An Agent For Magdala Read online

  Louis chuckled. “You project that image so well it’s hard for me to remember it’s only your masquerade for this case.”

  Cloud nodded. “That’s as it should be and a relief to hear.” He turned to Mary. “Mary, I’m glad you’re going to take things easier now. No point having the best hotel in town unless you can enjoy life.”

  She took her feet off the rubbish bin and set the wastebasket to rights. “I have my orders now. I’ll let Hallie know as soon as we’re through here before I lose my gumption.”

  Cloud smiled at Mary as he stood. “We had better get on our way and send these wires. We’ll let you know as soon as we have answers. I expect that will take at least a day.”

  Maggie rose also and hugged Mary’s shoulders. “I admire you a great deal, Mary, for all you’ve accomplished. Your food is famous but now you can relax and let others keep the reputation going.”

  Cloud escorted Maggie from the hotel and they strolled toward the telegraph office, pausing to look at anything noteworthy.

  She inhaled deeply. “Having mild weather at this time of year is new for me. I imagine there is a lot of snow now in Denver, don’t you?”

  “Probably, but I’m more interested in the fact you were awfully upset when George mentioned the name you gave him was coming here. Is this person your father?”

  She confessed, “Yes, and he doesn’t know I’m married now—or he didn’t until George’s wire mentioned that I gave him the information while he and his wife were out with me and my husband.”

  Cloud whistled through his teeth. “Ah, then he must be upset. I would be if you were my daughter. He knows you’re training to become a Pinkerton agent, right?”

  “He wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but he supported me. Mamá is a lady in the strictest sense and was horrified. She couldn’t understand why I would even consider applying instead of attending parties and looking for a suitable husband. At lease Papá recognized that I needed to experience time on my own.”

  “Is your mother traveling with him?”

  Maggie almost lost her balance and tightened her grip on Cloud’s arm. “Perish the thought!”

  Chapter Ten

  Cloud handed over the messages he wanted sent. “I’ll check back tomorrow to see if we have answers.”

  The telegrapher gave him a measuring look before nodding. “I’ll send these immediately.”

  Cloud paid and then escorted Maggie toward the hotel. “We can’t just languish in the hotel while we attempt to catch the crooks.”

  “I’ve wondered what we’ll do if they strike again? We can’t let that happen but I’m puzzled as to how to stop them.”

  Cloud rubbed his neck with his free hand. “That’s worried me, too. We’ll have to keep up with the Ramblers and Kennedy’s whereabouts.”

  “They admired my jewelry. I thought certain it might tempt them.”

  He glanced at her. “I’m sure it has. Right now I’ll bet they’re scheming on relieving you of every gem. We have to prevent that from happening.”

  He’d revised his opinion that she looked snooty. Her regal bearing created the illusion of her being above everyone else. Now he knew that was not how she thought.

  Her delicate features were perfect. Although she always appeared calm and in control, he’d come to recognize vulnerability in her green eyes. Gave him a sense of… not intimacy, surely… but of closeness. She had become his partner in reality.

  “We need to catch them in the act.” Her comment broke into his woolgathering.

  “You’ve laid the bait, Maggie. All we can do is continue investigating. Those wires will either cinch our opinion or leave us wondering.”

  He patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “Let’s look inside the Alamo ruins, shall we?”

  They ambled along as if they had no purpose in life other than enjoying themselves. He was amazed to realize there were people who lived in the manner they projected. Did they get bored? What would it be like to be able to go where you wanted when the mood struck you?

  Most royalty had responsibilities but there were countless wealthy people who’d inherited a fortune and dedicated their time to spending money. He wondered if he could get used to that life. No, he needed a purpose. Being a Pinkerton fulfilled his dreams.

  As if reading his mind, Maggie asked, “How long have you wanted to be a Pinkerton agent?”

  “Since I learned they existed. I actually met Pinkerton when I was a soldier. When I learned he’d formed his agency after the war, I applied.”

  “When you were a boy, what did you want to become?”

  He chuckled. “Grown, so I could do something that provided enough to eat. My folks were poor and struggled to feed their family of three boys and two girls. I had no idea what, but I vowed I would not have a wife and children until I could be certain I could provide whatever they needed.”

  “What kind of work did your father do?”

  “You mean his job… he worked in a factory at the edge of Chicago. My brothers went to work there as soon as they were old enough. Guess I would have too but the war came along and I enlisted.”

  She’d gasped and laid her hand at her throat when he mentioned Chicago. “Was your family hurt in that awful Chicago fire?”

  “Indirectly. The factory and their house burned to the ground. My folks escaped but had no place to live. They had a few hours to gather essential things before they left, which is more than many had. Right now, they’re staying with my grandparents in St. Louis, that’s in Missouri.”

  She squeezed his arm where her hand rested. Her eyes held unshed tears. “At least they had somewhere to go. I’m so sorry, though. You must worry about them.”

  The depth of her concern surprised him. “Yeah, I’ve sent money but haven’t been able to visit them. My parents assure me they’re all right, but they’d say that no matter how bad off they were.”

  “Perhaps after this case is concluded you can take some time off for a trip to St. Louis. That would put your mind at ease.”

  “Or not, depending on what I found. You’re right, though, that’s what I should do.”

  He guided her across the wide plaza. “Here we are at the Alamo mission.”

  “It’s funny, as if he were a bonafide, loyal Texan, Dominic told me the story of the battle. He enlarged on what Finnegan said.” She squeezed his arm again. “Oh, Cloud, I had hoped the Ramblers weren’t involved even as I suspected them from the first.”

  “You didn’t mention your suspicions.”

  “Without any basis how could I? Anyway, I found the discussion of the battle very sad. Were you aware that the men who fought in this battle knew they would die here? They could have left, but they stood their ground.”

  They entered what had been the chapel. “That’s what you do when you believe in a cause.”

  She scanned the interior. “And, that’s what you did in the recent war?”

  “That was different. I knew there was a chance I’d make it through the war. The men who died here knew there was no possibility of leaving alive. There were a couple of women and children here as well. After the battle, Santa Anna allowed them to leave. They were escorted out without being able to retrieve their dead.”

  “How horrible it must have been for the women to walk past their husbands and not be able to take the bodies for burial. And to have watched them die must have been an experience that haunted them the rest of their lives. Do you know what happened to them?”

  “I only know the name of one, Susanna Dickinson. She gave birth to a baby here. I don’t know what happened to her or the child though. I’m sure a historian could tell you.”

  Maggie sighed and sort of leaned into him. “The atmosphere is one of a holy place, isn’t it? I can tell this was a chapel, but it’s hardly one now. Leaving it like this seems irreverent.”

  “Not sure but I think once it’s been consecrated it remains so.” He gestured ahead. “You can see where the priest stood.”

 
; She scanned the remains. “It’s smaller than I imagined when Finnegan told us how many men died here.”

  “Not many, if any, would have been in here. Remember Finnegan said the plaza was inside what used to be the mission plaza walls. There were storage rooms and places for the Indian families to live. High walls surrounded the mission.”

  He rested his hand at her back waist. “Have you looked your fill? If so, can we get more of the tamales on the plaza?”

  “Yes, let’s find the place where we ate last time. Thinking about the food makes me hungry.”

  “I remember Finnegan telling us the best vendors were at that end.” He guided her through the crowd.

  Two youths pushed by them, overturning the cart of an elderly woman who had fallen with her cart.

  Cloud shouted, “Hey, watch out.” He and another man righted the cart. The owner was sobbing.

  Maggie bent to help the woman gather her wares. She spoke in Spanish, “Let me help you, Señora.”

  The woman wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “Those boys were so careless. This is how I earn my living and they tossed me aside as if I were rubbish.” She bent to gather more of her stock from the ground.

  He and Maggie both helped her gather her articles for sale, most of which were jewelry.

  When everything was replaced, Maggie purchased the most expensive necklace, earrings, and bracelet made of silver with turquoise decoration. “This is lovely. Do you know the craftsman who designed the set?”

  The woman offered a tremulous smile. “Sí, my son makes the jewelry. He learned from my husband before he passed.”

  “Your son is very talented, isn’t he? And who makes the shawls?”

  “My son’s wife. She also helps me here when she can. Right now, she has a baby who is too young to bring here.”

  Maggie tilted her head as she studied the shawls. “I’d like the turquoise shawl, too. Don’t you think these will look nice together?”

  Now the woman’s smile was wide. “This is what we intended. And they will look good with your beautiful hair.”

  “Thank you. I hope you have no more upsets today.”

  “Wait, you make a beautiful couple. I will give you a blessing for your kindness.” She hurried to stand without the cart between them.

  Cloud froze. He had an urge to flee but Maggie appeared calm and regal as ever.

  The elderly woman laid a hand on Maggie’s cheek and her other on his. “Our Lady of Guadalupe, protect these two. May they honor all you created and pledge their hearts and lives together. Queen of Peace, give this two a marriage that is abundant and grows stronger through the seasons. May their union be warm and glowing with love and safe and calm as in our Father’s arms. Mother of God, soothe their relationship that it may never thirst for love. We ask for harmony and true happiness. Amen”

  When she’d finished she stepped back and folded her hands in front of her. Around them a crowd had gathered. Many joined in the “Amen”.

  He was speechless. What could he say to the woman who had just blessed a fake marriage? He felt a phony, a scandalous fraud, for deceiving her.

  Whatever she felt, Maggie leaned over and kissed the elderly woman’s cheek. “What a kind thing to do. Bless you and I will remember you in my prayers. Please tell me your name.”

  “Nora Diaz. And yours, Señora?”

  “Magdala but many call me Maggie.”

  What compelled him, he couldn’t say but Cloud bowed. “This is Princess Magdala of Bayergrovenia. I am her husband, the Duke of Montpelier.”

  Gasps came from those crowded around them.

  Nora put a hand on each side of her face. “Ayii, a princess and a duke. My son and his wife will be impressed that you have purchased their creations. I am honored to meet you.”

  He bowed again. “You will excuse us, Señora. We are headed further down the plaza.”

  Maggie gave a small wave as he escorted her away.

  He hurried her. “That was the darndest thing. Did it make you feel as weird as it did me?”

  “In a way, but I thought it was especially sweet of her. She didn’t know we’re counterfeits. Slow down, Your Grace. We aren’t in a race.”

  “Sorry, guess I was rushing to escape before she discovered we’re a sham.”

  “Not really, we are legally married, just not the way we appear.”

  “Even though you pull off being a princess perfectly, I’m sure not a duke.”

  She glanced at him with a mysterious smile on her face. “Could have fooled me.”

  They headed for the stall at which they had eaten with the McMillans. When they reached the stand, they found Ava and George there.

  Laughing, George held up his partially eaten tamale. “You started something. Ava and I couldn’t resist returning. This time, without a pickpocket, I hope.”

  Cloud bowed. “Always happy to share our addictions. Her Highness is quite fond of this food.”

  Ava wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. “I am now. I don’t know the names of everything we’ve eaten, but I’ve loved all of them.”

  Cloud put his hand at Maggie’s waist. “If you’ll order for us, I’ll get the beers.”

  When he returned, an amazing amount of food was waiting on newsprint. He nodded toward her share. “You plan to eat all of that?”

  She picked up a tamale and sent him a saucy smile. “Do you doubt I can?”

  He shook his head. “Not at all.” To George, he said, “I have no idea how she stays so thin. She eats like a farm hand.”

  Ava gasped. “What an unkind thing to say about your elegant wife.”

  “Wait, I wasn’t criticizing. I agree that she’s elegant and beautiful. I just don’t know how she manages to stay that way. She’s even elegant when she wakes in the morning.”

  Ava gave him a cheeky grin. “That’s better. I was afraid I would have to take you to task. I don’t know what the precedent is for us commoners berating royalty.”

  He laughed. “I doubt there is one. Feel free to berate at will.”

  Chapter Eleven

  By the next day, Maggie feared she was falling under Cloud’s spell. They ambled around the plaza with Ava and George.

  At Nora Diaz’s cart, Maggie paused. “I love the shawl and jewelry I purchased here yesterday.”

  Ava perused the woman’s wares. “I like this red shawl. Or, maybe I should get the black one so it goes with everything.” She spoke Spanish like a native and held up both items. “I’ll take both of them. Oh, isn’t this a lovely bracelet? I’d like it as well.”

  The elderly woman showed her a pair of earrings. “These were made to go with the bracelet and necklace. And, here is a brooch that matches.”

  Ava glanced at George.

  He grimaced. “What’s a long-suffering husband to do? If you wish to have them, my dear, then you shall.” He pulled out his wallet.

  Maggie and Ava laughed.

  Maggie shook her finger at George. “Don’t think you’ve fooled us, George McMillan. You’re soft-hearted where Ava is concerned.”

  He clutched his heart. “Ah, guilty as charged. I can’t resist the love of my life.”

  The vendor beamed. “I enjoy seeing happy couples. My husband and I were happy and my son and his wife are. Many are not. Bless each of you.”

  Maggie edged around the cart and hugged Señora Diaz. “We appreciated your blessing yesterday. I hope you have many sales today and in the future.”

  They bid her goodbye and walked toward the hotel. At the hotel steps a wagon had parked and businessmen climbed down and went into the hotel.

  Maggie turned to Cloud. “Isn’t that odd?”

  He grinned at her, mischief dancing in his beautiful unusual eyes. “It has my curiosity piqued. I’ll learn what’s happening.”

  He hurried to stop the driver and spoke for a minute. The driver flicked the reins and the wagon turned in a wide circle and headed for downtown.

  Cloud was laughing when he reached them. “You won�
�t believe this. Mary Menger sends out a wagon along the streets of downtown to collect businessmen who want to have lunch at the Menger. The wagon delivers them back wherever they boarded. She gets twenty to thirty customers a day this way.”

  George chuckled. “You have to hand it to her for her business savvy.”

  Later in the day, Maggie and Cloud walked to the telegraph office. The telegrapher handed over two wires.

  Cloud stepped aside and opened the first. “Bingo.” He passed her the message.

  Yes to question. Stop. Twice in past year. Stop. Advise action. Stop Manager Excelsior Hotel. Stop.

  She leaned over to read the one he held. “What about the other one?”

  He handed it to her. “Same thing. We have the information we need.” He opened the door. “Well, Your Highness, shall we go back to the hotel?”

  The telegrapher called, “Wait. Would you be Princess Magdala?”

  Dread engulfed her. “I-I am.”

  “Message came for you yesterday but I didn’t know where to send it. I asked for information from the sender but the man there said he’d already left town.” He handed her a telegram.

  Her hand shook as she accepted the wire. She managed to open the message without dropping the paper.

  What husband. Stop Mama and I will be there in eight days. Stop Stay at the Menger. Stop I repeat do not leave. Stop Papa. Stop

  She had never fainted in her life but thought she might now. Grasping the wire in her hand, she leaned into Cloud for a moment. If only she could lie down and curl into a ball right now.

  He grasped her arms and looked into her face. “Are you all right?”

  She shook her head slowly. When George mentioned Papá was coming here, she knew she was in trouble. This was worse than she’d suspected.

  Keeping one arm around her he took the paper from her hand. “Ah, explanations are going to be due. Don’t worry, you can easily clarify and justify our marriage.”

  She had time to gather her strength during his comments. “Not easily, but I’ll manage. Please, let’s go to the hotel before I collapse.”