The following morning came a bit too early for Jack. He groaned when he pulled his boots on and thought to himself that when this was all over it was going to be soft city life for him and nothing less. He stood up and stretched, looking out the doorway just in time to see Katherine trotting out of the fort's walls on her bay pony with the Captain on his horse close behind. He cursed aloud and went in search of Bill.

Katherine was enjoying the spring morning and despite the beautiful scenery, was mentally calculating every square mile that the Captain showed her. He told her how Emmet had been charged with surveying the land of the Indian Frontier, the very barrier that would keep the savages from invading civilized society. The series of mounds, burned clearings and outposts would allow for the Army to patrol and protect the frontier and its settlers. Katherine was amazed and disgusted at the same time. It was a tremendous undertaking for Emmet, and sure to make him famous, but it was also horrifying to her what was happening to the poor Indians. Surely they deserved better, but the temper of the day leaned more toward isolation and ignorance. She didn't fancy herself a grand thinker, but from what she knew about Emmet's personal papers that he'd left with Mister Huntington, something didn't ring quite true. The only thing that she did notice for certain was that there was in fact, no water.

Jack, meanwhile, was trying desperately to find out anything concrete about Emmet McInnis. When he'd met Bill outside the night before, they both had the same idea in mind. He'd agreed to speak with the men on patrol and Bill said he'd try talking to the men in the barracks.   From what Bill had told him over breakfast, there wasn't much information to be had. But then again, that information was coming from Bill.   Everyone he spoke with said that Emmet was a valuable addition to life at the fort. He was bright and quick, a city boy but a fast learner, and laughed at himself as easily as most people laughed at others. If he'd ever had an enemy at Ft. Leavenworth, no one was talking. At least, that's what he got from the men on patrol. As for gaining any confidences from Bill, well, Bill wasn't offering much in the way of conversation these days.

That afternoon, a small group of soldiers arrived at the fort. Among the riders was a man named Harrison, one of the soldiers who were sent to accompany Emmet on his trip to Fort Leavenworth. Katherine heard about him over dinner and was most eager to meet him. The Captain arranged for the soldier to be invited to dine with the travelers and the officers, and when the young man came in to the room, Bill knew something was amiss. The soldier took one look at Katherine and went as white as a sheet. He blamed it on the sun that day, but Bill sensed blood in the water. If he hadn't already taken an instant dislike to the young man, he certainly acquired one when Katherine sprang from her seat to help him into a chair. The way she fanned his face and her hushed tones sent Bill's heart into a frenzy. When he looked at Jack, he could tell it was the same for him.

Bill sat quietly throughout the meal, as did most of the people around the table. The only one who could stomach any serious talk was Katherine. She had the young man conversationally treed and she wasn't letting him down without finding out about Emmet.   When, exactly, was it that the three men went to see the Governor? Why, exactly, had Emmet gone in the first place? What, exactly, had he been wearing, eating, saying, riding, ad nauseum. The Captain was the only person who wasn't affected by her insistance.   Katherine became more and more upset with the young soldier's vague answers, Jack looked ill for fear that Katherine would give away in her ramblings what they knew from Emmet's papers, Bill looked ill for fear of what he had to do, and the poor soldier looked ill for what he knew he had done. The Captain had another coffee and watched this circus with curious amusement. After exhausting her bevy of questions, Katherine finally sighed and told the men she was due for a much-needed rest. Jack rose to escort her to her quarters, but she waved him off. When she left, he then turned his attentions to Private Harrison.