“Does that mean I have a chance to become an agent?” Julia questioned, hoping she understood Mister Gordon correctly.
“If you do well in training, yes, you have an excellent chance, Miss Masters,” Archie told her. “Please see Marianne about housing and the training schedule.”
Julia stood, and Archie offered her his hand, and she shook it gratefully. “Thank you, sir. I will do the very best I’m able, and I look forward to becoming an agent. I hope that the last two years I spent in the convent won’t be held against me. I grew up on a farm. I am strong and capable and honest.”
“You won’t be judged on your prior life unless it was a life of crime. You do well in training, and I’ll hand you a badge when you graduate.”
Julia nodded and thanked Archie three more times as she made her way to the door and back out to the outer office.
Chapter 3
Two weeks later:
Julia sat quietly in a chair in front of Archie’s desk while he read through the papers in front of him. He looked up at Julia and smiled.
“I see you’ve done well these past weeks. I see no reason why we shouldn’t hire you. I believe you would be an asset to the agency. Before you would be a full operative, you must complete a mission with one of our experienced agents.”
Julia answered, “I understand, and I’m ready to learn whatever I can along with another agent.”
“Good, I have decided to partner you with West Lange. I believe you’ll work well together.”
Archie was interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by a voice saying, “You wanted to see me, Archie?”
Julia turned to see the same handsome man she had seen in the office two weeks earlier.
“Yes, West come in. I want you to meet your new partner and our latest agent in training, Julia Masters. Julia, please meet your new partner, West Lange.”
Julia started to rise, but West strode across the room and offered his hand before she could get to her feet.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Masters.”
“Likewise, Mister Lange.”
“Sit down, West,” Archie instructed. “Let me tell you about the mission, but first there is the small issue of the two of you working together as single agents. We can’t have any hint of impropriety.”
West shot to his feet. “Oh, no, you don’t, Archie. I told you when I watched many of the other agents marry for their assignments that I had no interest in marrying anyone for any reason, including marriage in name only for an assignment. Look how the other marriages worked out. They all remain married. I’m never marrying. Ever.”
“Married?” Julia stammered. “No one told me I had to marry, especially someone I don’t know and have a marriage in name only. How is that supposed to work?”
Archie cleared his throat, “When the assignment is completed, you may annul the marriage if you wish.”
“Annul a marriage made in the sight of God? Would I have to marry every agent I work with? I think I would be knocking on the gates of Hell. This can’t be right,” Julia said while shaking her head vigorously.
“Please, Julia, let me explain,” Archie said. “The marriage is performed by a judge, not a preacher. It is only for the sake of your name and reputation since this is your first assignment. After this, you would not be required to marry any other agent.”
“I see,” mumbled Julia. “This would not be a, um, physical arrangement?”
“No, not at all,” Archie assured. “West would be your husband in name only.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” West shouted. “I mean, yes, I wouldn’t expect to be physical. Oh, I’m not sure what I mean except that I am not marrying her for any reason.”
Archie tapped his fingers on his desk. “This case involves the murder of a priest and a treasure that the murderer attempted to steal. It has been moved, but the priest entrusted with the treasure believes he may have been discovered. He is a young priest and the nephew of a friend of mine. He wrote to me asking for help.”
“That’s horrible,” Julia interjected. “And you think we can help?”
Archie nodded, “This is a serious matter, and law enforcement in the small town where the murder took place has run into dead ends everywhere they looked. When you solve the mystery of who is trying to steal the treasure, you will find the murderer and hopefully save the young priest from the same fate.”
West dropped back onto his chair and groaned. “I don’t like this, Archie. I don’t like this at all, but with a life in danger, I can make the sacrifice.”
Julia blew out a breath. “Don’t make it sound as if you’re facing the gallows. I don’t like this any more than you do, but I’m willing to do what I must. I promised Mister Gordon that I would do my best.”
West glared at Julia, and Julia just smiled back.
“All right, now that this is settled, go see Judge Hotchkiss, get married, and leave on the evening train. All the information you need is in the dossier,” Archie said, handing the papers to West.
Archie stood and offered identification papers and a badge to Julia, “Congratulations, Julia. You’re an official Pinkerton Agent.”
Julia took the offered items and thanked Archie before following an obviously upset West out the door. She barely had time to say goodbye to Marianne before West rushed her out of the front door and down the steps of the building.
“Please slow down, we’re not going to a fire,” Julia pleaded nearly running to keep up with West’s long strides.
“If you’re going to be an agent, you’ll have to learn to be faster,” West retorted.
“I am an agent,” Julia insisted. “I could keep up if I was wearing pants.”
West stopped short and looked straight in Julia’s large brown eyes. “Pants? You can’t wear pants. You were a nun.”
“I was never
