General’s head burned with rage, as if steam might burst from his ears. He yanked open the nightstand drawer—empty. Frustration mounting, he stomped hard on the ground as he headed for the door. But before he could leave, his foot plunged between two weak floorboards. He let out a low groan, steadying himself as he stood. Tugging his boot free, he glanced down. Something had been dislodged.
An envelope.
He snatched it, growling softly as his eyes landed on the return address—Charlotte. If he wasn’t mistaken, that was where Josephine’s withering aunt lived. General tore open the envelope, his fingers trembling with anticipation. Inside, the letter unfolded, revealing neat, deliberate handwriting. He began reading, his eyes narrowing as he took in the words.
Dear Mammy,
If you are reading this, I want to inform you that my Josephine is safe.
Sincerely,
Tatiana Callahan
General crushed the letter in his hands. Mammy was a fool to think she could hide Josephine away forever. General’s anger boiled, nearly tearing the letter in two. Mammy would pay; all of them would. He never thought Josephine would be so desperate to hide out with a mentally challenged aunt. That aunt was so sloppy that she exposed Josephine.She really thought she couldprotect the wife of an honored general.General let out a low, gutted laugh.
Back during the days of war, top officials would write in code in case information fell into the wrong hands. This proved how naive and foolish the delicate sex was. They had exposed themselves to the enemy—and made it so easy. Nowhere was safe—especially with General being miraculously healed.
His thoughts were abruptly cut off by the creak of footsteps, moving cautiously across the fragile attic floorboards. A slow smile spread across General’s face.She’s right on time.
Mammy’s eyes widened, her face draining of color as she took in the sight of General standing in her room, her clothes and belongings strewn across the floor. Like always, she covered her mouth, stifling her gasps. She straightened her posture, cleared her throat, and clasped both hands in front of her. A strained smile spread across her face, but she couldn’t fool anyone. Her trembling fingers and the quick flicker of her eyes gave her away, subtle signs General had seen countless times when confronting a traitor.Always trying to look innocent. You can’t fool me no more, Mammy.
“Excuse me, suh. I heard a noise upstairs, and I came to check.”
General relished the unease that washed over her. Mammy was trapped, and there was no escape. All the proof he needed was clutched in his hand, concealed behind his back.
General smiled, creeping towards her. “Mammy, dear, I was thinking about how long it’s been since Josephine went to visit her relatives.”
General watched as Mammy’s fingernails trailed up and down her forearms as they quivered. “‘Bout eight months, suh.” Her eyes widened as General took another step forward. “But she came back from time to time when ya was asleep.”
General rubbed his chin. “She did? I didn’t hear that. You said she didn’t know about my injury.”
Mammy’s hands tightened around her forearms as she continued to shiver. “Guess I forgot, suh. Forgive me.”
General’s grin grew. He loved interrogating the poor woman, seeing her all frightened and nearly shivering out of her clothes. Perhaps that was why he took pleasure in Josephine’s occasional disobedience; it gave him an excuse to impose more rules, knowing she couldn’t possibly follow them all. Now, with Mammy before him, he had a new subject to interrogate. His veins pulsed with excitement. It had been too long since he’d been in power to torment.
“Mammy, don’t you think that’s a littletoolong?”
Mammy shook her head. “No, suh. She’s helpin’ her cousin and baby. It takes a while for new mothers to heal and get used to motherin’.”
“Aren’t you a little worried why she hasn’t sent word? You know, since I woke up,” General pressed. “You, as her mammy, should be shaking out of your skin with worry, but each time I see you, you are humming a tune with a big smile on your face. Why is that?”
Mammy paused for a moment. She looked at her shoes. “Because, suh, I trust the Missus Wellington. I know she be fine.”
As General stood just inches from Mammy, he could hear her breath quicken, each shallow gasp feeding his sense of authority. Oh, how he relished that sound. He imagined her heart pounding in her chest, beating harder and harder with every second he pressed for her answers. Maybe he’d spare her if she told the truth, but a part of him wanted this game to go further.
“Andwhydo you think that? Is it because you know she is safe . . . perhaps away from me?” Mammy’s eyes shot wide withfear as General thrust the letter into her face. “Or is it because you helped her escape?”
Tears brimmed in Mammy’s eyes as she covered her mouth in horror. She could hardly stand, her body trembling uncontrollably. “Please, suh, I meant no harm. I-I just wanted to help the Missus Wellington.”
General grabbed Mammy’s arm. “Help her how? Hmm?”
“T-To escape . . . from yuh.”
General cocked a brow. “Me? Why so?”
Mammy’s eyes flashed defiantly at him. “Because yuh’re a monster!”
General tried to calm himself and hold back his fist to continue his mind game, but it was too late. His fist met her face and Mammy crumbled to the ground. As General stepped back, the sight felt familiar. He’d hit Josephine more times than he could count, but this moment in particular reminded him of one he’d forgotten.
