Free Given by Lisa G. Riley, Roslyn Hardy Holcomb Page A

want to apologize for takin' you by surprise like this, but we saw our chance to escape, and we took it,” the elderly woman said.

    “I understand, ma'am. Don't worry.” He was doing enough of that for all three of them. He'd made first contact to pick them up without incident, but he was still worried. In the underground, everything depended on precise planning, and this simply had not been planned. He feared it might be another trap, which was the main reason he'd been adamant about Grace's not going out. He looked up and saw Dr. Quinn's house up on the hill. He allowed himself a small sigh of relief, and that's when he heard it. Whispering.

    He stopped and motioned for the women to do the same. He closed his eyes to better focus, and he heard more whispering. It was coming from the left of them, and there were two people, both male. Jacob didn't smell sulfur or brimstone, so that was good. He still had to be careful, though, and looking at the women, he motioned for them to hide behind a wide tree to his right. He'd planned to hide too, but it was too late; the men would be on him in a matter of seconds.

    Wincing, he pulled the brim of his hat low over his face and stepped out in front of them so it wouldn't look like he'd been hiding. “How do, sirs?” he said in a crisp British accent, trying to keep his voice respectful. He could tell they were surprised to see him, and hoped that meant they weren't slave catchers. “How are you gentlemen doing this fine night?” The two couldn't have been any older than fifteen, but Jacob didn't relax. It was often the young men who felt they had the most to prove.

    The two boys looked at each other. They'd already been confused by his boldness, but the British accent really threw them off. One of them recovered his wits quickly enough, though. “What are you doin' out here this late at night, nigger?”

    The question was asked with a sneer, making Jacob stiffen. Again, he fought to keep his tone respectful. “Same as you, I expect—just taking in some lovely night air.”

    “Is that so?”

    Jacob nodded. “Yes, it is.”

    “Where're you from, nigger?”

    Jacob had had enough. He weighed the situation, sensing that the two were more afraid of him than he was of them. They had no weapons. He took a chance. “Is that really something you need to know?” He took a step forward so that he was towering over them. “Sir?”

    Now it was the boys' turn to stiffen. They did, but in fright. “Maybe you don't know this 'cause you're not from around here, but you're not supposed to talk to us like that—”

    “What are you going to do about it? Either one of you puppies want to take me on?”

    There was a sudden gasp from behind the tree, and Jacob closed his eyes in regret as both boys directed their attention that way. He hadn't wanted to hurt anyone, particularly not any children. He reached out and grabbed both boys by their necks. “You don't know me, and I don't know you. And you know what I think, mates?” He waited for them to shake their heads before continuing. “I think, as I'll be going back to jolly old England soon with me boss, it's a good idea that we all three forget that we ever saw each other. Otherwise…” He let his voice trail off meaningfully.

    “Otherwise? Otherwise what?” one of the boys asked in panic.

    “Otherwise, if I ever hear tell that either one of you has been telling tales about me, then what I'm about to do to you will seem like a game compared to what I will do to you.”

    “What you're about to—” That was all one boy was able to say before Jacob knocked their heads together, dazing them both. And one after the other, he squeezed their windpipes until they both crumpled to the forest floor in a heap of arms and legs.

    Jacob saw one of the ladies poke her head around the tree. He pressed his finger to his lips, telling her to keep quiet, and motioning, silently told them to use the trees as coverage and join him. He