by Connie Mason
Shannon stretched luxuriously, her body tired beyond belief yet feeling more content and at peace than she could ever remember. Knowing that Blade loved her and that they would soon be man and wife made up for all the heartache she’d suffered in the past. The terrible war, losing her beloved father and brother, being forced from the home she loved, were all sad memories she intended to bury. With open arms Shannon embraced the future. A wild new land, a steadfast love, and the promise of tomorrow all beckoned to her.
She spied Blade’s note immediately. His special scent still clung to the pillow as she snatched up the single sheet of paper. A dreamy smile curved her kiss-bruised lips as she read his words. He’d be back after he talked with Wade Vance and informed him of their plans to wed immediately.
Since it was Saturday, Shannon took her time bathing and dressing, reliving every delicious detail of their night together. She had thought it physically impossible for a man to love a woman so many times in so many ways, but Blade had proven just how little she knew. His stamina was amazing, she thought, giggling.
Shannon ate a leisurely breakfast, devouring every morsel; her appetite was enormous. But as morning edged toward noon, she began to fret. A nagging fear tugged at the corner of her brain, an unexplained dread that could only be rationalized in her woman’s intuition. As she paced her small parlor, anxiety rode Shannon, and some sixth sense told her Blade needed her. She had no idea where to begin looking for him, but Major Vance’s quarters seemed like as good a place as any.
As Shannon strode across the parade ground, she noted the increased activity, more than was warranted for a Saturday morning. Alarm bells went off in her head, though she was unable to give her fear a reason.
“Shannon, have you heard the news?”
Shannon whirled to see Claire Greer hurrying toward her, bursting to tell someone her scandalous news. Shannon’s heart beat like a triphammer; she didn’t want to ask but knew she must.
“What news, Claire? What happened?”
“Major Vance was murdered in his quarters last night.”
“Oh, no!” came Shannon’s shocked reply. She was truly fond of the man and devastated to learn of his death. She could well imagine what it would do to Blade, for they had been close friends for years. No wonder he hadn’t shown up yet. She turned to leave. Blade would need her now.
“Wait. There is more,” Claire said, placing a restraining hand on Shannon’s arm.
Impatient to leave, Shannon slanted an inquiring look at Claire. “Well, what is it? Have they arrested the killer?”
“Yes, and you’ll never be able to guess who it is.”
“Claire, I don’t have time for guessing games.”
“The half-breed was arrested early this morning and charged with Major Vance’s murder.”
A look of absolute horror crossed Shannon’s features. Claire smirked in smug satisfaction.
“Blade? Impossible!” Shannon denied vehemently. “Blade wouldn’t kill anyone, especially Major Vance. They were close friends.”
“Friends?” Claire repeated, openly skeptical. “They hardly knew one another. Blade kept mostly to himself. No one knows him well enough to say whether or not he is capable of murder. He’s part savage, for heaven’s sake!” Claire emphasized, as if that explained everything.
“I don’t have time to stand here arguing with you, I’ve got to go to Blade,” Shannon called over her shoulder as she sped off. She went directly to the guardhouse, demanding to see Blade.
“I’m sorry, Miss Branigan, the prisoner isn’t allowed visitors,” the sargeant in charge informed her.
“But I must see Blade. He’s innocent!” Shannon persisted doggedly.
“You’ll have to get permission from Colonel Greer.”
Turning on her heel, Shannon hurried away to find Colonel Greer. Fortunately she located him in his office.
“Colonel Greer!” she cried, bursting into the room. “It’s not true! Blade didn’t kill Major Vance. He’s innocent!”
“This is none of your concern, Shannon,” Greer said sternly. “I know you harbor a certain fondness for the breed—after all he did rescue you from Mad Wolf—but none of us really knew him before he joined your wagon train as scout. He appeared out of nowhere. Doesn’t that seem strange to you?”
Shannon was on the verge of blurting out all she knew about Blade—his investigation, his connection to Major Vance, and that he couldn’t have killed the man because he was with her—but at the last moment she thought better of it. If Blade wanted Colonel Greer to know, he would have told him by now. Why hadn’t he? she wondered. Didn’t he realize the seriousness of the situation?
“Can I see Blade, Colonel?” Shannon asked hopefully.
“It would serve no purpose,” Greer replied absently as he began sorting through papers on his desk. His gesture was meant to signal the end of the interview. “If you will excuse me, I have reports to see to.”
“Please, Colonel Greer,” Shannon begged, refusing to budge, “at least tell me why you think Blade killed Major Vance?”
“You certainly are persistent,” Greer sighed wearily. He’d had a hectic morning, ever since Major Vance’s body was found in a pool of congealing blood and his quarters literally torn apart.
“If I’m insistent, it’s because I know Blade is innocent.”
Greer regarded Shannon keenly, started to say something, then changed his mind, saying instead, “The evidence is irrefutable. Blade’s knife was found imbedded in Wade Vance’s back. You know the one I’m talking about, it has a carved bone handle and is quite impressive. He wore it in a scabbard hooked to his belt and seemed quite fond of it. And if that isn’t enough, Major Vance’s money belt was found in Blade’s room.”
Shannon was stunned. She knew exactly which knife the Colonel referred to, Blade was rarely seen without it. But strangely, she couldn’t recall him wearing it last night. In fact, she was certain he wasn’t. “I’m sure there is an explanation,” she offered lamely.
Blade was with her the entire night. He couldn’t have killed anyone. She would have shouted it to the world, but she needed to speak with Blade first. She didn’t want to do anything to hurt him.
“If there is, Blade didn’t offer one,” Greer muttered, growing impatient. “I’m sorry, Shannon, you’ll simply have to leave now. I’m much to busy to continue this conversation.”
“I won’t leave until you give me permission to see Blade,” Shannon insisted stubbornly. “What harm can it do?”
Colonel Greer frowned, annoyed. Apparently, the only way he was going to get rid of Shannon was by granting her request. Didn’t she know it wasn’t going to change a thing? Blade was guilty of murder and would pay with his life. Taking out a sheet of paper, he scribbled a few words and handed it to Shannon. “Show this to the guard. It’s a visitor’s pass. You’ll be allowed to see Blade for a few moments.”
“Thank you, Colonel. This means a lot to me.” She turned to leave.
“Shannon, wait. Just how involved are you with the half-breed?”
Shannon knew this was no time for confessions or admissions. “Blade is—my friend. I want to help him.” She whirled and hurried off, the visitor’s pass clutched tightly in her fist.
Once the guard, Sargeant Tyler, was shown the pass, Shannon had no difficulty gaining entrance to the guardhouse. She smiled at the smitten sargeant so engagingly that he even agreed to allow her a few moments of privacy, though he couldn’t imagine why Shannon was so concerned about a half-breed. True, most of the soldiers liked and respected the man, but obviously he had kept his true nature hidden.
“Be careful, Miss Branigan,” Sargeant Tyler warned. “The man is a killer.”
Disdaining to give an answer, Shannon walked through the door into the dim corridor that led to the cells. There were three tiny cubicles, only one of them occupied. Blade lay on a bare mattress atop a narrow bunk, his long legs hanging over the end. There was nothing else in the small cell except a bucket
placed discreetly in a corner, a table on which sat a pitcher and tin cup, and a three-legged stool. Shannon couldn’t bear to think of Blade in such dismal surroundings. She approached the bars, her steps nearly soundless, but Blade heard her and sprang to his feet instantly.
“Damnation, Shannon, what are you doing here?”
“It isn’t true, Blade! Why don’t you tell them you were with me last night? Isn’t it time Colonel Greer was informed about your investigation and friendship with Major Vance?”
“Do you think I would ever say anything to hurt you? No one must ever know I was with you last night.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Blade. All that matters is that you are cleared of murder charges. Can’t you tell them Major Vance was your friend? That you were working together by order of the president?”
“With Wade dead there is no one to testify in my defense. It doesn’t seem possible that—that he’s gone. I knew our man was clever, but when he killed Wade he went too far.”
“Tell Colonel Greer about the investigation,” Shannon urged. “There must be someone willing to speak up for you.”
“Only three people knew,” Blade said tightly. “Me, Wade, and President Johnson.”
“Then wire the President if that’s what it takes!”
“You don’t understand. I’m on my own in this. President Johnson warned that he’d be unable to help if I got myself into a bind. He’s in enough trouble with congress for concentrating too much effort on the Western frontier and not enough on the reconstruction of the South. They are upset that he granted an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion that resulted in the war. The latest news is that congress is charging him with violating the Tenure of Office Act and have begun impreachment proceedings. My problems are insignificent compared to his.”
“Not to me,” Shannon whispered shakily. “Tell Colonel Greer, let him decide.”
“They have strong evidence against me.” Blade seemed in shock over Major Vance’s death and Shannon thought his reasoning seriously flawed. It wasn’t like him to give up so easily. “My knife was found embedded in Wade’s back.”
“I know, Colonel Greer told me. How could such a thing happen?”
“I noticed my knife missing a few days ago but assumed it was lost.”
“Someone planned this very carefully,” Shannon mused thoughtfully. “Do you have any idea who did it?”
“No, except—never mind, there is no proof to confirm my suspicions. You’d better go, love, it’s senseless to become involved with me now. There will be a speedy trial and—well, no sense speculating.”
Blade didn’t need to elaborate. Shannon knew exactly what he meant, and she didn’t intend to let it happen. “If you don’t tell the Colonel you were with me last night, I will. There is no way you could have killed Major Vance while you were making love to me.”
“I’ll deny it,” Blade said grimly. “I’ll say you’re merely lying to save my life. Do you think I’d knowingly allow you to ruin your reputation?”
“Blade, please …”
“I won’t hear of it.”
“Time is up, Miss Branigan.”
Sargeant Tyler stood at the end of the hallway as he called his warning, then discreetly withdrew, allowing Shannon a few moments to say good-bye.
“Kiss me good-bye, Little Firebird. I’m sorry about—everything. I never intended for it to end like this.”
“It won’t,” Shannon vowed stubbornly. “I love you. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
Straining against the bars, she lifted her lips as Blade’s mouth descended to meet hers. His kiss was slow and sweet and gentle, filled with longing and remorse. He acted like a man already condemned. Evidently he hadn’t counted on Shannon’s strength and daring, for she had no intention of letting him die.
During the next two days, Shannon tried to see Colonel Greer and was turned away every time. She was deliberately being barred from the colonel’s office and resented the fact that he was avoiding her. With Blade’s trial set to take place soon, she needed to act swiftly. Shannon tried calling on the colonel at his house, but even that didn’t work. Molly Greer stood staunchly by her husband’s side on this issue, advising Shannon to leave this nasty business to the army.
In all the confusion, Shannon forgot about the spring dance until Nigel Bruce reminded her. How could she dance when Blade was languishing behind bars, in danger of losing his life? She thought to refuse Nigel but quickly changed her mind. It occurred to her that the dance offered a perfect opportunity to find a few minutes alone with Colonel Greer. Nigel was thrilled when Shannon told him she hadn’t forgotten and was in fact looking forward to attending the dance with him.
Shannon waited anxiously for the day of the dance to arrive. She couldn’t wait to tell Colonel Greer the truth and watch his face when he learned just how wrong he was about Blade. She didn’t care what Blade said, she couldn’t stand by and say nothing in his defense.
Dressed in her best gown of shimmering green satin, Shannon had never looked lovelier. She had managed to save it throughout the war and bring it with her The puff sleeves stopped just above the elbow and her waist appeared miniscule compared to the bouffant skirt that swirled around her green dancing slippers and trim silk-clad ankles. Her rich chestnut hair crowned her head like a halo, a perfect frame for her splendid features. Nigel was stunned by her beauty and said so.
It was such a pleasant May evening that Shannon needed only a light wrap as they walked the short distance to the clubhouse. Shannon did not lack for dance partners during the evening, though it rankled to know that of all the men present, only Colonel Greer seemed to avoid her.
It was nearly eleven o’clock when the opportunity to confront Colonel Greer presented itself. Shannon observed him slipping out a side door to enjoy a cigar. She promptly sent Nigel after punch, and the moment he disappeared into the crush of people she hurried off after the colonel. She found him standing alone, blowing smoke into the scented May night.
“Colonel Greer, may I have a word with you?” Her voice was soft and pleading.
“Shannon!” An annoyed frown furrowed the colonel’s brow. He had spent considerable time this evening avoiding Shannon and he’d nearly succeeded, until the urge for a smoke drove him outside. He was none too pleased to find himself at Shannon’s mercy after all. “This is neither the time nor place to discuss anything of a serious nature.” If his words were meant to discourage, they failed miserably.
“There is no proper time or place when a man’s life is at stake,” Shannon returned quietly.
“My dear,” Colonel Greer said placatingly, “why have you appointed yourself Blade’s defender?”
“Because Blade is innocent. Bringing him to trial is a travesty of justice. And I intend to tell you why.”
“Must you? The dance—see me Monday.”
“Please, Colonel, hear me out.”
A frustrated sigh hissed through Greer’s teeth. “Very well, Shannon, just make it brief. Molly will have my hide if I desert her too long.”
“Has Blade said anything in his defense?”
“He’ll have the opportunity at his trial next week.”
“Then it’s up to me,” Shannon mumbled, half to herself. “Blade is a special investigator for the president. He and Major Vance were working together on a case.”
At first Greer looked incredulous, then he threw back his head and laughed. “My dear, how do you come up with such outlandish stories? Don’t you think I’d know if that were true? In the first place, it’s highly unlikely that you would be privy to such confidential information and I would not.”
“I learned by accident and was sworn to secrecy,” Shannon explained. “They were investigating a man suspected of smuggling guns to the Indians. Only recently, they learned that two men were involved instead of just one. Clive Bailey is dead and couldn’t name his partner, but if you find him you’ll find Major Vance’s killer.”
“Clive Bailey was a scoundrel,” Greer concurred thoughtfully. “Taking you against your will was a despicable act, but there is absolutely no proof that he was involved in gun smuggling. I’m afraid this whole thing is but a figment of your imagination and too far-fetched for belief. Now I’m going to ask you a question. Are you in love with Blade?”
Shannon flushed. “Yes, I love Blade,” she admitted, her chin tilted at a stubborn angle. “I’m not ashamed to admit it.”
“Ahhh, that explains this compulsive need to defend him,” Greer said astutely. “I fear you’ve picked the wrong man to love, my dear.”
“Blade was with me that night—all night—and couldn’t have killed Major Vance!” Shannon blurted out.
Greer blanched, properly scandalized by Shannon’s baldfaced statement. “I’ll forget you said that, Shannon. I realize you are distraught and apt to say things you don’t mean.”
“Everything I just said is the truth.”
“You actually believe what you told me about Blade and Vance being special investigators, don’t you?”
“I’d swear to it on the graves of my father and brother.”
“Hmmm, very well, if you feel that strongly about it I’ll wire Washington, but meanwhile Blade’s trial will proceed as scheduled. If Washington confirms what you’ve just told me he will be freed. But—truthfully, I don’t put much faith in it.”
“All I ask is that you make an effort to learn the truth,” Shannon responded. “Will you notify me when you receive a reply?”
“You’ll be the first to know if I receive a reply,” Greer stressed doubtfully.
“Here you are, Shannon, I’ve been looking for you.”
Nigel appeared at Shannon’s side holding two cups of punch. “I had the devil’s own time getting these in the crush of people around the refreshment table.”
“I—it was stifling inside. I needed air,” Shannon offered lamely. “Evidently Colonel Greer was of a same mind.”
Nigel greeted Greer in a friendly manner, then said to Shannon, “Shall we go inside?”
“Would you mind if we left, Nigel? I’ve suddenly developed a headache.”
