CHAPTER 13
The first of June had dawned bright and sunny. It had been almost a month to the day since the battle. Reil had put thoughts of fighting aside, thoughts of that awful day in Chancellorsville aside, in her determination to walk once again. That fierce streak of stubborn pride that had led her to enlist, rose to the fore now, not allowing failure the tiniest crack to cling to. Her attempt to remain upright and not become intimate with the floorboards had led her here. Chopping wood. Once again, she allowed the steady rhythm of swing and slice ease her mind. Balanced on her good leg, hopping over to the stack of uncut wood, she banished thoughts of her repeated trys, repeated intimate knowledge of how many pegs kept the tongue and groove flooring together.
Picking up another short log, she balanced it upright on the chopping block. She found that by taking a short hop back, finding a good balance on her sound leg, and careful aim, her ability to chop wood was almost as accurate as before. After a month of sitting around, bored almost to the point of screaming, she decided some physical exertion was in order. In a nutshell...she was getting cabin fever. The reassuring heft of the smooth axe handle, the satisfying thunk as the blade came into contact with the wood, the gentle clatter as the split pieces fell to the ground, all gave Reil a sense of accomplishment. Something she was sorely lacking these days.
For two weeks now she had been able to get around a bit better, but her leg was slow in healing. At least, slow to her mind. All the other small cuts and gashes had long since turned to pink scars, while the leg was hindered from loss of bone and tissue. Another lazy heft and solid thunk. She was nearing the last of the wood needing to be tended to. Sweating freely, she quickly made short work of the rest of the pile. Then began the tedious chore of kneeling, loading up one arm, shoving upright with one leg, then tucking the crutch under her other arm and making her way to the porch where the other wood was neatly stacked.
It was on her last trip to the porch when Emma stepped outside to meet her. A small tray she carried held a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses. She watched as the strong blonde made her way up the short set of porch steps, knowing from previous encounters that Reil would accept no help. At first, Emma had tried to persuade the stubborn woman to let Jimmy tend to the firewood. It had been a fruitless endeavor. The smaller woman would take no excuses for not doing her share of the work around the house, stating that she had felt as though she was nothing but a freeloader. Emma knew it was not the case, but did see that Reil was able to work out some of her frustrations. The young soldier put everything she had into all that she did, and this was no exception. Reil banished her inner demons well. Emma let out a small sigh. She only hoped the woman was working through the problems, not just burying them. After stacking her small load,Reil made her way over to the railing and lifted up her right leg gingerly, extending it out along the wide banister, her good leg swinging a little as she leaned her back against one of the porches support posts. Placing her crutch beside and a little behind her to lean on the post as well, she gratefully took the cool glass of lemonade that Emma held out for her. Thirsty from her exertion, she took a healthy swallow and sat bolt upright, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.
“Lord above, what’s in this stuff, Em?” she managed to choke out, waiting for the burning that reached her toes to die down. “Oh, didn’t I mention? I have a cousin in Lynchburg, Kentucky...he’s thinking about opening up a distillery. Sends me a couple of bottles every year.” Reil thought about that for a moment, that meant that the whiskey she was drinking came out of a... “I think he needs to clean his still, this stuff has hair!” It wasn’t that she didn’t like it, but it had come around the corner, so to speak. “Give a body warning next time!”
Emma gave her a small smile, followed by a deep throated chuckle. “Hey, you’ve already been baptised by fire, that’s the stuff I used to clean your wound!” Reil grimaced at the barely remembered memory. That had stung like nothing else she had ever felt. Another, more tentative sip, proved that the whiskey was, actually, quite smooth. The mix with lemonade adding a pleasant tang.
Emma moved up beside the blonde, straddling the leg that dangled with her own long ones and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist. Quietly the two women stayed that way, sipping their potent brew, allowing the late afternoon sun to bathe them in it’s warmth. Reil wrapped her left arm about the taller woman, and let her head rest against her chest. Reil could hear the steady heartbeat, pounding out a rhythm that thrummed straight through to her soul. No, she thought sadly, as much as she wanted to stay like this forever, she very much still felt the pull of duty. It was as though her destiny wasn’t quite done yet. Not by a long shot.
Reil was happy here, had even entertained thoughts of retiring her commission. She mentally pushed aside the thought that her injury would make that decision for her. To her, that wasn’t an option. Either she left the army of her own will, or rejoin her unit to fight once more. The injury would provide the means to leave the military, but the thought left her with a bad taste in her mouth. Reil was never one to use an excuse. So instead, she concentrated on regaining use of her accursed limb, very much expecting to reunite with her unit. She let the quite afternoon sounds wash away her thoughts, basking in the feel of the woman beside her.
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Flo had been cleaning in the front room when she heard a rider approach. Setting down her duster, she made her way to the front door, thinking that the mail was a bit early today. Things were so sporadic nowadays though, she didn’t give it much thought. She was a bit startled to see a man in uniform, an officer she assumed, standing in her doorway. “Good morning. My name is Major Ablemeyer. I wish to speak to Mrs. Collingsworth and her guest, if I may?” The mans’ deep, rich voice vibrating through the foyer. Flo’s dark skin lost some of it’s color. On sight alone, she instinctively distrusted this man. Hearing his voice confirmed her instincts. “Wait here, I’ll go fetch her.” She had to restrain herself from actually running down the hall.
Flo paused, looking out the kitchen door at the two figures so lost in each others arms. She was amazed anew each day at how the two could remain so close, the stress alone would have felled lesser people. But she knew that these two were not ordinary, garden variety people. They were the stuff legends were made of, she was sure. Many times during the past weeks she had felt privileged to have been able to witness such a joining of two souls. Two very, very old souls. This she knew, but not how. Only that it was there, and that somehow, this newly arrived officer was about to attempt to destroy it. Flo let a wry smile grace her lips before opening the door. That poor major didn’t know what he was in for.
“Emma, Lieutenant Bardlow?” The two lifted their heads, glancing towards the door. “There’s a Major Ablemeyer here to see you both. Emma, there’s just somethin’ about him I don’t like. Haven’t had this feelin’ since...well, you know.” Flo had made it a point not to make references to Reils’ father, since she had found out who the man was. She hadn’t wanted her petty feelings of the past to interfere with what was happening in the present. “Alright, Flo. Tell him we will be there momentarily.”
They made their way inside, to the front room where the major was waiting. He stood as they entered, taking Emma’s offered hand and giving a slight bow over it. “Mrs. Collingsworth, my pleasure.” His low voice oozed out, giving Emma a nearly uncontrollable urge to pull her hand away quickly. She resisted, but just barely, drawing her hand back in a polite amount of time. He turned and gave a curt nod to Reil, who returned it in kind. “Flo, why don’t you get us some tea? Would that be to your liking, Major, or would you prefer something stronger?” She indicated that he should resume his seat. He chose to remain standing.
Reil desperately wanted to sit down, but the major’s refusal to do so put her in the position of remaining standing, she would show this man no weakness. Her thoughts were moving extremely fast since the time Flo had informed them of their visitor. She had heard about this man...oh, yes...she had heard. He was ruthless, a force to be reckoned with. Major Ablemeyer was an aide to Hooker, an aide that did the messy work, cleanups, things that would leave a bad taste in the mouth of a decent man.
As she stood there, she took a moment to look him over. Well over six feet tall, he nearly dwarfed Emma, who wasn’t all that short herself. He had short, greased back, dark hair, reminding her of a beavers’ fur when wet. Small eyes for such a large face peered out with inky blackness, darting about taking in all around him. Yet for all their motion, they spoke of patience, confidence, and...dread...for those foolish enough to look at them. Reil felt a shiver run up her spine. The presence of this man was not a good thing...not at all. She followed him with her eyes as he made his way over to a small table near the bay window, sunlight glinting off his manicured nails as he picked up an idly examined a small figurine.
At last, after Flo had set out the tea, he spoke once more. Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a packet of papers. “We recieved some disturbing rumors from a Sergeant Thornton about a month back.” He moved around and handed the packet of papers to Reil. “He had some evidence to back up his rumors, but that wouldn’t have been enough.” Reil searched her memory, but could recall no sergeant by that name. Slowly she opened the packet. “You’ll understand, of course, that I had to follow up on these rumors. In doing so, I came across some very disturbing things. Perhaps, you...Lt. Bardlow, would care to elaborate.” Reil looked up from the papers she was reading. Her face went pale as she sank down in the chair she had been standing in front of, the papers falling out of her nerveless fingers.
Emma rushed over, scooping up the papers and placing a reassuring hand on her lovers’ shoulder. “Don’t bother reading it.” Reil stated in a voice devoid of emotion. “It says that I have been ‘medically discharged’ from the service pending the results of an inquiry. The inquiry to determine my allegiance to the Union.” She stared blankly ahead, then set her fierce green eyes on the major. “Does this mean that I am under arrest, Major?”
“No, Lieutenant. You’re not. You will, however, have to come with me. We’ll arrange housing for you near the courthouse in Washington.” The tall imposing man turned his head to look at Emma. “You, though, Mrs. Collingsworth, are under arrest. As a spy. My men are waiting outside.” Emma swallowed hard, the hand on Reil’s shoulder almost painful in it’s grip. “I’ll have you know, Major...” Reil placed her hand on top of Emmas’, effectively cutting the woman off. “Say nothing to him, Emma. We’ll hire a lawyer, and get this whole misunderstanding straightened out.” Emma bowed her head, allowing the sensible words of the woman she loved to hold sway, instead of the outburst she held ready to let fly at the smug major.
“Allow us to get our things in order, if you will, Major. I assume you want us to leave right away?” The major only showed slight irritation at not being able to get either of them to admit to anything, but that was all in due time, he thought to himself. No sense pushing the issue, the stubborn lieutenant had made it clear that nothing else would be said. “The house will be searched prior to you collecting your things.” He moved toward the bay window once more, raising his hand in signal.
Within moments, blue clad soldiers were everywhere in the house. Flo was crying out as Emma tried to console her, the men left no area unsearched. Jimmy had his hands full out in the barn, the soldiers digging through the hay, looking for whatever they might find. When they searched the grounds, they came upon the recent grave. It was immediately exhumed, the hastily thrown together pine box placed in the back of one of the waiting wagons. All the while, a smug smile was plastered across the dark majors’ face. This, he thought to himself, will make my career!
A full hour later, all had been searched. The house was a mess, overturned furniture, pots, cooking utensils strewn everywhere, and a dark forboding cloud seemed to hang over all who were there. Reil stood slowly, making her way to the bedroom. Silently she collected what was left of her belongings. They had taken her weapon, and any letters she had been carrying. Emma packed a small bag and together they made their way back to the foyer. Jimmy stood there, unsure if this would be the last time he ever saw his employer. Emma gave him a fierce hug, placing her mouth close to his ear. “You get yourself to Fredricksburg. Tell them all to scatter. They have no part in this, and they need to get away. Have Clara burn all the paperwork.” The low whisper was given a nod. Jimmy would make haste after they all left.
Flo waited there, bag in hand. She would be going with Emma. The tall woman had told her she needn’t come along, but Flo had protested, saying that where Emma went, she followed. The major saw no problem with this, him being in a generous mood having just captured the most notorious Confederate spy that the war had seen to date. Reil had donned her uniform, her calm face revealing not a hint of the turmoil that raged inside her. “Let’s be on our way, Major. The sooner to get this misunderstanding over with.”
Emmas’ carriage had been brought around to the front of the house, but she was not allowed to drive. Their bags were placed in back, with enough room for Flo to sit, feet dangling almost to the ground. Emma sat up front, with a young dark haired lieutenant holding the reins. Reil was forced to ride on the wagon which also held her fathers’ remains. She stretched out on the plank seat to the rear of the wagon behind the driver, trying to get comfortable. Her eyes only leaving the pine box situated in front of her to look up at Emma. Somber blue met moss green across the short distance between the two vehicles. Then the green eyes dropped, shamed that because of her, the woman she loved was now captive.
Reil had no doubts in her mind as to what had happened. There were a few blanks yet to fill in, but for the most part she knew that someone had betrayed her. She had a pretty good idea who it was. The sergeant that had been mentioned earlier was just not enough to warrant being discharged from the military, regardless of whatever it was that he had found. No, she thought, someone close had betrayed her. Betrayed Emma. The shame was overwhelming. She had brought this upon Emma...upon them all. She saw no way out of the hole she could feel herself slowly sinking into. No way out at all. The wagon lurched, and they were on their way, the coffin bumping softly against the floorboards with each stone in the road that a wheel found.