The sound of the shot startled the boy into a small cry between outrage and horror as the Union soldier fell back, the edges of the bullet hole in his uniform coat smoldering from powder burns. She looked down into Jeremiah’s open eyes then placed her boot against his body and shoved him over the edge to tumble into the draw.
She turned back toward Captain Barrow. “We don’t have time for this. Those missing Yankees are probably coming back with more.”
Joseph and Martin stared at her in utter revulsion as they finally realized what Captain Barrow had sensed all along.
Captain Barrow stood silent for a long moment, his lip twitching as he tried to keep control of himself. “Miss Green, you may consider yourself under arrest.”
*****
Colonel Mosby studied her across the table.
“There was only one prisoner. Colonel. There was no need to draw lots with one prisoner. We had your order to execute a prisoner. It was simple.” Her icy demeanor made the room feel even colder than it already was.
“There are conventions to war, Miss Green, else we are no better than animals. Partisan Rangers are regular forces, not guerrillas and we do not, ever, execute a prisoner out of hand. I am trying to prevent needless cruelty and death with my orders. I will not have the department under my hand descend into a hell, like Missouri.”
He waited for an excuse or a complaint, but she sat wordless and silent, her dark eyes absolutely still, so he continued. “Were you a man under my command, a Partisan Ranger, or indeed, a soldier of any type, I would convene a Courts Martial.” Colonel Mosby sighed and shook his head. “As it is, I have only myself to blame. You are not a soldier and I should have insisted that you remain unarmed and be kept from battle at all costs. You have, as I have noted before, and by all accounts, been an exemplary scout. Nonetheless, I find myself in the position of having to discharge you from your service in that role.”
Mary stared at him silently.
Colonel Mosby looked her over sadly. “Miss Green, I’ve always been exceptionally fond of you. Whatever demons are walking in your shadow, I do sincerely wish you the best of luck in expelling them.”
Mary walked out without a word to him, the weight of the revolver in her boot all too real and all too heavy.
As she cleared the door she whispered to herself. “Not Miss Green. Lodge. The Widow Lodge.”
*****
12th of December 1865
Galena, Illinois
As she finished Mary sat looking at her hands silently for a long moment. “I’ve taken too much of your time Ma’am. I…”
“Nonsense.” Elizabeth smiled. “I’ll have a room made up for you and you will stay here until this is resolved. My husband, Robert, should be able to help with this. He was on General Grant’s staff.” She paused. “Did you learn anything else?”
“I found a bundle of letters in Wheeling that arrived after I left. Bruna is keeping the boarding house there and she kept them for me. I can’t read them. It hurts too much to even look at them.”
With a slight frown, Elizabeth asked her the obvious question. “Are any of the letters from after you…?” She trailed off as she realized there was no delicate way to put the question.