“Good morning. My name is Julia Masters, and I’ve come about the ad in the paper for female Pinkerton agents.”
“Good morning, Miss Masters. I’m Marianne Gordon, and I can help you with the application process.”
“Please call me, Julia.”
“All right, Julia.
Marianne reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a packet of papers. “I have several forms and some reading material for you to go over before I introduce you to Mister Gordon, our top agent.”
Julia noticed the nameplate on Marianne’s desk and asked, “Gordon? That’s also your name. Are you his sister?”
“No, I’m his wife.”
“Wife? Are agents allowed to marry? It seems a dangerous and solitary occupation,” Julia mused.
“It can be, but there are many times when a couple can work together. We women are quite resourceful, you know,” Marianne said.
“That I do know,” Julia agreed and smiled. “I’m excited about this possibility.”
Marianne stood with the packet of papers in her hand and told Julia to follow her into the library where she could fill out the forms and read the information required.
“This shouldn’t take you more than an hour to complete and read. I’ll see if Mister Gordon is available for your first interview after you complete the paperwork. Would you care for some tea?” Marianne explained.
“No, thank you,” Julia said as she glanced around the well-appointed library. “I had breakfast shortly before I came here.”
“Very well. Bring the papers back to my desk when you’re finished,” Marianne said as she slipped out of the door.
Less than an hour later, Julia returned to Marianne’s desk papers in hand.
“I found the information quite useful, and I hope I filled out all the questions correctly,” Julia said.
“On many of the questions, there aren’t any right or wrong answers. They are to gauge your perception and problem-solving abilities--both important qualities for agents,” Marianne explained and then added, “Mister Gordon will be finished with his interview shortly. Please take a seat, and I’ll introduce you when he’s finished.”
Julia thanked her and took a seat in one of the comfortable dark blue chairs in front of the large window overlooking the street. A few minutes later, Julia heard a door open, and a handsome man with blonde hair and striking blue eyes approached Marianne’s desk but kept his eye on her nearly stumbling over his own feet.
West leaned partly across Marianne’s desk and whispered, “Who is the stunning brunette sitting across the room?”
“An agent applicant and don’t talk to her. I don’t want you to scare her off with your flirtatious nature.”
“But she’s beautiful,” West countered.
Marianne replied, “Yes, she is, and because of that, she needs to attract the attention of men with honorable intentions when she is ready to take that step. Right now, she wants to become a Pinkerton.”
West slapped his chest as if in pain and muttered, “Honorable? Am I not an honorable man?”
Shaking her head slowly, Marianne stared back at West. “Yes, in your professional life, you are honorable, but I know you love to flirt and aren’t serious about settling down. Remember the conversation we just had about you not wanting any little critters and your brother-in-law needing to imbibe just to survive his life?”
West shrugged, “There should be a middle ground somewhere in all this. Well, after this month-long assignment, Archie gave me a couple of days off, but I’ll be around.”
“We’ll find you if needed.”
West smiled at Marianne, nodded at Julia, pulled his hat off the rack by the door, and hurried on his way.
Marianne stood and invited Julia to follow her. After introductions were made, Marianne left the office, and Julia sat on a wooden chair, doing her best to keep her hands from shaking.
“Good morning, Miss Masters,” Archie began. “I see here that you’re from Gentle Falls, Wisconsin. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of it.”
“It’s a small town about thirty miles west of Milwaukee. It’s not much more than a stage stop, but we’re hoping the train will come to town soon. As a matter of fact, before my uncle opened his mercantile, he ran the stage-stop. My parents traveled to the area and started a farm,” Julia explained, hoping she wasn’t sharing too much information without being asked and that she didn’t sound silly.
“I see. May I ask why you lived at the convent in Milwaukee for the past two years. It’s a bit far to travel unless your vocation was to become a nun.”
Julia smiled and began, “My father died several years ago. My brother took care of the farm for my mother. When she died, my brother wanted to leave and travel West. He developed wanderlust, and each of his letters has been from a different location. I didn’t know what to do. I was grieving my mother and felt a bit abandoned, although my aunt and uncle live in town.”
Archie nodded, and Julia continued, “My mother grew up in Milwaukee, and her dear friend is the Mother Superior. I wrote to tell Mother Superior of my mother’s passing and asked if I could come to the convent since I needed to find peace and solitude. I remained for two years.”
“You’re positive you don’t feel called to be a nun? Why would you apply to become a Pinkerton agent?”
“I know I don’t have the calling, and when I decided it was time to leave the convent, I wasn’t sure what to do. My brother sold all our livestock before he headed West and left money with Mother Superior in case I ever left the convent. At first, I thought about going back to the farm, but I saw the advertisement for female agents and took a train from Milwaukee to Denver. Here I am.”
“Your application meets all the basic requirements. We have a dormitory where you will reside while training. There is much to learn, but you seem to be a bright young woman. After initial training, you’ll be partnered with
