An Agent for Audrey: Pinkerton Matchmakers, #6

By Laura Beers

When heiress Audrey Hardwick is given the opportunity to become a Pinkerton Agent, she wholeheartedly leaves her life in Cincinnati behind and sets out for a new adventure. But her mission turns into mayhem when she meets Agent Warren Rockwell, a former gunslinger, who is too stubborn – and handsome – for his own good. Will she succeed in proving her worth as an agent, and as a woman, or will Warren always view her as his reluctant partner?

As one of Pinkerton's top agents, Warren must marry the hard-headed Hardwick due to a new rule that has been implemented at the Denver office: Newly hired female agents must marry an agent for their first case assignment. Audrey's beauty and her pampered background has him so frustrated that he doesn't know whether to scold her… or just kiss her good and hard.

Can he learn to trust her enough to change his independent nature? Falling in love just isn't that easy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barr26 Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Oct 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223238195

Book preview

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Turning the corner of the masonry-walled factory, Audrey Hardwick kept her back against the cold bricks, saying a silent prayer that she had correctly located the kidnapper’s hideout. The mayor’s daughter, Miss Cecily Sharp, had been kidnapped a few days ago, and the Cincinnati Police Department had left no stone unturned attempting to rescue her, even calling in a female agent to help solve the case.

Not that she didn’t have experience. She had solved many cases over the years for the police department, but always with the assumption that her role was never to be discovered. She could only imagine the shock if the public found out a woman was being consulted on criminal investigations!

Treading lightly, she walked down the darkened alleyway. Half expecting to hear shouting at any moment, Audrey was relieved to hear only silence and the sound of dripping water in the distance. If her research was correct, then she was breaking into a small office in the back of the abandoned fish factory.

Ahead, a rectangular window with a stone lintel offered minimal light. With any luck, Cecily would be on the other side of the wall. Unfortunately, as she approached the window, she could see it was so incredibly filthy that she wouldn’t be able to see through it. Instead, she attempted to pry it open, but it wouldn’t budge.

She removed a knife from the pocket of her trousers and slid its tip between the frame and the window opening. As she suspected, it wasn’t locked, but the wood was swollen from the damp air. She pulled and pushed and wriggled the knife along the window frame until she felt it move a little. Smiling to herself, she pushed the window until it finally slid up. She propelled herself upwards, and rested her body on the sill, grateful for her decision to wear men’s clothing.

She peered into the darkened room and saw a candle flickering in one corner. She could hear muffled sobbing. As she pulled herself through, she angled her body and dropped down, landing softly on her feet.

Keeping her hand on the derringer tucked into the waistband of her trousers, Audrey whispered, Cecily. The sobbing stopped. Cecily. Are you in here?

A blonde girl, about eight years old, rose from her huddled position in the corner. Her hair was matted to her face, and her once-white dress was covered in dirt and grime. She started to open her mouth, but Audrey put a finger to her lips. The girl nodded in response.

Waving her over, Audrey leaned close to her ear and said, I am here to take you home, but you need to do everything that I say. Understand?

Cecily nodded and was wise enough not to say anything. Audrey grabbed a crate leaning against the wall and placed it under the window. Fortunately, she was tall for a woman at almost five feet, eight inches, so she didn’t need the extra boost, but Cecily would. Pointing to herself, then toward the window, Audrey indicated that she would go first and help Cecily on the other side.

After Audrey was through, she turned and saw Cecily standing on the crate preparing to exit the window. She jumped onto the sill which caused the wooden crate to topple over, creating a loud, disastrous crash. Audrey yanked Cecily through the opening and started running out of the alleyway, keeping the girl’s hand in hers. The shouts from the men behind them had Audrey increasing her pace.

Audrey had anticipated this might happen. She was a meticulous planner and always prepared for possible scenarios. Since the abandoned factory was situated in a poor section of town, she would take advantage of the most obvious place to hide from the criminals.

After she turned a corner, she saw men, women, and children, some dressed in rags, sleeping on the ground, huddled around each other to provide warmth. She grabbed two tattered blankets and draped one over Cecily and told her not to move. She ran a few feet into the street and put her hand into a pile of horse dung, smearing it onto her blanket.

Once she returned to the girl’s side, Audrey pushed Cecily toward a woman huddled against the wall. Immediately, the woman put her arm around Cecily, yanking her close to her side. She hoped anyone looking would assume they had a familial connection. Audrey covered her head with her blanket and gripped the edges near her throat, then sat down near Cecily and the woman protecting her.

After spending some time watching the alleged kidnappers’ movements earlier in the day, Audrey was pleased to see that they barely spared this homeless community a glance in passing. Prior to retrieving Cecily, she had spoken quietly to several adults in the group and explained she might need to lay low with them for a short while. In exchange, she gave each member of the group a two-dollar bill for agreeing to help her. The sound of men’s boots storming down the alley echoed off the brick walls.

The men stopped in front of a group of men huddled together. An elderly man with a long, shaggy beard shifted slightly and received a kick in the leg for his efforts. You, old man, have you seen a man with a blonde child running past these parts? one of the kidnappers asked gruffly.

The old man shook his head. I ain’t seen nothing.

Another man sneered and crouched down low, his eyes scanning the group. Despite keeping her eyes downcast, Audrey could feel the man’s eyes boring into her. And what about you, girl? Did you see anyone run by this way?

No, sir, she replied in a submissive tone, her hands gripping tightly to her blanket. I was asleep.

The man put a hand to his nose and made a gagging noise. You reek, you worthless thing. He rose and cast a disgusted look at the group of homeless people. We’ll be back shortly to show you some respect.

There was shouting in the distance, and she smiled as she heard the welcoming words, Police! Put your hands up! Without looking down, the three kidnappers fled into the dark of the night.

Sliding over until she was sitting next to Cecily, she whispered, Stay where you are. We won’t move until I know it’s safe.

Cecily looked up at her and gave her a grateful smile. Thank you. She scrunched her nose. Would you mind taking that blanket off. It stinks really bad.

Audrey smiled. It does, doesn’t it?

The girl nodded, and Audrey laughed. Sometimes it takes drastic measures to outsmart the bad guys.

Most of the homeless women and children were sitting up now, listening to their conversation. Audrey turned her smile toward them. Thank you for helping us.

One woman, holding her sleeping babe next to her chest, returned her smile. It was our pleasure, especially since you paid us.

A man’s voice from further down the street drew her attention. Audrey! Where are you? His hushed words were strained with worry.

Recognizing the voice as a police officer on the force, Audrey rose, casting off the stinky blanket. Over here! she shouted.

A uniformed Mr. Parker jogged over to her, his eyes roaming the group of homeless people. Did you find her?

Audrey held out her hand, helping Cecily rise. This beautiful girl is Miss Cecily Sharp.

The man shook his head, staring at the girl in disbelief. I don’t know how you did it, Audrey. He spoke with respect and a hint of awe.

Is it safe to move? Audrey asked.

Mr. Parker nodded. Yes, although we are still rounding up the rest of the gang. That might go well into the night. He put his hands on his legs and leaned forward, so he was eye level with the girl. Miss Sharp, may I take you home?

In response, Cecily stepped behind Audrey, peeked around, and eyed the officer suspiciously.

Giving Mr. Parker an apologetic smile, Audrey turned and crouched down to speak to the scared girl. Sweetheart, I can’t take you home. I am not even supposed to be here. She brushed the matted hair away from Cecily’s cheek. But Mr. Parker is a sergeant on the Cincinnati police force and is a good friend of mine. He will make sure you get home safe and sound.

Promise? Cecily asked, her fearful eyes darting to Mr. Parker.

I promise. Audrey rose. You are safe now.

Mr. Parker held his hand out, and Cecily tentatively reached for it. He took her hand gently, then looked sternly at Audrey. Now, go. You can’t be seen here.

With a parting look at Cecily, Audrey hurried toward her coach, stopping only when she needed to stay hidden in the shadows from the other police officers milling about. Once she arrived at the coach, the driver jumped down and opened the door. Home, Miss Hardwick?

Yes, she answered. We are not needed here anymore.

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Sitting at the vast dining room table in her townhouse, Audrey methodically chewed her food as a maid and footman stood against the wall, ready to cater to her every whim. Once she’d taken her last bite, she crossed her knife and fork over the plate and wiped her mouth with her white linen cloth, before placing it on top.

The maid promptly came to pick up her plate. Thank you, Sarah, Audrey acknowledged. How was your day?

Good, miss, Sarah replied vaguely before retreating from the room.

It was practically futile to engage her staff in conversation. Except for her lady’s maid, Audrey felt like a stranger in her own home. Her parents had sent her off to finishing school in Connecticut, and she only returned home for holidays. After graduation, she was sent with an elderly companion on a European tour.

Audrey sipped her lemonade as she again admired the dining room, specially designed by her mother to dazzle and intimidate the guests. Rich burgundy walls mingled with ornate woodwork running the length of the room. A large, imposing crystal chandelier, imported from London, hung over the table and was set in a gold-plated ceiling.

Standing up, she walked over to the curved bay window and looked out over Dayton Street, also known as millionaire’s row. Street lamps lit up the pristinely clean sidewalks and carriages rolled by.

Her parents had constructed this townhouse to demonstrate their wealth and prestige. The front of the building boasted imported limestone, a carved balcony above the front entryway, and ironwork from a palace in Paris. Her father’s company created fancy carriages for wealthy families all over the world, and her mother loved to spend his money on lavish parties and furnishings.

Audrey walked back to the table and placed her glass down before moving toward the living room. After selecting a book, she sat on a settee. She breathed a contented little sigh, enjoying the fire crackling in the hearth.

Her butler’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. Miss Audrey, Mr. Dumfries said, causing her to look away from the fire. Commissioner Ruffin is here to see you.

Please, show him in. Placing her book onto the table, she assumed she knew why the Cincinnati Police Chief had personally called.

A smartly dressed Commissioner Ruffin walked into the room, his eyes sparking with anger. Miss Audrey, he said in a clipped tone.

Audrey tilted her head at her respected mentor. Commissioner, what a pleasure.

Drop the act, Audrey, he grumbled as he dropped into a chair across from her. I specifically told you not to engage the suspects and to inform me of anything that you discovered while reviewing the case.

Smoothing out her dark grey skirt, Audrey attempted to keep her face expressionless. It would not bode well for her if she acted amused by the seasoned police chief. After reviewing the ransom notes, I noticed that the paper had a slight fishy odor, and my instinct kicked in. I spent the next day traveling to the abandoned factories near the water. Upon closer inspection of one of the buildings, I noticed that people of lesser repute were going in and out. It was only logical that something must have been going on in that building.

Commissioner Ruffin opened his mouth but closed it as a maid walked in with a tray of tea and pastries. As she placed it on the table, she asked, Would you like me to pour for you, miss?

No, thank you, Audrey replied, waiting for the maid to leave before continuing her story. I sent you and Mr. Parker a note before I decided to retrieve Cecily.

He humphed a disapproving grunt. You left a note on my desk, knowing that I had already left for a meeting with the mayor. I only discovered that note when I came in to supervise the interrogation of the suspected kidnappers.

Audrey poured a cup of tea and extended it toward him. But I ensured that a note was personally delivered to Mr. Parker at his home.

Commissioner Ruffin accepted the cup and placed it back onto the table. You sent a hooligan to deliver the note, he said, his voice becoming agitated. You went into a rough part of town, alone, climbed into an abandoned building… he hesitated, before continuing, you could have been killed, or abducted yourself, Audrey. What the blazes were you thinking? He jumped up from his seat, the distress clearly outlined on his face.

She sipped her tea briefly before placing her cup back onto its saucer. I had everything under control.

A vein pulsated on his neck as he stared at her. Finally, it slowed as he took two deep breaths. When he was calmer, he asked, Do you have any regard for your reputation or safety?

It wasn’t about me, Audrey stated firmly. It was about Cecily. She needed to get home to her family.

Then let the police handle it! Do you not grasp that it could have so easily gone the other way last night? He jerked his hand toward his forehead. You are a woman. An heiress, for heaven’s sake! People have been killed for a lot less.

I understand that, she replied, "which is why I took precautions. I paid a group of homeless people to allow us to blend in with