearl,” Nat chuckled. “We’ve spent a long time with her. She’s idealistic and kinda rigid. I can use that. You forget how good I am with people, especially when I can spot their weaknesses.”

  She glinted a warning at him. “They call it manipulatin’ people, Nat. And I never forget that about you. Not ever. You might be underestimatin’ her, though. Men usually do, when there’s a pretty face around.”

  “She owes us. We saved her life, and the least she can do is speak to the folks who wouldn’t open up to us.” Nat tilted his head. “Folks here know us as old friends, the Ryan boys you gave a roof for doin’ odd jobs for you when they were little. They don’t know we’re the famous N
at and Jake from The Innocents, or that we used Ryan as a fake name to keep us together as orphans.”

  “Well, the Pinkertons know it now, and if they don’t, they will very soon,” Pearl asserted. “You’re gonna have to stop visitin’ for a very long time.”

  “Not until we find out what happened to the women, Pearl.” Jake folded his arms. “We blindfolded her until just outside town. She doesn’t know where the cabin is. We’ve got time. It ain’t like we’re gonna pull any jobs with the Pinkertons lookin’ for us.”

  “So, we’re going to need help to search, and some other stuff.” Nat sat and twinkled a wide grin at her, preparing her for his next big favor.

  “Other stuff? What do you want, Nat?” Pearl demanded. “I can see your brand of usin’ comin’ miles away.”

  He smiled the smile of the caught in the act. “Can you see your way clear to takin’ Abigail back?”

  Pearl’s alabaster face turned puce as she blustered at the very idea of entertaining anyone involved in law enforcement in her establishment. “Are you mad?”

  Jake grinned at the stately madam’s affront as her feathered head dress trembled and danced in tandem with her blustering conniption fit.

  “I’ve often wondered that myself when I end up listenin’ to Nat, but in this case, we got good reason,” Jake replied. “We need someone in the place to find out about what could have happened to the girls, and she owes us a favor for savin’ her skin.”

  “Nobody will speak to her if they think she’s investigatin’, but they’ll speak to a maid, a fellow employee.” Nat added. “She’ll be different. She’ll lose the disguise and be Scottish again. No glasses or paint to look dowdy. This one’ll be pretty. You can invent her past. Make her as pathetic as you want. Get creative with it. Have fun.”

  “What about her name?”

  “It’s common enough to have another Abi. Change it to somethin’ real ugly,” grinned Nat. “How about Gertrude or Ethel?”

  “Ah, go on Pearl. She’s free help and you don’t even need to be nice to her. You can be as mean as you like,” chortled Jake. “You’ll love it.”