Hades's Revenge (17 page)

“Do you have a cold?” she asked.

“No. I just get this annoying hack from time
to time.”

“I might be able to help with that.”

He scooted away from her as a jest and she
smiled for a second. She pulled out a pipe and packed it with
herbs.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t think
smoking is a very good remedy for a cough.”

“Give it a chance. I have a similar
affliction—why else would I carry a pipe around?”

She lit the pipe and handed it to him, which
he hesitantly took. She urged him on with a scowl. He surrendered
and took a couple of puffs. Within seconds his chest felt less
constricted and he could inhale fully.

“That’s astounding. What is it?”

“It’s a mixture of herbs…rosemary, lavender,
thyme, eyebright, and coltsfoot leaves.”

“I’m very grateful. Thank you. I haven’t
been able to breathe this deeply for a month or more.”

“I’ll give you a pouch of it before you
leave.”

“That’s very generous of you.”

The wind was starting to pick up on the
water as the sun began its descent into the ocean. Its light glowed
on her face and brought out an iridescent sheen upon her mahogany
locks making them look almost on fire. Jessop had never seen
anything so beautiful in his life and he started to lean in to kiss
her when he stopped himself knowing how inappropriate it would
be.

What was he doing? Had William been right
all along? Had he fallen in love with a girl he’d only meant once?
But surely that couldn’t be for they’d known each other for months
on the ship, and for God’s sake, she’s dressed as a man.

But somehow none of that mattered. It was if
now that the veil of secrets had been lifted, things seemed
clearer. Or maybe it was just the blow to his head earlier.

“You know that he…the captain, is getting
worse,” she said having not noticed his moment of insanity.

“Is he?”

“Yes. He told me not to burden you with his
condition, but he’s had two collapses on the ship and I’m quite
certain his leg should have be taken. He just keeps putting it off
as if another day will make all this madness be solved tomorrow.
He’s dying, Mr. Andrew, I mean Mr. Aster…”

“You can call me Jesse. I think we’re
familiar enough with one another, don’t you?”

“Yes. I guess we are.”

“I’m sorry. It must be hard watching him
deteriorate minute by minute.”

“It’s awful.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Truthfully, no, but I wish you could talk
some sense into him. I’d rather be here where we’re not being
watched and he can live out his days in a less stressful
arrangement. I don’t know how much longer we can keep up this
charade on the ship.”

“If his leg needs to be taken, how will I
explain that to the officers? Or what if he collapses again and
dies? What will become of me?”

“I can’t answer your questions, but I’m not
going to let anything happen to you. I do think if I can inform
William and Olaf of what is happening, they can help us cover all
the possible scenarios that could arise. I, too, wish the captain
would retire his duties. Do you know why he won’t?”

“It’s the ship. Any money he ever had, has
been invested into the
Revenge
. It was the only way he could
have a ship without having to explain why he had no credentials
after he left the navy.”

“What about the money from selling the goods
to the patriots?”

“Each plunder is split up among the men as
wage. He has a little money set aside, but most of it he sends to
me for food and herbs for his illness.”

“And the lighthouse? Does he own that?”

“Massachusetts owns the lighthouse. Mother
and I accepted the duties as lighthouse keepers and collect a
modest stipend for the supplies and maintenance of it. She thought
it was a way to be closer to father when he was away. When mother
died, I applied for the position and since I already lived there
and knew how to maintain it, they granted me acceptance. The
problem is that with me away, I’ve had to delegate the work out and
if I don’t come back for a more permanent stay, Massachusettes may
revoke my tenancy.”

“Makes for more complications, doesn’t
it?”

“Yes.”

“I agree with you. Something needs to be
done and soon.”

She nodded as she contemplated, looking out
over the ocean. “I suppose we should be getting back.”

“Yes, and I should be heading to the inn
before anyone gets suspicious.”

They returned to the lighthouse, heavy in
thought. Jessop talked a bit more with the captain about a possible
alternative and tried to change his mind about going back to the
ship, but the captain would not hear of it so he said his goodbyes
and headed to the inn.

At the inn, Jessop enjoyed the company of
his friends, but his conversation with Patience about the captain’s
health weighed on him. He needed back up and decided the only way
to keep the captain and Patience safe was to bring William and Olaf
in on the secret.

They’d have to go somewhere that Fin’s
followers would not over hear any of their conversation so he had
the barmaid pack them a basket of food and another of blankets and
made arrangements with the three to spend the evening
elsewhere.

They ventured down the path once more,
Jessop looking back often to see if they were followed, which
seemed to intrigue Olaf and William as to what was happening. They
passed the rock where William had laid the stinky coat and he was
thrilled to see it was still there.

“Look…It’s still here.”

“What is?” Olaf said.

“The coat,” William said inspecting it.

“Remember when we scrubbed down William in
the shower because he stank so badly. This is the coat that gave
him the lethal stench,” Jessop explained to Olaf.

“It doesn’t seem to smell as you said,” Olaf
said suspiciously sniffing the air near the coat.

“A few months of rain, wind, and airing out
will do that to a coat,” Jessop laughed.

Once they spotted the old barn, Jessop
again, looked around to make sure they had not been followed before
entering the weathered structure and closing the door behind
them.

“You’re being very mysterious,” William said
happily putting on the coat.

“You might want to check that for critters,
it having been in the wild for so long,” Olaf stated.

“Naw. Any friend of the coat, is a friend of
mine.”

“Good thing there wasn’t a skunk living in
it.” Jessop laughed.

“Or a tarantula. Or viper curled up in the
sleeve or pocket.”

“Stop that,” William said, but then
nervously checked the pocket.

They all had a good laugh and with one more
check out the door to see if anyone had followed, he sat on a bale
in front of where Olaf was starting a fire.

“I brought you both out here because I
needed to tell you about some things that are brewing onboard.”

“Does this have to do with the secret we
talked about?” Olaf asked.

“You told him a secret and didn’t tell me?”
William said a bit disappointed.

“I didn’t tell Olaf the secret we just
talked about the difficulty in keeping a dangerous secret. And to
answer your question, Olaf, yes.

“Things are getting bigger than I can handle
by myself and in order to ensure the safety of those in danger, I
thought I’d recruit my most trusted friends.”

“This is going to be good,” William said
excitedly.

“So, what is it?”

Jessop educated them on the captain’s
decline in health, as well as his former naval career and then told
them of Patience’s true identity.

“And you thought you’d never have any reason
to see her again,” William laughed.

Jessop gave him a reprimanding raise of an
eyebrow. “The point is you know how Fin has been digging in my
past, if he catches wind of a woman being on board or the captain’s
health…”

“Mutiny,” Olaf said.

“Yes. And he’d kill Patience and turn over
the captain to the British Navy for a bounty.”

“Why doesn’t the captain just take off with
his daughter and live out his life somewhere else.”

“I think he would if he had the means, but
everything he’s earned has gone back into the ship, her crew, and
his daughter.”

“What can we do about it?” William
asked.

“I’m not sure we can do much except protect
them if the worst happens. The captain suggested possibly taking me
on as the first mate.”

“Now, there’s a way to make enemies with
Fin.”

“The captain feels that if by taking this
position he’d gain the favor of the men that we’ve won with the
inventions and what not. It might buy us some time for the
captain.”

“It doesn’t matter how much time you buy
him, it’s not going to be enough to buy his retirement,” William
said bluntly. “Let’s face it, he’s dying.”

“I know. He’s just so worried about Patience
and how she will fair without any inheritance. If either of you
have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.”

The two men looked sullenly into the growing
flames of the fire in silence.

“I heard, too, that Fin had some ‘surprise’
for you when we get back to the ship,” Olaf said with regret.

“That can’t be good,” William said.

Jessop raked his fingers through his hair in
frustration.

“Do you have any idea what it is?” William
asked Olaf.

“I’d guess it has something to do with the
journal he found when they ransacked the Victory.”

“A journal?” Olaf asked.

“Crock’s journal,” Jessop said directing it
at William.

“Oh. Even worse.”

“Why?” Olaf asked.

“That’s what Fin was threatening me with
when you stepped in the other night,” Jessop said to Olaf.

“Something about your name?” Olaf
remembered.

“Yes, and that my father is wealthy
supporter of King George,” Jessop said.

“There goes your supporters on the
Revenge
.”

“No doubt.”

“Remember what I told you about secrets,
Jesse?” Olaf said.

“That we all have them?”

“Yes. I happened on Fin’s room and found the
door ajar. Worried that something might be wrong…” Olaf said
sarcastically, “I popped in to have a look.”

“What did you find?” William asked.

“Just two identical journals of bookkeeping
and inventory.”

“Why would he have two copies of the same
thing?” William wondered.

“Because one was far more depleted in cash
and inventory giving the appearance that the captain has been
taking a little extra for his pocket,” Olaf explained with a
knowing smile.

“Why would the captain say he has no money
if he’s been taking the crew’s share?” William asked.

“He’s not taking from the crew, William. Fin
is framing the captain with a dummy set of books so he will gain
the support for his take over. He has to have the majority vote or
it can’t happen.”

“Olaf, do you think this is part of the
surprise tomorrow?”

“If he plans on announcing your true
identity AND the captain’s embezzling, yes. I’m guessing he’s
planning on taking over.”

“What can we do?” William asked.

“You have to warn the captain,” Jessop
said.

“I have to? Why don’t you warn him? You’re
the one who’s been dealing with him.”

“Because I’m going to try and reason with
Fin.”

“There’s no reasoning with Fin,” William
said.

“Have a hankering to visit Vahalla?” Olaf
asked.

“No, but the captain says he’s
respectable.”

“Someone framing another person is not
respectable,” William retorted.

“I have to try.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Olaf
insisted.

“What? I have to see the captain alone?”

“The captain is less likely to kill you,
William,” Olaf said.

“You don’t know that,” William said under
his breath.

“Fine, then let’s get on with it. The
captain is just up the path a little further at the
lighthouse.”

“Hmph…” William grumbled. “But I’m taking
the food.”

Olaf and William chuckled at his adolescent
demand.

* * *

Olaf and Jessop made good time getting back
to town and made a beeline for the ship. It was dark and the stars
shone very brightly through the faint passing clouds.

Fin rarely left the ship—he had his little
army to take care of trivial things on land. As they got close,
cloaked by the darkness, Jessop could see someone aboard the ship
looking very out of place with a white powdered wig that seemed to
reflect in the lantern light like a golden moon.

Jessop whispered to Olaf, “Do you have your
eyepiece with you?”

“Yes.” He yielded the telescope from his
belt and handed it to Jessop. “What is it?”

“There’s someone on board with Fin,” Jessop
whispered.

“There’s always someone onboard with Fin,”
Olaf whispered back. Jessop spied what he could through the long
brass cylinder and focused in on the coiffed gentleman onboard.

“Yes, but this someone happens to be my
father,” Jessop said troubled by his sight.

“There’s a surprise,” Olaf said looking
through the eyepiece as he did.

“Indeed.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know.”

They watched them talk for a few minutes and
then one of Fin’s men escorted the gentleman by dinghy to a ship
anchored in the bay a hundred yards out.

“Why do you suppose he’s here?”

“I’m guessing to take me home. Surely Fin
will be paid handsomely for returning me.”

“Will you go?”

“I couldn’t go back to the life I knew. I’m
a changed man.”

“Then you’ll stay a pirate?”

“I’m not sure a pirate is what I am
either.”

“Sounds like whatever you decide to do, will
be a life changing deal for you.”