Krewe of Hunters 2 Heart of Evil by Heather Graham

a rousing discussion of Farragut’s naval prowess.
    A few of those close to her quit talking to look around.
    â€œI haven’t seen him since he very dramatically died of his wounds,” Ramsay said. “I ‘skedaddled’ right after and rode out with Justin, before we rode back to take our fair share of the applause.”
    â€œCliff?” Ashley asked.
    Cliff shook his head. “No, I was with the soldiers who came rushing in too late when Charles was being besieged by the enemy. I thought he just stood up and bowed when everyone was clapping. I don’t remember seeing him when you and Frazier started talking…or when the band played.”
    â€œHe’s probably outside somewhere. I’ll call his cell,” Ramsay said. He pulled out his phone and hit a number of buttons.
    Ashley watched him. She realized the others had already turned away and were becoming involved in their conversations again.
    Ramsay shook his head at her. “No answer.”
    Cliff cleared his throat. “Not to be disrespectful in any way, but maybe he met a girl and—got lucky.”
    â€œYeah for Charles!” Justin Binder said, lifting his glass. He was somewhat tipsy—if not drunk—Ashley thought. Good thing he was staying on the property.The others were all still playacting; they were entrenched in the past.
    They didn’t want to look for someone they obviously believed was just off enjoying his own star turn. But…
    â€œHe would have wanted to be here tonight,” Ashley said stubbornly. “He was so thrilled to be taking the part of Marshall Donegal. I’m going out to see if his car is still here.”
    Ramsay lifted a hand. “Sorry, don’t bother, Ashley. He didn’t drive. He came with me. I told him that I couldn’t give him a ride back since I was going to stay at the house out here for a while, but he told me he’d hitch a ride back in with someone. Said he didn’t have to be back to work until Tuesday morning and for me not to worry.”
    â€œGentlemen, perhaps a search is in order,” Frazier said. “A Civil War parlor game of sorts.”
    They all stared at him blankly.
    â€œExactly,” Ashley said, relief coloring her tone. “Find the lost rebel. Beth will create a five-star private meal for a party of four, payable to the man—or woman—who finds Charles!”
    â€œI will?” Beth said. She looked at Ashley. “Um, it will be—sumptuous!”
    â€œIt’s a lot of property to cover,” Ramsay murmured.
    â€œWe need to organize, then,” Griffin said. “It will be fun. Yankees take the cemetery side, and rebels search out the bayou side.”
    â€œIs that fair?” Griffin asked. “If he’s still around, old Charlie would be by the cemetery, don’t you think?”
    â€œI pick scouting detail!” Justin said.
    â€œYes! Let’s find Charles!” Toby said.
    â€œI’ll check out the area around the oaks out front,” Matty Martin offered. She was watching Ashley and seemed to realize that Ashley was seriously worried. “John, you can come with me. It’s mighty dark out there, even with all the lights from the house and the property floodlights.”
    â€œOf course, my dear,” John told her. “They should have let women fight the war,” he muttered, following her out.
    Hank laughed. “Yeah, imagine, mud wrestling at its best.”
    â€œHank!” Cliff admonished. “War is always a serious affair.”
    â€œWell, of course it is,” Griffin said. “War is very serious—but we’re not at war. We’re playing a game. We’re looking for old Charles. Hey, Ashley, if no one wins…”
    â€œWell, at some point, we’ll just all have dinner,” she told them.
    â€œGreat!” Beth muttered to her. “Now I get to cook for all of them!”
    â€œIt’s good that