| |
THE SHIP’S NAME WAS the Ocean’s Prize and she was berthed at the far end of the wharf, close to the lumber yard. Remembering that he was told that Mendel’s companies that made the wooden ships, Tony didn’t like being close to their timber. At least it was dark enough to hide among the shadows, but that was as much an advantage for Mendel’s and Carlos’s men as it was for them. Sam had the advantage of knowing this place better than the others. That’s what Tony hoped.
“The firefights have finished here,” Sam told him as they stopped beside a small shed near the fence around the lumber yard. “Mendel’s men and Carlos’s men have moved on to the other side of the docks, where we were.”
“Why does that not comfort me?” Chance asked.
“Because there are still men sneaking around with guns,” Tony said. “At least they’re not here.”
“All the same,” Sam looked around. “The boys on the ship aren’t trusting. There’ve been some bullets ricochet off that hull of hers. I’ll go first and let them know it’s me bringing a couple of passengers.”
“Passengers this time?” Tony asked. “We’re not working our passage?”
“This time it’s different,” Sam said. “I’ve organised this fare, not Axel, and this’ll take you straight to the islands, to Davistown on Catterall Island. They’ll cut you loose there.” Sam looked at Chance. “You know what to do once you’re there?”
“My father has friends on neighbouring islands,” Chance told him.
“Nothing to do with Philippe Carson, I hope?” Sam asked.
“I doubt it,” Chance lied.
“That’s good,” Sam told her. “Phil’s a good man, if he’s a friend. Just don’t make an enemy of him. That’s worse than making enemies with Carlos and Mendel together. He’s a friend of our organisation. Now, stay low and wait for me to fetch you.”
Sam set off toward the ship. It was the first time Tony noticed what it looked like. Perhaps it was its masts that made it unremarkable, much like all the other ships they’d passed. But then the armour around it... It had what looked like a dozen big doors, probably hiding a dozen big cannon.
“Are you going to come here?” Chance hissed. “Or are you going to stay there and get yourself shot again? It’s not light, but it’s not yet dark.”
Tony turned to her. She was motioning him to follow her into the darkness beside the shed. It seemed like a good idea, so he followed.
They stood in silence for a minute or two.
“It’s getting cold,” she said.
“Take my coat.” Tony started to remove his coat.
“No,” Chance said. “I’ll have something in—”
Just then Tony noticed Chance didn’t have her carpet bag. “You left it in the storeroom, didn’t you?”
“It’s not yet winter,” she said. “That ship will have steam engines as well as its sails.”
“I’d like it if you’d take the coat,” Tony said.
“You still need to heal,” she whispered.
“So I’m no longer injured?”
Chance didn’t answer. “We’re back where we were yesterday morning. Waiting to board a ship out of here.”
“Not quite the same,” Tony said.
Chance shook her head and sighed. “Last night was a mistake, wasn’t it?”
“Last night was two tired and frightened people who sought company in each other’s arms,” Tony said softly. “I don’t think you could call that a very big mistake.”
“Well aren’t we that now?” Chance asked. “Only worse.”
“Worse?”
“I’m tired and frightened, but also hungry and thirsty. And I need to pee.”
Tony chuckled. “I’ll tell you a little secret. I’m also hungry and thirsty.”
“You don’t need to pee then?”
“I already went.”
“Where?”
“One of the laneways on the way to the storeroom.”
“Is that what you were doing?” She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Men. I don’t think you ever grow up, do you?”
“Of course we do.”
“Well, do you have anything to eat?” Chance pointed to the bulge in Tony’s jacket pocket.
“No,” he said as he took a tightly bound paper bag. “They’re just marbles. They’re wrapped up tight so as to not make a noise when I run.”
“Like I said,” Chance huffed. “You don’t ever grow up.” Then she smiled. “Don’t ever grow up. At least not until we reach Rhanoi.”
“And we go our own ways?”
“It’s for the best,” Chance said weakly.
“For the best,” Tony echoed, also weakly.
Tony looked at the ship. He couldn’t see Sam. He looked back the way they came. There were half a dozen men striding toward the shed. Tony looked at Chance, who was looking at him.
“Let’s go,” he said.
They slipped further into the darkness beside the shed.