“Your application meets all the basic requirements. We have a dormitory where you will reside while training. There is much to learn, but you seem to be a bright young woman. After initial training, you’ll be partnered with a seasoned agent for further training before taking on any assignments.”
“Does that mean I have a chance to become an agent?” Julia questioned, hoping she understood Mister Gordon correctly.
“If you do well in training, yes, you have an excellent chance, Miss Masters,” Archie told her. “Please see Marianne about housing and the training schedule.”
Julia stood, and Archie offered her his hand, and she shook it gratefully. “Thank you, sir. I will do the very best I’m able, and I look forward to becoming an agent. I hope that the last two years I spent in the convent won’t be held against me. I grew up on a farm. I am strong and capable and honest.”
“You won’t be judged on your prior life unless it was a life of crime. You do well in training, and I’ll hand you a badge when you graduate.”
Julia nodded and thanked Archie three more times as she made her way to the door and back out to the outer office.
Chapter 3
Two weeks later:
Julia sat quietly in a chair in front of Archie’s desk while he read through the papers in front of him. He looked up at Julia and smiled.
“I see you’ve done well these past weeks. I see no reason why we shouldn’t hire you. I believe you would be an asset to the agency. Before you would be a full operative, you must complete a mission with one of our experienced agents.”
Julia answered, “I understand, and I’m ready to learn whatever I can along with another agent.”
“Good, I have decided to partner you with West Lange. I believe you’ll work well together.”
Archie was interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by a voice saying, “You wanted to see me, Archie?”
Julia turned to see the same handsome man she had seen in the office two weeks earlier.
“Yes, West come in. I want you to meet your new partner and our latest agent in training, Julia Masters. Julia, please meet your new partner, West Lange.”
Julia started to rise, but West strode across the room and offered his hand before she could get to her feet.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Masters.”
“Likewise, Mister Lange.”
“Sit down, West,” Archie instructed. “Let me tell you about the mission, but first there is the small issue of the two of you working together as single agents. We can’t have any hint of impropriety.”
West shot to his feet. “Oh, no, you don’t, Archie. I told you when I watched many of the other agents marry for their assignments that I had no interest in marrying anyone for any reason, including marriage in name only for an assignment. Look how the other marriages worked out. They all remain married. I’m never marrying. Ever.”
“Married?” Julia stammered. “No one told me I had to marry, especially someone I don’t know and have a marriage in name only. How is that supposed to work?”
Archie cleared his throat, “When the assignment is completed, you may annul the marriage if you wish.”
“Annul a marriage made in the sight of God? Would I have to marry every agent I work with? I think I would be knocking on the gates of Hell. This can’t be right,” Julia said while shaking her head vigorously.
“Please, Julia, let me explain,” Archie said. “The marriage is performed by a judge, not a preacher. It is only for the sake of your name and reputation since this is your first assignment. After this, you would not be required to marry any other agent.”
“I see,” mumbled Julia. “This would not be a, um, physical arrangement?”
“No, not at all,” Archie assured. “West would be your husband in name only.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” West shouted. “I mean, yes, I wouldn’t expect to be physical. Oh, I’m not sure what I mean except that I am not marrying her for any reason.”
Archie tapped his fingers on his desk. “This case involves the murder of a priest and a treasure that the murderer attempted to steal. It has been moved, but the priest entrusted with the treasure believes he may have been discovered. He is a young priest and the nephew of a friend of mine. He wrote to me asking for help.”
“That’s horrible,” Julia interjected. “And you think we can help?”
Archie nodded, “This is a serious matter, and law enforcement in the small town where the murder took place has run into dead ends everywhere they looked. When you solve the mystery of who is trying to steal the treasure, you will find the murderer and hopefully save the young priest from the same fate.”
West dropped back onto his chair and groaned. “I don’t like this, Archie. I don’t like this at all, but with a life in danger, I can make the sacrifice.”
Julia blew out a breath. “Don’t make it sound as if you’re facing the gallows. I don’t like this any more than you do, but I’m willing to do what I must. I promised Mister Gordon that I would do my best.”
West glared at Julia, and Julia just smiled back.
“All right, now that this is settled, go see Judge Hotchkiss, get married, and leave on the evening train. All the information you need is in the dossier,” Archie said, handing the papers to West.
Archie stood and offered identification papers and a badge to Julia, “Congratulations, Julia. You’re an official Pinkerton Agent.”
Julia took the offered items and thanked Archie before following an obviously upset West out the door. She barely had time to say goodbye to Marianne before West rushed her out of the front door and down the steps of the building.
“Please slow down, we’re not going to a fire,” Julia pleaded nearly running to keep up with West’s long strides.
“If you’re going to be an agent, you’ll have to learn to be faster,” West retorted.
“I am an agent,” Julia insisted. “I could keep up if I was wearing pants.”
West stopped short and looked straight in Julia’s large brown eyes. “Pants? You can’t wear pants. You were a nun.”
“I was never a nun.”
“You were going to be a nun.”
“No, I wasn’t. Pay attention. I went to the convent to grieve the loss of my mother. When I was home on the farm, I wore pants when I worked outside. I can do most jobs on a farm, ride a horse, and shoot a gun.”
West laughed out loud. “Shoot a gun? You’d shoot your foot off.”
“I’ll have you know that my instructor at the shooting range was pleased with my ability with both a handgun and a rifle. If he wasn’t, why do you suppose I was issued a handgun? Maybe it was to help protect you,” Julia stated with both hands fisted at her sides.
West grumbled, under his breath, but the fire he saw building in Julia’s eyes told him to change the subject of their conversation.
“All right, we can practice a bit when we get to Wyoming. Right now, we have to get married. The judge’s office isn’t far. Come on,” West instructed and began to walk away from Julia.
Julia didn’t believe that marriage should be considered so lightly. If it was all in the name of justice and working to save someone’s life and find a murderer, then she supposed she could pretend until she was able to obtain an annulment.
West held the door to the judge’s office open for Julia to enter, and the kindly judge heard them before he saw them.
“Come in, please. Archie told me I’d have a new couple to marry today. It’s good to see you, West. Who is your lovely bride?” Judge Hotchkiss said, smiling at the couple.
“This is Julia Masters, your honor. You know we’re here to get married before we go on her first assignment.”
“I understand, but I still like to know who I’m marrying. This may not be a grand cathedral wedding, but I take all marriages seriously. Please fill out these forms, and we’ll get started,” Judge Hotchkiss said.
A few minutes later, the judge smiled and said. “I’ll make this brief,
but you could smile. You both look as if you’re facing a firing squad.”
Both Julia and West tried to smile, but it didn’t reach either of their eyes.
“Do you Julia Ruth Masters take West Laurence Lange to be your husband in good times and bad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live or until you decide to end this marriage?”
“I do,” Julia answered, trying not to sound as frustrated as she felt.
When the judge repeated the vows for West, he replied. “Yeah.”
“You’re supposed to say, I do,” the judge chastised.
“I do.”
Then by the power afforded me by the Territory of Colorado, you are husband and wife. I don’t suppose kissing the bride is in order here, but do you have a ring?” Judge Hotchkiss asked.
West shook his head. “I never thought about one. I suppose they might have some at the general store.”
“Wouldn’t a jewelry store be more appropriate,” the judge suggested.
“Jewelry store?” West stammered. “For just a simple ring that doesn’t mean anything. It’s a bit expensive, don’t you think?”
Julia offered, “I can buy my own ring. That way, I’ll know where to sell it when we come back.”
“Very good,” the judge said. “I wish you both success on your assignment, and please try not to kill each other.”
West raised his eyebrows, and Julia said, “I doubt if it will come to that. We’re both professionals.”
“At least one of us is,” West countered. “You still have a lot to learn.”
“I have my badge, and Mister Gordon said I was an agent. All you’re supposed to do is teach me anything I didn’t learn during the past week.”
West groaned, paid, and thanked the judge before offering Julia his arm.
“Shall we go, Missus Lange.”
“That’s right, I’m Julia Lange now. I suppose we should go get that ring before we pick up my things at the dormitory. Thank you for your time, Judge Hotchkiss,” Julia said, smiling at the judge before taking West’s arm and leaving.
Chapter 4
When Julia and West were seated on the train, West pulled the dossier from his case and opened the file.
“This case gets worse each time I learn a new piece of information,” West said, handing Julia a piece of paper.
Julia’s eyes widened when she read the paper. “A bounty? Someone put a bounty out on the treasure. How can you collect a bounty from an unnamed source? Who would pay anyone to steal a gold box that apparently has little value? Stealing is a crime.”
West shrugged. “The flyer claims the box holds no value unless it’s nestled inside two other matching boxes. I don’t understand it either unless it’s a ploy to keep whoever finds the box from stealing it themselves.”
“Good observation,” Julia agreed. “If the young priest hid the box, unscrupulous men would still try and find it. A five-hundred-dollar reward for the box or information leading to its discovery is a lot of money. Perhaps the box is actually worth quite a bit alone or even more if combined with the other boxes sort of like a collection piece.”
“Maybe, but I believe it’s worse than that. Most bounty hunters hunt not only for money but to see justice done and travel with a code of honor. Some will kill a bounty rather than try to bring them in, but most try not to kill the men they hunt. This treasure will bring a certain type of man into play. One more cold-blooded and callous.”
Julia tapped her lower lip with her index finger and tilted her head at West. “Can you explain that to me? I’m new at trying to understand the criminal mind.”
“Certainly, anyone who sees that flyer can decide to go after the chest. They won’t need a certain set of skills or care who gets in their way. They are driven by the want of money alone, and I think many would kill to get their hands on five-hundred dollars,” West explained.
“That I can understand. I suppose any man might pick up the flyer and look, but our information says the young priest is worried he may have been discovered. Do you think it was an accidental discovery, or are we looking for the same person that killed the priest in New Mexico?”
The screech of brakes stopped their conversation. The aging conductor dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and thin black tie hurried into the car and announced, “Debris on the tracks. Might be from a storm. No need to worry. Everyone, please stay seated, and we’ll be on our way shortly.”
West looked at Julia and slowly shook his head. “We haven’t had a storm recently. I think something else is going on. Stay in your seat no matter what happens. This might be a holdup. I’m going to look around.”
Before Julia could answer, West stood and strode toward the door at the far end of the car. Julia mumbled, “This isn’t fair. West goes to investigate, and I sit here like a frightened female. I’m an agent, too.”
Julia lifted her skirt and pulled the Pepperbox revolver from the holster strapped to her thigh. If there were bandits aboard the train, she would need more than the two-shot Derringer in her reticule. When she stepped out from her seat, the gasps from the other female travelers were audible in the train car.
Julia held up her free hand, “No need to worry, folks,” she explained. “I’m a trained agent. Just relax.”
As Julia headed for the front of the train car, she observed the leering smiles on some men’s faces and less fear on the females. Is this what it’s like to be a female agent? She wondered as she made her way to the door at the far end of the car.
Four gunshots echoed through the train car just as Julia reached the door. She pulled the door open to see West in the next car with his arm around the neck of a man wearing a kerchief over the lower half of his face. Julia looked down at the tracks visible between the cars, thankful that the train wasn’t moving as she made her way to the other car.
When Julia entered the second train car, she saw West struggling with the masked man. She called out loudly, “Stop and put your hands up before I shoot you.”
West and the man stopped momentarily to stare at the gun-wielding Julia as she stood just feet away from them. The distraction was enough for West to overpower the man and tackle him to the floor. With the bandit’s hands restrained adequately behind his back, West pulled him to his feet and looked at Julia.
“Thanks,” West said, and Julia smiled.
The conductor thanked West for his help as one of the train guards led the restrained man toward the baggage car.
West told Julia, motioning to the door, “Let’s get back to our car before the train starts moving again.”
When West and Julia entered their car, the travelers burst out in applause.
West smiled, nodded his head, and mumbled his thanks.
An elderly woman raised her hand and pointed at West. “Young man, don’t let our excitement go to your head. We’re grateful to this lovely young woman who was brave, strong and saved our lives. Where were you when she met the danger head-on with a gun in her hand? She’s an amazing agent.”
West merely nodded, allowing Julia to receive the praise from their fellow passengers. When he dropped back into his seat, his smile broke into a chuckle.
“Are you laughing at me?” Julia asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
West did his best to hide his grin and shook his head. “No, I’m enjoying the passenger’s response to you storming the other car gun in hand. She called you an agent. Did you tell them you were one?”
Julia nodded, “They were concerned when I stood with a gun in my hand. I wanted to assure them I wasn’t part of the robbery attempt and told them I was a trained agent.”
West couldn’t seem to control his amusement. “Did you flash them your badge, too.”
Julia didn’t answer, her facial expression told West she wasn’t pleased with his teasing, but he couldn’t contain himself.
“No, I suppose not,” he continued. “You do have that honest nun-like look about you.”
/> Anger flashed in Julia’s brown eyes as she leaned across the space between them and said through gritted teeth. “I’m going to tell you one last time; I was never a nun. Never was studying to be one. I was grieving and in pain.”
West raised his hands in submission and leaned back in his seat. “I’m sorry. I just see you as a nun.”
Julia gripped her hands tightly together and leaned closer again. “Stop thinking of me as a nun or potential nun. I am a Pinkerton agent and, unfortunately, your wife. Either should afford me your respect and stop your criticism.”
Duly chastised, West nodded. “I apologize. You did assist me when I needed it while apprehending that would-be robber. He was stronger than he looked.”
“You’re welcome. It’s what I do,” Julia responded before turning to look out the window and ignore West.
West leaned back and watched Julia doing her best to ignore him. In her burgundy traveling suit and the small hat with carefully placed small pink and white flowers, she looked like the perfect example of a dainty lady. She could walk down the streets of New York or St. Louis and draw attention. In a western saloon, she could start a brawl. She was beautiful and entertaining, but she was also right. She was an agent and his wife. He had to begin treating her as both.
West blew out a breath. He saw Julia glance at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled at her. “I truly am sorry,” he whispered.
Julia turned to look at him and said, “You are?”
“Yes, I know you were well trained. You don’t have field training, but you came to my aid and did what a partner is supposed to do. You also assured the public not to be frightened. That was a good call.”
“Thank you,” Julia responded, looking directly in West eyes. “I hope you remember that next time.”
“If I don’t, I think you’ll be sure to remind me.”
Julia thought for a moment and said, “You’re right. I will remind you. Mister Gordon said we were partners, and once this assignment is over, I may be assigned cases on my own or with another partner. We’re not going to work together forever. I think we can both survive this training case.”
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