"Yes uncle but I simply don't see what experience I bring to the table. I want to help fight in this war but I wasn't allowed a basic training or a college degree. Let me have that and then you might be able to convince those men I'm qualified enough to offer my advice. However, the same men who think that is the proper qualification don't think a woman is even qualified to receive those." I told my uncle as he asked me to fully invest myself to help running this spy ring he had so smugly orchestrated.
"These men you speak of respect you greatl-" but I was not quite finished.
"Respect is not the same as acknowledgment." I told him.
"Beatrice! I let go Colonel Scott as my Chief of Intelligence, a man who was an extremely capable and qualified man, because he was not taking an approach to intelligence I wanted to take. I know for a fact that Major Tallmadge and Mr. Sackett greatly respect you. I understand that this current state does not respect the thoughts of women but the future has a chance. Therefore, it will require both men and women alike to build that." he said putting a coat on. I sighed from my seat looking through the notes in front of me.
"Look I understand your hesitation to help because I threw you in blindly. You and I both know you are smarter than most men and you know exactly how and what you'd do in this situation." he said getting ready to leave the house.
"Alright, I'll do it but you'll have to keep me in the know from now on." I said smirking at him to which he nodded.
I sat down at a small desk I was granted to work at. So this was it. I had a chance to do something about everything unfolding before me. Suddenly footsteps were approaching the room. It was Benjamin.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize-uh Beatrice, hello." he seemed flustered.
"Benjamin hello, or should I say Major Tallmadge, Head of Intelligence." I quipped "An impressive promotion."
"Oh, I wish you wouldn't although I'm glad to see you involved in all this. I knew it would be impossible for you to stay idle very long." he smirked at me.
"Well it's good to hear someone's pleased by my presence." I told him trying to do something with my hands other than having them limp at my sides.
"Are people usually not?" he jested.
"Oh it might surprise you but if I may be so bold to speak candidly I'm afraid most people see me as a pain in their arse." I said to which he laughed.
"Well thank goodness I allowed you to speak candidly. I'd hate to hear you speak any other way. At least around me." he said with an honest smile. Before I could responded Mr. Sackett walked in the room.
"Ah Miss Washington and Major Tallmadge, I have brought over my encryption notes, we are going to use a number based system. You two will be in charge of assigning numbers to key terms and making copies for your ." he told us.
"Yes sir, but is very concerned with security and perhaps a book such as this would be a tip off to a British Officer." Ben spoke rather nervously.
"It'll only be temporarily and if he hides it well it'll be a greater measure of security to mask his letters." Mr. Sackett said setting books after books on the long tables.
"I will be in my study tent if you have any further concerns but you both seem quite intelligent and capable." and he was gone as quickly as he came.
"Well I suppose we should get to work." Ben said clapping his hands together.
"I think I should have a number code." I said standing up to walk around for the first time in a few hours.
"Bea, your uncle specifically asked me to protect your identity and I understand the want to protect those you are about." he said with a finite argument.
"Yes, I know." I said sighing. "I'm going to get some coffee, would you like some?" I said making my way to the kitchen to which he nodded.
I came back into the room to find another person had joined us.
"Come on Tallboy, stretch yer legs." There was only one person who was particularly fond of that nickname for Ben.
"Well that can't be Caleb Brewster, last I heard he was in the middle of the ocean somewhere." I said setting the coffee tray down.
"Bea Washington! What are ya doing here?" he said grinning almost the same way he always did when was smug with himself except now he had quite a long beard.
"Caleb, Bea here is the new member of this intelligence ring we are putting together." Benjamin said clapping Caleb's back.
"If you say anything about this not being a women's place, I'll slap that grin off your face Caleb Brewster." I told him pouring some coffee.
"You know my mind has been made up about yer strength since you pulled a persin out of a coursin river." he said
"Good!" I said handing them each a cup of coffee when a delivery solider walked in the room.
"Major Tallmadge, for you." extending his arm with a note to Ben.
"thank you." he said curiously opening the note.
After a minute of reading he spoke. "It's Samuel they're letting him off the New Jersey in an exchange." he exclaimed.
"Well that's great!" Caleb said embracing Ben.
"That's wonderful! You have to go get him!" I insisted.
"I have to stay here and finish this for Washington."
"He'll let you go" Caleb said,
"When it comes to family, he's understanding" I told him.
"But there are other men's brothers out there, I don't want people to think there's special treatment." he said conflicted.
"Here's what I'll do. I'll go and get him. No, I'll get him drunk then bring him back." Caleb said putting his coat on and grinning.
"Caleb, thank you." Ben said to which he nodded.
A few hours passed and I saw Ben distractedly starring at his desk.
"Ben, are you alright?" I asked concerned
"Huh, uh yes, just they should have been back by now." he said looking at the clock.
"How do you cope with not seeing your family, not knowing?" he asked looking at me.
"It's hard." I said sitting down across from him. "I worry, I pray for their safety even though it would be easier to do something about it. I try to pray for people as I meet them too." I told him to which he looked puzzled.
"Why?"
"Because with all this loss it's easy for people to lose people that matter to them, and they also lose people they mattered to. If my brother died he wouldn't have parents or a wife that would miss him but I sure would."
"Sometimes it's easier if you don't matter to anyone. If there's no one who cares if you come back, then you can't upset anyone." he said.
"I guess it's just the price we pay." I told him smirking and holding eye contact with him.
"That's it I have to go." he said jumping up for his coat.
"Alright, be safe." I warned knowing his mind was made up.
"I will" he said not looking up.
"And Benjamin," I said no catching his attention. "don't do anything stupid because I do care if you come back."
"Okay Beatrice." he said offering me a warm smile before I watched him leave.
Thanks as always for reading! Hope you like the new chapter and remember I love feedback! Happy New Year!