Page 118 of After 5
“Like the two men earlier?” I wanted him to peg me as a nosy doctor. “Seemed like Yankee spies to me.”
“They’re Yankees all right. Make their living stealing things that don’t belong to them and controlling people.”
“Like the key everyone’s looking for?”
Brodie gave an uncommitted grunt.
“That key must open something valuable.”
“The criminals think it opens an ancient treasure.”
“What do you think?”
“I think ya ask too many questions.”
“If it’s valuable, I can help you find it.”
“Thanks, Doc, but I have a feelin’ you’re going to be in high demand in a few hours.”
I agreed and kicked up the pace on my mount. Brodie followed suit. I had to hurry—in less than an hour these men would be lined up and marched forward.
As we entered Lee’s camp, things seemed to be disorganized. A group gathered around his tent. I dismounted and explained to Brodie I needed to check on the general.
“There’s the doctor,” one of the men hollered and pointed a thick finger my direction.
“I demand to see the general!” A bulbous nosed, bearded man shouted into my face.
I gave him the hand, and he halted, flustered by my abrupt motion.
“I’ll see him before the likes of any of you. If he’s free of germs, then you can be permitted a short audience.”
The crowd bucked and hissed. Brodie helped me push my way through the throng of men.
He was unsure about the germs, and took precautions by standing guard, arms across his chest, daring one of Lee’s staff to breach his position.
Thankful Gertie wasn’t outside and Brodie didn’t want to come inside, I ducked under the flap.
My gaze swept across the room. Marco sat with a blanket over his head and a gun across his lap, and Gertie stood at a table stirring a foul-smelling substance in a chamber pot.
She startled when I entered the tent.
“Where in the hell have you been?” Marco peered from under the blanket. His blue eyes flooded with relief, but his words singed me like a branding iron.
I placed a finger to my lips and spoke in a soft tone.
“Good to see you too. How are you feeling?”
“I’m peachy keen, what do you think?”
“He’s grouchy. Did you find the Victory key or the seer?” Gertie whispered to me.
“Victory is the seer. Caiyan is with her. She’s pregnant.”
Gertie’s eyes went wide. I turned toward Marco. “Caiyan seems to know her quite well. Do you know of her?”
Marco shook his head, and I had to assume he didn’t, or the clue on the sword would have been obvious to him. There was no way he’d protect a secret of Caiyan’s, especially if it involved a woman.
“If Caiyan is rogue, it’s during the time I wasn’t working for the WTF.”
