“Listen to me, first,” Andrew continued. “I’ve been reading this article that started in the St. Louis Gazette, and apparently, this writer is getting attention from all over the United States. The writer is called The Lovelorn.”
Silence stretched around the table for a few awkward moments. Finally, Gavin shrugged. “And exactly what does this have to do with anything we’ve been talking about?”
“Perhaps this writer could help you discover why you don’t trust women.”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “I don’t need anyone to help me with that. I already know the answer.”
Immediately, a woman’s image popped in his head. She’d been a lovely brunette with big green eyes. He’d been smitten so fast and counted the minutes until the next time they could be together. She’d been so innocent – or at least that’s what she had wanted him to think. And then he’d made the huge mistake by kissing her. The passionate woman really made his mind numb to everything around him and all he could think about was Justina Bradford.
Gavin mentally shook the memories from his head. He’d hardened his heart against her and other women like her. He’d been a sucker, but no longer would he fall for their false charms and promises.
“Can we just play another game?” Gavin said, really wanting to end this subject. It didn’t help that his memories of the first woman to break his heart had resurfaced yesterday afternoon while he was at the funeral for the mayor’s wife. Just as the service had ended, he’d heard the cry of a woman in trouble. Being a detective most of his adult life, his first instinct was to offer his assistance. Oliver James was another man who had heard the woman’s cry and ran off to help.
Gavin had chased after the man who tried kidnapping the woman, but the fool had gotten away. The detective in Gavin wanted to pursue the case further and catch the man, but when Gavin had returned to the woman’s coach and found out who she was, he had quickly changed his mind. He hadn’t seen her in four years. He wasn’t about to break that streak of good luck now.
Settling in his seat, Gavin looked at the cards that had been dealt to him. Inwardly, he groaned. He wished he had better luck at card playing, but so far, that wasn’t going to happen. He might as well pull out of the game now.
The door to the room opened, and Gavin swung his gaze in that direction. Mark Drake, the owner of the detective agency, walked in. Mark was in his early fifties, but still robust and looking young. Even his brown hair didn’t show signs of aging.
Mark’s gaze swept the room and landed on Gavin. He motioned a hand for Gavin to come over.
“I’m out.” Gavin set his cards on the table, gathered his winnings, and left the game. Six steps later, he stopped in front of Mark. “Yes?”
“I have a case for you. The woman is extremely wealthy, and her happiness is our only goal at this time.”
Gavin nodded. He really loathed wealthy women. “Of course, sir.”
As Mark moved out of the room, Gavin followed, closing the door behind him.
“I’m giving this case to you,” Mark continued, “because finding clues is your specialty since you used to be a Pinkerton agent.”
Gavin grinned. The time spent with the Pinkertons had gained him more specialties than just finding clues. “Thank you. I’ll do my best.”
“I have no doubt.” Mark stopped in the hallway before reaching Mark’s office. “Yesterday, Miss Justina Bradford was nearly kidnapped. She has hired us to help her find the man behind her abduction.”
The woman’s name made warning bells in his head go off, jarring him completely. Why in heaven’s name did that woman keep popping up in his life? Sacramento was a large town, so why was this happening to him?
“Actually, Mark...” Gavin cleared his throat. “I don’t think—”
“Lennox.” Mark’s voice grew louder. “You’re the only one I want working this case, so whatever problems you have with Miss Bradford, you need to put them aside. Helping her and having her give this agency a glowing report will only help our clientele increase.”
“Yes, I know.” Gavin clenched his teeth. How could he explain his dilemma to Mark? The man wouldn’t understand since he’d been happily married for twenty years. Just like Jethro, these types of men always believed that love conquered all.
Mark continued toward the office. With each step, Gavin’s hopes sank faster than a boulder jumping in the ocean. There was no way to stop this now. He must remember that he was a professional. He’d already constructed a steel wall around his heart and there was no way Miss Bradford – or any woman like her – could tear it down.
The moment he walked into the room and saw Justina, he lost his breath. Sitting at Mark’s desk, she wore a deep purple gown with fluffy sleeves. The waist was cinched tightly, which enhanced her curvy figure. Her gaze was on her leather gloves that she slowly removed from her hands. Glory, but she was prettier than he remembered, and still just as innocent looking. And... she was still very wealthy. More so, in fact.
His streak of good luck had disappeared and there was no hope in finding it now.
THREE
Justina swung her attention toward the door as two men stepped inside. Her father’s friend, Mark Drake, had been more than happy to help her and told her he had the perfect agent who’d find her kidnapper. Yet, when her gaze rested on the man who carried himself with too much pride, she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Blinking, she hoped to clear the vision, but a man dressed in a dark gray business suit jacket and matching vest, white shirt with black string-tie, and dark gray trousers – looking more handsome than he had any right to be – walked toward her with a stern expression. Her heart clenched and she wrapped her fingers tightly around the gloves in her hands.
Gavin stopped in front of her and mocked a small bow. “Miss Bradford,” he nodded stiffly.
Her throat constricted, not letting words escape. That was probably a good thing, since the shock of seeing him after all this time left a bad taste on her tongue, and she feared for the words she would say to him.
“Miss Bradford,” Mark said as he closed the door to their private meeting, “this is my best agent, Mr. Lennox.”
It was a struggle to swallow the lump in her throat, but finally she was able to accomplish that small task. “Yes,” her voice cracked, “we have met before.”
“Splendid.” Mark moved behind his desk and sat. “Miss Bradford, why don’t you tell Mr. Lennox what you told me earlier about what happened to you yesterday at the cemetery.”
“Actually,” Gavin said before she could form anything thoughts in her head, “I was there and saw what happened.”
The very few thoughts left remaining in her head had suddenly disappeared. He was there? “Pardon me, Mr. Lennox, but how could you have been there? I think I would have noticed you.”
Gavin moved to the empty seat beside her and sat. “I was attending the funeral for Mayor Peery’s wife. I heard your screams.” He paused briefly. “I noticed that Mr. James had also heard. The two of us ran toward you, but Mr. James reached you first. He told me to go after the kidnapper.”
Justina gasped as her mind tried to remember that moment. Had she seen him and not really looked at him? Then again, she’d been in shock and Oliver’s arms were protecting and calming her. She recalled seeing a man with dark hair, but that was all. “That was you?”
“Yes.”
“Did... you catch the man who attempted to kidnap me?”
“No, Miss Bradford. Once I reached Folsom Lake, I couldn’t see him, and there were no tracks, either.”
Inhaling slowly, she tried to calm the panic rising up inside her. That man was still on the loose and would try to kidnap her again. Who would want to do such a thing?
“Do you have any idea of who would want to kidnap you, Miss Bradford?” Gavin asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve been in mourning for six months now, and so I haven’t left the house much. I’ve had little to no contact with anyone except for the serv
ants and some of my father’s close friends.”
Gavin leaned forward slightly. “You haven’t received any threatening letters?”
“None at all.” During her pause, she thought about who had been receiving the mail. “Actually, my housekeeper has been collecting the mail, but she would have said something if someone had sent me a threat.”
“Miss Bradford,” Gavin’s voice remained the same tone, “I’ll need you to write me a list of everyone in your household as well as those few people who you had been communicating with during your mourning.”
“I can do that.” She twisted her hands together in her lap. “I had never seen that man before, and I don’t know why...” Her voice cracked, so she cleared it.
“Do you remember what he looked like?” Gavin asked, this time, the tone of his voice changed slightly.
“Yes, of course. I’ll never forget it.” She took a steady breath, trying to stay calm. She must believe that Mark Drake – or even Gavin Lennox – would keep her safe. “He was middle-aged, perhaps late forties. His blond hair was shoulder length, but very wavy. It looked as though he hadn’t combed it in a month. His whole body appeared as if he’d been rolling in the dirt with the pigs... and his stench proved that perhaps he had been doing that very thing earlier that morning.”
“Miss Bradford,” Gavin continued, “please think really hard, but... did you notice any feature that stood out more than the others?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip as her gaze dropped to the desk. Everything about him stood out, in her opinion. Men didn’t usually walk around looking that way, even if they’d been working in the mines or on the farms. In fact, it was almost as if...
Justina gasped and met Gavin’s stare again. “I think I realized something.”
“What?”
“I believe he purposely looked that filthy, maybe to keep his true identity hidden. His teeth were dark brown and several of his top teeth appeared to be missing, and yet he spoke just fine.”
“No lisping?” Gavin asked.
“None.”
Gavin nodded and sat back in his chair. “I’ll get this man found, I promise. Can you get me that list of names today?”
“Yes, but—” she reached a hand out to touch him, but before meeting his knee, she caught her actions and stopped them. Quickly, she withdrew. “But he told me that someone had paid him to kidnap me.”
Gavin’s ocean-blue eyes widened. “He actually said that?”
“I think he believed that I wouldn’t get away, but yes, his very words were that he was paid good money to kidnap me.”
“Good money?” Gavin tapped a finger on his clean-shaven chin. “Then we are looking for someone who is wealthy?”
“Perhaps.” She shrugged. “Unless to the kidnapper, good money is a week’s wage.”
“Good point, Miss Bradford.”
She arched an eyebrow. He was actually agreeing with her instead of saying something rude? But maybe he only acted that way when his boss wasn’t around.
“Thank you, Miss Bradford.” Mark stood. “I’m sure we’ll catch this person in a few days.”
She rose from her chair, and Gavin quickly stood. She kept her focus on Mark, not really wanting to look too closely at the man who’d broken her heart. “I didn’t know where else to turn. I don’t feel safe anymore. My father thought highly of you, and that’s why I thought of your agency.”
Mark walked around his desk and took her hand. “We’ll make sure nothing happens to you.” He glanced at Gavin. “Will you walk Miss Bradford out to her carriage? In fact, perhaps you should follow her on your horse to make certain she is kept safe.”
Follow me home? Panic filled her, but in a different way this time. “No, Mr. Drake, that won’t be necessary. My driver will see me home.”
“Pardon me for saying, Miss Bradford,” Gavin said, “but wasn’t your driver missing yesterday, which was why you were nearly kidnapped?”
She bunched her hands into fists as anger grew inside her. “Mr. Lennox, Jacobs had left my carriage for only a brief moment, which is when the kidnapper decided to take his place. But I assure you, Jacobs is more aware of my situation and he won’t leave his post.”
Gavin’s mouth thinned and she could tell he was clenching his jaw. She didn’t care how upset he was at her, she wasn’t about to have him follow her home. Although he might be the agent assigned to her case, that didn’t mean they had to work closely together.
Justina switched her gaze to Mark. “I’ll get that list to you quickly. Thank you again.” She didn’t wait for them to answer, but walked toward the door. Gavin stepped ahead of her and opened the door. Once she walked into the hall, he moved behind her.
She growled under her breath. If he intended to follow her home, she’d make sure he never did that again.
Quickening her steps, she headed out of the building and to her coach parked outside. Jacobs was sitting on the driver’s seat, and when he saw her, he jumped down and opened the door. She gave him a smile and thanked him before climbing in. Out of curiosity, she peeked over her shoulder. Gavin walked out of the building, watching her... and looking entirely too handsome than he had any right to look right now.
Irritated, she closed the door before plopping down on the seat. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It had been difficult to be in the same room as Gavin Lennox. Their past was one she could never forget even though she’d been trying really hard. He’d said some hurtful words to her because she had been betrothed to another man.
Frowning, she slumped in the seat and folded her arms across her chest as Jacobs drove her toward home. She shouldn’t put all the blame on Gavin. After all, she’d known that her father wanted her to marry his good friend even though she wasn’t in love with him. In the back of her mind, she’d hoped that her father would have released her from the contract once she told him of her love for Gavin. Fortunately, that day never happened.
It took so long for her heart to mend, but her memory still recalled those hurtful names spouting from his mouth, and especially the look of rejection on his somber face. Perhaps he wasn’t supposed to be the man she would marry, after all. Not more than a year after this part of her life had passed, her father had presented her with some disturbing and very unsettling news. Her life had changed drastically for the worst. It would never be the same again.
Things happen for a reason, and she now wondered if she’d be worthy enough for any man to marry her.
When the coach slowed, she snapped out of her thoughts and peered out the window. They hadn’t been traveling for very long, and she knew they weren’t home yet. Apparently, a cart of apples had overturned in the road, holding up many carriages. Many people were gathered in the street helping to pick up the apples. Some voices were raised in anger, and some were loud just to be heard.
She blew out an exasperated sigh. Now she remembered why she didn’t like coming into town. Living on a quiet street on the far side of town where it was less noisy suited her just fine.
Suddenly, the coach’s door flew open, and a man wearing a red bandana over the lower half of his face and a black cowboy hat, reached in and grabbed her. Justina jerked back, and he tugged on her gown, instead. His strength was evident and although she struggled, he was succeeding in pulling her out of the coach.
Justina released a scream and kicked him. He stumbled back and his hat fell off. This wasn’t the same man who’d accosted her yesterday at the cemetery.
The man regained his composure and grabbed her again, this time he caught her arm. She fisted her hand and punched him in the face, but her weak blow didn’t do anything to stop him.
Her chest tightened in panic. Once again, the nightmare from yesterday was repeating itself, and once more, she couldn’t stop the man.
Apparently, hiring the Drake Detective Agency hadn’t kept her safe at all.
FOUR
Gavin noticed the commotion on the street from up ahead, and slowed his horse. Overcrowding roads we
re getting to be a daily occurrence in Sacramento now. He should be used to it, but he wasn’t. Of course, he hadn’t been in this city for a good two years while he was a Pinkerton agent in Colorado. Things had definitely changed in that time.
Justina Bradford was on the top of that changing list. He still couldn’t believe how pretty she was, and heaven help him, he couldn’t believe how he’d missed staring into her adorable green eyes. In fact, several times while in Mark’s office, Gavin had to shake himself out of the memories from yesteryear, threatening to pull him back into the vulnerable situation he’d been in when he first fell in love with her.
In the midst of the noisy street, he heard a woman’s scream. He quickly lifted on his saddle as he gazed over the crowd, searching for Justina’s coach. Immediately, he saw her struggling against a man as he dragged her out of the vehicle.
Kicking his horse into action, Gavin maneuvered the animal around people, and at the same time, kept his eyes on Justina’s kidnapper. Gavin couldn’t get to her fast enough, and the man with the red banana covering the lower half of his face was pulling her toward an alley.
He grumbled under his breath. It might be faster if he went on foot.
Suddenly, the crowd parted enough for him to get through. He called out to people for them to move out of his way, but at least he was getting closer to her.
He urged the horse toward Justina. Her gaze lifted to his and she called out his name. Gavin’s heart wrenched, hearing her panicked voice.
Justina’s name was shouted from somewhere in the crowd. Gavin glanced in that direction and saw Oliver James pushing his way toward Justina. Part of Gavin thought about letting the other man rescue her, but then she was his assignment. He wouldn’t appear like a simpleton in his boss’s eyes.
As Gavin neared, she reached out a hand toward him and her face had grown pale. The kidnapper noticed Gavin’s horse so close and he gasped, releasing Justina in the process. The moment her hand touched his, he bent and scooped her up in his arms, pulling her up to sit in front of him. The kidnapper’s eyes widened and he darted the opposite way, running as fast as his legs would take him.
Secretive in Sacramento (Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Book 3) Page 2