Jim and Jeremy returned to the train well after dark, having accomplished most of their task. They briefed the Colonel, who had long since cooled down. He was aghast when they told him just how large the ring was. When Jim gave him further details of his plan the Colonel was intrigued. Pulling off over 200 arrests in six cities all at the same time would be hard to accomplish and would be a daunting task.
However, he was confident they would indeed pull it off. He had begrudgingly gotten Danielle's permission to include Artemus in the meeting, providing they held it in his room. It would be a tight squeeze but they'd manage.
The Colonel entered Artie's room to see the agents already assembled. Jim and Danielle flanked Artie's bed, Jeremy on one side and a vacant chair on the other. He took the seat quietly noting Artie's hand holding Danielle's, he smiled but said nothing.
"Let's get this meeting started, gentlemen," Richmond said looking at them, "Danielle, this might be rather boring if you'd rather not…" Richmond started only to be cut off by Danielle.
"If it's all the same to you, I'll stay. Artemus may be able to fool you three into thinking he's feeling fine but as his nurse I will KNOW when he's being less than honest," Danielle regarded him sternly.
"Very well, in that case I'll leave it up to you how long this meeting will last. Artemus, I'd suggest you not try to tax yourself," Richmond winked at him.
"Yes, sir," Artie said as Danielle still regarded him sternly.
"James, since the idea was yours why don't you begin?" Richmond asked.
"All right. What I have proposed and we are currently looking into is a multi city operation."
"You mean you want to arrest ALL 228 people at the same time?" Artie asked, shocked, "That's quite an undertaking even for you, James."
"That's why we're picking your brain, Artie. You're the one who usually has the brilliant ideas, when it comes to strategies like this," Jim smiled at his partner.
"Oh sure…you hatch the plot I get to come up with all the fine details," Artie rolled his eyes.
"Hmm…" Artie stared thoughtfully at the notepad in his lap, Danielle watching him closely.
"Six cities you say? That does pose a rather interesting dilemma. Let's see…" Artie wrinkled his brow in concentration wincing when Danielle adjusted his sling.
"Hmm…" Artie stared thoughtfully, "That's roughly 38 arrests per city…153 agents per city…912 agents in all…" Artie muttered as he frowned at his calculations and sighed tiredly.
"Artemus?" She questioned, receiving no reply she looked questioningly at Jim and Jeremy.
"He won't hear you when he gets like this," Jim laughed, "if usually takes something pretty significant to get through to him," they regarded their fellow agent with respect as well as concern when they noted the slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.
"Artemus, are you all right?" Danielle tried again to get Artie's attention away from his notepad as she touched his hand.
"I told you," Jim retorted.
"Well, we'll see about this! It's time for his next dose of medicine anyway," Danielle leaned forward, grasped Artie's face in her hands and pulled his lips to hers.
Artie returned the kiss instinctively then began rapidly blinking his eyes as his attention had finally been distracted from his work. Artie looked at her as if he were seeing her for the first time then he promptly turned several shades of red. The other agents laughed and Colonel Richmond merely shook his head and grinned at this uncommon lot he had been cursed with.
"Do I have your undivided attention, Artemus?" Danielle asked, Artie could only nod his head.
"Wow, what a trick! Although it's hardly one I'd use on him, James," Jeremy laughed.
"I don't think I'll use it either," Jim commented with a smile. The Colonel finally found the sense to snap his gaping mouth shut.
"It's time for your medicine, so whatever you plan on saying you better get it out. You'll be getting rather tired presently."
"What? Oh, yes… well…I…uh…" Artie couldn't take his eyes off Danielle as she mixed the powders.
"Artie…" Jim spoke as Danielle turned around and Artie's eyes locked with hers.
"Artemus?" Jim spoke sternly Artie shook his head to clear it, closing his eyes tightly.
"Sorry, Jim. I think your idea is a sound one. Just needs a little tinkering here and there," Artie had returned to his scribbling, removing his arm from the sling in order to write properly, much to Danielle's dismay.
"There's no way we can mass 900 plus agents. We just don't have that kind of manpower," Artie paused and rubbed his temples.
"We could borrow local law enforcement officials," Richmond interjected, to which Artie moved his head back and forth slowly rather than shake it as that motion still made him sick to his stomach.
"Won't work…you can't trust them. But there are other large cities near each of these…" Artie pinched the bridge of his nose and squinted.
"We send the agents from these towns to the others and don't tell them their assignment until they get there," Jim guessed, catching onto his partner's plan.
"Give the man a prize! Take agents from…oh…say New Orleans and bring them here to St. Louis…well you'll need agents from several cities to pull this off," Artie yawned, causing Danielle to scrutinize him carefully.
"I'll have to work out the logistics…" Artie began scribbling on the paper again as Danielle handed him a glass which he quickly discarded onto the nightstand.
"AHEM, Artemus," Danielle rebuked him.
"Yes, Danielle?" he responded absently as he continued to write.
"Your medicine…" He regarded her quizzically, Danielle merely pointed to the glass with a glare.
"Oh, yeah…" Artie smiled at her as he downed the contents of the glass and returned to his notepad, Danielle shook her head and frowned.
After three quarters of an hour and many heated discussions between the agents and their boss, Danielle decided to call it quits. Artie had been yawning and shifting positions in discomfort long enough and he needed to get some rest. The entire group received quite a shock when Artemus himself yawned, stretched and made an announcement.
"Gentlemen, I'm sorry but I just can not continue at this time," everyone looked at him mouths open.
"Artemus?" Richmond asked, "Are you feeling all right?"
"I'm fine. That medicine acts quicker than I'd like, unfortunately. I am finding it rather difficult to concentrate let alone stay awake," he yawned again, looking at Danielle.
Danielle took the notepad and pencil from him and replaced his arm in the sling, much to his dismay. She eased him back onto the pillows and pulled the blankets up.
"Don't fight the medicine, Artemus. With the rather strong dosage you are being given it will only cause more damage."
"Colonel, do…you think you can…figure out the rest of the…plan…" Artemus was quickly losing his fight to stay awake.
"Artemus, you've given us a great deal of insight on how to pull this off. You just rest now…we'll take it from here. Or we'll just wait till you're ready."
"Yeah, pal, you get some sleep. We'll let you know how this turns out," Jim smiled as he stood.
Danielle ushered them out and softly closed the door. When she turned around Artie was staring at her. He motioned for her to sit on the bed beside him. Danielle moved to him and gently sat on the edge of the bed. Artie reached up and began twirling her hair.
"Artemus," she admonished him albeit not too sternly.
"Mmmm?" He answered as he pulled her toward him.
"You really do need your rest."
"Uh huh," Artie buried his face in her neck lightly kissing her, "Did I ever tell you just how much I love the smell of lilacs?"
"Artemus!" She pushed him away gently.
"What? I was resting," he winked at her.
"No…that was relaxing...resting is closing your eyes and sleeping."
"But…"
"Artemus…the sooner you get some sleep the sooner I can prescribe some of that 'relaxation'," Danielle smiled deviously.
"Huh? Oh…well, then I'll just take a nap," Artie smiled as he nestled back into the pillows.
WWWWWWWWWW
The next few days were a blur for Artie. It seemed all he did was sleep, take medicine, eat as light a meal as he stomach would handle, and sleep some more. Jim and Jeremy were busy implementing their plan and fine tuning it and what little time they did have when they were on the train was spent primarily in the parlor car strategizing and sending and receiving telegrams. Jim stopped by occasionally and gave Artie updates.
The last time Jim had been in to see Artie he told him they would be conducting the massive arrest soon. They had agents in place in all six cities and they would be briefed just before they were sent out. Every security measure known to the Agency was being employed to keep their activities under wraps. Jim also informed Artie that agents would be picking up President Grant's personal secretary, Orville Babcock as well.
"So, I wasn't imagining that…" Artie intoned, "Babcock IS involved."
"It sure looks that way, Artie. But we aren't in the Washington area so at least it won't be us that has that assignment."
"Thank goodness for small favors, huh, partner?" Artie said to which Jim nodded.
"Maybe I can help…" Artie began.
"Not on your life, Artie."
"Hear me out, Jim, I was just going to say I could help with the paperwork when you get the arrests made."
"We'll see, it will depend on what your nurse has to say," Jim smiled at him.
"Oh brother, never mind then," Artie chuckled, "The double vision is finally clearing up but this headache is no where near lessening. I'm pretty certain Florence Nightingale won't allow it. She won't even let me read a newspaper, Jim!" Artie looked at his partner pleadingly.
"Don't look at me, Artie. I've seen her in action and no way am I getting in between her and her sworn duty," Jim laughed.
"She most definitely is a force to be reckoned with," Artie smiled as the door opened and Danielle entered.
"You've been behaving splendidly up to now, Artemus, don't mess it up."
"Yes, dear," he replied, rolling his eyes to his partner.
"I saw that, Artemus," She smiled sweetly at him.
"I'll leave you to your convalescing, Artie. I have some arrests to make," Jim took his leave.
"Danielle, it will take the rest of today and possibly tomorrow too to make the arrests and start the paperwork…do you think…"
"Artemus I think anything is possible," Danielle winked at him. Artie smiled at her before pulling her toward him again.
WWWWWWWWWW
The next twenty-four hours went by quickly. The story was the same in each city. Agents bursting into businesses, stores, offices and private homes…shattering the normal activities of everyone from businessmen, to shopkeepers to delivery drivers…they were all rounded up and taken into custody. It was a trying task the agents took no pride in. It was merely a job that needed to be done. The paperwork alone on this was going to take weeks. The worst part of this whole assignment was the fact that Loveless had somehow managed yet again to slip through their fingers.
As the days progressed, Artie was allowed out of his room and back to light duty. The headaches were slowly becoming less in their intensity, as long as he didn't spend too much time reading, and he required fewer powders. His arm was finally free of the sling but that came with a stern warning about over doing things. After sifting through arrest reports and helping Jim and Jeremy file numerous reports, Artie had to admit that it was time to send Danielle back to her regular routine.
WWWWWWWWWW
He didn't want her to go, as he had grown quite fond of her and really enjoyed having her around. Artemus, my boy, fess up… you've fallen for Danielle and you've fallen hard! After Lily I never thought I'd find another woman I would feel that comfortable around. Now what do I do? We have to head for Washington in a few days. I'm going to have to ask her to the theater and supper soon.
Artie didn't hear the door to the parlor car open and his partner join him on the small platform. Jim stood quietly waiting for his partner to notice him, fairly certain he knew what was on his mind. He thought he had the beginnings of the solution…if only his melancholy friend would talk to him. Finally, Jim thought he would burst so he decided to interrupt his friend's sulking and he cleared his throat.
"Ahem," Jim paused when Artie jumped.
"Sorry, Jim, I didn't hear you come out."
"No problem, I could see you were pretty busy thinking," Jim stated, trying to draw his partner out.
"I have a lot on my mind, I guess," Artie shrugged.
"Oh really, I hadn't noticed," Jim smiled.
"Have I been that obvious? Artie asked.
"Artie, you've been so intense today…you need to lighten up. Be more like me," Jim smiled at him.
"Like you? Since this assignment wrapped up you've been so laid back you make cooked spaghetti look tense. Just why is that?" Artie wanted to know.
"Simple, Artie."
Jim reached into his bolero jacket and pulled out an envelope. Handing it to Artie he grinned. Artie took the envelope and slowly opened it. In his hands he held two tickets to a performance at the Opera House for tomorrow night as well as a card informing him he had champagne supper reservations for two…prepaid. Artie just stared at the tickets at a loss for words.
"Uh…I…uh…Jim…" Artie stammered.
"You were trying to get well, Artie. I figured you hadn't had the time to look into it."
"No, I haven't but how…"
"Artie, you're my partner. But, pal, you've been obvious from the get go. Just consider this my little my partner is back gift!"
"I don't know what to say, Jim."
"How about see you later?"
"Huh?" Artie looked at him confused.
"It's two o'clock, Artie, you have to be in to the doctor's office by half past," Jim reminded him, "Take the tickets and ask your nurse out on a date," Jim prodded him with his elbow.
"Oh yeah, my appointment…I almost forgot!" Artie hurried to leave.
WWWWWWWWWW
"Well, Mr. Gordon, you seem to have healed up nicely. Your shoulder will still be a bit tender for a week or so…be careful and no heavy lifting or moving for another week,"
"All right. Is there anything else?" Artie wondered.
"Just your headaches. How would you describe them?"
"They're not as bad as they were. I'd say they are a mild annoyance now."
"And he'd be lying, uncle," Danielle commented as she entered the room with the package of mixed powders and pills for Artemus.
"Hello, Danielle," Artie smiled at her.
"Hello, Artemus," she smiled back, the doctor felt like the proverbial fifth wheel.
"Danielle, you have some comment to make regarding Mr. Gordon?" the doctor asked, tearing her away from her eye candy.
"What? Oh, yes, uncle. Artemus is still experiencing quite severe headaches at times usually when he's been working too hard or reading far too long."
"How do you…"Artie began.
"I do my homework, Artemus. And I have my spies," she winked at him.
"Oh you're going to make a fine doctor someday," Artie said.
"That she will, Mr. Gordon, that she will," the doctor smiled.
"You may put your shirt on now, Mr. Gordon. You still need these powders and pills. I'm sending this letter with you as well. Give it to your doctor when you reach Washington," he handed Artie the package and letter.
"I'll do that," Artie said reaching for his shirt. The doctor made the excuse he had another patient to see and left Artie and Danielle alone.
You could have cut the silence with a knife. Artemus, you clod…TALK to her! He screamed at himself, Danielle, seeing him fumble with his shirt, reached over and helped him into it. She pulled it together across his barrel chest, glad that his recent ordeal had not added any new scars to his chest, to speak of.
"Danielle…" Artie began hesitantly.
"Yes, Artemus?" came the quiet reply.
"I have to leave for Washington in a few days. I thought…that is…if you're free…what I mean is…" Artie mumbled.
"I'd love to have supper with you, Artemus," Danielle smiled as she leaned in close.
"Oh I'm going to quit trying to figure out how you do that," he smiled as he looked into her eyes.
Danielle reached up and began to button his shirt. Artie leaned forward just enough to smell the lilac scent in her hair it was more intoxicating than the finest aged scotch money could buy. Oh how he was going to miss her. When she reached the top button Artie took her hands in his and kissed them gently. Their eyes locked and he sat on the exam table lost in her gaze. Finally he found his voice.
"I have supper reservations and Opera tickets for tomorrow night…I would be honored if you would accompany me," he whispered to her.
"I would be delighted," she whispered back.
Artie finally and very reluctantly pulled away from Danielle and slid down from the examination table. He pulled her into a deep embrace gently holding her and bent his head to touch his lips to hers. He kissed her and then released his hold on her, grabbing his jacket and putting his hat on his head, he stopped and turned to look at her.
"Until tomorrow then," he smiled and with a tap on the brim of his hat made his exit.
Artemus, my boy I think this is the beginning of a VERY beautiful friendship. He smiled was he walked out of the doctor's office.
THE END
Thanks to apple…without you lady this never would have happened I owe you a LOT!
A/N: The Whiskey Ring Scandal and those involved are not fiction they are real. In the early days of the presidential administration of Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877) a minor whiskey cabal had been broken, and after the liquor tax was lowered significantly, the distillers were less inclined to avoid it. The lucrative incentive for Treasury Department officials to commit the fraud, however, remained the same, and they began pressuring distillers to join a wider and stronger conspiracy. Some distillers participated readily in giving illegal kickbacks in lieu of the tax, while those who hesitated.
The fraud took place in cities across the country, but was centered in St. Louis (in the cartoon, it is the first barrel led away by the police). The St. Louis ring was headed by John McDonald, the Treasury Department's supervisor of internal revenue for the St. Louis area and an old army buddy of President Grant. Some of the fraudulent money went into Republican campaign coffers, but most was pocketed by the ring members for personal use. In an obvious attempt to fend off administration inquiries, McDonald gave expensive gifts to Orville Babcock, Grant's personal secretary and close friend. McDonald also later testified to giving the president lavish gifts, but the claim was not proven in court.