Midnight Secrets

by Janelle Taylor

  It was active and noisy this time of evening as work ended and recreation began. She heard laughter, shouts, muffled talk, and a contrasting blend of music from dance halls, brothels, and saloons. A mixture of smells filled the air, most from the preparation of food at eating establishments, some merely marked Grub or Eats. She saw ill-kempt men in shabby garments strolling the streets, others loitering at night places that appeared elegant and expensive, drunks lying against wooden structures, and scantily clad females enticing customers to spend their money at these locations. People milled everywhere she looked. This was a town of mixed inhabitants, a town of the rich and poor and the in-between, of the famous and infamous and the nobodys. She had learned those facts from several of her fellow passengers.

  After the coach halted, the driver told Ginny, “You wait tilst I’m finished here, Miz Avery, and I’ll see you to a nice boardin’ house. You don’t want any of that trash takin’ charge of you and yore possessions.” He made his remarks scornfully as he nodded to shabby men hawking business from newcomers. “They’ll git you outta sight and rob you clean. You’ll have to be careful here. Never go out after dark ‘less yore with an escort who’s well armed and good with his guns. No minin’ town is safe fur a lady. Some of them men have lost everythin’ they came with and will do anythin’ to git another grubstake. A few of ‘em have struck pay dirt and lost it faster ‘an they dug it out. Gold fever kin be a dangerous sickness.”

  Ginny was fatigued, dusty, and sore. She was eager to be on her way but wisely waited for the kind driver to escort her. The man borrowed a wagon from the coach company, loaded her belongings, and took her to Hattie Sue Pearl’s Boarding House. After introductions were made, the stocky female with graying hair in a loose bun led Ginny inside and to her new “home” of two small rooms—sleeping and sitting—and showed her where the bathing closet and privy were located.

  Suppertime had passed, but Hattie warmed leftovers for her. The two women sat at the kitchen table, chatting. Ginny related the terrible conditions in the South since the war ended to Mrs. Pearl. “I’m an orphan,” she began her fabricated reason for coming to the town. “I lost my home and family, everything, during the war. I tried to work and make a new life there, but it’s impossible until things change. I read about Colorado and decided to move here. It might sound impulsive and rash but I had to get away to make a fresh start. With all the mining and progress here, surely there are good jobs available for a strong and dependable woman. Who knows, I might find a proper husband.”

  The older woman grinned. “Please call me Hattie.” They exchanged smiles before she said, “I think you’re a brave and smart girl. I came from Mississippi three years ago and I’m earning good money. My husband and son were killed in that awful war and I lost everything, too, except for gold and jewels . I kept hidden from them thieving Yanks. I used them to build this place and to invest in one of the hotels down the street. We got us plenty of unmarried men who have enough looks and gold to make a woman’s heart flutter. I have my eye on a couple of prospects myself. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding you a rich young man to snare.”

  “First, I need to find a job. My resources won’t last very long. I lost everything to a Yankee carpetbagger. A friend loaned me traveling money. I was fortunate the driver brought me here to you. I’ve heard the hotels and most lodgings charge a small fortune for room and board.”

  “They do ‘cause they can get it. Men who can’t afford niceties live in awful conditions, some bedding down in alleys and begging for grub. When miners or prospectors come to town to rest and sport, they pay what you ask ‘cause they think they’ll find more gold the next day. After spending scary months down in somebody else’s mines or scratching for nuggets on creeks and rivers, they’re desperate for company and good food and a good loving, if you know what I mean.” Hattie’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “I know of a job that’ll last a week at Mr. Trevers cat and book store. His wife needs a rest something fierce, been sickly. He mentioned it to me just today.”

  “Why cats and books?” Ginny inquired about the odd mixture.

  Hattie chuckled. “All kinds of men in these parts, Anna. They need books to en’ertain and relax them after work in town or shoveling dirt all day, and cats made great pets and mousers. Camps and shafts are overrun with rats and mice, so they ain’t hard to feed and tend. I’ve seen wagons bring as many as a thousand on one load and sell ‘em faster than fleas multeeply on a dog. I’ll take you to meet John in the morning. Mary Jane will be happier to see you than a bull in a pasture of eager cows. Them miners and cats keep ‘er busy’ and she’s in sore need of rest.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Hattie. I love both books and cats.”

  “Like I said, it’ll only last a week. Unless John makes a bigger profit with a beauty like you working there,” she jested. “It’ll be a start, give you time to learn your way around and meet folks here. A beautiful and genteel lady will be in big demand. Don’t let nobody hire you cheap and work you hard; too many jobs around here for that. You could earn a fortune if you like singing and dancing and making merry with men. We got more than our share of them kinds of places. Some men squander their whole earnings in one night in some of them holes.”

  From Hattie’s look and tone, Ginny realized she wasn’t serious. “I’m not interested in working there, quick and easy fortune or not,” she clarified.

  “Good girl. Just testing you,” Hattie teased with a grin. “A real lady.”

  Ginny liked the friendly woman in her mid-forties who kept a clean lodging, was an excellent cook, and seemed kind and trustworthy.

  “The water’s hot if you’re ready to wash off that coat of dust.”

  “Thank you, Hattie, and I’m more than ready. I haven’t had a proper bath in ages.”

  “You’re to feed and water the cats every day, Miss Avery,” John Trevers said, “and make sure their pens are clean. I don’t want none getting sick and dying on me; they’re too valuable. When the men come in to check the books, make sure they wash their hands first. Talk to them and you’ll know what to show them.” They discussed the stock for a while, then John grinned and said, “Sounds like you know your books and writers. Good. I can use you from today until Saturday night. I’ll pay you sixty dollars for the week’s work and one extra for every sale you make. Does that suit you?”

  Ginny smiled, as the salary he offered was a generous one. She concluded the high pay and his wife’s need of rest must mean business was good and that she was in for a busy and hectic week. “Perfect, Mr. Trevers. I promise to work hard, be on time, and do a good job for you, sir.”

  The man thanked Hattie before the genial boardinghouse keeper left. He showed Ginny where everything was located and let her begin her chores before the store opened in twenty minutes.

  As she worked, Ginny thought about her father. She couldn’t ask around about him and tip off his enemy. Hopefully if he was in town, he’d see her and contact her. If not, she had a cunning plan in mind.

  She also thought about Stone Chapman. She wondered if he had returned home and discovered the truth about her second deceit. Would he be glad she was out of his life or would he come after her? She loved him and missed him so much. She prayed he would understand and forgive her for duping him again, and would arrive soon. She. could use his help and protection. Steve was a skilled agent and might be able to trace and find her father faster than she could, alone and inexperienced. It had been eighteen days since she’d last seen him, and she had an emotional and physical ache for him. She could close her eyes and envision him in detail, imagine his gentle touch and blazing kisses. Yet it was more than his handsome looks and virile prowess that drew her to him. He was the man with whom she wanted to share her life.

  Mr. Trevers unlocked the front door for customers to enter and command her full attention with purchases and questions about felines and books.

  Tuesday, as she was about to leave Trevers’s Cats & Books to deliver two ani
mals to a customer to be used for mousers in his restaurant, Ginny met Frank Kinnon, the man mentioned in her father’s letters as a possible enemy of his. She listened to and observed him with interest.

  John introduced them and told her, “Frank owns the bank and assay office next door, among his many businesses around town, and a thriving ranch ten miles away. Frank is rich, and powerful, Miss Avery, so be wary of him,” the friend teased. “Oh, yes, Frank’s also a bachelor.”

  Ginny watched the two men shake hands and chuckle. According to her father’s missives, Frank Kinnon was also evil, selfish, and greedy, and perhaps a murderer of Matt’s partner, Clayton Cassidy.

  “I see John is keeping his new helper busy. Don’t let him overwork you as he did his poor wife.”

  Ginny smiled at the pleasant and polite man in his late thirties. He appeared very distinguished in his expensive suit and with the silver streaks at his temples. “So far, Mr. Trevers has been a perfect boss.”

  “See, Frank, I’m not a slaver like Mary Jane says,” John jested.

  As the two men chatted, Ginny pretended to check the latches on the two cages to stall for more time to observe Frank. He was nice-looking, almost handsome. His dark hair was cut and combed neatly. His blue eyes sparkled with vitality, amusement, and secretiveness, and with desire when they touched on her. She wasn’t surprised when he invited her to join him for dinner the next night, but the offer filled her with apprehension.

  “O’Rourke’s is a fine restaurant, Miss Avery. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the excellent food and atmosphere. Please accept. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

  She couldn’t comprehend why she hesitated since she needed to get close to him in order to cull clues. “I don’t know, Mr. Kinnon; we’re strangers.”

  John provided help for his eager friend. “You’ll be safe with Frank, Miss Avery. You can trust him to honor his word. I’m sure you two will become good friends. He might even be able to help you find another job next week.”

  Ginny made certain she behaved as a proper lady and didn’t appear smitten by the valuable suitor, as that was how the man was behaving. “If you say it’s all right, Mr. Trevers, I’ll accept.” She turned to Frank. “I’m staying at Hattie Sue Pearl’s Boarding House. I’ll require time to freshen up and change after work. You can call for me at seven-thirty.”

  “Perfect, Miss Avery, see you tomorrow night.”

  Ginny hoped she didn’t blush or fidget beneath his fiery blue eyes. “I’ll return soon, Mr. Trevers,” she told her boss as she. lifted the two cages and headed toward the door. She left the men talking. Before she was halfway down the street, Frank Kinnon hurried to overtake her and pulled the cages from her hands.

  “Let me help you with these.”

  Ginny forced a warm smile. “You needn’t bother, sir, I can manage them. I only have another block to go. I’m sure you’re busy.”

  “Not too busy to assist and protect a beautiful lady. We have many rough men here, and I wouldn’t want you to get a bad opinion of our town if some of them approached you. In a place like this, we have few ladies, but not for long. The whole state of Colorado is growing fast. Gold, silver, furs, and ranching make it enticing. Besides, I need the exercise.”

  Ginny eyed his powerful physique from the corner of her eye and knew it was an excuse to spend more time with her. She should be glad she’d seized his interest, but he made her nervous nevertheless. He made her think of a starving man with a juicy treat before him. She decided not to play the coquettish southern belle to ensnare him tighter as that could be hazardous. She wasn’t convinced she could carry out her ruse to let him romance her while she beguiled information from him.

  They strolled past the many businesses, banks, offices of attorneys and doctors, many clothing and mercantile stores, and three saloons with gambling. Across the street she had seen a meat market, smithy, Brown’s Hay & Feed, two freight companies, the Leavenworth & Pike’s Peak Express Company with mail delivery, and Farrell’s Drugs. Farther down, she noticed more businesses and more hotels and lodgings, restaurants, a church, and, oddly, many brothels and dancehalls. They reached her destination, delivered the cats, accepted payment, and returned to the store. Ginny smiled and thanked him, as his warning had been correct; if he hadn’t been with her, gawking men might have approached her.

  “My pleasure, Anna. I look forward to our dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Good-bye, and thank you for the escort, Mr. Kinnon.”

  “It’s Frank, Anna. Please.”

  “Good-bye, Frank.” Ginny watched the grinning man enter the building next door. She went to the store’s back room to eat the lunch Hattie had packed for her, her mind drifting to what she knew and what she needed to learn.

  Her father had written her that the only man who knew about his silver strike was the one who had assayed the rich ore: Frank Kinnon. He had related, “If his tests are accurate, the future mine will bring in great wealth and fame.” Lincoln’s Homestead Act of ‘62 had opened up this area to settlement: anyone could claim up to one hundred sixty acres of land. Mathew Marston had filed his claim in Denver at the Colorado General Land Office under the name of V. A. Marston for Virginia Anne Marston, not in this town to prevent Kinnon or others from knowing where it was located. Her father and Clay had found “a rich vein, one most prospectors would have missed even if standing atop it,” its bluish-gray and bluish-black “rocks” deceptive to the ignorant and inexperienced. He had told her that gold was easier to find and collect, but not so with silver, which was embedded with other minerals and had to be separated. It required knowledge, work, equipment, and skill. It was almost mandatory to have investors because silver mining was expensive, took many workers to dig and to smelt, and others for hauling and guarding shipments.

  Another assayer had been with Frank Kinnon that day and had prevented the man from lying to her father. Frank had been forced to reveal that the ore sample contained a high percentage of pure silver and little refining would be required. It was estimated that “each ton of ore will yield one thousand dollars in gold, four thousand in silver, and additional money in lead and quartz.” Matt had kept his find a secret until he could work out the details for mining it because news of a strike would lure countless men into his area, men after the gold, men who would overlook or ignore the silver, men who would create problems. He had registered his land claim after he and Clay had pretended to lead spies to the right location and after Clayton Cassidy and another prospector had been killed and burned in a cabin. Matt didn’t know if anyone—especially the villain and his cohorts—knew he wasn’t the second man slain that day. Her father was supposed to leave the area to seek those needed investors and protectors, but she didn’t know if he had made it out alive.

  His letter had warned of claim-jumpers, widespread thievery, lynchings, murders, corrupt or incompetent politicians and assayers and claims’ officials or surveyors, and the overworked special agents who tried to uphold the laws and capture criminals. The El Paso Claims Club had run Colorado City in ‘58 and had meted out justice and punishment to wrongdoers; they still had powerful members, including Frank Kinnon.

  But the wealth available here was too tempting for some men to worry about how they collected it. Fur trade was bountiful in the mountains, and warm clothes were expensive. Farmers nearby raised much-needed food and charged exorbitant prices, as did freighters who brought in goods. Shops charged outrageous prices for supplies and equipment. It was relatively safe from Indians who had been defeated in ‘65; only a few attacks troubled settlers on rare occasions. It was the greedy white man who threatened those innocent and law-abiding fellow white men in this territory.

  Ginny understood why her father couldn’t expose his find and why he couldn’t accuse Kinnon of murder. She grasped why he needed investors and why he had to remain “dead” until he found them for protection. But what, she wondered, was taking him so long and where was he now? If Stone were here, she would have asked him to guide
her to the cabin where her father might be hiding out until his plans were finalized.

  But one precaution she needed to take now was to be prepared to flee in the event Kinnon discovered her identity and motive for coming to Colorado. Without arousing suspicion, she must buy a horse, supplies, and rifle, and keep them stored in her room at Hattie’s.

  Saturday night, Ginny was having her third dinner of the week with Frank Kinnon. They had spent most of the day sightseeing at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings and enjoyed a picnic at the springs nearby. Tomorrow he was showing her the Garden of the Gods; they would share another meal in that ancient setting. She hadn’t feared being with him away from town, as several armed men tagged along as guards against daring villains. She had agreed to the outings because she needed to learn her way around in case disaster struck and she was compelled to flee.

  Obviously Frank had let everyone in town know he had “staked his claim” on her because no other men had dared to approach her. The Trevers were pleased by her “conquest” and urged her to continue it, as Frank would “surely propose marriage as soon as he thinks it’s proper.” In one way, she was glad he had prevented any competition for her as it allowed her to concentrate on her target. In another way, it alarmed her to have him too enamored of her. She was glad he was being cautious and leisurely in his pursuit. She could imagine how cruel a wicked man like him would be if he learned the truth about her. Before that day came, she must either find her father or find a way to prove Frank was a criminal.

  “You look lovely tonight, Anna. I’m so happy you came to our town.”

  Ginny tried to appear poised but was unsettled by his ravenous gaze feasting on her. She hadn’t allowed anything personal to occur between them, but she was sure he would attempt to kiss her soon and would eventually propose marriage. She hadn’t decided yet how to handle those incidents. But if her ruse became perilous or if his chase became too swift and demanding and she couldn’t slow things down between them, she was prepared for her escape. If only Stone would come to help her, she mused in brief panic, but she couldn’t depend on that happening. “Thank you for the compliment, Frank; you’re such a kind and polite gentleman. So far, things are going fine for me. I finished my last day with Mr. Trevers, so I’ll be seeking another job Monday. Do you know of anyone who needs help?”