A Killing at Ball's Bluff by Michael Kilian

Author:Michael Kilian
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504020060
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road

He pulled the door open fully, so swiftly he startled his caller.

“Kate?”

Caitlin Howard stepped into the room uncertainly, hesitating just inside. Harry went to the gaslight to turn it up. When he looked back to her, she gave a slight shriek.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She had put her hand to her mouth. She dropped it, leaving a small, embarrassed smile on her face.

“I am sorry. It’s just that, with your hair so dark, you look exactly like Wilkes.”

Her own copper-colored hair looked quite dark in this faint light as well. But there was a brightness in her gray eyes.

“My apologies.” He couldn’t keep the edge from his voice. “I’ll shave the mustache.”

“No, please …” She glanced quickly about the room. He pulled forth a chair for her near the little coal stove and poured her a glass of whiskey.

“Thank you.” She sipped with trembling fingers. “Winter is almost upon us.”

“How did you find me?”

“A friend of Wilkes.”

“The name?”

“I don’t know. The friend told Wilkes where you were. He knows people everywhere.”

Harry leaned back against his dresser, arms folded. This was not good news. He was shivering, but tried not to show it.

“It’s dangerous here, Caitlin. Why have you come?”

“Dangerous?”

“Dangerous city. Full of Rebels. I don’t know if anyone told you, but I’m a fugitive. I’m charged with murder.”

“Yes,” she said sadly. “Of course I know. I read it in a dozen newspapers. I’ve come because you have something for Mr. Booth.”

“I do?”

“Yes. A document. Guaranteeing unhindered passage. I’ve come for it.”

Harry crossed over to the stove. “Where is he?”

“He went on to Cincinatti. He has an engagement at Wood’s Theatre. Hamlet, Richard III, the usual repertoire. The booking’s through December seventh. He’ll need what you have to give him before he returns to Washington.”

“And he has you traveling all over the country on this errand?”

She shook her head. “I came to talk to people at Grover’s Theatre in Washington about a part in a new play. I’ll be there a few days before, before returning to …”

Harry stared at her, but she avoided his eyes. He sighed, then went to a dresser drawer, returning with the carefully folded presidential pass.

“I’m not doing this for him,” he said, handing it to her.

She took the paper carefully and placed it in a pocket. “I do appreciate the kindness, Harry—and your friendship.”

“I’m doing it for Ella Turner,” he said. The cruelty of his words seemed to sting far more than he had intended. “As an obligation. I made a bargain with her. She has helped me in my present troubles. Though it appears she has mentioned them to Booth.”

“She … I see.” Her voice fell.

It was truly cold. Harry went to the scuttle and quickly tossed a handful of coals into the stove. “Have you a place to stay tonight?”

“I came direct from the Camden Station. I’ll find quarters. I’m leaving on the first morning train.”

“Stay here.”

A long pause. “We are friends, Harry, but …”

“We shall remain friends. You take your rest on the bed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.