An Agent for Serafina Read online

  

  An Agent for Serafina

  The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series

  

  Book 59

  Lynn Donovan

  AN AGENT FOR SERAFINA

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Appreciation

  Introduction

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  Note to Reader:

  About the Author

  Lynn Donovan’s Newsletter

  One more thing

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.

  The Pinkerton Matchmaker

  ©2020 Lynn Donovan

  Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt

  Editing by Cyndi Rule

  BETA read by Amy Petrovich

  Appreciation

  Thank you to everybody in my life who has contributed in one way or another to the writing of this book. My husband, my children, my children-in-law, and my grandchildren. You all are my unconditional fans. My BETA reader and grammar guru who make me look gooder than I am. [Bad grammar intended.] My fellow author friends who chat with me daily to exchange ideas, encourage, maintain sanity, and keep me from being a total recluse/hermit.

  Mostly I thank God for the talent he has given me. I hope to hear you say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” when I cross the Jordan and run into your arms—Many, many years from now. :).

  Dedication

  To: Serafina Mejia

  Introduction

  Already an agent for the Mexican Secret Service, Serafina Rose de la Verde encounters Pinkerton Agent Todd Smith when they escort their countries’ presidents to a secret meeting in Denver, Colorado. Impressed by her extraordinary beauty and professionalism, Smith brings her to the Pinkerton Mansion to meet Archie Gordon.

  Archie needs a fresh face for an undercover investigation into a Whiskey Ring Tax Evasion scandal in Missouri. She’s perfect for the job and Archie asks permission to borrow her for this investigation. She’s willing to help the famous agency, except there’s just one hitch— she has to marry Agent Smith in order to solve the case with him.

  When things go horribly wrong and they return by the skin of their teeth, will their reputation as excellent agents be ruined? Will Serafina have a job to go back to in Mexico or will the humiliation ruin everything she has spent her career developing. Can Smith convince her that he loves her and wants her to stay in America, because he’s the right agent for Serafina?

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Here it comes.” Agent Todd Smith watched the northbound train pull into the station. Agents Mav Jones and Jed Green stood with their backs to him. Their job was to watch the crowd of people gathering to guarantee the extraordinary client they were meeting was protected from any potential political enemies. The mass of people hurried toward those disembarking from the passenger cars. Few looked more than twice at the elaborate Pullman car at the head of the train or the three Pinkerton Detectives who lingered alongside it.

  So far, no one suspicious had been spotted. Mav turned to follow the engine while the other two stayed even with the Pullman. Their instructions stated President de Tejada would be arriving in the custom-made Pullman, escorted by the Mexican Secret Service Agent S.R. de la Verde. But no movement indicated anyone was preparing to exit the gilded private unit. Smith tossed a curious glance to his fellow agents. Where was their client?

  The Mexican political leader and the American political leader, Ulysses S. Grant, were discretely meeting at the Tabor Hotel in Denver City, Colorado to discuss an alliance against the Indian infiltration in Texas and Northern Mexico. It was hoped with a combined effort from the two countries the raids could be stopped and the nuisance contained.

  The Pinkerton Agency had been commissioned to not only escort and protect President Grant to the western territory, but to meet and assist the Agente del Servicio Secreto, the Mexican equivalent to the Pinkerton Agency, who traveled with President de Tejada. It was imperative the meeting remained out of the press for both political leaders’ safety. De Tajada had political problems in Mexico that threatened his life, as did Grant, who was in his second term of office. With some recent scandals, he too had people who wanted him out of the White House. Plus, the Comanche Wars had allies who would consider it a great victory to kill either leader. Having them both in one location made them essentially fish in a barrel.

  Agent Smith’s eyes darted to the shaded Pullman. No movement could be seen inside. He stepped up to the platform and checked the door. It was locked. He knocked. There was no answer. “El Presidente?”

  He knew some of the language— enough to call out to the client.

  “Soy Agente Smith, El Presidente.”

  He pressed his forehead to the glass and cupped his hands around his temples. But he couldn’t see any silhouetted figures moving about inside the private car. He turned to Mav and Jed. They were still scanning the crowd, but glancing his way often enough that he caught Mav’s attention.

  Smith shrugged and stepped down off the platform.

  “No one is inside?” Mav glanced once more at the crowd.

  “Doesn’t appear so.” Smith looked again at the door. Still no one exited. He caught the arm of a steward. “Excuse me. We were meeting an important client who was supposed to be in that Pullman. Have you seen anyone or served anyone in there?”

  The steward looked to the Pullman. “No sir. That car has been empty since it was added to this line in El Paso, Texas.”

  “Really?” Agent Smith turned to his partners. “Was it a decoy?”

  Jed shrugged. “Looks like it. Sounds like this Mexican Secret Service is as shrewd as our Archie Gordon.” He chuckled.

  The passengers moved away from the train, greeting those who had come to meet them, or hurrying to the horse taxis to get on with their business. The three Pinkerton agents stood near the Pullman, determining what to do next.

  “Perdóname.” A tall woman wrapped in a dark, ragged shawl drew a feeble looking man along with her. Beggars. Todd dismissed them immediately.

  “Señores?” The vagrant insisted. “Are you gentlemen with” —she pushed her shawl off her head, revealing silky black hair that cascaded in swirling curls down her back. Alabaster combs pulled her hair back from her face— “Mr. Archibald Gordon’s company?”

  Her incredible eyes were a vibrant violet. Her nose had a slight upturn. As Smith’s gaze swept down her face he was mesmerized by her full ruby red lips that were crowned with a sharp cupid’s bow. They were the most kissable lips he’d ever seen. His heart slammed against his ribs and he thought it stopped beating all together until she spoke again.

  “I’m sorry to bother you. I am looking for Mr. Todd Smith. Might you be he?” Her English was perfect, with very little lingering accent. She was beautiful. Todd swallowed against the shock of her beauty. Such a contrast from her ragged clothing. He had thought her a beggar. But now…r />
  He was certain she was not what she seemed.

  “Yes. I am Todd Smith.” He glanced at his partners. Mav and Jed stood motionless, staring at the woman.

  The man on her elbow cleared his throat. Peering out of his monk-brown loosely woven, hooded cape. “I am Lerdo de Tejada. You are the gentlemen with the Pinkerton Detective Agency, no?”

  All of a sudden to dawned on Agent Smith. This was the Mexican president and his secret service escort! A woman! Just like the Pinkerton agency, Mexico had employed the ingenuity of female agents who defied convention to serve as slick infiltrators.

  Agent Smith forced his mouth closed. “You are… Agent S.R. de la Verde?”

  She smiled. “Sí, I am Serafina Rose de la Verde.”

  Todd’s heart skipped a beat when she smiled, but her voice— like satin ribbons touching his ears, made his heart slam to a halt. He stared at her, trying to breathe naturally. Words could not form in his mouth.

  “Welcome to America.” Mav shoved Todd aside and took the president’s hand. He spoke quietly so no one could hear, although the crowd had long since dispersed. “We have enclosed transport right over here. Your companion is waiting for you at the meeting place, sir. Do you need anything before we go?” Again he did not want to use President Grant’s name or the Tabor Hotel in public.

  “No.” President de Tejada shook his round, balding head. Serafina remained at his side while the Pinkertons casually surrounded the two and walked them to the waiting transportation. Serafina smiled when she saw the enclosed Hack passenger wagon with an ordinary pair of chestnut bay horses. Smith had intentionally rented a discrete mode of transportation rather than a fancy carriage with elaborately adorned horses that would draw the curious attention of the public.

  Serafina continued to scan her surroundings even though three Pinkerton Agents flanked her and el presidente. Todd appreciated her diligence. He did the same. A rifle shot, ricocheting off the Hack wagon with a zinging sound. The three Pinkerton agents yanked out their guns and turned to where the sound had come from.

  A swift, sweeping movement in Todd’s peripheral caused him to turn to Serafina, she had reached into her hair and yanked one of the alabaster combs from her hair, while shoving her charge into the carriage. The president went in on his knees and remained very still. Had he been shot?

  In one singular motion, Serafina snapped the comb in two, but it stayed together, she bent it into a circular shape and with a flick of her wrist, she threw it toward a balcony. Smith could not see anyone, it was why he had not fired his Colt .44.

  The alabaster thing twirled and curved in the air, like a well-thrown curve ball, turning and disappearing onto the upper terrace. A man screamed in pain and staggered forward, clutching his bloody throat. Alabaster reflected the sunlight between his fingers. He folded over the rail and dropped. Dust billowed as his body hit the dirt hard. A gurgling sound faded and the man lay still, except for an occasional twitch of his boot. She’d killed him… with a comb!

  Smith spun back to Serafina, “Is the president alright?”

  “Yes, I think so.” She scrambled to climb into the carriage, stepping around President de Tejada, who still crouched on the floor. “Presidente, ¿estás bien?

  “Si seguro.” The man unceremoniously crawled into the seat and Serafina sat beside him, touching his chest and arms, checking for blood or bullet wounds.

  “Gracias a Dios.” She muttered as she helped her charge sit back and relax. She turned to the open door. “Can we get going?”

  Smith snapped out of his fascination. “Yes, of course.” He looked to his comrades with wide eyes. “Hurry, let’s move!”

  Jed, who had walked over to the body, approached with the bloody weapon in a handkerchief and handed it to Serafina. She accepted handkerchief and all with a gracious smile, and tucked it in a pocket at her hip.

  “I’ll stay behind for the sheriff, he don’t look like a Cherokee, must be someone from Mexico.” Jed shoved a thumb over his shoulder indicating the dead body.

  Smith nodded and climbed into the carriage with his clients. With curtains drawn closed, Serafina turned to Todd. “The President will need a private room to freshen up before meeting with President Grant. Has this been arranged?”

  “Yes,” was all Todd could say. She didn’t look rattled or frightened. His mind reeled with questions, but his mouth was paralyzed. Mav sat on top of the carriage, driving the pair, continuously surveying their surroundings just in case there was more trouble. The client’s luggage had been placed on top.

  Todd sat across from the two. President de Tejada looked tired, but alert. He didn’t look rattled either. Did this sort of thing happen regularly? What confidence he had in his escort.

  The president’s eyes roved the interior of the carriage. It seemed the Pinkerton accommodations were satisfactory to both Mexican visitors. Finally, Todd found his tongue. “I’m sorry we didn’t see you right away. We were told you would be in the Pullman.”

  Serafina gave a slight smile. “Yes, we were at the middle of the train, in a private sleeper. We intentionally disguise el presidente. He is safer if no one knows which passenger he actually is. The Pullman is our… elaborate decoy.” She chuckled.

  “Yes. We use those same tactics with our own president.” Todd smiled for the first time.

  Serafina looked quickly at him, and then looked away as if she just saw something extremely important on the floorboard.

  “So…” Todd ventured the question that burned in his heart. “You are with the secret service agency that—”

  “Protects el presidente? Yes. I am. And you are with the Pinkerton National Detective Agency?”

  Todd chuckled. “Yes. We have an extension office in Denver. It made sense to use the branch office’s agents to escort President Grant, since the meeting is here.”

  She nodded with a slight smile. “And, you are not progressive enough to realize the potential of female agents?”

  “No.” Todd sat up straighter. “Actually, Alan Pinkerton has been using… I mean employing female detectives for nearly twenty years. My boss, Archie Gordon, started hiring females about two years ago… we do it a little different here in the west than Alan does in Chicago.”

  “How so?” She turned curious violet eyes on him.

  His heart leapt into a gallop. His words crashed into a pile of nonsense at the back of his mouth. He tried clearing his throat, but it did no good.

  Just then, the carriage rocked to a halt. Mav jerked the door open. “We are here.”

  Intentionally not addressing the president by his title, in case dangerous ears were nearby, Mav put out his hand to assist Serafina and then the President of Mexico out of the carriage. A bolt of pure green jealousy shot through Todd’s chest when Mav took Serafina’s hand, or more accurately, when she let him take her hand and she stepped out with Mav’s gentle assist.

  President de Tejada wrinkled his brow as he looked at Todd before exiting behind his trusted escort. Did he recognize Todd’s uncanny attraction to the Mexican agent?

  Todd pursed his lips. He’d never conducted himself in any manner other than as an utmost professional— until now. Why was he acting like a fool?

  He bent as he stood and stuck his head out of the carriage. Mav and Jed were already escorting Serafina and the president into the hotel by a side door where servants came and went unnoticed. They did not want to attract any attention to them by walking in through the front, grand entrance.

  She turned to glance over her shoulder. Her violet eyes met his and he knew…

  He could be a fool for her.

  

  President de Tejada had changed into a well-tailored suit, polished shoes and had combed what remained of his dark black hair across his cue-ball head when he emerged from the suite provided. Serafina appeared at his side no longer looking like a beggar. She now looked as if she were on her way to a church meeting. A lavender silk gown hugged her bodice, exposing a very small waist
and belled out from her hips with a small bustle that fell into a short train behind her. She looked even more beautiful than she did at the depot. The lavender silk enhanced her violet eyes. They already stood out like a lone lantern at midnight. But now, Todd could not take his eyes off of hers.

  He forgot his purpose to the president and extended his elbow to the intriguing woman. She frowned and turned slightly from his proffered arm. “I will remain with el presidente until he is safely in his meeting.”

  Todd jerked his bent elbow to his side. “Of course.” He dipped his head as she brushed past him to catch up with her charge. Mav leaned into Todd. “What’s up with you?”

  Todd’s lifted brow was his only reply.

  Two Chicago Pinkerton detectives flanked the door to the room where President Grant waited. Other than two private suites provided for both presidents, the entire floor was void of guests. As Smith, Green, and Jones nodded, the counter-office agents opened the door and fell in behind President de Tejada. Mav and Jed assumed their post at the door while Todd and Serafina lingered in the hall. Technically, they had fulfilled their assignment and were off duty.

  Serafina turned to Todd. “I am no longer needed, until el presidente is ready to leave. I have not been in American since I was a small child. Would you care to show me this Denver City?”

  Todd swallowed. “I’d be honored.”

  He escorted her downstairs and into the street. The doorman hailed an open carriage taxi and Todd assisted her onto the red velvet seat. She shivered, although it was a warm autumn day. “Are you cold?” Todd turned to the back of the carriage for the compartment that held fur lap covers.

  “It is much warmer back home. I am not accustomed to your Colorado temperatures.”

  Todd tucked the fur over her skirts and sat beside her. “Driver! This woman has never been to Denver City before. Let’s show her the sights.”