The Shiloh Sisters by Michael Kilian

Author:Michael Kilian
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504020084
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road

Townsend was a big, flush-faced man with side whiskers and large blue eyes who seemed on the verge of very bad temper. Without stopping first to pay his respects to his commanding general, he marched right up to Harry, sword clanking.

“Are you this man Raines?” he bellowed.

“I am that man, sir.” Harry felt he should stand up, but he was apprehensive to do so.

Townsend reached down, grabbed Harry’s coat by the lapels, and pulled him to the feet—and very close to his large, spittle-spewing mouth. “What do you know of my wife?”

“Nothing, sir.”

“But you’ve been asking about her!”

“No, sir. After another woman. Louise—”

Townsend thrust him back down into the chair. “What Louise?”

“A Miss Devereux. I’ve been pursuing her all the way from New Orleans. I’ve never met Mrs. Townsend.”

He was yanked erect again. “If you don’t know my wife, how do you know her name?”

“General Hindman—”

Down he went into the chair again. “Who are you, Raines? Why aren’t you in the army? Everyone’s in the army.”

“Sir—”

The colonel’s now quite florid face came down to Harry’s. “If any harm’s come to Mary—if I find you’ve had anything do with it—I will have you shot, sir!”

He entered Hindman’s office without knocking, slamming the door behind him with such force the wall shook.

“We should go now, Harry Raines,” Tantou said quietly.

“I do agree.” Harry rose carefully, then tiptoed to the door. There was a private standing outside, holding his musket loosely. The other soldiers in the street were paying the building no attention.

Six horses were tied in a row to the fence—no one minding them.

Harry returned to Tantou’s side and leaned close to whisper. “Very well. We go now. Follow my lead. Do as I do. Do what I say.”

“What will you do?”

“Shhh. Now come on.”

He led his companion to the door, waited a moment, then said in a very loud voice: “Yes, General. I’ll do it. And do it now, sir, as you instruct!”

Harry stepped smartly out onto the porch, ignoring the soldier, and proceeded unhesitatingly to the nearest horse, pulling the reins free. Trusting that Tantou was right behind him, he swung himself up into the saddle. The private had taken a step forward, musket held more usefully.

“General’s orders,” Harry said to him. “We’ll be right back.”

Tantou was aboard an animal, one he chose from farther down the line. Without looking back to see if Harry’s was with him, he led the way down the street.

They moved at a trot, turning at the corner. Quickening the pace slightly, they kept going until they came to the railroad tracks, then turned again, heading north. After another few blocks, they broke into a canter.

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