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"Red Cross? Do you have the papers to prove it? Miss Barton and Captain Sally are friendly, you know They have more in common than in difference, never mind the lines I didn’t hear word that she’d sent anyone … and I wonder why she didn’t co to reach her for weeks"

"Of course I have papers," she said, and handed theood

The man at the top of the stairs perused the Finally he said, "Fine I’ll take you to seeher up, Richard"

Richard took the hint, bowed, and left Maria there

"Your … your sister?" she asked her new escort

"Sister-in-law, if you like that better" He put one ar her forward "And I hope you don’twith you, to have whatever word it is you want"

"There have been threats?" Maria surress?"

He didn’t answer, but he didn’t need to When she glanced at his chest, she saw the large six-shooter he kept tucked in a holster--it peeked out from the underside of his jacket, and she had an idea that he probably had aweapon under the other arm, too

"This way," was all he said He knocked on a closed door It was a calculated knock, two strikes with a pause, and then a third

A muffled voice called frohtened one

"There’s a woh the door "Her papers look good, but it’s not Miss Barton Shall I bring her in?"

Ten seconds later, a bolt slid back and the office door opened wide to reveal a slim, smallish woman with tidy, sensible hair and a crisp brown dress Her eyes were large and intelligent, and they scanned Maria coolly, with interest, and then … with recognition

Maria sed "Captain Sally," she began, but the captain cut her off

"Ada Maria "Thank you for bringing this woman to my office I know you intend to stay for the sake of security … but I think we can have this particular chat without you"

"You and I agreed," he said fir you alone with anyone who’s not on the list"

"I’ her to the list I know her business here, and everything will be fine But I thank you for your vigilance, and I would ask that you reht"

He bobbed his head, still not pleased, but prepared to defer He withdrew, and Sally stepped aside to let Maria join her "Please, coone, she added, "Belle"

Maria held her head up and did not cringe as she entered the office and the other woman closed the door

"Won’t you have a seat?"

Maria did She resisted the urge to pat at her tousled hair--not because she cared, but because she wasn’t sure what to do with her hands Instead, she put the the time to speak with me," she tried as an opener When in doubt, lead with manners

Sally Louisa Tompkins shook her head She said, "Skip the formalities, dear I knoho you are, and I want to knohat you really want"

"That’s an abrupt way to begin a conversation"

"I could’ve begun it with a lie, as you began your visit Richard and Adaood men, but easily distracted, in their way They expect a different kind of treachery froainst the worst of it"

"Very well, but if you value a wohly, then why did you let h that she wouldn’t release "As I said, I knoho you are Or I knoho you were"

Maria wanted to ask what she meant by that, but it wasn’t necessary, much as it annoyed her "I’m not here as a Yankee Not as a Confederate I’, in pursuit of the truth"