Rhineland Inheritance by T. Davis Bunn Read Free Book Online Page A

about that?”
    â€œWell, I couldn’t tell you for sure, but my guess is that by now they’re discussing it at the White House. Sure as little green apples it’s festering in the brain of every one of my men.”
    â€œIt was just one cross,” Jake objected.
    â€œThis time,” Major Hobbs observed. “Goodness only knows what might pop up next time, am I right?”
    â€œI suppose so,” Jake said glumly.
    â€œWell, don’t you worry, Captain. I’ll make it perfectly clear that the first soldier of mine who turns trigger happy with the scent of treasure goes home in handcuffs.”
    ----
    â€œHello, soldier.” Sally Anders seemed neither pleased nor displeased to see him. “What brings you here?”
    Turning his cap over in his hands, Jake entered her small cubbyhole. That she merited a private office was the clearest possible indication of her prestige. Her desk was piled high with forms, official-looking documents, and buff-colored envelopes marked Priority. “I don’t know whether to say thank you or I’m sorry.”
    â€œWhy, soldier, are you feeling guilty about something?”
    â€œYou saved our lives back there,” Jake said. “And for that I’m grateful.”
    â€œI don’t know about your lives,” Sally replied. “But I did save you from a beating.”
    â€œThose goons wouldn’t have stopped until we were a couple of bloody pulps.”
    She made round eyes. “Those nice men? Do you really think so?”
    â€œThis is hard enough, Miss Anders. Could you maybe hold the jokes until I’m through?”
    â€œSorry.” She folded her hands over the papers nearest her. “Proceed, soldier.”
    He took a breath. “I’m not saying I agree with what you said out there on the street. But I want to tell you how sorry I am that I—”
    â€œNeither did the colonel,” Sally interrupted. “Agree, I mean. He got the story out of me in the end, you know. I never was able to stand up to him in a fight. He was pretty angry that I hadn’t let him kick the colonel and his men from here to Cincinnati. But he did call Connors this morning and give him a good roasting. He told the colonel the only thing which saved him was that I refused to testify againsthis boys so long as you two remained intact. I think you should be safe.”
    Jake remained silent, his eyes on his hat.
    â€œOh, I’m sorry. I interrupted your groveling,” Sally said, all mock sympathy. “Do go on, Captain.”
    â€œYou’re going to make this as tough as you can, aren’t you.”
    â€œNo reason not to. You’re too big to turn across my knee, and a piece of my mind won’t help things a bit. Might as well make you squirm.”
    Burnes started for the door.
    â€œJake!”
    Reluctantly he turned back. Sally said quietly, “You really shouldn’t give in so easily, soldier.”
    It was Jake’s turn to show surprise. “Ma’am, if you think I’m giving in, you’ve got another thing coming. This is what we combat soldiers call a strategic withdrawal.”
    Sally inspected him for a long moment, then came to some internal decision of her own. “Have you got your jeep?”
    â€œRight outside. Why?”
    She rose from her chair. “Take me into town, will you? There’s something I’d like you to see.”
    â€œSure.”
    She pointed to a group of burlap sacks piled in one corner. “Give me a hand with those.”
    Jake walked over and hefted one. “What’s in them?”
    â€œContraband, soldier. Don’t ask so many questions.”
    ----
    They made the trip in silence, Jake because he was too wary of being shot down again, and Sally because she seemed to prefer her own company. Directions were passed on with the minimum of words or a simple hand movement.
    Their route took them down what had once undoubtedly