“What led you to such a decision? In my experience, few pirates raise an ensign from where they’re berthed.”
“They flew no flag. But we thought only the Spaniards or the Dutch would be bold enough to attack an English ship this close to port. In the end, it didn’t really matter who the ships belonged to. The attack was thwarted.”
The governor lowered the pistol and tapped his fingers on the desktop, a lazy arpeggio. He measured his next words with the trembling rhythm, out of sync with the clock. “Who was captaining your ship at the time?”
“Captain Murrell.” Teach answered with no hesitation. It was true, though it hadn’t stayed true for long.
“And where is your captain now?”
Where Peter should be. “At the bottom of the sea.”
Governor Webb’s eyes narrowed at Teach’s dispassionate response. “Is it true what this Peter says? Did you lead a mutiny while on board the Deliverance?”
“No.”
“Another man supported his claim. Are you saying that because you know that mutiny is a capital offense?” Governor Webb’s voice was skeptical, his lips pressed into a thin line.
All too aware that lives hung in the balance, Teach met the governor’s gaze unflinchingly. “No. I’m saying it because I did not lead a mutiny. Captain Murrell was unable to maintain control of the ship. Before the battle commenced, he relinquished his control to me.”
“That’s not what Peter said transpired.”
Tick. Tock.
A vein began to pound at Teach’s right temple. Stay calm. He has no proof. “Peter wished to be made captain himself. I’m not surprised by his claim.”
Governor Webb remained silent for a moment. Taking a white kerchief, he wiped his forehead and upper lip. It was stifling in the office. Teach could not understand why anyone would choose to spend much time in here.
“I’ve spoken with the passengers,” Webb said. “They said Murrell was excessively cruel.”
Teach knew firsthand how true that statement was. “Yes, sir.”
“They also said you and the captain were constantly at odds.”
It was no surprise that the passengers had noticed the tension on board the ship. Teach didn’t try to deny it. “His style of leadership did little to instill loyalty amongst the men.”
“Your men are very loyal to you, Edward.”
The way the governor said his name was patronizing. It reminded Teach of when his father spoke to him, and Teach felt his body temperature rise with each passing minute, his impatience escalating. “And I to them.” It was clear the other members of Teach’s crew had stuck to their story. Once Peter left the ship and Teach had realized the young man would make trouble, John had gone to each member of the crew to make sure their stories corroborated.
“I sent out two ships of my own to try to intercept, but they must have missed you.”
Interesting. Teach had seen no sails.
Tick. Tock.
“Despite the attack, I’m glad to see you arrived unharmed.”
Teach made a scornful sound, his eyes narrowing. “I would hardly say we arrived unharmed. Seventeen of my men were injured. Seven died of their injuries before we made port.”
Webb’s brow knotted. “And what about your cargo? Was it damaged?”
“My cargo will be delivered as planned.”
The governor stared at him in silence. Teach waited, the pounding in his temple increasing with each second. The moment lengthened uncomfortably, until Webb finally spoke. “You must be a remarkable captain to maintain command of such an exceptional ship.”
Richard Drummond would be pleased by the fact that even here, the Deliverance was viewed with respect and admiration. Teach didn’t know how much more he could take. If he didn’t see Anne soon, he would go mad.
“What’s your history? Have you captained other ships?”
Biting back a curse, Teach barely managed to keep his voice level. “Yes, I have. It was under similar circumstances, when the captain of another merchant ship on which I sailed died from his injuries during an attack off the coast of Jamaica.”
“You seem to have a knack for coming out of encounters unscathed.”
Teach shrugged, unsure how to respond.
Governor Webb steepled his fingers, clearly enjoying Teach’s discomfiture. Webb watched him as though he was an insect under glass. “I would like you to captain a ship for me.”
Not sure he heard the governor correctly, Teach cocked his head slightly, a flush of adrenaline coursing through his body. “I’m sorry, you want me to captain a ship?” Under different circumstances, Teach might have leapt at the chance. But not now. Now he simply wanted this interrogation to end.
“Yes.”
“Why me?”
“Why not you? Do you have other pressing matters?” Webb’s voice was mocking.
Yes. Now his most pressing thoughts were of Anne. But he couldn’t tell Webb that. “Perhaps we could discuss this later. I would like to go and see to my men.”
“Of course. That’s what a good captain should do. By all means, go and see to your men. But then you will report back here first thing tomorrow morning.”
“And the charge of mutiny brought against me?”
“Dismissed.”
“Thank you, sir—”
“For now.”
Any relief Teach might have felt at the governor’s words faded. “What do you mean, for now?”
“It means that unless you do as I ask, you and the rest of your crew will be charged and hanged for mutiny.”
CHAPTER 12
Anne
Anne spun the pocket watch that had once belonged to her mother on its gold chain, watching the way it reflected the light from the kitchen window. Beth had gone upstairs to Alastair’s office, leaving Anne alone with only heavy thoughts as company.
She couldn’t shake the image of seeing Teach led away in irons. Her insides were tied, like the cordage on a sail.
Twisting the chain into a tight ball, she released the tension and watched it spiral to the last link. The action didn’t soothe her; it reminded her too much of her own predicament. She was spinning, spinning, but anchored to a fixed point. Nothing she did seemed to break her free of the dizzying loop of her helplessness. She had done nothing to help Teach, and she failed to help the slaves.
But what could she do? She was a young girl with no money in a strange land. Her mind circled back to that point again and again but couldn’t take hold of a single plan of action.
Once she had money, she could stop relying on others for aid. Alastair had gone immediately to seek an audience with the governor to talk about Teach and his arrest. Anne wished she could have accompanied him, but Alastair had insisted he go alone. Cara and Coyle had gone to the market, to see if they could learn any news.
And, unable to sit idle, Anne had cleaned the kitchen for four straight hours. With nothing left to do, she spun her watch and paced across the small space.