He didnt say a word, he simply caught the branches.
She let her words trail over her shoulder at him, along with her anger. Due process of law. That means you get us into a puppet military court, and see that were hanged.
If youre innocent, you have nothing to fear.
Youre looking for someone called Gator. Im not Gator. Richard isnt Gator. Theres no reason that you should suspect either of us as your man.
Well see, wont we? was all he replied.
You should be worried, you know, she said smoothly.
Oh?
Lamia! You see me now, but Ill turn to smoke, and youll find me behind your back, slipping around your side, seeking your jugular vein.
Thats always possible.
You should tremble. You shouldnt push my temper, she warned.
Im a mass of trembling flesh. Please keep moving.
As she walked, she became aware of the shouts and instructions of the other Union men in the distanceone booming voice, and then others that rang back and forth as they scurried to obey the commander.
Tara quickened her pace. Finn Dunne hurried behind her.
When she at last neared the little copse where she had left Richard, she ran the last few steps.
She raced by the last tree. From there she could see that men had pulled longboats up on the beach, and that they were being sent out to gather firewood.
There seemed to be a lot of them.
Tara slid down to her knees at Richards side. His eyes were still closed; he had barely moved. But a quick check assured her that he was still breathing. His pulse even ticked a little stronger than before.
Finn Dunne was down beside her. He could move with an astonishing ease, especially for a man so tall. She tried to ignore him, but could not.
Richard Anderson, he said.
Yes, his name is Richard Anderson.
And your name is ?
Tara. Tara Fox.
What? His tone was so sharp that it stunned her.
She looked at him. His features were hard and tense; his eyes seemed to be burning as he stared at her. They were such unusual eyes.
Tara Fox, she repeated.
To her surprise, his eyes said he knew her name.
Look, I dont know what information youve been given, but youre mistaken in me. I would never hurt Lincoln. Never. I would do anything to stop any evil being done to the man. Even a fool knows that well need his strong leadership when its time to make peace and reconstruct the South. Stop looking at me like that. I am not a monster.
Thats debatable, he murmured, getting to his feet.
As he did so, a loud shout rose in the air.
Dunne! Agent Dunne! Are you here?
Tara touched Richards face gently and rose, as well.
On the beach, she counted ten men. Several were still securing their boats.
The others had their guns at the ready.
Here! Finn Dunne called out. I have the survivors from the Rebel ship. Theyre unarmed. Hold your fire!
Tara looked at him, feeling a sudden surge of anxiety. The Union men could have come upon them after the sea battle with guns blazing. This man had prevented that. She could only pray that the Pinkerton meant his words, that they wouldnt be harmed.
In her heart, she honestly believed that most men were honorable. Union men would not murder a man in cold blood. And yet, despite the decency and courtesy displayed by commanders on both sides, horrible murders had occurred. While she understood that John Brown had wanted to make all men free with his campaign against slavery, he had in fact committed murderand in the Kansas and Nebraska territories, men had committed murder in retaliation.
Wasnt war just sanctified murder?
She just stood there, tense, terrified and praying. The philosophy of man wasnt something she could solve, and certainly not at this moment.
Please, God, dont let them hurt Richard.
A young soldier came through the trees. She thought that she recognized himthat bit of scruffy beard on his chinbut he was so covered in soot that she couldnt be sure. He looked at Tara with surprise, his brows shooting up. Then he looked at the man on the ground and spoke to the Pinkerton agent.
Sir! the young man said, addressing Finn Dunne. The men are busy setting up on the beach, sir. Captain Tremblay set off a flare, and he says we can expect a Union ship by tomorrow. There are always ships ready to move with all speed from the fort. His eyes kept darting with surprise toward Tara. He gasped suddenly.
Tara!
Billy Seabold? she asked.
Billy nodded.
You two know each other? Finn asked sharply.
Billy nodded. Well, a bit, anyway. He scrambled to take off his military jacket, and offered it to Tara.
Im fine, thank you, really.
Please, Miss Fox, allow me the courtesy, Billy said.
She thought to refuse would be rude, and so she accepted the jacket. Dunne was looking from one of them to the other, as if mentally shaking his head over the naivety of youthin his mind, apparently, Billy was offering comfort to a venomous snake.
Finn cleared his throat.
Oh oh! If youll follow me to the beachfront, please? Billy said.
Tara hunkered back down by Richard. Finn lowered himself as well, moving her aside with the breadth of his shoulders. I will take him, Finn said.
Heshes my friend. My brother, really, she added softly. I will tend to him.
Finns voice lowered. You want everyone wondering how you have the strength of ten men? he queried.
She fell silent, lowering her eyes. He could, if he chose, kill herhe knew how. Why didnt he? Was he actually decent in his way, loathe to murder without the facts established?
Finn took care as he lifted Richards form, keeping the mans head rested in the crook of his arm. Tara rose with him and followed them to the beachhead.
Men were already busy setting up makeshift tarps for a shelter. Two others were collecting wood for a fire.
An elderly man, dead straight and dignified, was the one calling out the orders.
Captain Tremblay, Agent Dunne is here, sir! With the, um, the Rebs, Billy said.
Tremblay seemed equally surprised to see a woman. Well, Agent Dunne. Are these the culprits you meant to apprehend? Tremblay asked.
Its hard to know for certain, sir, until Im able to question them thoroughly, and as you can see, this one is scarcely in shape for questioning.
Tremblay looked at Richard, still in Dunnes arms.
He lives? Tremblay asked.
Yes, sir.
Well have the good doctor see to him, then, Tremblay said. MacKay! Doc MacKay! Weve a man in need of your tender touch, sir!
One of the men building the fire came over and nodded to Finn. Bring him under the tarp, will you, please, Agent Dunne? Billy, Ill need some lightwill you see to it, lad?
Aye, sir, the young soldier said.
Finn Dunne walked with the doctor and beneath the canvas tarp that had been lifted about fifty yards in from the shoreline. There were already blankets spread out beneath it, along with a captains portable desk; the men of the Union ship had known they were in trouble, and they had salvaged all that they could.
Fresh water might be in order, Doc MacKay said, preceding the others.
Tara found herself longing to follow, and yet, under the scrutiny of Captain Tremblay.
She looked up at him. He appeared to be a fine and gentle man, and she wondered how he went to war, and watched everything that happened around him, and still maintained that sensibility.
So, he said, youre our culprit. Youre from Key West, child?
My name is Tara Fox, she told him. And Im not a spy. I have no intention of bringing harm to anyone.
Except, she thought, maybe Agent Finn Dunne. Id love to give him a good slap right across that smug face!
Tara Fox the captain murmured, looking at her speculatively.
Seminole Pete is a dear friend, she told him.
Tremblay smiled. I dont frequent the taverns of the island, my dear. Mine is to set an example.
Tara stood there awkwardly, wondering what she was supposed to do. No one seemed ready to tie her up or confine her. Maybe they realized that she would be making no escape attempts when Richard Anderson was in their care.
Or, perhaps, they didnt think that she was capable.
Tara smiled, looking at the captain. He was reassuring; she didnt believe that she had fallen into the hands of cold-blooded murderers. Sir, I promise you, I dont sit around the tavern gulping down rum or beer. Pete is like a father to me, just as the young man now in your care, Richard Anderson, is like a brother.
Your young brother is one hell of a seaman, Miss Fox. And, I admit, I wish that he were on my side. But as he is not, he is not a man in my good graces, as my ship will soon be at the bottom of the sea, providing a home for the fish.
He is not a man who seeks to harm others.
Hes a blockade runner, Tremblay said flatly. Let me rephrasewas a blockade runner.
You will never be able to prove that Richard is anything other than a merchant, carrying food
Young woman, do I look like a fool? Tremblay demanded.
She shook her head. No, sir, you dont. I merely mention that in any legal court of law
War changes everything, doesnt it? he said plainly.
What will you do with us? Tara asked politely, switching tactics.
Well, had I just brought down the ship, Id have seen that you were held at the fort, confined until this weary bloodbath limps to its halt. But you are prisoners of Agent Dunne, and I believe its his pleasure that you be brought to the capital.
Sir, we are not the cold-blooded killers he thinks us to be, she said.
The problem with war is that it makes cold-blooded killers out of all of us, now, doesnt it? Tremblay asked. Never mind, child, the weary philosophy of an old tar. I believe you are standing there anxiously awaiting a chance to see to the welfare of your young seaman. You are free to do so.
Thus encouraged, Tara gave him a grateful nod and headed for the tarp. A pallet had been set up for Richard. Doc MacKay was down on his knees. And seeing that Richard had come to, she let out a little cry of joy and slid down next to them both.
Easy, now, MacKay said. The boy has taken a good rap to the head.
Richard! Tara said happily. He looked at her, his face still ashen. He tried to smile. He caught her hand. Thanks, my friend, he murmured.
You got him hereyou swam? MacKay asked, studying her. She flushed slightly, just imagining what she must have looked like in her tattered, salt-, sand-and debris-covered clothing, and sodden hair plastered to her face.
Im from Key West. Im a strong swimmer, Tara said.
So you must be, MacKay said. I dont believe theres more than bruising to the skullI can find no crack or riftand I believe that Mr. Anderson will make a full recovery. Rest is in order now, but as we are awaiting rescue, rest can be easily procured. He looked at Tara again. What about you? You must be thirsty, my dear.
She suddenly realized how thirsty she was. For water, at the moment.
MacKay offered her a canteen. She accepted it gratefully. After drinking a long swallow of cool freshwater, she looked at the doctor, who was studying her in return. She felt a flush come to her cheeks. Thank you. We are receiving far greater kindness than I expected.
This is a war wherein fathers fight sons, and sons fight brothers. The intent is not to torture others, just to bring the conflict to an end. He grinned, and she liked his grin. Besides, I have taken an oath to save lives, he reminded her.