Chapter 3. From Bad to Worse

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"Mornin', James," Cobb said, squinting into the evening sunlight. He pulled his pipe from his mouth and waved it toward the engine, "all fired up. Not sure when Artemus said you all wanted to leave."

Jim slid from his horse and nodded, "thanks for getting her ready. Is Artemus inside? I want to head out to…" He paused as Cobb should his head. "Isn't Artemus here? We were planning on leaving on Sunday night."

Cobb pulled a note from his vest pocket and opened it, squinting. "Received this telegram yesterday. It says to get the train running and he would be back soon." He shrugged, handing the note to Jim, "came from a runner from that headquarters building. I thought he meant yesterday so I heated up the boiler. But he never showed so I kept it going today too."

Jim crumpled the note in his fist, "so no one's been here at all?" He growled under his breath as he pulled his horse forward and reached up to the saddle horn.

"Only visitor has been that Mrs. Pike," Cobb said, chuckling, "she brought that little cat of yours back. Put it inside yesterday." He tapped the pipe against his teeth, "I think that was before I got that ole note." He shrugged again, "well, anyway, don't make no difference. Boiler is hot but we don't have any schedule with the track yet."

"See if you can schedule us to be gone by midnight," Jim said, hauling himself back into his saddle. He threw a look over his shoulder at Lori, who had been listening quietly from nearby, before nodding to Cobb. "I'll be back soon with my partner. I think I know where he is."

Lori snorted and moved her horse forward, moving toward the city. Jim sighed and followed her.

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On the other side of the city….

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"We returned yesterday," Christian said, as she looked from Jim to Lori. The sun was low in the sky and the rays of light were slanting through the windows in the upstairs apartment. Smells of Italian spices and tomato sauce floated up from the restaurant below. The dark haired girl rubbed her hands up and down her arms as a chill rain down her spine. "He said he was going to the train. He was stopping at Headquarters first and then going on. He had his bags with him and…" Her voice rose as finally caught in her throat. Her hands flew to her face, "oh, he must be on the train. Maybe Cobb just didn't see him."

Jim stepped forward to put his right hand on her shoulder, squeezing it. "Calm down," he said quietly, "I didn't just spend the summer of hell on a whaling ship to lose my partner in the streets of Washington. He's around somewhere. I'll track him down." He paused, his blue eyes staring hard into her's. "Where did he say he was going first when he left?"

"Headquarters," Christian whispered, a s she held his gaze.

"And you had arrived in a carriage from the train station." Jim thought a minute, "did he get a new carriage or was he using the same one?"

Christian blinked, thinking, "no, the same one. He asked the driver to wait. And his bags were still on it. He only stayed here for a moment." She smiled, "we returned later than planned and he wanted to get back to the train. He said he was meeting you Saturday night but…" she paused, "…but you didn't? Where were you?"

Jim let go of her and turned away, ripping his hat off his head. "I was running late too. We just got back to Washington." He looked across the room at Lori, who was again standing behind him, listening. Her bags were on the couch and she was watching him closely. He nodded to them both, "I'm going to Headquarters, follow if you want."

"I'll saddle my horse and meet you there," Christian said, moving out the door behind him. Lori followed more slowly, pausing to lock the door behind them. They all hurried down the stairs, Jim and Lori going directly to their horses as Christian disappeared to the back of the building.

Jim climbed into his saddle, and paused as Lori put her hand on his leg. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept you at my parent's house overnight. You go on, we will meet you at Headquarters. If no one is there, they might be at Richmond's house. We often meet him there."

Jim nodded, squeezing her fingers. "If I go on to Richmond's before you get to Headquarters, I'll leave a message for you. Don't get left behind." He spun the horse away and raced down the city street.

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At Headquarters…

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"But he has been missing for days now," Dorothy Pike sat in a leather chair in front of Richmond's desk, holding a flowered cloth handkerchief in front of her mouth. Tears rolled down here face. "I know you say not to worry, but with all of these missing agents now, and he isn't on a case for you…"

"Now, Dorothy, I'm sorry you are distressed," Richmond said quietly, sitting in the chair opposite her, "I won't tell you that everything is ok. I will admit I'm worried. But something will change soon. Something has to eventually happen." He glanced at Steve, Jeremy's young new partner, who was pacing along the side wall, his eyes staring out of the window as he passed it. "And I am worried now about Celeste," he said quietly, nodding toward the office door. "If I start losing secretaries too, well I just don't know. Just as I think I have a pattern figured out, and possibly a reason, something odd happens to alter the pattern."

Melinda, sitting next to Jeremy's wife, cleared her throat, "we won't know officially that she is missing until we receive an answer to the telegram to her parents. She wouldn't be the first secretary to run screaming from this job."

Richmond nodded, "we will know more soon which will help us figure out about Jeremy." The floor creaked and the office door, already ajar, swung fully open. Richmond looked up as everyone turned to look at the doorway. "James, please come in. We could certainly use your help. Is Artemus with you?"

Jim walked slowly into the room, removing his hat. He looked from Richmond to Jeremy's wife, then to Melinda and finally across the room to Steve. The young man's face was flushed and Mrs. Pike's face with streaked with tears. Melinda's eyes stayed down turned onto her note pad and she was chewing on the end of a pencil.

Jim took a deep breath and stepped to the large desk, leaning against it. "No, sir," he said quietly, "Artemus isn't with me." He waited for Richmond to stand and move behind his desk. There was an odd stillness in the room, only broken by an occasional snuffle of Jeremy's wife. "What's happened?"

Richmond sat at his desk and pulled a piece of paper on it. "I, unfortunately, had to lengthen my list…again. Jeremy disappeared between his home and this office a few days ago. Yesterday, Celeste disappeared, in the middle of the day." He looked up at Jim, "you know I just start to figure out this pattern and then something changes. Celeste missing… it just doesn't fit in."

Jim looked over at Melinda, "but you sent a telegram to her family? To see if she's with them?" Melinda nodded. "When did she leave?"

"Yesterday, with Artemus," that's why we thought maybe she went home. They were going to the bank down the street together and…well, neither came back here. We assumed Artemus decided to continue on to the train, of course, and she went home."

"Wait," Jim interrupted, "Artemus was here yesterday?" He stopped as Lori and Christian appeared in the open doorway. "You're just in time," he said, glancing at them, and then looked back to Melinda, "go on, please."

"Artemus came in just before noon. He spoke with many of us," she said, "he was going to talk to Colonel Richmond but the Colonel was out to a meeting. While he waited, Celeste came down and said she was going to the bank. He said he also needed to go to the bank so he offered to go with her."

"And they didn't come back?" Jim said, incredulous. "In the middle of the day, in the middle of the city, they just didn't come back?" He sighed, thinking out loud, "did they get to the bank? Did anyone check?"

"Of course we checked," Steve snapped, irritated "We have been looking for Jer and now Celeste. Do you think we just sit around and wait to see who's next?"

Jim opened his mouth to argue but stopped, seeing the fear and frustration in the faces around the small office. "I'm sorry, I'm just coming into the middle of this. I don't know what's happened and what needs to happen next either. But it seems like we should be doing something proactive, not just being reactive. We need to start controlling what's going on."

"We don't know what's going on," Richmond said slowly, trying to calm Jim and Steve. "Why would Celeste be taken? She isn't an agent."

"She was probably taken because she was with Artemus," Jim said, "it must have happened when they were together. How, I don't know, just walking down the street a few blocks but…"

Melinda interrupted, "Celeste wouldn't walk to the bank. She had new shoes that were making her feet sore. And the dust on the street would get her dress all dirty too. Especially all that lace she wears." She nodded, "no, they must have taken a carriage."

"And Jer?" He walked to Jeremy's wife and slowly lowered to one knee in front of her. "Dorothy, I know Jer usually rides his horse but I remember he had injured his bad knee the other day. Was he using a carriage?" She nodded, choking back sobs. He squeezed her hand and stood up. "We still have the pattern. An agent, using a carriage, in this city, disappears. It's simple to take someone away in a carriage. I think Celeste got grabbed because she was with Artemus. Everyone else has been an agent." He walked back to Richmond's desk as the Colonel picked up his pencil. He watched the older man write his partner's name on the list of missing people; all close friends and coworkers. "May I see that, sir?" He took the list, his eyes moving over the first few names.

"I was hoping it wouldn't get that long," Richmond said, "it got a little shorter when you and Artemus returned. And now I am writing his name a second time." He twisted the pencil nervously in his fingertips.

"Sir, I don't know all these agents as well as I probably should," Jim said, "I think I've only seen a few of them at our annual New Year's party. But each agent is one of a pair, correct?" Richmond nodded, "It seems to me that someone is separating each pair of agents." Richmond nodded again. "Maybe someone thinks we can't do our job without our partners, we can't recombine and continue."

"Maybe it is assumed we would at least move slower?" Richmond agreed. "A military move: remove soldiers, especially leaders and experienced men, and the rest will have to reorganize, chose another leader."

Jim handed the list back, "are these men considered the more experienced in each pair?" He pointed to names, "Jer is senior to Steve but Artemus isn't too me. I am not familiar with these others."

Richmond glanced down the list, shaking his head, "some are and some aren't."

"Not everyone would know that," Lori said, "and might just to be taking the older men? Jer is older and so is Artemus."

"True," Jim agreed, "the person behind this may not be familiar with the agents, beyond their appearances."

"This list contains the names of all my older agents," Richmond said, "for each pair. But," he said, tiredly, setting the paper back onto his desk, "I don't see how that helps us."

Jim squeezed his boss's shoulder, "maybe not now but it might later." He glanced at Melinda, and nodded toward the older woman.

Melinda stood slowly, leaning close to Jeremy's wife, "why don't I help you home. There will be lots of planning talk now. Everything will be just fine but you need to rest. We wouldn't want you to be sick with worry." The older woman stood slowly, as Colonel Richmond came to her other side. He walked them to the door in the outer office and then returned to his chair behind the desk.

Jim looked around the room, "All right, I was gone at the beginning of this. Why don't you all fill me in on what happened, from the beginning, and what leads you have looked into?" He looked at Richmond, "and we need to pursue that prison break in New York. I want to know how Voltaire ended up in a state prison."

"You think this is connected with Dr. Loveless then?" Richmond asked, his eyes worried.

"That man is unpredictable," Jim said, "everything is always a new game with him. I wouldn't put it past him to collect people and hold them for some reason. None of these missing agents have been found murdered so I am assuming they are still alive. And Loveless thinks the pairing of agents is imperative to our work. He has often said he doesn't think Artemis or I could work without the other. He might over estimate our entire system."

Jim sat in a leather chair, while Steve continued to pace by the far window. Lori and Christian also found chairs as Richmond opened a large folder on his desk. He shuffled papers, moving one to the top of the stack. "All right, Jim, this actually started before you left but I just didn't' know it yet."

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The next evening…

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"This may take more than one try," Jim whispered to Lori. The dim light flickered across the blonde's pale cheeks. Her grey eyes were the same color as the night, as she stared back at Jim. "Jer, Artie, and Celeste were all taken in the last few days. They may want to wait before they grab anyone else. This started months ago, slowly, but seems to have suddenly increased."

"I hope they're alright," Lori whispered. "And I don't want anything to happen to Richmond. He's been so exhausted with worry from this."

"That's why you're with him," Jim said, stealing a quick glance at the front door of the headquarters building. "They won't know how to handle you. They wont suspect that you're an agent and hopefully won't pay much attention to you."

"So now you call me an agent?" Lori arched an eyebrow at him. "Just when you need a favor," she smirked.

"Just try to act like a normal girl," Jim said sarcastically. "Cry, scream, act confused. And don't beat anyone up. Just keep close to Richmond."

"I'll try not to shoot anyone," Lori snapped, "or maybe I'll make it look like an accident."

Jim looked her body up and down, as her dress moved in the wind, "you don't have a gun hidden in there do you?" Lori grinned. "I told you not to bring a gun," he hissed, "that would look suspicious. Women don't carry guns."

"They hell they don't," Lori laughed quietly, "You just hang around ditzy women. Besides I don't go anywhere without my little friends."

Jim opened his mouth to argue further but the thick, wooden door suddenly swung open and Colonel Richmond appeared. He was wearing his usual deep blue coat, buttoned to his chin. He shut the door behind him and nodded to Jim. Lori quickly stepped to his side, taking his left elbow. "I'm ready," he said softly, "Should we just start walking?"

Jim nodded, staying in the shadows. "I'll follow at a distance on my horse. Steve is farther ahead on his horse. Christian is around…somewhere…" He looked down the road, squinting at the flickering gaslights. "Just keep moving south, toward the theaters and restaurants. Someone will see you, eventually. But, if not tonight, we'll just have to keep trying."

Colonel Richmond nodded, giving Jim a weak smile. "I used to like fishing," he whispered, "but now I know how the bait feels."

"Just remember," Jim said, "your job is to stand still and act surprised. My job is to catch the bad guy. Steve is in the background in case others are watching from the side lines. So just don't move, if you do get offered a ride. Don't get in the carriage. Just stall and I will be there to pick them up. We want to question the driver or follow them, not lose you two."

Richmond nodded and took a deep breath. He led Lori down the long stairway of granite steps. They turned left and began walking. Jim darted down the back stairway into the shadowed side alley for his horse.

"It's difficult to act natural in this situation," Lori said, smiling and nodding to people as they passed them on the crowded streets. "And it's too crowded here. If a carriage stopped, anyone might try to get in."

"Yes, agreed," Richmond said, "the theater must have just finished a show." He bumped into another couple and he felt Lori tense next to him. "I find myself suspecting everyone tonight." They walked farther down the street, past a large restaurant. The crowds began to thin as most of the people hurried into various doorways to disappear inside. The farther they walked the fewer street lights were near too. Soon the empty street became much darker ahead.

"This is enough to give anyone a case of nerves," Lori whispered, almost to herself. "I hope Jim and Steve are following. Christian should be in the shadows nearby too. She is very good at staying out of sight. I wish it would happen tonight thought, I don't need to do this again."

Richmond reached over the squeeze her hand, "makes me wonder how James and Artemus, and the other agents, manage to accomplish the tasks I send them out to do. This will make me think twice in the future if…"

"Good evening, sir," a man said from an alley. The dark clothing had hidden the figure in the shadows. "Would you have a light?" The man held out a pipe. "This old pipe of mine needs a good cleaning and won't stay lit."

"It's this damp night air," Richmond said, releasing his arm from Lori. He stepped forward, putting his right hand in his pocket. "I think I have a matchstick for …"

The man lowered the pipe and raised a small revolver, pointing it at Lori. "Make a sound and the pretty lady gets it." Richmond's eyes widened in surprise and he froze. "Step closer, lass, we wouldn't want you to get separated from your friend." Lori stepped backwards a step, her hands going to her face as if in panic. "I said closer, you nitwit!" The man jumped forward and grabbed her wrist, dropping his pipe to the cobblestones. He dragged her closer to Richmond, into the shadows. He released her and put his fingers in his lips, making a shrill whistle.

"I hear ya," a deep voice called out, as the creak of a carriage sounded from deeper down the dark alley. A team of black horses passed them and the black carriage stopped next to Lori's elbow. "I don't think whistling is considered being quiet, you idiot," the man growled.

The first man ripped open the small door, grumbling under his breath. "It ain't odd to hear a man whistle. Ain't no one going to suspect anything," he argued. He turned to Lori, giving her a mocking, half bow. "Lady, your carriage. We wouldn't expect you to walk in this dirty street any farther."

"I don' want to ride in a carriage," Lori said, making her chin quiver and her voice shake. "I want to walk. Why are you accosting us? We have no money! I have no jewelry or valuables!" She tried to back up again but the man grabbed her wrist, pushing her to the carriage doorway.

"Your friend is valuable," the man growled, "and you can come along too. No loose ends!"

Lori twisted away, and turned, as if to run, her eyes searching for her friends. Where was Jim and Christian, she thought. A rough hand grabbed her hair and tore her backwards, almost pulling her off her feet. She cried out in alarm and spun around, just stopping herself from striking out.

"Unhand her," Richmond snapped, stepping closer. He grabbed the man's wrist and tore his hand from Lori's hair. "We aren't going anywhere with you!" He felt a piercing pain in his head and his eyes sight went black. He felt his knees buckle and felt hands on his arms as he toppled.

"No!" Lori shrieked, as Richmond crumpled to the cobblestones. The man in the driver's seat of the carriage held a billy club over his head, ready for a second strike, if needed. "You've killed him!"

"He ain't dead," the man laughed, "but he will be if you two don't cooperate." The man picked the unconscious man up and threw him into the carriage, his body landing on the floor. He turned to Lori, "now get in with your friend or I start shooting. We can be gone before any police show up down on this end of the street. They stay up near the beautiful rich people and don't like to come down this far."

Lori stole one more look around and walked slowly to the carriage doorway. Richmond lay, unmoving, on the floorboards. She took a handful of skirt and stepped into the carriage. She knelt next the the older man, checking for breathing. The door shut behind her and she felt the carriage tip as the man stepped up next to the driver.

"Hold it!" Jim's voice rang out in the darkness. Lori leaped to the window to see Jim on his horse in the street. His revolver was in his hand and it was pointed at the two men. "Don't move! Toss down that gun and climb down or you'll both be shot full of holes." Lori grabbed at the doorknob but it wouldn't turn. She pushed on the small door but it was locked.

"You heard him! Toss down that Derringer. You only have two shots with it and you'd never hit both of us. Give it up!" She turned to look out of the opposite window to see Steve on his horse riding closer from the opposite direction.

Lori picked up her cloth drawstring bag and put her hand inside. She made a fist and punched at the glass facing Steve. Her hand made a thud but the glass didn't break. She punched a second time, feeling her fingers going numb with shock. Shaking her head in disbelief at the window's strength, she pulled her skirt up and grabbed a small revolver tucked into a lace garter around her thigh. She pulled it out and was just pointing it at the glass window when Steve shot his revolver. One of the men on top of the carriage screamed in pain while Steve was lost in a cloud of gunsmoke for an instant. But then he too cried out in pain and fell from his horse to the stone street as another shot rang out.

A second revolver shot came from behind her back. Lori spun and leaped to the other window as a shotgun blast exploded just overhead. Jim's arms flailed out, his shining nickel-plated revolver flying out of his hand, as he toppled over backwards off the stallion. The horse reared and spun, racing down the street after Steve's horse. The carriage leaped forward and moved quickly into the darkness.

Lori's hands covered her face as a scream of terror choked in her throat. It had all happened too quickly for her to react, shoot, or even scream. Steve and Jim both shot and left in the street? She kept seeing Jim fall, over and over again, her eyes...blind to where the carriage was going now. She sank onto the floor next to the unconscious body of Colonel Richmond.

tbc...