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.Danford.He carried both thevalise and the blue velvet box as he hurried from the gardenand disappeared into a far stand of trees.310 Lady Gallantby Gini RifkinJosie waited for what seemed an eternity.Then convincedthat Danford was not coming back, she stepped away fromthe bell tower and sprinted forward.As she reached the spotwhere the two men had stood, she stopped short and bit backa scream.Vlad lay upon the ground, face up and unmoving, hiscomplexion white as chalk powder.Blood covered the front ofhis clothing, and along with his life, disbelief slowly drainedfrom his open staring eyes.He appeared to have been shot.Gritting her teeth, she knelt at Vlad's side and although itseemed a wasted effort, she palpated his neck.His skin wascold and smooth as marble.No life sign could she find.Therewould be no purpose in returning here tomorrow.Nausea crept around her stomach and up the back of herthroat.She retched then wondered at her response.By nowshe should be accustomed to seeing the dead and dying.Butat the hospital it was different; not so swift and unexpected.Not murder.Gaining her feet, she stumbled backwards through theprickly patch of herbs.Rosemary for remembrance.Thechildhood ditty skipped through her mind.She would not soonforget the dreadful sight of Vlad nestled amongst the blood-spattered winter foliage.Turning she ran toward the church and a tangible fear,greater than anything she had ever known, rose up andstrangled every other emotion.In the blink of an eye Danford had murdered Vlad.WasDanford now on his way to kill Garrick?* * * *311 Lady Gallantby Gini RifkinGo to God's infirmary and rest awhile.~Florence Nightingale[Back to Table of Contents]312 Lady Gallantby Gini RifkinChapter TwentyA chill draped itself across Josie's shoulders as she hurriedalong.Was every section of the Barrack Hospital cold anddrafty? Or was it just her impending interview with MissNightingale that made her shiver?And what had she done to warrant such personalattention? Perhaps it was about the wooden spindles she'dstolen, or maybe Dr.Dennison had finally made good histhreat to report her.Yet these incidents had taken placemonths ago.It must be something more immediate.Could itbe regarding her un-chaperoned excursion to the White HorseInn, or even worse what she had witnessed at the churchyesterday?Reaching Miss N's apartment, Josie lightly tapped upon thedoor.A pale thin assistant with a surprising amount of energyanswered the knock."Very good," the woman began brightly,"and right on time.Well do come in Nurse Posey, the opendoor encourages the influx of cold air and our leader is ailingenough as it is."Josie slipped in through the opening.The assistant slippedout, closing the door behind her."Come forward, please," Miss Nightingale requested, "andtake this seat on my right.Forgive me for receiving you frommy bed, but this morning it is the best I can manage."Indeed, today their mentor did appear very ill, yet hertired eyes still reflected the fire of her crusading nature."It313 Lady Gallantby Gini Rifkinhas come to my attention," she began, "that the recoveryrate throughout the hospital has increased mostdramatically.""Oh yes," Josie acknowledged, thankful that the topic ofconversation was general and not personal."I believe yourtimely discovery of the horse carcass in the water supply hasturned the tide.Unfortunately, while the incident has helpedthe lads tremendously, it has also proven to be another blowto the pride of the medical staff."Miss Nightingale issued a rather unladylike sound,seemingly a cross between a snort of derision and a sigh ofresignation.The silence that followed made Josie fidgety andthe unintentional display did not go unnoticed by the olderwoman."I imagine," her leader acknowledge, "you are eager tolearn the true purpose of our little meeting.It is not in regardto Dr.Dennison."Josie gave a start and began to speak.Miss Nightingale raised a hand to silence her."No need todefend yourself my dear.The man may have been asatisfactory surgeon, but he was also an insufferable idiot.Were we not in such dire need of qualified staff, I wouldrejoice at his leaving.Besides, no one knows better than Ithat there are always two sides to every story.In addition,"the older woman continued, "my request to see you hasnothing to do with your assignation with a certain newspaperreporter."Josie's mouth went dry, and her heart pounded at a furiouspace.314 Lady Gallantby Gini Rifkin"Your search for him among the wounded told the tale,"Miss Nightingale explained."I have a feeling," she added,with a far away look in her eyes, "that you did not enter intothe encounter lightly." Then the woman's face becameunreadable."Lose your heart, but not your head," sheadvised."That is what counts in the long run."Josie sat mute and wide-eyed
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