In the money-driven United States, the Pinkerton Detective Agency did not exist to fight crime.
Instead, its clients were the wealthy elite—powerful capitalists, magnates, and industrial tycoons.
Simply put, they served only the rich.
By the late 19th century, business owners were hiring the Pinkertons to spy on workers, protect strikebreakers, or even pose as them. They often took part directly in crushing labor strikes.
The Homestead Strike became the agency's most infamous episode—a bloody labor conflict at Carnegie Steel in Pennsylvania in 1892.
With steel magnate Andrew Carnegie away in Scotland, company chairman Henry Clay Frick took charge. To break the strike, he hired the Pinkertons, prolonging the conflict for 143 days.
On July 6, 1892, 300 agents from New York and Chicago arrived at the occupied steelworks. The Pinkertons opened fire on the strikers, killing ten people—seven workers and three agents—and wounding hundreds more.
To restore order, Pennsylvania's governor deployed two brigades of state militia to clean up the aftermath.
As the Pinkertons' involvement in violent strikes grew, Congress passed the Anti-Pinkerton Act in 1893, banning the government from employing them as strikebreakers and revoking their law enforcement powers.
Hunting criminals was merely a sideline for the Pinkertons—but even so, their name alone struck fear into every outlaw across the West.
Labor unions, however, felt no such fear. The Pinkertons' past brutality had earned them the unions' hatred. Any hint of misconduct from the agency would spark immediate public outrage.
By now, the Pinkerton Detective Agency was dismissing large numbers of agents each year. With declining influence and revenue, they could no longer afford their bloated payroll.
Davey first mentioned Sheriff Malloy, then brought up the unions—a calculated move to put pressure on Milton.
The effect was immediate.
When Sheriff Malloy's name came up, Milton and Ross barely reacted. But the moment unions were mentioned, their expressions changed—surprise flickering across their faces.
"It seems Mr. Davey has spent quite some time and money learning about us. Hard to imagine such words coming from a so-called notorious criminal," Milton said coldly.
"I'm beginning to wonder if the files I've read have been switched."
"Or do you think we have no way to deal with you? You should know we're employed by Mr. Leviticus Cornwall himself."
"You robbed his train, stole his bonds. Did you really think you could get away with that?"
Milton's tone was low and threatening as he stared at Davey.
Davey smiled faintly. "Perhaps Mr. Milton should worry about getting his enforcement rights sorted first. From what I hear, Mr. Cornwall's dealings in New Hanover haven't been going so well."
"It's also rather rude to keep calling me a notorious criminal."
"Tell me, aren't you working for one yourself? Don't tell me the Pinkertons—with all their intelligence networks—don't know about the fire in Limpany."
"So please, spare me the act of righteousness, Mr. Milton."
"And Mr. Ross, the way you're looking at me—quite offensive."
"In this country, we deal in evidence, don't we?"
Limpany—a small town northwest of Horseshoe Overlook—was burned to the ground.
The man behind that fire was Leviticus Cornwall.
It wasn't exactly a secret. Many in high places knew something about it, yet none ever dared confront Cornwall. After all, the rise of nearly every tycoon in the country was stained with blood.
Ross's eyes blazed with fury. For a moment, he wanted nothing more than to put a bullet in Davey's head.
"Ross, mind your manners," Milton said. "We're standing before a gentleman."
"Mr. Callander, I must admit—the information you possess is impressive. Hard to imagine someone like you joining the Van der Linde Gang."
"As for the rest, there's no need to discuss it further. We're here for one reason: we want you to hand over Dutch. The others in your gang—we won't pursue them."
"If you're willing, Mr. Callander, I believe we could become fine partners."
"After all, from what our reports suggest, you and Dutch are no longer walking the same path, are you?"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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