The Pinkerton Matchmaker

by Christine Sterling

  It was apparent many of them didn’t approve of women agents. Even Archie had mixed feelings, but this was a call from the main office, so there was little he could do about it.

  He saw Marianne bite the inside of her cheek and he wondered what she was thinking. He didn’t get a chance to ask her as the meal came to an end and she returned directly to her desk without another word.

  It had been going on for nearly a week. Something was going to have to change quickly.

  He couldn’t go on with a secretary that wasn’t speaking to him. Knowing he cared for her more than an employee, he also considered her a friend. And right now, a lost friend. That made him sadder still. He needed to speak to her, and soon.

  His opportunity came when she delivered the post before the evening meal. She was flipping through envelopes as she approached his desk.

  “It looks like the inquiries are starting to arrive.”

  “So soon? The editorial was just published a week ago.”

  “But you forget,” Marianne said, laying the letters in front of him. “It was published in the Tribune a week ago, but we sent it to the east coast papers and the surrounding areas in early March. It would make sense that the inquiries from those areas would start sooner.”

  “All of those are inquiries?” Archie started at the thick stack of letters. There must have been at least two dozen.

  “Yes. All but one – the last envelope looks like an invitation from Judge Hotchkiss.”

  Archie opened the first letter and took it out of the envelope. It was printed on handmade paper with elegant penmanship. Archie was a stickler for good penmanship.

  “Dear Mr. Gordon. I am responding to the editorial printed in the Parrish newsletter. My name is Claudette LeBas and I would like to offer my skills in multiple languages to your fine establishment. Isn’t this fantastic Marianne? All the way from Louisiana.” He handed her the letter and tore open the next one. “Here is one from Poughkeepsie, New York.”

  “Where ever that is,” Marianne laughed.

  “They are from all over. Here is one from Mississippi and Richmond, Baltimore and Cincinnati, and even the Wyoming Territory.”

  Archie continued to open the letters until they all laid out in the stack before him. “We need to find some way to categorize them.”

  “And that is why you have me, Archie.” Marianne took up the letters but before she could do anything with them, Archie grabbed her hand. Her skin felt warm under his touch.

  “Perhaps we should do them together?”

  “That sounds like a fine idea. Let me get some paper and a pencil.”

  “We can start after dinner.”

  “I’ll have Pearl make a pot of coffee before Bronco walks her home.”

  She slipped her hand out of his and returned the letters to the corner of Archie’s desk. Nodding she turned to leave the room.

  “Marianne?” Archie called after her.

  Marianne got to the door and turned without a response. Archie adjusted his tie, almost as if he had to loosen it to get the words to come past his throat. “I just want you to know that I see you as an excellent secretary.”

  Marianne rested her head on the edge of the door. “I know you do, Archie.”

  “And I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that relationship.”

  “I know you wouldn’t.”

  “Good. It is settled then, and things can resume as normal.”

  “Yes, Archie. Now you better wash up. Dinner will be served soon, and I heard Pearl was making roasted chicken with those potatoes you like.”

  She turned and left the room, leaving Archie feeling as though nothing had been resolved.

  “I don’t like it one bit, Gordon.”

  Archie was having coffee with Judge Hotchkiss at the monthly businessman’s meeting. The judge had brought a copy of the editorial and was using his finger to punch the paper on the table. “I think that women should be at home; they don’t belong in a man’s world.”

  “Whether or not I agree with you, George, times are changing. Why my mam had a job back in Invercylde.”

  “But you aren’t in Scotland any more. And here women do not work. They should be getting married, raising a family. Not galivanting across the country where they could run into some trouble they might not be able to extricate themselves from.”

  “Kate didn’t have any issues.” He was referring of course, to Kate Warne, the agency’s first female detective. “And we have some cases that require a more delicate nature.”

  “What kind of cases?”

  “You know I can’t discuss agency business with you.”

  “How are you going to guarantee the safety of these women when they are out in some God forsaken area?”

  Archie turned the cup in his hands, looking into the milky liquid. “They will be training with one of our agents. I’ll assign each woman to a compatible agent and they will learn from the best. And the agent will be there to make sure nothing happens.”

  “Agents like Bronco Wauneka? That man is a womanizer…”

  “Don’t go there, George. You know my agents adhere to a strict code of conduct.”

  “You need a haircut.”

  “What?”

  “If you are talking about code of conduct, you need to make sure you adhere it.”

  Archie fingered his hair. It was longer, curling at the nape of his neck. “I’ve not had time to get it cut.”

  “Well make time, my boy. It is important that the image starts from the top down.” George drained his cup, droplets of coffee falling onto his rotund belly. He wiped his mouth and signaled for someone to refill his cup. “Marriage, my boy. These women should be getting married and I have idea that just might ensure that happens.”

  “Something like what?”

  “Let me tell you what I think.”

  “Marriage?” Marianne was dumbstruck. “Judge Hotchkiss actually suggested marriage?”

  She was sitting in the office with Archie after dinner. Pearl had made a pot of tea and delivered it before leaving for the evening.

  “Yes, he did. Who is walking her home?”

  Marianne poured tea into the china cups, adding a drop of milk to Archie’s before handing it to him. She added a sugar cube and milk to hers, stirring until it resembled the color of caramels. “Val Stevens.” She sipped her tea before adding another sugar cube. “What else did he suggest?”

  “Nothing really. He did suggest I get a haircut.”

  Marianne laughed. “And trim the beard?”

  He rubbed his hand along his chin. “What’s wrong with my beard?”

  “Nothing. It is just getting a little bushy. The ladies will be arriving soon. You don’t want to scare them away.”

  “I can take care of the beard. I have no desire to go to town to take care of my hair.”

  “I’ll cut it. I used to cut my brother, Clyde’s hair.” She poured more tea in her cup. “I should do it soon and then again before the interviews.”

  Archie nodded. He looked at Marianne for a moment before turning away.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure how I should match up the women to the agents they will marry.”

  Marianne choked on her tea. She gave a little cough, putting her cup back on the tray. “You aren’t serious, are you?” Archie didn’t respond. “Oh goodness, you are.”

  “The judge had some good points.”

  Marianne rose from her chair and started walking in front of Archie’s desk. When she got to the wardrobe she turned and paced back to the door. “I cannot believe any points the Judge has that would make an argument for this.”

  “Listen, Marianne. I am responsible for the safety of these women. I’m not happy with taking on a new group of detectives that are at greater risk out in the field.”

  Marianne scoffed. “Greater risk from whom? The person who is training them, or the criminals they will be tracking down?”

  “Judge Hotchkiss said t
he same thing.”

  She stopped pacing. “He did?”

  “Yes. If we encourage these women to marry one of the agents before they go out on a case, they can have an annulment at the end of the case.”

  “Who would marry them? I don’t know any man of the cloth that would go along with this crazy scheme.

  “I would.”

  Marianne looked flabbergasted. “You? You would marry them?”

  “Why not? I’m an officer of the law and it falls under my list of duties. I can legally perform and witness marriages.”

  “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

  “It is the only way not to have too many individuals involved when the time comes for them to decide to stay with the marriage, or if an annulment would happen. Judge Hotchkiss happened to suggest that as well.”

  Marianne folded her hands and he could see her lips moving in a prayer. She whispered amen, before she started pacing again. “But that is scandalous. We don’t condone divorce or anything that might even resemble that.”

  “It would be an annulment, meaning the marriages are in name only. Or, if they decide to stay married, all the better.”

  “I don’t know about this, Archie. What happens if you have ten women married to ten agents and all ten ask for an annulment at the end of the case?”

  “But what if they fall in love? What if with being in such close proximity they realize they want to protect the woman for the rest of their lives? Don’t look at me like that, Marianne.”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Marianne slammed her hand down on the desk. “Are you listening to yourself? This sounds like something I would say and I’m finding it incredulous. You, of all people, don’t believe that about falling in love.”

  Archie shrugged his shoulders. “I want to make sure that I do what is needed.”

  “But you are removing the choice for the woman to find love on her own. Don’t you think someone should marry for love? To be wooed and cherished for the rest of her life?”

  “What about protection, Marianne? Doesn’t every woman want to know that she has a man that can protect her?”

  “Of course, but without the other what is the point?”

  “Then we have to tip the scales.” He drained his cup and placed it on the tray.

  “In what way?”

  “I’m not sure. I was still thinking on the best way to proceed.”

  “Well, we have letters from the ladies and you will be interviewing them soon. Knowing what I do about the agents, we can probably match up who would have the best chance of success with whom.”

  “Like a matchmaker?”

  “Exactly. Just like a matchmaker.”

  CHAPTER 5

  April 25, 1871

  Archie and Marianne were going through the stack of letters on his desk when Pearl came in with a pot of tea and two slices of cake on a tray. “This is one of the recipes I'm trying for the wedding,” she said.

  She placed a piece of cake in front of both Marianne and Archie. “This one has brandied fruit in it. It reminds me of the cakes from Europe. The other is just lemon with a vanilla buttercream frosting.”

  Archie questioned Pearl, “Why are you making a wedding cake?”

  Marianne took a bite of the fruit-laced cake, allowing the flavors to explode in her mouth.

  “Why wouldn't we do a wedding cake, Archie?” Pearl asked. “It would be only right considering there's going to be a wedding. Unless the wedding is just a matter of ceremony. Marianne said any day a woman gets married is a special occasion and therefore it must be celebrated. Like it or not, we are going to have a wedding dinner and the cake afterwards.”

  “The cake is very good, Pearl,” he said. “I just don't understand all the trouble for this.”

  Marianne said, “I would love to see that these couples stay together if we can find the right people for them.”

  Marianne dismissed Pearl and went back to perusing papers in front of her.

  “See, you did it again,” Archie said.

  “Did what?”

  “You dismissed Pearl. She looks to you for being the person in charge.”

  Marianne looked up from her papers, “I didn't realize that,” she said. “I guess it was just a natural reaction. So, I think that the ladies will be arriving in the next couple of days. I want to figure out where we are going to put them. I have secured some rooms at The Hodge House as we cannot have them stay in the dormitories and there certainly is not enough room here at the office.”

  “That sounds fine. We need to go through these letters quickly, so we can send telegrams to those we would like to come out and invite them for an interview.”

  Wednesday, May 11, 1871

  A ring had Marianne running for the door. She opened it and took a step back. There stood a beautiful woman with skin the color of a golden-brown like roasted pecans, a delicate bone structure and full lips. Large, dramatic eyebrows protected hazel eyes and a thick wealth of hair crowned her head and fell in waves past her shoulders. She was a petite woman, even shorter than Marianne, but the air with which she carried herself made Marianne stand a little straighter.

  Marianne was astonished when she heard a distinctly West Indies accent say, “Hello.”

  “Good afternoon, may I help you?” Marianne inquired of the stunning beauty standing in the doorway.

  “I should hope so. My name is Arielle Bradford and I’m here in response to the editorial in the paper. I understand you need female detectives.”

  “Yes, we do. Please come in,” Marianne responded. “You can wait in the library while I tell Mr. Gordon you’re here.”

  “Hmm, a library. Do you have the latest Edgar Allan Poe book? I so adored The Murders in the Rue Morgue and would love to read another.”

  “I believe we do. Please take a seat or feel free to browse the books while you wait.” Marianne left to inform Archie that they had an applicant.

  Marianne returned in a few minutes with a sheet of paper in her hands. “I’m sorry, Miss Bradford, but Mr. Gordon is in a meeting with the agents regarding the upcoming case load. Here are the questions he needs answered for the interview. If you bring it back on Monday, he can meet with you then.”

  “But I wanted to apply for the job before anyone else,” Arielle pouted.

  “I realize that. We’ve had one other applicant arrive early and I told her the same thing. I believe you and Regina Caulfield will get along famously. You both certainly are ambitious enough. Perhaps you will meet at the interviews. Please come back on the day listed in the paper,” Marianne instructed.

  “All right,” Arielle said. “I will be back. I do want to be a Pinkerton detective.”

  Marianne closed the door behind the young woman hoping no other ladies came to apply early.

  CHAPTER 6

  Monday, May 16, 1871

  Marianne was completely overwhelmed by the number of women crowded on the porch. In all her days she never imagined the response the editorial would receive.

  At the front of the group she recognized the two ladies who showed up the week prior – the lovely West Indies one and who was the other one – Reg? Regina. She was glad they returned.

  “Good morning,” she greeted.

  “We're here for the interviews,” one of the women said. Marianne noticed most had a paper in their hands. “We were told to arrive here this morning. Are we on time?”

  “Right on the hour. If I can take your name as you come in, Pearl will offer you some tea and Mr. Gordon will be with you in a few minutes.”

  The women crowded into the library, dining area and foyer. Marianne let the first one in to meet Archie. When she came out she saw several of the agents standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining area.

  Marianne gave them a look that warned them to be on their best behavior.

  “Aren’t you going to make introductions?” Bronco asked. Leave it to him to be one of the first to come see the commotion.

>   “Ladies,” Marianne said, pointing to the men crowding through the door into the room, “these are Agents Wauneka, Tanner, Allen, and Warren. They are a few of the agents that may train you if you move onto the final round.”

  Several of the ladies started to giggle and Marianne caught Broderick rolling his eyes. Bronco made a beeline for a woman dressed regally in a royal blue travelling dress that complemented her tan skin and dark hair. He bowed extravagantly and took her hand, pressing a kiss against it.

  “Ma’am,” he said, giving a quick wink before releasing it.

  More giggles came from the crowd. The woman looked him square in the eye, “Enchanté, Monsieur.”

  Bronco put his hand over his heart and staggered back into the kitchen. “I think I’m in love,” he said to his fellow agents as Broderick rolled his eyes once again.

  CHAPTER 7

  Friday, May 19, 1871

  Archie rubbed his forehead and looked at Marianne after the last of the newest applicants left. “I’m still not sure if this was a good idea. Some of these women are intelligent and a few I wonder about. Besides, the men are acting peculiar with all the females in the house.”

  “It will all be over tomorrow, Archie. Just be patient. Have you made your final selections?”

  “Yes. There are a few in there that would make excellent agents, but they are very headstrong and I’m not sure they were completely open to listening to what I was saying.”

  “Then they wouldn’t make excellent agents.”

  “You are most likely correct.”

  “An agent needs to think of what is in the client’s best interest, not their own. It can’t always be their way. Look at Bronco, he is what you would call headstrong. But he is always listening and taking everything in. He admits when he is wrong and will be the first to ask for guidance. He’s also the first to express his frustration, but he does back down.”

  “I just wish he wouldn’t express it with a knife flying by my head.”

  Marianne sighed. “Part of his boyish charms, I guess. Let me look at your list and see if we need to make any adjustments.”