“I have orders from President Madison to escort—”
“Escort?”
“To arrest you and take you back to Washington.” There was no reaction. Not a flicker of surprise or fear in her face. Cloud went on. “You will be granted a pardon should you agree to aid us in the upcoming war. Your knowledge is considered valuable by the President and some others and they want you on our side.”
“What grounds do you have to arrest me?”
“Forcing the issue of war with Great Britain.”
“But I am English. They are the ones who should arrest me for treason.”
“Many of your men are not, Captain. By acting as privateers you have helped to precipitate war.” He recited the reason by rote.
“You know that is not true. The United States has a list of grievances a mile long now.”
“I know it. But you asked why I was arresting you. Those are the charges.”
“And you would arrest me to give credence to a lie?” She placed the goblet softly on the table and folded her hands in her lap. Her voice had not altered in the least as she continued questioning him. It was still soft and lilting, and it had the edge of a steel blade that was cutting through this mockery swiftly and surely.
“I would do what I was ordered, Captain. My approach would not have been the same but I do not intend to use that to justify myself.”
“But how would you have approached me?”
Cloud wanted to tell her he would have waited until she had Travers. It was of no consequence now. He wanted to tell her he had done everything to avoid this confrontation. That also was of no consequence. “It does not matter,” he said finally. “I happen to agree you could be valuable in helping us win the upcoming war.”
Alexis’s lips curled slightly at the corners. “The end justifies the means.”
“No.” he said firmly. “But where no choice is given as to the means, the end becomes everything.”
Alexis was ready to tell him he could have resigned his commission, but she held back, knowing that was something he could not do, any more than she could give up her search. Instead she asked, “Are you satisfied?”
“Who are you asking, Captain Danty? Are you asking the commander of theConcordor are you asking Cloud?”
“I was asking Cloud, but I had no right. As captain you do not have to answer that question. I already know the answer is yes.”
“What do you plan to do? Are you going to permit me to take you into custody or are our men going to have to fight?” He finished his wine and held his cup, tensely waiting her response.
“What is the agreement again?” Her brows drew together over closed eyes.
“If you decide to help us fight this war by giving us information that will aid our side all charges against you will be dropped.” Cloud knew he had told no lie. What was it Alexis had told him once? Various shades of the truth? He frowned. It was a lie. He had not mentioned Lafitte, nor did he intend to. Not as long as there was still a chance he could get Howe and his cronies to see how senseless that part of the bargain was.
Alexis kept her eyes closed, her face serene. “My men? Are they also under arrest?”
“That depends on you, Captain. I have no orders for their capture. In the event you do not come I will take it upon myself to see that every American on your crew spends time in prison for his actions aboard your ship.”
Alexis’s eyes flew open and she stared at him to see if he meant what he said. She discerned, with no effort at all, that he was serious. “That’s a large hammer you have held over my head. And what if we choose to fight? You may not win.”
“Is the risk acceptable?”
Alexis hesitated only a moment before answering. Her or her men. Certain death for many on both sides if she did not agree to go. And Travers? He was gone for now and preparing him for another trap would take months of careful planning. What would she gain if she fought and won? A chance to pursue Travers? No. If her attack on theConcordwere known she would be hunted down by the Americans. They would see that Quinton Shipping was destroyed. Cloud thought he was only using the lives above him as leverage. But it was the Grendons and Scott Hansom and all the others that depended on Quinton Shipping that she included in her answer.
“The risk is not acceptable. It appears I am to be your prisoner once again. There is no other word for it this time, is there?”
“There was none before,” he replied.
“Good,” she said with finality. “Then you also know the same option exists for me as before. I will go with you now but I give you my word I will escape.”
“I understand.”
