Lois's Risk by Kimberly Grist

Author:Kimberly Grist [Grist, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications
Published: 2018-12-14T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Such exclamations as " The Dickens," or " Mercy," or " Good Gracious," should never be used. If you are surprised or astonished, suppress the fact. Such expressions border closely on profanity.”

Houghton, Walter R. American Etiquette Rules of Politeness

New York: Standard Publishing House, 1883

Detective Moore paused on the train platform and clasped his hands behind his back. “I believe Walt Whitman expressed it best when he described the steam engine as a fierce-throated beauty. Between the sounds of the hundreds of moving parts and the huffs of steam, I find it downright musical.”

The engineer activated two long whistles with the pull chord, and clouds of steam and fire shot up from the engine as it began its departure from the station. Daniel and Scotty followed the detective along the rails as he continued their tour.

“Although it varies by region, the railroads arrange cars to distance passengers the farthest from the engine. Luggage, mail and other freight create a safety barrier between the locomotive and passenger coaches. First class, dining, sleeper cars and anything exclusive are located at the rear,” Detective Moore explained.

They boarded, then stepped into a finely-appointed private rail car. Daniel blinked. The walls were dark mahogany, the floor carpeted, and the room filled with upholstered chairs and card tables. To the left, a large bedroom opened into its own bath.

Scotty whistled. “It’s like a small mansion,” he said.

Agent Moore cleared his throat. “Since the owner won’t be accompanying us on this trip, he graciously allowed us to use it for our planning purposes. Sit down and take advantage of the luxury. It will be short-lived.”

Sinking into an upholstered chair, the detective opened a drawer and pulled out a box of cigars. “We’ll have a couple of hours of planning time before we refuel at the next water stop. If things go the way we planned, we’ll pick up some reinforcements.”

He offered each a cigar. “Once we have a chance to assess our talent, we’ll work together to fine-tune our plan. Then we’ll move to less stellar accommodations.”

Daniel took a chair next to the window and leaned forward. “How many men are you expecting?”

Pausing as he lit his cigar, the detective answered, “ten, but I am hoping for fifteen.”

Based on the information received from the informants, Daniel worked with Detective Moore to draw out a plan. “The tip indicated the bandits would strike approximately three miles before the locomotive passed into the journey through the mountains. That will be their last chance because after we pass through, it will be too difficult for horseback riders to attempt to board the train.”

Moore posted the most proficient marksman strategically in pairs closest to the train’s engine. Once the attack began, the train would break to give the appearance of stopping. The bandits’ raised guns would be met with retaliation from armed men scattered throughout the train.

Daniel and Scotty were stationed directly behind the engine in a former passenger car converted for livestock. The stench left by the previous occupants was thick and putrid.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.