Christian nodded. “We’ll be less than a day behind you.”
The wagon rumbled to a stop and Isaac swung to the ground. He helped Miss Montclair down and offered her his arm while they waited for Christian and Samantha to come around from the other side. A cough came from behind them and he spun.
A man stumbled their way, waving his hand. Isaac frowned at his tattered clothing and unkempt hair. A beggar, from the looks of it. Sunburned and blistered, a wild look blazed in his eyes. Miss Montclair took a half-step back, and Isaac set a steadying hand on her elbow. His other eased around the hilt of his sword.
“Are you Lieutenant Caldwell?” The man’s words came out weak and hoarse.
Isaac nodded, his grip tightening on his weapon. “Are you in need of assistance?”
The man stepped forward, into the light of the nearest lantern and Isaac’s eyes widened. The torn and filthy jacket the man wore was anavy issued one.
“My God, sailor, what’s happened?” His hand left his sword and he strode to meet the man as he fell to his knees. Christian hurried to the sailor’s other side and they helped him back to his feet.
“Able seaman James Burke, sir, of theUSS Reliant.”
The ship Thorne had sunk. Nearly a week ago.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“I’ve been adrift at sea, clinging to a piece of wreckage. I thought I was on my last breath—thought I was hallucinating—when I saw a fishing boat coming my way. They rescued me and brought me here. Told me the Navy had arrived.”
He’d been floating for almost a week. A true miracle he’d survived. “Christian, hurry and fetch a doctor.”
They stood in silence while Christian drove the wagon away. Samantha bent to one knee, adjusting her slipper. All a ruse. If he knew her, she had her fingers wrapped around the hilt of that fancy little dagger she kept there. Once a pirate, always a pirate. She lifted a brow at his perusal and he turned his attention back to the shipwrecked sailor.
She didn’t have to worry. He could take this man down blindfolded with one hand tied behind his back. “What can I do to ease your discomfort? Have you been offered food? Water?”
With a nervous glance between the two women, the sailor cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “There’s more I must tell you. As we sailed into the harbor, I saw the very ship that attacked us sail away.”
Isaac exhaled. “Not surprising. We had an encounter with him less than an hour ago.”
“I know where he sails.”
Isaac gave a curt nod. “He sails north.”
The man’s eyes blazed in the lantern light. “He sails to Norfolk.”
“Norfolk?” The hairs on Isaac’s arm prickled. “How do you know?” Not a single man they had interviewed had been able to givethem any clues pointing to Thorne’s next destination.
“When he brought the last of the crates onboard, I heard him say to one of his thugs that even if it wasn’t there, they would still go to Norfolk.”
Straight into the hornet’s nest. Home of the Norfolk Navy Yard, a key naval base, entering the city would be a death wish for the pirate. Only one reason would drive him there. He was going after someone in the navy. Isaac’s chest constricted. Could someone in uniform have had a hand in Mrs. Thompson’s death?
Isaac shook his head.No. There had to be some other reason. It had to be why Thorne had tried to get him to join his crew. He would have been a great asset to gain access to information guarded by the base. It made the most sense.
“Let me join your crew.”
Isaac jerked his attention back to the man. “You need medical attention; a ship is no place for you right now, Burke. Don’t worry, I’m leaving immediately and have plenty of men fit and ready to fight.”
The seaman lunged forward and grabbed Isaac’s forearm. “You must let me. I thirst for justice for the crewmates I lost. I’m willing and able. Besides, I know what his ship looks like. I’ve got the image seared on my brain. I’ll be able to spot it a mile away, far before any of your crew could.”
Isaac wavered, weighing the advantage the man could offer and the sailor smiled. “Besides, I trust the doctoring I’ll get onboard much more than anything on shore.”
Spoken like a true navy man. “Alright. But you will take a bunk in the sick bay and stay there for the duration of the trip to recover. If there’s any fighting, you will stay out of it.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Lieutenant, is that you?” Silas’s voice came from down the dock.
