An Agent for Esme: Pinkerton Matchmakers, #32

By Amelia C. Adams

Matthew Harrison, Pinkerton agent, has always prided himself on being ready and willing to accept any case he's assigned. He's a team player, after all. But when his new partner, a pretty young female agent from the Chicago office, shows up to escort him to their assignment in Santa Fe, he's not at all sure what to make of her. He's never met anyone so focused on being prim, proper, and precise, and he believes she just might be the most irritating woman he's ever met.

 

Esmerelda Carter has one objective, and one objective only - to reach Santa Fe, find the missing agent they've been sent to find, and turn in her report. She doesn't have time for fun and games, and she certainly doesn't have time to entertain thoughts about her handsome new partner. Yes, the case does require that they get married, but that's temporary, and soon they'll be parting ways again.

 

But the case isn't what it seems, and soon they're depending on each other for their very lives . . . which does have a way of bringing people closer together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barr26 Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Dec 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223294474

Book preview

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Esmerelda Carter hefted her carpet bag, trying to make it feel lighter, but of course, that was against the laws of physics. The weight of the bag hadn’t changed, but her muscles were becoming fatigued. Thankfully, her destination was just ahead. If she’d realized the walk from the train station would have been so taxing, she would have hired a buggy.

The Pinkerton office of Denver, Colorado, was a decently impressive edifice, she decided as she approached. She was not, however, impressed by the two men leaning up against the columns, one on either side of the door. They were coatless, with their shirtsleeves rolled up to their elbows.

Excuse me, gentlemen, she said, giving them a nod as she reached out for the doorknob. They each straightened, a poor attempt at redeeming their sloppy first impressions.

May I take that for you? one of them offered, reaching for her bag.

She looked him up and down. That all depends. Are you one of the agents, or one of the ne’er-do-wells the agency has been hired to apprehend?

The man’s lips twitched, but his friend burst into outright laughter.

I suppose we don’t look very respectable, ma’am, the first man said. We’ve just completed a case that required us to stay up all night, and we haven’t freshened up yet. I’m Agent Jonah Hays, and this is Agent Jake Hunter.

Agent Hunter stopped snickering long enough to greet her more cordially.

I’m Esmerelda Carter, and I’m here to meet with your supervisor. That would be Archibald Gordon, I believe?

The two men glanced at each other. That’s right, Agent Hunter replied. Is he expecting you?

I hope so. A telegram was sent, but I have no way of knowing if it was received. She raised an eyebrow. What is it? You’re acting as though something’s wrong.

Everything’s fine, Agent Hays said quickly. Archie’s just been a little . . . Well, I’m sure everything’s fine.

You’re repeating yourself. And you call your supervisor ‘Archie’? That seems rather disrespectful to me.

Well, maybe it is, ma’am. I haven’t really considered it. It’s just that when you’ve known someone for a long time . . . Agent Hays looked uncomfortable. As well he should. Archie, indeed.

It doesn’t matter, she replied, even though in her opinion, it did. If you don’t mind, I’ll head inside now.

Of course. And let me take that. Agent Hays reached for her bag, which she relinquished gladly now that she felt somewhat sure she’d get it back, and they entered the building.

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Esmerelda looked around, her observant eyes taking in the furnishings and the décor. It was a pleasant foyer, obviously put together by a woman, but not too fussy with frills and folderol. She liked the simplicity of it.

May I help you, miss?

She turned at the voice and saw a pale young woman bustling toward her. From the apron she wore over her dark skirt, Esmerelda surmised that she was a housekeeper or maid of some sort. Yes, I’m here to meet with Agent Gordon. I’m Esmerelda Carter.

And I’m Pearl. We’re glad to have you here, Miss Carter.

Agent Carter, actually. Esmerelda was used to having to correct people. It was part of being a woman in her line of work—it came second nature.

Of course. I apologize. Jonah, please take Agent Carter’s bag upstairs—we’ll tuck her away up there until her itinerary is resolved. Agent Carter, I’ll let Agent Gordon know you’re here. Pearl crossed to a door just off the lobby and rapped on it, then opened it. Agent Gordon, I—

What in all the bluebells in Scotland—

Esmerelda blinked at the growl that came from the office, but Pearl didn’t seem flustered in the least.

I wasn’t aware that bluebells grew in Scotland, sir, she replied mildly.

They do indeed—there’s a whole variety called the Scottish bluebell! I would think you’d know that, Pearl!

Esmerelda took a small step backwards. Pearl merely shook her head.

Well, sir, the next time I find myself on that side of the ocean, I’ll be certain to swing by and pay the bluebells my respects. First, though, you have an agent here to meet you.

And why did you leave him hanging around out there in the lobby? Show him in!

It’s a young lady, sir.

"That doesn’t make it right! Show her in!"

Pearl turned back to Esmerelda with a patient look on her face. He’ll see you now.

Esmerelda raised an eyebrow. I’m not sure it’s safe to go in there.

"He won’t actually hurt you. He’s just a mite out of sorts because his assistant transferred to the Chicago office."

Esmerelda nodded. Miss Chapman—I met her just before I left to come here. I’m from the Chicago office. She recalled Miss Chapman as being quite a lovely woman with dark red hair.

Agent Gordon depended on her quite a bit, and with her gone, he’s at loose ends. I’m sure he’ll get it figured out, though—in time.

If he’s so dependent on her, why did she leave?

Pearl hesitated. Well now, there are some things we can only speculate about.

Esmerelda took that as a hint that she shouldn’t pry, and she nodded. She wasn’t the type who needed every last bit of gossip. In fact, she did quite well without it because it was a decided waste of time.

She straightened her shoulders and walked toward the office door, feeling as though she was about to enter a lion’s den, but knowing she must do what was necessary for her assignment.

A man with disheveled auburn hair and a beard sat behind the large desk in the room, papers strewn in front of him. He held a pen in one hand and a ruler in the other, and he was obviously looking for a certain sheet with no success.

Esmerelda walked up to the desk. Good morning, sir. My name is Agent Esmerelda Carter, and I’m here from the Chicago office. Did you receive the telegram about my arrival?

He looked up at her and squinted one eye. Telegram? What telegram?

The one informing you of my arrival, sir.

Pearl!

Esmerelda jumped back as Agent Gordon bellowed.

The housekeeper entered the office. Yes, sir?

Did I get a telegram about . . .

Agent Carter, Esmerelda supplied.

Yes, yes, that’s right. Did I get a telegram about Agent Carter?

You’ve received several telegrams, sir, but I don’t read your correspondence, so I can’t say whether or not you got one about Agent Carter.

Gah! He slapped both hands on the desk, letting go of the things he was holding. How’s a man supposed to function like this?

He wasn’t. That was plain. It was also plain that this chaos was of his own making. Unable to tolerate it a single moment longer, Esmerelda took a step forward and began to tidy the papers on the desk, talking as she worked. Perhaps I can explain my reasons for being here while we look for the telegram. I was sent here by my superiors to team up with one of your agents for an undercover case. We have reason to believe that one of our agents in the Santa Fe office has gone missing, and we’ve been asked to investigate and see if this is actually the case. There have been rumors of a political uprising in the area, and it’s feared that he is a casualty. It’s quite a bit more complex than that, I’m sure you understand, but that will do for a quick summary.

As she spoke, Esmerelda had been categorizing the papers, putting case files together and organizing them by date, and placing the telegrams in one separate stack. As she concluded her summary, she handed Agent Gordon the telegram he’d received from her supervisor.

He took it from her outstretched hand, glanced at it, then blinked. You’re quite an expert in office management, Agent Carter. I don’t suppose you’d like to change your assignment and become my new assistant.

No, thank you, sir. I’m a field agent through and through, and not only that, but you need to get your previous assistant back here as soon as possible. I fear not only for your mental health, but for the fire hazard being presented by this completely unkempt office. She hadn’t been offered a seat yet, but she took one anyway and fixed her gaze at him across the desk. Now that you have my credentials, when do I meet my groom?

He blinked. Your groom?

Yes. I understand this office has developed the somewhat unorthodox policy of marrying off female agents to the male agents in order to preserve reputations and so forth. I’m not in the slightest bit worried about my reputation—I never have cared what other people think about me—but I do need help from your office, and if that’s your policy, so be it. She paused, but he didn’t reply. Did I misunderstand something, Agent Gordon? Is something wrong?

"Wrong? No, no . . . not in the slightest. I’m just not used to young ladies presenting themselves in my office ready to get married. It usually takes a bit