The Union Page 2

  "There will be a vacancy soon enough, Gaffney. Soon as me and the lass are married." McCullough's eyes shone with merriment.

  Did he know he baited Lunn? Did he enjoy it? She didn't care. His words thrilled.

  Lunn pushed his chair back from the table and rose to leave. "I've got to be getting to the union hall. Rumor is the mine owners are going to try and run another load of scabs past us." He glared at McCullough. "Too bad we aren't working. I might have been able to get you on my gang." Lunn's tone was condescending and not in the least sincere.

  McCullough smiled easily. "Thank you for the thought, Gaffney, but I haven't worked a hole for years."

  Lunn must have felt the insult. He wouldn't let things drop. "And what would you be planning on living off, Keely's wages?"

  McCullough laughed full out. "I'm always paid for my services, Gaffney. Exceptionally well paid."

  McCullough looked directly at her then and smiled intimately. How could he know how much she wanted Lunn to leave her alone, how uneasy he made her feel? It were as if McCullough had read her mind.

  Chapter 2

  Dietz dropped his bags on the bed and surveyed the room around him as Keely set a fresh pitcher of water on the washbasin. The bed was neatly made and covered with a plain spread. Unbleached curtains hung open at the window, stirred by a breeze. The room smelled of soap, fresh cleaning, and careful tending. Years back it would have seemed like heaven. Maybe it should have now, given some of the places he'd stayed. But he had seen better, certainly fancier.

  "It's a fine room, Keely lass." He ran a finger over the whitewashed wall. "No coal dust. You can't beat that."

  She laughed. "This isn't Pennsylvania. We have no coal here, just acres and acres of galena buried in the mountains."

  For the first time, he noticed a miniature vase of wildflowers on the nightstand. Tiny, delicate-looking things colored in gentle pastel pinks and lavender.

  "Ladyslippers," she said as if she'd read his mind.

  "I've never seen anything like them before," he said.

  "Oh, they're very rare. Only bloom in May. And they're shy things, hiding and growing in the shade and underbrush where bears like to live."

  "Now that you mention it, they do look like slippers." He smiled at her. "You braved bears to get me flowers?"

  She didn't look particularly embarrassed, but she didn't reply.

  "You shouldn't have, Keely. I don't want any harm coming to my girl."

  "I go in the day, when the bear aren't out." She beamed at him again.

  She'd been watching him since he’d arrived, admiring him as if he were her hero. No woman had ever looked at him like that before, not even his mother. Damn, but the way she looked at him suddenly made him feel guilty for his spur of the moment deception.

  "I'll get you fresh tomorrow," she said. "The blooms last only a day."

  He stared at her, trying to assess the kind of woman she was. She picked new flowers every day, anticipating his arrival? No one had ever done that before, either. Come to think of it, no one had still, not for John Dietz.

  "You made Lunn mad," she said.

  He couldn't help laughing. "I don't take to men who are after my girl."

  She shot him a flirtatious look. "Five minutes in the room with him and you determined that?"

  "I don't hear you denying it."

  "Treat Lunn right and he could be your ally. He knows everyone. With his help, you'd be able to settle in with the union bosses quickly."

  He looked her over, liking what he saw, especially the eagerness and sympathy she wore like finery. "I know you're wanting to avenge Michael's death—"

  "Not avenge, make sure it doesn't happen to someone else. Make sure some other family doesn't suffer like I have." Tears brimmed in her eyes. She wiped them away with an impatient gesture.

  He was McCullough now. He stepped close and pulled her into his embrace. She smelled like flowers, and soap, and supper, everything fine and womanly. She clung to him, her head pressed against his chest. She felt nice, soft and round. Too nice.

  He stood nearly a foot taller than her, his chin resting squarely on top of waves of auburn hair. Damn if she didn't fit all too well in his arms. Her manner, the feel of her, the way she looked at him all played against his conscience. Guilt again.

  Damn, weak fool. Shake it off, Dietz.

  "It's all right, Keely. We'll be taking care of things, but in our own time. You know what they say about fools rushing in?"

  She pulled away, wiping at her tears with her apron. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

  "Were you warning me about Gaffney?" he asked.

  "No, I—"

  He winked at her. "Never mind, lass. Believe me, I've dealt with worse. I can handle Mr. Gaffney, at least as far as the union's concerned."

  Outside the clouds parted to let a shaft of sunlight out. It cut in through the window, bathing the room with brilliance.

  He turned his gaze to Keely. "I've never needed the likes of men like him. I can settle in on my own. Besides, Michael prepared the way for me sure enough."

  At his mention of her brother, Keely's eyes misted over.

  Dietz allowed his own eyes to cloud. "Ah, Michael." He spoke solemnly. He'd learned long ago to laugh on cue, cry on cue, whatever the hell it took. Once in character, he felt that character's pain and emotion without thinking.

  He continued the act, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other before removing his gaze from her and returning it to the stream of light coming in. Since childhood when he'd been forced to live in cellars or barns, any dark, out of the way place, he’d loved light like freedom. He might like this room after all.

  "Let me give you a lesson. An ally must be someone you trust with your life. A man with eyes for your woman doesn't qualify."

  Keely smiled and shook her head. "McCullough, you are your own man."

  He didn't refute it. He was whoever he needed to be. "Isn't that best, lass?" He turned from the window and smiled full at her. "Look at the light pouring in. I've always preferred to room on the south side."

  "You won't when the days heat up." She paused. "My room is on the north side, cool, and much larger. When we're married, you'll move in with me." Her smile was not timid.

  Who is this woman?

  "And give up the light? Not on your life. You'll move in with me." Of course that would never happen. He'd delay the ceremony until he'd finished his job, and then move on like he always did. But as he stood there watching her, regret shaded the bright room, sprung from the knowledge that when this thing ended Miss Keely Byrne would most likely be as jaded about life and love as he was.

  "We'll see." She spoke confidently.

  So it was going to be a battle of wills. Did that fool McCullough know what he'd been in for? For himself, Dietz liked her all the more for her spunk.

  "I've got to get back to making supper. I'll leave you to get settled in. We'll talk about the wedding later."

  Her skirts rustled as she left, leaving him alone with his smile. He walked to the washbasin, rolled up his sleeves, poured some water, and splashed his face. He watched his reflection as he toweled off. Would Dietz the chameleon be able to pull this new cover off? The storm of conscience and attraction Keely Byrne stirred up in him made him wonder.

  He dropped the towel onto the edge of the basin. Better to concentrate on business, anything less dangerous than McCullough's fiancée. He needed to contact Patterson and inform him of his new cover, and wire the Denver office, and Kinney, of the change as well. He went to the bed and rummaged through his duffel.

  Where were McCullough's letters from Keely? Better read them over again. This time with a different eye, one that gleaned information of the personal relationship that existed between them. His heart pounded with anticipation, as it always did when he started an operation. Becoming McCullough was a dangerous cover, and a most dangerous game, made even more so by Miss Keely Byrne. Wasn't that the best kind?

  "Drat!" Keely peered into the empty sugar basin as if staring hard enough would make sugar appear. She'd have to go across the street to Mr. Allison's store. She could go to Mr. Samuels' next door. Both stores were run by good union men. But Mr. Samuels charged more, and was less companionable than Mr. Allison's manager, Kate Shipley. Keely had been shopping at Mr. Allison's since he bought it months ago. Lately though, Lunn had been encouraging her to switch back to Samuels'. She didn't understand his interest in where she shopped. And at the moment, she was in no mood to consider Lunn's wishes. She didn't want to think of anything other than McCullough. Just his name tripping across her thoughts sent her pulse racing.

  She hadn't expected something as straightforward and simple as love-at-first-sight to happen to her. But it had, beginning the moment she realized the man coming up the boardwalk was McCullough, her McCullough. It built and grew as she watched him handle Lunn, dismissing him as nothing more than an unworthy competitor. Any man unafraid of Lunn showed bravery worth admiring. Thinking back on the scant hour McCullough had been here, she could only recall how pleasing he was, sensitive, honorable, smart—handsome.

  Her newly realized feelings put her at a terrible disadvantage. Before, they had stood on equal, even ground, each with their own reasons for marrying based more on friendship and common goals than love. Now she wanted to bake him sweets, impress him with her talents, chase away insecure thoughts that he might not want her after all, not the way she suddenly wanted him.

  Quick to passion, slow to think, that's what Michael always said about her. Maybe he'd been right.

  She put on her bonnet and was reaching for the jar where she hid her spare change when a voice from the stairs stopped her.

  "You're off somewhere?" McCullough stoo
d on the steps, all freshly scrubbed and wearing a clean white shirt.

  His sudden presence made her feel fluttery and off balance. "I'm out of sugar. I was just going across the street to Mr. Allison's store to get more."

  "Allison? Isn't he Recording Secretary for the union?"

  "He is. How did you know?"

  McCullough grinned and shrugged. "The union's my business. Maybe I should join you and make his acquaintance."

  "Isn't likely he'll be in. He's usually out on business this time of day, but I'd enjoy the company. And I'm sure Mrs. Shipley would like to meet the town's newest arrival."

  "Let me escort you then." He offered his arm and led her out of the boarding house.

  Keely spotted Mr. Allison stepping out of his establishment as they crossed the road that separated his place and her boarding house. "Wouldn't you know it? There's Mr. Allison, just to make a liar out of me." She waved and called out to him.

  Though the street bustled with men and activity, McCullough's gaze had fixed on Allison immediately with uncanny perception. Mr. Allison came toward them.

  "Mr. Allison, I'd like you to meet Mr. McCullough."

  "McCullough, is it?" Mr. Allison scrutinized McCullough, looking almost bemused. An awkward moment followed while the two men sized each other up. At last Mr. Allison stuck his hand out and McCullough shook it. "So the much-talked-about McCullough has finally arrived."

  "Much talked about?" McCullough turned to her.

  "And why shouldn't a woman boast about her fiancé?"

  McCullough smiled, obviously pleased. "Why not, indeed."

  "McCullough is eager to get involved with the union. Judge Brown is expecting his arrival," Keely said. "It would be nice if someone on the inside introduced him. Will you be conducting any business with the judge soon, Mr. Allison?"

  Mr. Allison didn't jump in with an immediate answer. He seemed to be taking a moment to consider. Keely wasn't offended. Mr. Allison was never quick with an answer, but once he made a promise, he always stuck to it.

  "Well, truth be told, I was just on my way to Burke. Representatives from the Gem Union have been invited to the Burke Union's general meeting. I'm meeting our boys for a little conference beforehand." Mr. Allison cleared his throat. "I'm not sure as the fellows will let McCullough stay for the meeting, but if he wants to come along, I'll introduce him to everybody."

  "Thank you, Mr. Allison."

  "Don't be thanking me, Miss Byrne. If the boys let him stay, likely he won't be back before midnight. There's always socializing at the bars afterward. A new fellow won't want to miss it." Mr. Allison turned to McCullough. "When did you get in?"

  Keely answered for him. "A little over an hour ago."

  "Then I do apologize, ma'am."

  "No apologies necessary, Mr. Allison. Anything for the union." She smiled at McCullough. "I guess Mrs. Shipley will have to meet you another day. You go on, and stay as long as you need."

  "You'll want your horse," Mr. Allison said.

  "It's across the street."

  "Good then. Let's be going," Mr. Allison said.

  Keely beamed at McCullough, so proud, so pleased with the way he'd turned out. Things were off to a fine start.

  ###

  Patterson looked well recovered and more robust than Dietz had expected as they rode through town. Patterson, older than Dietz by a good five years, had always cut a dashing figure. Slender, with dark hair and lively, intelligent eyes, Patterson wore a fine specimen of a mustache that he never shaved off, even to change his appearance for a new mission. The only real difference in him was the smallpox scars that dotted his skin. Patterson was a tough bastard, even cheating smallpox of victory. That's what Dietz admired about him.

  Patterson chatted about nothing, like a stranger, until they pulled outside the mining camp town of Gem. "What happened to the real McCullough?"

  "Dead."

  "Dead?" Patterson cocked a brow. "How?"

  "I killed him. Bastard tried to shoot me in the back."

  "Where?"

  "Thompson's Falls."

  Patterson sighed. "This is a dangerous game you're playing, my friend."

  "Isn't it always?" Dietz slowed his horse to match Patterson's pace. "We'd just arrived in Thompson's Falls. Only a few folks heard the names we gave them. He and I looked similar, I guess. Sheriff there thought we were brothers. Someone tipped McCullough off to who I was. The McCabe cover was good as blown."

  "Someone in Thompson's Falls?"

  "I don't think so. There wasn't enough time."

  "Who then?"

  "I wish I knew. Might have been someone in Butte City." Dietz shrugged. "It's only a guess."

  "You're betting whoever it was doesn't know McCullough is dead?"

  "Yup."

  Patterson sat silent a moment. "Takes nerve to just assume his identity."

  "I was desperate for a way into the union. With McCullough dead how was I supposed to infiltrate? Likely as not they'd brand a new arrival as a scab or a spy."

  Patterson snorted. "They're suspicious of everybody." Patterson's gaze pierced him. "Still, McCullough?"

  "When I showed up, Keely Byrne mistook me for him. I figured if she didn't know the difference, who would?"

  "What about the girl?" Patterson looked straight ahead.

  "What about her? I'll play nice. Don't I always?" Dietz couldn't hold back a grin.

  "All right, ladies boy. Just because you've been able to charm and outwit a few dozen whores and loose women, doesn't mean you'll pull this off with a woman who keeps her legs clamped shut and her head on her shoulders."

  "I don't need to charm her. McCullough's already done that for me." Dietz laughed. "Maybe you should tell me about her."

  "She's a friend of my manager, Mrs. Shipley. Miss Byrne's an ardent union supporter. You know about her brother?"

  "I know he was killed in a mining accident."

  Patterson nodded. "Then you know her motives?"

  Dietz nodded. "Make the mines safe. Fair wages for miners."

  "You've done your homework."

  "I've read her letters to McCullough."

  Patterson laughed, but it sounded hollow. "Then you know she expects McCullough to marry her."

  "I do."

  "And?"

  "It won't come to that."

  "Won't it? What are you going to do, stall?"

  "Exactly. Bill McParland from the Denver office keeps yammering at me that things here will explode any day. Shouldn't be too hard to come up with excuses for the delay. I've always been a good liar."

  "Aren't we all?" Patterson said. "What happens when the operation is over?"

  No good trying to pin me down, Patterson, Dietz thought. "The usual. McCullough goes out of town on business, only to meet his date with death. I'll send his things back along with a sympathetic note from some fictitious lawman. Sound good?"

  Patterson frowned. "Miss Byrne is a good woman. Her motives seem pure, and given a legitimate union, righteous. I'd hate to see her hurt."

  Dietz didn't like the senior agent's accusation. "You going to wire McParland and send me back?"

  "No." Patterson shook his head. "Just cautioning. Marriage is nothing to trifle with."

  His words and sorrowful tone set Dietz back. Patterson had only recently lost his young wife. Coming from him, empathy and sympathy for a grieving spouse weren't surprising.

  "Won't come to that. Did you know her brother Michael?" Dietz asked, changing the subject.

  "Slightly."

  "What was he like?"

  "You knew McCullough," Patterson said. "I don't expect Michael Byrne was much different, just another violent anarchist."

  Considering his first impression of Keely, it took Dietz a moment to digest what Patterson said.

  "Miss Byrne thinks he was murdered." Patterson adjusted himself in the saddle.

  "Was he?"

  "It was an accident as far as I could tell. Tunnel caved in on him. Took hours to dig him out. For obvious reasons Michael Byrne was not well liked by the owners. Though, shortly before his death he seemed to have a slight change of heart, or maybe the depth of the violence finally got to him. Anyway, he started preaching about negotiation. Some of his fellow miners thought he'd gone soft.

  "Once they realized that the tunnel had collapsed maybe they could have sent for reinforcements sooner to dig it out. But that should have been the foreman's responsibility, and he was a union man and good friend of Byrne's. On any account, Byrne was dead when they got to him." Patterson looked at him. "How do you feel about unions?"