Something Borrowed (Jordan-Alexander Family 3)

"What do you know about his business dealings?"

"I heard he had become involved with some rather questionable individuals and made several questionable business deals. I heard he was losing rather large amounts of money at the gaming tables."

"Losing or paying out?" Lee asked.

"I heard he was losing money at the tables," Edwin answered. "But I remember thinking it rather odd, as I had never heard anyone mention seeing the Senator at the usual gambling dens in and around Washington."

Lee knew that his former father-in-law knew just about everybody in Washington. Carraway was respected and well-liked, reliable, and a man of impeccable reputation. People trusted Edwin Carraway and they tended to say things in his presence, things they would ordinarily keep to themselves. Carraway was the type of man Pinkerton loved, the type of man Pinkerton tried to recruit. And Lee was aware that Edwin would never betray a confidence—t

hat he was only talking to Lee now because they were old friends, and because they had once been family. Almost father and son.

"And what have you heard about a man named Sarrazin? James Sarrazin?"

"Millen's secretary?"

Lee nodded.

"Not much, although I personally find him to be rather repulsive." Edwin made a face. "He rather reminds me of a snake, always slithering around, doing his best to blend into the background. He's the sort of fellow the average person would choose as a spy. Not at all like the real thing, of course." Edwin winked at Lee.

"Have you heard of Sarrazin going on any spending sprees lately?" Lee asked.

"Not at all. But then, I confess I haven't been paying much attention to the likes of James Sarrazin. I've been busy with this cabinet appointment and the rash of counterfeit bills we've been getting in."

"Counterfeit bills?"

"Aaha!" Edwin exclaimed, "Now I can ask you a favor. I understand you're something of an expert in the field. At least Pinkerton thinks so." He opened his top desk drawer, removed a small stack of bills, leaned forward and handed them to Lee along with a large magnifying glass. "What do you think of those?"

Lee studied the bills under the magnifying glass. "They're very good. Damn near perfect. But he has a little problem with the eyes. They're not quite right. I've seen bills like this before." Lee put down the magnifying glass and looked at Edwin. "Where did you get these?"

"From the western territories. They were in circulation in Denver, Cheyenne, Omaha, and Council Bluffs."

"Cheyenne and Omaha are on the Union Pacific main line. Council Bluffs is at the intersection of the Chicago Rock Island, Sioux City and Pacific, and Kansas City St. Joseph railroad lines. Denver is located on the spur line Denver Pacific which joins the Union Pacific at Cheyenne." Lee paused and thought for a moment. "My guess is that your counterfeiters are working in or around Cheyenne or Denver. Probably Cheyenne."

"That's what Pinkerton said when I contacted him," Edwin told him. "Are you interested in taking on the case?"

Lee shook his head. "I'll do what I can to help you, Edwin, while I'm with the Agency, but I plan to resign in less than ninety days. After that, someone else will have to take over."

"Fair enough," Edwin agreed. "Do you have a replacement in mind? I want the best and I need to know for whom to ask."

Lee grinned at the older man and his mustache tilted to one side. "Willis. Daniel Willis."

"Thank you," Edwin replied, quickly jotting down the name. "Now, is there anything else you want to ask me? Any other gossip you can pry out of me?"

"Just one more thing," Lee admitted. "Have you heard anyone mention David Alexander's name lately?"

"David Alexander… Alexander… where did I hear that name?" Edwin snapped his fingers. "I've got it! David Alexander was the name of Senator Millen's attorney. The attorney the senator practically ran out of Washington. What's it been? A year or two ago?"

"That's right. Have you heard anyone talking about him during the last couple of weeks? Since Senator Millen died?"

"No." Edwin shook his head. "Nothing except the usual gossip. Rumors of an intimate relationship between Alexander and the senator's daughter. I doubt that there was any truth to the rumors, though. The majority of the stories came from the senator and his cronies. And I can't give much credence to the truth of such rumors when a man is dragging his own daughter's reputation through the mud."

Lee nodded.

"Is this Alexander fellow a client of yours?" Edwin asked.

"Yes," Lee answered. "A client and a very good friend." He paused, gathering his thoughts, trying to decide how to break the news to Edwin. Lee took another deep breath and slowly let it out, then plunged ahead. "There's a reason for my sudden retirement from the agency. The truth of the matter is that David Alexander is not only a client and a good friend, he's my brother-in-law. I remarried a little over a week ago."

Edwin stared at his desk blotter for a few moments, then looked up at Lee. Tears shimmered in his eyes once again. "It's time, my boy. It's past time. Twelve years." He nodded. "Twelve long years. Congratulations, Lee, I'm sure your bride is a fine young woman."