The Union Read Online Free

immediate answer. He seemed to be taking a moment to consider. Keely wasn't offended. Mr. Allison was never quick with an answer, but once he made a promise, he always stuck to it.  
    "Well, truth be told, I was just on my way to Burke. Representatives from the Gem Union have been invited to the Burke Union's general meeting. I'm meeting our boys for a little conference beforehand." Mr. Allison cleared his throat. "I'm not sure as the fellows will let McCullough stay for the meeting, but if he wants to come along, I'll introduce him to everybody."
    "Thank you, Mr. Allison."
    "Don't be thanking me, Miss Byrne. If the boys let him stay, likely he won't be back before midnight. There's always socializing at the bars afterward. A new fellow won't want to miss it." Mr. Allison turned to McCullough. "When did you get in?"
    Keely answered for him. "A little over an hour ago."
    "Then I do apologize, ma'am."
    "No apologies necessary, Mr. Allison. Anything for the union." She smiled at McCullough. "I guess Mrs. Shipley will have to meet you another day. You go on, and stay as long as you need."
    "You'll want your horse," Mr. Allison said.
    "It's across the street."  
    "Good then. Let's be going," Mr. Allison said.
    Keely beamed at McCullough, so proud, so pleased with the way he'd turned out. Things were off to a fine start.
    ###
    Patterson looked well recovered and more robust than Dietz had expected as they rode through town. Patterson, older than Dietz by a good five years, had always cut a dashing figure. Slender, with dark hair and lively, intelligent eyes, Patterson wore a fine specimen of a mustache that he never shaved off, even to change his appearance for a new mission. The only real difference in him was the smallpox scars that dotted his skin. Patterson was a tough bastard, even cheating smallpox of victory. That's what Dietz admired about him.
    Patterson chatted about nothing, like a stranger, until they pulled outside the mining camp town of Gem. "What happened to the real McCullough?"
    "Dead."
    "Dead?" Patterson cocked a brow. "How?"
    "I killed him. Bastard tried to shoot me in the back."
    "Where?"
    "Thompson's Falls."
    Patterson sighed. "This is a dangerous game you're playing, my friend."
    "Isn't it always?" Dietz slowed his horse to match Patterson's pace. "We'd just arrived in Thompson's Falls. Only a few folks heard the names we gave them. He and I looked similar, I guess. Sheriff there thought we were brothers. Someone tipped McCullough off to who I was. The McCabe cover was good as blown."
    "Someone in Thompson's Falls?"
    "I don't think so. There wasn't enough time."
    "Who then?"
    "I wish I knew. Might have been someone in Butte City." Dietz shrugged. "It's only a guess."
    "You're betting whoever it was doesn't know McCullough is dead?"
    "Yup."
    Patterson sat silent a moment. "Takes nerve to just assume his identity."
    "I was desperate for a way into the union. With McCullough dead how was I supposed to infiltrate? Likely as not they'd brand a new arrival as a scab or a spy."
    Patterson snorted. "They're suspicious of everybody." Patterson's gaze pierced him. "Still, McCullough?"
    "When I showed up, Keely Byrne mistook me for him. I figured if she didn't know the difference, who would?"
    "What about the girl?" Patterson looked straight ahead.
    "What about her? I'll play nice. Don't I always?" Dietz couldn't hold back a grin.
    "All right, ladies boy. Just because you've been able to charm and outwit a few dozen whores and loose women, doesn't mean you'll pull this off with a woman who keeps her legs clamped shut and her head on her shoulders."
    "I don't need to charm her. McCullough's already done that for me." Dietz laughed. "Maybe you should tell me about her."
    "She's a friend of my manager, Mrs. Shipley. Miss Byrne's an ardent union supporter. You know about her brother?"
    "I know he was killed in a mining accident."
    Patterson nodded. "Then you know her motives?"
    Dietz nodded. "Make the mines safe. Fair