Chapter Forty

DRESSED IN HIS CLARET overcoat and black breeches, Vince pushed open the doors of the new Watch House. Behind him, Clive Hext and Philip Talan took a Pennyman by the arm and led him downstairs to the cells.

James leaned on the mezzanine railing overlooking the ground floor. Before him, the great glass turret offered a view of the busy harbour. Below, the new recruits were settling in.

In a dark corner, Sorcha and Flowers had their heads down over a box of spare parts, tinkering with some new contraption one of them had dreamed up. Ruth and Frank Rundle argued over who got the desk by the window until the beadle Norton bellowed at them from his records room. Walter scribbled a note and gave it to Brendan, who had become the official courier for the Watch. In Vince’s office, Crabmeat lay snoring in his own little bed beneath the charcoal portrait of James.

James handed Vince a copy of the Blackrabbit Courant. “Have you seen today’s edition?”

The lead story from Ms Emmeline Hawksmoor detailed her run-in with the bloodthirsty Lieutenant Pertinacity Hancock. It spoke of Lieutenant Hancock’s confession, her murder of Alfie Exeter, and her subsequent death in the midst of the chaos she instigated. It also mentioned the failure of the Sentinels and the formation of the island’s newest protectors—the Knights of Blackrabbit.

Vince snorted when he reached the line. “Not calling ourselves that.”

“If it catches on with the public, you won’t have much say in the matter.” James pulled the silver ring from his finger and set it on the handrail. He slid it towards Vince.

“What this?” Vince asked.

“I told you before. It’s a reminder.”

Vince lifted the ring and slid it onto his little finger. It got stuck before it reached the first knuckle. He wiggled it at James, who laughed.

“Damn, I thought it would be a nice gesture. Give it back then, you can have your own made. Or perhaps I’ll have one forged and send it to you.”

“Thought they were only for your crew?”

“Well, you’ve been under me, in a manner of speaking. I think that counts. And you’ve even taken the odd order or two.” James wiggled his eyebrows. “Harder, faster, and so forth.”

Vince couldn’t help but laugh. “Incorrigible.”

“What can I say? You’ve rubbed off on me,” James said. “You know, I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you smile. You should try it more often.”

“Ah-hah!” Sorcha called up to him and pointed. “A smile! At last!”

“Wasn’t for you!” Vince said.

“It still counts!”

Vince laughed again and shook his head. “Put a light on. Ruin your eyesight, otherwise. Thought you wanted to go explore the world?”

Sorcha shrugged and held her hands out. “And leave you to run all this by yourself? You wouldn’t last a day!”

“She’s got a point,” James said. “You have more work to do now than ever.”

Vince smiled at him. “Suppose I should thank you for giving us this building.”

“It’s of no use to us anymore,” James said. “And besides, I think Swan felt guilty for her plans to remove Rabbit from office. This place had been created to serve the needs of the town protectors. That’s you now. That’s the Watch. Or should I say the Knights?”

“Careful,” Vince said. “Almost sound bitter.” He shuffled about where he stood. “Not sure I’ve forgiven you, you know. For Lambshead.”

James squared his shoulders. “I was still Sentinel Commander at the time. Lambshead was a dangerous man. The responsibility was mine, and the decision was mine to make.”

“Should have stopped you, should have—”

“You couldn’t have stopped me if you’d tried.” James’s eyes hardened. He still smiled but in that way that let others know he was right and they were wrong. He gripped the lapels of his own waistcoat. “Let me be clear. I had always intended to do away with him. From the moment I learned of his existence, I knew there was only one way his reign of terror was going to end, and it wasn’t going to be in the gaolhouse.”

Vince gripped the railing and leaned forward a little. “Had you been here, before, when I was—”

“I would have given you the same treatment. In a heartbeat.” James’s voice fired the words without hesitation. Shot from the siege engine of his mouth.

“Makes me feel better,” Vince said. “In a way. Bit of a worry, actually. Can’t be normal.”

“Pfft, normal. Normal doesn’t exist. Tell me one normal person you know. Just one. You can’t.” James leaned his ample rear end on the railing and crossed his arms. “You know, you think you’ve solved a problem, but you’ve created a whole new one. You’ve put a generation of rule-breakers in a position of authority. The power will go to their heads—mark my words. You’ve given them a chance, but they won’t be satisfied for long. These hungry hearts. These crashing waves. These young wolves. You’ve ended up the head of another gang, and they’ll come for you one day. They’ll turn on you.”

Vince lifted his chin and frowned. “Let them try. Now what?”

“Back to sea, old boy. Best place for me, I think. The land is complicated. The sea is simple. All you have to remember is to stay on the top.”

“Wanted a big house in the country, I thought?”

“And I’ll have one,” James said, “just as soon as I become an admiral. Maclaren deserves some fields to fly over. Some trees to rest in.” He put a hand on Vince’s hip, leaned in, and kissed him on the lips. “Try not to get into any more trouble, will you?”

“No promises,” Vince said, smiling. “Now get off my island.”

James laughed and straightened his waistcoat as Celeste swung open the doors to the Watch house. “Right, you lot. Mrs Maunder’s house has been burgled. Seems her fancy new dress drew a bit of attention. Someone’s nicked it and all her jewellery. She’s asked us to get it all back. Witness said the thieves headed inland. Commander Knight, you coming?”

“This is what you do now?” James asked. “Rush from one crime to the next? You’re the Commander, man! Sit in your office and enjoy the privileges of rank. You have underlings for this sort of thing. You’ve earned some peace and quiet.”

Vince grabbed his tricorne and made for the stairs. “Said it yourself, James. Calm seas carry no ships.” He smiled and followed Celeste outside into the crisp November air.