Texas Tiger

chapter 18





"I think the best thing to do is start talking to the women over at your father's factory." Daniel paced the open space they now thought of as their front room. The pallet lay rolled up against the wall, unused since Saturday night. Two nights in bed together and his mind was already deteriorating into a shambles, he decided, shoving his hair back from his face.

Georgina sat at the table, going over a page of print, checking for errors before the final product was turned out. She didn't look up from her work as she replied "Leave the factory out of this. I want the heads of every Mulloney on a pike."

Daniel swung around and glared at her. "You're the one who has been telling me that your father's factory is the best place to start. I'm just agreeing with you. It's right there, across the street, easily accessible, and you said yourself that there's some connection to Mulloney's."

Irritation edged his voice, but Georgina kept on with what she was doing. He had been pacing the office like a caged tiger all morning. He ought to be aching in every fool bone in his body and lying around groaning.Instead, he had set his type and written several pieces for the paper and still found time to pace.

"That was before, when I thought Peter would end up owning it. Now it's part mine, and I'll take care of it. I think we ought to stay with an expose of ABC Rentals and the living conditions of their tenants."

Daniel stopped in mid-stride. "What's part yours?"

Georgina finally glanced up. "Hanover Industries. My grandmother left me forty percent of it."

Daniel continued staring, waiting for an explanation.

Georgina shrugged. "My father had to borrow the money from his family to buy the business. He gave them a forty-percent share in return. When my grandfather died, he left it to my grandmother. My grandmother left it to me. She probably meant it for some sort of dowry. I'm certain my father intended for Peter to take it over when we married. But as far as I know, it's legally mine when I turn twenty-one."

"And when do you turn twenty-one?" he asked ominously, glowering through his swollen eye.

Georgina dimpled sweetly. "July fourth."

Daniel opened his mouth to speak, shut it again firmly, swung around, and strode to the window. "Then you'd better hire yourself a damned lawyer real soon. I'm going after Mulloney Enterprises, and if my hunch is correct, they own a piece of Hanover Industries. If so, it will come tumbling down with all the rest before I'm done."

"I'll be there to pick up the pieces." Finishing her proofing, Georgina stood up and dusted herself off, then reached for her hat and gloves. "I'm going to see the Harrisons. I'll be back with lunch."

Daniel swung around and glared at her as she calmly pulled on her short white gloves. "You'll do no such thing. You're not going out there alone."

Georgina gestured for Max. "And who will stop me?" she asked, still smiling sweetly.

And before he could offer argument or logic, she was gone.

* * *

"Betsy is looking much better today," Georgina commented as she took the seat to which the old lady showed her.

Janice sent her visitor's gray dress a disparaging look. "You're not. Where's your fancy silks and lace? Isn't Daniel taking you on an expensive wedding trip like your other beau would? What are you even doing out of bed?"

The pretty little girl sitting on the floor playing with a broken doll looked up at the harshness in her sister's voice. At Janice's expression, she turned worried eyes to their visitor.

Georgina blushed, but kept her back straight. "Daniel has work to do, and I'm trying to help him. He was attacked Saturday, you know. I think that's a sign that he's causing people like Mulloney some sleepless nights. We're going to do more than cause them sleepless nights before this is over."

"What is over? What do you think you can possibly do to a man who owns half the town? Peter or his father probably had Egan and his cronies beat up Daniel as a warning. What do you think he will do next?" Janice asked scornfully.

Georgina hadn't thought about that. Peter had always been nice, if distant. She hadn't thought him capable of violence. But then he'd pulled that rifle trick, and she'd had to rethink her judgment. Perhaps it was time she began rethinking a lot of things. Would a prominent, wealthy businessman stoop to hiring thugs to beat up journalists? Especially if that journalist claimed to be his son or brother?

Georgina cringed at the notion. This was definitely not the nice world she had thought. But it could be. The good people just had to band together against the bad ones.

Relieved by that thought, she smoothed her gloves and stood up. "I've been reading about unions. I think that's what we need here. If all the women working for Mulloney's Department Store got together and demanded raises and better hours, they could force Mr. Mulloney to do what they wanted. He couldn't sell a thing without them."

Janice sent her a cynical look and picked up her piecework, "He would just fire them all and hire new ones. I read, too."

Georgina shook her head and glanced at Audrey, who had been listening listlessly until the union had been mentioned. "Explain it to her, Audrey. Tell her how difficult it is to hire just the right sort of person for a place like Mulloney's."

"She's never been inside Mulloney's. She won't believe me," Audrey whispered.

"I never saw such a defeatist attitude," Georgina declared, glaring at both women. "Mulloney's is a public store. Anyone can go in at any time, but they've scared you into thinking otherwise. Audrey can look after Betsy, and Max can stay here. Come with me, and I'll show you what I mean."

Janice looked down at her mended cotton gown and shook her head. "I'm not going in there to make a fool of myself just for your pleasure. They would throw me out if I tried."

Georgina smiled brilliantly. "Oh no, they won't. I'm very good at creating scenes. If they so much as try, they'll have a scene the likes of which the town won't forget in a hundred years." She pulled off her gloves. "Here, if it will make you feel better, we'll dress you like a lady. Put these on."

She unpinned her hat, studied Janice's loose chignon, found the best angle, and pinned it to her thick hair. "There, instant style. What do you think, Audrey?"

The other girl studied her older sister. "It would be better if she had a parasol or a mantle or a rope of pearls." Her eyes brightened. "Mama's cameo! That will be perfect."

The cameo was produced and declared satisfactory. Janice stood still for her sister's sake, but when they were done, she held out the plain drape of her blue skirt and shook her head. "It won't do. They'll know I'm not rich. Only the rich shop at Mulloney's."

Georgina adjusted the bonnet brim so it covered more of Janice's face. "They can think whatever they like, but you'll be with me, and they know who I am. And you speak beautifully. Better than I do, actually. Not to be nosy, but how did you accomplish that? I thought that's why I went to school."

Janice shrugged. "Our mother was Irish, but Father was English, the younger son of a vicar. His family disowned him when he married our mother. Contrary to popular thought, most immigrants come from good families. Just because most speak foreign languages and have to work for a living doesn't mean they're beasts of burden."

Georgina frowned at the hidden sarcasm. "And just because some people come from good families doesn't mean that they're not as inclined to behave as much like jackasses as the rest of the world. I was just curious. You didn't have to give me a lecture."

Janice began to peel off the gloves. "You've made your point. If you don't mind, I've got work to do."

Georgina grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the doorway. "So do I, but I'm setting it aside until I show you what we can do. You want your sister to get her job back, don't you?"

That was the impetus that sent Janice out the door, however unwillingly. She glared at Georgina, then down at the evidence of her plain clothing in the glaring sunlight. "I feel ridiculous."

Georgina caught up the simple gray serge of her skirt and started down the street. "We all ought to be ridiculous every once in a while. Even the Mulloneys. Let's see if we can't help them out."

The reaction of the Mulloney employees as soon as they entered the store was much as Janice had predicted. The doorman in his formal black suit and stiff white collar hurried to intercept them, but stepped back in confusion when one of the two dowdy customers turned a familiar dimpled smile to him.

"Good morning, Jerome. Excellent day, isn't it?" With a regal nod, Georgina swept past the stunned doorman and into the interior. The blazing chandelier couldn't compare to the sunlight outside. The glittering glass counters of expensive perfumes and jewelry held as much shadow as light, concealing the expressions of many of the clerks as the two shabby customers walked the carpeted aisle.

"How may we help you?" A stiffly erect woman in rustling cascades of brown taffeta hurried to their sides as Georgina lingered over a counter of expensive bracelets. The woman's hair was properly arranged in thick knots high on her head. Her gown buttoned all the way to the throat. And she reeked of the gentle scents of lavender sachet.

"See what I mean?" Georgina whispered as Janice tried to tug away. "She talks like her mouth is full of marbles." Looking up to the clerk, she smiled. "Good morning, Miss Whalen. My cousin and I were wondering if the Mulloney employees ever get together after work just for fun? I should think a company picnic would be pleasant. I really must talk to Peter about it. Do you think anyone would be interested?"

The woman's mouth gaped open as her gaze swept over Georgina's improper attire, but she managed a stiff smile. "I'm certain we would be delighted with the opportunity if it were offered."

"Personally, I think better wages and better hours would be more meaningful," Georgina said thoughtfully, tapping her lips with an ungloved finger. She looked up innocently. "And job security. I hadn't thought of that before. Loyal, hardworking employees should know they always have a job, even if their views don't agree with management's."

The clerk was too stunned to reply, and Georgina swept on to the next counter, trailing Janice behind her.

"You're insane," Janice whispered.

"No, I'm angry. I hadn't realized Peter had hired such snobs. I'm not certain they're worth saving." Georgina smiled pleasantly at a few more gawking clerks. "I think I'll gather up all the workers at the factory and bring them over here for a shopping spree."

Janice stifled a small giggle at the image raised of some of the loud and rambunctious women at the factory intruding into the pristine quietude of Mulloney's Department Store. She caught Georgina's arm and led her toward the hat counter.

A terrified young girl of petite stature clasped her hands in front of her as they stopped at her counter. Upon recognizing Janice, she offered a shaky smile. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" she inquired hesitantly.

"How's Clarence?" Janice asked, giving Georgina no time to stage another performance.

The girl gave a fleeting look around, then seeing no one close enough to hear, she whispered, "He's just fine, Miss Harrison. You tell Audrey that I'm awful sorry. She didn't deserve what happened."

"Well, we're going to try to stop it from happening to anyone else. Pass the word around. See how many are interested in getting together to talk about better wages"—Janice threw a look at Georgina—"and job security. Miss Hanover and Mr. Martin are offering their help in any way they can. Mulloney can't fire everybody."

The girl's eyes widened, but she gave a hasty nod before they strolled away.

Janice knew several more of the clerks and made her little speech a few more times before the distraction they were providing finally caught the notice of management. Georgina was quite proud of her as Peter came storming out of his office and down the stairs. Janice only whitened two shades and turned toward the door.

"It's too late," Georgina whispered before Janice could make good her escape. "I'm not running."

"Georgina, what in hell do you think you're doing!" Peter's usually well-modulated voice soared through the building as he approached. Realizing his error as heads swung to stare, he waited until he was upon them before continuing. "Do you think to shame me by coming in here looking like that?"

Georgina smiled and took his arm, deliberately steering him toward the doorway. Janice fell in behind them, out of the line of fire.

"Why, no, of course not, dear Peter. I was just showing a friend from out of town the quality of the shopping that can be had here in Cutlerville. I just didn't think about changing. Daniel and I have been working so hard that I'd quite forgotten what I wore. Quite silly of me, I'm certain. What one wears is so important, isn't it? But I'm certain you don't need to be told that. Why don't you come over and visit us sometime? We'd be delighted to have you. You could bring my father and my camera and we could make a party of it."

Georgina's smile was almost malicious as she made a quick curtsy at the door and walked out. Janice hastily skirted around the frozen gentleman left standing in the aisle and followed Georgina into the street.

She didn't say a word as Georgina strode furiously down the walk, steam practically pouring from her ears. The very proper lady was in the midst of a very improper temper tantrum, and Janice hung back to enjoy the sight. It was good to know that the other half didn't have everything easy. She'd very much like to know what was behind that little scene, but she wasn't prepared to find out.

"All right, I see what you mean." Judging the temper about out of steam, Janice finally caught up with her companion. "Those clerks talk and dress like proper ladies. There can't be too many people in this town with those accomplishments who are looking for jobs at menial wages. If they all walked at once, Mulloney would have a devil of a time replacing them."

Not particularly mollified, Georgina managed a curt nod. "They would have to close the doors. The task will be persuading all those snotty department managers to join in. Peter pays them a little more and pats them on the back occasionally so they think they owe him their lives. If they don't stand with the rest of them, Peter will try to keep the store open with just their help."

"He can't," Janice announced decisively. At Georgina's questioning look, she explained, "We'll get the people in the back, the people you never see and don't know anything about: the seamstresses and hatmakers and storeroom clerks and delivery boys. Mulloney's doesn't buy everything ready-made. They sell service as well. If customers lose their favorite seamstress, they'll go where they can find her."

Georgina stared at her newfound partner in crime. "You have a devious mind, Miss Harrison. We're happy to have you on the team."