Harlequin Love Inspired Historical May 2016 Box Set by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460398159
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWO

Henry still could not believe the news.

The president has been assassinated! How can this be? And shot during a performance at Ford’s Theatre? His wife seated just beside him?

He didn’t know what sickened him more—the thought of the slain leader or the fact that less than forty-eight hours ago, he had shaken hands with the perpetrator of the crime. The ride to the train station with John Wilkes Booth replayed through his mind over and over again.

“Rest assured, my name will make all the papers.”

Indeed it had, for now every press was churning out the details.

“He leapt from the president’s box...”

“...from the stage he shouted to the crowd...”

“Wielding a blood-smeared dagger, he then fled...”

A Federal manhunt was now underway. Those suspected of aiding Booth were quickly being rounded up. Henry nervously wondered if the provost marshal would soon come calling for him.

I drove him to the train station... I shook his hand...

Fellow councilman George Meriwether nudged Henry, jolting him back to the business at hand. “Your vote, Nash,” George whispered.

Fearing bloody reprisal in the wake of the president’s death, the mayor had suggested that saloons be closed and the entire city police force be put on alert. Henry agreed.

“Aye,” he cast.

The measure passed. With business concluded, the council then dismissed. In a daze, Henry slowly made his way home. Is it really true? Is the president really dead, or is this some horrible nightmare from which I will awake?

But every step he took toward home dripped with reality. Already the church bells were beginning to toll. They would continue to ring until noon. The patriotic bunting that had draped the government buildings all week in celebration of victory was now being replaced by black crepe. Flags were lowered to half-mast. Nearly every person he passed on the street wore a grief-stricken or confused expression.

Henry didn’t know whether to weep or clench his fists in anger at the enormity of the country’s loss. While he hadn’t voted for Lincoln, or agreed with all of his policies, he had believed the president truly wanted what was best for the nation. In the end, Lincoln had wanted peace, and had died just as it was achieved. What a cruel and senseless conclusion to the man’s life.

What will this mean for our country now? he wondered.

Upon reaching home, James, his manservant, met Henry at the door. Already he wore a black mourning band on his upper left arm. Taking Henry’s greatcoat and hat, he said, “You had a visitor earlier. I told him you weren’t here.”

“Who was it?”

Before James could answer, Henry’s father stepped from the parlor. “That’ll be all, James.”

Henry shot his father a disdainful glare as James exited. He didn’t like how Harold ordered his servants about.

“You could have let him answer,” Henry said.

“You’d better be grateful that James didn’t ask your visitor to stay.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Detective J. E. Smith is the one who paid the call.” His father offered the calling card for proof.

Fear slowly snaked its way up Henry’s neck.

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