The muscles in Matthew’s jaw relaxed and he rubbed the tight muscles in the back of his neck. Unable to deny the truth in the man’s words, he relented. “I thank you.”
Harry dipped his chin. “You done messed my nose up right good—I guess that’s my due for sneaking around on a man—and now you’ve already brought me back here, where I was planning on going anyway to collect my belongings before finding my way home.”
Where he was…? Matthew inwardly groaned. No wonder the man hadn’t tried to run.
“But now that’s done,” Harry said, planting his feet. “So let’s just go our separate ways.”
Matthew drew a long breath through his nostrils and let it out through his mouth slowly. Harry had claimed he wouldn’t try to come after Matthew again, and Harry was safely removed from Annabelle and George.
Matthew studied the still-bruised face and finally decided the man spoke true. Besides, if he were going to attempt anything since his capture, he probably would have tried it while Matthew slept on the road, when no one around would hear. “Very well,” Matthew said, tired of having this conversation. “Come with me to talk to O’Malley, tell him you’re done, and then be on your way.”
Harry shook his head. “You might not be willing to take me out for not following orders, but O’Malley….” A spark of fear sprung into his gaze and Matthew struggled with indecision. If O’Malley killed Harry for not murdering Matthew, then Matthew would carry the guilt for it.
The other man stood there silently, as if waiting for the judge to deliver his fate.
“You know I can’t let you go yet,” Matthew finally said. “You go to O’Malley before I get to him, and he’ll disappear.” He shook his head. “Can’t take that chance.”
Harry sighed, resigned. “Let’s get this done, then.”
Matthew clomped down the stairs and out the front door with Harry on his heels. He half expected the man to bolt once they stepped into the sun, and Matthew realized he probably would have let him if he had. But Harry walked along next to Matthew with his hands shoved in his pockets and his head down.
Somehow, that was worse.
It took about half an hour to cross through the town and arrive at the narrow boarding house where they’d first staged their attempt at abducting Lincoln. Matthew scolded himself. Had he really been that foolish? How could he have not seen that such a move would not bring triumph, but rather misery, to his brothers in arms? He’d been too blinded by desperation to heed logic. But now that George was safely hidden in New York, he would not be so easily duped again.
Harry paused at the bottom of the steps that led to the front entry of the Surratt house. He cut Matthew one final cold glance and then plodded up the stairs and waited as Matthew banged on the door. In a moment, it swung open and Mrs. Surratt looked at them in shock.
Taking advantage of her surprise, Matthew pushed Harry forward and Mrs. Surratt had to step back to avoid a collision. By then, Harry was already inside and Mrs. Surratt no longer had a firm grip on the door. Matthew strode in and looked down at her. “I am calling upon Mr. O’Malley.”
Her eyes darted between Matthew and Harry, but Harry kept his gaze on the floor. She straightened herself and smoothed the heavy fabric of her black skirts. “He is not here at the moment. If you would like to leave a message….”
“No. I’ll wait.”
She dipped her chin, casting a furtive glance at the stairs. “Certainly. I’ll get some tea for the parlor and—”
“No, thank you,” Matthew interrupted before she could continue. He’d stayed at this boarding house, and knew about the rear entry. “I’ll just wait right here.” Where I can see him when he comes in the door or down the stairs, and you can’t send him away.
Her brows drew low and Matthew could not resist the smug smile that tugged on his lips. Harry shifted his weight and kept throwing glances at the door.
Mrs. Surratt pinned a pleasant smile on her face. “Suit yourself, but I’m sure Mr. Thompson might like a warm cup….”
Harry looked up. “Yes, ma’am I would appreciate some tea.”
She had just enough time to start a smug smile of her own when Matthew caught Harry’s elbow as he tried to step away. “No, ma’am. He waits with me. My business with O’Malley will require both of us.”
Mrs. Surratt’s eyes caught fire and she tilted her chin up. “Sir, I may have to ask you to leave if you are going to act uncivil in my home.”
Just then the entry door opened, and O’Malley hurried inside, too distracted to notice them. Mrs. Surratt’s eyes widened slightly and Matthew grinned.
She caught the look and glared at him. Mrs. Surratt might not take kindly to being outmaneuvered, but Matthew guessed that neither would she make a scene if she lost the game. She crossed her arms and waited without another word.
Matthew’s smile of triumph over the busybody faded as soon as O’Malley finally noticed him. Astonishment widened his eyes as he looked at Matthew, then Harry. For only an instant, O’Malley’s over-practiced false face vanished, and Matthew saw the rage that burned within him. The sight was brief, but it was enough.
David O’Malley slid a smile onto his liar’s lips and gave a small bow. “Mr. Daniels! How wonderful to see you have returned to us.”
“Indeed,” Matthew said. “I apologize for it being unexpected.”
O’Malley gestured toward the parlor. “Shall we retire to the sitting room and catch up on what has transpired since our last visit?”
Two doors out of the parlor. Hard to guard both, Matthew thought. But at least it was farther from the front door and gave Matthew a chance to intercept him if he tried to get away. He gave a single nod. Mrs. Surratt stepped into the parlor, and finding no one, ushered them inside. She pulled the door closed with one final glare at Matthew.
O’Malley went to stand by the hearth, though a daylight fire was no longer needed. O’Malley patted his pockets. “It seems I have left my pipe in my room. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll run and fetch it.”
Matthew stepped in front of the door and crossed his arms. O’Malley sighed, though he looked more resigned than intimidated. That probably shouldn’t have infuriated Matthew, but it did. It seemed his temper always bubbled just below the surface lately, and it didn’t take much to boil it over.
O’Malley swung his attention over to Harry and could not keep the venom in his tone concealed as easily as he’d hid it from his face. “Ah, my old friend. It is good to see you returned.” His left eye twitched. “Though you are a bit off schedule.”
Harry shook his head. “He already knows it all, David. I done told him what you wanted me to do.”
O’Malley’s lips tightened and color sprang up from around his collar and spread to his cheeks. Still, his words would not betray what was already known to all. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you are referring to, my friend. Last we spoke you were going north on your own personal affairs.”
“But, but… you…” Harry gaped at him and then snapped his mouth shut, realization finally dawning in his eyes. O’Malley would turn his back on anyone to suit his own needs. It was high time Harry learned that truth.
“See, now,” Matthew began, his voice even. “Harry and I have come to an understanding. Haven’t we?” He looked to Harry, who still stared at O’Malley.
Harry’s eyes hardened and he nodded. “Yeah.”
O’Malley smirked, gesturing toward Harry’s face. “So a busted nose is all it takes for you to turn your back on duty, justice, and those who stood at your side?”
Harry didn’t reply.
O’Malley feigned nonchalance that was undermined by the way the muscles in his neck bulged. “Very well. I’ve no need of cowards, anyway.”
Harry balled his fists, but still held his tongue. After a moment, O’Malley gave a snort of derision and turned back to Matthew. “So, what is it, Daniels? What have you come here to do?”
“I wanted you to see me alive, and make sure you kno
w that next time, any attempts at spying on me or trying to have me put in the ground won’t turn out so well for you.”
O’Malley stroked his chin. “Hmm. Such bold words. Too bad you turned out to be yellow. We could have used a bull like you.” He poked Matthew’s chest and Matthew’s arm had already drawn back for a punch before he realized it. He lowered his arm slowly. He wouldn’t give Mrs. Surratt, who undoubtedly listened in, any cause to send the law for him. He straightened.
O’Malley actually looked disappointed. “So big, yet so weak.” He tsked. “Such a shame.”
“This plan of yours is foolhardy, O’Malley. Give it up before you doom us all.”
O’Malley’s eyes lit with fanatical fire, and Matthew almost drew back from their intensity. It took a bit of determination to hold his ground and look down on O’Malley with cold indifference.
“What else should I expect from a deserter and a coward?” O’Malley sneered. “You don’t understand the half of it.”
Matthew snarled. “If I remember right, you were in my unit and also left in the middle of the night. I’d say that makes the both of us deserters.”
“That is where you are wrong, Daniels.” O’Malley shook his head slowly. “See, where you were sworn into the army on an oath of loyalty, I only took the part as a means to an end.”
He seemed utterly convinced that his words made sense, and Matthew could only stare at him. How had he not seen that O’Malley was completely mad? Had he been too blinded by his own agenda to care? The fact that he and O’Malley had more in common than he cared to admit turned his veins cold. He would never be able to convince the man to change his mind. It was painfully obvious that this obsession had devoured his capacity for rational thought. Only one option remained.
Matthew would just have to stop him, regardless of what he had to do to make it so.
“You are right, of course,” Matthew said, forcing an even tone. “This was never my mission, and I only used it as a means to get what I wanted.”
Something that looked close to respect crossed O’Malley’s face, so Matthew kept going. “I never had the fortitude or the cunning wit to see such a feat accomplished.”
He cast a quick look at Harry, and the man stared at him with utter confusion. Matthew looked back at O’Malley, stoking his ego. “But men like you, those are the ones called to greatness, to glory.”
O’Malley beamed, and reached up to slap Matthew on the shoulder. “I knew you would come to see it! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that thick skull of yours can’t see the right of things!”
Matthew faked a smile. If O’Malley guessed it wasn’t genuine, he gave no indication. Matthew watched him carefully, a plan coming to mind as he mentally evaluated how to deceive O’Malley.
He’s delusional, Matthew thought, watching the man puff his chest with a fool’s pride. A tiny taste of what he wanted to hear, and O’Malley became like clay. Easy to mold.
“I admit,” Matthew said, lacing his tone with just the right amount of contrition. “When I saw Harry here after me, I just…lost my temper.” He shrugged. “Happens that way.”
“Of course, of course,” O’Malley cooed. “Big brute like you is bound to have some fire in him. But, no harm done.”
Harry clenched his jaw and defiance lit his eyes. Matthew gave him a meaningful look, hoping he would understand the game. Harry’s brows only gathered in confusion. Before O’Malley could take notice, Matthew grabbed O’Malley’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze, turning him slightly away so that he couldn’t as easily see Harry.
“Sure admire a fellow with that kind of courage,” Matthew said, laying it on as thick as he dared. “Surely they will print your name in all the papers and the entire South will shout your name once you carry the lout off!”
O’Malley’s eyes glazed. “Oh, and more. I will go down in history’s glory once I run him through!”
There. The truth. Much as he knew O’Malley was capable of it, and he’d no reason to doubt Harry told the truth on the matter, he’d held out hope that perhaps it had been an exaggeration. Matthew breathed slowly, willing his contempt to stay hidden.
O’Malley suddenly sobered, as if remembering himself. Matthew barked out an imitation laugh before he could grow suspicious. “No doubt.”
He patted O’Malley’s shoulder and then pretended to sober as well, as though a thought just occurred to him. “I’m right sorry for getting in your way and nearly making a mess of the whole thing.” He puckered his brow. “You were right, you know.”
O’Malley cocked his head. “Of course.” He paused. “But, on which account are you speaking?”
Matthew stroked his chin. “When you told me desperation would be a powerful thing.”
O’Malley nodded. “Yes, yes.”
Matthew did his best to look repentant. “I got so caught up in finding my brother, so desperate to see him, that I lost sight of the Cause, and what meant the most. I can be an ox, and was too stubborn to see what I did.” He hung his head to try to keep O’Malley from seeing the disgust in his eyes.
“Now, now. Don’t worry so, my friend.” O’Malley soothed, as though Matthew were a scolded child. “Soon all will be right. Even now, the plans are coming together, and the pieces are being set. We will have our victory by month’s end!”
“That is well. Carry on for us all, O’Malley, and see the tyrant felled.”
O’Malley’s eyes danced. “There can still be a part for you, now that you’ve seen the error of your ways.”
Matthew shook his head, looking forlorn. “I can’t take the chance that my bumbling might ruin things. How about I just keep an eye on this half-wit for you?” he gestured to Harry, who still stood near the corner of the room, hands clenched tightly at his sides. The smallest hint of understanding dawned, and Matthew gave a tiny shake of his head, hoping Harry caught it.
O’Malley opened his mouth, and the anger sparking in his eyes told Matthew he would soon protest.
Matthew pounded a fist into his hand and O’Malley’s gaze flicked back to him. “Might not be as quick with my wits like you, and get in the way too much to be any good,” he said, keeping his eyes on Harry. “I’ve already proven I can’t be of any use in the real plans. But, I am pretty good at keeping a mouth shut that would tell tales and giving reprimand when it’s needed.” He pounded his fist again for emphasis.
Harry paled with fear and O’Malley laughed. “Look at him! He’s near on wetting himself. I knew you would be useful!” He smacked Matthew on the shoulder. “And look, you’ve even come back to me, ready to heel and do what you need to get back in my graces. It is fate, I tell you, and she is again on my side.”
The words seared Matthew’s nerves like the brander’s fire and his nostrils flared. He ducked his head in order to obscure the truth he knew he could not hide in his eyes.
“That’s the right of it,” Matthew said. “If you’ll forgive my rash temper, I’ll be of good use now, you’ll see.” He took a few long breaths to regain his control before meeting O’Malley’s eyes.
The man looked positively feverish with his own pride. “You will of course overlook my sending this dullard to track you. I never expected that he could actually do you any harm. Just wanted to keep connection, you see.”
Matthew kept his face blank. “Of course. Who could blame you there? I was so fired up on my desperation that who knows what I might have done? You were right to keep eyes on me. Good thing, too, since coming back here has made me see the error in my ways.”
O’Malley clapped his hands like a child who’d been given a sweet. “Delightful. Let’s see it then. Give the half-wit his due.”
Matthew turned his back toward O’Malley and puffed his chest out, stalking toward Harry. The man’s face went completely pale. Matthew took another step, being sure his frame blocked Harry from O’Malley’s view.
Then he winked.
Harry’s eyes widened. Matthew paused, as if suddenly remembering something. He looked
over his shoulder at O’Malley. “I’m not the bright one here, but don’t you think if I splatter his face, it will get blood all over Mrs. Surratt’s nice rugs?”
O’Malley looked disappointed, but waved his hand. “Yes, of course. I was just about to say such myself.”
Of course you were.
“Come, let’s go out back.”
Matthew nodded. “That’s the better of it.” He snatched Harry up by the arm and the spindly man yelped. They moved out of the parlor and into the main entry, and Matthew paused again. O’Malley looked over his shoulder. “Well? Come on then.”
Matthew shifted his weight and glanced up the stairs. “Sure hate to draw the law here to you and this fine house. Maybe I ought to take him down to some side alley. If they catch me, at least I won’t have jeopardized anyone important.”
O’Malley narrowed his eyes, calculating.
Matthew feared he might have gone too far. “Please,” Matthew pleaded. “I don’t want to hinder anything again. This must happen, and soon, if our cause is to be set right again.”
O’Malley considered and Matthew’s pulse pounded.
Finally, O’Malley relented. “Very well.” He gave Matthew a placating smile. “Look, with your head clear you are already beginning to think with more wit!”
Matthew nodded. “Truly.”
O’Malley dismissed them with an arrogant wave. “Be gone with you, then. I have business I need to see to.”
Matthew tugged Harry toward the door, and he had either enough sense, or maybe just blind fear, to struggle against him. Either way, it made the ruse more believable. Harry was no match for Matthew’s strength, however, and Matthew hauled him to the door.
“Daniels!” O’Malley barked.
Matthew swiveled his head. “Yes?”
“See that it’s done well, so that even a dullard will remember.”
The Liberator Series Box Set: Christian Historical Civil War Novels Page 53
