a scuffle and she got knocked out. It got hazy from there. No one is sure who actually took her after that,” Preston said.
“Someone took her?” David asked now horrified.
“It wasn’t the pirates,” Preston assured him. “The townspeople refuse to give me any answers. I think they know but wouldn’t tell me.
“Then the St. Charles Hotel is where I am going,” David said determined to get to the bottom of Johanna’s disappearance. “I am going to find someone to give me some answers.”
# # #
“Johanna, are you okay? Can I get you anything?”
“Mr. Beauregard, what are you doing here?” Johanna rubbed her aching head.
“I pay a lot of money to keep me posted on everything that happens in my hometown. Nothing gets by me.” He handed her a glass of water. “I am sorry you were put in this predicament. You are safe now.”
“Where am I?” Johanna just now realized she was not at the St. Charles Hotel any longer.
“Miss Johanna, welcome to the Beauregard House,” Rene smiled his most handsome, charming smile.
“I am so confused. How did I get caught up in pirate affairs?” she asked him.
“I have an idea, but we need not think about that right now. Let’s just be thankful you are safe,” said Rene with a look of concern on his face. “I have let Mrs. Jenkins know you are safe and will be my guest for the night.”
“Oh, thank you Mr. Beauregard. I appreciate your kindness,” Johanna smiled and winced from the pain in her head simultaneously. “I don’t want to be any trouble.” Johanna tried to sit up but felt nauseous and had to lie down once again.
“Nonsense, you are no trouble at all,” Rene smiled. “Let’s get you a cup of tea. We can discuss how you are going to return my kindness in the morning.”
Johanna tried to laugh at Rene’s insinuation, but she fell asleep instead.
Rene covered up his sleeping guest and leaned in and gently kissed her on the forehead. His eyes traced Johanna’s beautiful face and he smiled thinking about how lucky he was to find her and save her once again. He was enjoying his new role saving the damsel in distress. She was what he had been looking for. She was feisty and charming, and what he loved the most, she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Johanna was going to take some real finessing to fall for him. It was a challenge he was willing to take on. He blew out the lamp light before he left the room smiling to himself as he thought of his new conquest.
# # #
“Where is she? What have you done with her?” David grabbed Malcolm by the shirt and slightly lifted him up.
“I don’t know. She was supposed to meet me here last night,” Malcolm pulled himself away from David. “I got delayed and she never showed up.”
“Where is she staying? Have you tried there?” David continued to interrogate Malcolm.
“I did. They said she never showed up last night, her friend is very concerned about her safety.” Malcolm said as he straightened his overcoat that David had now let go of.
“If anything has happened to her,” David didn’t finish his sentence. He glanced at Preston. “Preston, could you go there and wait to see if she shows up.”
Preston nodded in agreement and left hastily out the St. Charles Hotel door.
“This seems to be about a lot more than just some military plans to follow her here, should you let me in on the secret?” Malcolm asked David.
David looked at Malcolm with contempt and never answered his question.
“What kind of escort are you? Why did you bring her to New Orleans? You know the Colonel would never step foot here. Unless he wants to leave the Union and that is not happening while Virginia is still part of it.” David asked.
“I only follow orders and Lee said to bring her here. What does she have in her possession that you didn’t get from her in South Carolina?” asked Malcolm.
David considered telling Malcolm hoping he would just leave her alone once he got the map from her. David knew that Malcolm wouldn’t stop especially if he could hurt David in any way.
“This telegram just arrived for you,” the hotel attendant handed it to Malcolm.
“Thanks,” he read it and then smiled at David. “I guess I will get to her first,” Malcolm tipped his hat. “Good day.”
As Malcolm left the hotel David turned to Jacob. “Jacob, follow him, I have