by Lynn Donovan
He leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. “Aye. Keep on with yew, den.”
Her eyes pivoted to Latimer. He had uncrossed his legs and leaned back also. Never had she felt so tolerated in her life. But at least they were listening. She continued. “Four years later, my father was recognized by the U.S. Congress for his brave ascension of many of the highest peaks in the Nevada Sierra area and was appointed geologist in charge of an 80,000 square mile federal survey between the Rockies and the Sierras of Nevada. Basically an 800-mile long, 100-mile wide rectangle that followed the transcontinental railway. By 1870, my mother died from influenza. We buried her in Nevada. By that time we had surveyed, mapped, and described nearly the whole thing. It had become known as the Fortieth Parallel Survey.”
Mr. Gordon nodded, a gesture that appeared to be begging Jocelyn to get to her point. “Alright.” Jocelyn licked her lips. “I told you that because it is important for this…”
She paused to be sure she still had their attention. “Just last month, we were on an Oakland-bound train. I heard a man talking, Henry Janin was his name.”
Archie scribbled the name on dossier paper and lifted tired eyes.
“He was bragging about bringing a bag full of diamonds. Me being of the feminine persuasion I suppose he thought he could impress me by opening the bag and pouring some of the gems into his hand. Little did he know, my only curiosity was in the fact of where he claimed to have found them. We hadn’t surveyed that far south, but as a geologist, I knew if there were precious gems just south of our survey, we would have seen something in our southern most parts. But we had not.
“I excused myself from his company and told my father. Father was bothered by this news because our reputations suddenly became an issue with this man’s expounding. If we had missed something as important and valuable as a field of diamonds or gems of any worth, then our integrity and how thorough we had done our work would certainly get back to those in Congress who fought our continued appropriations.”
Archie sat straighter, his interest became more acute. Jocelyn disguised a smile and continued. “Father decided our team should inspect the so-called diamond field. We disembarked as quickly as we could and boarded a train for Fort Bridger, Wyoming. It took mules and wagons and more than two weeks travel from there to an area in northwest Colorado that we had deduced was where Janin had staked his claim.
“Indeed, we found his markers. At first, we were excited to find raw, uncut diamonds. But we soon discovered rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. It was ridiculous. So obviously salted by ignorant men who knew nothing about how nature deposited minerals or formed precious gems. Why the men hadn’t thrown around a few pearls for good measure was beyond me.” Jocelyn paused. She had to steel herself to tell Mr. Gordon and Mr. Latimer the rest.
“By the fourth day, we were merely cataloging how inappropriately they were distributed on the ground, mostly in ant hills.” She chuckled. “A man on a horse, dressed to the nines, approached us. He said his name was J. F. Berry and he was a New York diamond dealer. He openly admitted he’d followed us from Fort Bridger and had been watching us with a spyglass from the top of a butte. Then he asked how many carats were we finding.
“I thought it odd that he’d ask it in such a way. One of our men blurted out that the field was a fraud. I saw father cringe when Hamon said it. I knew then that we were in trouble. Father ordered our team to pack up. We were going to San Francisco to report our findings to the investors that Janin was meeting. My father wanted to put a halt to any more shares being sold for this claim.” Jocelyn choked on the knot of emotion building in her throat. She took several deep breaths and pushed on. “My father never made it to the train. Roadside bandits attacked us. Everyone was killed… but me. Why they let me run away, I’ll never know. Perhaps being female, they thought I was useless. For once it was to my advantage.”
Traitorous tears filled her eyes and fell. She vehemently swiped them from her cheeks.
“I truly do not know who murdered my father and those wonderful men. They wore masks. But I have my suspicions. It’s all written down in here.” She extended the file to Gordon.
Soberly he took it and opened the pages, scanning what she had written. “Good Lord, Lassie. You’re not coming to us with just a case of fraud! You’re telling us you witnessed a murder!”
She jerked a nod.
“Weeel.” Archie let the file fall closed. “I see why you were so determined to get on with this investigation. The matter of fraud is secondary to murder.”
She nodded again and sniffed back the emotion she had promised not to expose.
Archie turned to Latimer. “You up for this case, Latimer.”
The agent stood. “Yes sir.”
Gordon turned back to Jocelyn. “And you! Do you really think you can handle such a personal investigation to find who murdered your da?”
She lifted her eyes to his. “I do.”
“Weeel. That’s a perfect answer, Lassie. Because in order for a female operative to train to be a Pinkerton agent, she must be assigned to an experienced agent. He will train her as they solve the case and in the end, she is officially inducted into the Pinkerton Female Detective Bureau.”
Jocelyn bobbed her head. “Yes. Thank you, Mister Gordon.”
“Not so fast.” Gordon held up his hand. “There’s just one more detail you have to agree to.”
“Alright. What is it?”
Gordon glanced at Latimer. Latimer swallowed.
“Weeel, it is the Wild West out here, yew know. And we do things differently out here… to protect a ladies reputation, as it were.”
Jocelyn stared at Gordon. “Yes?”
“In order for you to work as… closely as you need to with your veteran agent, the two of you are required… to…”
“Yes?” Impatience serpentined her tone.
“Marry,” Gordon blurted.
Jocelyn stared blankly at Gordon. At last, she breathed, “What?”
“You heard me.” Gordon lifted a worn leather-bound book. “Oh, we’ll let you get an annulment soon as you return with the case resolved, if you want. But that’s what is required for you to be part of the team and intern with a veteran agent.” He looked at her sternly. “I gave you my word, Miss King. Now, will you give me yours?”
She turned to Latimer. For the first time, she really looked at him. The epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Really handsome. Crystal blue eyes and coal black hair. He was a beautiful man. No wonder he had been such a successful swindler. With a face like that and those marble sharp blue eyes, he could convince a bear she needed to buy a fur coat.
In order to be part of the investigation of her father’s death, she had to marry him. She had to trust a swindler, a liar, to help her find the bandits and scammers. Who better to determine the ways of a swindler than a swindler… she knew it made sense. But to marry him? She had never seriously considered ever marrying any man. She loved her life as a geologist. Working alongside her father…
But he was dead.
And she had to find his killers. And stop the mammoth fraud. She turned to Latimer. “You know, I don’t think I like you.”
He smiled and took her hand. “Miss King. I assure you, I find you to be appalling also.”
She cocked her head back. “But you’re willing to marry me?”
“I am a Pinkerton Agent. I do what I have to for God and my country.”
She darted her eyes to Gordon who merely waited for her to reach a decision.
“And we can get an annulment, no questions asked, after we solve the case?”
“Yes.” Gordon vigorously shook his head. “As long as this remains a marriage of convenience. Neither of you can… practice your spousal rights during this time. That would disqualify the annulment.”
Reassured that Latimer could not demand a marriage bed with her, she looked him over again. A small flame of disappointment flickered deep in her gut. What was that?
“Then
, I agree.” She stuck her hand out to Latimer for a shake. He reciprocated.
“Well, then. Follow me and we’ll get you two on the road.” Gordon led the way into the parlor. Marianne and the pale woman stood waiting with a bundle of autumn flowers and a basket. Jocelyn looked around for directions. Gordon obliged by gesturing to a book case. “Come stand here.”
She and Latimer did. Marianne and Pearl flanked them. Marianne handed the flowers to Jocelyn with a smile. Gordon stood before them. Opening the leather book, she realized it was a Bible, he began to speak. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Jocelyn turned to Latimer. He was strikingly handsome. But could she trust him? Good thing this was a marriage of convenience and she could keep her distance, no matter where this investigation took them. She just hoped he didn’t abandon her somewhere between Denver and San Francisco. Maybe she wouldn’t keep too much of a distance. Keeping an eye on him might be the better plan. At least she’d know if he were up to something she didn’t like if she were close by his side at all times. If the Pinkerton reputation was as solid with this agent as she had heard, she’d have nothing to fear… or worry about.
Gordon cleared his throat. Latimer smiled down at Jocelyn. She had missed something important. “I’m sorry? What?”
Gordon responded, “I asked if you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband.”
“Oh. Yeah. Sure.” She cleared her throat. “I do.”
“And do you, Owen Latimer, take Jocelyn King to be your…”
Jocelyn’s mind went to that horrible hour, when the three bandits leapt out of the trees. In no time her father screamed for her to run. She did, thinking he was not far behind her and they had gotten away. But soon she could only hear her breath and the pounding of her feet. She was alone. Slowly, she made her way back and found her team dead. Shot to death. Her father slumped over his friend, Hamon. The mules were gone, ran off from pure fear, like she had done. The bandits were gone too. Could she manage to dig five graves and bury her team? She had to—
“You may kiss the bride.” Archie’s voice infiltrated her thoughts. “Or shake hands, whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
Latimer took her shoulders in his grasp and looked down at her. He wasn’t really going to kiss her, was he? She froze in place, stiff and emotionless. He leaned down and brushed her cheek with his lips. A million fireflies took flight in her tummy at his touch. Why did that happen? She didn’t know this man or trust him. How could he stir such odd feelings inside her?
Marianne shoved the pale woman over to Jocelyn. “This is Pearl, she has something for you two.” The woman stepped up to her, with tears in her eyes, and handed over the basket. “Here’s a little something to celebrate with tonight.”
Jocelyn peeked under the linen towel. “Iced muffins!” She looked at Pearl. “Thank you.”
“We’ve got a train to catch, Mrs. Latimer.” The agent shoved his elbow into Jocelyn’s side. She turned an angry expression on him then realized he was talking to her and offering his elbow for an escort.
“Oh. We leave now?”
“Yes. Well, in a few hours. I assume you have your trunk nearby so we can pick it up on our way to the depot?”
Jocelyn’s mind raced with what-ifs and what-to-dos before she boarded a train to California. “Yes. I left my things at the hotel.”
“Alright. We’ll stop by, check you out, and be on our way.”
She nodded, but her thoughts were still going over a check list in her mind. “So, we are going to San Francisco?”
“Didn’t you say Janin had scheduled a meeting with the investors in a few days?”
“Yes, but—”
“Don’t you agree we should let the investors know they are being offered a fake investment?”
“Of course.” She considered. “Once we inform them of the fraud, we will come back to Colorado and try to find my father’s killers?”
“That’s partially what I was thinking”
“Partially? What was the other part?” She searched his amazingly blue eyes.
“I was thinking we may discover who ordered your father’s murder from the men we speak to in San Francisco. If not, we will come back to the site of the murder to track and find your father’s killers.”
She smiled. “Yes. Of course.”

“Can you read people, Mrs. Latimer?”
Jocelyn lifted her eyes to her partner’s. “Could you call me Jocelyn?”
“Sure. But can you… read people?” He sat across from her in the private sleeper car.
“I-I suppose.”
“Well.” He tugged at his coat as if to loosen it from squeezing his chest. “I can. So when we go to this meeting with Janin’s investors, I will be looking for any signs inappropriate to the news we will be delivering. Those who strike me as ‘off’ will be on my immediate list of suspects. Who in particular do you already suspect?”
“It’s all outlined in my report. From bankers to investors, mining entrepreneurs, even jewelers, the list goes on and on with potential suspects who could have a vested interest in thwarting my father’s geological findings. That man, J. F. Berry, could have been who he said he was, but I don’t know. Why would a diamond dealer endure such harsh conditions in northwest Colorado, just to see what we had found? It didn’t make sense to my father then, and it doesn’t make sense to me now. The only reason we packed up and left once Mr. Berry showed himself was so that Father could be the one to reveal the fraud before this mysterious Berry spilled the beans.”
“Alright. When we get to this investors’ meeting, point these people out to me if they are present.”
She studied the agent. “What exactly are we looking for… to read them, Mr. Latimer?”
“Aw, now, if I am to call you Jocelyn, you must use my Christian name as well.”
“Alright, Owen. What am I looking for?”
“It’s hard to describe. An out-of-place expression. Something that just doesn’t follow suit with how they should react. It’s a gut instinct, I suppose. I know it when I see it, but it’s hard to tell you what exactly to look for.”
“Hmm. That makes it difficult to learn if you are unable to explain, but I have a feeling I know what you mean. For example, someone who intended to stop the geologists from returning with news of the field’s fraudulence, by the mere fact that I walk into the meeting quite alive might cause a guilty party’s surprised expression.”
He nodded with a bemused twinkle in his eye. Was he impressed or just entertained by her description?
She continued. “I’ll keep a close eye on any anomalies in the men’s initial reactions and you do the same. Later, we can discuss what we witnessed and what we make of it.”
“It sounds to me like you understand this process already, Jocelyn.”
She smiled with a lift of her chin. Was that a compliment? “I am an educated woman, Owen. I have some level of understanding for searching those things that are beneath the surface.”
His brow peaked. Had she gone too far? Father often reprimanded her for being too competitive and showing off her intelligence. He said it was unbecoming for an unmarried lady. But she oftentimes read pride in Father’s eyes at how much she had learned about his art. It was she who pointed out unusual discoveries the other men on the team overlooked.
If she had been a son and not a daughter she knew Father would not have spoken against her aggressive display of intelligence. But she was her mother’s child. And Mother’s intelligence had not deterred Father from marrying her. Some man, somewhere, would love Jocelyn in spite of her overly educated mind. She was sure of it.
Could this Owen Latimer be such a man? Did she want him to be? He had been a dishonest swindler. The very thing she despised in the character of a man. But he now used that knowledge for the good of mankind. To find criminals who falsified facts for their own gain. Her education at her father’s side was limited to her father’s tolerant graces. Witho
ut him running a geological team, she herself faced the need to apply her training to another profession. Could this Lady Pinkerton Detective Bureau be her new line of work?
“Yes.” Owen smirked. “I suppose applying your geological skills to an investigation will be very beneficial.”
Hmm. Another compliment? “Do you mind if I rest my eyes for a bit before supper?”
“Not at all.” He gestured toward the sleeping berth. “I’ll remain awake and continue to peruse your notes.”
“Let me know if you need my help to understand them.” She snickered and climbed into the fold-down compartment.
He snorted a chuckle and opened the dossier.
CHAPTER THREE
Jocelyn straightened Owen’s necktie, then stood back to inspect his appearance. “You look intelligent enough to deliver the news.”
Owen smirked. “Well, thank you. I’ve studied your father’s notes and your report. I believe I can regurgitate what I have read.”
“Let’s hope so. Because I guarantee you, if you have to defer to me for any of this information, you’ll lose the investor’s interest right away. They cannot accept that I know as much as I do about geological deposits. It never bothered me before my father’s death. I suppose it just seemed natural for Father to deliver the team’s findings. But once it was up to me alone to tell Mr. Janin what we found, I realized just how difficult it is to be heard simply because I’m a… woman.”
“It is what it is.” Latimer turned to the oval mirror, confirming she had tied his necktie properly. “However, I do feel the need to apologize for my gender. You should be given credit for these findings. It’s obvious you have a great deal of knowledge in this area of science. And it’s this science that is going to save these investors from losing a great deal of money.”
She tilted her head with a curious smile. “I cannot tell if you are paying me a compliment or humoring me, Owen.”
He took her by the shoulders and brushed a kiss on her cheek. Much the same as he had done when Gordon pronounced them Man and Wife. The same thrill traversed her heart. “I assure you, Jocelyn. It was a sincere compliment. You are a brilliant woman and I’m proud to be your… partner.”