Flora's Wish by Kathleen Y'Barbo Read Free Book Online Page A

never happen caused him to miss the direction in which Tucker headed. Flora Brimm, however, was impossible to miss as she swept past and hailed a doorman. Rather than access his listening tube to overhear her request, Lucas kept still until the doorman sprinted toward the entrance. Then, with Miss Brimm’s attention elsewhere, Lucas followed the employee inside.
    â€œA moment of your time,” he said as he opened his coat just enough to allow the fellow to see his badge, but not enough to allow a viewing by any of the other hotel guests.
    Especially not Miss Brimm, who had slipped inside and was now hiding—or, rather, attempting to hide—in a dark corner near the elevator.
    Lucas nodded toward the manager’s office, hidden behind an etched glass enclosure. Releasing his coat lapel, he pressed a finger to his lips in a bid for discretion. “I’ll need to know what that young lady requested of you, and I’ll also need to speak with the manager.”
    â€œShe wishes to go into town. The post office, I believe.”
    An odd request, considering that she could easily post a letter here at the hotel. “The manager, then. I need to speak to him right now.”
    â€œYes, of course, sir,” the man said as he hurried to his task. A moment later, the manager returned to usher Lucas into his private domain.
    â€œBefore you go,” he said to the fellow, “that same woman is skulking in the shadows near the elevator. Would you let me know the minute she leaves her hiding spot?”
    A discreet glance and his eyes widened. “But that’s Miss Brimm, sir.”
    â€œYes, it is. Do not let her know you’re observing her.”
    â€œOf course not, sir.”
    â€œTo what do we owe a visit from the Pinks?” the manager asked as he closed his door and gestured toward a chair in front of his desk.
    â€œA matter of discretion,” Lucas said. “I’m afraid I have to inform you that two guests in this hotel are engaged in illegal activities. One has an arrest warrant pending. The other warrant should be active as of this afternoon at the latest.” He would confirm that with the sheriff as soon as he could manage it. “I am not at liberty to disclose these names as it might cause the parties to flee should attention be directed to them. However, I’m certain you would wish them to be dispatched quietly from your establishment.”
    The manager’s brows gathered. “Indeed I do. We don’t condone anything of the sort at the Crescent. Consider the entire resources of our hotel at your command.”
    Miss Brimm was seeking a personal visit downtown. Lucas grinned as he patted the handcuffs in his pocket. Indeed, she would have one. Unfortunately for her, the woman who was in collusion with Will Tucker would be heading for a jail cell and not the post office.
    â€œActually,” he said with a grin. “All I need right now is a buggy, the omnibus transport arrival schedule, and a little assistance from one of your men.”

Four

    F lora kept to her hiding place near the hotel entrance until the green-eyed man with the bowler hat disappeared around the corner. The last thing she needed was to have another conversation with him. He knew far too much, and worse, he continually seemed to appear from nowhere.
    Perhaps she should post her letter to Father tomorrow after her appointment with the pastor. Their appointment, she corrected, though she tried to ignore the stab the reminder gave her conscience.
    She patted her reticule, in part to reassure herself that the quickly penned missive, a brief note scribbled on hotel stationary moments ago, was still there. Somehow, telling Father about her intentions to marry before the ceremony made the pact seem all the more official and the subterfuge less disrespectful. That her father would be livid when he read the news of the already completed nuptials was a given. Flora’s concession