The Heavens Shall Fall (22 page)

“
I am,” Giles acknowledged, his voice harsh. “I see that I know more about you than you do me then. That night when Gannon and her grandfather kidnapped her...I was the one who saved her.”

“
How?”

“
Quite by accident. It was on one of my trips to New York for supplies. On this particular trip, I was late and had to stay the night at an inn. It happens occasionally. I was eating my dinner when a disturbance disrupted my meal. A boy came down the street, shouting and crying for help for a woman he saw being dragged into a deserted building. I responded along with several other men who answered the call for help.”

Giles flashed back to that moment when he feared for Hannah
: seeing the monsters that planned Hannah’s demise; the torture they wanted to inflict. Even now he didn’t know all what Hannah had endured that night. He knew, though, he had come close to losing her…

“
I saved her, General Durham, and from that moment I promised I would care for her. I have. I nursed her back to health. I may not know what went on between the two of you. I know only what has occurred between us. The blood that flows in Seth might not be mine, but I gave him life. It is what Hannah told me.”

Marcus
’ lips thinned as he pressed them together and a sullen expression came over his face. With a great effort, Giles forced himself to continue, instead of doing what he wanted—to wipe the condescending look off his face.

“
I have given her a home. She is content and well-loved, as well as
our
children. There is no reason to come within my home and upset it in the manner you have.”

“
Then I will see that you are compensated,” Marcus said deliberately. “I know of the arrangement made. It seems that it has been upheld. There is only one small problem. I was told that Hannah lost my child. Since that was untrue, it makes the agreement null and void.”

“
I don’t give a damn about any agreement. You can’t have Seth.”

“
I’m afraid your opinion will matter little,” Marcus sneered. “It will be up to Hannah what she wants to do, whether to come with me or not. But with the child there is no doubt. He will be coming with me.”

Marcus stepped into Giles
’ face. Both men stood eye to eye. Giles fought for control. Anger filled him, but he couldn’t afford to lose control of his temper. Giles backed away and forced a smile.

“
Then you will be disappointed, General. I’m afraid my wife and children aren’t here nor are they within Setauket. It seems you came at the most inopportune time.”

“
Where are they?” Marcus demanded.

“
If you must know, they crossed the Sound. Hannah received the most wonderful news that her brother could be one of the officers brought back from Charles Town to be exchanged. She has not seen him in over four years. She couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Her brother means so much to her, being her only family left.”

“
She can’t leave. The agreement.”

“
The agreement that you said was null and void?” Giles taunted his rival. “Up until now, it seemed only a family visit. The agreement stated she was to live within British territory with her child. It said nothing of a visit.”

“
In the middle of a war? Crossing into enemy territory?” Marcus jeered. “You would have me believe you would put her in harm’s way?”

“
I can assure you that I would never do anything to put her in harm’s way, General Durham. Ever! We have lived a quiet existence until this moment when you have rode up and demanded my son. I would ask you what is your intent?”

Marcus studied him for a moment. He gave Giles a slow smile
and his dark eyes darkened. “This is not the last of this, Mr. Cooper. Far from it. I will have my son.”

Giles backed up and allowed the general to walk away. He watched from the porch
as the man mounted his horse and rode away, leaving his regiment. They would find nothing. Giles breathed out a sigh of relief. If not for the warning, he would have surely lost his son.

Now, he would have to face the wrath of Rupert. But he would do so happily
, knowing his family safe across the Sound.

* * * *

The weather had become quite unbearably hot, especially in New York where they had no cooling sea breeze. Sweating profusely, Giles wiped his brow. He walked into the Waverly Inn to get a room. He would be staying the night, but he had expected to do so.

Giles had seen the signal; Rupert had need of him. He hadn
’t seen the signal to meet in person for over a year, but he was prepared. Rupert must have heard of Hannah’s departure. Rupert had ears everywhere.

Giles entered his room and wasn
’t startled to see another occupant. He recognized him well. Philip Brown. The kid had grown to about the same built as Giles. It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine that Philip would be taken for Giles in the dark.

Playing cards, the two waited until dusk. Then exchanged clothing
, down to the hat Giles wore. It had been put in place as only a precautionary move, but it eased Giles’ mind this night. He would not put it past Durham to have his every move watched.

Philip went his way. Then Giles went out
, down the alley. Giles crisscrossed over the streets several times. He didn’t notice anything unusual. He walked into the Reverend Brown’s rectory.

The tiny parlor was occupied. Rupert sat on a settee by the window. He rose briefly and acknowledged Giles.

“Sit. We will make this quick.”

A noticeable accusing expression flickered across Rupert
’s face. He knew. Giles sighed heavily and sat across from his friend in a high back chair.

“
I have heard a nasty rumor.”

Giles nodded in acknowledgement.
“I was certain you would.”

“
Is it not what I feared when you married Hannah?” Rupert chided Giles, his irritation evident in his tone.

“
But nothing has happened,” Giles returned. “Durham discovered his child and still no one suspects our network. I believe it covered us better because they would not suspect us to attempt such with their eyes upon us. Has it not worked for the last two years?”

Rupert rubbed
his chin in a thoughtful manner as he absorbed the news. “How many times do I have to tell you we can never ease ourselves into a false sense of security? None of us are secure. All of us are affected, Giles! Is that not what I have tried to tell you at the time you married Hannah?”

“
What now do you want me to do? Do I need to remind you what Hannah did for our cause? Whatever risk was taken, it was owed to her.”

“
Owed to her!” Rupert sprang up. He came eye to eye to Giles. “We all know the risk we take. We are owed nothing. Nothing! Do you not think that others now face the same dangers that Hannah once did? That we do now! Do we not owe protection to them as well?”

“
I am willing to give up my life to do so. What of you?” Giles shot back.

A silence hushed the room
; only curtains blew in the wind to disturb the stillness. Something was amiss with Rupert. He seemed…he seemed too emotional.

“
It isn’t me that is bothering you, Rupert. Tell me.”

Rupert ran his hand through his hair and back over his head. He sighed heavily
. “There is a threat.”

“
A leak?”

Rupert
’s eyes narrowed. “I am not certain. The British have been active, extremely so.” He paused and took a letter from his pocket. “But this, my friend, holds information of the utmost importance. See to it that Tallmadge gets this. Send for Caleb if you must.”

His tone i
njected the immediacy. Giles accepted it and tucked it safely within his coat. “I will see to it.” He looked back at his friend. “Our network has not been compromised. I can still make my runs.”

“
Have you wondered what good we have done? Is it worth it? Living with the constant threat of being exposed?” Rupert rubbed his forehead and pressed his lips together tightly. “I suppose it is what Thomas Paine once wrote. These are the times that try men’s souls. Mine is tried. I suppose it is the stress of always looking over one’s shoulder…”

Giles shook his head.
“No, it is more. If it is worrying about General Durham, he will find nothing. Hannah and the children are set with Judge Beckett. They are not returning until it is safe, no matter how long.”

“
Durham is frustrated on having his attempt to claim his son thwarted,” Rupert acknowledged. “He will not stop until he has his son, even though he is returning to the South. You understand that. He will press now on the diplomatic field of battle, but I am curious. How did you discover he had had found his son?”

“
I received a note that came from Tallmadge. Hannah’s sister-in-law sent information that Durham knew about his son. She herself had exchanged the information to save her husband. Then in turn sent us a message he was coming.”

Suddenly, Rupert laughed.
“She tricked Durham…that is good. It is the best I have heard in a long time. There is hope for us.”

“
Rupert, have you gone daff?”

Rupert smiled broadly.
He made a semblance of an effort to recompose himself. “I suppose I have. The news that has come through as of late has told of only the British triumphs. The catastrophe of the loss of Charles Town. Washington’s woes of desertion and ill-trained troops. The collapse of the economy of our new country.

“
You now hold the news about the French troops landing in New England. It is of the utmost importance. It tells what the British know of our alliance with the French, and where and when they believe our troops will land.”

“
I will see to it getting to the right hands, Rupert,” Giles promised. “But I understand little of what you are trying to say. This is good…this is what we do.”

“
At what cost?”

“
Freedom for us all. For our children…” Giles paused. “You sound like I did when Hannah was trapped….” After a moment of silence, Giles continued, “Who is it, Rupert? Who is weighing on your conscience?”

Rupert grimaced and shook his head.
“As it was then, it is now. The difference weighs only that our agent cannot be moved. The agent may be our only hope of discovery…the danger is mounting, Giles. I can’t deny it. The British…I can feel they are making a play. One they feel will be the end of this war. I have to push the limits. It may mean none of us are safe.”

Rupert swallowed hard.
“It is only fair that you should know. We have a traitor within the cause. We don’t know yet who it is, but the information he sends is detailed and assuredly high among our leaders.”

Giles took a deep breath, thankful Hannah and the children were already safe across the Sound.
“I knew the risk when I signed upon this journey with you. I won’t desert you now. I am as committed to our cause and will not falter.”

Rupert smiled.
“It is good to know. I suppose that was why I needed to see you. To remind myself of the reason of our venture.”

Giles patted his coat pocket.
“If this is of importance, we shall strike a jab into their heart…over and over again until it becomes a hole too wide to patch. Rupert, we need to take it day to day. You know better than any of us how important the work is that we do. Do not doubt it now.”

*
* * *

Marcus stared across the table at Andre, who sat in deep discussion with General Clinton. His head pounded. The events of the last few weeks weighed heavily on him. He was to leave in the morning to return to Charles Town. Despite confirming his son lived, he was no further in obtaining the child
who had been denied him and it would not be in the immediate future.

Ahead of him lay a delicate operation. With patience and skill, Andre had laid out a plan that would devastate the Americans. The time Marcus had spent in the South preparing for the invasion, Andre had spent laying out the ultimate betrayal—General Benedict Arnold.

Andre was about to deliver General Benedict Arnold to the British. The celebrated American hero of the Battle of Saratoga was set to turn sides. Marcus admired Andre’s talent in playing upon the man’s wounded pride to the point where Arnold was set to turn.

Andre had a close friend
who encouraged Arnold to turn. The beauteous Peggy Shippen, who had struck a friendship with Andre while the British occupied Philadelphia, married the embattled General Arnold. The clever Andre used his connection to full advantage.

Shippen had helped
to convince her husband how badly he had been treated by the Americans: Had he not been constantly overlooked for promotions? Had not “Granny Gates” claimed the victory at Saratoga that was his? Had not Congress continually insulted him over and over again? Had he not been unfairly reprimanded for two bogus counts of dereliction of duty?