“You’re here to help?” Jericho echoed.
“Of course. I am Madison O’Donnell. The Smoke River Bank hired me to help catch the gang robbing their gold shipments.”
Jericho stared at her.
“I believe you were expecting me?”
He snapped his jaw shut. The last thing he’d expected was this frilly-looking female with her ridiculous hat. In her green-striped dress, and twirling her parasol like that, she made him think of a dish of cool mint ice cream.
“Whatever is the matter, Sheriff? You have gone quite pale. Are you ill?”
He jerked at the question. Not ill—just gutshot. “Uh, yeah. I mean, no, I’m not ill. Just…surprised.”
She lowered her voice. “Most clients are surprised when they meet me. It will pass.”
Hell, no, it won’t.
During my research for this book I was pleased to discover there were a number of women Pinkerton agents; in fact Allan Pinkerton stated that some of his most valuable operatives, particularly during the Civil War, were women.
So I thought a female agent in the Old West deserved her own story.
The Lone Sheriff
Lynna Banning
For Joe Walsh, with love
With grateful thanks to:
Suzanne Barrett
Carolyn Comings
Kathleen Dougherty
Tricia Adams
Brenda Preston
Susan Renison
Ann Shankland
Austin Sugai
David Woolston
LYNNA BANNING has combined a lifelong love of history and literature into a satisfying career as a writer. Born in Oregon, she has lived in Northern California most of her life. After graduating from Scripps College she embarked on a career as an editor and technical writer, and later as a high school English teacher.
An amateur pianist and harpsichordist, Lynna performs on psaltery and harp in a medieval music ensemble and coaches in her spare time. She enjoys hearing from her readers. You may write to her directly at PO Box 324, Felton, CA 95018, USA, email her at [email protected] or visit Lynna’s website at www.lynnabanning.com
Contents
TO: SHERIFF JERICHO SILVER, LAKE COUNTY, OREGON
SENDING TOP AGENT MADISON O’DONNELL TO ASSIST CAPTURE OF ARMED GANG STEALING WELLS FARGO GOLD SHIPMENTS
ALLAN PINKERTON
PINKERTON DETECTIVE