by Jenna Brandt
An Agent for Nadine
The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series
Jenna Brandt
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Locale and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, or actual locations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email [email protected].
Text copyright © Jenna Brandt 2019.
Cover copyright by Virginia Mckevitt
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Contents
A Note to Our Readers
The Denver Tribune Editorials
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
A Note from the Author
Also by Jenna Brandt
Join My Mailing List and Reader’s Group
Two More Amazing Pinkerton Matchmaker books
Acknowledgments
About the Author
A Note to Our Readers
Even though this book is a work of fiction, the Pinkerton Agents and their exploits are very real.
Allan Pinkerton, a Scottish immigrant, and Edward Rucker, a Chicago attorney, started the North-Western Police Agency in the early 1850s. It later became the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
Established in the U.S. by Allan Pinkerton in 1855, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency was a private security guard and detective agency. Pinkerton agents were hired as both bodyguards and detectives by corporations and individuals. They were active in stopping strikes, illegal operations, guarding train shipments, and searching for Western outlaws such as the James and Younger gangs.
Pinkerton agents were known to be tough yet honest. For the most part, they followed local and state laws. However, as with most situations, a few were known to be ruthless. Local law didn’t always approve of having an agent in town since they could investigate more fully than the sheriff. Going undercover gave the agents greater leeway for investigations but could also lead to corruption and violence.
As the West became more settled, crime increased, and local authorities were at times overwhelmed. It was not uncommon for Pinkerton agents to be hired to track down the worst of these criminals. Not encumbered by state or local boundaries, the agents followed and pursued their quarry where the clues led them.
The Pinkerton Agency was also one of the first companies to hire women. Kate Warne led the way for the women agents that followed her.
As the case load grew, new offices were established around the country, with the main office in Chicago, Illinois.
We created this series with these heroic men and women in mind. These are works of our imagination and no way reflect the true cases or activities that the Pinkerton Agency may have engaged in.
These are our stories of the men and women that braved danger and love to bring their own brand of justice.
The Pinkerton Code
Allan Pinkerton's agents were required to comply with a specific code of conduct while working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
According to the agency's records, agents were to have no addiction to "drinking, smoking, card playing, low dives or slang".
Additionally, a Pinkerton agent …
Could not accept bribes
May never compromise with criminals
Should willingly partner with local law enforcement
Must refuse divorce cases or those initiating scandal
Would be expected to turn down reward money
Cannot raise fees without client’s prior knowledge
Should keep clients appraised on an on-going basis
The Denver Tribune Editorials
Sat. April 22, 1871
Female Agents to join National Detective Agency.
Help Wanted: female agents to join the National Pinkerton Detective Agency
Seven years ago, the National Pinkerton Detective Agency moved into the new office location at 427 Chain Bridge Road, Denver, Colorado Territory. Since then stories have swirled of brave men solving crimes and fighting for justice.
But a new time has evolved, and the agency is now seeking able-bodied women to join the ranks of private investigations.
We need daring women who seek adventure and are of sound mind and body. You will help the criminal elements answer for their crimes and secure safety for their victims.
You will train with an existing agent, and after your first case, you will earn the rank of private detective. Paid training, transportation, uniforms, and accommodations will be provided. You will become a part of a noble profession and pave the way into the future.
This editorial has been placed in newspapers throughout the nation, so the quickest responses are appreciated.
Please send inquiries and a list of skills to Mr. A. Gordon at the above noted address. Interviews will occur on the premises the week of May 16, 1871.
Ed.
An Agent for Nadine
Nadine Bradford's brother has turned her out, claiming he can't afford to take care of the bookworm spinster a moment longer now that he's married and has a family of his own. With nothing left to lose, Nadine applies to become a Pinkerton Agent. The only problem, they expect her to marry a man to work her first case.
Josiah Bell is a seasoned agent, and he's avoided the preposterous marriages that have been thrust on his fellow agents lately. He's not the marrying sort, and has even less patience to have to put up with a needy woman, even if it is for a case. But when his brother is killed and the only way to solve the crime is by accepting Nadine as his wife, Josiah gives in to find vengeance.
What happens when they both realize that their relationship could be more than just a short-lived partnership? Will they decide a real marriage is worth the risk? And will Josiah be able to avenge his brother's murder in time to keep it from happening to anyone else?
-To My Authors Friends-
Thanks for going on this amazing
writing experience with me.
I love creating worlds with you.
Chapter 1
Winter, 1873
Boston, Massachusetts
Nadine Bradford had been turned out, and by her own brother of all people. When their mother died two years prior and their father ran off with his secretary, Mark had promised to take care of his sister. After all, they were the only family either h
ad left. He had kept his word, not caring that she was a twenty-five-year-old bookworm spinster who depended on him to survive. In the beginning, he gladly did it without complaint.
“You won’t ever have to worry about anything, Nadine. I promise you, I’ll take care of you. Mother would have wanted me to do right by you.”
“Thank you, Mark. It was hard enough to lose our parents the way we did, I can’t imagine what I would do without you.”
“You’ll never have to figure that out.”
As it turned out, his word only held up until he met and married Cora St. Sinclair, an uppity socialite who loved landing one of the most well-known and established lawyers in all of Boston. The woman compelled her brother to send Nadine packing in one week flat.
“I can’t afford to take care of you now that I’m going to start my own family with Cora. We have to save our money for our little ones.”
“You’re not even with child, yet,” Nadine bemoaned. “Can’t you let me stay with you until then, so I have time to figure out where I should go?”
“I hear there are plenty of men out West looking for wives. They’re even accepting women as plain and as old as you,” Cora suggested snidely. “Wouldn’t it be best for you to start your own family, rather than leeching off your brother? He shouldn’t have to take care of you anymore.”
Nadine waited for her brother to correct his wife, but when the rebuke didn’t come, Nadine realized it was a lost cause. Mark was going to go along with whatever Cora wanted.
“You should listen to Cora, Sister. You could find a good match with a miner or a cattle rancher,” her brother recommended.
“A miner or a cattle rancher, Mark? Really? You think I would do well as the wife to either of those men?”
“You shouldn’t be so picky, considering your age and lack of offerings,” Cora snapped.
“Well, not all of us can land a rich lawyer and convince him to turn his back on his only family,” Nadine countered.
The dark look in Mark’s eyes made it clear, it was a mistake to let her mouth run away with her.
“You should go, Nadine, first thing in the morning. There’s no place for you here anymore,” her brother stated firmly, as he crossed his arms in anger.
Nadine should have found a way to take care of herself before she was forced into her current predicament. She was smart. She was capable. She was trusting, and that was her biggest weakness. She had believed her brother would always be there for her, so when he suddenly decided to cast her aside, she hadn’t seen it coming. Well, not completely. Her only saving grace was that she had at least hidden away some of her allowance when Cora came sniffing around her brother. She had seen the writing on the wall when Cora invited her brother out, but purposely left out Nadine. She wouldn’t have gone anyhow, being a naturally shy person, but an invite would have been nice.
Now, she was staying in the cheapest hotel she could find in the worst part of Boston while trying to figure out what to do next. It wasn’t like she had a lot of options. She was considered too old by local standards to get married. compounded by the fact she had nothing to offer a man. She was without a dowry or family name to back her.
With no marriage prospects, what was left for her? Could she find a job? She had limited job skills, making her wonder if she could even find a reputable position. Cora had mentioned brides being sought out West for lonely widowers and miners. Could she accept a marriage based on strictly convenience? She didn’t even want to get married, but figured she didn’t have much of a choice. Once her trivial savings ran out, she’d be out on the streets begging for money.
Nadine let out a heavy sigh, brushing her black hair out of her face as she picked up the paper in front of her. She scoured the adverts. There were several mail order requests but none of them sounded like a good fit. Was she being too picky? There was the old saying, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Did she just need to settle and pick one of the random men like Cora had suggested two days prior? Suddenly, her eye caught a headline that almost seemed too good to be true. “Female Agents to join National Detective Agency.”
She read the advert three times to make sure she was reading it correctly, but it was spelled out in big, bold letters. The Pinkerton Detective Agency was seeking female detectives! They wanted able-bodied women. She was as physically fit as any woman her age. They wouldn’t have to worry about her keeping up with the partner they gave her. They wanted women of sound mind. Not only did she have all her faculties, but she was educated, too. They would consider that a real asset! She could just see herself coming up with the perfect plan to capture criminals. They wanted daring women. Well, that was a little less natural for her, but she could muster her fair share of tenacity if needed. She’d stood up to her brother’s new wife, though little good it did her. It was probably what got her kicked out, but at least she had let Cora know she didn’t like how the other woman led her brother around by his nose. Once Nadine proved herself to the agency, she would have the rank of private detective—as a woman! Plus, they’d pay for her training, transportation, uniforms, and accommodations. It sure beat having to marry to take care of herself. This would be a way for her to be independent!
The advert said she should respond via letter, but she decided she needed to respond via telegraph. She didn’t have enough money to wait around for weeks to hear back from the agency. If they were going to reject her, she would rather know right away so she could figure out her next course of action.
Nadine made her way to the nearby telegraph office, gave her details to the operator, watched as he sent the telegraph, and moved to the side to wait. Would they respond right away? Was she wasting her time standing there like an idiot? Just as she was about to give up and head back to her hotel, the operator gestured for her to come forward.
“You have a response, young lady. It seems you’ve managed to snag yourself a job,” he said as he handed her a piece of paper with all the details on it.
The agency had booked her passage for the next morning on a train headed out West. As she scurried back to her hotel to pack up her belongings, she realized she was headed toward her new future.
Spring, 1874
Wyoming Territory
The clinking sound of the metal cell door shutting firmly in front of him pleased Agent Josiah Bell to no end. He’d worked hard to finish this case in a timely manner. The bank robbing brothers had proven difficult to track down, but now that they were apprehended, behind bars, and ready to stand trial, Josiah got the pleasure of starting a new investigation.
He always loved starting a new case. Reading over the details, deciding how he was going to investigate, and figuring out how to manage it was Josiah’s specialty. It was why he was one of the top closers of cases in the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
He headed to his room at the local hotel, ready to get a good night’s rest before making the return trip to the Denver office to find out his next assignment. What he didn’t expect was a telegraph waiting for him at the front desk, directing him to report back immediately.
Josiah let out a frustrated grunt as he shook his head, causing his brown hair to swivel around his face. It was never a good sign when the office wanted him back early. He rushed upstairs and threw his items in his bag, then quickly checked out of the hotel.
Six hours later, after paying the stagecoach driver double his rate to rush the horses, Josiah was standing outside the Denver office. He was exhausted from lack of sleep while he rode through the night, wondering what caused the urgent demand for his return. He wasn’t sure why he was called back so suddenly, but he had a bad feeling about it. Had he messed up on a previous case? Was there a pressing assignment they needed him on right away? Deciding it was better to find out as soon as possible, Josiah pushed back his shoulders, lifted his chin, and marched through the door.
The moment he saw the first agent’s face, he knew something was terribly wrong. The look of pity and concern etched on the other man’s fac
e made Josiah’s blood run cold. He’d seen the look before, and had given it to more people than he could count during the course of his job. Someone was dead.
As he approached his boss’s office, the same grief-stricken look was written across the secretary’s face. “Good morning, Josiah,” she whispered, but the greeting was hollow and made the situation even more awkward. “Mr. Gordon is waiting for you in his office. He said for you to go right in once you arrived.”
Josiah gave a curt nod before heading through the door. Archie Gordon was sitting behind his desk, reading a file. He looked up, and the same look of pity and concern was evidenced in his eyes. “You should take a seat, Josiah.”
He didn’t want to sit down, but he also didn’t want to argue over the matter. Reluctantly, he plopped down in a leather chair across from his boss. “From the looks I’ve been getting all morning, I know what you’re about to say. Someone is dead, so out with it. Who is it?”