At the inn, Jessop enjoyed the company of his friends, but his conversation with Patience about the captain’s health weighed on him. He needed back up and decided the only way to keep the captain and Patience safe was to bring William and Olaf in on the secret.

They’d have to go somewhere that Fin’s followers would not over hear any of their conversation so he had the barmaid pack them a basket of food and another of blankets and made arrangements with the three to spend the evening elsewhere.

They ventured down the path once more, Jessop looking back often to see if they were followed, which seemed to intrigue Olaf and William as to what was happening. They passed the rock where William had laid the stinky coat and he was thrilled to see it was still there.

“Look…It’s still here.”

“What is?” Olaf said.

“The coat,” William said inspecting it.

“Remember when we scrubbed down William in the shower because he stank so badly. This is the coat that gave him the lethal stench,” Jessop explained to Olaf.

“It doesn’t seem to smell as you said,” Olaf said suspiciously sniffing the air near the coat.

“A few months of rain, wind, and airing out will do that to a coat,” Jessop laughed.

Once they spotted the old barn, Jessop again, looked around to make sure they had not been followed before entering the weathered structure and closing the door behind them.

“You’re being very mysterious,” William said happily putting on the coat.

“You might want to check that for critters, it having been in the wild for so long,” Olaf stated.

“Naw. Any friend of the coat, is a friend of mine.”

“Good thing there wasn’t a skunk living in it.” Jessop laughed.

“Or a tarantula. Or viper curled up in the sleeve or pocket.”

“Stop that,” William said, but then nervously checked the pocket.

They all had a good laugh and with one more check out the door to see if anyone had followed, he sat on a bale in front of where Olaf was starting a fire.

“I brought you both out here because I needed to tell you about some things that are brewing onboard.”

“Does this have to do with the secret we talked about?” Olaf asked.

“You told him a secret and didn’t tell me?” William said a bit disappointed.

“I didn’t tell Olaf the secret we just talked about the difficulty in keeping a dangerous secret. And to answer your question, Olaf, yes.

“Things are getting bigger than I can handle by myself and in order to ensure the safety of those in danger, I thought I’d recruit my most trusted friends.”

“This is going to be good,” William said excitedly.

“So, what is it?”

Jessop educated them on the captain’s decline in health, as well as his former naval career and then told them of Patience’s true identity.

“And you thought you’d never have any reason to see her again,” William laughed.

Jessop gave him a reprimanding raise of an eyebrow. “The point is you know how Fin has been digging in my past, if he catches wind of a woman being on board or the captain’s health…”

“Mutiny,” Olaf said.

“Yes. And he’d kill Patience and turn over the captain to the British Navy for a bounty.”

“Why doesn’t the captain just take off with his daughter and live out his life somewhere else.”

“I think he would if he had the means, but everything he’s earned has gone back into the ship, her crew, and his daughter.”

“What can we do about it?” William asked.

“I’m not sure we can do much except protect them if the worst happens. The captain suggested possibly taking me on as the first mate.”

“Now, there’s a way to make enemies with Fin.”

“The captain feels that if by taking this position he’d gain the favor of the men that we’ve won with the inventions and what not. It might buy us some time for the captain.”

“It doesn’t matter how much time you buy him, it’s not going to be enough to buy his retirement,” William said bluntly. “Let’s face it, he’s dying.”

“I know. He’s just so worried about Patience and how she will fair without any inheritance. If either of you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.”

The two men looked sullenly into the growing flames of the fire in silence.

“I heard, too, that Fin had some ‘surprise’ for you when we get back to the ship,” Olaf said with regret.

“That can’t be good,” William said.

Jessop raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Do you have any idea what it is?” William asked Olaf.

“I’d guess it has something to do with the journal he found when they ransacked the Victory.”

“A journal?” Olaf asked.

“Crock’s journal,” Jessop said directing it at William.

“Oh. Even worse.”

“Why?” Olaf asked.

“That’s what Fin was threatening me with when you stepped in the other night,” Jessop said to Olaf.

“Something about your name?” Olaf remembered.

“Yes, and that my father is wealthy supporter of King George,” Jessop said.

“There goes your supporters on the Revenge.”

“No doubt.”

“Remember what I told you about secrets, Jesse?” Olaf said.

“That we all have them?”

“Yes. I happened on Fin’s room and found the door ajar. Worried that something might be wrong…” Olaf said sarcastically, “I popped in to have a look.”

“What did you find?” William asked.

“Just two identical journals of bookkeeping and inventory.”

“Why would he have two copies of the same thing?” William wondered.

“Because one was far more depleted in cash and inventory giving the appearance that the captain has been taking a little extra for his pocket,” Olaf explained with a knowing smile.

“Why would the captain say he has no money if he’s been taking the crew’s share?” William asked.

“He’s not taking from the crew, William. Fin is framing the captain with a dummy set of books so he will gain the support for his take over. He has to have the majority vote or it can’t happen.”

“Olaf, do you think this is part of the surprise tomorrow?”

“If he plans on announcing your true identity AND the captain’s embezzling, yes. I’m guessing he’s planning on taking over.”

“What can we do?” William asked.

“You have to warn the captain,” Jessop said.

“I have to? Why don’t you warn him? You’re the one who’s been dealing with him.”

“Because I’m going to try and reason with Fin.”

“There’s no reasoning with Fin,” William said.

“Have a hankering to visit Vahalla?” Olaf asked.

“No, but the captain says he’s respectable.”

“Someone framing another person is not respectable,” William retorted.

“I have to try.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Olaf insisted.

“What? I have to see the captain alone?”

“The captain is less likely to kill you, William,” Olaf said.

“You don’t know that,” William said under his breath.

“Fine, then let’s get on with it. The captain is just up the path a little further at the lighthouse.”

“Hmph…” William grumbled. “But I’m taking the food.”

Olaf and William chuckled at his adolescent demand.

* * *

Olaf and Jessop made good time getting back to town and made a beeline for the ship. It was dark and the stars shone very brightly through the faint passing clouds.

Fin rarely left the ship—he had his little army to take care of trivial things on land. As they got close, cloaked by the darkness, Jessop could see someone aboard the ship looking very out of place with a white powdered wig that seemed to reflect in the lantern light like a golden moon.

Jessop whispered to Olaf, “Do you have your eyepiece with you?”

“Yes.” He yielded the telescope from his belt and handed it to Jessop. “What is it?”

“There’s someone on board with Fin,” Jessop whispered.

“There’s always someone onboard with Fin,” Olaf whispered back. Jessop spied what he could through the long brass cylinder and focused in on the coiffed gentleman onboard.

“Yes, but this someone happens to be my father,” Jessop said troubled by his sight.

“There’s a surprise,” Olaf said looking through the eyepiece as he did.

“Indeed.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know.”

They watched them talk for a few minutes and then one of Fin’s men escorted the gentleman by dinghy to a ship anchored in the bay a hundred yards out.

“Why do you suppose he’s here?”

“I’m guessing to take me home. Surely Fin will be paid handsomely for returning me.”

“Will you go?”

“I couldn’t go back to the life I knew. I’m a changed man.”

“Then you’ll stay a pirate?”

“I’m not sure a pirate is what I am either.”

“Sounds like whatever you decide to do, will be a life changing deal for you.”

“Yes, and I think it’s about time,” Jessop said as he headed to the end of the dock where a small row boat jostled back and forth in the water.

“I’ll meet up with you on the morrow,” he said as he sat on the cross slat and positioned the oars in their rowlocks and glided towards the tallship his father had boarded.