by Don Potter
“The boy has commonsense. If he were white, he’d be an officer. And Willie knows how to fight too. He’s been through several campaigns with us and showed real courage under fire.”
“Bring him in.”
When Washington arrived, he exchanged salutes with the lieutenant and stood at attention while Stevens studied him.
“Heard you operate well under fire, trooper,” Stevens said.
“I had excellent training, sir.”
“You like soldiering?”
“It allows me to serve my country, sir.”
“You think killing Indians is the best way to serve your country?”
“If that’s what I’m called to do, I’ll do it with honor, sir.”
“Understand you read and write.”
“I do. Reading has taught me a great deal and helped me improve my writing skills as well, sir.”
“Our assignment won’t require any fighting I expect, but it will call for the ability to communicate and apply some critical thinking to the task at hand. Can you handle that?”
“I believe I can, sir.”
“All right, you’ll do. Pack your gear. We leave tomorrow at daybreak.”
“May I ask what the assignment is, sir?”
“I’ll tell you on the way,” Stevens said and left for a final meeting with Colonel Hatch.
“Did you find your man?” the colonel asked.
“I hope so.”
“This dispatch just came in. It’s now a murder case.” Hatch said as he handed the message to Stevens. “Our man was found in a ditch on the outskirts of San Antonio a few hours ago.”
“Indians?”
“Maybe. See the sheriff as soon as you arrive. He’ll tell you what he knows. I don’t want rumors in camp or out there to get out of control, so bring this thing to a conclusion fast. Good luck, and keep me informed.”
“Thank you, sir,” Stevens said and saluted.
“One more thing,” the colonel said. “If you suspect this to be a trooper-on-trooper crime you must be discreet. We can’t have the men thinking white officers are trying to pin anything on their kind. Nor do we want the locals becoming more skittish than they already are with armed Negro soldiers patrolling the area.”
The sheriff was leaning, arms folded, against a post on the boardwalk outside his office when Stevens and Washington rode up. He looked down at them from his height and did not seem impressed.
“Greetings, sheriff,” Stevens said as…..
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