Randall Parrish

The Red Mist. Randall Parrish

The Red Mist: A Tale of Civil Strife is a thriller set in the early days of the American Civil War. Sergeant Wyatt of the Confederate army-partly because of family links in Green Briar County-is entrusted by General "Stonewall" Jackson to spy out the strength and disposition of the Union forces there. But an attempt to frame him in a murder, and an ambush, may derail an already dangerous mission. Then it occurred to my mind that my revolver might have fallen from the open holster as I rested on the bed-a mere accident. At least I would learn the truth of that dark room. I stepped within, circled the overturned chair, and a groping foot encountered something lying on the floor. I bent down, and touched it with my hand; it was the body of a man.... An instant I stood there, staring about in the dark, bewildered and uncertain. Then I grasped the lamp from the table in the other room, and returned holding the light in my hands. The form of the Major lay extended on the floor, lifeless, his skull crushed by an ugly blow. Beside him lay a revolver, its butt blood-stained. Beyond doubt this was the weapon which had killed. I picked it up wonderingly-it was my own.