Kate Warne and the Shadows of Betrayal – Part 3

Part three in the story of Kate Warne’s first big case

Moroney’s wife had checked in at the Merchant’s Hotel in Pennsylvania.

Kate Warne also went to the Merchant and checked in under a false name. She had worked out her cover carefully. If asked, she’d say she was the wife of wealthy man. If pressed, she’d admit that he’d made his money illegally and by forging documents.

She dressed high society, had good manners, and called herself Madame Imbert.

All of this was designed so she could strike up a friendship with Mrs. Maroney. Somewhere in this, Kate would admit that her husband was incarcerated. It was just one more thing designed to help her build trust with Mrs. Moroney.

Hours after she checked in, a dashing young man named DeForrest checked into the hotel. Like Kate, he was a Pinkerton, and his mission was similar to Kate’s. They’d both meet Mrs. Maroney and work on her from two different angles.

They would also back each other up.

“Kate?” DeForrest had asked at a strategy session before they left for Pittsburgh. “How would you suggest I make contact with her?”

Both Kate and DeForrest had been studying Mrs. Moroney. Kate had been thinking the same thing. How do we get in on her. It would be easier for him than her when she suggested, “She is a pretty woman.” She t5ried to put herself in her place. “She’s tired and worried and has her child. If you walk up to her during supper and ask to sit at her table, I think she’ll invite you. I know I would.”

Kate was right.

That evening, DeForrest walked up to her table as Kate suggested, smiled, and said, “Ma’am. I hate dining alone. I see you’re alone and was wondering if I might join you?’

Mrs. Moroney said yes, and he bought her supper.

Kate was pleased to see she’d figured this one just right.

Shortly afterwards, a letter was delivered to the jail for Nathan Maroney. The handwriting appeared to be that of a woman and it didn’t have good news. “Mr. Moroney,” it read. “I should let you know that your wife has been spending a considerable amount of time in the company of a younger man while visiting here. They’re almost inseparable. Sorry, but I thought you should know.”

The letter wasn’t signed.

“Oh, God,” he gasped, dropping the letter to the floor.

“What’s wrong?” White asked. He’d been lying on a bunk reading the Bible. It was one of the few books they were allowed.

Moroney didn’t know what to say for several minutes. “This letter says that while my wife has been visiting in Pittsburgh, she’s been keeping company with another man.”

“Are you serious?”

“That’s what the letter says.”

“Look, it probably some gossip who doesn’t know when to shut up. I’m sure you’re wrong.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Moroney said.

Any comfort he got from the thought was dashed a few days later. Another letter arrived and this time it was from a man. It said the same thing. Then another, and another.

“I’ve got to get out of here,” he said. “Not only am I stuck in jail, but my marriage is falling apart.”

White joined him sitting on his bunk. “You don’t have a lawyer?”

“Lawyers cost money.”

“That they do. But maybe you should talk with my lawyer.”

“Who is he?”

“George. George Bangs. He told me all you have to do is come up with money.” White smiled. “He says money makes almost any problem go away.”

“But, you’re still here.”

“I won’t be once some land I own sells. Then, I’ll have my price.”

A few days later, his wife came for a visit. Moroney had the letters and showed them to her.

“Is it true?” he asked.

His wife hesitated before answering. “There is a nice young man I met. We’ve talked and dined together, but he’s just a friend. And he was always with Madam Imbert. If anyone has a relationship with him, it’s her. He’s very close to her.”

“Are you sure?”

“There’s nothing at all happening beyond dinner and talking.”

“Who’s this lady you mention?”

“Madam Imbert? She’s very well to do, well bred, and very wise.” She smiled. “She’s become a very good friend.”

Moroney must have felt relieved.

A few days later, George Bangs came to see White, his supposed client. “The good news,” George said, “is they agreed to your price. Once they pay for the land, and we give them the deed, you’ll be out shortly afterwards.”

“You can really make it all go away?” White said.

“Oh, yes. Grease the right palm with enough money, and you’re a free man.”

“I’ll be forgiven?”

“It won’t be forgiven. It will be forgotten.”

They’d made sure Moroney heard it all.

“Good.” Then White looked over at Moroney. “George. Do you think you can help Nathan out.”

George looked over at Nathan who had been listening. “What are you in for, Nathan?”

“They say I stole a bunch of money.”

“How much is a bunch?”

“Fifty-thousand dollars.”

George let out a whistle of surprise. “This will cost a lot to make that go away.”

“I’ll get the money.”

“Good. Get it, then we’ll talk.”

The next time his wife came for a visit, Maroney told her of the conversation he’d had with George. He told her to get the money together that Bangs wanted and to pay the man.

Here’s where things went really bad for him. Accused of an affair, and still assailed by everything going on back home, she felt a little perplexed.

Should she get the money like he asked her? Or should she keep it for herself.

There was no one in New York she could confide in. She returned to Pittsburgh and went to visit her friend Madam Imbert.

Kate Warne had a nice comfortable room at the Merchants Hotel. Between her friendship with Mrs. Maroney and the charms of the handsome Forrest, they’d built an of escape route for Mrs. Maroney. The woman knew she was in trouble. But she was being given a way to walk away from it all.

Madame Imbert was drinking tea and reading a letter when Mrs. Maroney arrived.

“Tea?” Kate asked, slipping into her character of Madame Imbert..

“Thank you, but no. I need to talk you.”

“You’ve been crying, my friend.”

“I have,” she said.

I can only imagine what Kate thought. Maybe she smiled to herself.

Maybe inside, she was jumping up and down and doing cartwheels. But at the same time, she might have felt a little guilty. After all, she was about to use this woman to recover the money. I’m not sure what she felt.

What I’m sure of is that she played the gracious hostess and poured her guest a cup of tea. “Sit. Tell me about it then?”