by Aileen Fish
“Yes, I am, and it’s a relief to finally be on the mend. So tell me,” Nicole lowered her voice, “how is the investigation coming along?”
Frowning, Mrs. Phelps shook her head. “This one really has us baffled. We still think Mr. Lee is our main suspect, yet there are other obstacles in our way that make us believe otherwise.”
Nicole breathed a heavy sigh. She wanted so badly to get at least one agent on her side in believing Ashton was not the thief. With any luck, she’d be able to convince Angela. “Have you found more evidence?”
“Indeed, we have.” Angela took a breath and then opened her mouth to continue, but when Patsy bustled in carrying a tray holding the teapot with two cups, and a plate of bite-size tea cakes, the agent closed her mouth. Nicole took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of raspberry within the cake.
“Oh, thank you, Patsy.” Nicole smiled. “That will be all.”
Patsy placed the tray on the table and said, “Have a nice visit.” She left the room, closing the door behind her.
“You were saying…” Nicole asked in a low voice as she proceeded to pour the tea. The pot clinked against the cup ever so slightly.
“Well, the information you had given to your brother and father about Mr. Lee’s father bribing the other two partners, had us all thinking, which made your father take a different direction with this investigation.” She took the cup, brought it to her mouth and sipped.
“What did you discover?” Nicole asked.
“Before the war, the elder Mr. Lee wasn’t as prosperous in his banking deals as he was during and especially after the war. The other agents did some searching and found that the elder Mr. Lee was very greedy. He took away many property deeds and houses even if the occupants were only one month late paying their taxes.” A breeze blew in from the nearest window, and Mrs. Phelps glanced briefly in that direction. “Now here is where this tale really gets interesting,” she continued in a softer voice, returning her gaze to Nicole. “We discovered that the elder Mr. Lee took advantage of Mr. Nickerson’s father during this time, and the poor man lost everything. Mr. Nickerson had already moved out of his family’s estate, and he didn’t know about his father until after the elder Mr. Lee had taken over.”
Nicole gasped in surprise. “Do you think Mr. Nickerson still holds ill feelings for Ashton’s father?”
“I cannot say, but I suspect he does.” She shrugged. “After all, if that happened to any of us, we would want revenge, too.”
“Indeed, we would.” Nicole picked up a spoon and slowly stirred her tea. The silverware gently scraped the edge of the cup.
Mrs. Phelps arched an eyebrow. “Right now, your father is doing more intense search into Mr. Nickerson’s life.”
As Nicole studied the older woman, she received the impression that Angela had her own feelings of resentment for Mr. Nickerson. Every time Angela had said his name, a scowl crossed her brow and the tone of her voice turned nippy.
“Tell me, Angela,” Nicole kept her voice soft in case Ashton’s servants were outside the door trying to hear their conversation, “do you have any reservations about Mr. Nickerson?”
The scowl on Mrs. Phelps’ face darkened and she set her teacup on the table in front of them. “I don’t know him personally, but I do know he is not a good man. His morals are low, and he’s selfish to a fault. Believe me when I say, he’s not a man I would trust.”
Nicole’s mind started piecing things together, and the confusion she’d held since this case started was finally disappearing. “What if…” she said and licked her lips, “Mr. Nickerson did have vengeful thoughts for Ashton? After all, Nickerson’s family home was taken away and then the elder Mr. Lee had to bribe the railroad owners just to bring Ashton on as a partner.” Excitement leapt in her chest. “What if Mr. Nickerson was the thief? What if he was purposely trying to make it appear as if Ashton was the culprit as a form of revenge for what Ashton’s father did?”
Angela’s eyes widened and she picked up a thinly sliced piece of teacake. “That very well could be what’s happening. However, we still need proof.”
Nicole tapped her finger against her cup. “Exactly. So what kind of proof could we look for?”
“Well, Mr. Nickerson isn’t going to be stupid enough to keep the railroad’s money for himself, because if we find it in his possession, he’ll be arrested. And I highly doubt the man would actually do the robbery himself for everyone to see him.” Angela took a small bite of her cake.
“Do you believe he hired someone to do it for him?”
“Yes, I’m sure of it.” Angela’s voice lifted, even though she had fully swallowed the food. “In our reports, there has been a man on the train during these robberies who resembles Ashton Lee quite a bit. So perhaps—”
“Perhaps,” Nicole took over, “Glynn hired a man who looks like Ashton to steal from the railroad?”
Angela grinned. “Exactly.”
Exhilaration bubbled in Nicole’s chest. Finally, they had a new direction to take. Hopefully, her father and brother would realize this as well. “We’ll have to convince my family that Mr. Nickerson needs to be thoroughly investigated. If that man is responsible, he needs to be thrown in jail.”
A vicious grin stretched across Angela’s face. “Indeed, he does, and the authorities need to toss the key in the river just to keep the despicable man behind bars.”
Nicole received the impression that Angela knew more about Glynn than she led on, but right now wasn’t the time to ask about it. Nicole’s main goal was to free Ashton of these false charges, and then somehow, some way make him trust her again.
“What about Mr. Larson?” Nicole wondered. “Is there any connection between him and the elder Mr. Lee?”
“Not anything yet, but we’re still looking.”
“Well, in your search, be aware that his wife is purchasing Opium.”
“What?” Angela blurted out.
Nicole quickly related the scene she’d witnessed at the park.
“Oh, Heavens.” Angela placed a hand at her throat. “This is very good to know. I’ll get Mr. Banks and Mr. Cartwright looking into Mr. Larson’s wife posthaste.”
“Yes, I think they should.”
“Well, I need to get back to work.” Angela stood. “You continue to heal and don’t overdo it again.”
Nicole smiled and stood beside her friend. “Not to worry. I’m feeling much better. I’m really glad you came to see me, and I’m especially grateful for the information you’ve shared.”
“We’ll get this thief, I promise.”
Nicole walked Angela to the door and waved good bye. Her nerves were dancing with enthusiasm, and she suddenly wanted to do some poking into Mr. Nickerson’s private life. Sitting around the house wouldn’t help her agent friends at all. And now that there was another suspect in the mix, Nicole was even more enthused about seeing someone arrested…as long as it wasn’t Ashton.
Dinnertime was soon upon her and she meandered to the dining room. The servants nodded a greeting, but none of them really spoke to her, none but Patsy, anyway. Nicole entered the dining room, and stopped. Only two place settings were on the table. She grasped the arm of the serving girl who walked by. “Excuse me, but there are two settings here.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “Yes, Miss.”
“Do you know who is joining me for dinner?”
Just as the girl opened her mouth to reply, a man’s strong voice boomed in the room with the answer, “I will be joining you.”
Nicole hitched a breath and turned sharply. Ashton strolled into the room looking extremely handsome in his dark blue coat, vest, and trousers. Butterflies danced in her stomach.
He motioned to the table. “Is it all right that I dine with you this evening?”
“Uh, yes, of course it’s all right.”
He walked to a chair and pulled it out for her. Graciously, she sat and then watched him move around the table to take a seat directly across from her. She had m
issed him terribly; missed talking with him like they used to do and missed gazing upon his handsome face and heart-melting smile. When she noticed the flicker of distrust in his eyes as he peered at her, it broke her heart, but it made her more determined to win back his trust, and hopefully, his love.
“You are looking much better than you did the other day,” he said, lifting his glass of wine and sipping.
“I feel much better, too.”
“Splendid.” He nodded. “Then I suspect you are strong enough to tell me what happened at the park?”
“Yes, I would very much like to talk about that.” She cut a small piece of her fish and placed it in her mouth.
“Was there a reason you were coming into town that afternoon?”
“Indeed, there was. I was on my way to locate Mrs. Phelps.”
He arched an eyebrow. “May I ask why?”
After she chewed and swallowed the bite of food, she began, “I talked with Patsy earlier that day, and she told me some things that left me puzzled. There was a nagging in my head telling me that something wasn’t right with Patsy’s story. I wanted to find Mrs. Phelps to have her do some serious checking into Mr. Nickerson and Mr. Larson’s life.”
Ashton stopped his forkful of food before reaching his mouth as his stare locked with hers. “Glynn and Steve? You suspect them now?”
“Actually, yes.” She sipped her wine. “Patsy said that your father had bribed the founders of Conrail Railroad to bring you on as another partner.”
Anger lines creased Ashton’s forehead as she slowly lowered his fork back to his plate. Obviously, this was a touchy subject for him.
“And because of that,” she quickly continued, “it gives both of them motive to make you appear as if you’re robbing from the railroad.”
Ashton’s gaze dropped to his plate, and his fingers tightened around his utensil. He remained quiet for a few moments. Nicole didn’t dare interrupt his thought process. She’d give him time to absorb the news and figure this one out on his own.
Finally, he heaved a sigh and looked at her again. “What exactly did Patsy tell you?”
“She just hinted that your father bribed them to take you on.”
“Did my servant also tell you that my father had worked with them before the war?”
“Before the war?” she asked, her interest perking up a little more. “Was your father part of the railroad?”
“No, he was the owner of the largest bank in New York. Both Glynn and Steve had accounts in my father’s bank.” He poked his fork into his food, but it never left the plate. “It was during the war when my father became greedy. He wasn’t known for having good business ethics. He made a lot of people upset.”
Nicole’s heart softened. She was grateful he told her this before she’d mentioned it. At least he showed signs—if only small signs—that he was starting to trust her again.
She rested her arms on the edge of the table and leaned forward. “Mrs. Phelps dropped by this morning and visited with me.” His wide eyes jumped back to her so she quickly continued, “Did you know your father foreclosed on Glynn’s father’s home during the war? His father lost everything.”
His expression tightened and a nerve in his neck jumped. “No, I wasn’t aware of that.”
“Well, Mrs. Phelps hinted that the agents are going to probe deeper into Glynn’s life, and possibly Steve Larson’s life as well.”
Ashton arched an eyebrow. “Why Steve’s life? Did my father take away his home, too?”
“I don’t know that yet, but because of what I witnessed while at the park—before you rescued me—I think the agents need to check out his wife.” She took another bite of her food.
“His wife? What has she got to do with any of this?”
She finished chewing what was in her mouth and swallowed. She explained to him how she had first met Joseph Donnelly in San Francisco and who he’d been linked with in the Opium den investigation. Ashton kept his attention on her while he ate. He appeared interested in what she had to say, and for now, he didn’t look upset.
“So then why was Mr. Donnelly holding on to you and not letting you go?” he asked.
“After I had stopped to rest by the tree,” she continued, “I was surprised to see him, and I wondered what he could be doing in New York. But when I witnessed an exchange between him and Mrs. Larson, my doubts were affirmed that he’s still selling Opium.” She took a quick sip her wine. “I think that’s why Mr. Donnelly was upset with me—because I’d witnessed him selling Opium to her.”
“Did Steve’s wife see you?”
“No, I don’t believe she did. After she had the Opium, she hurried back into town.”
Silence stretched between them as he tapped his fingers on the table. While he pondered over what she’d said, she quickly ate her food, which was turning cold fast. Although he had yet to smile at her, she wanted to think he would eventually forgive her for lying to him. Being here with her tonight at the evening meal was a good sign, especially when he’d ignored her the whole time she’d been at his house recuperating.
He released a heavy breath and laid his fork on his near empty plate. “It does seem rather coincidental, doesn’t it? I mean, out of all the people in New York, why Steve’s wife? And why at this time—when her husband’s train is being robbed.”
“Yes, it does seem related in some way, but for the life of me, I cannot connect the points.”
Leaning back in his chair, he folded his arms across his chest. “Well, for now, I won’t worry about her. Let’s keep her in the back of our thoughts, just in case.”
“Splendid idea.” She took another bite.
The rest of the meal passed without any words between them. Ashton didn’t look at her much as he finished the food on the plate. Her mind scrambled for something to talk about, but nothing came. She’d do anything to have him smile at her again…and one day have him kiss her. But for now, she had to take baby steps. She couldn’t push him into anything. He had to be the one to allow her back into his heart.
Once the meal was over, he pushed away from the table. She quickly set down her fork and stood. He held up his hand to stop her.
“You can stay if you’re not finished eating,” he said.
“But I am finished,” she answered quickly.
“I was just going to my study for a few hours. I still have some monthly train reports to go over.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “I’d hoped we could talk a little more.”
“I’m actually too busy for that tonight.” He took a step toward the door, then stopped and looked at her again. “I suppose you want to return to your own home soon.”
Her heart stumbled over a beat. He wanted her out of his house, and the knowledge hurt more than she was prepared for. “Uh…yes, of course I do.” She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “Perhaps I’ll feel better tomorrow and I can return home then.”
“Yes, that would be best, I’m sure. I have to leave for work bright and early, but I’ll have my driver take you back to your house any time tomorrow.”
“All right.” Her voice broke, and she cleared her throat.
He gave her a nod. “Have a pleasant evening, then.”
As she watched him leave the dining room and enter the hallway, she wanted to call him back. She wanted to fall to her knees and apologize again, begging him to forgive her, and to love her. But her pride wouldn’t allow it and she watched him walk away without turning back to look at her.
Chapter 17
Nicole didn’t sleep well, and she would be extremely tired today in her pursuit, but this was something she had to do. Ashton Lee was up to something, and she was going to discover what it was whether she liked the outcome or not.
She tossed and turned in her bed. It took her most of the night to realize that he was purposely trying to get rid of her when he suggested she return home. The other day when they had decided to work together, he’d acted determined to find the real train robber. H
e’d acted as if he needed her help. Now, out of the blue, he tells her to leave. After the initial heartbreaking shock of hearing those words from him, she realized what he was trying to accomplish.
And today, she would discover why he was trying to get rid of her.
She was ready when she’d heard him leave the house. Strange, because this time he was quieter than he’d been the other mornings. Indeed, something was up.
Previously, she had found servants’ clothes and pulled her hair back, stuffing it inside a large man’s cap, so when he left the house, all she had to do was jump out of bed and follow him down the stairs and out to the stable. It surprised her when he didn’t have his driver take him to work. Instead, he saddled a horse and mounted, placing a large handbag on his lap as he rode toward town. Thankfully, she could ride without a saddle, and so it didn’t take her long to find a horse and follow him.
She tried ignoring the ache in her heart knowing that he was purposely keeping something from her. He was being too sneaky for him not to be suspicious. When he arrived at his office building, no lights were on, and no buggies nearby. Within seconds, a light brightened the room to his office and she saw the outline of his body through the window. Two buildings down, she tied the horse to a post and waited in the shadows, watching his office building closely.
Time seemed to crawl as she waited, and as each minute passed, she wondered if she had been over thinking this whole situation with Ashton. Perhaps he wasn’t trying to hide anything from her. Could he have left early just because he had a lot of paperwork to do today? After all, he had been at home a little more the past two days than he’d been the whole time she’d been staying there.
As the sun peeked in the horizon announcing a new day, shop owners started opening their stores, and street vendors set up their carts for business. Perhaps she was being ridiculous right now and she should return to Ashton’s house, pack up her things, and leave.
Her heart cracked a little more and her throat tightened with sadness. She hadn’t experienced this feeling much in her life, but it was because she’d made it a rule never to get involved with suspects. Then again, she had already started liking him before he became the main suspect. Life was not fair, and she wanted to scream at the top of her voice and let everyone know how unhappy she was right now.