An Agent for AmeyThe Pinkerton Matchmaker Series
Laura Beers
An Agent for Amey
The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series Book #67
By:
Laura Beers
Copyright © 2020 by Laura Beers
Cover Art by Virginia McKevitt
Edition License Notes
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Contents
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
THE PINKERTON CODE
THE DENVER TRIBUNE EDITORIALS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Other published stories from Laura Beers
About the Author
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
Even though this book is a work of fiction, the Pinkerton Agents and their exploits are very real.
Allan Pinkerton, a Scottish immigrant, and Edward Rucker, a Chicago attorney, started the North-Western Police Agency in the early 1850s. It later became the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
Established in the U.S. by Allan Pinkerton in 1855, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency was a private security guard and detective agency. Pinkerton agents were hired as both bodyguards and detectives by corporations and individuals. They were active in stopping strikes, illegal operations, guarding train shipments, and searching for Western outlaws such as the James and Younger gangs.
Pinkerton agents were known to be tough yet honest. For the most part, they followed local and state laws. However, as with most situations, a few were known to be ruthless. Local law didn’t always approve of having an agent in town since they could investigate more fully than the sheriff. Going undercover gave the agents greater leeway for investigations but could also lead to corruption and violence.
As the West became more settled, crime increased, and local authorities were at times overwhelmed. It was not uncommon for Pinkerton agents to be hired to track down the worst of these criminals. Not encumbered by state or local boundaries, the agents followed and pursued their quarry where the clues led them.
The Pinkerton Agency was also one of the first companies to hire women. Kate Warne led the way for the women agents that followed her.
As the case load grew, new offices were established around the country, with the main office in Chicago, Illinois.
We created this series with these heroic men and women in mind. These are works of our imagination and no way reflect the true cases or activities that the Pinkerton Agency may have engaged in.
These are our stories of the men and women that braved danger and love to bring their own brand of justice.
THE PINKERTON CODE
Allan Pinkerton's agents were required to comply with a specific code of conduct while working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
According to the agency's records, agents were to have no addiction to "drinking, smoking, card playing, low dives or slang".
Additionally, a Pinkerton agent …
Could not accept bribes
May never compromise with criminals
Should willingly partner with local law enforcement
Must refuse divorce cases or those initiating scandal
Would be expected to turn down reward money
Cannot raise fees without client’s prior knowledge
Should keep clients appraised on an on-going basis
THE DENVER TRIBUNE EDITORIALS
Sat. April 22, 1871
Female Agents to join National Detective Agency.
Help Wanted: female agents to join the National Pinkerton Detective Agency
Seven years ago, the National Pinkerton Detective Agency moved into the new office location at 427 Chain Bridge Road, Denver, Colorado Territory. Since then stories have swirled of brave men solving crimes and fighting for justice.
But a new time has evolved, and the agency is now seeking able-bodied women to join the ranks of private investigations.
We need daring women who seek adventure and are of sound mind and body. You will help the criminal elements answer for their crimes and secure safety for their victims.
You will train with an existing agent, and after your first case, you will earn the rank of private detective. Paid training, transportation, uniforms, and accommodations will be provided. You will become a part of a noble profession and pave the way into the future.
This editorial has been placed in newspapers throughout the nation, so the quickest responses are appreciated.
Please send inquiries and a list of skills to Mr. A. Gordon at the above noted address.
Ed.
1
Ohio, 1873
Agent Amey Barney raced her horse toward the town of Copper Springs, hoping that she was not too late. After all, she had a wedding to stop.
She’d been searching for this fugitive for the past two years, and she’d finally received her first big break in the case. She had discovered a wedding announcement in the newspaper, listing Billy Thornton as the groom. Through her undercover work as a Pinkerton agent, she was able to ascertain that Billy Thornton was a known alias of Billy Joe Campbell.
Billy Joe Campbell was wanted for a bank robbery in her hometown of Tucson in the Arizona territory. He had only escaped with a few hundred dollars from the vault, but he’d made the mistake of killing the bank employee who was working that day.
Her brother.
Billy Joe Campbell had killed her brother, Mark, in cold blood, and she was determined to see him hang for his crimes. Unfortunately, Billy Joe had been elusive and had gone into hiding immediately after the bank robbery. No tips had come into the Pinkerton Detective Agency regarding his whereabouts, and Mr. Hopkins had begun to assign her other cases.
Still, she had never stopped looking for her brother’s killer. At every opportunity, she would scour the newspapers looking for any sign of him. She had correctly assumed that he would grow complacent over time. It had been two years since he’d last been seen, but now she was going to stop this wedding, arrest the groom, and watch him hang.
The town of Copper
