Chapters of The Wicked Affair of the Golden Emperor
On Illumination Book Chapters
Biography of Tom Hanratty
I’m a scribbler. I make stuff up, and write about it. That’s what I do.
Somewhere, about 200 years ago, a shirt-tail relative of mine sat in a candle-lit garret scratching with his quill on foolscap. I suspect he made a coin or two penning spurious letters of recommendation for chambermaids, stable hands, and the like, or pleading missives or poetry for lovelorn dandies without the wit to write their own.
That started the whole ball rolling downhill to come to rest at my feet. Author of two novels, a spate of short stories, and a Forensic workbook or two, I have taken up the pen (or keyboard) to breath life into the passion of my ancestor.
And the pay is about the same.
For those interested in what I did for the first 60 years of my life, check out the homepage on my website, www.thomashanratty.com
Introduction to The Wicked Affair of the Golden Emperor
This is a mystery, with the classic locked room murder, a puzzling verse, a beautiful Apache warrior woman, a San Francisco bordello madam, and a group of great characters. One is a Chinese spy, another a courageous woman social worker, and, to top it off, a gun-toting, bare-knuckle Coroner.
It all takes place just after the American Civil War in old San Francisco when Mark Twain’s life is threatened. Oh, did I mention a box-car full of gold? And a kidnapping or two? Not to worry — Charles Goodfoote is the jewel in the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s crown. He’ll sort it all out.
A Charles Goodfoote Mystery in Old San Francisco
Chapter 1
Charles Goodfoote is a mixed-blood (Blackfoot/Irish) Pinkerton Detective sent to San Francisco to investigate the murder of another Pinkerton agent that happened nearly two years previously. He’s given the position of Senior Operative, and is placed in charge of the office.
Kaya-Te-Nse, an Apache warrior-woman, and friend of Goodfoote, sees a vision with Goodfoote in trouble near a golden mountain.
Chapter 2
Goodfoote and Sam Clemens, a reporter for the San Francisco Gazette, await the arrival of a snitch in a waterfront saloon in the Barbary Coast district of the City. When a fight breaks out, the snitch, Jack Skaggs, is murdered.
Chapter 3
In the Apache camp, Kaya and her friend, the Medicine Woman Dashante, discuss Kaya’s next move, and a fight with the Mexican Army is brewing.
Chapter 4
Sam Clemens brings a case to the Pinkerton's. A poster on “Murderers Wall” in Chinatown has Clemens name on it, and he wants Goodfoote to investigate how it got there.
Chapter 5
Goodfoote visits his friend John Fong, a major player in Chinatown power, and there he meets Emily O’Rourke, the founder and director of the Catholic Mission House. The Mission House is threatened by Chinese Triads because the “sisters” rescue Chinese girls from a life of prostitution. John Fong hires Goodfoote to accompany Miss O’Rourke to a meeting with a state representative the next night.
Chapter 6
The Mexican Army attacks the Apache camp expecting a quick victory. Kaya and Dashante have other ideas.
Chapter 7
Goodfoote, to investigate Clemens’ threat, visits the newspaper office and learns of possible enemies the reporter made with hard-hitting stories he wrote. Later, Goodfoote rescues Emily O’Rourke from a murderous attack on her life. He escorts her home.
Chapter 8
Kaya and Dashante spring a trap and soundly defeat the Mexican Army. Kaya is now free to mourn Goodfoote, who she thinks is dead.
Chapter 9
Goodfoote visits a bordello Madam who gives him information. He then calls on denizens of the Barbary Coast to learn the reason for the death of Jack Skaggs.
Chapter 10
Kaya goes up on the hill to mourn, and has a spiritual experience. She learns Goodfoote is still alive, but he needs the help of the warrior woman. Kaya will go the Golden Mountain (San Francisco), a journey of 1000 miles through enemy territory to save the man she loves.
Chapter 11
Jubal T. Bedford, another Pinkerton Detective, is back from an assignment. He and Goodfoote compare notes.
Later, Goodfoote picks up Emily O’Rourke, and her fellow counselors, Meghan O’Shannahan, and Jonna McMasters. They take a carriage to the Concord Hotel to meet with State Administrator Michael Dillman.
At the hotel, they discover the body of the Administrator in a locked hotel room, with the windows sealed shut.
Chapter 12
Goodfoote and Sgt, Monaghan find clues at the crime scene pointing to an exceptionally skilled professional assassin.
Chapter 13
Goodfoote finds peculiar tracks of the killer on the roof.
Chapter 14
Kaya and Dashante journey to find the Iron Horse
Chapter 15
A strong Chinese connection to the assassination is seen by the police, but Goodfoote has his doubts.
Chapter 16
Kaya begins her journey on the “Iron Horse.”
Chapter 17
Goodfoote interviews the ladies of the Mission House seeking a motive for the murder of Administrator Michael Dillman.
Chapter 18
Kaya is given food and advice from friendly Mexicans
Chapter 19
Goodfoote attends the autopsy of the Administrator and learns more about the death of the snitch, Jack Skaggs
Chapter 20
Kaya is threatened by a White man, and befriended by a Navajo.
Chapter 21
JT is going to head for Sacramento to continue the investigation in the death of the Administrator Dillman, and Hobbs is sent to the gambling dens to sniff out rumors of the murder.
Chapter 22
Kaya embarks on the last leg of a 1000 mile journey to find Goodfoote.
Chapter 23
Capt. Bullump and his henchman Grues visit Goodfoote and JT with unveiled threats.
Chapter 24
Goodfoote lunches with Jeremiah Pottle, a financier who knows all the history of the wealthy in San Francisco.
Chapter 25
Kaya leaves the train when she smells the saltwater of the ocean, and knows she is near the Golden Mountain.
Chapter 26
Doc Thorp instructs Goodfoote on the weaponry of the Chinese.
Chapter 27
Goodfoote visits the wealthy rice merchant Lo Ping. A mental chess match takes place, and a substantial bribe is offered by Lo Ping.
Chapter 28
Kaya finds the ambush site she saw in her vision.
Chapter 29
A poem intended for Emily from Lo Ping carries a veiled threat. Goodfoote receives an invitation to a party.
Chapter 30
Breakfast and a stroll around Chinatown with Doc Thorp reveals important information about John Fong and Lo Ping.
Chapter 31
Goodfoote and JT revisit the docks where the Pinkerton Agent Hoople was murdered.
JT is sent to guard the Mission House.
Chapter 32
Meghan O’Shannahan is followed by Goodfoote and JT when she heads for Chinatown in the dark of night. She is attacked by a group of thugs, but rescued by the detectives and a group of Fong’s Chinese agents.
Chapter 33
Kaya sets up camp and waits for the fight she knows is coming.
Chapter 34
Goodfoote accompanies Emily to the Mayor’s office. The Catholic Mission House is bombed.
Chapter 35
Goodfoote discovers a clue in Agent Hoople’s notes.
Chapter 36
The Mayor makes a speech in the morning, and Goodfoote and JT visit a Barbary Coast Saloon to confront Big Willy.
Chapter 37
Goodfoote and JT are ambushed by three thugs. A fire is set in the Pinkerton office and Goodfoote’s tracking skill reveals the name of a spy.
Chapter 38
John Fong and Goodfoote trade intelligence in the heart of Chinatown.
Chapter 39
Kaya prays for Goodfoote’s safety.
Chapter 40
Goodfoote accompanies Emily to a soiree given by Former Governor Walker, and another bribe is offered to Goodfoote.
Chapter 41
A trap is set for a sinister spy
Chapter 42
Goodfoote seeks a vision.
Chapter 43
Kaya prepares for war.
Chapter 44
Another attempt on Goodfoote’s life
Chapter 45
Goodfoote sets up a plan of attack
Chapter 46
Emily rejects Goodfoote’s protection
Chapter 47
The ladies of the Mission House are taken hostage, and JT suffers gunshot wounds.
Goodfoote sets off after the captors of the women.
Chapter 48
Kaya takes the fight to the men waiting to ambush Goodfoote.
Chapter 49
Goodfoote arrives at the ambush in Hellfire Pass, just as Kaya wages Apache war.
Chapter 50
Goodfoote and Kaya are reunited. Doc Thorp makes an unexpected appearance and charges into the battle with guns abasing.
Chapter 51
Goodfoote, Kaya, and Doc Thorp arrive at Darrigan’s Craig where the women from the Mission House are being held. A plan is formed.
Chapter 52
Goodfoote fights for his life, frees the women, but is captured by Bullump. The ladies of the Mission House help Goodfoote, Kaya, and Doc roust the villains.
Chapter 53
William Pinkerton holds a dinner party to explain the case for a final report. Shocking news is shared, and Goodfoote feels a chill coming from Emily.
Chapter 54
Kaya is disguised as a Mexican senorita.
Chapter 55
Goodfoote and Kaya return to Apache Land.
Chapter 56
Kaya and Dashante meet up, and they share a secret.
Chapter 57
Goodfoote returns to San Francisco alone
Chapter 58
Sam Clemens returns to San Francisco with a plan to take Mark Twain’s lectures on the road. Emily tells Goodfoote she won’t see him again.
Chapter 59
Goodfoote gets some bad news, and sets off once more for the Southwest.