An Agent For Magdala Read online

  Forcing her legs and feet to function she hoped she could withstand the short distance to the Menger. Mamá must be livid. Perhaps she would have time to calm down on the trip here. Oh, what a stupid thought. Mamá doesn’t calm until she’s spoken her piece repeatedly.

  Even Papá sounded terse in his short wire. Not because it was a telegram, as she’d known him to wire lengthy messages. No, he was angry that she had married without his knowledge or permission. She had a very unpleasant interview coming when her parents arrived.

  Eight days? She and Cloud would be ready to return to Denver before then. She could hardly expect him to delay his return on her account. This could end her career as a Pinkerton agent while she was still a trainee.

  Back in their suite, she took off her shoes and lay down on the bed.

  Geneva fussed over her. “Your Highness, shall I help you get out of your dress to rest?”

  “If you wish. I’ll stay in my unmentionables. All I need is a short rest before I dress for dinner.”

  Murmurs reached her ears. She recognized the sound of Cloud’s baritone but she couldn’t distinguish words. Closing her eyes, she burrowed her face into her pillow. There was no escape.

  She sensed movement of the mattress and turned.

  Cloud stretched out beside her. He opened his arms to her.

  After only a second’s thought, she moved toward him. His arms closed around her and she had the sensation of coming home. She sighed and nestled her head on his shoulder. If only she could remain here.

  He caressed her arm. “Don’t worry, Maggie. This will work out. Once they’re here you’ll be able to make them understand. In the meantime, put it out of your mind.”

  “How? When George told me Papá was coming, I knew I was in trouble. I’ve had a very strict upbringing. Escaping to Denver was not an easy battle.”

  “Ah, but you prevailed and you will again. I have faith in you.”

  She rose on her elbow to meet his gaze. “You do? I had the impression you’ve barely tolerated me.”

  He pulled her head back to his shoulder. “At first I was mad—not at you but at being forced to marry. You were so regal I thought you’d need pampering and complain and be a hindrance on the case. You’ve proved me wrong.”

  “That’s the image I’ve been trained to project—regal—no matter how I feel inside.”

  “As I’ve come to know you, I realize I like you. You’re funny and interesting and smart.”

  “No one except my father has ever said that about me. They only see the shell.”

  He caressed her cheek. “Certainly there’s no doubt yours is a beautiful shell. You’re much more than that, though. I soon learned that.”

  “Thank you, Cloud. That means a great deal to me.”

  A rap at the door caused him to call, “Enter.”

  Geneva peeked around the door. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness and Your Grace. Time to dress if you’re going downstairs for dinner.”

  He beckoned to her. “Come in, we’ve had our rest and can now prepare for the evening.” He stood and went to his dressing room while Alec followed.

  Geneva went to the armoire. “The gray faille is pressed and ready, Your Highness.”

  Maggie sat on the dressing bench in front of the mirror. Geneva righted her hair and styled it in a becoming fashion.

  “You’ve outdone yourself tonight, Geneva. Since there are silver threads in this dress’ lace trim I’ll wear the diamond tiara again.”

  Geneva retrieved it and settled it on Maggie’s head. “This one is my favorite.”

  “Thank you. I’m very fond of it, too. I’ll wear the matching necklace and earrings.”

  When she completed her preparations for the evening, she joined Cloud in the suite’s parlor.

  He bowed. “You look especially nice, Your Highness. I particularly like that dress.”

  As they entered the dining room, Louis signaled to them. “I’ve arranged a table for you with the McMillans and the Rambler brothers since you’ve dined with them before. I hope that’s all right.”

  Cloud nodded. “Perfect.”

  “Your chair gives you a good view of the room and other diners’ comings and goings.”

  “Ah, even better.”

  Cloud seated her at one end of the rectangle then took his place at the other end. Maggie was pleased to be between Ava and Dominic again.

  Ava tapped her menu. “We were deciding on our dinner. What are you going to order?”

  Dominic leaned back in his chair. “I’m having the venison tonight. The wild game served here is famous. And, with such tasty sauces.”

  “I’ll have chicken.” She smiled at Dominic. “Not an adventurous choice but I’m sure it will be delicious. So far everything I’ve eaten here has been.”

  They chatted through dinner. Dominic poured everyone more wine.

  Cloud asked, “Aren’t you having more, Dominic?”

  He shook his head. “I had a couple of drinks in the bar while I was waiting for Johan to come down for dinner. Believe I’ve had my limit for the night. Don’t want to embarrass myself by getting drunk and falling down the stairs.”

  They lingered after their meal, chatting. George spoke at length about his investment scheme.

  Ava nudged him. “Enough about your grant business, George. It’s not as fascinating to others as it is to you.”

  “Sorry, I’m so enthusiastic about this project that I do tend to go on and on.”

  Cloud flexed his shoulders. “It must be getting late.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “Hmm, only ten, but I’m quite tired tonight.”

  Maggie laid her serviette on the table. “We should go up. I wouldn’t mind an early night for a change. I know it’s been days since we rode the stagecoach but my bones are still complaining.”

  Johan looked at George. “What about a game of cards?”

  George shook his head. “I’m feeling the trip.” He turned to his wife. “Do you mind if we forego cards and turn in early?”

  “Not at all.” When she stood with George, she smiled at the other four. “Sleep well, everyone. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Maggie held Cloud’s arm. “Good thing we rested or I wouldn’t have lasted through dinner. I’m asleep on my feet.”

  “You’ve had a tiring and upsetting day. Tomorrow, we have to discover something concrete or Louis and Mary will think we’re useless. As it is, Archie will be livid we’re taking so long.”

  “We’re doing all we can without more proof.”

  Once Geneva and Alec had gone to their rooms for the night, Maggie climbed into bed. “I really hate Dominic is involved. He’s such a lovely man. Johan too, but Dominic is nicer.”

  Cloud extinguished the lamp before coming to bed. “I agree. Crooks should be rotten people so we don’t mind sending them to jail.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Cloud woke spooned to Maggie. Even though there was a sheet between them, having her in his arms created thoughts he needed to avoid. He couldn’t help thinking about how nice it would be to have her as his wife in every way.

  He should slap himself for his thoughts. Instead, he rolled away from her. He couldn’t let his imagination gain control of him. He was a Pinkerton detective and this was a case, nothing more. He retreated behind the screen and used the commode chair.

  As he stepped into the room from behind the screen, he reached for his trousers. When he’d stuffed his legs inside, he looked up. The armoire door stood ajar. Startled, he remembered Maggie checking it before she retired to bed. He rushed to look for the cases containing Maggie’s tiaras.

  Gone!

  He shook her gently. “Maggie, wake up. The burglars struck while we slept.”

  “What?” She blinked away sleep and sat up. “They can’t have.”

  “I’m sorry, but your jewelry is gone.”

  “No, no, no.” Wearing only her nightgown, she hurried from the bed to the armoire and felt for the tiara case then opened the st
eamer trunk. “This can’t have happened. How could we not hear them?”

  She sank onto the upholstered chair. “Cloud, you have no idea how horrible this is. What will I do? How can I explain this? What will we do to get them back?”

  He paced the room. “Stay calm until we recover them. In the meantime, this pretty well makes us look like stooges and amateurs.”

  She pressed her fingers against her temples. “I am an amateur agent but you’re not. What is your plan?”

  He tugged on the bell pull for his valet. His valet? If he weren’t so upset he’d find that thought hilarious. Since he’d failed at his mission, nothing was funny right now.

  He handed Maggie her robe. “I’ve summoned Alec and Geneva. We’ll get dressed and talk to Louis. After that, I’ll go to the sheriff. If we act quickly, we can get the jewelry back before the Ramblers get it out of town—maybe out of the hotel. Catching them with stolen goods will be enough to send them to prison.”

  Geneva and Alec entered and assumed their duties. Maggie stepped behind the screen to dress for the day.

  Geneva handed her petticoats and a pale blue dress. “Here’s your blue mohair as you requested, Your Highness. You made a wise choice because the weather has turned chilly.”

  “Did you hear about the robbery?”

  Geneva handed her a pair of shoes. “We did, it’s all the talk in the servants’ kitchen. I’m sorry your beautiful things were stolen.”

  When Maggie emerged, she looked ready to take on the world. “His Grace and I intend to recover them.”

  Geneva’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped open. “Your Highness? How will you do that?”

  Maggie’s anger was palpable. “I don’t know yet, but we will. We have to. Those are my inheritance.”

  Alec brushed Cloud’s jacket before holding it for him to don. Seeing he was wearing a shoulder holster under his jacket today caused Maggie to stare for a minute then look away. He wondered what Alec and Geneva thought of his choice.

  He hadn’t worn the holster since they arrived at the hotel. He knew Maggie kept her pepper gun concealed in a pocket. She hadn’t been able to figure a way to carry the Colt without looking as if she intended to rob a bank.

  By the time Geneva braided Maggie’s hair and coiled it on her head like a crown, he was ready to face Louis Menger.

  He escorted Maggie down the stairs. “I dread this like a beating.”

  “Me, too. We were supposed to catch them in the act. We have to find the jewelry, Cloud, we have to.”

  Louis was surrounded by angry customers. “Form a line and I’ll take down the description of what you’ve lost.” When he spotted Cloud and Maggie, he turned the duty over to one of his staff.

  His face was a grim line as he walked toward them. “Shall we go to my office?”

  Inside his office, Cloud closed the door behind them. “I know you’re angry with us, but we intend to recover the stolen jewels.”

  Louis slumped into his desk chair. “I’m disappointed you didn’t prevent this. Our hotel’s reputation will be ruined. Still, I haven’t summoned the sheriff until I could speak with you.”

  “Thank you. As soon as we leave your office, I’m going to speak with Sheriff Evans.”

  Louis swiped his hand across his forehead. “Perhaps he’ll search the Ramblers’ belongings.”

  Cloud shook his head and paced the office. “They won’t be stupid enough to keep them where we can find them. We have to learn where they’ve stashed them.”

  Louis appeared to have aged years since yesterday. “I’ll try to appease those who’ve been robbed. You must recover what was stolen last night.”

  After they left Louis to deal with the victims of last night’s robbery, Cloud escorted Maggie to their room. “Please wait here until after I speak to the sheriff. I’ll come back for you and we’ll decide what to do next.”

  She held her fingers at her temples. “Cloud, do you feel groggy today?”

  He stared at her. “Now that you mention it, I do. You, too?”

  A frown marred her forehead. “Remember when Dominic refilled the wine glasses but didn’t take any himself?” She paced the room.

  If that didn’t beat all. He felt even more like a fool. “I’ll be dadblamed, that polecat drugged us. Thinking back, Johan didn’t drink his wine after that. I wonder how they kept the others from waking while they were robbing their rooms?”

  Maggie stopped and faced him. “How about this for a theory? Other than us, the McMillans are the youngest victims. I looked at those in line to complain and they were all older people who might not hear well. Perhaps that’s the secret to the robberies’ success.”

  “They drug the younger intended victims and take a chance on the older.” He kissed her forehead. “Wait here and I’ll hurry.”

  He strode as fast as he could without jogging toward the sheriff’s office. Fortunately, Sheriff Evans was at his desk with a stack of wanted posters in front of him.

  “Sheriff, I need to confess that my wife and I are Pinkerton agents. I wanted to tell you when you helped us with the pickpocket but there were too many people around.”

  “So you’re not royalty, huh? That disappoints me. Told my wife I’d met a genuine princess and a duke and she was impressed. What’s got you so het up now?”

  “There’s been a robbery at the Menger. We know who’s guilty but have no proof.”

  ***

  Maggie paced the room until she feared she’d wear a pattern on the rug. She couldn’t sit still so she stood at the window overlooking the plaza. She recognized Johan walking toward the plaza. He carried a bag the size doctors used, but he was not a physician.

  “Geneva, I’m going out.” Maggie grabbed her fur.

  “Shall I come with you?”

  “Not this time.” Maggie hurried out of the suite, down the stairs, and out into the plaza.

  Johan was still in sight and appeared headed for Alamo Mission ruins.

  Perhaps he was meeting Dominic there. Would Dominic also have a bag? She intended to discover what Johan was doing.

  Walking as quickly as she could, she planned to catch up to Johan. She was able to get within ten feet of him but dared not get closer for fear he’d notice her. He went inside the mission. Furtively, she followed him, keeping to shadows.

  She scanned the mission but she didn’t see Johan. Where could he have gone from here? Carefully, she searched for a doorway or opening in the fallen walls.

  “Don’t make a noise, Your Highness, or I’ll have to shoot you.”

  She whirled. “Dominic? I-I thought you were our friend.”

  He held a gun in his hand, aimed at her. “I’m sorry because I really like you. In fact, I admit I find you almost irresistible. Emphasis on almost, Your Highness. Those tiaras, now those are definitely impossible to resist.”

  He gestured with the gun. “Walk ahead of me and go through that opening to your left.”

  She had her pepper gun with her but how could she draw it without getting shot? She’d have to wait for her chance. They appeared to have entered the storage area used by the Army. How had Dominic managed access to this part of the mission?

  “Turn in the next doorway to your right.”

  Some detective she was, getting caught by the men she was supposed to capture.

  Nevertheless, she did as he asked and entered a small room. Johan waited there and so did the man named Kennedy.

  Horrible thoughts assailed her. “What are you going to do with me?”

  Kennedy sneered. “I wanted to shut you up permanently but these two are too soft.”

  Johan motioned in a circle. “Turn around, Princess Magdala. I have to tie you up but I’m sure you’ll be found before you starve.”

  Maggie turned as instructed. She was supposed to be a Pinkerton agent and here she was getting her hands tied behind her. She gave thanks that they had no intention of killing her—unless Kennedy had his way.

  But, she was terrified. Her ches
t hurt and she couldn’t get a deep breath. No matter how she tried to focus, she couldn’t think of a way to defend herself or escape.

  Dominic stuffed the gun in his waistband and spread a blanket on the floor. “Sit on this, Your Highness. We have to tie your legs also.”

  Heart racing as if it would explode, she sat on the blanket. Having her hands tied behind her affected her balance and she landed with a plop.

  Johan took care of tying her ankles together. “I apologize if that hurts, Your Highness, but we must have time to escape.” He righted her coat. “Good thing you wore this because the room will be cold.”

  Kennedy’s face turned red. “Stop talking like she’s someone special. Princess this and Your Highness that. You two make me sick. Whether you like it or not, gag her so she can’t yell.”

  Dominic produced a white handkerchief and tied it so she couldn’t speak. He whispered, “This is fresh from the laundry.”

  Kennedy forked a thumb at the door. “Now we get out of here until we take care of that other matter.”

  What other matter? The door closed and she was alone. They left the doctor’s bag or whatever kind of leather valise it was. She was fairly sure the bag contained stolen jewelry, which meant they’d return. Wriggling allowed her to see a second bag.

  The room had no window. Cracks in the door and spaces in the roof created a pattern of sunshine and shadow in the room. They didn’t let in enough air to combat the musty odor. Scratching sounds made her think mice or rats were either in the room or trying to join her.

  Every noise made her flinch. At least the Ramblers and Kennedy hadn’t discovered her gun. If she could work loose her bindings, she could defend herself.

  Tears gathered in her eyes and the urge to lie on the blanket and cry almost overwhelmed her. If she cried, her nose would stop up and she wouldn’t be able to breathe. She tried poking her tongue at the gag to loosen the handkerchief but that didn’t work. What could she do?

  Depression engulfed her and she lay on the blanket. Now, she’d never have the opportunity to tell Cloud she’d fallen in love with him. She recalled lying with her head on his shoulder yesterday. Being in his arms sent warmth throughout her body yet she sensed herself calming. His presence made her tranquil and secure and something she hadn’t experienced previously and couldn’t define.