twenty-seven
The drug Kitty had administered to Matt earlier that morning still had power. He had reluctantly retired to his room. This whole idea of Kitty working undercover for Wilcox, made him angry and he wanted to make sure he'd slept off the full effects of the medication, before Kitty left for Summerhaven. Perhaps, there would still be time to talk some sense into her.
With Matt resting, the ladies began preparation in earnest. Frankie stood with Kitty in front of her wardrobe cabinet. "The problem is," Kitty started, "Mrs. Johnston's clothes are recognizable … she must be a woman who likes to be noticed."
Frankie agreed, "A detail the men in the organization overlooked, or perhaps Mr. Wilcox never thought you'd infiltrate their operation, as far as you have. I think we can disguise this azure blue dress enough that Mrs. Barger's friends won't recognize it today. I'm handy with a needle and thread. It won't take me long to remove the lace collar and cuffs from the brown gabardine and add them to this one. Pearl buttons down the front will help as well, we can remove those from the satin shirtwaist." Frankie paused and her voice grew deadly serious. "You've done well to this point. You've played your part better than we could have hoped. I know I don't have to tell you how grave our situationis, but I'm going to anyway. You must keep playing the role as assigned you. Protect Matt's true identity. Don't let it slip that I'm not Lilly. You must be very careful, not only does your life depend on it, but possibly the future of the United States as well."
"Whew, that's a pretty big load to carry."
Frankie smiled exposing the gap in her teeth, "I know, but you won't have to carry it forever. When this is over you can go back to your normal life. Mr. Wilcox will see to it that Matt is restored to his U. S. Marshal position with honor, it wouldn't surprise me, if he received a presidential commendation."
A few moments passed as the two worked quietly together, sitting side by side on Kitty's bed. Kitty carefully removed the threads holding the lace collar in place while Frankie sewed on the pearl buttons. Kitty's thoughts were scattered as she tried to make sense of what lay ahead of her. How, she wondered would she be able to recognize anything, which might prove helpful to Mr. Wilcox and his organization. Finally she asked Frankie, "Who do you think is behind the Band of Brothers?"
Lilly put down her needle and thread, "Money, the bankers, most likely International, the Money Lords of Great Britain and Europe, the Rothschild Brothers, the British Virginia Company, the French Bourbon family and others like them, but also right here on our own shores. In New York, we've seen the depths our own financers and bullion brokers will sink to. James Fisk and Jay Gould sought to fill their own pockets cornering the gold market, while nearly crippling the economy on that infamous Black Friday in '69. The United States is a great country or will be one day soon, there is an enormous abundance of land, fertile soils to grow king cotton and wheat enough to feed the world. There are natural resources available here that can be found nowhere else on earth in such vast quantities."
"Natural resources?"
"Gold, silver, coal, lead, Galena ore, copper, it's all here waiting to make this country richer than any other in history." Frankie leaned forward, with a voice turned low, as in one revealing a secret, "Kitty, there are those who believe that the war was incited by the money interests abroad with the ultimate purpose of dividing the States, so Europe might profit. To finance the war, both sides relied heavily on loans from the international bankers until President Lincoln finally put a damper and refused to pay their exorbitant rates of interest. That's when he issued constitutionally authorized interest free United States notes, the Green Backs. Thus making the bankers on a whole, very unhappy."
"I didn't realize …"
"Oh Kitty, there are all sorts of bad guys out there in fact most of them don't wear a mask and carry six shooters. Behind the closed doors of those esteemed financial institutions, there are unheard of power plays being schemed, and there is no end to the lies, intrigues, deceits and double dealing being plotted." Frankie picked up her needle and thread, "Of course, that's just my opinion regarding who is behind the Band of Brothers but, it is worth your consideration."
By the time Sebastian arrived at the cottage to pick her up, Frankie had transformed the blue gown into something entirely different. Drapped over the chair waiting for Kitty, the gown looked prim and demure, funny how something, which might look ordinary on one person, could look quite extraordinary on someone else. The simple lines only served to enhance the perfection of Kitty's figure, while the vivid blue brought out the same lively color in her eyes. Every inch of her torso was modestly covered, yet every curve was delightfully exposed. She had gone to great lengths to fix her hair in a modern style, and wore simple but elegant pearl earrings as a finishing touch. The result was mix of Paris couture and New York high fashion.
Dillon frowned when he saw the finished product. "You don't know what you're getting yourself mixed up in." He told her, as they stood alone in the small hallway between their bedrooms.
"You're right. I don't. But, I'll do the best I can, just the same. It would help some, if you'd support me with a little encouragement."
He shook his head, his features hard, "There's no talking you out of this?"
"Uh uhhh." She answered.
"Kitty just be careful."
She looked up into his face, and smiled ruefully at the absurdity of hearing Matt offer the platitude she had so often said to him. "I guess the shoes on the other foot, Cowboy. Not so easy, is it, being the one left behind the one who sits and waits?"
"Kitty "
Her smile softened, "It'll be fine, you'll see."
Dillon nodded. He wanted nothing more than to sweep her in his arms, hold her so tightly to him, that nothing and no one could ever harm her. But he didn't; instead, he stepped aside and let her pass.