“We don’t have to discuss what happened last night, not right now. What we do have to talk about is what we learned from the other guests, see if anything we heard is worth pursuing.” He kept his voice calm, low, and in what he hoped was a reasonable tone.
It was obvious that she was struggling with what had transpired between them the night before, perhaps regretted it, and even more likely, hated him. No matter. As far as he was concerned, the decision about their future was settled.
Mollie knew Pierce was right. They had a duty to continue their investigation and discover if the activities they uncovered were those of rational men looking for change, or something more sinister. Mollie would finish the assignment then do what she’d planned all along—accept her money and head east, leaving Pierce MacLaren and his demands behind. She sat down just as Penelope entered the room to announce that Miss Gagnon, Mr. Yarbrough, and Mr. Hatcher had arrived.
“Show them in,” Pierce instructed and stood. “Your timing is perfect,” he said to the other agents as they took seats around their table. He’d spoken with Lee briefly the night before, surprised to see him instead of the other agent Eva had mentioned.
“Lee Hatcher,” Lee said to Mollie, not having met her at the ball.
“It’s good to have you here, Lee.” Mollie smiled at the new addition to the team then glanced at Eva who sat stone-faced, her lips pinched into a thin line. Mollie turned her attention back to Lee. “Eva indicated we should expect a different agent.”
“I believe you are referring to Owen Kendall. Unfortunately, he wasn’t available. Noah sent me.”
“And we’re glad to have you, Lee.” Chaz had sat in the carriage with Eva and Lee on the way over to see Pierce and Mollie. It was a strained trip and it appeared the atmosphere wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
Lee nodded at Chaz then looked around the room.
“It’s all right.” Pierce answered Lee’s unspoken question. “Penelope is the only other person here and she won’t bother us.”
“There were several people in attendance last night we need to learn more about,” Lee began. “Jock Flannigan, Georgiana Grayson, and Lloyd Johnson are three of them and should be our priority.”
“I have an engagement with Mrs. Grayson this week, for breakfast.” Pierce felt Mollie’s eyes on him, but didn’t turn to her, focusing his attention on Lee. “She mentioned her disenchantment with the president’s policies and seemed more than eager to see someone else take his place. I’m certain she’ll know others who feel the same.”
“Good. We also need to learn her true role in the shipping company she owns with Flannigan. For those of you not familiar with Grayson & Flannigan, they are the largest and most profitable shipping company on the West Coast. They specialize in long-haul shipments between Asia and California, as well as shorter trips, many originating in Canada, with deliveries to ports in Washington and California. When Walter Grayson passed away, his percentage of ownership transferred to his widow.” Lee stopped and sipped coffee that had turned cold. “According to the chief of police, there are still unresolved questions about Grayson’s death, even though it was deemed an accident. Perhaps we can help Chief Curtis close that case along with resolving our own.”
“Do you believe Flannigan is one of the men included in the group Chaz’s contact mentioned?” Mollie asked.
“He very well could be. His company was hit hard by the ban on Chinese immigration that the government, and the president, continues to support. His business has experienced a significant slowdown of Chinese men traveling to the States to work and a loss of many of his Chinese seamen. The company has always employed a large number of seamen from Asia. He’s been able to find good replacements, yet believes that the ban is a poor reaction by the government.”
“How do you want to handle Flannigan?” Pierce asked.
“For now, Eva and I will focus on high-profile people such as the mayor and his wife. Learn if they know anything that might warrant more attention.” He glanced at Eva, knowing this was new information to her. She showed no reaction. “Chaz will continue to focus on his numerous contacts to learn if there is something more ominous than political disagreements. That leaves you to focus on Mrs. Grayson and Mollie to concentrate on Mr. Flannigan.”
Pierce understood his part as he’d already met and made arrangements to see Georgiana again. Mollie was at a disadvantage, as she hadn’t met Flannigan.
“Flannigan and I weren’t introduced last night. How do you suggest I go about getting close to him?” Mollie asked.
“You didn’t meet Flannigan, but you did dance several times with the senior partner of the law firm he uses.”
“Lloyd Johnson.” Mollie confirmed. “He told me another lawyer in his firm handles the legal work for the shipping business. I didn’t get the impression he knew Flannigan well.”
“Another lawyer takes care of the day-to-day requirements, however, it was Lloyd who brought Grayson & Flannigan’s business to the firm through his friendship with Walter Grayson. Lloyd Johnson and Jock Flannigan are peers, making Lloyd the perfect person to facilitate your introduction.”
Lee reached into a pocket, pulled out a set of folded papers, and handed them to Mollie. “This is what you’ll use to make the connection mean something to Flannigan.”
Mollie read through them quickly, glancing at Lee a couple of times, but saying nothing.
“Do you have any questions?” Lee asked her.
“No. This is quite thorough and should work well to gain his interest.”
Pierce watched the exchange and wondered about the documents Mollie held. He’d ask her about them once everyone had left.
“If there are no further questions, then I suggest we start on our assignments,” Lee said. “We’ll meet again in a few days.”
******
Pierce waited until the others had left then joined Mollie in the conservatory where she sat rereading the information Lee had provided.
“What does he have you doing?”
Mollie looked up at Pierce then back down to the document, ignoring his question and concentrating on the best way to approach Jock Flannigan.
“Mollie?”
She finished then stood to face Pierce. “I’m to make contact with Flannigan as a married woman with considerable assets of my own. I’ll pose as a potential customer, ask him about shipments I’d like to make from the east, and see what happens.”
Pierce’s dubious look triggered her natural defenses, already sensing he’d want to insert himself somehow into this part of the assignment.
“I’m doing this alone, Pierce, at least for now. Lee has it set up that way and that’s how I intend to do it.” She watched his eyes, hard and assessing, already sensing his disapproval. “I’ll let you know if I get the sense Flannigan is involved in something.”
“I don’t like it.” The scenario Lee sketched out meant that Mollie would be going alone to the docks of San Francisco, not a safe place for a woman by herself.
“You don’t have to like it.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, we’re partners.”
“Does that mean you want me to accompany you to see Georgiana?” she shot back, the sarcastic tone stronger than she’d intended.
“You know that isn’t going to happen.” He shoved both hands in his pockets, protecting himself from reaching for Mollie, then stepped toward her. “Georgiana Grayson is a job, nothing more.”
Mollie thought of how he’d left her room, his lack of feelings clear in his parting comment. He may be willing to marry her, out of a sense of duty or honor or whatever it was he felt, but there was no love. She was grateful that he hadn’t lied to her. It would make it easier to walk away when the job was finished.
“I don’t care what you feel or don’t feel for Mrs. Grayson,” she snapped. “You do your job and let me do mine. We’ll finish this up and get on with our lives.” Mollie turned on her heels, her determined steps underscoring the tension that
still lay between them.
“What went on between us last night is significant, something that can’t be ignored. I’m willing to take responsibility for my part.”
She looked back to him, her face softening. “You’ll marry someone you don’t love, don’t want to live with, to satisfy some sense of male pride? You were right, I should have said something, let you know I’d never been with a man. I’m sorry I didn’t, but I’m not willing to throw our lives away over one mistake.”
“Is that what you believe, that we’d be throwing our lives away by marrying?”
She clasped her hands in front of her and tried to focus on what she believed was best for both of them. “I won’t be a part of a marriage that doesn’t include love.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way, Mollie, the two of us feeling as if we’re on different sides.” She was his and Pierce was determined it would stay that way.
She turned, her eyes taking on a hard glitter. “It’s the only way it can be.”
******
“We need to talk about the supper party tonight at Mayor Pound’s.” Lee spoke in a loud voice as he strode into the sitting area of Eva’s hotel suite and took a seat, waiting for her to emerge from the bedroom.
Eva peered through the partially opened door. “How’d you get in here?” she demanded, not pleased with his assumption that he could come and go from her room anytime he chose.
Lee said nothing, just held up a room key and dangled it for Eva to see.
She walked toward him, dressed only in a long silk robe, and tried to grab the key from his hand, but missed when he pulled it out of her reach. “I’ll take that,” she demanded and held out her hand. “Nothing in this assignment allows you the right to walk into my room any time you please.” It wasn’t easy to fluster Eva, she was always cool, professional, and in control. It frustrated her that all those traits disappeared whenever Lee was around.
He ignored her, held on to the key, and stretched his long legs out in front of him, making himself comfortable while witnessing her anger escalate.
“Have you heard back from Noah?” Lee’s nonchalant tone did nothing to cool her irritation.
She glared at him. “There are no other agents available.”
“Guess you’re stuck with me.”
“Just until this one assignment is over, then never again,” she threw back. “Now, tell me why you’re here then leave.” She sat on the edge of a chair across from him, arms crossed, her eagerness to get rid of him obvious.
“Chief Curtis will be there along with some other guests. As far as I know, Curtis is still unaware of who we are or why we’re here. For now, we’ll keep it that way.” He leaned forward. “We need to keep the mayor and his wife occupied while Pierce checks Pound’s office and library. It shouldn’t take him long to find anything that might tie the mayor into what we’re investigating.”
Eva’s anger hadn’t lessened, but she realized the sooner he told her about tonight, the sooner he’d leave. After he gave her the key.
“What is he looking for, or do you have any idea?” Eva had been able to get through the last few days by telling herself that Lee would be gone once Noah received the message she’d sent. Even though she knew his resources were limited, her boss’s response hadn’t been what she’d anticipated.
“Anything that would point to the mayor’s knowledge of the transfers of large sums of cash being used for actions against the country. There’s not much to go on, and frankly, it seems highly unlikely, given what I know of the man. We’re mainly trying to rule him out.”
Eva stood and walked across the room, sitting down in a window seat and staring at the view below. “We have three things to go on. First, large withdrawals being hoarded for some purpose. The reason could be a legitimate buildup of money to elect someone else, or a cause more sinister. Second, groups of prominent men on the East and West Coasts meeting to decide the best way to reverse the president’s policies and quash his reelection. And third, rumors of a well-connected gentleman traveling from one city to another, trying to gather participation for some action we can’t identify. Does that sum it up?” Her gaze shifted from the streets outside to focus on the man across the room.
A frown played across Lee’s face as Eva itemized what they knew. “It doesn’t sound like much, does it?” he admitted and scrubbed a hand down his face. “I keep wondering if we’re on some misguided chase triggered by an over-anxious bureaucrat in the president’s administration. I believe we’ll find the money is being collected for promoting someone else as a viable alternative to Cleveland in the next election, and nothing more. The meetings are a way to decide who to back and how to get him elected. That takes care of your first two items. The third item is the one that concerns me, and the one I’d like to have as our priority. Unfortunately, we must keep working on all the information to discover if any of it leads to an answer. Follow the funds, watch the people involved, and try to identify the mystery man who keeps surfacing.”
“That spreads us very thin.”
“I’ve been having the same doubts as you, Eva. Unfortunately, we’re not in a position to simply fold up and leave. We have to wait for Noah to give the order. I have to say, any involvement by the mayor or his wife would surprise me.”
Her annoyance at working with her ex-husband dissipated some when she thought of the mayor’s wife. She liked the woman. Lydia Pound was the only other person in San Francisco who knew Eva’s true line of work. Most believed she was a wealthy widow who spent her time traveling and attending social affairs. Lydia knew different, but only because her brother worked in the Foreign Affairs Office and had somehow let it slip when he’d seen the two woman together during Eva’s last assignment in the San Francisco. He’d sworn Lydia to secrecy, not even allowing her to say a word to her husband, Edwin.
“I doubt Pierce will find anything on Edwin. Lydia isn’t the type of woman to be saddled with a man who would allow illegal acts to happen, or worse, participate in them. She’s not the silent type, and with her family being so prominent in Eastern politics, it would be catastrophic if he were implicated in anything illegal.”
“Agreed, but we can’t afford not to consider it. Besides, Pierce’s background makes him the perfect person to sneak into someone’s home or office.” Lee shook his head and let out a soft chuckle. “He’s actually looking forward to it.”
“What of Mollie?”
“She’s not involved with this. And I doubt she knows Pierce is.”
“Do you think that’s wise, leaving her out of it?”
“Pierce and I discussed what was needed. It was my decision for him to work it alone.”
“You’re in charge.” Eva didn’t say another word, just shrugged and walked toward a table that held a pitcher of water and glasses. She poured a glass for herself, not offering anything to Lee.
Eva sensed the air around her change a moment before she felt him at her back. Lee’s strong, warm hands rested on her shoulders and tried to draw her to him, but she remained rooted in place. It had been four years and she still missed him every single day. He’d been her rock, the one man who could help her sort through difficult memories and past regrets. At least, he had been until she’d learned the truth.
“Are you ever going to let me explain my side of what happened?” Lee’s warm breath washed over her through the thin fabric of the silk robe.
She closed her eyes, wishing she’d never listened to Owen’s cryptic comments about his friend and partner. “You don’t need to explain. I was there, remember?”
“It wasn’t what you thought, Eva.”
He was gently massaging her shoulders and neck, using his thumbs in circular motions. It was how he’d always relaxed her.
“You were there, she was there.” Eva sighed and dropped her head back against his chest. “I understand, truly I do. You were still in love with her when we met, you said as much. I’d thought, hoped, that at some point, the feelings we had for each ot
her would be strong enough to help you forget her. Now, I understand that some losses can never be forgotten.” Her heart squeezed as it always did when she remembered that night and the terrible sense of betrayal. She hadn’t understood how much she’d loved Lee until it was too late.
“You are so wrong. I loved you, Eva, and still do. Constance was a memory, that’s all.” He turned Eva to face him. He started to say more when a soft knock on the door stopped him. Lee dropped his hands, but didn’t step back. “Promise me you’ll let me explain.”
Eva didn’t answer as she skirted around him, opened the door, and accepted the message from the young man. “Thank you,” she said in an absent tone then shut the door.
“The carriage will be outside in two hours. I need to start getting ready.” Eva looked to Lee, who hadn’t budged. She began to walk past him, but stopped as his hand gently wrapped around her wrist.
“We can work this out if you’ll let me explain.” His voice was close to a plea. She felt his hand squeeze her wrist lightly before he let it fall back to his side.
Eva studied his rugged face and eyes that had darkened to a deep emerald green, thinking of how many nights she lay in bed dreaming of a chance to be with him again, knowing it would never happen. She shook her head and continued into her bedroom, closing the door softly behind her.
Chapter Fifteen
Pierce finished dressing in his comfortable ranch clothes then hurried down the stairs. The last thing he needed was to run into Mollie on his way to the Pound residence. She wasn’t a part of tonight’s activities, and he’d been careful to keep his plans from her.
Lee had arranged for a horse to be waiting behind a hotel where his carriage driver dropped him off. Pierce walked through the hotel lobby, out the back door, and around the corner where the horse was saddled and waiting. It would take less time to maneuver the busy streets on horseback than to go by carriage or use one of the horsecars, which most residents rode and were always crowded. His forty-five Peacemaker was hidden in the special holster Noah had sent, and for the first time in weeks, Pierce felt like himself.
Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Page 12