Encounters Read Online Free Page A

lunch.”
    “ That sounds like an excellent plan. I’ll meet you at the library a little earlier and browse through the stacks a bit.”
    They made small talk for a while and he offered to help her clean up, an offer which she politely declined. He thanked her again before gathering himself up and making his way out into the night air. The car ride home was silent and for once even his normally chaotic thoughts were still.
    When he arrived home he didn’t feel like facing an empty house so he went to the back yard. He spent an hour gazing at the stars. He was amazed again at how many could be seen without city lights to get in the way. There was a vast ocean of lights and he felt that he could fall into them forever.
     
    Day 4: Saturday
    He was woken the next morning to the boom of canon fire and a fierce rebel yell. He all but fell out of bed and raced to the window facing the back yard. In the open field behind his property a line of grey clad, musket wielding men charged a line of men in blue. Roaring their battle cry the two lines collided with a clashing, clanking cacophony. He got dressed quickly and went outside to the back yard to witness this awesome spectacle.
    Once there he stood at the base of a large magnolia tree on the edge of his property and watched men struggle. It took a moment for the sleep to clear completely but when it did he laughed. When he had first woken he had thought that the world, or at least his house, was about to be swept away, but now he realized that he was watching Civil War re-enactors. It was then that a grey clad man looked up and spotted him. Holding his saber to his side and his hat to his head he began jogging over to him. He slowed as he got closer to him and stretched out his hand.
    “ You must be Agent McCain. I’m Lee Roberts”, he said upon shaking his hand. “I’m sorry we woke you, ‘specially how we woke you.”
    “ It’s quite alright, but what in the world is going on?
    “ Well, this is the local chapter of The Sons of the Confederacy. During the civil war there was a battle fought here. It was one of the worst Union defeats in this state. Every year on the anniversary we stage a reenactment in commemoration.”
    Looking up and scanning across the “Battlefield” he saw a figure on a horse directing troops. The man on the horse turned as if he noticed the scrutiny and stared in Tommy’s direction. Even at distance his gaze was filled with intensity. Unconsciously Tommy moved to place Lee between the two of them.
    “ Who is the man on the horse?”
    “Oh, that’s capt. Tuesday. He comes out and plays the role of General Cryer every year.”
    “Who is, or was, general Cryer?”
    General Cryer led the Southern forces. Supposedly he lost his hand to a cannon ball. I think Cap is distantly related to General Cryer somehow. Cap always laughs and says it’s the perfect role for him to play.”
    “ I agree with him.”
    “ Is it true, Agent McCain, that you’re investigating Stephen’s disappearance?”
    “ Just Tommy, please, and yes I suppose I am; although, I certainly didn’t intend to when I moved here, at least not so soon and not as aggressively.”
    “ Well, I’d love to help anyway I can.”
    “ I appreciate the support. How about we discuss it later Monday evening over a beer? I’m sure you have a battle to fight.”
    “ That sounds fine Agent McCain. I’ll be at the Nest around 7:00.”
    Saying that he nodded briefly and then jogged back to join the fray.
    ***
    The roar of battle not appealing to him he left the house in search of breakfast. Which is how he found himself at McDonald ’s before 8:00 indulging in a senior citizens discounted pancake plate. His mind churned as he ate trying to make sense of everything he had learned. Before he went missing Stephen had been researching something but he couldn’t figure out what that something was.
    Not looking forward to returning home to a raging battle he was at the library shortly after