Historical Fiction Finalist:The 2016 Awards from AwardsForStories.
In 1863 on the tiny island of Key West, Yankee spy Aaron Matthews must find and eliminate a deadly Rebel saboteur whom he fears just may be the woman he loves.
[ILLUSTRATION: Ships loading at Tift's Wharf, Key West. These days, the spot is called Mallory Square.]
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
The last lines of Chapter 15 are reprinted here, to bring you up to date on our story.
~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~
The Yankee commanding officer came out of the crowd on deck to face Aaron. He looked carefully at Aaron's blackened, mangled jacket. "Looks like you've been putting out fires in that jacket," the officer said. "I believe I owe you a great debt."
Aaron smiled wryly. "You want to thank me? Drop anchor right now and send these people home."
"I'm truly sorry," said the officer, seeming sincere. "That I can not do."
"Then add me to your list," said Aaron.
"I have no authority—" the officer began.
Aaron interrupted, "My brother is in the Confederate Army, my family is well known in Charleston for its Southern sympathies, and I ... have been known to consort with Rebel spies ... once, at least. If anyone deserves exile, it's me." It seemed to have slipped his mind that, as an officer in the Union Army, he could be shot for desertion if he left the island.
Captain Thibodeaux moved quietly behind Aaron while he spoke. Lazily, Thibodeaux leaned against the mast a few feet from Aaron's back.
The Yankee commanding officer argued, "I think I can appreciate your position, but my orders are clear. I must ask you to leave—"
"I'm not leaving this ship!"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Thibodeaux removed a belaying pin from the rack at the base of the mast and stepped closer to Aaron.
The commanding officer told Aaron, "I will not miss the tide, sir. This ship is leaving immediately—and without you!"
"Over my dead bod—"
Thibodeaux whacked Aaron from behind with the belaying pin then handed it to the officer and caught Aaron as he crumpled to the deck.
~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~
AND NOW, THE FINAL CHAPTER OF MUDSILLS & MOONCUSSERS.
~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~
The Yankee commanding officer moved to the ship's rail and shouted to Pfifer, whose patrol was standing on the wharf. "Sergeant! Some assistance, please!"
Pfifer motioned to two men to follow him, and the three rushed up the gangway onto the ship. There they collected the unconscious, soot-stained man and carried him back to the wharf.
