Chapter 14
Spencer did his best to keep quiet, even though he knew there was no one else around.
The land management office was a part of his patrol, and fortunately for him, the back door wasn’t locked.
It gave him the perfect excuse to enter.
If someone came upon him, he could explain that he had reason to believe someone was inside.
It was a lie, of course, and he didn’t feel particularly proud that it had come easily to mind. Still, he was able to search through some of the old records to see if Eugene Astor had ever purchased land in Cheyenne or the surrounding area.
He gave cursory glances at the years that followed and still found nothing. Astor had probably lived in a boardinghouse or rented. Coming to Cheyenne that early in its existence, Astor might have even lived in a tent.
Spencer left the files and went out the back door. He hadn’t taken two steps, however, when he heard someone tell him to stop. He held up his hands.
“It’s me, Officer Duval,” Spencer called.
“Well, that’s a relief.” The man stepped into the light. “What were you doing in the land management office?”
Spencer recognized his brother-in-law. “Robert. I thought you worked a later shift.”
“I usually do. Was someone in there?”
“No, but the back door was unlocked.” It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“Yeah, they’re bad about that. I saw the tiniest bit of light from the front window.”
“I didn’t want to turn on the electric lights, so I used a couple of matches. No one was in there, however.” Spencer nodded toward the far end of the alley. “I’m making my way in that direction. Where are you headed?”
“Over to the jail. Like I said, I saw movement and light and figured there might be a thief.” He grinned.
“Glad it’s just you doing your duty. I’ll see you later.
” He started to leave, then turned back around.
“Say, why don’t you and Carrie come for supper tonight?
Rosie’s been nagging me to have you two over. ”
“If Carrie isn’t too busy, I think that’d be great. But shouldn’t we give your poor wife some warning?”
“I’ll let Rosie know. She’ll be happy as a lark.
As for Carrie, I’ll talk to her too. I’ve got seniority in the office, so I can come and go pretty much at will.
I try not to take advantage of the fact, so I shouldn’t have any trouble doing it today.
” He chuckled and tipped his hat. “See you tonight.”
Spencer nodded and moved off in the opposite direction.
His heart was still pounding at having been discovered.
The entire situation couldn’t have been much worse.
Had it been another officer, he wouldn’t have given it a second thought.
Now, however, he’d probably be questioned about it by the chief.
He’d very nearly shared with his father-in-law his real reason for being in Cheyenne. The man had a way about him that just made a fella feel at ease. Like you could tell him almost anything and he’d understand. But something always seemed to stop Spencer.
Last week, his in-laws had even shown up at the house unexpectedly, and it seemed the perfect chance.
They had stayed for nearly an hour just talking and drinking coffee.
His mother-in-law had brought a batch of scones and cookies.
He’d had to sample them, of course. They were delicious.
There was talk of how Carrie was a fairly good baker, but by her own admission, she just didn’t have the time or interest in such things.
The Vogels had left with Marybeth’s promise to bring them baked goods from time to time.
Spencer kept looking for an opportunity to explain his Pinkerton mission, but for the life of him he couldn’t manage to move the conversation in such a way that he could do so without making it a big ordeal.
And Spencer knew it was going to be a big enough matter when they learned the truth without any help from him with bad timing.
The night before, Spencer had planned to say something to Carrie about it.
He wanted her opinion. Despite feeling that she didn’t belong in her family, she knew her parents.
She’d be better able to gauge the situation for him.
So when she had come to join him for reading by the fire, Spencer was determined to talk about the entire matter.
Instead, she had spread a blanket over them both and snuggled beside him as though they were a happily married couple.
Her action had taken him by surprise. It wasn’t that she hadn’t done it before, but tonight something seemed different.
The intimacy of her actions had left him more than a little puzzled about the future.
It was confusing living with Carrie Vogel. She was devoted to her work, but at the same time she seemed eager for his company. She had agreed to a platonic marriage and yet seemed to almost be asking for something more. What did she want from him?
Many nights they had discussed the details of their day over supper, each adding comments and insights to problems that the other found of value.
He was surprised how much Carrie shared with him about her research.
But she always had, he realized. They had talked about her work in Chicago.
She had eased him into the various terms and areas of work that fascinated her most. In turn, he’d shared a variety of cases that he’d worked on over the years.
Carrie would ask questions about the background of his perpetrators.
She believed that the science behind a person’s actions was steeped in their neurological conditions and traumas. He could see where that made sense.
Later that evening, as they sat down to dinner with Robert and Rosie Vogel, he could see that Carrie was quite lost in thought. She’d had a few patients come to see her, and her practice, though still quite small, was giving her new purpose. Even Robert noticed.
“You seem quite pleased with yourself, sis. What’s going on? Does this have to do with your research?”
“Actually, a patient. I’ve been able to help a woman who is suffering from severe headaches.
It makes me happy to see her relieved of the pain she’s been enduring.
” Carrie sliced into the pork steak she’d been given.
“Other doctors hadn’t been able to help, and she thought she’d be reduced to the drugged stupor that laudanum brings in order to find relief, but instead, we found another help for her. ”
“I suppose doctors all have their own way of doing things,” Robert replied.
“Yes, that’s exactly true. However, a physician must keep up to date on new medicines and procedures.
A lot of the older doctors rely only on their experience and believe the old ways are always the best. However, there is so much new evidence to consider because of research.
I try to never discredit the findings of others.
I give each new idea thorough consideration. ”
“That’s because you’re smart.” This came from Rosie.
Carrie smiled. “So are you, Rosie. And an amazing cook.”
Spencer had heard Carrie detail the problems Rosie had known from a difficult birth.
She’d been deprived of oxygen due to the umbilical cord being wrapped tightly around her neck.
The doctors had been certain that she would be unable to read or write or possibly even speak.
They had encouraged the family to institutionalize her, but instead, they had hidden her away at home.
Rosie’s brother’s wife, Emma, had seen something more in the young woman and had worked with her.
Rosie had learned her alphabet and numbers and then graduated to reading and writing.
She was eager to learn after having been deprived of it.
Carrie said she was still constantly seeking to understand new things.
It fascinated Carrie, given her focus on neuroscience and the brain.
Thankfully, Rosie wasn’t offended by Carrie’s interest, and the two spent considerable time together one afternoon a week.
Rosie told Spencer she hoped that by Carrie studying her, it might help other babies who suffered as she had.
“So did you have other patients today?” Rosie asked Carrie.
“No. In fact, there’s one man in particular who I thought would have come to see me by now. He was supposed to come last Friday, and when he didn’t, I thought perhaps he misunderstood the day and would show up this afternoon. But he didn’t.”
“Maybe he decided he doesn’t need a doctor.” Robert shrugged.
“In a sense, he doesn’t. He’s beyond the help of a doctor. However, I’d like to see if he might sign a paper allowing me to perform an . . .” Her voice trailed off. “I am sorry, I don’t want to turn this into a macabre conversation.”
Rosie reached over and patted her hand. “I don’t know what that word means, but there’s nothing you can’t talk about with us.”
“My sister was probably going to say that she’d like the man to allow her to study him after he dies.”
Rosie thought about this for a moment and then nodded. “I imagine that could really be useful to a doctor. I would sign a paper to let you study me if I died.”
Spencer was amazed at the way Rosie just spoke her mind. Apparently no one had ever suggested to her it was unacceptable to talk so casually about autopsies.
“Thank you, Rosie. It does help doctors tremendously to be able to study the dead in order to help the living. But let us talk about something more uplifting.” Carrie smiled at Spencer, and he gave her a wink.
“I’ve heard from the area ranchers that it looks like it’ll be a good calving season.
If the weather stays mild, that is. We’ve all seen March and April turn ugly, but hopefully, it won’t come about this year.
” Robert held up the basket of dinner rolls.
“Mama’s been teaching Rosie to make bread and rolls.
These are delicious. Be sure to get one or two . . . or more.”
Spencer took the basket. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”