by Jerri Hines
“You are so sure it’s a boy?”
“No doubt, my love,” he said, leaning over to kiss her.
“I’ll miss you, Marcus. I don’t want you to go,” she whispered.
“I have always returned, even when you didn’t want me to,” he replied. His hand ran over her face as if etching it into his memory. She reached for his hand and kissed it. “I love you, Hannah.”
She looked up at him. “I love you, too, Marcus.”
He smiled down upon her for it was the first time she had uttered the words. He kissed her again and left.
* * * *
Hannah grew relentless since Marcus’s departure. Her conscience plagued her. With Marcus by her side he had driven all her doubts away. The need to be with him was greater than her reason. All her logic of her situation disappeared when he had held her in his arms. The past would be behind her. She had done all she could. She had tried so desperately to escape. Even if a desire to protect the network drove her back into the street that fateful night, the fact of the matter was, after all she had done, she had become expendable.
She had been so tired, exhausted. Marcus loved her. Hadn’t he even let Tom inform the Patriots of Gannon’s intent? Marcus had told her that news came back of Catherine’s untimely drowning death, but the baby was safe with Lydia. The news he had on Jonathan placed him on the front with the Patriot army, but being a medical officer, he felt sure he was safe.
She sat sewing a baby blanket, a blue one for Marcus was so confident it was a boy. Suddenly, a commotion at the front door disturbed her concentration. She looked out the front window in the early morning light. Reverend Brown stood firmly upon the steps. Tom had shut the front door behind him as he tried to send him off.
She walked to the door and opened it widely. Ignoring Tom, she greeted the Reverend, “Why, Reverend Brown it’s lovely to see you? You must come in, mustn’t he? There’s no need to be rude.”
Tom clenched his jaw and sighed, not wanting to go into details. “Hannah, Marcus would want you to rest.”
“Nonsense,” she smiled at the Reverend. “Please come in, Reverend.”
The Reverend sidestepped Tom and entered. Hannah led him to the sitting room. “It’s nice to have company. I haven’t seen many, only Susanna and Camilla. And Camilla has since eloped with Sergeant Wright and has gone to England.”
The Reverend took a seat close to Hannah. Tom walked up directly behind him. The Reverend eyed him with a frown. Hannah watched the exchange. “Would you like any refreshment?”
“No, Hannah. This isn’t a social call,” he said plainly.
“Then this visit is over,” Tom stated. His hands extended indicating the direction he wanted the Reverend to head.
“Not before I say what I must,” he said to Tom. He breathed deeply with deep concern shone within his eyes. He turned to Hannah. “Child, I’ve heard a lot that has concerned you. I know you have gone through so much, but you need to leave.”
As if a wall emerged between her and the Reverend, she asked coolly, “Why would you say that?”
“For many reasons, child. First, Colonel Durham is British and married,” Reverend said plainly refusing to look at Tom. “Hannah, you don’t need to settle for this. I have remained neutral within this war and plan to remain so, but I know you and you haven’t. The two of you live within different worlds. You are tired and ill. He’s in no position to offer you what you need.”
“He loves me,” she offered as her only defense.
“Whether or not he loves you, knowing you, you won’t find the happiness you deserve,” he tried to reason.
She shook her head. “No, it does matter. You know as well as I, I tried to go home. I tried but to no avail. The only one that looked after me, cared for me, was Marcus. I know the reasons, but don’t tell me it doesn’t matter. To me personally, it matters,” she said emphatically. “Reverend, I have thought long and hard about my situation. The hours of rest I have accumulated left me plenty of time. I want to do this, need to do this. I’m to have his child.”
Reverend Brown stared at her, obviously not happy with the news he had just heard. He bit his bottom lip. He looked up at Tom and placed his hand up before he even began. “I was asked to come here today to offer you a way home, back to Williamsburg. To your sister, Lydia, your family.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Tom walked around. “The conversation is over. She has made clear her position, please leave.”
She could find no words, but nodded in agreement.
Reverend Brown stood. “Hannah, no one believes you betrayed your cause. Don’t come near me, Tom. You know I don’t take sides, but am concerned with the welfare of all. There is also Gannon. You must realize he has gone underground with one intent to destroy you and the whole of your family. He doesn’t care if you’re within Colonel Durham’s protection or not. He’s gone insane with grief over losing both his children and blames you.”
“Didn’t I warn you, Reverend?” Tom lunged at him and physically pulled him toward the door. “Get out. Get out now!”
“It’s not only Gannon. It’s your grandfather. I don’t know what has happened, but he has you marked, Hannah.” Reverend Brown jerked his arm back. “I’m going, but I have warned you. If you need me, Hannah, you know where I am.”
Tom didn’t let him finish. He pushed him out of the room and out the door, slamming it hard. He turned back around to find Hannah staring at him with fear in her eyes.
“Nothing is going to happen, Hannah. No one would dare make a move against you here. Go lay down. Marcus will be back tomorrow.”
Hannah nodded. She did feel the need to rest. Her legs had weakened. She laid down on the bed. She pulled the covers around her and prayed Marcus would return.
* * * *
Marcus had met more problems than he imagined. General Howe had turned to him, along with the others he hadn’t listened to at the beginning of the campaign. The General had found himself under extreme pressure. The Americans had carried off most of the supplies and food in the city before they evacuated. Trade had virtually stopped because the Rebels had removed the boats and vessels from the Delaware. The cattle and horses had also been taken.
The British were low on supplies because the Americans had the Delaware River blocked at Fort Mifflin and Mercer. And Marcus didn’t believe Washington’s army would remain dormant. And then there was the issue of Saratoga, which Marcus felt wasn’t being dealt with at all and haunted him. His irritation grew because he didn’t know when he would be able to leave.
* * * *
A cool night air blew through Hannah’s window. She couldn’t find sleep. She slipped her bare feet down upon the cold floor. She wrapped her robe tight around her. The day’s conversation repeated within her head. Tom, in his usual manner, had been unresponsive to her questions. Her head twisted around to the sound of a loud hollow clatter in the front of the house. Her room was to the back with no view of the front, but she sensed danger.
She had no time to respond for her door burst open. An unknown hand grabbed her in the darkness. She screamed. She couldn’t avoid the big hands, the hair-matted hands that reached for her. The foul odor of the man made her choke. She screamed again hoping that Tom would react. The man pulled her down the stairs. She uttered another scream as she saw Tom lying in the foyer in a puddle of his own blood.
“Shut her up!” a skinny dingy man shouted, still holding the bloodied knife.
The one who had hold of her smashed the side of her face with his fist, she fell and struck her temple on the floor. The last she heard was a venomous laugh that sprung forth from the intruder.
* * * *
Hannah woke. Her head hurt terribly. She could feel the sensation of being in a moving carriage. She heard the clop of hoofs along the stone street. Then suddenly the rhythm of the carriage came to a halt. She fended unconsciousness as the carriage door opened. Hands went around her, pressing the fabric over her breasts.
“Af
ter he finishes with this one, I hope he throws her to me. A dollop of pleasure, for sure, eh, Elihu?”
“Ain’t goin’ to nothin’ left, ya’ idiot! Heard Georgie Boy got some big plans for his one!”
The assailant pulled Hannah roughly from the other. He dragged her inside a large deserted warehouse along the wharf’s edge. Panic seized her. A wave of nausea overcame her. The feeling of being carried came to an abrupt halt as the man flung Hannah down violently against the hard dirt floor.
“No problem, Georgie Boy!”
Hannah opened her eyes. A pair of boots in front of her face kicked dirt into her eyes. She coughed and pulled herself up to her knees. She saw all too clearly the wild intent within her cousin’s eyes. Georgie pulled her up with his pudgy hands by her hair.
“Why cousin, by the look on your face, you don’t seem happy to see me,” he laughed a wild unnatural laugh. “Thought you had seen the last of me. Well, now I will be the last you see of anyone. I can assure you that I always settle the score. You’ll well feel how I settle a score, bitch!”
“George!” a voice came up from behind him shouted the reprimand. “You can have your turn at her. But first things first.”
George let go, sending Hannah downward again. She caught herself with her hands and stared upward toward the figure emerging from the darkness—Joseph Gannon. He towered over her. He bent down and pulled her to her feet. He chuckled in a terrifying way.
“Even being abruptly taken from you sick bed, you’re a sight. Are you not, Hannah?” he questioned. “I can assure you, you’ll look nothing like yourself when we are done. A lot has happened since we have last met. I have heard rumors. Warming the Colonel’s bed, but don’t even think he’ll be coming riding to save you. I know for a fact he’s safe and sound within Philadelphia. The arrogant British. I told them all you had done and probably well more. All the Colonel cared about was getting you in bed and you so willingly complied. Didn’t you? Well, I’ll have to see what all his attraction he has been.”
With one hand he grabbed her, wheeling her around to him. Between her robe and gown his hand went down the front. Hannah heard a rip as his hand explored her body.
“Get your filthy hands off me!” she screamed as she struggled to free herself. Gannon eyed her with an evil grin.
“Oh, Hannah, you will soon find I’ll do whatever I want. You didn’t scream like this for your Colonel, did you?” His hands tightened around her neck. Hannah refused to react to him.
Oh, my God! I’m going to die!
“Come on, Gannon! You’re moving too fast,” Georgie yelled. “You want her talking.”
Gannon stared at her for a moment and reluctantly released his grip. Hannah crouched over gasping for breath. Georgie grabbed her arm and dragged her over.
“We have some entertainment for you, Cousin. I believe you’ll especially enjoy it. Did you enjoy a good laugh when you had Grandfather blackmailed? I hope you did, because it’ll be the last laugh you’ll ever have,” Georgie looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Grandfather doesn’t usually come down for my performances, but he wants to see yours. He wants to enjoy watching you suffer. And mark my word, Cousin. You’ll suffer, I promise you.”
Terror gripped her. She dug her heels down. Georgie jerked her. With every inch of strength she had, she fought. Another grabbed her arm. She hadn’t a chance. Into a well-lit room, they dragged her. They threw her down onto the floor in the middle of the large room. She could feel heat emitting from the coals within a brick fireplace to the side of her and staring straight in front of her a huge whipping post.
“Welcome, Hannah,” Gannon said to his small audience. “Unfortunately the British have found no cause to hold you responsible for your crimes and the Americans, you have been working for them all along are nowhere to be seen. But we haven’t forgotten about you. We find it beneficial to hold our own trial. Oh, don’t get the wrong idea. We already know the verdict.
“From the day they came and informed me of my beautiful daughter’s death and her brother. I‘ve planned this. The British, in their conceit, wouldn’t listen to me. How could I have figured out that you spied so effectively against them and they not? And look what you did to your grandfather.
“Didn’t you know they would have figured you were the only one with the access to have the invoices and correspondence? To have blackmailed them so efficiently. I was thrilled when Georgie came to me with the abduction plan. What a wonderful idea. Now we can all sit back and enjoy revenge.”
“You’re all a bunch of imbeciles! It would take a moron not to figure out that something happened to me and that the whole bunch of you are going down for it. Don’t you think that the ones that so successfully blackmailed Grandfather are going to sit back? They haven’t turned over all the receipts and invoices, have they?” Hannah screamed.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see the whole of your work front page news. Then you’ll have the British to answer to. They won’t take kindly to having been cheated so. You do what you want with me, but each of you have signed your death warrant in one way or another. Marcus won’t sit idly by,” she cried hoarsely.
“Get on with it, Gannon. Just shoot the fucking bitch and be done with it,” Alexander Clay responded. “She’s right. We’ll well have to hide all we have done.”
Hannah dazed to hear her grandfather talk in that manner. Everything she had envisioned—feared, sat in front of her.
“Calm down, Alexander. I have a cover. Don’t worry. I don’t want it too easy for the bitch. Haven’t you suffered? Your own granddaughter betrayed you. Brought you down when you welcomed her into your home, feed her, clothed her. How did she repay you? Ruined you, didn’t she?”
Hannah glared up. “I betrayed no one. You both betrayed my father and brother. You betrayed your own blood. I’m not the one who cheated the British…your own friends. Your hands are bloody by your own deeds.”
Clay smacked her cruelly across her face, sending her sprawling upon the ground. His eyes glared hatred.
“I have no question of why my mother hated and feared you,” Hannah uttered. She caught his next blow putting both hands across her head.
“Told you it feels better, doesn’t it?” Richard, who had sat quietly, said.
A rage filled Clay. He spat upon his granddaughter. “Do with her what you want.” He stormed out.
Richard shrugged. “Well, I’m not leaving. I’m going to enjoy every minute of this.” Georgie slapped his father on the back, but his eyes did not leave Hannah.
“I swore on my daughter’s grave, I would avenge her,” Gannon muttered. “Your brother will suffer like no other. I’ll make sure he has a clear picture of your demise, Hannah. Every detail.”
“You’re mad, just as Catherine was,” Hannah wiped her face. Blood spilled from her nose.
Gannon ignored her. “Your grandfather has taught me bad blood taints the soul. The young one will be the last straw upon your brother,” Gannon finished with a twisted smile.
“He’s a mere babe,” she cried, but recognizing she was in the midst of mad men. A bell rang. And rang again. She glanced over and watched in horror as a body was being dragged out from behind the door, crying hysterically. The form let out a blood-curdling scream upon recognizing Georgie within the room. He laughed, sending a shiver down Hannah’s back.
“Ah, the entertainment’s here,” Georgie snickered. The woman’s hands were tied together in front of her with rope they used to drag her beaten body. They had stripped her of all clothing. Hannah’s body began trembling uncontrollably.
“Recognize your partner in crime, Cousin. The British didn’t see fit to punish her either. But I’ve taken care of that problem,” Georgie smugly said. He grabbed the rope and led the emaciated woman to the whipping post.
Hannah couldn’t take her eyes from Cora, the one who had so long and bravely served the cause. Cora shrieked as he hooked her arms up to the latch firmly attaching her with no hope of escape. With all he
r might Cora struggled to break free. Georgie laughed as he raised a long black whip, whipping it again and again over her scar filled back. An endless scream arose. Hannah rose and ran to her side.
“My God, have mercy!”
“Oh, no, Hannah. She’s well past mercy, but you too will soon understand when one passes that point. Cora has been a naughty girl and she has to pay for it. We have let her have her fun, too, you know. Cora, tell Hannah. How many men have had the pleasure of your company of late? Anytime, anywhere. Worse than a dog in heat, I hear. Enjoy it when they climb on top of ya’?”
Cora whose eyes seemed distant, didn’t respond. Georgie came close to her side. Her eyes rolled back in her head. Her body filthy, battered, bruised, infected sights of where a hot iron had branded her. Hannah shuddered.
Georgie pulled Cora’s head back by her hair. As he kept her neck back to the point where she could barely breathe. Tears streamed down her face. Georgie eyed Hannah and smiled. He roughly let go of Cora. He pushed Hannah to Cora’s side, stepping straight in front of the battered woman.
Cora could see what was coming before Hannah. She screamed before Hannah had a chance to react. Georgie held a pistol in Cora’s mouth and pulled the trigger. In a dreamstate, no a nightmare, Hannah watched in disbelief, shocked overcame her. Cora’s body sprung backwards, but the rope jerked her body forward.
Reddened gobbets of bodily material sprayed all around, covering Hannah. Hannah shrieked as the headless body sprang forward upon her, instinctively falling backwards. Hannah scrambled to her feet to run. A hand seized her shoulder.
Hannah looked down upon herself feeling a sticky warm substance. Her gown and robe blood soaked, Cora’s blood. She couldn’t breath. Just let them kill me! Oh, god, just let me die!
Gannon’s voice echoed in her head, as they lay hold of her. “I’ll hold her.”
In the distance of her mind, she saw Georgie walk over slowly to the bricked fire. He stirred the embers with a poker. “Hold. We want it hot enough.”
Hannah shrilly screamed. She couldn’t control her fear. Gannon’s hands went to her gown.