Abruptly Rose's feet began to move. She ran toward the Secretary's room. The sitting area and bedroom doors were open; she could see Fanny and Sgt. Robinson sitting near the bed. She was about to dash inside but stopped herself.

What could she say? There was nothing either the nurse or Seward's daughter could do. Maybe Frederick or Augustus could intervene. The latter had served in the Union Army. He was a soldier; he'd know what to do. But how could she convince him that Lincoln was in danger?

There was really only one person she needed right now, one person who would know just what to do.

"Doctor!" she murmured. "Where the hell are you?"

Even as she spoke the words, the answer came to her. He must be at the theater. He was the one who would stop the assassination and save the President's life. He'd told her to remain at the Sewards' house to keep her safe. But now that she understood, she realized that her place was at his side. Surely there was something she could do to help him and be certain that he remained safe, too.

She hurried down the stairs, intent on asking William to wake the driver. But, to her surprise, she saw the butler in the foyer. Then she heard the knocking at the door.

William opened the door partially. "Yes?" She could tell from his tone that he did not recognize the visitor.

"I've been sent by Dr. Verdi," a male voice replied. "I'm his assistant. He's given me medication for Mr. Seward."

"I'll take it," William said.

"No," the visitor replied obdurately. "Dr. Verdi wishes me to speak with the Secretary personally to explain the administration."

"I'll get his nurse, then."

"No, no, I need to see him myself."

William hesitated then opened the door fully. "Very well."

Rose watched as a tall, well-built man stepped inside. Immediately she was struck by his handsome features and blond hair. He strode purposefully through the foyer, overtaking the servant as they climbed the stairs. William paused momentarily when he saw Rose on the landing; the visitor barely acknowledged her with a brief glare.

"William," she said quickly. "I need to speak with you."

"In a minute." He hastened up the staircase after the guest.

Rose really couldn't wait a minute, and she felt more and more certain that the Doctor and the President couldn't, either. She followed the two men to the third floor. Frederick emerged from his room as they stepped into the hallway.

"What's this?" he asked, eyeing the visitor critically. "Who are you?"

"I'm Dr. Verdi's assistant," the man said somewhat hastily. "He's sent me with medicine for Mr. Seward with instructions for me to explain how he is to take it."

Frederick shook his head. "My father is asleep," he said firmly with a nod toward the closed bedroom door.

At that moment the door opened, and Fanny appeared. "Father is awake now," she told the small group, then she stepped back inside.

Rose remained a few paces behind but saw the visitor turn sharply, apparently to descend the stairs. He thrust a hand into his coat. She felt he heart hammering in her chest as he withdrew a revolver.

Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion. He spun around to face Frederick as he shoved William out of the way. The butler fell to the floor. The assailant lifted the gun toward Frederick's forehead. She saw him cock the weapon as his finger moved toward the trigger.

Rose's own fingers closed around the sonic screwdriver tucked inside her dress pocket. She pulled it out and switched it on. The visitor's finger was moving, pulling the trigger as Frederick's expression reflected the sudden threat to his life. She aimed the screwdriver at the gun.

The assailant squeezed the trigger. Rose closed her eyes instinctively, waiting for the sound of gunfire. All she heard was a dull click. When she opened her eyes again, she saw the invader shift the gun around in his hand then lift it to slam against Frederick's temple. He stumbled, but the assault did not stop. The man continued his blows as blood began welling from the wounds.

"Stop it!" Rose cried, lunging at the attacker.

His elbow struck her hard in the side: She faltered, falling back. Her head hit the railing with a thud, and the lights seemed to dim. It took her a moment to regain her senses and her footing, and by then Frederick lay insensate on the floor. She knelt beside him, pressing a hand over his bleeding forehead as she looked up to assess the scene.

Fanny was coming out of the bedroom, her eyes widening at the sight she saw.

"Shut the door!" Rose cried, but it was too late.

The intruder rushed inside, shoving Fanny out of the way. Rose attempted to stand, but a wave of dizziness pulled her down again. Through the vague haze, she heard Fanny's screams, and as awareness began to return she saw Augustus dash by, his feet pounding heavily on the wooden floor. The thud reverberated through her aching head.

She watched in abject horror as the assailant swung his knife at Seward. The Secretary tried to rise, reaching out toward his daughter in an attempt to block her from injury, but with the first slash of the wickedly large knife he fell back. Blood blossomed over his cheek, but the assassin was not finished. He continued his assault, succeeding in stabbing his victim several times.

Robinson and Augustus sprang at the man, but he drove them back with powerful blows. Seward twisted and writhed, trying to get away. His efforts caused him to roll off the bed and fall to the floor. As the attacker bent toward him, the sergeant and Augustus managed to grasp his arms. Fanny interposed herself between her father and his assailant. The Secretary's son reached for a pistol on the night table.

The intruder's eyes fell upon the gun, and his arm whipped out to deliver cuts to Fanny, Augustus, and Robinson. The young woman gasped in pain, backing away. The sergeant stumbled back, too, and the would-be assassin lurched away from Augustus.

Rose began to get to her feet as her head finally cleared. She was peripherally aware of the front door opening and a voice calling up, but she did not spare the precious seconds needed to look down.

The killer was running toward her, his knife still clasped in his hand. She needed to stop him, to prevent him from getting away. She lifted the sonic screwdriver again, hoping against hope that it would stop him in some way.

But he shoved past her in a flash and sprinted down the stairs. She followed him but stumbled on the first landing in the urgency of her haste. He'd already reached the foyer, where a stranger stood with a telegram in his hand.

"Hey!" he yelled, but the attacker thrust the knife into his back, silencing the hapless messenger as he dropped to the marble floor.

The assailant paused for a heartbeat as he neared the front door. He lifted his face to the ceiling and cried, "I'm mad! I'm mad!" Then he sprinted out the door and into the night.

Rose got to her feet again and turned to look back at the bedroom. She heard Fanny frantically gasp out, "Oh my God. Father's dead!"

But then a masculine voice responded, "I am not dead; send for a doctor, send for the police. Close the house."

Rose exhaled in utter relief. A few steps above her, William had regained his senses and was standing up. "I'll secure the doors and windows," he said rather shakily.

He shambled down the stairs, pausing when he reached Rose. "Are you all right?" he asked, his eyes darting over her.

"Yeah. You?"

He nodded. "Can you help me with the doors? I'm going to send the driver for Dr. Verdi and the police."

She followed him down. He exited through the kitchen door as she hurried to the main entrance. She took a moment to bend over the injured messenger. He was breathing and semi-conscious, and the wound was not bleeding profusely.

"I'll be back soon," she told him, brushing a hand over his damp forehead.

Then she stood and slid the bolt into place. When she returned to the kitchen, the door was just closing. William was back; now they could secure this entrance, too. In the dimness, she saw him pause.

"Rose."

Her throat tightened at the familiar voice. "Doctor?" she rasped.

He took a step forward. She could see him now in a beam of moonlight. Immediately he opened his arms to her. She rushed forward, falling into his embrace.

To be continued...