Shooting For Justice by G. Tilman (top 100 novels txt) 📗

Pope should visit Conkling in New York and Brewster would send him a telegram setting up the meeting at his office. Both secretaries warned Pope Conkling would be tough and cagey. He was a lawyer, politician, probable gangster, and trained boxer. None of those characteristics bothered Pope in the least. He was confident he had taken on and defeated better street and gun fighters in the past. And, at just under thirty, he knew he had not even reached his prime yet.

“I will have someone in my office call you at home as soon as I receive a response from Conkling by telegraph. He may play hard to get and ignore us until he gets a second request. If he wants to play it hard, I will subpoena his ass,” Brewster said. Tough talk from a man Pope did not consider very tough. After all, it was Pope, not Brewster who was going to invade Conkling’s territory and interview him.

5

Pope and Sarah discussed the case during dinner.

“While you are in New York talking to Conkling, I will study dissident groups. The ones causing the most stir in my initial look today is the Socialist and Communist Movements. While they are technically two different philosophies, it is practical to lump them together. My cursory study suggests socialism has, as one of the more famous proponents, an economist named Karl Marx. He just died a few months back. These current groups were preceded by the Utopian groups of socialist communities, such as the Shakers. I have found the key terms to look for and should have a good picture of who they are and what they believe by the time you return,” Sarah said.

“Depending on Conkling, I believe dissidents will be our next inquiry,” Pope said.

“I heard from the chief detective by coded telegram the other day,” Sarah said. “It was kind of addressed to us both.”

“This is the first time since we were sent back East. What did Hume have to say?”

“He asked how married life was treating us. Wondered about our progress and when we thought we’d be back with Wells Fargo. He ended by wishing us the best,” Sarah said.

“All good things. I take it he thinks we really did get hitched. Since his final salvo before we left was about getting married was still up to us, he is acting now like he thinks we did get married. I still wonder what effect marriage will have on our careers as Wells Fargo detectives. You did a great job as an interim office manager. I could not do it. I’d go crazy. Would you do it?” Pope asked.

“I have loved the life here, even though May has done most of the cooking and all of the housework. So, yes, I could be an office manager for Wells Fargo. As long as you were the regional detective and it was in a decent town like Cheyenne or Prescott,” Sarah said.

“Then, let’s go ahead and get married. I’d like to do it in a way so Grandpa can come,” Pope said.

“Of course. I really don’t have any folks to come anymore. Maybe the Kanes. I really liked them.”

“I agree. We will do it on our and their time, not Wells Fargo’s schedule,” Pope said.

Pope was on the early train to New York, having received a message the preparatory telegram had been sent to Roscoe Conkling.

He took a hansom cab from the train depot to Conkling’s office. His opinion was the office looked more like a gangster’s office than a man who had served in the Congress and approved by the Senate to be a US Supreme Court Justice.

The feeling was supported by the secretary who showed him in. The man looked more like a knee breaker from the Bronx than an office worker.

“So, Mr. Pope, I received the telegram from the attorney general asking me to assist in an investigation of the greatest importance,” Conkling said in the gravelly voice of a man who was used to giving orders. And, having them followed to the letter.”

“It is, Mr. Conkling. I would appreciate any guidance you can give us,” Pope said.

“My first thought is I must be the suspect in this inquiry and ‘help’ is just a word to deflect my attention.”

“I can see why you might think so. I have been told I can be totally frank with you. It involves a threat against President Arthur. The threat is personal or to bring down his presidency. Since the two of you are old friends, it seems unlikely you would be part of this. It is more likely you would want to ally with us to protect him,” Pope said.

“Quite. Where and how was this threat manifested?”

“A member of the cabinet heard two men arguing through the partition separating two roomettes on a train from New York City to Scarsdale.”

“What were they saying?” Conkling asked.

“The member did not hear the conversation until they started arguing. This occurred just as the train was pulling into Scarsdale. By the time he gathered wits enough to look at them, they were gone. The conversation was about bringing down the administration, killing Arthur if necessary.”

“Are you sure it was not a couple of blowhards mouthing off?” Conkling asked.

“No, I am not. The secretary thought they were pretty serious. He said nobody but well-dressed men in suits were on the train. He immediately reached out to the attorney general.”

“Who exactly are you? A treasury agent?”

“No. I am a Wells Fargo detective on loan to Justice. I have been named provost marshal and deputy US marshal for the duration of my investigation.” Pope knew in his gut Conkling was already aware of this.

“What do I call you?”

“Pope is fine, sir.”

“Am I a suspect or not?”

“Should you be?”

“Don’t pull any cop horse manure on me, son. Just answer the question!”

“No. At this point I am looking into political dissident groups. Since both parties to the conversation got off the train in Scarsdale, I thought you might