Chapter XV
XV
Even though Old John hadn’t done the deed, his hands felt sticky with blood.
He rubbed them on his trousers, his pockets weighted down by the purse of silver.
A regular Judas he’d become – betraying his duty to Lord Robert…
and now he had a living murder victim, a babe in arms, and an angry estranged wife to deal with.
But first things first.
He needed a drink.
Maggie’s aged father, Henry, was tending the bar. There was no love lost between him and John, and John endured his father-in-law’s scowl, and in return, he bared his teeth in a rictus grin.
‘Why you here?’ Henry said, suspicious. ‘You up to something?’
‘No, sir.’ John clanged the purse onto the bar. ‘Just got a dreadful thirst this evening. I’ll have me a whisky, and a round for the room.’ He waved a hand towards the assembled throng. ‘And then I’ll be on my way.’
‘You buying a round?’ Henry’s frown deepened. ‘That’ll be a first.’
John laughed. ‘Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.’
‘Suit yourself.’ He banged a glass on the bar and poured John a draught.
The liquor was a sweet burn in his throat.
Word spread that he was buying, and the bartender poured glass after glass which were accepted eagerly by all and sundry.
The noise level rose in the common room and spirits were high.
But just as John was about to down his third measure, the door banged open.
He half-expected to see Lord Robert, come back to haunt him like the Devil himself. But instead, it was the groom’s boy.
‘Ship!’ His shout barely rose above the sound of laughter and chat. ‘The Halcyon! She’s in the bay and run aground on the rocks.’
There was a general clatter as the men roused themselves from their drinks, moving in slow motion, but knowing their business. A ship in the cove, wrecked on the rocks. A ship with a cargo just returned from the Indies.
‘Christ a’mighty,’ John said. He downed the drink in his glass and another for good measure. ‘Come on, Jep,’ he said to the little dog, who had fallen asleep by the fire. ‘Rouse your old bones. She’s there for the taking, and damned if I’m going to miss out on my share of the spoils.’
* * *
Because he was old, and because he was slow, most of the others had already left for the beach by the time he hobbled along the cliffs above the cove where mayhem reigned supreme.
The tide was coming in, and huge waves crashed against the rocks that framed the inlet.
From the cliffs, men kept watch along the roads, muskets loaded in case the revenue men got wind of the wreck and needed warning off.
The shingle swarmed with men, women, and even children, wave-soaked and shivering as they awaited the barrels and crates to come ashore.
A column of wagons pulled by terrified ponies came to the edge of the cove like a line of ants, ready to carry off crumbs.
But for some reason, the crumbs hadn’t come as expected.
A few crates and barrels had washed up, but so far, they were empty.
Grumbling and cursing began to spread, the dreaded phrase spoken in whispers: ‘ghost ship’ – one empty of her cargo and crew. A bad omen all around…
Nonetheless, Old John took a breath of salty air and let out a satisfying fart. He had money in his pocket, and despite the poor pickings on the beach, life was good. And best of all—
‘Master’s got a job for you.’ A voice hissed from the darkness.
John cursed under his breath. ‘Another one?’
‘Not that master. But there’ll be coin in it for you.’
‘Coin? But… the spoils…’
‘There’ll be no spoils washing onto the beach. Nor crew either. She’s a ghost ship – and if you want to avoid her ill luck, you’d best hear me out, and listen well.’
Old John’s eyes widened as the man explained the task. The man pointed out to sea just as a beacon of flame shot up into the angry sky. The Halcyon was on fire. But far out at sea, another smaller object moved. Dark sails, two masts…
Whatever was afoot, it was beyond his meagre powers to understand. But there was coin in it… and that was no bad thing. Same day, different master… it was all the same to him.
He turned back to the man but he found no one there.
With a huff and a sigh, Old John called Jep to heel and trudged back to the inn to do as he was told.