Caleb nodded.“Ensure the watch stays alert and awake.I’ll not have any more thievery aboard my ship.”
“Aye, Captain.”Frowning, Alden gripped his baldric.“I cannot imagine how anyone was able to sneak on board undetected.Makes no sense.”His gaze locked upon something across the deck, and Caleb turned to see Ayida delivering bowls of stew to the night crew.If Caleb didn’t know Alden so well, he’d think suspicion lingered in his eyes.
“You believe the thief comes from within the ship?”he asked his friend.
Alden shrugged but said naught.
Liam chuckled.“Surely ye don’t suspect Ayida?”But then he cocked his head and narrowed his gaze upon her.“Though she is a lass, and I’ve ne’er found one I could trust.”He gripped the green stone he wore around his neck.
Alden grinned.“Doesn’t stop you from chasing every loose skirt in town.”
But Caleb’s thoughts were still on the thievery.What would one of his crew have to gain from extending their stay on this godforsaken island?Surely setting out to sea where a potential prize could be captured would be far more lucrative.
More importantly, if there was foul play aboard, Caleb, with God’s help, should be able to discern the evil intent of the perpetrator.But ever since the tragedy of two years past, he’d lost that God-given skill.
He still had the Ring.He patted the pocket of his jerkin, the artifact warming to his touch as usual.He’d not used it since the rats, not even put it on his finger.But perhaps…’twas time to test its powers once again.
A cool night breeze drifted over them, stirring Caleb’s hair and bringing with it the sounds of revelry from the town—a fiddle, a bawdy song, shouts, curses, and a distant pistol shot.Oh, how he longed to leave this haunted island and its sordid memories behind.
Dr.Brandt ambled up, one book crammed under his arm, the other maneuvering his cane over the wooden planks.“You should be abed, Captain.You need rest.”
“No need to concern yourself.I’m feeling much better, thanks to your expert ministrations, doctor.”He hoped the man would receive the compliment, perhaps even with a smile, but he mumbled beneath his breath and pressed on Caleb’s wound.
“And the Almighty,” Alden added with a frown.
Caleb winced.“Aye.”
“As I suspected.Still sore.”
“Of course ’tis still sore.”Caleb pushed Brandt’s hand away, only then noticing the slant of the man’s shoulders and his pallid complexion.“But I’m healing.And you need your rest.”
“Rest?”Alden chuckled.“I fear that remedy cannot be found in any of his books.”
“I can’t sleep,” Brandt muttered gruffly.“Not when there are sick and injured to heal.”
“Who’s sick?”
“Young Spike’s been down with a fever and the flux since yesterday.”
Liam snorted, adjusting the green sash tied about his waist.“He’s jist had a wee too much to drink.I saw him atLa Tête de Mortlast night.”
Caleb huffed his disapproval.“Brandt.I insist you get some sleep, or you’ll be no good to any of us.”
“I will.I will…” the man muttered.“But there’s something I wish to discuss with you first.”
“Capitaine.”Ayida’s distinct island accent rang through the air as she approached.“Do you wan’ me to bring some stew to de lady?Do you dink she’s awake by now?”
Before Ayida even finished her question, Dr.Brandt shook his head and limped away.Odd, but then again, the doctor had always been a bit eccentric.
“I’ll happily bring the lass some food.”Liam grinned, flashing his brows.
Caleb ignored him.“Aye, please do so, Ayida.And report back to me when she awakes.”In truth, he longed to know her reaction to the gifts he’d left her.
“Weel, can’t blame me for tryin’.”A shout brought Liam’s gaze above, and he wandered to the ratlines, heading aloft.
Turning, Caleb leaned against the railing.His eyes traced the flickering lantern light along the wharf and then into town as theSentinelrocked gently in the dark, languid waters of the bay.An odd sense filtered over him.Something was wrong, skewed, out of place.A light breeze tugged at the rigging, but it brought no comfort.His fingers brushed the Ring in his pocket, and he drew it forth, holding it up to the glow of the mainmast lantern.
“Captain.”Alden’s tone was firm beside him.“You have no need of that trinket.We’ve seen what comes of it.”
