“We are in a bit of a hurry,” Sigmund said.
“Yes, Miss Hettie I was hoping to find David here.”
Helena added, “We’re trying to save some children from the quarantine.”
“I sent one of the children to fetch David. He should be here shortly he’s just across the street.”
Helena wasn’t sure where the little boy went, but he had sure enough disappeared. Before she could think of a polite way to ask where he went a man larger than Sigmund walked out of the wall. More precisely, he walked out of a secret passage hidden in the wall.
“Well you slacker lay-about what kind of mangy hound drug you off the streets and into this respectable establishment?” the broad black man wrapped Lane in a bear hug.
Lane would’ve said something, but he couldn’t breathe. Sigmund worked his way to stand next to Helena. This was taking too long for Helena’s liking, but she let the two men do their ritual bonding. The colossal man continued squeezing Lane until Helena was sure she heard to three or four bones cracking, as quickly as he picked him up, he dropped him. Lane worked feverishly trying to regain his breath.
“You’re still as strong as a bull Lieutenant, and I’m guessing just a slow,” Lane said sucking breath back into his lungs.
“And you're too weak, seems being out of the Army you’ve lost some of your edge.”
“You’re right I have, but I prefer this life to the Army life.”
“I can’t argue with you there, after my experiences in Cuba I was tired of it, no more for me. You’d think after fighting for so many years a man could earn some respect.”
“Now David we’ve guests, please behave yourself.”
“You’re right Miss Hettie, I will keep my manners about me. Lane why did you risk the plague or worse to drive into this part of town?”
“I remember you telling me about all the tunnels and sewers under the city.”
“Sure, but that was decades ago. I have no idea what’s down there now.”
“Please sir, there are some children who are trapped in the quarantine zone I’m afraid they might be in terrible danger. If you know of any way to help them out, I would appreciate it. I will pay!” Helena pleaded.
David looked at Helena then to Lane. He took Lane by the elbow and led him a few paces away from the others. “Is this your new Mistress?”
Lane nodded before answering, “Yes, Mistress Helena Brandywine.”
David took a deep breath before speaking, “If it were anyone else I’d explain how there is no way in hell I would risk the children in our neighborhood by rescuing a bunch of strangers’ children out of Chinatown. I’d tell them, I’m tired doing the white man’s dirty work, the white man can do their own killing and his own rescuing from now on. But since it’s you, and I like you, to tell the truth, I don’t know those tunnels under Chinatown. There is no way I’m going down into tunnels I don’t know, we may never find a way out.”
Lane nodded in understanding not pushing the issue, a look of disappointment on his face.
Helena couldn’t let that stand. “I thought soldiers were supposed to protect the innocent!” her voice raised more than she expected.
David’s head whipped around the chords in his neck stood out. Out of reflex, Helena grabbed the handle of her came, she anticipated needing it.
Miss Hettie warned softly, “David.”
David seemed to relax a little, but a fire of anger still burnt in his eyes. “Brandywine, I understand who you are. The general’s stepdaughter. Let me tell you about brave soldiers. I served under your stepfather for fifteen years. First killing the Indians, that only wanted to be free, then killing ranchers because they tried to protect their land, then killing Cubans who tried to protect their country. All that time I served under your stepfather. While fighting in Cuba I worked with an officer, a white officer Lieutenant Pershing, he’s an outstanding officer and a fine man. The strangest thing about Lieutenant Pershing he treated the Buffalo Soldiers with respect, he treated us the same way he treated white soldiers. You know the Battle of San Juan Hill that made Teddy Roosevelt famous? Buffalo Soldiers were the first ones up that hill. Over half of that company, my friends, died taking that mound that made Teddy Roosevelt celebrated. And you know what the white officers including your stepfather called Lieutenant John J. Pershing?”
Helena shook her head no.
“Nigger Jack, that’s what you stepfather called a man, a white man, simply because he treated the Negro with respect. So, ma’am, I don’t know you, but I do know your stepfather. I’ll tell you right now I wouldn’t piss on him if he was laying at my feet burning to death.”
“David that’s enough.”
Helena struggled to keep her tears from falling.
Hettie walked up behind her helping to guide Helena towards the back of the store before they made it out of the room, Helena turned struggling to keep from crying.
“My stepfather might be a jackass, but I’m not my stepfather. A real man would know who the enemy is,” she turned to compose herself with Miss Hettie.
Sigmund followed just far enough to block the door, allowing Helena her space.
Helena could hear Lane laying into David, but she didn’t care any longer.
“I hope you feel better Lieutenant, that was real brave, you attacking a teenage girl.”
“Did you know black soldiers are defecting in the Philippines because...”
Helena stopped listening, she knew there was no help to be found here, she wanted to grab Lane and Sigmund and try anything else.
“I must apologize for David, he came back from Cuba a changed man.”
“No, he’s right, I don’t know who my stepfather is. Who my real parents are. I’m just trying to do what I think is right.”
“David is too. There is a chance if you get
