— A Serialized Historical Novel

Chapter 1

It was going to be a momentous evening, one way or other. Plans had been made and it was time to put them in motion. John went to the stable, located just behind  the National Hotel in Washington DC, where he had been staying, to saddle Juliet. The prized chestnut thoroughbred was considered by many the most beautiful horse in Washington, and John loved her.

Once the saddle was firmly in place, he pulled a flask out of one of the saddlebags and drank down the last of the Jameson Irish whiskey. It burned going down, and he winced.

It was a cold windy night for April so John buttoned his duster to the top, put his fashionable derby into a saddlebag, preferring instead a broad-brimmed felt hat to keep the rain from his face. There had been a stubborn drizzle going on all day with no signs of letting up. John braced for the weather as he left the stable.

It was about two miles from the Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave over to the theatre. Head down against the rain, he reached the theatre on 10th Street twenty-five minutes later. The streets were a quagmire of mud and manure. Juliet splashed filth onto his boots and the trousers of his finest wool suit. John grimaced at the mud caking his boots and trousers.

John slowly neared the newly constructed three-story grand theatre. A crowd of people milled about the theatre entrance. Several theatre goers were in line to purchase tickets. He grimly checked his pocket watch. There was still an hour yet. Plenty of time.

He stopped Juliet at the tavern next to the theater, the Star Saloon, owned by his buddy, Peter Taltavull, and hitched her out front. He reached inside the saddlebags and pulled out a pair of old gloves which he used to scrape the mud from his boots and trousers. Satisfied, he threw the gloves in the street before entering the saloon.

Peter was behind the bar and saw John come in. Peter had already set out the Jameson and a glass. John smiled nervously at Peter while pouring his first shot. He would leave the bottle half empty, even after refilling his flask.

John glanced at the pocket watch – he had 15 minutes yet. He exited the saloon and was surprised to see there were people still on the forecourt outside of the theatre. He mounted Juliet and rode up to F  Street, and turned east, riding all the way down to 9^th Street, south to E Street and back north again on 10^th. By that time the street was empty, signifying all the patrons had gone in to take their seat.

He made his way back to F Street and found the alleyway behind the theatre. It was dark in the alleyway as the storm clouds had blacked out any light that might have shown from the moon. He knew the alley well. He had walked it many times as an actor. His performance as Romeo had earned thunderous applause. He remembered it now.

Behind the theatre, he dismounted and hitched Juliet. The rain had stopped. He fed her two sugar cubes. She nickered softly.

He drank more courage from his flask.

Then he checked his Derringer. Loaded. He closed the chamber slowly.

It was time.

Key in hand, he approached the back door, which was always locked to fend off anyone trying to sneak into the theater. He was surprised when he pulled on the door and it was unlocked. He put the key away in his pocket and opened the door. There was a small lantern there casting off a dim, low glow and stepped into the doorway.

Harry had just stepped out of the privy at the back of the theatre at the same time a man had pulled the door opened. The interloper angered him immediately. All the actors for the play had been checked in personally by Harry, so he knew this was not one of the actors. The production had already started and was probably nearing the first intermission. Had he not stepped away, the door would still be locked.

He quickened his pace to get to the door to stop the man trying to enter for free, but he was too late, as the door closed before him. He heard the door lock at the same time he had grabbed for the door handle. He fished around in his trousers for the key, unlocked the door and entered.

Inside there was a staircase that descended into the bowels of the building as the actors all dressed in the basement. He could see the back of the man descending the stairs and decided to follow him to see what he was up to. He re-locked the door and hurried down the stairs after the stranger.

Below him, the man never once looked back.

To be continued.