Day Nine
Page 29
Thursday, July 2
Bryant awoke and screamed. Someone touched her hand, the one that held the LeMat revolver. A face loomed in front of hers.
“It’s me, Chloe. Jack.”
For an instant she wasn’t sure she was awake. These two weeks she had often dreamed of Jack’s return. On waking the disappointment hurt badly.
But it was Jack, in the flesh.
She had drifted off sitting at the tent entrance. She had stayed awake all night, and well into the morning. She had tried so hard to keep her eyes open. Not only to watch for Jack; she must guard against what had to be the imminent return of Naylor and Price. Who would probably kill her on sight.
She threw her arms around Jack. She sobbed, but she didn’t care. She had about given up hope he would come back.
“You made it,” she croaked.
“Sure did. And I got Jackson.”
Her cheek rubbed against beard stubble. Jack smelled of horse and human sweat. But she didn’t care. She would cling to him forever if he let her.
“Thank God. Did you get Naylor and Price too?”
“No. Didn’t have the chance. So I assume you’ve seen no sign of them?”
“Nothing. I’ve been very afraid they’d show up. They must be getting critical.”
“Yeah.”
Jack eased back from her. Dark circles were wide about his eyes. She was sure she looked the same. But who cared? They had won and both of them were going to live.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Sorry I didn’t get back sooner. They led me a merry chase. I finally returned to Gettysburg. I shot Jackson there yesterday afternoon.”
“Were Naylor and Price with him?”
“No. They left Carlisle two days before. With someone posing as Jackson. I couldn’t afford to go after them.”
“They should’ve been here by now.”
“I think they detoured to Gettysburg. And they are probably delaying coming here. So as not to run into us.”
She didn’t know. They had to be near the critical point on shrinking.
“Should we stay to get them?” she asked.
“No. We’ve beaten her. Let Hightower and Darnell deal with them when they show up in 2015.”
“Could they be waiting for us in 1882? You know they’ll arrive three days before us no matter when they cross here.”
“It also means we can’t catch them if they keep going forward.”
“What if they stop to get Hitler?”
“Let them. I have no problem with that.”
“Should we offer to help?”
“With Hitler?”
“Maybe we have a moral obligation.”
Besides that, a trip to Germany would extend her time with Jack. Once he went back—to 1996 undoubtedly—she would lose him forever.
“We have no obligation. In 1901 it will be a simple job anyway. Naylor and Price slip over the Atlantic, pop the little bastard—think he’s ten or so then—and slip back. And if the police catch them, it’s no skin off our butts.”
“I hope they can get him.”
“Me too. But saving the Union is all that matters for us. That we’ve done.”
“Jack, you’re sure we’ve won? I heard fighting last night.”
“From the north?”
“Yes. I heard rumbling most of yesterday afternoon. The noise stopped around four-thirty.”
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
“But it started again around midnight. With louder rumbling.”
Jack frowned. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I know my ears weren’t playing tricks. It wasn’t thunder, the sky was clear. It went on until nearly dawn. Then it stopped and I haven’t heard anything since.”
“I think I know what happened. Lee was pretty distraught when I killed Jackson. Probably unhinged him. I bet he ordered a night attack against the Federal positions. By then our side had four corps dug in.”
Jack smiled with the smile she abhorred.
“I bet Lee tried Pickett type charges all night. He probably broke his army, and is in full retreat now. Two more Union two corps arrived at dawn with one more on the way.”
The full moon shone brightly last night. The Federal troops would have easily seen the Confederates coming. And used their cannon with canister. Jack had told her how terrible that was.
“All those poor boys,” she said.
“Lee has a penchant for reckless attacks. Last night’s cost him big.”
“Then I guess we should go.”
“Let’s see what we want to take with us. Let me do that while you watch for our two traitors.”
“Okay.”
He looked small too. They both had to be a foot under their regular height. They couldn’t get out of here soon enough.
Jack pulled items out of the tent. He saw her watching.
“Have to keep a sharp eye, Chloe.”
She did, but decided she better bring up 1996. For her it was a foreboding subject, yet an unavoidable one now that Jack had survived.
“Jack…”
“Yes?”
“I—I know you intend to stop in 1996.”
Their eyes locked, and his lips drew thin.
“Is that so? Keep on the lookout, please.”
“I mean, that’s the real reason you accepted this assignment. You want to warn your 1996 self to save Teri. I understand completely.”
“Are you under orders to prevent me?”
“No. Even if I was, I wouldn’t.”
“I’ve got to stop there. You can go on.”
“I’ll stay with you, Jack. You’ll probably need more than a week to get to your younger self—and probably to others—and make sure you are believed.”
She saw his adam’s apple work. He knew she loved him dearly. He could also guess how wrenching it would be for her to help him get back Teri, the one woman that would always take precedence over her.
“That—that’s not necessary. I deeply appreciate the offer, though.”
“I’m going with you. It’s what I want to do.”
“I—Jesus, Chloe.” He turned his face away.
“It’s alright, Jack. Let’s hurry up and get out of here.” She returned to scanning the woods.
Ten minutes later they stepped into Transit One.
1882