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Escape by Night
Book: Escape by Night Read Online Free
Author: Laurie Myers
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Several times he had seen Annie watching them. She might have heard what they were saying if she had made an effort, which Tommy now thought she had.
    â€œTell what?” Tommy asked, trying to sound innocent.
    â€œYou know.” Annie looked back at the church as if the building itself were guilty.
    Tommy looked too, half expecting to see the devil standing at the door.
    â€œAnnie, there is nothing to tell.” Tommy was sure he sounded guilty.
    â€œTommy, we are at war, and we cannot have Yankees parading around as Confederates. If you don’t tell, I will.”
    Her words hit like a hammer. She whirled around and started up the steps.
    â€œAnnie, wait. I have a deal for you.”
    She stopped. “What kind of deal?”
    Tommy thought quick. “A good deal.”
    â€œWhat kind of good deal?”
    Tommy was silent.
    â€œTommy, you don’t have a deal. You are just stalling for time.”

    â€œMaybe I am, and maybe I’m not. Maybe I have a really good deal, and you don’t know it.”
    â€œAll right. I’ll give you till tonight. And the deal better be good, or I’m telling.” She marched up the steps and into the house.
    Samson had found a bone and was working on it by the steps. Tommy sat down beside him.
    â€œSamson, we’re in trouble. We have to come up with something to keep Annie quiet. And on top of that, I’m not even sure we should help Red.”
    Samson abandoned his bone and gave Tommy his full attention.
    â€œRemember when the war started? Everyone said how bad the Yankees were.”
    Samson stared at Tommy.
    â€œI thought Yankees were bad, too. Maybe some are bad, but I don’t think Red is. All he wants is freedom for people like Henry. And to tell the truth, I like the idea of Henry being free.”
    Samson gave his bone a sideways glance.
    â€œIf I were Henry, I’d want to be free,” Tommy said.
    He picked up the bone and handed it to Samson, who anchored it between his paws and began working on it with his back teeth.
    â€œIf we don’t help Red, he might go to prison. But helping wouldn’t be easy. And it’s against the law, so I’m not even sure we should.”
    Samson paused from his work on the bone.
    â€œWhatever we do, Samson, we need to keep Annie quiet. And I think you just might be the answer.”

 

    Annie sat on the sofa fluffing out her dress, like she was the queen and Tommy was her subject.
    â€œPleeeease don’t tell,” Tommy pleaded.
    â€œTommy, you heard Father last night. We are on the verge of losing the war.”
    â€œOne Yankee is not going to matter,” Tommy said.
    â€œI’m not so sure about that.”

    Samson came in. Sensing the importance of the conversation, he sat erect between the adversaries and followed the conversation with his head.
    â€œJust promise you won’t tell, at least until tomorrow.”
    Annie refluffed her dress. “I cannot make such a promise.”
    Tommy said, “Yes, you can. Open your mouth and say, ‘I pro—’”
    â€œTommy, stop it. You said you had a good deal. Now, let’s hear it.”
    â€œI’ll let Samson sleep in your bed,” Tommy said.
    Annie stopped fluffing. “For how many nights?”
    â€œOne week.”
    â€œA week? Hmm.”
    â€œAnnie, Red has a two-year-old little boy, and he hasn’t seen him in a year.”
    Annie’s brow wrinkled.
    Mrs. McKnight came in. “I’m sorry to be late. More refugees came in today. And as if that weren’t enough, I was on the other side of the tracks and had to wait for a train to pass.” She removed her bonnet. “Your father has a meeting tonight, so he will not be here for reading. Annie, I believe it is your turn.”
    â€œI don’t feel like reading,” Annie said, giving Tommy a sideways glance.
    â€œYou love to read,” Mrs. McKnight said. She eyed her children.
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