No need to question this Lincoln conspirator’s guilt

[Dennis Urban]

I think your scenario is completely plausible. I generally don't like to surmise what was in other people's mind at the time but I have always wondered what JWB discussed with MS at that short 9 pm meeting. MS confirming to Booth that the pickets would be gone makes perfect sense. Booth knew this would be primary his route out of town and confirmation that the road would be clear was indeed good news for him and certainly eased his mind. His secondary escape route I believe was farther to the north and through the Bladensburg area which would have taken considerably longer.