“Yes.”
Cloud’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “What makes you think that?”
Landis peered straight ahead through the darkness, the palest sliver of moon aiding his search. “You know as well as the rest of us she can’t hope to get away this time, no matter what she says. Her men would provide an easy way out for all of us.”
Cloud’s voice was sharp and cutting. “Let’s stop this immediately, Mr. Landis, once and for all. Feel free to pass it on to the rest of the men. The woman below is Captain Danty and that is who we are taking back to Washington. Forget Alex ever existed. Stop feeling at odds with your assignment. It does none of us any good. As long as any man feels guilty, we’ll have trouble. We’ll get careless. And she’ll use it against us. I’ll have the first man who so much as hints at turning her loose hung on the yardarm without a moment’s hesitation.” He strode away, missing the smile that sprang immediately beneath Landis’s silver beard.
Landis looked up at Tom Daniels at the wheel, and from the shrug of Tom’s shoulders, Landis knew he had heard the entire conversation. Individually they wondered if the captain could take his own advice.
As Cloud readied for bed he thought about what he had said to his friend. Who was he trying to convince with his outburst, himself or Landis? How could he expect his men to forget the Alex they knew existed when he could not? How could they pretend the prisoner was Captain Danty when he could not bring himself to do it? She could not be split apart like that. She was both things to all of them. He fell asleep, dreading, then praying for the moment when her men would make their move.
Several days passed, monotony the thread holding them together. Alexis knew the number of planks forming the deck of her cabin. She had named all the knothole faces in her ceiling. She could tell who was coming to replace the guard at the door or to bring her meals by the step he made. There was a step indelibly etched into her memory to go with each face. Frank Springer was the light, airy bounce, just like his name. Mike Garrison was the heavy plodder. Harry Young had a hesitant shuffle that somehow seemed to match his lopsided grin. Tom Daniels was slow grace, his drawl and his fencing skills combining to make a whisper step. She never could visualize Forrest’s approach. He announced himself with loud grumbling instead.
Cloud rarely came, but she knew his stride better than those of the others. His was a step that issued a quiet challenge, a step that announced itself with unassuming arrogance. It had the sound of unsought applause.
She heard those hands clapping now as his boots made contact with the planks in the companionway. She stared sullenly out the window.
“I’m bored,” she told him when he entered the cabin.
“Do you always greet visitors so amiably?” asked Cloud.
“I knew it was you. I made an exception.”
“How did you know it was me?”
“Your audience announced you.” She turned and saw he was staring at her blankly. “Having nothing else—Never mind. I just knew. I said I was bored,” she repeated impatiently.
“Where is the toy I saw a few days ago?” He greeted her blank stare with a cool smile. “The one that was in the wall.”
“It’s in my boot. It’s yours, if you want it.”
“No, you keep it. If it hasn’t found its way to my heart yet I guess I’m safe.” They both moved at the same time, like gladiators sizing up an opponent in the arena. He sat down on the bunk while she took the opposite side and sat on the deck. “Where did you get it in the first place?” he asked, making himself comfortable on higher ground.
“Peach, my cabin boy, must have put it in my bag.” She rested her chin on her knee and continued to stare at him as if she were calculating the strength of the enemy.
“Oh, the little thing with the love-sick eyes and his heart on his sleeve.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked. “All right, I guess I knew he was a little in love with me. He was only with us a few months before you came.” Alexis closed her eyes and pressed a smile into her knee, remembering the way Peach always hurried by her and his inability to prepare a hot bath.
“Did they all fall in love with you?” Cloud asked slowly.
“No!” She jerked her head up. “What gave you that idea?”
“Well, if Peach is any indication then—”
“Stop it. Just leave, Captain.”
“I thought you were bored? You don’t like my company?” He knew the sarcasm was unbecoming but couldn’t help himself.
“I’d like to be alone. I don’t want to talk right now.”
Cloud ignored the gentle plea almost hidden in her acid tone. “I did come here with something in mind. I have decided you can have the freedom of the ship, if you will give me your word you will not try to escape.”
“You’d take my word?” She felt herself softening.
“Of course. You’ve never lied to me before.”
Alexis was torn for a moment. Being able to go on deck was almost like being free when compared to four walls. She looked around the cabin, then at Cloud who was studying her intently, burning her with emerald sparks. “I can’t give my word, Captain. I’ll still try. You had better keep me locked in.”
