by Tony Masero
Kirby jerked his chin in query.
‘It is certainly a vital matter,’ Pinkerton went on doubtfully. ‘But it’s a lot to ask after all you’ve done already.’
‘Anything to get me out of this damned straightjacket,’ said Kirby, dragging at his restrictive collar with a finger and holding up the bullet torn coattail.
Pinkerton smiled, ‘There’ll be no need for that, no you can revert to your old self for this task.’
‘Then that will suit me very well,’ breathed Kirby. ‘Society life fits Belle just fine but it’s not for me.’
‘Miss Belle is doing good work,’ Pinkerton added. ‘I am thinking of offering her permanent standing with the agency, do you think she would like that?’
Kirby thought of Belle, swirling on the ballroom floor with all eyes upon her. ‘I think she’d like that just fine. As long as you allow her a good dress allowance.’
Pinkerton laughed out loud, ‘Aye, she’ll not go anywhere without a tailor and a hat maker, that one.’
‘So what’s in Chicago?’
‘We have need to start up a new arrangement in the agency. With the advent of war, I’ve a mind to form a party of night watchmen; it will operate in Chicago and other cities to combat the crime that shall arise behind the lines whilst many are off at the fight. They’re to be called Pinkerton’s Preventative Watch and I need men to operate in the field. What would you say to such a position?’
‘That sounds like a challenge alright,’ nodded Kirby.
‘I think you’re up to it. There’s much to do now and I need good men behind me, the President has honored me with organization of the Secret Service so a great deal will rest in your hands, Kirby.’
‘I’ll do it, sir.’
‘Well said, and as for young Miss Slaughter, will you be missing her?’
‘Oh, I guess Belle and I will run into each other again at some time.’
Pinkerton shook his hand in farewell and Kirby watched the stocky man walk away into the darkness and towards his associates waiting with the horses.
Would he miss Belle? Kirby wondered. She was the love of his life, he was sure of that. Whether she loved him in return was another matter but he didn’t expect the flame to die. Wherever either of them was he was sure she would stay firmly fixed in his heart and he hoped that maybe she would at least remember some part of their time together.
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