Chapter 55

“I must find some way of returning to Virginia to visit my home back there. I don’t even know if there is any family left to oversee it.”

“Or if it’s been confiscated.”

“No, I’ve kept an eye on that. An old acquaintance of mine from the Point has watched over the matter for me. Headquarters has denied me leave thus far, so I shall have to call upon my Point contact to intercede for me again. He’s on Sheridan’s staff, and Phil Sheridan carries weight with Grant.”

“I was sorry to hear of the loss of your brother.”

“He was a good man. A good man caught in a hopeless cause.” He paused. “As I would have been but for the counsel of Billy Strobaw. I’ll retire from the army as a major while my classmates—those who survived—wear eagles and stars. But that bothers me not a whit. I should not have liked killing my friends and relatives in useless bloodshed.”

“Will you remain the night?”

He looked suddenly exhausted. “Yes, I want you, Otter. Terribly.”