Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) (14 page)

“Justice? Hannah, they found a letter with information pertaining to Lieutenant Fletcher and his assignment,” he said angrily. “How can you explain?”

Hannah's mind raced. She answered simply. “I wrote no note.”

“Hannah, have you no idea what happened to Lieutenant Fletcher and his group?” he walked closer to her to watch her reaction.

Hannah slightly shook her head. He turned his back to her for a moment and then turned back around to her. “The group was discovered and hung a week ago.”

“Dead,” she whispered. She fell upon her knees. Her thoughts took her back to when Cora visited. She measured Camilla who was talking about Simon. She must have repeated back to Tepper. “Oh, my God! No.”

“You, my dear, have played well over your head,” he slung the water basin upon the chest against the wall, crashing it into a million pieces. He picked her up by her shoulders. “Didn’t I warn you? Didn’t I try to save you?”

Tears welled in her eyes. “Was I supposed to fall down upon my knees to thank you? You know well my passion for my cause and do not doubt that's its waned. You say I played over my head. Well answer me this. If I was leaving, why would I write a note? A simple message I believe I would be more than capable of repeating without writing. Also, if it's as you stated and they were hung a week ago, wasn't that well after they found the note? Pray tell me.”

“You don't deny though you have in the past? And you did again?” he asked. His gripped tightened around her shoulders.

No words did she speak, but her eyes betrayed her. He pushed her back upon the bed. “Damnation! You fool!”

“What did you expect of me, Marcus?”

“A mess I have made of this,” he said as if to himself. His temper flared. “Tell me, did you use me too?”

“No, I never found anything from you,” she confessed.
 “But if I had, I would have used it. Make no err in thinking otherwise.”

“Do you know the contacts within the Patriot network?” he demanded. She could see from his eyes his anger. She refused to give an inch and didn't respond.
 

He turned from her and walked toward the door. “Tom was correct. Guards are here to officially arrest you. There's nothing I can do for you.”

“Marcus,” she said softly, fighting back tears. “Please, Gannon threatened Jonathan. I ask for nothing for myself. Jonathan has done nothing to deserve this. Please.”

Marcus said nothing but stood at the door and motioned for the
guards. She stood. She made no more pleas. Holding her head high, she refused to look at him, but followed the guards that surrounded her.

Chapter Eight

“Colonel Durham, I'm happy to see you could make it.”

Marcus reined his horse in beside the other officer, acknowledging him in a proper fashion. “Captain Andre, you peaked my interest in our conversation last night.”

The young British officer sat with authority upon his horse. Slim of built with a youthful olive complexion and coal black hair, he maintained his military bearing. Although Marcus didn't know this young officer well, he had arranged the young man's prisoner exchange at the end of last year. Captain Andre had been captured at the surrender of St. John's in 1775. Marcus had arranged for the Captain to serve with General Charles Grey seeing in him potential for an outstanding officer.

From what Marcus had gathered, Andre had become quite as adept politician and staff officer of exceptional quality. General Howe had been quite impressed with the young officer.

Andre narrowed his eyes as he stared at Marcus, as if he was straightening out the details in his head. “I have to say, Colonel, I found the story quite fascinating. Gannon ranting about what he thinks the girl has done. He seems intent on her demise. Her grandfather, a prominent Tory. Her father hung as a Patriot spy.”

“I believe I know the story, Captain,” Marcus said bluntly. “Your interest?”

“Let's just say, Colonel. I owe you. I don't forget a debt. General Howe said you had your own suspicions and felt you had taken her out of the picture. After the scene the other night, what exactly do you think her capable of, Colonel Durham?” Andre asked.

“Between the two of us, Captain, in which I have also stated to General Howe before, I firmly believe she has had the capability to cause great damage in the position she has been in. I wouldn't disagree with Gannon that she’s capable of spying. I believe strongly it was her intent from the time she arrived in New York. What concerned me was when she stayed within New York after the occupation,” Marcus explained. “I have never been able to pinpoint a source of concern, more suspicions. I had her followed to no avail. She associated with many sorts of people, servants, merchants, reverends, and soldiers. I had believed the best course of action was to take her from her position, but after the incident, it will make it more difficult.”

“Her attempt to escape shouldn't have come as a surprise if what you said is true,” Andre said. “Her actions, though, coming back as she did to save you man, Elliot.
 Why would she do such?”

“I believe she has stated too many have perished by Gannon's hand,” Marcus stated with a certain disdain in his voice. “She didn't want another on her conscience, but she stated plainly she felt she could have gotten away. Unfortunately, in her opinion, she couldn't. Unfortunately for us, we can't connect Gannon to the attack directly as of yet. The only one we had hold of is the one she shot and killed.”

“She's capable of such. I had heard, but wasn't certain,” Andre said as if impressed.

Marcus hesitated. He shot Andre a look, but continued. “She's perfectly capable of doing all she has been accused.”

Captain Andre returned his look with a smile. “Pray, continue. I find it of the utmost interest.”

“After her actions of the other night, it leaves little doubt, but no proof she has knowledge of a network, at the least a connection to such. I have to agree with her that the letter seemed as a plant. Elliott confirmed Gannon visited that morning. Why would she give information that most already knew had already been accomplished? As it did with her grandfather, he's a hard, cruel man who wouldn't take well to what he would consider
 treachery. And her cousin, Georgie Boy, is renowned for such actions,” Marcus said, but looked away, not wanting his concern to be betrayed.

“If I'm not mistaken, you have a personal interest with the young lady.”

One side of Marcus's lips curved upward, but he didn't respond.

Captain Andre shrugged, “I can assure you Colonel, I would hate for something to happen to one such as her. From my point of view, I see a golden opportunity for all involved, at least from my perspective. Would you care to hear it?”

Marcus dipped his head as a sign to continue. The two rode on. 

* * * *

The guard pulled Hannah into the open doorway. She jerked back her arm and watched him close the door soundly behind her. Taking a deep breath in, she turned to the one waiting for her within the small, confined room.

“Make yourself comfortable, Miss Corbett,” Captain Andre said indicating the seat for her to take. She had seen him observe her from afar when they arrested her.

“I'm Captain John Andre. I'm assigned to General Gray, but I expressed an interest in your case and General Howe graciously has allowed me to intervene. Let me start by saying how greatly impressed I've been with you, Miss Corbett. I don't know of many men that could accomplish what you have,” Andre said with a charming smile.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She glared at him.
Never acknowledge, never.

His smile widened. “Miss Corbett, Joseph Gannon has made some extremely serious accusations against you. And didn’t you attempt to escape from custody?”

It was Hannah's turn to smile. “Captain Andre, I know nothing of what Mr. Gannon is accusing me of. So it would be impossible for me to answer. As for my attempt to depart New York, in that I failed. Did I not? So I can't comprehend your admiration.”

Captain Andre stood. He walked to the window. “Such a lovely time of the year, isn’t it? In a way it reminds me of my home. Do you miss your home, Miss Corbett?” He didn't give her time to answer. “I can well imagine you do. I'm sure we have differing views, but it doesn't mean we can't respect each other.”

“In that I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. I have seen too much. And am I not a prisoner?” Hannah spoke calmly.

“Up to now, you have been treated with the utmost respect. Do you have any complaints about your treatment up to this moment?” Andre asked. He walked closer to her. “I'm afraid that this is the price of war. Which I might remind you, the colonies began. As I talk with you, I can see how you would have been a target for one who wanted to use you. Having the views I'm sure you hold, young and naive, in the position you were in. It would only be understandable if someone asked you to help your cause,” he said simply,watching her reaction.

Hannah laughed. “Are you, Captain, worried that I was able to help my cause? I'm afraid I wouldn't make a good spy. I have never been able to be other than who I am. If I am a concern, do with me what you must, for Captain I don't care!”

“Such feelings, Miss Corbett. I
 can assure you I didn't mean to upset you. I do so hate confrontations.”

His manner was such to disarm her defenses for he had a charming way about him. She stared at him, but there was something which warned her that he could be a dangerous adversary.

Captain Andre sat back down and stared at her. She lowered her eyes.

“This conversation is getting me nowhere. Is it, Miss Corbett? I'm forced to take another course of action. A more direct one, I'm afraid.”

He stood, coming to the front of the desk. He placed his hand under her chin. Her eyes directed toward his. “Listen with care, Miss Corbett. I don't suspect that you have been spying. I have no doubt. You have done an excellent job, I'm confident. Now let me tell you what you're going to do which I'm confident you will find beneficial to you, one way or the other. You're going to help us.”

“I would never!” she stated emphatically.

A smirk appeared upon Captain Andre's face. “We shall see. Won't we, Miss Corbett? We shall see.”

* * * *

Hannah sat awaiting her fate within the room Captain Andre had left her. Captain Andre, arrogant and haughty, had assured her in time she would come around. A few days, weeks, aboard the
Jersey
should ease her tongue that is if she survived. She had heard much about the dreaded prison ship, not many came back to talk about it. Mrs. Hayes said her nephew had served upon the ship.

“He said it was the worst conditions he has ever known, thankful we know of no one sentence to such. He says the stench could kill one in itself with the heat of the summer, one can only wonder. Sweltering mass of humanity all around. Undoubtedly the most unsanitary of conditions. No wonder death from numerous diseases are eminent for most,” Mrs. Hayes had gone on and on. “Cries for food, help and screams of heaven knows what, Miss Hannah. Wails of hysteria. Awful. Awful. Awful.”

Hannah felt a wave of nausea overcome her. She fought it back. Nerves. She had to keep her wits about her. Her heart sank upon Marcus desertion, not that he hadn't warned her enough times, but she had never thought he would so willingly hand her over. Her head hurt; her heart ached. The urge to cry she held back. She had chosen this path and in truth had no one else to blame.

Nothing counted in this life, she thought. Her only hope lies in the next, if God could forgive, for she had many sins. She had gone back to save Tom, and in turn would lose her life, for she knew no matter what, she would never give in. She had never considered the possibility of never seeing her home again. She hoped against all hope that Jonathan would be spared. She had no way of communicating Gannon's plan.
Oh, my Lord, not for myself, but please watch over my brother and family
. He had done nothing to deserve his fate.

The door opened. Her heart raced, but three people were pushed into the room with her. Hannah stood back. None looked familiar, a young boy of no more than sixteen with an elderly man. A rough looking man stared at her.

“What do you think you're looking at?” he uttered. “Have you nothing better to do with your time than to stare at the condemned?”

Hannah shook her head. “What do you mean condemned?”

“Pay no heed to Melathiah,” the elderly man said. The younger boy helped the elderly one up. The elderly patted the boy on the back. “Such a good lad, Isaac. It's a shame.”

Tears welled up in the old man. He turned his back to her.

“Pray, excuse my grandfather. He's worried. They took us from our home, leaving my grandmother alone. She's ill with no one to care for her. Don't worry, Grandfather. They have nothing on us. They'll have to let us go.”

“You're a fool, boy. I should have n'ver let you talk me into this, old man,” Melathiah yelled across the room. He rammed his fist into the wall.

“Isaac, is right, my friend. They have nothing on us, only speculation,” the elder said.

“The damn British don't have to have anything on you. We're only moments away from being thrust into the Jersey,”
 Melathiah stated emphatically.