An Agent for Serafina Read online

  Fear ripped through her chest. She wanted to curl up in a ball, but there was no room. She sat upright, her hands folded in her lap, her legs out straight in front of her. A wall of crates on both sides of her shoulders, Smith’s soothing voice behind her.

  “Fina. We’re alright. You’re safe. It won’t be long,” he whispered. “Close your eyes. I’m right here with you.”

  

  His words calmed her panting but the fear remained sharp as barbed wire inside her. She could only hope Justin would get them out of town quickly and maybe then he could remove the tarp covering.

  The wagon jerked forward, they were leaving. It swayed as Justin turned, then turned again. The men across the street were still running around, trying to find her and Smith, but their voices faded as Justin continued down the street. Such a common occurrence for a supply wagon to pull away from the General Store, that McDonald’s men didn’t even consider the Pinkertons could be hiding inside.

  At least that fear was behind them. Now all she had to do was keep the claustrophobia at bay until they reached the place where they could stop the train.

  “Todd,” she whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “Talk to me.”

  “What about?”

  “I don’t care. Just keep my mind calm. I hate being back in the box.”

  “Back in the box?”

  “Yes. When my parents were killed.” Her voice hitched. She pressed on. “I hid in a box on the side of our wagon until Papa Peltier pulled me out.”

  “That happened when you were four years old. But it’s still so strong in your heart?”

  “Yes.” She gasped a sob.

  Smith leaned toward her and touched her back. “It’s alright. You are safe.”

  “I know.”

  He was silent for a moment. “Did I ever tell you about the time my momma was washing clothes?”

  Serafina paused. “What? No, I don’t believe you did.”

  “Well.” Smith spoke softly so no one around the wagon could hear them. “My momma worked hard to wash our clothes, there was six of us boys. I’ve seen her knuckles crack and bleed from scrubbing our britches on the washboard. Then she’d hang them all on a clothes line my poppa had strung up for her. Well, one day, my brothers and I were playing a game. We were throwing a stick in the air and chasing after it. The one who caught it, was ‘it’ and ‘it’ was the best thing. We all wanted to be ‘it!’” He chuckled. “But in our dedicated attention to the stick and determination to be the one to catch it, I ran right into my momma’s wash line. I got tangled in those clothes and the line snapped. I got all wrapped up in her clean wash, rolling around in the dirt trying to get untangled from the line. I was screaming and hollering ‘cause I thought I had gotten caught in a spider web.”

  Serafina’s shoulders shook. A giggle rose to her lips. But when Smith said he thought the wash line was a spider web, she erupted in laughter. “You did not!”

  “Shhh. If I’m lying, I’m dying!” Smith chuckled with her. “And my momma was so mad at us! She come tearing out into the yard, screaming and waving her rolling pin in the air. She grabbed the stick from my oldest brother who had caught it and was jumping up and down bellering about being ‘it!’ Well, she grabbed that stick from him and started chasing every one of us, swatting our behinds when she came near anyone of us.

  “But me! When she got to me, all tangled up in the line and the britches. Mud all over me and the clothes. She just stood there, stick in hand, and hands on her hips. She looked like a huntin’ dog zeroed in on a squirrel. I thought she was going to tear my head off.”

  He stopped. Serafina tilted her head. “What happened?”

  “She bent down and pulled me to my feet. Unwrapped the line around me and handed it to my oldest brother. ‘Go hang this back up!’ She told him. Then she turned back to me with such a calm voice, it was more terrifying than if she’d been yelling at me.”

  Again he stopped. The wagon jerked as it rolled over rougher ground. They must be leaving the city streets. “What did she do?” Serafina breathed.

  “She pulled every one of our britches off the line, tucked her clothespins in her apron pocket, and handed each one of them britches to me. I followed her as she piled them high in my arms. I figured as long as she was handing me the britches, she would let me live.”

  Serafina laughed. “Oh, Todd.”

  “If I’m lying, I’m dying.”

  Her laughter waned to a chuckle. “So what happened after she pulled all the britches from the line?”

  “She handed a bucket to one of my brothers and told him to fetch more water. Another brother was told to build the fire. She handed another a cake of soap and to me…”

  “What?” Serafina breathed the word.

  “She told me I was gonna wash all them britches over and my brothers were to help hang ‘em back on the line.”

  Serafina threw her head back and laughed. “Serves you right.”

  “Yeah.” Smith laughed. “I suppose it did.”

  The wagon rocked to a halt. Justin appeared at the back and flipped the tarp back. He had an amused smile on his face. Had he heard Smith’s story too? “My ma would have whooped me, too.” Was all he said as he helped Serafina and then Smith crawl out of the wagon. “You can ride up top with me now. We are far enough out a-town, no one will see ya.”

  “Thank you.” Serafina walked to the bench. Smith aided her in the ascent onto the buckboard and sat beside her.

  Justin climbed on and lifted the reins. “The train ought to be coming soon. We’ll head straight for the rail line so we don’t miss it. I got a lantern down here.” He gestured under the bench. “They know to stop when we wave a lantern at ‘em.”

  “Good man.” Smith said, as he braced one foot on the side of the buckboard.

  Serafina inhaled the fresh country air. So glad to be out from under that tarp. So glad Smith was with her. She didn’t know if any of that story was true or not, but it got her through the ordeal and she didn’t throw up or anything embarrassing while trapped in the wagon.

  She loved Smith. He was such a good man. He was smart and kind… and he threw a mean upper cut, when needed. He respected her abilities…

  How in the world was she going to part ways with him? A day and a half. That was all she had with him. As his wife. She sighed heavily.

  He turned to her and took her hand into his. She let him. Even though Justin was sitting right beside her. She wanted Smith’s warmth, his touch. After all, all Justin knew was that they were a normal married couple and this handholding was not a lewd exhibition of inappropriate behavior.

  In the distance, a cloud of steam rose in the air. “There she is.” Justin slapped the reins on the horses’ backs, hurrying them along. He crossed the open field at an angle so he could remain ahead of the steam engine. Halting the pair alongside the tracks he leapt from the bench and lit his lantern. He waved it in the air and the train’s brakes screeched.

  It was working.

  Serafina and Smith stood next to the mercantile’s supply wagon as the train passed them, but the brakes still screaming until it came to a complete stop. Justin ran to the engine and talked to the engineer.

  Serafina turned to look across the prairie, something was wrong. She squinted against the midday sun. A thin cloud of dust rose at a distance. She touched Smith’s arm. “We need to go!”

  “Yes. They have stopped. Let’s see which car has space for us.”

  “No!” Serafina skipped sideways toward the train. “We need to go! Somebody is coming this way.”

  Todd turned around and saw what she had seen. “You’re right. Come on!”

  He took her hand and ran for the train. A steward had opened the door and started to step out, but Smith shoved him back into the passenger car. “We’ve gotta get going, NOW!”

  He turned to lean out and yelled at Justin. “Tell the engineer, we’ve got trouble and need to get this train moving!” Smith pointed
at the pillar of dust.

  Justin turned to see the little dirt devil rising and nodded. He ran back to the engineer, waving his arm in the air and yelling. “Go! Go! Go!”

  The train sighed steam into the air and began rolling forward. Smith and Serafina hung on to the brass poles inside the passenger car. The steward looked confused and angry. Smith dug into his pant pocket and pulled out several coins. “Do you have an empty sleeper?”

  The Steward shook his head, but answered “Yes.”

  “Excellent.” Smith moved aside to allow the steward to lead the way. The train had picked up speed and even though they could hear guns shooting in the air and voices yelling, the train continued. Serafina bent to look out the window. Justin was riding away and four men who had riden up on horseback were racing along with the train, but the train was winning. Soon the men on horseback slowed and turned back. Serafina chuckled.

  “You suppose Justin will be alright?”

  Smith glanced over his shoulder at her. “He looks like he can handle himself.”

  The men were not chasing after the supply wagon. That was good. She continued watching as they walked from one car to the other. Justin was safe. At last the steward slid a door open on a sleeper and gestured for them to enter. Smith paid him for their passage to Denver. “Thank you my good man. You have literally saved our lives.”

  The steward nodded, just like he would to anybody. “Will you need anything else, sir?”

  “Does the dining car have St. Louis Bar-B-Que?”

  The steward’s expression didn’t change. “As a matter of fact, I believe we do.”

  Smith grinned like a boy in a candy shop. “Wonderful!”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Archie Gordon opened the door just as Smith knocked. An angry, bushy scowl across his brow. “Come into my office, the two of you.”

  Serafina glanced at Todd. He smiled but he didn’t look pleased, either. Swallowing her embarrassment, she continued in at his side. Her olive taffeta gown was filthy, her feet ached from the new boots, and her hair had a mind of its own, hanging down where it should be tucked up. She couldn’t even rely on her generally persuasive good looks.

  Seldom did she have to face her boss in such dismal disarray. And seldom did she have to return not having completed her assignment. Mr. Gordon had such high expectations of her and the reputation she bore being a secret service agent from Mexico. She burned with humiliation.

  Archie said nothing as he walked ahead of them and closed the office door. He continued in silence around his desk and sat in his chair with a huge sigh. “Now. What happened?”

  Words spilled from Serafina’s mouth. But she realized Smith was talking too. Archie frowned even more and held up both his hands. “Stop! Both of yew!” He drew in a long deep breath through his nose. “Now, one at a time.” He paused. “Ladies first.”

  “Our client had a mole. We had no idea, but we were concerned when the servant greeted us by name at Bristow’s penthouse suite.”

  Smith nodded. She remembered the look they exchanged when Raymond said, “The Secretary is waiting for you in the parlor, Agent Smith.”

  “Todd, I mean Agent Smith was instrumental in arranging a meeting with the distillers at the dock.”

  Archie’s brow rose high toward his receding hair line.

  “We thought we had been very successful and would meet with the person who was helping them evade the taxation on the whiskey barrels. We were told to return to the docks at nightfall. So we left to go send you a wire and… and to…” She couldn’t help but to smile. “To have lunch.” Her eyes flitted to Smith. He returned her jovial gesture. “But while we were in the taxi, we were kidnapped.”

  Concern washed over Archie’s face. His eyes darted to Smith. But Serafina continued. Speaking too fast, she knew, but the exhilaration of explaining what had gone wrong had made her anxious. “We woke in an office we believed to be John McDonald’s. At least the things on the desk appeared to be his. But the majority of our weapons had been… removed.” A blush warmed her cheeks. “But luckily I have some weapons disguised as accessories and was able to cut our bindings.”

  Archie’s brow returned high on his forehead. “Very resourceful.”

  “Yes. Uh, well, we got out of there but we couldn’t find any solid evidence proving McDonald had anything to do with our kidnapping or the tax evasion.” She stood. “But we know it was him… his men, anyway!”

  She flopped back in her chair, panting from speaking so fast for so long.

  “Okay.” Archie seemed to relax. “So you got an excellent lead on who is heading this Whiskey Ring.”

  Serafina stared at Gordon. Slowly she turned to Smith. “Yeah?”

  Smith smiled. “Yes. It’s as obvious as the buttons on my vest. But nothing solid, like Fina said.”

  She jerked her gaze to Archie. “So… you’re not mad at us?”

  Archie cocked his head back. “Mad at you? No. You two made more headway in this case than any of the Treasury’s men could. Now we know for sure who we need to investigate and we’ll report that to Bristow. The Treasury department will take it from here.”

  Serafina pursed her lips. “But… we didn’t—”

  Smith laid his hand on her arm. “It’s alright. We got enough to start a more focused investigation.”

  She sat back in her chair. “Oh.”

  “Now.” Archie picked up some papers on his desk and tapped them into order then stuffed them in a dossier. “Thank you Miss de la Verde.”

  The name sent a cold chill down Serafina’s back.

  “You have been a real asset to this investigation. And thank you Todd, for all that you did, too. You two made a dynamite team. Too bad you are obligated to return to Mexico. I have to say, I have enjoyed having you as a Pinkerton.”

  Serafina gulped down the knot of regret. She didn’t want to leave. Turning to look at Smith, she pursed her lips to hide the tremble she felt beginning. Her eyes filled with tears. She managed, “Thank you, Mr. Gordon.”

  “So, I imagine you two are anxious to be on your way…” He glanced up at them. “To get over to the Judge’s office. I believe he is in all afternoon. So, good luck to you Miss de la Verde. Please look us up next time you are in America.” Archie smiled dismissively.

  Serafina lingered in her chair. “Yes. I will.”

  Smith remained seated too. She turned to him. “Is that what you want?” She waited. “To get an annulment.”

  Smith looked deeply into her eyes. “I thought it was what you wanted.”

  “Yes, of course. I am obligated to my agency. I have to return.”

  “Well, yeah. That’s what I thought.” Smith stood, pulling her to her feet. When had he taken her hands into his? She looked down at their entwined fingers and back to his deliciously warm eyes. “I don’t imagine I have any choice in the matter.”

  They both turned to Archie. His eyes went wide. “Don’t look at me! I only arranged for her to come work with us for this case. Nothing more.”

  Disappointment swept over both their faces. “Of course.” Serafina uttered.

  “Archibald Gordon! Stop teasing these two!” Marianne busted into the room. “You know good and well you signed papers stating that when Serafina de la Verde married Todd Smith she was legally entitled to remain in America if she so wished.”

  Marianne looked flushed and her hair drooped into one eye. She blew at the sprig of red tendril and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Ah. You been listening at the door again, me lovely wife.” Archie’s brogue was heavier than usual. “How many times do I have to tell ye, dew naught listen at me door!”

  “Oh stop it and tell these kids they can stay together…” she turned to face Serafina and nodded vigorously. “If you want to, dear.”

  Serafina’s mouth dropped open. She turned back to Smith. Their hands were still together. “What do you want?”

  Smith smiled. “I love you, Serafina. I think I loved you the minute
you threw your hair comb and killed that assassin. I’d be honored for you to remain my wife.”

  Her gaping mouth closed and curled into a huge smile. “I love you, too. And I’d also be honored for you to remain my husband.”

  Todd leaned in closer. Serafina closed her eyes anticipating their first kiss. Todd’s lips touched hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer. A fire blazed inside her heart. This was perfect! Todd was perfect. Her heart was home.

  Archie cleared his throat. Serafina and Todd jerked apart with an embarrassed giggle.

  “Well, then.” Archie sounded exasperated. “There you go. I now pronounce you truly Man and Wife, now, go make merry somewhere else.” He waved his hand. “I’ve got paperwork to fill out and reports to file.”

  “Archie!” Marianne tsked her tongue. “Come with me. Pearl will be thrilled and will want to bake you a cake.”

  Smith laughed. “Oh goody!” He rubbed his hands together. “Pearl’s cakes are the best.”

  Serafina turned to Archie. “Do I need to contact my agency?”

  “Already done, lassie.” Archie smiled. “Marianne takes care of those sorts of things.”

  “So. I really can stay in America?”

  “Technically, you could all along. As I understand it, you were born in Louisiana. You’ve been an American citizen all your life.”

  Serafina stood still. “That’s right. I forget sometimes.”

  “Well, it does make this a might easier, for sure, lassie. But a letter to your agency expressing your intentions would not be a bad idea. Never burn a bridge I always say.”

  She nodded and hurried out the room. Smith and Marianne were in the kitchen. Pearl squealed in delight. Serafina smiled. She was home. And she was actually a Pinkerton agent. Archie Gordon had found the perfect agent for Serafina.

  She could really get used to this.