An Agent for Marianne

by Christine Sterling

  Without breaking eye contact, the bar keeper reached up to get a glass and placed it in front of Archie. Then he leaned below the counter and brought up a whiskey bottle unlike anything Archie had ever seen before.

  The bottle didn’t have a label and the color of the contents didn’t look like regular whiskey. The man uncorked the bottle with his teeth and poured a third of the way up the cup. Using his mouth, he recorked the bottle and slid it back under the counter.

  Leaning over again, he positioned the rifle between him and Archie. “Drink,” he said with a sneer.

  Archie lifted the glass, sniffing the contents. It smelled a bit earthy, which surprised him. He took a tentative sip. It didn’t taste like anything. His eyes flew up to the bar keeper.

  “Finish it off,” he said, lifting the rifle from the counter.

  Archie heard chairs moving and several more patrons left the bar.

  “Me and my friends are going for a smoke, Shep,” the man who tried to intimidate Archie said. “Refill our drinks before we get back.”

  “Will do, Boggs,” Shep replied, his eyes not leaving Archie.

  Boggs!

  When the men arrived at the swinging doors, the bartender lifted the rifle once more. “Now, drink.” He gave a little glance to make sure that Boggs heard him as the men walked through the doors.

  He leaned over to Archie. “It’s colored water. Nothing more,” he whispered.

  “And the taste?”

  “We used bark to color it.”

  Archie downed the rest of the drink and grimaced. He put the glass back on the counter. “Pour me another.”

  The man called Shep, reached back under and poured the same brown liquid into the glass. He pushed the glass towards Archie with the bottle.

  “I know who you are, Pinkerton.”

  Archie raised his eyebrow.

  “Allan would send his regards.”

  Archie’s eyes flew open wide. Why was there an agent behind the counter, and why hadn’t he stopped by the office to make his presence known to Archie?

  “Where?”

  “KC.”

  That made sense. Archie wasn’t familiar with all the agents. Primarily the Chicago and Denver offices. Kate Warne provided oversight on the Kansas City office.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I only have a minute before they come back in. Name’s Ryan Shepperd. Came out to help Hotchkiss investigate some shady things happening here.”

  “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “Everyone knows the Denver agents. You can’t miss them. They are traipsing around with wives. He needed someone not familiar to the townsfolks. Allan sent me.”

  Archie knew time was of the essence. “Have you seen him? He didn’t show up for an appointment today.”

  “Not since Sunday afternoon. Mentioned something about going to see an old friend.” He reached back under the counter and pulled out a bottle with a label on it. Archie could see that it was a cheap rotgut type of whiskey. “He was supposed to be here yesterday when a shipment of bottles came in, but he never showed.”

  “Thanks, friend,” Archie said. The doors opened and Boggs, along with his two friends sat back down at the table. “You better get their whiskey. I’m done.” He said it loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Get outta here, and don’t come back,” Shep called as Archie started towards the door. Archie heard Shep speak to the men at the table. “This bottle is on the house.”

  The friend Shep referred to was most likely James Bolton. James was one of George’s closest confidents when it came to matters regarding the Vigilance Committee.

  Vigilantism is more likely, Archie thought.

  Denver really needed to invest in a proper police presence. Most towns already had a sheriff or marshal to keep the peace. Even though the Pinkertons presence deterred many crimes, they weren’t lawkeepers.

  He walked the short distance to the Bolton residence and knocked twice on the door. A petite, thin woman with light hair opened the door. Dark circles were prevalent around her eyes.

  “Mr. Gordon!” she said, opening the door a little wider. “Is everything alright? Did something happen to Pearl?”

  “No. No. Pearl is fine. May I come in?” He removed his hat and entered the row home.

  The house was modest with tasteful furnishings. It was cooler than expected.

  “May I take your jacket?” Mrs. Bolton offered, shutting the door.

  “I’m only going to be here a minute. I need to see James, if that is alright.”

  “Let me see if he is awake. He’s been tossing and turning something dreadful.”

  “Thank you. If he is asleep, I won’t disturb him. I can come back later.”

  “Let me check. Wait here, please.”

  Mrs. Bolton left, leaving Archie alone. He looked inside the parlor off the foyer. There was a small settee and a chair. Unfinished embroidery laid on a blanket that had been tossed aside.

  There was a small coal stove in the corner of a room off to the side. It certainly wasn’t big enough to heat the house. Archie wondered why they didn’t add more coal to it. He walked over and looked in the bucket next to the stove. There were only three briquets.

  “James is asleep. Can you return tomorrow? I know he’d look forward to seeing you.”

  Archie turned and looked at Mrs. Bolton. “Is this all the coal you have?”

  Mrs. Bolton slumped her shoulders and turned her eyes away. A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Miss Marianne made sure we had coal every winter for the past five years. Paid for it herself. When she left for Chicago she made arrangements with Mr. Hotchkiss to handle the deliveries.”

  Why hadn’t Marianne said anything to him. He wondered what other secrets she may not have told him. “When was the last delivery?”

  “Was supposed to come last month, but it didn’t. I made that coal last. That’s all I have.”

  “Do you know who was delivering the coal?”

  She shook her head. “When Mr. Hotchkiss found out on Sunday, he was madder than a wet hen. Said he would make sure it was delivered yesterday.” She gave a little sigh. “But it wasn’t.”

  Archie thought about it for a moment. “Do you know why Miss Chapman was paying for the coal from her own pocket?”

  “We don’t want to take no charity, Mr. Gordon,” she insisted.

  “I realize that.”

  “She’s a good woman. Took care of Pearl. Got her that job cooking for those fancy men of yours.”

  “Pearl is an excellent cook.”

  “Ain’t got no prospects for marriage. No one wants to marry a ghost.”

  “I was asking about the coal, Mrs. Bolton.”

  “My husband’s medicine takes all of Pearl’s money. She even got a second job just so we had a bit extra.”

  “She took a second job? When?”

  “About two years ago. Works at the boarding house, cleaning rooms and washing sheets on Sunday.”

  “I had no idea…” It appeared that Marianne knew more about the personal lives of the folks working with him, than he did. He vowed to rectify that.

  “Miss Chapman knew things were tight, so she offered to pay for the coal in winter. Even took care of us when she went to Chicago,” she repeated.

  “I wish I had known.”

  “Right Christian woman she is, Mr. Gordon. Will make someone an excellent wife.”

  Archie scratched his chin. “I’m beginning to see that.”

  “I’ll find out who was supposed to deliver your coal and make sure you have a delivery this afternoon. From now on I’ll pay for it myself. Pearl is an excellent employee. This is the least I can do.”

  “But what about Miss Chapman?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Marianne. Tell James I’ll stop by tomorrow to talk with him. Might bring Bronco with me.”

  “He is such a nice man. Walked Pearl home and would stay for a cup of tea.”

  Bronco didn’t drink tea.
That secured in his mind how much his agents loved and respected Pearl.

  “Thank you for your time, Mrs. Bolton.” Archie donned his hat and went back into the cold air. As he walked down the steps, he thought he caught a glimpse of someone peering around the corner. He paused for a moment to see if he would see it again. When two boys ran around the corner racing a wooden hoop with sticks, he flipped up his collar and headed back towards the office.

  Until he could find out who was supposed to be making the deliveries to the Bolton house, he would have Bronco make sure coal was delivered that very day. He, himself, would visit the clinic to cover the cost of James’s medicine. He would also have Angus arrange to see what else the Bolton’s might require.

  His heart warmed as he thought of Marianne. She was even kinder and more generous than he ever imagined. He wondered if she knew Pearl was working a second job?

  No wonder Pearl looked exhausted on Mondays. She was working non-stop. Archie was surprised the young lady didn’t collapse from exhaustion. He vowed to fix what he could.

  He turned his thoughts to the discussion with the agent in the saloon. He’d discuss his thoughts with Bronco and Angus and get their take on it. Even though he was an agent as well, it had been years since Archie had been in the field. Finally, he arrived at the office.

  Archie took the steps two at a time and entered the Victorian house. “Pearl!” he shouted.

  It took a moment for Pearl to respond. She came out of the kitchen covered with flour. There was flour covering her already white skin and hair, and her dark blue apron looked like it had been snowed upon.

  “There was an accident,” she said. Pointing to the kitchen.

  “I can see that. It looks like the cake won.”

  Pearl looked at him with a peculiar look on her face, as if she had never heard him crack a joke before.

  “I’ll get it cleaned up immediately.”

  “Take your time, Pearl. I know you will.”

  Pearl visibly relaxed. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’ll be in my office. Could you bring a pot of fresh coffee in there when you get a moment? And ask Bronco and Angus to meet me? I think we are going to be working late into the evening.” Archie heard his stomach rumble, reminding him that he hadn’t had anything to eat.

  “Did you meet Judge Hotchkiss for lunch?”

  “No. That is what I need to talk to them about.”

  “I’ll bring you a sandwich as well.”

  “Thank you, Pearl. I want to let you know how much I appreciate all you’ve done for us here and stepping in while Marianne is away.”

  Pearl looked puzzled. “Jacqueline has done most of it. I’ve really not done much.”

  “You’ve done more than you know.”

  “Is Marianne coming back?”

  “I’m working on it.”

  “Good.” She patted her skirt and clouds of flour flew in the air. Archie laughed. It felt good to do so. He realized he didn’t laugh as much as he used to. When did he become… as Bronco put it… an old man?

  “Let me get cleaned up and I’ll do that.”

  “Thank you.” He walked towards his office. “And Pearl?”

  “Yes sir?”

  “I just doubled your pay. Get rid of your second job.” He saw the look of surprise register on Pearl’s face before he shut the door, closing him in with his thoughts.

  Chapter 7

  The next day Archie was met with the same story at the Bolton residence. James was asleep and couldn’t be disturbed.

  He needed to find Pearl and ask her a few questions. As he entered the foyer in the large Victorian house, the sound of music reached his ears. He wondered where it was coming from.

  He went to drop his coat in the office when he realized the sound was originating in the kitchen. He tossed his coat on the chair by the door and walked toward the music.

  As he reached the entrance to the kitchen, he realized it was Pearl. She was happily humming while stirring something on the stove.

  “It smells wonderful in here, Pearl.”

  Pearl jumped, dropping the spoon she was holding into the pot. “Oh, bother,” she said. “You scared me.”

  Archie laughed. “There are people walking through here all the time.”

  “I know. I was just lost in my thoughts.”

  “May I?” Archie pointed to the chair in the corner. Pearl nodded and Archie sat down. He watched Pearl fish the spoon from the pot and then put it in the wash basin.

  “We are having stewed chicken tonight. Is that alright?”

  “Everything you make is alright, Pearl.

  I came by to ask you a question if you have a moment.”

  He saw Pearl stiffen slightly. It was so slight that he would have missed it, except all his attention was on the woman in front of him.

  “Of course,” she replied slowly. “You are my employer; you can ask anything you wish.”

  “I’m not here as your employer, Pearl. I’m here as a friend.”

  Pearl raised her eyebrow as though she didn’t believe him. Archie coughed and continued. “I was wondering if you knew your father’s sleeping habits?”

  She put the spoon down and turned so she was facing Archie. She leaned back on the enamel cupboard for support. “Sleeping habits?”

  “You know. What time he goes to sleep. Wakes up. That sort of thing.”

  “He’s asleep most of the time now.”

  “But he needs to be awake at some point.”

  “Normally in the mornings. Before I come here. And sometimes in the early afternoon. Why?”

  “So, you think those would be a good time to visit?”

  Pearl paused for a moment as if thinking of her next words very carefully. “Why are you visiting my Father?”

  Archie debated on if he should tell her. He decided it was probably best if she knew, so he shared the little bit he did know.

  “Judge Hotchkiss has been missing since Sunday. I know he visited your father.” Pearl looked away. “I heard George say that he was going to visit after church on Sunday. He was having coffee in my office the day he said that. Don’t you remember, Pearl?”

  Pearl lifted her hand to brush away a tear on her cheek. “I remember,” she said softly.

  “I need to find him. I don’t know if he is in danger.”

  Pearl looked at Archie, her red eyes in fiery contrast to her pale skin. “I can tell you this. My father doesn’t know anything about Mr. Hotchkiss going missing.”

  “But you know something don’t you, Pearl?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  Archie sighed. These were the times he wished Marianne was here. She was much better at finding out information. He rubbed his hand through his hair. “If you are in trouble, you can tell me. I want to help you, Pearl.”

  She started to cry again. “I can’t,” she whispered. “Are you going to release me?”

  Archie stood and walked over to Pearl. He patted her on the shoulder. “Of course not. I am just trying to get to the bottom of this. When you are ready, let me know.” He walked towards the dining room. “When you go home tonight, let your father know I’ll be by at noon tomorrow.” Pearl nodded, then Archie walked from the kitchen.

  Archie went back to the Bolton’s the next day at noon, just as he told Pearl he would. James was still asleep, so Mrs. Bolton requested he come back later. She had only opened the door a scant amount and blocked the view with her body.

  He decided on a different tactic.

  “Did the coal arrive?”

  “Yes, it did. Thank you. And we now have a pantry full of food. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

  “No need to. If you need anything else, just let one of us know.”

  “I told you I don’t like charity, Mr. Gordon.”

  He smiled slightly, “Think of it as a gift for Pearl. For a job well done.”

  “She told me what you did.” Mrs. Bolton used her apron to wipe he
r eyes. “We were so blessed when Marianne came by that day.”

  Archie cleared his throat. He almost thought that Mrs. Bolton was going to hug him in gratitude.

  “It is my pleasure. I’ll be back to visit him at another time.”

  “What time would that be, Mr. Gordon?”

  Archie pulled out his watch. “I don’t know.”

  Mrs. Bolton closed the door without another word and Archie could hear the lock turning.

  He needed to stop by the saloon and see if there had been any news of George. Angus was going to spend extra time there, much to the dismay of his wife, Penelope.

  Angus didn’t seem too heartbroken about the assignment.

  Archie went to the saloon and walked around to the back door. He knocked once. The door opened and Shep looked out at him. With a nod and no words, he shut the door, leaving Archie standing out back.

  It was less than two minutes before Angus came around from two buildings down. He had taken a walk around the buildings just in case anyone was watching him.

  “Have you heard anything?”

  “They are worse than gossiping old ladies. Give ‘em a little liquor and they sing like a canary. That man you mentioned? His name is Wills.”

  “Wills,” Archie repeated the name to commit to memory.

  “Yeah… like Will, but there are two of ‘em.”

  “What did Wills have to say?”

  “Kept complaining about the liquor. At least that is what I understood from the slurring.”

  “Was Boggs there?”

  “No sign of him, boss.”

  “I wonder where he is.”

  “I can ask around.”

  “Don’t call too much attention to yourself.”

  “I’ll try, but no promises. Do you recognize the name Wilson & Dutch?”

  “No. Why?”

  “That was the label on the bottle. I had never heard of it either. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Angus?”

  “Yeah, boss?”

  “Find out who is delivering the whiskey to the saloon. And see if they also deliver coal.”

  Archie arrived back at the office. He tilted his head listening for anyone. He was met with silence. Normally there would be some noise. It was after lunchtime, so the agents would be working on their cases or paperwork. Perhaps they were in the dormitory.