Once inside, she dropped her concern and anger flashed from her eyes, “How could you do that? I thought you were dead or dying.”
Luke drew her close and she fought for a moment before settling in his arms. Luke tried to calm her. “I’m sorry, but I had to think fast. Having an injury gives me more time to sit and observe. I don’t have to pay attention to the card game. I think we’re close to finding our teacher. If they’re holding her at Magee’s home, they’d need a guard. I have the feeling that Magee would want her close if he’s involved. If this was Red’s plan alone, she still could be held anywhere in town and Red could leave the saloon to visit her whenever he wants.”
Regina shared what she knew about the room down that hall and how Maisy brought a tray to whoever is in the room. “I think Miss Stegler might be in that room.”
Before Luke could answer, a knock at the door drew their attention. The night clerk stood there with a bowl of hot water, a bar of soap, a few towels, and clean strips of cloth for bandages.
“Thank you,” Regina said after she took the items from the clerk and he headed back to the front desk.
Regina set the bowl on the wash stand and dropped the other items on a chair before sitting on her bed. “You need to rinse some blood from your shirt in that water, so no one suspects. We can bandage you up before work tomorrow night.”
Luke sat next to her. “I like the way you think. Just devious enough to keep up this charade and smart enough to pull it off.”
Regina blew out a breath, “Try not to do this again. You frightened me, and I had no idea what to do if you died.”
“If that happens, you send a cryptic telegram to Marianne and leave town immediately,” Luke insisted.
Regina shook her head, “I don’t want it to happen. Please be careful.”
Luke laughed, “You’d miss me.”
“Of course, I would.”
Luke leaned closer and kissed her but pulled back before he deepened the kiss the way he wanted. “I just need to keep in practice.” He grinned at her and quickly pulled his shirt off, rinsed the blood in the cooling water, and left the room.
Regina touched her lips wishing Luke would come and practice a bit more.
Chapter Fifteen
The following evening was quiet at the saloon. Regina took a break when Maisy asked her if she’s like a cup of tea in the kitchen away from the noise. Regina readily agreed.
Luke, arm in a sling, sat and watched others play cards and drink. His wound gave him an excuse to just sit back, sip a beer, and watch everyone closely.
Regina was surprised they had tea at the saloon and Maisy confided she bought it at the mercantile because she doesn’t care for coffee and hates the taste of alcohol.
“Gretchen won’t talk to me since she found out I work at the saloon,” Regina confided. “How did you ever get tea?”
Maisy answered, “Gretchen and all the ladies ignore us, but the pastor allows us to attend Sunday services. He believes all sinners can repent. We come in just before services start and leave quickly as soon as he gives his final blessing. Horace opens the mercantile for a couple of hours on Sunday to help those that can’t get in during the week. He leaves services early, too and lets us in the back door. We have fifteen minutes to shop and leave before he opens the store for his regular customers.”
Regina sipped her tea and said, “It’s the Christian thing to do.”
“I agree, and I’m grateful for his kindness. I’m not here because I made a choice. I’d leave if I could only find a job or a place to go. Why did you start playing piano in a saloon? You sound educated.”
Regina started her planned story of her past, “My father sent me away to school because my step-mother hates me. I was bored. I didn’t want to be a teacher or a nurse although I trained for both. I wanted to see the world and do something exciting. I met Luke. He plays cards and to be near him, I started playing the piano in whatever town we’re in.”
“I suppose I understand, but I’d rather be a teacher or a nurse or work in a store. Anything, but that’s not my life. Did you really study nursing?” Maisy asked.
Regina nodded, and Maisy asked more, “What did you learn? Can you stitch up a knife wound or remove a bullet?”
“A bullet?” Regina stammered.
“Yeah, sometimes the cowboys get carried away, and if Doc is out of town, Red thinks he can help, but he’s a butcher when it comes to removing them. I thought maybe you could do it.”
Regina frowned, “I’ve never removed a bullet or seen it done, but I did read about it in a medical book. I suppose if I had to I could try. I read about all sorts of medical procedures, and I remember what I read.”
Maisy finished her tea and said, “That’s good. Maybe you can help us while you’re here. Sometimes one of the customers gets a little rough with the girls. Maybe you’d understand better than Doc.”
“I’ll try,” Regina assured.
She and Maisy returned to the bar, and Red asked where they were. Maisy ignored him, and Regina just said, “Tea and girl talk.”
Red scowled, and Regina continued playing the piano. About an hour later, she saw Maisy disappear down the stairs to what she now believed was the cellar. A few minutes later, Maisy hurried to her side and whispered, “I need your help, but you have to promise not to breathe a word no matter what you see or hear.”
Regina nodded and followed Maisy silently. Maisy led her down the dark, narrow hallway leading to the back door but stopped just before the building’s exit and unlocked the door Regina thought led to the cellar. It did, and she followed Maisy down the stairs. Lying on the floor moaning in pain was a young woman in a dirty, crumpled, yet proper day dress. Had she found Abigail Stegler?
Regina could see a small cut on her forehead, and the woman was holding her hand to her side. Regina knelt next to her and told her who she was. The young woman moaned when Regina pressed her side. Looking back at Maisy, Regina said, “I think her ribs are broken or at least bruised badly. I need some cloth strips to bind them and something to wash and clean the cut on her forehead.”
Maisy nodded and hurried up the stairs.
As soon as Maisy closed the door, Regina whispered, “Are you Abigail Stegler.”
The woman whispered back, “Yes, who are you?”
“I’m here to help you. Don’t let anyone know that you told me who you are. If someone else comes down, try and pretend you passed out.”
“All right.”
“Can you tell me why you’re here and if Red abducted you?”
“Yes, he did,” Abigail answered. “I don’t know why, but the girls said I needed to take the place of some man who Red killed. Red told me he expected me to write stories for books. The girls take turns telling me awful things they’ve experienced, and I have to turn them into something worth selling in a book. It’s been horrible. I don’t even know where I am.”
“You’re in Treefall, and my partner and I are going to rescue you. Just stay calm and do whatever they ask for a little longer. My partner Luke will figure some way to get you out. What happened to you? How did you get hurt?”
“Red,” Abigail said. “He didn’t think I was writing fast enough and backhanded me. I fell against that crate behind me, and my side hurt so badly I couldn’t get up.”
“Just lay still. Once I wrap your ribs, they will feel a bit better. Can you breathe without a lot of pain?”
“It hurts if I try to take a deep breath.”
“Breathe as best as you can and hopefully your ribs are just bruised. Shh, I hear someone coming.”
Abigail closed her eyes and didn’t say a word when Maisy returned.
“Is she all right?” Maisy asked.
Regina nodded. “She will be. I think she passed out from pain. She mumbled something about Red hitting her. Would he do that? I thought he protected all the girls.”
“What else did she say?” Maisy asked wide-eyed.
“Nothing, she just passed out,”
Regina explained. “Let’s see if we can move her to her cot. She can’t stay on the dirt floor with her injuries.”
Abigail acted her part and appeared just awake enough to help Maisy and Regina get her onto the cot. Regina washed and bandaged the cut on Abigail’s head.
“I think flushing the wound with that whiskey you brought down will keep it from getting infected. If it turns red or she develops a fever you need to have the doctor look at her. Use more whiskey when you change the bandage tomorrow,” Regina instructed Maisy before returning to the saloon.
Regina played piano for another hour before Luke walked up and said it was time to leave. He helped her to her feet and kissed Regina passionately. Hoots and hollers met their ears after the kiss, but it wasn’t anything Regina didn’t expect. She just wished Luke would kiss her when they were alone, but tonight they had to make plans to save Abigail.
Regina hurried upstairs to get her coat and Maisy rushed into the room. “Red knows you helped the woman in the cellar. He’s not happy. Be careful.”
“Why would he be upset because I helped one of Magee’s girls?” Regina asked innocently. “He’s their protector, isn’t he? She didn’t say anything except her side hurt.”
“Okay, I’ll let Red know but still watch your back. Red is unpredictable.”
“I will,” Regina said and hurried down to meet Luke. She waved at the men still drinking in the saloon as she and Luke made their way outside.
When they were far enough away from the saloon, and she thought no one was close enough to hear, Regina whispered, “Abigail Stegler is being held in the saloon’s cellar. I’ll explain back at the hotel.”
Luke stopped, pulled Regina into his arms, and kissed her again. He was proud that she found the missing teacher, but he wanted to kiss her again just because he could and to use the kiss as cover.
“That’s just in case someone is watching. They won’t suspect we’re discussing anything serious,” Luke explained as he slipped his hands to her waist.
“Do you suppose we should try and convince them a bit more?” Regina asked her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
“I don’t see why not,” Luke breathed into her ear before claiming her lips once more and wrapping her tightly in his arms.
When Luke pulled back a bit, Regina leaned into his chest and could hear his heart beating as rapidly as hers. She let out a sigh. She tried, she really tried to protect her heart, but failed miserably. Regina knew now what she couldn’t hide or deny. She loved Luke Tucker. How it happened or why she couldn’t tell, but she loved him, and she was his wife. That should thrill her, but all she could see in her future was an annulment and a broken heart, but what could she do?
Chapter Sixteen
The following night Luke and Regina walked into the saloon just before eight. Two men Luke had played cards with previously called him over and convinced him if they dealt, he could play one handed. Luke nodded his agreement as Regina strolled toward the piano.
Several minutes later Regina was singing along to the music coming from the piano when a loud crash and scream echoed through the saloon. Regina bolted to her feet and stared down the darkened hallway. Red appeared at the end of the hallway and rushed into the saloon.
Regina angered by the situation she assumed took place strode up to Red and yelled, “What did you do to Abigail now?”
Instantly she realized her mistake even before Red’s face turned crimson.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him tightly. “What did you say?” Red growled at Regina.
Words eluded Regina, and she stood there speechless. Luke ran up next to her and shouted, “Let go of my wife.”
“Wife?” Red laughed. “I knew there was something not right about you two. She may be your wife, but you’re gonna be dead, and she’s gonna be mine.”
Nellie growled and pushed between Regina and Red. Red kicked at the dog and missed. Nellie didn’t when she buried her teeth into Red’s calf down to the muscle. Red yelped and jumped around on one leg. He tried to pull his gun, but Nellie jumped at his arm.
Red backed away and rushed behind the bar shouting, “I’m gonna kill that dog, then you gambler man, and then Reggie will belong to me. I don’t need that uppity teacher.”
Luke knew Red was going for the barkeep’s shotgun and mouthed to Regina, “Run.” She didn’t hesitate hoping Luke would be right behind her.
She bolted down the hallway leading to the back door. She tried the cellar door, but it was locked. Regina said a silent prayer that Abigail would be safe until she could return and help her. She quickly locked eyes with Maisy who stood near the cellar door. Maisy understood that there was trouble and hurried up the back stairs.
Regina ran out the back door of the saloon as fast as her legs would carry her. She knew Red would be right behind her and grateful that Nellie followed her out the back. Nellie would growl if Red were near. Regina couldn’t go back to the hotel, that would be the first place Red would look. The church wouldn’t offer any hiding spaces if it were unlocked at that hour. The town was dark and quiet except for the sounds coming from the saloon. Where to run? The mercantile would offer refuge even if Gretchen didn’t approve of Regina. Surely, they’d let her in. Regina ran for the back door of the mercantile and pounded on the door. After a minute which felt more like several, a light came on upstairs, and she could hear someone coming down the stairs.
“Who’s there?” Horace’s sleepy voice asked.
“It’s me, Regina Tucker, please let me in. I’m in trouble,” Regina begged.
Horace opened the door a bit and looked out. “I can’t let you in, Regina. You know how Gretchen feels.”
“Please, Red is after me. If he finds me, he’ll kill me,” Regina pleaded and added, “I’m not who you think I am. Please let me in, and I’ll explain.”
Horace hesitated then sighed and opened the door. Regina and Nellie entered quickly, and Horace closed the door. Gretchen appeared on the stairs in her nightdress and wrapper.
“You best have a good reason for waking us up at this hour dressed like that,” she barked at Regina. “Decent folk don’t run around in the dark.”
“I do have a good reason, please let me explain.”
Gretchen stormed down the stairs, took a blanket off one of the storage shelves, and tossed it to Regina. “At least cover up.”
Regina did as requested and sat on a bench near the back door. “Something is going on at the saloon that isn’t right. I just need a place to hide for a while, please. Red is responsible for abducting a teacher. They have her in the cellar at Magee’s. He’s hurt her before, and I think he hurt her again tonight.”
“Well, tell the sheriff,” Gretchen insisted.
“The sheriff doesn’t care. Magee pays him to ignore his criminal activity,” Regina explained.
“How do you know all this? You’re, you’re a saloon girl. You fooled me when you first arrived in town. I thought you were educated, refined, and could be a friend. You certainly took me in,” Gretchen complained and dropped onto a chair.
Regina drew in a deep breath and decided the Colliers needed to trust her if they were going to help her. She wasn’t exactly sure what protocol was, but she reached into the pocket she had sewn into the petticoat of her dress and pulled out her credentials.
Regina opened the small leather wallet and held it up. “I am your friend. I’m not a saloon girl. I’m a Pinkerton agent.”
“What,” gasped Horace as he hurried over to look at the badge. “She’s right, Gretchen. It says right here that Regina Tucker is an agent of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.”
Gretchen’s hand flew to her chest, “Mercy me, what next? Deep down I knew you were a decent young woman. I found it hard to believe that someone as intelligent as you could fall into the life of a saloon girl, but I suppose it can happen to anyone. I’m pleased it isn’t true about you.”
“You’re right, Gretchen, working at the saloon can happen to anyone. L
ife is hard. I’ve gotten to know the girls at Magee’s. One is a young widow whose husband’s family tossed her out when he died. Another has a child that lives with an aunt. She has to send money to the aunt to keep her from sending the child to an institution. Neither are well educated and couldn’t find other employment. This is not the life most women would choose. Maisy, the oldest, takes care of the younger girls. Her story is horrible. When she was sixteen, her father traded her to a trapper to pay off a gambling debt. The trapper then traded her to a saloon owner who finally sold her to Magee.”
Gretchen wiped tears from her cheeks. “I never looked at it that way. I made a judgment against someone without knowing the truth. I made the same judgment about you. It wasn’t Christian. I’m sorry, Regina. You’re free to hide here as long as you need.”
“Thank you, Gretchen. I need to get word to Luke that I’m safe. He’ll be looking for me at the saloon when he’s done with his game. I don’t know what to do.”
Horace offered, “I’ll go and tell him.”
“How?” Gretchen questioned. “At this time of night, we’re asleep.”
“Leave it to me,” Horace assured and hurried up the stairs. He returned five minutes later dressed in casual clothes and not his usual storekeeper attire.
Horace chuckled, “It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, a man’s wife can drive him to drink. Sorry my, dear, but I’m going to tell the men at the saloon that you’re in a snit and I need a beer.”
Gretchen nodded, “Be sure to look angry by the time you get there. You’re always so jovial.”
“Oh, I will. All I have to think about is that brute trying to hurt Regina, and I’ll be madder than a newly saddled wild mustang,” Horace grumbled as he slapped his hat on his head and left the mercantile.
Gretchen opened one of the boxes stacked against the wall and pulled out a yellow dress. “We received a new shipment of day dresses. This one should fit you, and I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable out of that saloon dress. If Horace is supposed to be at the saloon because I’m in a snit, I don’t think anyone would wonder why my kitchen light is on. Come on up, I’ll pull the curtains, so no one can see us, and we’ll have a cup of tea. I’d like to know more about how you became a detective. You certainly surprised me, young lady.”
An Agent for Regina Page 8