An Agent for Regina Read online

  An Agent for Regina

  (Pinkerton Matchmaker Series Book 3)

  By Marianne Spitzer

  © October 2018

  This book is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.

  Acknowledgments

  There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.

  A special mention for the talented Virginia McKevitt for the beautiful cover design.

  As you read though my story, you will meet a sweet, lovable dog named Nellie. She’s exactly like my son’s dog, Nellie, that crossed the rainbow bridge while I was writing this book. Nellie lived sixteen long years, but she will be missed terribly. She was my protector from dangers seen and imagined.

  An Agent for Regina

  (Pinkerton Matchmaker Series Book 3)

  Prologue

  Regina Caulfield was busy packing her trunk to return home after her last college course. She was leaving early to avoid taking another dull session that wouldn’t do anything to further what she wanted to do with her life. She blew a lock of her deep brown hair out of her eyes and folded another blouse. After taking classes in nursing and teaching, she didn’t wish to make either a career. Neither did she wish to return home to her father, stepmother, and five half-siblings. Her mother died giving her life, and her father avoided her because she reminded him of losing the love of his life. Worried he could never raise a girl child on his own, he married his second wife a few short months after Regina was born. She was a shrew, but he didn’t know it until it was too late, and she began giving him a child a year for five years … three boys and two girls.

  Regina didn’t hate her years at boarding schools attending since she was eight, she hated spending summers and holidays at home. Until she was fifteen, she spent some of that time with her maternal grandparents. Regina learned to ride astride and didn’t have to use the ridiculous side saddle they insisted she use at school. She had access to books on science, warfare, mystery, and subjects never broached in the fancy boarding school for young ladies. Her grandfather taught her to shoot a rifle and a handgun. Her grandmother introduced her to the safety measure of a small Derringer she could keep in her pocket. When they died months apart from consumption when she was sixteen, Regina was forced to spend entire summers at home.

  Her dislike of spending the summers at home was only surpassed by her stepmother’s hatred of her. Her photographic memory unnerved her step-mother when she would share facts she learned from her grandparent’s books with her family. Her step-mother didn’t believe Regina and thought she made up facts to make herself seem smarter than she was. At least they sent her to comfortable boarding schools, and she did receive a good education, until her seventeenth summer. The stable boy loved to tease Regina and insisted on calling her Gina which she abhorred. She warned him that if he called her Gina again, she would shoot him. He laughed and asked her for a kiss calling her lovely Gina. She pulled her Derringer, the last gift her grandmother gave her, and shot him. It was only a flesh wound in his upper arm, and she told him she’d shot him in the arm intentionally. If he called her Gina again, she would make him regret it.

  The noise brought her father and step-mother running. Enough cash kept the police out of the situation, and Regina was sent to a stricter boarding school. It wasn’t the hellish situation her step-mother hoped. Yes, gone were the fancy single or double rooms and she lived in a large dormitory. Yet, being so close to many different girls gave Regina a new understanding of life. Not all the girls came from the wealth she did, nor were they well-behaved angels. She discovered the excitement of the dime novel from one of her friends and wanted more than anything to be a U.S. Marshal, but she knew that was never to be. A sheriff in a small town would have made her happy, but she knew that only happened in the stories she read. She flung her last piece of clothing into the trunk and slammed the lid. She dropped on her bed dreading returning home to her father and the shrew. She knew her father would do his best to force her to marry some rich, dull idiot who would expect her to have many babies and host teas and boring dinner parties.

  Her thoughts were broken by one of her roommates, Christina, who rushed in with a letter. It was from a lawyer and Regina, who was lovingly called Reggie by her friends, worried about what it might contain. Perhaps her father was letting her know she was not welcome to return home.

  She hurriedly opened the letter and had to read it twice before just staring at the words. Her maternal grandparents had left her an inheritance. One her father could never touch. The monthly allowance was enough for her to live comfortably whether she worked or not. The bulk of the inheritance would be given to her on her thirtieth birthday for her to invest in a seamstress shop or boarding house to take care of her for the rest of her life. If she married, she could access the funds sooner. What to do? She remembered a conversation with another student who said the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Chicago occasionally hired women. Could she? Would she? No, not in Chicago. It was home, and surely her step-mother would have her committed to an asylum. She needed to go elsewhere.

  Regina was too excited to sit still on the short train ride home. She asked the carriage driver to take her to the bank first where she accessed her first allowance payment taking some in cash and most in a bank draft. She was told how to transfer the payments to a bank in another city and hurried to her father’s home.

  She flew into the house, hugging each of her siblings, greeted her father, ignored her step-mother, and rushed to her room. She pulled out her second trunk and filled it with things that belonged to her mother…jewelry, trinkets, journals, and the family Bible. She took her warmer clothes but left most of the frilly garments her step-mother thought was appropriate for a young lady. She closed the trunk and called for the butler to take it to the waiting carriage.

  She hurried back down the stairs faster than she had rushed up and only stopped when her father called her name. She smiled and told her father she was leaving and would write when she settled down. Her step-mother insisted on knowing where she was going. Heaven forbid this child should do anything to embarrass the family.

  Her brown eyes flashing with excitement, Regina shrugged, straightened her bright blue hat, and answered, “On a secret mission.” Leaving a stunned father and startled step-mother in her wake, she ran towards the carriage hoping to make it to the station in time to catch the three-o’clock train to Denver.

  Chapter One

  Regina blew out a long relaxing breath as the train pulled away from the station and she watched Chicago disappear behind her. She doubted her step-mother would allow her father the time to send the butler or one of the stable hands after her. Her step-mother’s usual verbal admonishments on Regina’s behavior surely took enough time for Regina to catch her train. She imagined her father was still trying to settle his insufferable wife.

  She made sure to chat with the ticket agent to be sure he’d remember her and that she bought a ticket to Salt Lake City. She asked several questions to the point he appeared frustrated. Finally, he told her she could ask the conductor any other questions she had. Smiling she slipped t
he ticket in her reticule knowing if her father did send someone to follow her, they’d head to Salt Lake City. While they were searching, if they did, she’d spend two relaxing days in St. Louis before heading on to Denver.

  Regina watched the scenery change to farm fields and meadows as she silently thanked her friend Christina for sharing all the dime novels that helped Regina in her subterfuge. Her family would never think she knew enough to buy a ticket for one city and leave the train before arriving only to change her direction to avoid being found. She fought back a grin knowing once again she could confuse her family.

  She’d have to change trains in Missouri, but Regina didn’t care. She would arrive at her destination eventually and find the Pinkerton Detective offices. Regina drifted off to sleep only to be awakened when it was time to leave the train.

  Regina found a nice hotel near the train station. It wasn’t the best in town which is why she chose it. If her father did send someone after her, they’d look in the most expensive hotels. Both her father and step-mother knew that a Caulfield would only stay at the best hotel, eat at the best restaurants, and wear the most elegant fashions. Regina was a Caulfield, but she was also smart. She checked into the hotel using the name Jessica Green.

  She waited two hours and took that time to stretch her legs, visit the local mercantile and buy a simple dark brown day dress. The dress had tiny pink flowers scattered on the skirt, and she found a bonnet to match. No one would ever imagine Regina Caulfield would wear a simple day dress, but it worked perfectly for Jessica Green. Regina hurried back to the hotel and changed into the simple dress. She then had a meal in a charming café near the train station before returning to the station and buying a ticket to Denver leaving in two days. Her plan was working. The station manager who sold her the ticket hardly paid her any attention and Regina was sure he didn’t recognize her as the young woman who just a few hours earlier had asked him to store two of her trunks until she caught her next train.

  Smiling as she strolled back to her hotel, she decided to buy a newspaper. She knew even her father couldn’t place an article about a missing daughter in the short amount of time since she left Chicago, but she was curious about the news in St. Louis.

  Settled back in her room, Regina glanced through the small paper. Not much of importance to her. Some politics, a few ads for stores, a doctor offering to mail you a new cure-all tonic, the Pinkertons are hiring female detectives. Not much.

  What?

  Regina gripped the paper in both hands and read the editorial a second time. A slow smile spread across her face. This was destiny. Her dream was about to come true. She read:

  Female agents to join the National Pinkerton Detective Agency.

  Regina continued to read.

  The Denver office of the National Pinkerton Detective Agency located at 427 Chain Bridge Drive, Denver, Colorado Territory is seeking adventuresome, able-bodied, and intelligent female recruits to apply for positions as private investigative agents. Applicants chosen will train with an existing agent, and after their first case, the new agent will become a full-time agent of the Pinkertons.

  Regina read it over a second time to make sure she understood it all correctly. The agency was offering paid training, transportation, appropriate attire, and accommodations. Inquiries and a letter of introduction including qualifications should be mailed to Mr. A. Gordon at the address mentioned above. Personal interviews will occur at the offices on Chain Bridge Drive the week of May 16, 1871.

  Regina couldn’t believe her eyes. May 16 two weeks from now. She was a short train ride from Denver. She didn’t need any paid training or other amenities. She had her inheritance. All she needed was a chance to prove herself. She certainly wasn’t going to wait until May 16. She’d leave for Denver as planned the day after tomorrow and apply in person at the offices. What if dozens of women arrived on May 16. No, Regina decided, she needed to get to Denver and the offices of Mr. A. Gordon as quickly as possible.

  Regina dropped back on her bed and smiled at the ceiling. This was her chance. Tomorrow she would make a list of all her qualifications and purchase new stationery. Her application needed to be perfect, and she would hand deliver it.

  ~ * ~

  As Regina drifted into a peaceful nap, Luke Tucker stormed into the Denver Pinkerton office with a newspaper in his hand.

  He strode straight to Marianne’s desk and set the paper down as gently as his ire would allow. “So, it’s true. We’re really hiring female agents and all this talk about partnering them with another agent means I’ll have to try and solve a case with a woman tagging along.”

  Marianne looked up into Luke’s blue eyes flashing fire and smiled. “Calm down, Luke, if Archie assigns one of the newly hired female agents to you, it will be because he decides you’ll work well together. He hasn’t received any replies yet since the editorial only appeared this morning.”

  “I’m not complaining about female agents. I love females, you know that. It’s just that I’m not sure I can work with one.”

  “Oh, we all know how much you love women, Luke,” Marianne fought back another smile.

  “That was a long time ago, another life, another me, I don’t gamble, and I don’t, well, umm, I don’t. I’m not sure how this is going to work out,” Luke insisted dropping onto a chair.

  “Luke, I didn’t mean to bring up your past. It doesn’t have anything to do with who you are now. You still catch all the ladies’ eyes, and you never stop from charming them. That doesn’t mean you’re still Tuck the gambler. Besides, your past helped to make you who you are today. Don’t worry about the female agents. Archie isn’t excited about this, and he may only hire a few or not hire any at all.”

  “Do you think we’d be lucky enough not to have any females working here?”

  Of course, Marianne knew that Archie planned on hiring several women, but Luke looked so forlorn that she stretched the truth a bit. “That’s up to Archie, but you know how particular he is with his agents. They will have to be extraordinary young women.”

  “Maybe he’ll ask for our advice when he decides on hiring them.”

  “Archie ask for advice making a decision?” Marianne questioned raising her eyebrows.

  “I suppose not, but he might. This is a new situation.”

  Luke stood and walked to the small stove in the corner and poured himself a cup of coffee. He turned to Marianne and asked, “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “No thank you. Honestly, Luke, I wouldn’t worry about all of this. You know how important this office is to Archie. He’s not about to do anything that’ll cause trouble or bring embarrassment to the agency, the office, or any of his agents,” Marianne said tapping her pen on the desktop.

  Sitting back onto the ladderback chair, Luke sipped the coffee and stared off into the corner before bringing his attention back to Marianne. “All right, I know Archie would never do anything that wasn’t in all of our best interests. I’ll trust him and you on this. I know you’ll be part of this. Archie thinks he runs the office, but we all know who helps guide him.”

  Luke winked at Marianne before placing his cup in the small tub next to the stove. Luke left the office feeling better about the situation. Marianne smiled knowing Luke would do whatever Archie asked of him, and if that meant partnering with a female agent, Luke would rise to the occasion grumbling and moaning, but he’d do what was asked.

  As Luke and Marianne continued with their day, Regina enjoyed her nap dreaming of solving the most impossible crimes.

  Chapter Two

  Regina arrived in Denver excited and ready to apply for a position with the Pinkerton Agency, but she knew she couldn’t arrive at the offices too many days early. Perhaps the week prior would do well, and she decided on May 10. That was six days before the date in the paper, and Regina hoped it would show her enthusiasm.

  The morning of what Regina hoped would be the beginning of her new life dawned bright and sunny. She dressed in a dark green dress
suitable for Sunday wear, but not too overstated. With her hair twisted sensibly and covered with a simple matching hat, she strolled down to the dining room for breakfast. Feeling a bit too nervous to eat a large breakfast, Regina ordered tea and biscuits with honey knowing if she didn’t eat anything she might faint from excitement. Not that she’d ever fainted before, but this was not the day to start.

  The previous evening Regina had arranged for a carriage to pick her up at nine in the morning. The desk clerk assured her it was a short ride to Chain Bridge Drive. A short trip perhaps, but the clock on the lobby’s fireplace mantel seemed to crawl. Finally, right on time, Regina’s carriage arrived, and she stepped in, sat, and did her best to calm her fluttering stomach. Yes, it was a good idea to eat, Regina thought as the carriage rolled down the street. She was going to need the strength.

  In the few short minutes it took to arrive at the offices of the National Pinkerton Detective Agency, Regina changed her mind three times about her decision to eat anything at all. Taking a deep breath, she stepped from the carriage and stood on the street staring at the house in front of her.

  The carriage driver asked, “Ma’am, are you all right?”

  “Oh, yes,” Regina stammered. “I will be in a moment.” She did her best to smile at the concerned carriage driver.

  The driver tipped his hat and wished Regina a good day and drove off. The regular soft clomping of the horse’s hooves as they rode off pounded like wild drums in her ears or was that her heart?

  “Calm yourself, Regina,” she muttered and took another deep breath. Her heart slowed, and the drumming left her. Gripping the small briefcase that held the letter she carefully wrote explaining her education and her abilities, she climbed the stairs to the front door.