Sadie's Secret: 3 (The Secret Lives of Will Tucker) (24 page)

“Just as you would be disinclined to give me any information on any of
your
cases. We’ve had this discussion, Kyle. Why belabor the point?”

“Even now that you are no longer in their employ.”

“Especially now.”

“Fair enough.” Kyle sat back and regarded Jefferson for a moment. “When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow,” was all he would say. “You’re welcome to stay until you can make other arrangements although I would ask that you respect the fact my grandmother is under this roof.”

“And if I were to offer an alternative to the time and expense it will take to stand before your superiors and hear the reason for your dismissal?”

Jefferson shook his head. “I see no alternative.”

“And yet there is one.” Kyle paused as if considering his words. “You were dismissed due to inconsistencies in your reports and dereliction of duty.”

“Impossible!” Taking a deep breath, Jefferson let it out slowly. “And how was I to have committed these acts while wrongfully imprisoned?”

Kyle merely stared, allowing Jefferson to work out the answer himself. “Your brother. He had almost a year to do whatever he wished.”

Jefferson paused to think of the possibilities of that statement. Of the warning John had offered upon their last meeting. “Including impersonating me.”

“Or, is it you impersonating him?”

“That’s outrageous—”

“Is it?” Kyle regarded Jefferson impassively. “As twins would you not have similarities and differences? What if one twin has skills the other does not possess? Would that not be reason enough to exchange places?”

Blood pounded at Jefferson’s temples as he stood. “I assure you, Agent Russell, there is nothing on this earth that would be worth going to that prison for, be it treasure or pride. Nothing.”

“If you say so.”

“I do,” Jefferson snapped. “And so do you. A man who was uncertain as to whether I was friend or foe would not have showed me the array of crime-fighting inventions you have at your disposal.”

Kyle gave Jefferson an appraising look. “I had to hear what your answer would be. I guarantee you will be asked this question more than once in the future.”

Jefferson let out a long breath as his temper subsided. Still, he remained standing. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I am, and I think you’ve done well by your response. There’s another possibility I’ve been considering. This case you were working on, is that what brought you to the States?”

“Yes.”

“And not the need to pay your brother a visit?”

He tried not to consider how different things might have been had he not made that stop in Louisiana. “My mother requested I see to his health and safety. It was not something I would have done otherwise.”

Kyle’s expression sobered as he seemed to be considering his next words carefully. “Then is it possible that your brother did not arrange to switch places with you on his own?”

“I don’t follow.”

“Would it be out of the realm of possibility to assume that your investigation might be making certain people nervous?”

Jefferson thought of the last letters he received from his informant at the British Museum’s archaeological site in Iraq. With relics disappearing only to reappear on the London market, someone was profiting while the museum was taking great losses. Any disruption of that arrangement would very likely make certain people nervous.

“No. It wouldn’t.”

He returned to his seat, his mind reeling. Anything was possible when it came to John, although he rarely got along with others for any length of time, especially not when the other person was male instead of female.

“I can see you are considering this,” Kyle said.

He reached across the desk to toy with the paperweight. “I am.”

“And?”

Setting aside the glorified rock, Jefferson returned his attention to the Pinkerton agent. “There is merit to the argument.”

Merit also to taking action and finding a solution himself without depending on the expertise of others. Jefferson once again rose, his mind made up as he moved toward the door. Kyle followed after him.

“Still planning on leaving for England?”

“Leaving? Yes, but not for England.”

“Where, then?”

Jefferson stopped short, one hand on the newel post. “Suffice it to say I’ve realized I have two options. I can either plead my case before my superiors in London, or I can solve the case and then arrive to witness their apologies firsthand. I like the latter situation better.”

Eighteen

W
as that you I saw walking in the moonlight the other night, Uncle Penn?”

Sadie had caught her uncle in a rare moment of solitude, for his activities were such that he rarely made an appearance at the Callum table. Or, for that matter, anywhere on the property.

He appeared to welcome her presence, even moving over so she could sit beside him on the bench that boasted the best view of the Mississippi River on all of the plantation. She settled her skirts and let the warm sunshine penetrate fabric and skin to seep deep in her bones.

“It was me indeed,” her uncle said just when she’d decided he would not be responding at all.

“But not Daddy you were walking with.”

He swung his attention from the slow-moving river to her face. “No, it was not.”

She allowed the brief answer. If Uncle had his secrets, who was she to pry? And yet Daddy’s accusation rode high in her thoughts. Too high to ignore any longer.

“Uncle Penn,” she said gently as she swiveled to face him. “Daddy thinks you’re a spy. Is he correct?”

If Penn felt surprise, his expression showed none of it. Instead, he allowed a deep rumbling chuckle. “Seamus would think so, of course. He never did approve of Pearl marrying me.”

“But is he right?”

Again it appeared as if her uncle would not answer. Then, slowly, he nodded. “I expect in the narrow definition he meant it, yes.”

“Are or were?”

“Ah, now there is an important distinction.” He shrugged. “I came down to this lovely part of the world with a less than honorable purpose, at least as far as your father sees it.”

“To spy for the Union?”

“To gather information.” He nodded in her direction. “Something you ought to know a little about.”

“And then you stayed,” she supplied as a way to steer the direction of the conversation to more neutral ground.

“For love. Something you ought to allow yourself, Sadie.”

She laughed. “Now you sound like Mama and Daddy.”

“They have your best interests at heart.”

Her quick study of his features told her he was serious. “Yes, I know they do.”

“I understand the matchmaking begins this evening.” He returned his gaze to the river. “What are your plans for avoiding the matrimonial trap?”

“Running is impossible given the wardrobe requirements, so I thought perhaps I would make myself intolerable. That certainly works for Aaron.”

“My dear, I doubt young Dr. Trahan could ever find you intolerable.”

“About him…”

Again his attention went to her. “Yes?”

“I had an encounter with Gabriel in New Orleans a few days ago.”

“Unpleasant?”

She shook her head. “Quite pleasant, except for the fact that I was wearing a disguise and awaiting a meeting with Henry Smith.”

He let out a long breath. “I see. That would be inconvenient.”

Henry’s statement regarding coincidences came to mind. “Disconcerting, actually. I’ve never been found out like that. I…” She paused to center her thoughts. “I’ve since thought that perhaps I’m losing my ability to perform my duties.”

“Nonsense.”

Sadie offered him a smile. “You’re saying that because you’re my uncle.”

“I’m saying that because I was there.”

“What?”

He shifted positions. “Or rather I should say that I saw you going into the dressmakers and then waited in hopes you wouldn’t be long. I thought I might treat my favorite niece to café au lait and perhaps some beignets.”

“I see.”

“When you came out in widow’s garb, I assumed you were on assignment, although you did not appear to have any backup—at least, none I recognized. So I thought I’d best trail you at least as far as wherever you were headed.”

“I didn’t see you.”

“Yes, well, I kept out of sight, as it were. I made certain you got your beignets and then when the gentleman arrived at your table…”

“You assumed he and I were to meet. Secretly.”

“I assumed you had good reason to be where you were, so I did not make myself known. My dear, have I ever interfered in your work?”

“No.” She did wonder how many times he had watched unnoticed, though. A question she chose not to ask. “But how did you know it was I who walked out of the dressmakers? Perhaps my disguise was not a good one after all.”

“I know my niece. And I knew you had gone in alone. When a woman of your height and size left, I suspected it was you and assumed you had good reason for hiding your face.”

Sadie decided not to ask any further questions. She also decided not to use the costume of a widow again anytime soon.

“You’ll see the fellow again tonight, yes?” At her nod, Uncle Penn continued. “Does he know?”

“About my work as a Pinkerton? No, and I do not intend to tell him.”

“You will have to tell him something.”

She met her uncle’s gaze. “I told him I donned the disguise in order to find a measure of privacy.”

“Did he believe you?”

“I think so. Although I suspect I will find out for certain tonight when we take that walk I agreed to.”

“I suspect you are correct.” Uncle Penn nodded toward the house. “I also suspect you will have your mother and perhaps your father to deal
with once the young doctor states his intentions. Aren’t you the least bit interested in him?”

“He’s a childhood friend, Uncle. Seeing him all grown up is a bit disconcerting.”

“The same word you used to describe your meeting with him.” He reached over to touch her sleeve. “Not exactly the word a young lady uses when describing a man for whom she has an interest.”

Sadie looked down at her uncle’s hand and then placed her own atop it. “It isn’t, is it?” When he shook his head, she continued. “I should let Gabriel know that anything more than a friendship is not to be.”

“Suit yourself, my dear, but if you do, be prepared for another fellow to be invited to supper. And should he not suit, another.”

She groaned and withdrew her hand. “You’re right, of course.”

“I am, and yet I wonder when your Mr. Smith will have you out solving another case.”

“I believe it will be soon,” was all she felt comfortable saying. If Uncle Penn saw Gabriel, wasn’t it possible he had also seen Henry? And yet nothing in the conversation thus far led her to believe he had.

Her uncle let out a long breath. Though his attention was focused straight ahead, Sadie had the oddest notion he was studying her.

“Perhaps you and I should head back inside and spend what little time we have left here with those who love us.”