Lincoln put his hands up in front of him. “My apologies, I meant no disrespect,” he said. “I have never partnered with a woman before.”
“Then you’re in for a surprise,” Archie remarked in an amused tone. “Your partner should be arriving any minute.”
Amey Barney stood in front of the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s Denver office. She’d been standing outside of the door for what felt like hours but was probably only moments. For some unknown reason, she felt only dread at the thought of working out of the Denver office.
She’d left her hometown of Tucson to seek adventure, and she’d succeeded. She’d traveled all over the country as a Pinkerton agent, and now she just needed to consider this a new adventure.
She shifted the carpetbag in her hand as she reached to knock on the door. After a long moment, the door opened, and a pretty, red-headed woman stared back at her.
“May I help you?”
Amey forced a smile on her face and hoped it was cordial enough. “My name is Amey Barney, and I believe Mr. Gordon is expecting me.”
“Yes, of course,” the woman responded with a smile, opening the door wide. “Please come in, Miss Barney.”
“Thank you,” Amey replied as she stepped into the entry hall.
The woman closed the door behind her. “Allow me to introduce myself,” she started, “my name is Mrs. Marianne Gordon.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Gordon.”
“You must call me Marianne.”
“Then you must call me Amey.”
“I’d like that very much.” Marianne glanced down at her carpetbag. “Please say that’s not all of your luggage.”
Amey shook her head. “I left my trunk at the station, along with my horse, Jasper.”
“I’ll send someone to retrieve your trunk and your horse,” Marianne remarked as she spun around and started walking down the hallway. “Follow me. I’ll show you to Archie’s office.”
Stopping at a closed door, Marianne knocked before she opened it.
A man’s exasperated voice came from inside the room. “You can’t keep barging into my office, Marianne.”
“Miss Amey Barney is here to see you,” Marianne replied in a cheery voice, ignoring his gruff tone.
“Send her in.”
Amey gripped the handle of her carpet bag tightly as she walked into the room.
A gentleman with bright red hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and broad shoulders stood behind the desk and greeted her politely. “Miss Amey Barney, welcome to the Denver office,” he said. “My name is Archie Gordon, and we’re delighted to have you working out of our office.”
“As am I,” she replied, hoping her words sounded convincing.
Mr. Gordon pointed toward a tall, thin man with a strong jaw and a straight nose. “Allow me to introduce you to Lincoln Hoyt. He’s one of our top agents.”
She tipped her head toward Lincoln. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hoyt.”
His alert eyes tracked her, making her feel slightly uneasy. “Likewise, Miss Barney,” he replied in a deep, baritone voice.
Mr. Gordon pointed toward a chair next to Lincoln. “Would you care to sit down?”
“I’d like that very much.” She came around the chair and sat down, placing her carpetbag next to her chair.
Both men in the room took their seats, and Amey noticed that Marianne had discreetly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Mr. Gordon reached for a file on his desk. “Mr. Hopkins informed me that you were one of the top agents in the Female Detective Bureau.”
“I was,” she replied firmly.
Mr. Gordon bobbed his head in approval. “That’s good. The Denver office is expanding, and we’re always looking for experienced agents to join our ranks.” He looked down at the file on his desk. “I’ve already assigned you a case.”
“You have?”
“Yes,” he replied, glancing up at her. “Is that a problem?”
She squared her shoulders. “No, sir.”
“Good,” he murmured. “A man’s wife was found dead under mysterious circumstances, and he’s hired us to find her killer.”
“Is he a suspect?”
Mr. Gordon shook his head. “The sheriff has already cleared him of any wrongdoing, but the townsfolk aren’t as convinced.”
“Are you sure the husband didn’t kill his wife and is hiring us in a foolish attempt to clear his name?” she asked.
Lincoln looked amused as he said, “I said something similar.”
She shifted toward Lincoln. “When a wife turns up dead, it’s usually the husband.”
“That’s been my experience, as well,” Lincoln agreed.
“If that’s the case, and you discover proof that Mr. Tiner is the killer, then you’ll turn your findings over to the sheriff,” Archie instructed.
“This case sounds easy enough,” she said, rising. “I should have it wrapped up in no time.”
Mr. Gordon put his hand up. “Hold on,” he ordered. “I need to discuss something with you first.”
Slowly, she returned to her seat.
Picking up the quill, Mr. Gordon began tapping it on top of the desk. “Mr. Hopkins told me that you’re rather obsessed with bringing Billy Joe Campbell to justice.”
“I am,” she replied, seeing no reason to deny it.
Mr. Gordon’s hand stilled. “I see,” he murmured. “Has your thirst for justice ever compromised an assignment?”
“No, sir,” she responded honestly.
“What about the incident at Copper Springs?”
She lowered her gaze. “I was following up on a lead in between assignments.”
Mr. Gordon’s lips twitched disapprovingly. “Since you’re new to our office, I’ve decided to assign you a partner for this case.”
“But, sir, I work alone,” she pressed.
“Not on this case,” he replied. “I want to be sure you’re properly trained.”
Her lips parted in disbelief. “I assure you that I have been properly trained.”
“Mr. Hopkins did inform me of that fact, but it does not alter my decision,” the supervisor said firmly. “I’ve assigned Lincoln Hoyt to be your partner. He will also be the lead agent on this case.”
Amey clasped her hands in her lap, attempting to curb her sharp tongue. If she spoke what was truly on her mind, she had no doubt that he would fire her. But she wanted to, desperately. How dare Mr. Gordon assign her a partner as if she were a new recruit! She was a seasoned agent, and she’d
