Mercy

By Richard Turner

In 1865 Louisiana, Captain Robert Cooper from the Freedman's Bureau is sent to investigate a rash of strange murders and disappearances. His unexpected arrival in Williamstown is met with a mix of anger and suspicion. With gangs of demobilized Confederate soldiers roaming the woods, Cooper is quick to realize that his job may be harder than first expected. Yet, the terror that plagues the farms and plantations around Williamstown cannot be easily explained away. Something is in the woods waiting for night to fall and the truth may be more terrifying than can be imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Turner
• Release date: May 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310919671

Richard Turner

Richard Turner proudly served his country for more than thirty years, all across the globe.He wanted to try something new and now spends his time writing.I am an avid reader and especially like reading all about history. Some of my favourite authors include: James Rollins, Andy McDermmott and the many novels of Clive Cussler.

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MERCY

BY RICHARD TURNER

Copyright © 2017 Richard Turner

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission, except for brief quotations to books and critical reviews. This story is a work of fiction. Characters, businesses, places, and events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

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1

Louisiana

September 19, 1865

Roy Stone shuddered. The night had never seemed so cold and dark. He watched as a thick fog rolled up from the river, blanketing the wet ground. The only thing going in his favor was the rain had finally let up.

Stone was a tall, strong man. He was wearing a long coat and black hat as he strode through the underbrush. In his left hand was a lantern; in his right he carried a shotgun. Just ahead of him was a row of men, some black, some white. No one said a word as they walked through the knee-high grass. Most held a lit torch in their hands. A couple of old trackers gripped the leashes of several bloodhounds, whining to be let loose. Stone glanced up at the heavens just as the dark clouds parted. For a few seconds, the silvery light of a new moon shone down on the clearing. They had been pushing through the brush since just before sunset. No one complained nor asked to turn back; finding the two missing youths was all that mattered.

Mister Stone, sir, I think I found something, called out one of the men.

Stone ran to the man’s side. In the black man’s hand was a torn piece of clothing. Stone took it from him. Right away, he saw there was fresh blood on the dirt-stained gray cloth.

Miss Willow’s dress? said the man. It appeared to be the type of fabric used to make the garments worn by the colored women who lived and worked at Mercy Plantation.

I think you may be right, Thomas, answered Stone. Deep down, he wished he was wrong.

Thomas pointed at the ground. Sir, their tracks lead deeper into the woods.

Stone gritted his teeth. The forest, especially at night, was no place for a pair of rash young people to be in. Earlier in the day, he had learned of a foolish plan by his love-struck nephew, Andrew, to run off with Willow, a sixteen-year-old black girl who was the daughter of the family’s cook. When he confronted Andrew, the conversation turned heated and words were exchanged, which only made the situation worse. Andrew stormed off, telling Stone he wasn’t his father and couldn’t tell him what to do with his life. The naive young man swore he would do as his heart demanded of him. Now Roy Stone was tracking them both through his sister’s vast plantation, trying to bring them home before they ran into trouble. With gangs of demobilized Confederate soldiers prowling the countryside, it wasn’t safe for a young white boy with a freed slave girl at his side to be on their own.

When they reached the edge of the thick forest on the skirts of the plantation, the dogs started to bark and pull at their leashes.

Sir, the dogs, they’ve got a whiff of something real close, said one of the handlers.

Let them go, ordered Stone.

The instant the hounds were released they ran off into the woods, barking and yelping as they chased after the scent.

Stone waved for everyone to follow him. As he stepped into the thick woods, the temperature seemed to drop. A chill ran down his spine. Stone wasn’t a superstitious man, but something didn’t seem right. Raised a Catholic, he crossed himself and said a quick prayer under his breath.

Sir, their tracks have changed direction, called out one of the trackers. I think they’re heading toward the old storehouse on the river.

Follow their trail and whatever you do, don’t lose it, replied Stone.

Within minutes, the search party strode out of the woods into a small glade. Off to their right was the Mississippi River. In the dark, the water looked ink black.

Stone held up his torch and looked over at the dilapidated ruins of what had been the plantation’s main cotton storage barn. Shipped downriver on barges, the cotton used to be sold in the markets of New Orleans. But that had all changed when Union troops arrived in 1862. As the plantation was owned by a Confederate colonel, they burnt the cotton and tore down most of the building.

Spread out, and remember no shooting. They’re our kin we’re looking for, called out Stone. He was about to take a step forward and join the search when he realized that the world around them had turned deathly quiet. Not a single animal or insect made a noise. He held his shotgun tight in his hand as if to reassure himself everything was going to turn out all right.

A shot rang out startling Stone. His heart jackhammered wildly in his chest. He turned to face an old plantation hand tightly holding a shotgun in his hand. God damn it, Horace, I said no shooting.

Sorry, sir, I done thought I saw something in the woods, replied Horace, avoiding eye contact with his boss.

Stone fought to control his growing anger. Don’t be sorry, Horace, be careful. I need you to pay better attention to your surroundings. We didn’t come all this way to shoot one of our own by accident.

Stone was the first man to reach the ruined barn. He stepped inside and raised his lantern high above his head so he could look around. Dark shadows hid most of the interior. He went to take a step but hesitated. On the floor was a dark pool of blood. There was more blood splattered on the wall beside him. His chest tightened. He feared for the lives of the missing youths.

Outside, Thomas called out, Mister Stone, I think I found something!

Stone’s heart began to beat faster. He rushed out of the barn and came to a sudden halt when he saw a dark smear of blood on the grass. Jesus, what the hell happened here?

Thomas brought his hands up to his mouth and yelled, Master Andrew . . . Miss Willow, it’s Thomas, please show yourselves.

Silence answered the call.

Andrew, it’s your uncle here, said Stone. There’s no need to keep on hiding. If you’re here, please call out. You’re not in trouble. We just want to take you both back home.

Not a word was said in reply.

Sir, over here, yelled a man. His voice was tense.

Stone and Thomas ran toward a group of men standing in a semi-circle at the far end of the dilapidated barn.

Have you found something? asked Stone.

I’m sorry, sir, said Horace as he lifted his torch over his head.

Oh God, no, mumbled Stone when he saw what the men had found. Andrew’s naked body lay on the ground. There was a deep gash from his neck to his groin. The pale skin had been peeled back. A quick glance told Stone most his nephew’s internal organs were gone. The sight of his nephew staring wide-eyed at him shook Stone to the core. He bent down and closed the boy’s eyes. Stone removed his jacket and draped it over Andrew. He and his nephew had never been close, but he was his sister’s son. He dreaded the thought of telling her that her only son not killed during the war was dead.

Pastor Melancon, the local Baptist minister, dropped to his knees beside the body and began to recite a prayer.

Find Willow. I’m not leaving until we find her, ordered Stone, finding his voice once again.

The search party spread out into the woods, calling out her name. No one said it but with Andrew dead, no one expected to find her alive.

A minute later, one of the dog handlers shouted, Over here. I think I found her!

Stone and Thomas ran to the man’s side. When they arrived, they found the old tracker bent over examining something with his torch. Stone pushed the man aside and looked down. In an instant, he felt his stomach turn. At his feet was an arm. Stone took a deep breath, removed his hat, got down on one knee, and carefully picked up the bloody limb. He shook his head when he recognized the small gold ring on the hand as one Andrew had given to Willow last Christmas. Stone felt his heart grow heavy. He placed the hand back down on the ground.

Looks like the arm was torn from the poor girl’s body, said the dog handler. I bet whoever killed Master Andrew turned their dogs loose on her.

That ain’t no way for a young lady to go, said Thomas as he removed his hat.

A young black man called out, Sir, please come here.

Anger and hate welled up inside Stone as he walked over to the body lying on the ground. The sight that greeted him was horrific. Willow’s throat had been torn out. Her stomach was a bloody mess where an animal had gnawed at her innards.

As God is my witness, whoever did this will pay with their life, vowed Stone. He turned and looked into the faces of the men huddled around, staring wide-eyed at the remains. Spread out and find the murderer’s tracks.

As the men combed the muddy ground, Thomas removed his long jacket and laid it over Willow’s body. Stone got down on his knees and prayed in silence for Willow and Andrew’s souls.

Sir . . . sir, I think I found something, but it don’t look right to me, said one of the trackers.

Stone joined the man and looked down at a set of tracks in the mud. The old man was right; the footprint didn’t make any sense. It was long and appeared to have a man’s heel, but the toes looked like that of a large animal. You ever see anything like this before? he asked.

No, sir. I’ve been hunting all my life and I ain’t never seen a track like that. It ain’t natural.

Stone looked into the woods. A shiver ran down his spine. For a moment, he had the feeling he was being watched. He shrugged it off as nerves and turned to face Thomas. Have the men pick up the remains. We’re going home.

Roy Stone had stayed neutral during the war. He had worked hard to keep what was left of his sister’s family safe from the turmoil brought about by the end of the conflict. As a man walked past him carrying Willow’s body, he knew nothing was ever going to be the same when the sun came up in the morning.

2

New Orleans, Louisiana

November 7, 1865

The incessant pounding in his head would not go away. Like an approaching locomotive, the noise grew louder by the second. With his eyes still closed, Captain Robert Cooper reached over and felt along the nightstand beside his bed until he found his pocket watch. He brought it over until it was inches away from his face. He opened his heavy eyelids and tried to focus his dark brown eyes on the timepiece.

Are you awake in there, sir? asked a deep voice from the other side of his closed bedroom door.

Through the haze in his mind, Cooper recognized the voice as belonging to First Sergeant James Hawkins, his company sergeant. Aye, I am, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop that infernal pounding. Cooper’s Scottish accent came on strong.

I’m just doing my job, sir, replied Hawkins as he tried the doorknob and found it locked. It’s getting late and you’ve got to get ready for your meeting. I’ve brought you some hot water and a pot of coffee.

Cooper swore when he saw that it was already after eight in the morning. He sat straight up in his bed. His head felt as if he had just been kicked by an angry mule. He held his breath as he waited for his stomach to turn. After a few seconds, Cooper realized he wasn’t going to be sick, just queasy. The painful pounding in his head reminded him he had once again drank far too much bourbon and smoked too may cheap cigars with his friends at the hotel bar. Cooper stood up, stretched his arms over his head, and saw his naked image in the mirror. He knew he’d gone too far again with his drinking. Cooper looked around for his underclothes and found them in a pile on the floor with the rest of his uniform. The funny thing was, he didn’t remember taking them off.

Sir, will you open the door, or do I have to kick it open? asked Hawkins.

Cooper didn’t doubt Hawkins would force his way inside if he had to. He pulled on his underwear and his light blue uniform pants before reaching over to unlock the door.

Right away, the door swung open and Hawkins stepped inside. A runaway slave, Hawkins had been among the first to volunteer to fight for the Union when they asked for freemen to fight the Confederacy. Whereas Cooper was tall with a trim build, Hawkins was a head shorter than the captain and six years his senior. He had broad shoulders and thick, muscular arms. Hawkins could easily lift his weight over his head and was the undisputed bare-knuckle boxing champ of his former regiment. Hawkins placed the bowl of water and coffee pot down on a small wooden table sitting against the wall. There were several empty bottles of whiskey lying on the floor at his feet. He turned and looked over at the young officer.

Cooper could see the disappointment in the eyes of his sergeant. They had served together for over two years and had grown to trust and respect one another. He quickly became self-conscious about his current predicament. To cover up his embarrassment he busied himself by gathering the rest of his rumpled clothes on the floor.

Cooper looked down at his hands and saw there were fresh cuts on his knuckles. Odd, he thought to himself. He didn’t recall injuring himself, again.

Hawkins said, In case you’re wondering, sir, you were in another fight last night.

Who with?

Captain Nolan. I heard he called you a Scottish catamite. You took exception and the two of you ended up in the alley behind the bar.

Cooper shook his head. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember a thing about the fight. Do you know how Nolan is doing?

From what I was told, you were plenty pissed. Hell, you broke Nolan’s nose and his jaw. You’re lucky there weren’t any Provost Corps troops patrolling this part of the city. They wouldn’t have cared if you were an officer or not. If they had caught you two gentlemen scrapping in an alley you’d have been arrested and thrown in jail for drunkenness and fighting.

You’re right. I’ve really got to stop drinking.

I’ve been telling you to take it easy for months. Moderation is the key to everything. You have to lay off the bust head. Hawkins used a soldier’s term for cheap booze.

I’ll have you know, Sergeant Hawkins, it was very expensive champagne not some watered down whiskey that did me in last night.

That doesn’t excuse your behavior, sir.

Cooper nodded and took a seat.

Who’s that in your bed, Captain? Hawkins asked, eyeing the sleeping blonde-haired girl in Cooper’s bed.

Cooper glanced over his shoulder. Wrapped up in a white blanket was a young woman. I don’t know, he replied, struggling to recall the girl’s name. I suppose she’s some local lass I met last night.

Well, sir, there’s no time to worry about her right now, admonished Hawkins. You’ve got an appointment with Colonel Marshall in an hour, and I’ll be damned if you’re gonna be late. What you do or don’t do reflects on me as well. Now hand me your tunic, I’ll press it while you wash and shave.

Cooper hesitated for a second. He had entirely forgotten about his meeting with the officer in charge of the Freedman’s Bureau for the State of Louisiana.

Your tunic, sir, said Hawkins, holding out his hand.

Cooper surrendered the garment before staggering over to the table to splash some water on his face. The refreshing water helped to clear his clouded mind. After lathering up his face, he reached down for his straight razor and saw that his hand was shaking. Cooper closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself. When he opened his eyes, he saw his hand was still, but his stomach began to churn. It was going to be a long day indeed.

Captain Robert Cooper checked himself out in the tall hallway mirror of a palatial home that had once belonged to a Confederate general. After his ride through the dusty streets, he wanted to make sure he was presentable before knocking on the door of Colonel Frederick Marshall, head of the Freedmen’s Bureau for the Fifth Military District. Captain Cooper stood just over six feet tall. He had thick, chestnut-colored hair and dark, piercing brown eyes. With his father’s good looks, Cooper had become quite popular among the ladies of New Orleans’ high society. He brushed off some dirt from his blue tunic and made sure his kepi was sitting straight on his head. With the war over and his regiment recently disbanded, Cooper thought he was going to be released from the army. Instead, his commanding officer had recommended he be employed by the newly formed Freedmen’s Bureau until his service ended in just over six months’ time.

An ornate wooden door opened and a young black corporal stepped outside. He came to attention and saluted Cooper. Sir, Colonel Marshall will see you now.

Cooper returned the soldier’s salute and followed him inside. The room had once been a study with books from the floor to the ceiling; now, however, it was Colonel Marshall’s office. He had cleaned out the room leaving only a desk and a U.S. flag on a pole inside. The senior officer was standing with his back to Cooper, looking out a window.

Good morning, sir, said Cooper as he brought up his right hand to the brim of his cap.

Colonel Marshall turned and returned the