The Raging Hearts by Patricia Hagan

Author:Patricia Hagan [Hagan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780727841155
Goodreads: 2640114
Publisher: Avon
Published: 1979-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Corey stood before Sergeant Brandon’s desk, booted feet spread wide, his right hand holding the leather riding crop that he rhythmically slapped into the gloved palm of his left hand. The sergeant squirmed uncomfortably beneath the powerful man’s penetrating gaze.

“Are you quite sure that no one, absolutely no one, is aware of the negotiations that have gone on between the two of us?”

Sergeant Brandon shook his head vigorously from side to side, forcing himself to look straight into the man’s eyes. Damn, they were black as soot and sparkled with the fires of hell. “I swear to God, Mr. McRae, I ain’t never said a word to anybody about what went on between me and you concerning Miss Wright. It would have meant my neck, for sure, not only with the army, but with you. I never opened my mouth. You paid me well. I did what I was told. And nobody knows anything.”

Corey’s expression did not change. He continued to slap the riding crop into his open palm. “No one knows that I personally gave you money to give to Miss Wright, making her think that money was her father’s wages as a Union soldier?”

“No, sir. I gave her that money and had her sign that false document I fixed up. Then I burned it in the stove, right over there. Nobody saw a thing. And the general, he had so much else on his mind right about then that he never even mentioned her again.”

“And the letters she had sent here, to Sherman and Coltrane, you are sure no one saw you burn them?”

“Nobody. I was here alone when one of the letters came in, and I burned it myself. Another soldier was in here when that old nigra of hers brought one in, and I had to wait awhile, but then, I burned it, too. I’m clean here, sir, I swear to you. I’m leaving here in a few days and going home, and I’m leaving all this behind me. Won’t nobody ever know what went on.”

“Very well,” Corey murmured, folding his riding crop beneath his arm. “You have done a good job, Brandon. I wish you well in your return home, in building a new life, but rest assured, if you ever whisper one word about our transactions, I’ll have you hunted down and killed. Do you understand me?”

The sergeant’s Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he swallowed and nodded. “Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I understand. And you don’t have to worry about me. I swear it on my mother’s grave. Once you walk out that door, I’ll find it hard to even remember who you are. Don’t ever worry about me, Mr. McRae.”

Corey’s smile was tight, and he nodded ever so slightly as he said, “Good-bye, Sergeant.”

McRae opened the door and stepped outside, closing it tightly behind him.

Sergeant Jesse Brandon watched his departure, much relieved. All he wanted was to get out of Wayne County and out of North Carolina. Forget the whole thing.

Corey started down the street, bowing his head against the brisk wind.

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