THE CRY FOR FREEDOM (Winds of Betrayal) (18 page)

“We can’t talk here, Mr. Webb. The girl is upstairs with her grandmother. I don’t want to take a chance of being heard,” her grandfather’s voice carried out into the hall. “I don’t believe she suspects a thing. She believes she will be leaving when her visit with her grandmother is complete. It has worked out well up until now. I don’t want any complications.”

“Mr. Clay, I’m taking great risks to convey the message to you. I can assure you,” the other voice said. “The British want to keep their contact content at this time. And with your assistance, they would be able to do just that. It doesn’t cost you and will make Mr. Gannon happy to continue with supplying the information we need. Remember he relayed the crucial information vital to your success in Williamsburg.”

“He was well paid for his information, before and after,” her grandfather said. “I will never agree to such. Hannah’s inheritance will stay with her under my control, of course. I will pay him for the guardianship.”

“He thought you would say that,” the man answered. “Gannon said he would accept nothing less than half.”

“Why would I do that?”

The man paused for a moment. Hannah’s heart raced. “Because he handed his daughter’s father-in-law to you on a silver platter. He betrayed his son-in-law costing the young man most of his family. Joseph Gannon wants only fair payment. He could do all without your consent. His son-in-law, Jonathan Corbett, has instructed him to handle the whole of the estate. He, though, values your friendship.”

Hannah’s legs weakened. She had heard enough. She had the information she sought. She clung to the side of the wall for a brief time. She turned and ran up the stairs with only one objective on her mind.

* * * *

The horse Peter Lanson rode cantered up to the shop, past the lamp-lit windows. A path he had well worn the pass few months. Until the leak was discovered, only Sackett and he knew about Hannah. Lanson had long heard about Tepper, but had never met him until this operation. He had come this night to bring Hannah out. His conscience could no longer leave her within a city that could fall at any moment. He dismounted and tied his horse up. He knocked on the back door.

Tepper greeted the traveler with a broad smile. He ushered Lanson in and motioned for him to sit. “Come in. Come in. I’ll pour you a drink.”

“Is the girl here?” Lanson asked first.

“No, no. I brought you in early to throw out a possibility to you,” Tepper began as he went over and poured a small glass for both. He settled down in a chair beside Lanson. “Hannah set herself up well, better than I could have ever predicted. To be honest, Lanson, at first I was doubtful the girl could do much more than cause me a headache, but the possibilities.…”

“What are you talking about, Tepper?” Lanson said questionably. “I’m here to bring her back. Her time is done.”

“Wait. Listen,” Tepper shook his head. “She helps her grandfather down at his shop which she now has access to. With their Tory dealings, her uncle and cousin have much to do with all the actions of the British. I suppose you were told of the attempt upon General Washington.”

“Of course I heard. Everyone has,” Lanson answered. “What has it to do with Hannah?”

“It was Hannah whom discovered the possibility with a customer within her grandfather’s shop,” Tepper sat back in his chair, his eyes intently upon his visitor. “She has discovered also your leak.”

“Say what?” Lanson sat upright. His intention remained solely upon Tepper’s next statement.  

“The girl seemed extremely distressed upon the revelation of the name. Does a Joseph Gannon sound familiar?”

Lanson stared intensely at the small man in front of him, fired burned within him. He took his time in responding. “I know of him. If it is him, he is a dead man, if I get my hands upon him. He’s high up within the Philadelphia political world, within the Continental Congress, Tepper. Is it without doubt?”

“I believe so. His daughter is married to Hannah’s brother?” Tepper watched as Lanson nodded. “Then it’s the same. Hannah said a messenger came to see her grandfather. She overheard their conversation. Gannon said that Jonathan gave him permission to handle their inheritance. Why not? Is it not his own family? Knowing exactly what he has done to the family and still is willing to continue to undercut, he is a heartless man.”

Lanson shook his head. He would have to move cautiously, but quickly. “When is the girl coming? I need to get back now.”

Tepper nodded. “I have written down all she said to have a record. Hold to it carefully, my friend. As for Hannah, have I not expressed how invaluable she has become? The ease, living within a high Tory household. Within the short period of time, look at what she has done.”

“It was the argument she used before she came, Tepper. I don’t have time to debate the issue. She has done her job,” Lanson said emphatically. He saw clearly Tepper’s intent. “I will wait for the girl. I promised. I intend to keep that promise. Don’t think you are going to use her more. She has done enough.”

“Talk again to Sackett, then, Lanson. I will. What do you think he’ll say when I lay out our options here?” Tepper responded. “Tell me yourself. New York is going to be invaded. If we are occupied, what plan do we have? Do you know of any other intelligence plan by Congress? How long have you striven for it to no avail?”

“She had done her job. Her brother, I promised him I was coming to get her today. He’s expecting her. He was upset I let Hannah come to begin with. And with all I have to tell him and without his sister? Don’t you know she also has a fiancé here in New York?” Lanson stood. “No, I’m not going without her.”

Tepper shook his head. “One, her brother will have much to deal with his father-in-law and the war itself. Two, Sackett won’t want her removed. Third, her fiancé is an ambitious young man. I have talked with him. Hannah has in one way or another lost her inheritance. Dangle a promotion and heiress in front of him and I promise he’ll convince her to stay.”

“Tepper, how could you do such to one of our own? Do you not have a heart? She is a mere girl,” Lanson growled.

“I have only a determination to win this war. There has been, and will be more sacrifices. Do not forget what we are fighting for? She is fully capable, I can assure you. Nerves she has once when she has made her mind up,” Tepper said. “No one is immune, Lanson. We all have our sad stories. Do you not have your own? If we live we must do so with purpose or we don’t live at all.”

Lanson stared at the man in front of him. The obvious had just dawned upon him. “She isn’t coming tonight, is she?”

Tepper shook his head.

* * * *

The end of June in New York ensued with the hanging of one Sergeant Thomas Hickey. He had been the only one convicted of the crime of treason for the others took the stand against him. Eighty men, twenty from each brigade with good arms and bayonets had orders to guard the condemn Hickey on his last mile. There would be no escape on this day.

Four brigades were ordered to witness the execution, a deterrent to all who considered going down a similar path. Twenty thousand spectators watched while the noose and blindfold went on Sergeant Hickey. He broke down only once with tears before he swung off into the air, dangling, twitching until the body hung limp.

Hannah wanted to hear nothing of the proceedings. She knew the name and understood her part in it. Her grandfather seemed pleased with her reaction to the execution. She had pleased him much in the last few months, but she prayed the time was at an end.

She had promised Lydia and she had accomplished what she had set out to do. She missed Gabriel terribly. Tepper had set up another fitting for the time of the hanging. She had listened to Tepper’s instructions at every meeting. Stay in the background; never admit; be helpful, patient; always cover for your contact; above all, trust no one. Have excuses; plan them before you take any action. Conceal your emotions, which had been hard for Hannah to do. Now though all would be over.

Hannah entered the shop through the side door, for she came alone. As she entered, she saw Tepper, who motioned for her to come in quickly into the back room. She entered and he stood there, Gabriel, smiling.

The shawl she had around her shoulders dropped. She could not believe the sight before her.

Gabriel rushed to her side and took her into his arms. In one swift movement, he kissed her. She returned it, not wanting for the embrace to end. He cupped her face within his hands.

He whispered, “It’s you, really truly you.”

“Yes, yes,” she said in between their kisses.

Surreal, she was, as if she walked out of her dreams and into Gabriel’s arms. At some point he broke their embrace, he lifted her face up to his. “My God, you’re even more beautiful than I remember. I’m so, so sorry.”

She told him all, all she had kept inside of her for so long—the raid, Lydia, her grandparents, the work she’d done. He ran his fingers through her hair, listening to her talk. When she finished, he whispered for her ears only.

“Don’t do anymore, Hannah. You need to stop. They’re not going to let you go easily, Hannah, if you don’t stop.”

“What are you talking about, Gabriel? Why would they not?” she asked confused.

“Hannah, they need you. You have done too much already. If we lose New York, can you not see how valuable you would become? If the British invades,” he stopped. Hannah watched him become a shade paler. “Oh, my God, Hannah. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you before. We should have married quickly like you wanted.”

“But we can now. I’ll go with you. You aren’t leaving me. Please, Gabriel, no. I can’t bear this anymore. You’re right. Take me home. I want to go home,” she cried. A fear grew inside her for she saw something within his eyes. She reached desperately for his hand.

“Don’t do this, Hannah. Do you not know how much I want to? I’m enlisted. It would be desertion. Did you not hear about the hanging today? That’s what they do to deserters,” he looked away.

“You could take me wherever you are, Gabriel. I don’t care. I want only to be with you. You know that. Please don’t leave me here,” she cried. Panic gripped her.

“Doesn’t your grandfather take good care of you?” he asked. He broke from her.

“Gabriel, how could you even ask such? Didn’t you hear what I’ve told you? What were you saying just a few minutes hence?” A sinking feeling ran through her. “You’re not taking me with you?”

“I can’t, Hannah,” he moved back to her side, grabbing her hands. He drew her back in his arms; he kissed her face, her tears. She didn’t respond, limp within his arms. “Understand, Hannah. I’ll be back for you. Are you not my only love?”

“Am I?” she queried.

Tepper stood in the doorway and motioned to Gabriel. “I have to go, Hannah. They only allowed me time for a short visit. Please don’t be mad with me. I promise you, I’ll come and get you if the British attack. I can’t at the moment. We all have our jobs to win this war. I’ll take you back to Virginia. We’ll have everything you want. I love you, Hannah,” he pulled her into an embrace once more. He broke away. His hand caressed her cheek. “Remember, whatever happens, I love you. When the time is right, I’ll be back.”

She reached up for his hand. “Take me with you, Gabriel. Don’t go,” she whispered, but he was gone. She collapsed onto the floor. Tepper came up behind her.

“I’m sorry, my dear. He had no choice, I’m afraid. In honesty, my dear, I was the one who insisted he leave you at the moment, feeling you safer here. Times aren’t good for our boys. I felt it too dangerous. Let the danger of the invasion pass and we’ll get you out and back to your fiancé.” He pulled her up and placed his arm around her. “It’s hard for all now.”

At the moment, though, Hannah didn’t care. Gabriel had left her.

Jonathan watched Catherine lying in their bed. She was awake. In the crook of her arm she cradled her small tightly wrapped infant. Jonathan smiled down at them both. He gently sat down on the comfortable high post bed with the morning light shining through the window.

Catherine gazed lovingly at her husband. “Isn’t he the most beautiful baby?”

“Almost as beautiful as his mother,” he replied. He bent over and kissed his wife. His heart sang on his return to find his wife having given birth to a healthy boy, a fine child.

Her eyes filled with water. Her other hand went out to Jonathan.  “We must name him. Have you thought of one?” she asked.

“I had thought of William, if that is right with you,” he said simply.

She stared into Jonathan's eyes, anything for her Jonathan. “I can't think of another that would suit him better.”

Jonathan held tight to his wife's hand. Awestruck, Jonathan stared at his son, the miracle of life. How over the last few months he had doubted there were any miracles. The disastrous campaign in Quebec, Jonathan had stayed stationed in Montreal under the command of General Richard Montgomery. Their plan had been doomed from the start. Unbeknownst to the Rebels, the British had known their every move, fully aware of the colonial plan.

From what Jonathan gathered about the battle, the Continentals had no choice but to attack during a severe snowstorm, giving the fact that they attacked on New Year's
 Eve, because January 1st the enlistment of most of the men period would run out. The battle began on an ominous tone with General Montgomery among the first to fall, mortally wounded by a cannon ball full of grapeshot. Colonel Benedict Arnold also wounded in his left leg, leaving a Captain Daniel Morgan to take command.