An Agent For Magdala Read online

  He took off after Kennedy. The man ran toward the vendors. Cloud was right behind Kennedy, but the culprit was fast. He had a gun in his hand and looked over his shoulder. If he fired here, bystanders were sure to be harmed.

  That was what Kennedy did. He fired at Cloud but missed and the bullet pinged into the dirt. As they drew even with Nora Diaz’s cart, she stepped in front of Kennedy, tripping him and sending his gun flying. Cloud pounced on the prostrate criminal.

  The impact with Kennedy had sent Señora Diaz to the ground as well. A bystander helped her to her feet. Another vendor picked up the dropped firearm and brought it to Cloud.

  “Thank you.” Cloud put his knee on Kennedy’s back. “Señora Diaz, are you all right?”

  She groaned as she leaned on her cart. “Sí, he knocked the breath from me but I am unharmed. Ayii, I am not as young as I used to be.”

  “Señora, may I use one of your shawls to bind this man? I’ll pay later you but I can’t take a chance on him getting away. He’s stolen a lot of jewels and is vicious. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’s wanted in other areas.”

  “I could give you a black one the color of his soul. Better would be the rope I use to tie down the cart at night.”

  Cloud took the rope she handed him. “Thank you. I would have hated to ruin the delicate shawl your daughter-in-law made.” He bound Kennedy’s hands and hobbled his feet.

  “I’ll return the rope, Señora. Thank you for your help.” He glanced around the crowd. “Thank you all. This man has stolen from many people.” He leaned down and jerked Kennedy to his feet. “Come on, the sheriff has a special room waiting for you.”

  He nudged Kennedy toward the Alamo where Maggie and the Ramblers waited. Each of the Rambler brothers carried a bag in his handcuffed hands. He saw her ushering them to meet him. They marched the three criminals to the sheriff’s office. Cloud told Maggie about Nora Diaz’s help.

  Sheriff Evans locked them in cells. “I found this one’s likeness on a wanted poster.”

  “His name is Carl Kennedy—at least that’s what the others called him.”

  “That’s one of the aliases. Too bad you Pinkertons can’t accept rewards. There’s a good sized one offered for this man and another for whoever captures the jewel thieves.”

  Maggie glanced at him then at the sheriff. “We had a lot of help from one of the plaza vendors, Señora Nora Diaz. She really should get the reward. While I was tied up and locked in a tiny room, she told Duke Montpelier the direction I’d gone and who I’d been following. Then, when tourists got in the way and Kennedy took off, she stopped him at her own peril while he was shooting at the Duke.”

  Sheriff Evans tugged at his ear lobe. “Reckon that’s enough help to qualify. Figure she can use the cash, do you? Well, I’ll see she gets the reward.”

  A frown creased Maggie’s brow. “What about the jewels, Sheriff Evans? Many of them are mine.”

  “That’s going to be a pain. I’ll need a list of what you’ve lost. Same with the other victims.”

  When the sheriff had finished questioning them, they walked back to the hotel.

  Maggie was smiling. “I’m so relieved. We did it. We captured the criminals and no one was injured—except for your head. I’m sure that hurts. Perhaps you should see a doctor. You could have a concussion.”

  “I’m fine. Still have a bit of a headache but I’m glad we solved this. Embarrassing that they committed another robbery before we caught them.”

  “The Mengers will be relieved as well.”

  Back at the hotel, they found Louis.

  He rushed up to them. “Is it true? I heard you’d caught the Ramblers and Kennedy.”

  Cloud was taken aback. “News travels fast. Yes, they’re in jail and so is the bounty from their crimes. The sheriff needs a list of who lost what in order to return property to the owners.”

  “I can’t tell you how relieved I am. We should have a party to celebrate.”

  Cloud looked at Maggie before he answered Louis, “Right now, we need to eat and lie down. We’ve been treated badly and need to recuperate. Would you mind sending a meal to our suite?”

  Louis was practically dancing with joy. “Not at all. I see you’ve damaged your clothes. Go on up and I’ll have your food to you in a short while.”

  When they reached their suite, Alec assisted Cloud to remove his jacket and shoulder holster. Cloud said, “We caught the burglars and took them to jail.”

  Alec held the shoulder holster as if it would shoot him. “Congratulations, Your Grace.”

  He should tell Alec and Geneva he wasn’t a duke and Maggie wasn’t a princess. For now, he simply didn’t have the energy to go through the story.

  Geneva gasped when she saw the state of Maggie’s hair and clothing. “Your Highness, let me help you.”

  Maggie had thrown her coat on the settee. “I want out of this dress and to lie down for a while. Mr. Menger is sending a meal up. When we eat that, I imagine we’ll have a nap. If you help me into my robe, you can take whatever is left of the day off, Geneva. You, too, Alec. His Grace and I have had quite a trial and will stay in this evening.”

  A waiter arrived wheeling a meal cart. Geneva and Alec left. Cloud was pleased to be sharing dinner in their suite.

  He finished his mango ice cream. “This is a little like being really married, isn’t it? Maggie, I meant what I said. I’ve come to love you. Are you willing to make ours a permanent marriage?”

  The smile she sent him was enough to answer. “I’d like nothing more. Would we remain partners or would I have to resign?”

  “I think we’ve made good partners, don’t you?”

  “Yes, we have. A permanent partnership sounds wonderful.”

  They stood and walked to their bedroom. He removed his shoes and so did she. She laid her robe on the nearby chair. They each lay down on the bed. He planned to make her his in every way, but he’d go slowly.

  He took her hand in his. “I have to admit I’ve enjoyed being the Duke of Montpelier. I’ll be sad to lose the clout that went with the title.”

  She rose on her elbow and met his gaze. “Cloud, there… there’s something important I have to tell you.”

  He grasped her shoulders. “Maggie, what is it? You look as if you’re afraid. You should know you can tell me anything, my love.”

  She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. “You really are the Duke of Montpelier. I truly am Princess Magdala of Bayergrovenia.”

  His ears must be playing tricks on him. “What?”

  “My father is the third son of the late King. His older brother is now the King. That’s why we’re able to live in America for Papá to manage the royal family’s investments here.”

  He leapt to his feet. “That’s crazy. You think I can be a duke? I’m from a poor family, now destitute. I… I don’t know anything about being a duke.”

  She sat up. “You’ve been being one very well.”

  He paced back and forth. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? Why not be honest with me from the start?”

  “Would you have acted differently?”

  Cloud stopped. Would he? “We’ll never know, will we?”

  She came to stand in front of him. “Whether you want to be a duke or not, you are one unless we get an annulment. Nothing between us is changed by that fact.”

  He threw up his hands. “A Pinkerton agent who’s a duke. Fat chance of Archie allowing that.”

  “Why wouldn’t he? He knows I’m a princess and hired me.”

  “For this case, because of your jewelry. I wonder if he plans to keep you as an agent.”

  Tears gathered in her eyes. “Only a short while ago you said we make a good team. Why have you suddenly changed your mind? I’m the same person I was then. You’re the same person you were.”

  “But, you’re not the same person I thought you were. I thought you were Maggie Harper who’d once lived in Bayergrovenia but was now from Virginia near Washington DC. I
don’t even know your real name.”

  She raised her head in that regal way she had. “Magdala Antoinette Marie von Hapsburg. My father does business as Frank Harper but his name is Francois Antoine Frederick von Hapsburg. My mother’s name is Helena Marie, formerly St. Germaine. Satisfied?”

  “No, Your Highness, I’m not. Why? Why the devil have you waited until now to tell me this? You could have mentioned it anytime since we’ve been on this case but you chose not to.”

  “I was afraid you’d loathe me again. You can’t deny you detested me from the start.”

  Knowing she spoke the truth he couldn’t face her. “Nonsense. You’re imagining things.”

  She let out an indignant gasp. “When I came into the common room at the headquarters, I saw you laughing at me. I didn’t have to be close enough to hear you to realize you were making fun of me. And for what? You didn’t even know me.”

  “I know you now. I was right about your kind after all.”

  She advanced on him. “My kind? My kind? You think I’m like your snotty Miss Henrietta whatever? Well, I’m not. I judge people by their character, not their wallet. You should know that’s true by now. You said you loved me. You’re the one who’s the snob, not me.”

  “Me, a snob? That’s a laugh.”

  “You’re as much a snob as your Henrietta. No wonder she didn’t think you were good enough for her because you don’t think you are.”

  “I’m as good as any other man.”

  “Then stand and prove it, Your Grace, Duke of Montpelier.”

  “So your parents can humiliate me?” He shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m going to Denver. I’ll alert the judge we want an annulment.”

  “You’re abandoning me? Aren’t you man enough to stay here and support me when my parents arrive? You’re just going to toss me aside like an old newspaper?”

  “I’m not abandoning you. When we married it was only until the case was over and we could get an annulment.”

  She crossed her arms and turned her back on him. “I don’t want one and I won’t sign the papers.”

  “You’re willing to stay married to someone who wants his freedom?”

  She whirled to face him. “I’m staying married to the man who swore his love for me only a short while ago. The one I love in return.”

  His head ached and his mind whirled. He had to get out of this room. He picked up his jacket and strode to the door.

  “I’ll be in the bar.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cloud finger combed his hair on the way down the stairs. He winced when he touched the lump on his skull. In the bar, several men greeted him. He went to a table in the corner and took a seat, hoping no one would bother him. He intended to get rip roaring drunk. In the morning, he was boarding the stage to return to Denver and his next case.

  He signaled a waiter and ordered a whiskey and a bottle.

  The drink had barely arrived when Louis stopped at his table. He tilted Cloud’s head to look at his injury. “You’ve had a bad knock on the head, my friend. Do you think drink is wise?” Louis moved so he could face him.

  He forced a smile for Pinkerton’s customer. “Head’s too hard to damage. You have everyone’s losses sorted?”

  Louis took a seat. “Working on it and Sheriff Evans is being helpful. Did Her Highness recover her things?”

  “Not yet.” He frowned. “Now that I think about it, I don’t believe we gave the sheriff a list. I suppose there’s plenty of time for that tomorrow.”

  “You find out how the robberies were done?”

  “She noticed the McMillans and we were the only young people who lost valuables. We believe Dominic drugged our wine. The other victims were older and probably don’t hear as well. Perhaps they wouldn’t notice the slight noise of an intruder.”

  “Well, I’ll be. I’ll admit the Ramblers sure had me fooled until you alerted me. They’ve been customers for years. I don’t understand why they changed.”

  He almost confessed that Maggie had suspected them from the first. “They were likable in spite of their perfidy. Kennedy is their cousin. He holds something over them and inserted himself in their business a few months ago. Since then, he’s been directing the show. Wanted to kill Her Highness and me but the Ramblers protested.”

  “Thank heavens they did. You two are quite the heroes around here. Newspaper reporter was here earlier but I told him not to bother the two of you until tomorrow. I filled him in with enough to finish out the sheriff’s information. You’ll be on the front page tomorrow.”

  He ought to explain about him not being royalty. Strictly speaking, he was. He opened his mouth to confess the details when George came in.

  George signaled for a drink. “Hey, Your Grace, I heard you were in here. Can’t leave you and Her Highness alone for a day, huh? Guess you’re intent on rounding up all the criminals in town.”

  “Hardly that. Although it would be nice if those were the only ones around, wouldn’t it?”

  A staff member stuck his head in and caught Louis’ attention.

  The hotelier stood. “Duty calls. Have a nice evening.”

  George leaned near. “You want to tell me why you’re down here when your lovely wife is upstairs alone?”

  Cloud took a sip of his drink. “I could ask you the same thing.”

  George took the seat Louis had vacated. “Well, Ava has a megrim. The doctor prescribed laudanum but she’s, well we weren’t announcing it yet, but she’s about four months along. She’s concerned that laudanum might hurt the baby. I know they give it even to babies but you know it can be habit forming.”

  Cloud gave George a genuine smile. “Congratulations, old man. This your first?” He poured both he and George a refill.

  “She lost one a couple of years ago. Ava’s worried about her age. Well, she’s thirty and she’s afraid that’s too old for a first baby. The doctor has assured her she’s healthy. He’s heard the baby’s heartbeat and she’s felt the movement.”

  Suddenly, Cloud felt what must be jealousy. “Must be an exciting time for the two of you. Are you going to continue traveling?”

  George traced a moisture ring on the table with his finger. “I’m thinking of making San Antonio my base until a few months after the birth. We don’t want to take any risks with her or the baby.”

  “A wise decision. Not that I know personally other than hearing others talk.” And not likely to learn with the situation as it exists.

  George toasted him with his drink. “Won’t be long until you know firsthand.”

  Cloud turned his glass in a circle. “I doubt that.”

  George sat his whiskey on the table and stared at Cloud. “Aha, would your doubt have anything to do with why you’re down here nursing your whisky instead of upstairs with Her Highness?”

  “You could say that.”

  He usually stuck with beer and then two was his limit. The whisky must have loosened his tongue. Before he knew it, he had confided the whole story to George. What a stupid thing to do. Never had he let liquor cause him to break his identity.

  George appeared incredulous. “I can’t take in all this.”

  “You think you have trouble. I feel as if I’m going to explode. My entire world had turned upside down and gone sideways. I have no idea what to do.”

  “You obviously love her. It shows whenever you look at her.”

  “Does it? I-I didn’t realize I was so transparent. I’m supposed to be a Pinkerton agent able to fool everyone.”

  “You have been, but you can’t conceal the light of love in your eyes. Ava and I have been happy for the two of you. Don’t screw up your life because of foolish pride.”

  “She lied to me.”

  “Did she ever tell you she wasn’t a princess?”

  “No, but she didn’t tell me she was either. She lied by omission.””

  “I don’t understand why you’re so upset. I love Ava like crazy. I certainly wouldn’t be upset if I learned she was
wealthy. Why would I? She’d still be Ava.”

  Cloud clamped his jaw shut. George didn’t understand.

  “You have to admit Princess Magdala is not a snob. She’s as nice to the market vendors as she is to Ava and me and Louis Menger. I heard she arranged for one of the stall owners to get the reward for the criminals’ capture.”

  Cloud waved aside George’s comment. “Yeah, but Señora Diaz helped. She deserved a reward plus she can definitely use the money.”

  “Would Señora Diaz have known the difference if Her Highness hadn’t mentioned her help? No, she would not.” George took out his pocket watch. “I need to go check on the little mother.”

  He stood and laid a hand on Cloud’s shoulder. “You had better go mend some fences, my friend, or you’ll be making two nice people miserable.”

  Cloud watched his friend leave. Some friend, taking Maggie’s side. He sat sipping his whisky and mulling over his problems. He didn’t know how long he sat there even after the bottle was empty.

  A waiter approached hesitantly. “Your Grace? We’re closing now. Would you like assistance going up to your suite?”

  Cloud found the question insulting. “I would not. Never needed assis… assissss… help.” He tried to stand but plopped back onto his chair.

  The waiter signaled another. “It will be our privilege to help you, Your Grace.”

  One man got on either side of him and they walked and dragged him up the stairs. A bell boy rushed with a key.

  Cloud watched the carpet as they reached the upstairs. He’d never noticed the pattern until now. “Let’s all sing a song. Goober peas, goober peas—”

  The head waiter shushed him. “People are asleep now, Your Grace. We mustn’t disturb them.”

  “You think they don’t like music?”

  “I’m sure they do but not at two in the morning.”

  “Is that the time? Guess I lost track after my frien’ George left. Good ol’e George. Do you know him?”

  “Yes, Your Grace, we have the privilege. He’s a very nice man.”

  “Did you know he’s going to be a father? Oops, I wasn’t ‘sposed to tell that.”

  “We’ll pretend we didn’t hear you so we can act surprised if he shares that with us. Ah, here we are at your door.”