June 27, 1776

The tapping was loud in the quiet room. The quick thump, thump, thump of Clipper's heel against the wooden floor was the only sound. He knew he needed to stop doing that. Though Stephan said nothing about the younger man's nervous habit, it was clear from the Frenchman's face the noise annoyed him. But Clipper couldn't stop. He was nervous. He had never been so nervous in his life. He couldn't believe what had happened. Could not believe a man like Connor had been arrested. For forgery of all things. It was nonsense. All of it. A plot by the Templars to rid themselves of a nuisance.

But it wouldn't work. They would free Connor.

Somehow.

Clipper and Stephan stood as the door opened. Benjamin Tallmadge entered the office followed by an elderly black man using a cane who Clipper knew to be Achilles Davenport, Connor's mentor. Behind the old man was a woman. Young. Attractive. Clipper guessed she was Connor's wife, Faith. She wasn't what he had expected. Not at all like Connor had described her. Connor had told Clipper Faith was smart and kind, as well as strong and independent. All Clipper saw in her now was annoyance and anger. The way she glared at Benjamin was anything but kind.

"I apologize for the delay," Benjamin spoke. He moved across the room, held out a chair, looked at Faith. She remained where she was while Achilles took the seat beside the one Mr. Tallmadge had readied for the woman. Abandoning the attempt at courtesy, Benjamin sat at the head of the table. "I'm afraid I have bad news."

"Worse than Connor being imprisoned?" Stephan ask in his thick accent.

Benjamin nodded. "Due to the nature of the crime committed…" Faith scoffed. It was obvious she believed her husband innocent. "And the affiliations of the accused -"

"You mean Connor being a Native," Faith stated with disdain. "As well as an Assassin."

Benjamin continued as if he had not been interrupted. "...Connor is scheduled to be hanged tomorrow."

Clipper looked up, his eyes widening in shock. "We have to stop it!"

"Oh, gee, you think?" Underneath the sardonic tone, Clipper could hear the concern in Faith's voice. He guessed the attitude was her response to the injustice she was feeling.

"I have enlisted someone for that very pur-"

Benjamin stopped as the door burst open. Every one of them looked at the burly man that sauntered in. Clipper automatically rose to his feet. Being in the presence of such a famous general afforded respect. He almost bowed as Israel Putnam moved passed him to the chair across from Achilles.

"Sorry for the interruption," he said, not sounding sorry at all. "Had some other business to attend to."

Putnam looked around at each of the members of the room. His eyes stopped on Faith. "You must be Connor's woman."

Faith's face didn't change from the unhappy scowl. She moved over to stand across from the general and stared at him. "I'm Connor's wife," she corrected haughtily. "Not his whore. If you want to call me anything, you can call me Faith."

Clipper murmured a curse under his breath. He had heard stories about Putnam's temper. The man did not tolerate disrespect from the soldiers under his command. He wondered how he would take to be spoken to like that by a woman.

Instead of looking angry, the general looked amused. He smiled at her. "Pleasure's all mine, Faith," he said, completely ignoring the fact that she had not expressed any delight at the meeting.

Ignoring all the rest of them, Faith spoke only to Putnam. "Can you help my husband or not, Putnam?"

The General let out a long breath. He studied the cigar between his fingers for a moment before speaking. "No, ma'am. It seems this hanging is far more complex than just a bunch of forgery hogwash demands. The higher-up have their orders. And I have mine."

Clipper lowered his head. He couldn't believe what was happening. Connor was going to die. It couldn't be real. It just couldn't.

"Thanks anyway, General," Faith said. She didn't sound upset or disappointed at the news. Only irritated. "But I don't really need your help to save Connor. I can do it myself."

"Faith…"

She looked at the elderly man seated to her left. There was something in her eyes. A determination Clipper had rarely seen on anyone. Other than Connor. It became clear to him why they had married. They were perfect for each other.

As Achilles remained silent, Faith looked at the rest of the men. "Is anyone going to help me?"

Clipper stood up. "I will, ma'am."

Faith looked at him. He felt heat on his cheeks at the intensity of her gaze. "Thanks, boy scout."