“I’m to meet a friend here. William Hardy, do you know him?”
“Yes, yes. Mr. Hardy. He is with the others.” The owner began to escort Chaz to the back when another customer walked in and the man excused himself to walk up front.
Chaz took the opportunity to disappear into the back, closing the door behind him. He saw no one in the small room although whispered voices filtered through a curtain several feet away. As he got closer he could make out one female voice, who he assumed to be Georgiana, and three or four male voices. Chaz tried to pull the curtain aside enough to see who was in the room then stopped when he saw the closest person was a mere two feet away.
“He’ll be here in a couple of days. That’s when we’ll learn what’s being planned.” The voice was deep, raspy. Chaz didn’t believe he’d heard it before.
“That doesn’t give us, or Wang Tao, much time,” Georgiana said.
“Wang Tao will need little time to organize his group. A day, maybe two.”
“And if our source doesn’t show up?”
“He will. His message indicated this was the best opportunity to achieve our goal.”
“And we’re certain the others won’t join us?”
“They’ve made it clear that, although their beliefs are the same as ours, they can’t risk publicly demonstrating their discontent. They’ve provided money, now it’s up to us to get our message out.”
Georgiana and Thomas glanced at each other, aware that only three in the room were aware of what would happen once their source gave the signal. They were more than a vocal group of malcontents, so much more.
“There’s something else,” Georgiana said. “Pierce MacLaren visited me and mentioned my meetings with William and Thomas. I have no idea how he found out about us or if he means to cause us trouble.”
“Really, Georgiana. What can one man do against a group of committed citizens?”
“I don’t know that he plans anything, Thomas. However, I thought it best that you all know he is aware of our meetings. It seems odd, given that he is new to the city.”
“I will do what I can to check further into his background, however, our time is short. There may be little we can discover before our plans go into effect.” Thomas rubbed his jaw between his thumb and forefinger, wondering if MacLaren was more than he seemed.
The group stayed silent, leading Chaz to believe they were ready to adjourn.
“My recommendation is that we all keep watch for him. If you find him following you, let me know.” It was the owner of the deep, raspy voice. “If there’s nothing else, I suggest we leave and wait for further word from our contact.”
Chaz wasted no time exiting the back room, nodding to the shop owner, and slipping out the front door to find Lee.
“Let’s go.” Chaz started walking at a brisk pace up the alley and away from Chinatown.
******
“I don’t know, Lee. From what Chaz is telling us, it appears to be a group of unhappy citizens, nothing that would warrant our involvement. Perhaps this has been a waste from the beginning.” Pierce sat with his arms on his knees, hands clasped.
“Except for the mention of the man who appears to be their leader,” Lee responded.
“I have two concerns.” Eva stood behind a chair, her hands grasping the back. “First, the comment about this being the best chance to achieve their goal. What goal is that? Second, Wang Tao’s group.”
“Who is Wang Tao?” Mollie sat near Pierce, absorbed in the details Chaz had provided.
“He’s a well-known Chinese organizer. Highly vocal in his opposition to the law against Chinese immigration. He and his son came to America several years ago. Now, he is unable to bring his wife and daughters to the States. If he leaves, odds are he won’t be allowed back in.” Lee had met Wang once, understood his frustrations and his desire to see the law overturned.
“Is his group capable of violence?” Pierce had little knowledge of the regulation or its impact on the Chinese community.
“Any group can turn violent, given the right motivation,” Lee answered. He lowered himself into the chair behind the desk and leaned back. “The large sum of money collected would seem to be targeted toward the candidate the contributors support in the next election. We’ve uncovered no information to believe otherwise.” He thought for a moment. “The president will be in San Francisco soon. It now appears that the activities of Hardy’s and Wang’s groups are to take place during that visit.”
“And the man leading their efforts is to arrive shortly beforehand.” Chaz pulled out a cheroot and rolled it between his fingers. “I don’t know. It seems as if we are simply chasing our tails.”
“Perhaps, but we’re here and there’s no reason not to carry this through until the end of the president’s visit. I’ll get a message to Noah. Until then, we wait.” Lee stood to leave. “Chaz, I do believe it would be wise to continue to watch Thomas Traxton. Something about him doesn’t seem right. I wish I could identify what.”
“I agree. I’ll stay on the man and let you know what I find.”
******
Pierce walked into the offices of Taylor-Dunnigan then continued down the hall to find Drew working on final purchase agreements with Miss O’Connell for the property Louis planned to buy. He took a seat and waited for his cousin to finish, nodding to his assistant when she looked over at him.
“That’s it, Miss O’Connell. I’d appreciate it if you’d make these changes and send everything to Mr. Dunnigan.”
“Of course, Mr. MacLaren.” She looked at Pierce. “Is there anything you need from me, Mr. MacLaren?”
“Not right now, thank you.” Pierce watched her leave the office, remembering the first time he’d met her, when he’d wondered if she were single. It no longer mattered. He’d accepted his feelings for Mollie, now all he had to do was convince her to share a life with him in Fire Mountain.
“Look at you,” Drew drawled, his eyes taking in the suit and tie Pierce wore. “Didn’t know you owned anything so fancy.” He chuckled even though he wore essentially the same outfit when working for Dunnigan.
“Don’t get used to it. As soon as this job is over, the suit will be packed away, only to be brought out for special occasions.”
“Like a wedding?”’
“Perhaps.” Pierce picked up a picture on Drew’s desk. It was taken a few months ago, at Connor’s wedding.
Drew watched his cousin look at the picture that included all the MacLarens. He was struggling with something. He waited, knowing Pierce would say something when he was ready.
“How did you know Tess was the right one?” Pierce didn’t take his eyes off the photograph.
Drew relaxed into his chair and thought for a few moments. “It felt right. Whenever I was around her, I felt good, as if there wasn’t anything else I needed to be happy. When she was gone, there’d be a void I couldn’t explain. It took a while to come to terms with how I felt. There were other things weighing on me at the time.”
Pierce nodded, remembering the struggles his cousin had faced. “Was it the same for the others?”
“Not quite. Jamie took one look at Torie when they were teenagers and that was it. He carried a torch for that woman for years, wouldn’t even consider anyone else. And Will, he pretty much felt the same about Amanda, although he had his own demons to fight at the time. Niall took a little longer with Katie. He almost lost her because of his stubborn streak and sense of duty to the family. And you know Connor and Grace’s history. I guess everyone’s experience is different.”
Pierce stayed quiet, taking in Drew’s words and not responding. He took a deep breath and pushed up from his seat.
“I told Mollie I want to marry her.”
“That’s great.”
“She wants no part of it.” Pierce sighed, feeling an ache in his chest that was becoming more familiar than he’d like.
“I see. She give a reason?”
“She wants a marriage based on love.”
“That sounds reasonable. You don’t love her?”
“I don’t know. Hell, how do you know if you’re in love with someone or not? The kind of love like our parents had, where they stuck by each other no matter what.”
Drew thought a moment. “Guess you never know for sure until there’s some kind of tragedy or crisis. What will you do?”
“I’m not sure. Looks like our assignment will end soon. She plans to leave for Boston afterward and I’ll go back to Fire Mountain.”
“You don’t have much time.”
“No, I don’t.” Pierce walked toward the door. “I sent a message to Colin, Quinn, and Brodie. They’ll be at the house for supper tonight. You too.” He didn’t wait for an answer before closing the door behind him.
******
Eva opened the message from Lee. He wanted to take her to supper, someplace quiet, away from the hotel. She folded the note and placed it on her vanity.
Their time was short. All of them believed their job would be finished within a week, and then they’d leave for their next assignments. The odds that she’d work with Lee again were slim. Most jobs were meant for one agent, and rarely for a man and woman. She might see him on an occasional trip to New York. Beyond that, it could be years. Her heart constricted at the thought.
His room was just down the hall. She penned a quick response, walked to his door, and slipped it underneath before returning to her room.
She’d thought almost non-stop about what he’d said on their walk, his suspicions about Owen and that he knew nothing of a note inviting her to his room at the hotel. Eva wondered if she’d been wrong all these years, condemning him as guilty and not allowing him even five minutes to explain.
She sat on the edge of her bed, wondering if what Lee suspected was true. If the actions that destroyed their marriage were set in motion by Owen, would he allow her to apologize, perhaps consider trying again? It was doubtful. He possessed a great deal of pride and had no need for the permanent ties of a wife and family.
Although he’d been eager to have children when they were married, it hadn’t happened. Now, well, she didn’t know how he’d feel about any of it. She might never learn the truth about that night, if Owen had been the one to send the message and persuade Constance to go to Lee’s room or if Lee had been the one to invite her. It was up to Eva to make a decision. Either she believed his story or she didn’t.
Eva checked the small brooch which held her watch and made a quick decision. Grabbing her reticule, she dashed out of her room, down the hotel stairs and ordered a carriage. Whether life worked out for them or not, she would look her best tonight and see what happened.
Chapter Twenty
Pierce waved Penelope away to answer the loud knocking himself. He pulled the door open to find his three MacLaren cousins—Colin, Quinn, and Brodie—staring at the ornate front portico before walking into the equally elaborate entrance hall.
“Who did you say owns this?” Brodie asked as he hung his hat on the hallstand and shook Pierce’s hand.
“Victoria MacLaren, Jamie MacLaren’s wife. He’s our Uncle Duncan’s second oldest.” Pierce greeted the others and showed them into the parlor where Mollie and Drew already waited.
Pierce made the introductions, poured everyone a drink, and took a seat next to Mollie.
“It’s such a coincidence that you all met in San Francisco. And none of you knew the others had made it safely to America?” Mollie was surprised at the story Pierce had told her about his cousins. There was much he didn’t know about them except that they had come to America close to the time he, Connor, and Meggie had made the trip, and that most of them lived in an area known as Settlers Valley.
“No, ma’am. We’d all met when we were small, but our lands in Scotland weren’t close. My father came from a large family with four brothers,” Colin explained. “Quinn and Brodie are my cousins, as is Pierce. Pierce’s father, Hugh, was one of the brothers, as was each of our fathers. As we understand it, Drew’s father, Duncan, was a cousin to our fathers. It’s a might confusing, I’m afraid.”
“Nonetheless, it’s good we met up.” Quinn shot back his whiskey.
“Are there more of you?” Mollie asked.
“Quite a few more, I’m afraid. It would take a piece of paper to draw it all out for you.” Colin still carried a slight brogue which Mollie found quite engaging.
They all turned as Penelope entered the room and announced supper was ready.
Mollie watched the men’s faces change as they spoke—sometimes in low, almost conspiratorial tones, then broke out into animated discussions about their families, land, and journeys to America. She found herself fascinated by it all, how quickly strangers could become connected by a common last name and family ties. Mollie hadn’t had any brothers or sisters, or even cousins that she knew of, and she’d never felt the loss either. Her life had been consumed with working, putting food on the table, and making it from day to day. She’d never thought how life would’ve been if she’d had siblings.
“Now, tell us again why you’re in town, Drew.” Quinn sat back, enjoying the wine and company.
“I work for Louis Dunnigan, a businessman with holdings in San Francisco.”
“I’ve heard of him,” Colin said. “I thought he was out of Denver.”
“His home and main operations are in Denver. He has businesses in various states and he’s always looking to expand.”
“And you also ranch?” Brodie asked.
“My twin brother, Will, and I run the horse breeding part of the ranch, while the others, Niall, Jamie, and Connor, concentrate on the cattle business. I’m hopeful when Pierce returns that he’ll join Will and me. Don’t want it to get too lopsided.” Drew smiled as he saluted Pierce with his glass of wine.
“How long have you and Mollie been married, Pierce?” Colin asked and glanced at his cousin.
Pierce’s eyes shot to Mollie then back to Colin. “Not too long.”
“Months, then? Newlyweds,” Brodie added.
“Maybe a month, or two,” Pierce murmured.
Colin’s eyes narrowed on Pierce. “Is that a fact?”
Mollie cast a look at Drew then Pierce, realizing the other MacLarens knew nothing of the true reason for their time in San Francisco.
“We’re not truly married.” Mollie saw the surprised expressions and wished she could pull her words back.
Pierce closed his eyes and a grim expression crossed his face.
“Not truly married, is it? You’ll have to explain this to us.” Colin crossed his arms and leaned back in the tall upholstered chair, waiting for their answer.
Drew’s face was impassive, wondering how Pierce and Mollie would respond. Their assignment wasn’t public knowledge, but their marriage was, at least to those who didn’t know the truth.
“Why don’t we all go into the library and let Pierce explain exactly what’s going on.” Drew stood and left the room, leaving the others to follow.
It didn’t take long for Mollie and Pierce to clarify their true reason for being in San Francisco and the cover they’d been given. Colin, Quinn, and Brodie didn’t say much during the explanation, asking an occasional question, nodding as the tale unfolded.
“Do you think the significance of all you’ve learned may point to an assassination attempt on the president?” Colin asked, his voice level.
“Why would you ask that?” Pierce stared at his cousin. The thought of an assassination had never crossed his mind.
“No reason, except there have been two assassinations since we’ve been in America. The president is expected in San Francisco at any time. You have prominent citizens speaking out against him and his policies, and a Chinese group ready to engage in a demonstration. There’s also a man no one can identify who’s leading it all. It may all be coincidence.” Colin shrugged and downed the last of his wine.
Pierce thought about what Colin said, amazed that his cousin had been able to summarize a possible s
cenario in a few minutes that five agents hadn’t been able to tie together. Granted, it was a theory pulled together with the slimmest bits of information, yet there was a ring of truth to it that caused chills to course through his body. He looked to Mollie.
“We need to find Lee.”
******
“I was surprised you accepted my invitation to supper.” Lee sat across the small table from Eva in an intimate restaurant minutes from their hotel. His eyes met hers for a moment and held. “I’m glad you did.”
He’d gotten her message after returning from sending messages to Noah, Clive Hawkins, and the other contact who’d mentioned the man Lee suspected of being the one leading the group in San Francisco, and perhaps elsewhere. He’d waited. Clive, his childhood friend and government contact, was the first to respond. The man his agency was investigating had indeed been spotted on the West Coast. Clive had dispatched men from his department to detain him, but they weren’t expected to arrive for two or three more days.
Lee hadn’t received a response from the other two and had decided to return to his room. He’d seen the note under the door and braced for a rejection. There was no reason for her to see him outside of the job.
Their walk had allowed him a chance to tell his side and explain. Lee hadn’t expected anything more from her. His invitation to supper had been an impulsive and brash request which he expected to be declined.
Lee knocked on Eva’s door a couple of hours later and came to a halt at the sight before him. He’d always thought her to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Tonight, she’d dressed in a beautiful gown that accentuated her exotic features—she was the most stunning vision he’d ever seen. His appreciative gaze moved over her gown, up the slim column of her neck, to her face. Her smile caused his stomach to tighten and he wished he could hold this picture in his mind forever.
Eva felt her face redden at his obvious appraisal. “I wasn’t sure at first if it was a good idea for us to be together like this.” She gestured toward the surrounding room with her hand. She lowered her thick, black lashes before opening them to let her eyes lock on his. “The truth is, I’ve missed what we had, missed being with you for too long. I don’t know if we’ll ever see each other again after our job is over, and I didn’t want to throw away this opportunity.”
Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Page 17