"I want an exact accounting of the damage and of the injured men. Replace any lost supplies. Make all necessary repairs. I want her seaworthy by nightfall. And I'm going to need at least a half-dozen able-bodied men, the strongest among the crew."
"Sir, I'm sorry..." The second mate started to apologize.
Zach waved it off. "I should have expected as much. But it won't happen again."
"Yes sir," his man agreed.
"The wolf has been careless, and I know where his lair is."
"Sir?" Confusion clouded Sandy's gaze.
Zach smiled at his second mate. "I know where the gold is to be delivered." He flexed his bruised and swollen hand.
He was fortunate that he hadn't broken every bone in it. But the prisoner had given his name and a great deal more. Mr. Lash had held out a long time, but they had finally come to an agreement.
Zach knew where the gold was to be taken and hidden until Barrington returned from an extended trip after the wedding. By then, the man probably assumed the furor over the stolen cargo would have died down and that Zach would have departed. But he had something else in mind.
"The gold is to be stored at a pre-arranged location. It's to be delivered there tonight under cover of darkness, and we'll be waiting for it when it arrives."
Sandy let out a long, low whistle. "The gold and the money?"
Zach nodded. "Payment for Barrington's treachery. After all," he added, "a gentleman must abide by his agreement or pay the penalty. Wouldn't you say, Sandy?"
"Aye, sir." Sandy's eyes narrowed appreciatively. "But what if the bastard gave you the wrong information?"
"I think it's safe to say the man now believes in telling the truth. But if he's lied, then he dies," Zach stated coolly. He glanced at the ship's clock. It was nearly four-thirty in the morning. It would be daylight in another hour.
"It's a full day's ride back to Fair View. When Barrington's man doesn't arrive within a reasonable amount of time to tell him of their success, he will send someone to check up on Mr. Lash, or perhaps come himself.
"I'll wager," he continued, "that he'll do the latter since the wedding is scheduled for day after tomorrow." He ignored the tight feeling in his chest at that part of it.
"That means the earliest Barrington could possibly arrive back in London would be tomorrow morning. And by then the gold will be safely back in our hands, as will full payment for this." Zach held the legal bank draft aloft.
"He'll send someone to the docks. But theRevengewill be gone. As soon as the gold arrives, I want for us to be well at sea." He rounded the desk and approached the map on the far wall. He pointed to the English coastline.
"You'll sail to this point, then anchor offshore at Dover," he instructed his second mate. "According to Tobias, there's a small cover, here." He indicated the meeting place.
"What about you, sir?"
"There's someone I must find before I leave London. I may not even be able to locate her. She disappeared over thirty years ago. But if I'm not at that cove by first tide two days from now, you're to sail without me. I'll find you later. Is that clear?"
Zach saw the momentary hesitation that passed between Tobias and his second mate. "That is an order," he said firmly.
The two men muttered that they understood.
"Good." Zach turned to Sandy. "See to the provisions to be brought aboard. Then we must plan how we're to retrieve the gold. We don't have very much time." His mate nodded curtly and left. Zach turned to Tobias. "You look like hell. Get some sleep."
"What about you?"
Zach shook his head. "I have to make plans."
"What about Lord Vale's house?"
"Go back only for what you can carry. The rest stays. No one is to be suspicious. I want everything to seem normal. The servants must know nothing. Tell them you have several appointments and an engagement, then return to the ship. I want you aboard when the gold arrives."
"You think you can get it back?"
He turned to his friend, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'll get it back and I'll get Barrington's money as well."
