The Heavens Shall Fall (13 page)

The room was much like a cell
: small, with a lone cot, and a tiny desk fit only to write letters upon. A window sat above his head, elongated but thin.

Jonathan heard the sound of boots
as they clicked against the wooden floor in the hall. A moment later, the door handle rattled and General Marcus Durham entered.

The years had changed the man, hardened
him, made him stern. Perhaps it was the uniform. When he had known him in Williamsburg, the man had worn the clothing of a backwoods man. A spy. Today, he carried himself with the arrogance and confidence that his title insinuated.

Marcus smiled a sly
, shrewd smile. “Dr. Corbett, I have been waiting for this opportunity. It has been awhile.”

Jonathan didn
’t stand. He said nothing.

Marcus rubbed his hand over his chin in thought.
He turned slightly and gestured for the sentry to leave the two of them alone. The sentry nodded, stepped back and shut the door soundly.

Given the knowledge of who stood before him, Jonathan readily understood that things did not bode well for him.

Marcus leaned against the wall with that cocksure smile fixed in place. “I will not waste your time or mine, Doctor. I will be forthright. Much like you weren’t with Major Andre. I told him that perhaps you would talk to me.”

“
Then you are mistaken.”

“
Ah, you do talk.” Marcus paused, and then went on deliberately. “I want you to understand your predicament. It is precarious at best.”

“
You have me at a loss.”

“
Come, Doctor, you know you are not popular among my troops. You have the ability to rile up their tempers. You cannot imagine that your escapades would have fallen on deaf ears.”

“
I have done my duty.”

Marcus laughed.
“Your duty? You are a physician. A surgeon. What part of that has you in the midst of the battle? I have heard tales. Whispers of a doctor in Saratoga? Leading a charge. Quite a shot, from what I hear. You were at Saratoga, weren’t you, Doctor?”

“
I can’t recall.” Jonathan eyed his interrogator with scorn.

“
I’m sure you don’t.” Marcus grinned, seemingly amused. “Since my time here, I have become acquainted with Colonel Reginald Woodland from His Majesty’s 37th Regiment Infantry. Do you know him?”

Jonathan sneered.
“Should I?”

“
He remembers you. He says he saw you in battle…not saving souls, but gun in hand.”

“
I haven’t any idea of what you speak.”

“
I did not expect you to, but you realize that he would not be the only one who can identify you. Accusations could be brought forth against you. A doctor so obsessed that he would kill wounded enemy soldiers in his care…”

Jonathan stood, face to face to Durham.
“I would never…”

Durham pushed him back.
“It would not be difficult to prove, not with the witnesses that could be provided.”

Jonathan
lifted his chin in defiance, pushing back. “Do what you want! I have no control. I have always been honorable.”

“
Yes, honorable,” Marcus repeated. He slammed Jonathan against the wall. “I have no doubt, but others might. I know it was you who saved Captain Pennington. I could recall that for your defense, if…”

“
If I tell you where my sister is,” Jonathan growled. “You will get nothing from me.”

Marcus stepped back.
“Then what of your wife? What would you do to protect her?”

“
You would not!” Jonathan snapped. “I thought you British honorable.”

“
There is nothing dishonorable about confiscating from traitors.”

“
We expected nothing less. Take it.” Jonathan fell silent.

“
So you believe she is not one impressed by riches. It was not the impression I had of her. I was told she fleeced her first fiancé. Tricked him into leaving her his wealth. Now it is yours. Soon to be ours.”

For t
he first time in days, a smile curled Jonathan’s lips. “You don’t know Rebekah in the least.”

“
So you do not think she would be interested in saving what is hers?”

Jonathan studied the man in front of him. Durham had come to make a deal with him. The British wanted Charles Town for its resources
, as well as its tactical advantage. They wanted their ships. He laughed to himself. The British had the building but little else.

“
It seems, General, that you have underestimated my wife. She will never give you or any British what you want. She won’t be bought.”

“
You think not?”

“
I know.” Jonathan stated the words firmly and looked Marcus straight in his eyes. He was not going to tell him that she was Morse’s daughter. That she bore from Philadelphia. That she knew who he was.

“
It will be a shame, Doctor,” Durham replied. His grim tone ensured that his meaning would not be lost on Jonathan. “I had hoped you would be more cooperative. You are correct that your wife has not been forthcoming up until now. I was hoping you could persuade her that it would be for the best.”

“
Do not bring any harm to her. Let her leave Charles Town. You have already done enough damage to my family. She does not deserve to be treated as a threat. Do not make her pay for being my wife.

“
Do you not believe I understood what awaited me if I stayed? You had your intelligence. We had our own. I am not afraid. I believe in my cause, even if the cost is my life. Rebekah…” Jonathan paused, gathered his thoughts. “She is here only because she was with child. She had been sickly and lost the babe a couple of months ago. By the time she recovered, it was too dangerous. Have the British sunk so low as to threaten the defenseless?”

“
You know better than anyone, Doctor Corbett, that the innocent are the ones who get caught in the middle.”

“
Much like Hannah.”

Marcus ignored his statement. He walked toward the door, and then turned
. “Hannah was not one of the innocent. She played a game she wasn’t prepared for. You need to understand, if it hadn’t been for me, she would not be alive. She did not want to leave me.”

“
Ah, you protected her!” Jonathan slung the words at him. “You protected her from Gannon? Georgie Boy? Grandfather? I think not! If you wonder whether I know about the agreement between our sides, I do, General. You need to also know that it is better to leave things the way they are. I can tell you only she lives and has kept to the agreement.”

Marcus
’ eyes flared with an intensity Jonathan had not seen in the man. “I know the agreement. I have kept to it, but I will find her, Doctor, with or without your help. I will also find my child. The child was not in the agreement.”

Marcus did not need to say the words that he would take what was his. His tone was enough for Jonathan to comprehend his meaning. Neither would Jonathan let Marcus have the satisfaction of confirming the knowledge that he had a son.

Jonathan shook his head. “You have me confused, General. A child? What child?”

Jonathan watched Marcus
’ chest heave in an effort to contain his emotions. He breathed out deeply. “Doctor Corbett, understand I hold no grudge against your family or yourself. It is my king and country that I hold to and will do everything to defend and protect. You may feel you are justified, but in my eyes, you are a traitor. Know I have tried to help you. Once I walk through this door, I will not interfere in any proceedings against you. Understand you had your opportunity. It will be that knowledge you will live…or die with.”

The door closed soundly. An eerie silence ensued
. Jonathan wondered why he would need Durham’s interference. The purpose for Durham’s visit was not lost on Jonathan. It had been a warning, a warning that he did not heed. A sudden ill-omened feeling enveloped him that he would soon discover the reason.

* * * *

The kitchen stirred with activity. Rebekah had come to check on lunch. Something light, for the day was already hot and sweltering. Unlike most of the Patriot homes in Charles Town, there was food to be served, but it had more to do with the unwelcome occupants billeting in the house. Three British officers.

Esther and Rebekah had catered to the
ir needs as requested. Furthermore, where other houses had been searched for valuables, theirs had not. Instead, the home had been inspected to see the condition and what officers it would house, a cursory look.

Strange
, that they had been treated with the utmost respect. It was not what Rebekah had expected, although Rebekah felt that one officer, a Colonel Reginald Woodland, had taken a dislike to her. Colonel Woodland had not said a word of disrespect, but there was abhorrence in his eyes. He barked his orders at her, as if she were his servant. She learned quickly to stay out of his way.

Rebekah had thought the family would have been moved from their rooms into the servants
’ quarters. It had not happened, only a request for her to share a room with Esther. The boys moved into one room also. Given the circumstances, it was a small price to pay.

Jonathan had told her not to try to contact him, but she worried. News on the soldiers
’ condition filtered out slowly. Rumors abounded, but she calmed when she heard General Lincoln and his staff would be exchanged up North. She prayed it was true.

Talk of the prison ships worried her to no end. The filthy notorious prison ships struck fear in the most hardened of hearts. Disease, hunger
, and death filled the lower deck. A fate she feared for Jonathan. She had thought that perchance she would receive a note, but nothing came.

Jasper had kept his ears open, but he
, too, had come up empty. Fear ran rampant among the servants: news of slaves being taken from their Patriot masters had become commonplace. They were taken on board ships to be shipped to the West Indies and sold. But again, no one within the house had been forced to leave.

“
Rebekah! Rebekah, I know you are here.”

Rebekah looked up to see Katy appear in the doorway.
She smiled broadly as she carried a sweet-grass basket filled with fresh baked bread.

“
Momma wanted me to bring you some of Annabel’s bread. She’s concerned that you are suffering.”

Rebekah pointed to the counter filled with a bevy of assorted food.
“Thank you, but as you can see we have plenty. Esther is out at the moment with a basket of her own. Mrs. Haynes hasn’t much and has five small ones to feed.” Rebekah glanced around for unseen eyes. She continued, “We have been sharing a little at a time with those around us.”

Katy nodded and sat the basket down on the table.
“Then you distribute these as well, but you must tell Momma that you enjoyed them. She believes herself helping.”

Katy walked
toward the backdoor, but turned to Rebekah. “Do you remember sitting with Ian in the backyard? Oh, let’s!”

Rebekah hesitated. She had much to do
. A slow smile emerged. “That is a wonderful idea.” She untied her apron and followed behind Katy.

Katy skipped out to the giant live oak. Within its bulging roots, she sat and gestured for Rebekah to do the same.

For a time, neither spoke, but soaked in the sight of what had been. Sweeping memories inundated Rebekah—memories of Katy standing by the fence with Ernie, Ian as he sat and read under the same tree where they now sat, the sanctuary the garden gave when she escaped from her uncle’s wrath…

“
It is sad,” Katy stated in a soft voice. “I miss him. Ian. He always knew how to make me feel better. There is a void now.”

Rebekah nodded. She understood. A silent tear fell from her eye as sadness enveloped her.

“Father wanted you to come to dinner last night. He was disappointed you did not.” Katy stared blankly out toward the garden. “He was hosting a group of British officers. I told him you would never come to such a dinner. He said you are a fool.”

A slight breeze rustled through the shrubs. Katy did not turn to her friend, but continued.
“He said that the British want your shipping business. It is the reason, despite Jonathan being your husband, that you have been treated as the Loyalists have been. It seems the British were quite confident that you will relent.”

“
I would never.”

Katy looked back at Rebekah.
“It is what I told him. Father doesn’t seem to grasp how passionate some are toward this freedom you want so desperately. He sees only that his possessions will be taken from him. I told him that you have already prepared to walk away. Father said you will regret the decision, but he believes that Jonathan and Mr. Cutler have filled your ears with the Patriot nonsense.”

“
You know my position.”