The Spy in New York

A Night in Boston

The winter of 1776, Washington's army has retreated into Philadelphia after countless bombardment by the British and Hessian forces.

"Mon General Washington,

I thank you for the place I have been given in your army and am astounded as to what your colonies have to offer. Colonel Hamilton, or Alexander as he urges me to address him, insisted on having a "night out", as you call it, in Boston. Not wanting to be rude to your aide-de-camp, I obliged to join Alexander, hoping this does not inconvenience you. I am more than positive that Alexander will enjoy himself past his limitations on alcohol this evening, and I wish not to see him injured this evening. It appears that I must be going, for I do not wish to keep Alexander waiting. Knowing that if you come looking for me, you will surely come upon this in my tent. Feel free to join us in Boston if you are given the chance.

Ever faithful, Ton Ami,

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette"

Washington grimaced as he finished reading Lafayette's note. "William would you get Blueskin from the stables?" Washington called to his slave who was standing outside. "Yes sir" Billy said before heading to the stables. Washington slowly looked around Lafayette's tent. It is surprisingly neat, a trunk sits at the foot of Lafayette's cot, and on top of his trunk sat Lafayette's wig and uniform signifying that Lafayette would be wearing his brown waistcoat and commoners clothing. Washington took the reigns from William as he exited Lafayette's tent and mounted Blueskin. "Godspeed Sir" Billy said saluting Washington. Kicking Blueskin's sides, Washington set off for Boston.

*Boston*

The streets are fairly vacant because of the frigid, and frosty weather. Small snowflakes are slowly falling from the grey evening sky. "Come on Laffy, or I'm gonna leave your ass out here in the cold" Alexander called to the slightly overwhelmed Frenchman. Lafayette hurried to catch up to Alexander, "Where exactly are we going" Lafayette asked sheepishly. "Wall Laffy, we are going to the Thirteen Stars Tavern" Alexander exclaimed while clapping Lafayette over the shoulder, and sending the lean Frenchman stumbling forward. "Why must everyone here shorten my name, does Lafayette not suffice?" Lafayette thought as they continued through the city. "Here it is" Alexander exclaimed in awe and joy as they approached an old smaller tavern around four and a half blocks from the harbor. Alexander pulled Lafayette through the tavern door and into a dimly lit medium-sized room full of people conversing and drinking. Alexander made his way over to the bar and placed himself on a stool and ordered drinks for himself and Lafayette.

*Around 45 Minutes Later*

Alexander is well into his fourth drink, but Lafayette has barely touched his first. Suddenly there is a loud band and some commotion outside the tavern as seven redcoats burst through the tavern door. Everyone has dropped to the ground as the leader of these redcoats grabs the tavern owner and shoots him. Dropping the limp body to the floor, the redcoat grabs the dead mans wife. "Let the madam go! You imbecile" Lafayette yelled as he shot up from the floor. Alexander looked up at Lafayette worriedly as the redcoat shoved the woman aside "Look what we have here boys... a scummy little Frenchman" the redcoat said threateningly. The rest of the redcoats laughed. One of them grabbed Lafayette, pinning Lafayette's arms behind his back. The leader of the redcoats kneed Lafayette in the stomach repeatedly before hitting him across the face. "Who's the imbecile now... take him in the alley" the redcoat leader said motioning toward the taverns side door. "Leave him be-" Alexander was cut off by two of the redcoats as they began their assault on him. The soldiers shoved Lafayette out the side door onto the uneven cobblestones. Lafayette winced as the four redcoats, including the leader beat him as they pushed him around before knocking him unconscious.

*Just Outside of the City*

Washington has tied Blueskin up at an inn just outside of Boston before heading into the city on foot. Washington is dressed in commoners clothing, a deep navy, almost black, coat over his white/cream colored undershirt, vest, and pants. He wore his black riding boots, large black cloak, and a black tricorne hat. Washington walked into a small square. A whisper seemed to follow him. He blended in with the crowd in every way except for the fact that Washington was much taller than just about everyone there. A man nodded slightly as he approached Washington to signal he was an informant. "Evening sir..." The informant spoke politely as he gave Washington directions to the tavern where Hamilton and Lafayette were. "Thank you..." Washington said shaking the informants hand while at the same time passing the man sixpence. Washington walked briskly down the streets and back alley to get ton the tavern. As he approached Washington saw the soldier standing just outside of the door. "State your business" the redcoat drawled uninterestedly as Washington approached. "I've heard that this is a pretty good place to procure drinks" Washington said politely. "Sorry but the owners are on a rather permanent leave" the redcoat stated. Washington swiftly punched the redcoat in the stomach before knocking him out. As he entered Washington could see Alexander locked in a fist fight with two redcoats and began beckoning for the frightened patrons to leave. Once the tavern was vacant, Washington pulled one of the redcoats off Alexander and knocked him unconscious, sustaining a hard blow to the stomach. "Ugh... I'm getting too old for this..." Washington said dryly as Alexander finished off the other redcoat. "But you aren't even fifty" Alexander said looking up at Washington. Surveying the room Washington asked, "Where is Lafayette". "After identifying him as French, four other redcoats dragged him off through the side door there. Washington walked over to the side door surveying the specks of blood on the cobblestone and clenching his fist. Following a trail of Lafayette's blood Washington asked, "Doesn't this lead to Boston Harbor?". "Yes..." Alexander replied, and they exchanged worried looks before breaking into a full-on sprint toward the harbor. As the harbor came into view Washington could see four redcoats dragging Lafayette, who now has his hands and feet tied up, up to the water before tossing him in. Lafayette let out a piercing scream that was cut short as he hit the water. Another Redcoat came sprinting up to the men who just tossed Lafayette into the harbor and said something neither Washington or Alexander could make out before dropping their black cloak, sword, and pistol onto the ground before diving into the harbor. Just after the mysterious redcoat had jumped into the harbor Washington and Hamilton had made it to the waters edge. The four other redcoats were in a panic. Two of them had run down the nearby dock, and the other two stood right at the waters edge. The minute it took for the redcoat to resurface with an unconscious Lafayette seemed like hours. As they resurfaced the redcoat swam over to the dock and passed Lafayettes body up to the two other redcoats gathered on the dock before pulling themselves up onto the deck. Washington now identified that this redcoat was a woman. She hurried over to the unconscious Lafayette and proceeded to resuscitate him. After she did so Lafayette passed out, and she, still sopping wet, turned to the four soldiers. "What the hell did you arrogant idiots think you were doing!" She said her accent English with German and slight French undertones. The soldiers looked guiltily away. "Look at me!" She yelled, and the men's eyes snapped back to her. Washington who was surveying her uniform identified that she was a high ranking general. The leader of the four soldiers stepped slightly forward saying "He's a Frenchman general". "And that means you can just throw him in the harbor?! I expect all of you to be at the garrison tomorrow morning at seven o'clock sharp, and for every second you are late the consequences you face will be worsened" she said eyeing all of them angrily with her piercing green eyes. She dismissed the soldiers and turned to Lafayette's unconscious body and lifted him up even though she was significantly smaller than him. She walked over to her belonging and placed Lafayette down wrapping him in her cloak even though he was still soaked. "I'm sorry for any inconvenience we have caused" Washington said approaching her and Lafayette. "It is of no inconvenience to me. I have been trying to see those soldiers punished for a while-" she stopped as she looked up and recognized Washington's face. Knowing that she had recognized him Washington said, "We can be on our way now if you will allow us". The British general looked up at him her eyes kind "I know it doesn't seem it, but I know this man is le Marquis de Lafayette, and even though I am a general in the king's army I am not here to fight for the king" she said picking up her sword and pistol. "Then why are you here?" Washington questioned as he bent down removing his cloak and wrapping it around Lafayette. "That is quite a long story General Washington, and it must be quite a long ride back to your camp. So, I offer you quarter in my residence" She said wringing out the water from her hair. "How do we know we can trust you?" Alexander chimed in and was quickly silenced by a sharp look from Washington. "Here" she said handing Washington her weapons. "Thank you... Would you allow me to carry the Marquis here?" He said accepting her offer. She nodded "The names Alexandra" She said as the headed for her home.