Second on the Right (8 page)

“Yes sir,” Dirk replied. James heard the
faint sound of scribbling notes over the phone.

Silence. James waited patiently. “Is that
all?”

“Uh, y-yes sir,” Dirk replied, startled. Over
the phone, James heard the crash of a pencil holder as it hit the
floor. “Do you require anything further from me, sir?” he
asked.

James smiled in amusement. “No, Dirk. There’s
nothing more you can do. Go home, but keep me informed if anything
changes.”

“Thank you, sir. Enjoy your cruise.”

James sat back in his chair. He buried his
face in his hands. Silently, he wished for a change in his
life.

November 7, 2001 2:56 pm

From:
[email protected]

To:
[email protected]

Subject: Break In

Patrick,

I hope all is well. I need your assistance.
Please let me know you’ve received this email.

You recall the minor threats we’ve had at JAS
in the past. I’ve just been informed the company has been
vandalized. Scotland Yard has looked over the area but have no
answers as of yet. Can you take a look over the main floor as well
as the file room? They identified a powder. If you get your hands
on some, have it tested. I can’t afford to wait two weeks for the
police to possibly give me an answer. Can we do better? I need to
know what that dust is and what files were looked at or possibly
stolen.

Need this done now. As usual, all expenses
paid. I still have eleven days before my return. Can you have
something for me at that time?

James

November 23, 1641, midday

The
Mistral Thief
anchored off the
shores the remote island of Saint Vincent, located in the Caribbean
Sea between Saint Lucia and Grenada. The island was composed of
partially submerged volcanic mountains. It was surrounded by
beautifully bright azure waters that changed to darker hues of blue
beyond the coral reef. Its shores lined with palm trees, the
beautiful island lush with vegetation yet formed with sharp rock
made for a perfect hideaway.

Benedict had happened on the island merely by
accident. During the first few years of his captaincy, he evaded
capture by the Royal Navy. While on the run, he managed to lose not
only his pursuers, but also his way. The crew grumbled and he
feared mutiny. Luckily for him, fate was on his side. The island
was ripe in food, though sparse with women. Still, Benedict became
a hero on that day and the crew had looked up to him ever since,
believing it was his plan all along to find Saint Vincent and,
subsequently, Kingstown.

The crew deserved some shore leave. Captain
Benedict, feeling generous after a pleasant voyage with Eileen's
company, scheduled a skeleton crew to remain on board with the
anchored ship. Most of the crew was allowed to leave, and they
celebrated in the only way they knew how: lots of women and booze.
The townsfolk did not relish the idea of pirates invading their
private little island, nor did they enjoy their company, but they
had no choice. Being such a small island, and little known of its
existence, the people had not bothered with extreme measures for
protection, nor did they have the support as had other British
colonies. They were easily overrun in a matter of minutes.

The crew remained in the local bar, drinking,
singing, and fighting, all done according to the ship's code agreed
upon by captain and crew. To stray from such rules meant severe
punishment. Unfortunately, the code of the
Mistral Thief
did
in no way protect the property of the islanders from the riotous
nature of the crew. Furniture and windows broken, buildings and
trees used as target practice, and the local women used for
company, the town would be left in ruins in days.

“Miss Davis. It t’would be a pleasure ta
accompany ye ashore Saint Vincent’s island,” Captain Benedict said
cordially with a slight bow.

“Saint Vincent’s? That’s the island the
cruise was going to pass—” she commented, but stopped short.

“How could you possibly know of the island?
Cruise?” Benedict asked, confused.

“I, uh…” Eileen paused. “No thank you,
captain. I request permission to remain on board.”

The captain frowned, disappointment washing
over his features. He gave a curt nod and spun on his heels.
Captain Benedict was the last to go ashore with a group of crewmen.
They arrived and traversed the sandy shores to Kingstown. The crew
ran hurriedly towards the town, knowing their time was limited.

At the tavern, a crewman offered him drink,
which he took wholeheartedly. Guzzling it down, he handed back the
empty bottle and nodded for another. A voluptuous woman approached
the captain, a sultry look in her eyes. From her dress, her
profession was quite obvious; her experience remained to be
determined, though her mature age could have been an indicator.

Wanting to forget what transpired with
Eileen, Captain Benedict put himself into the arms of this
stranger. What should have been an enjoyable night was plagued by
images of Eileen. A while later he dressed and stood by the woman's
open bedroom window. Arm against the frame, he searched the dark
horizon, knowing the
Mistral Thief
and that which he truly
desired was out there.

Benedict strolled the well-worn
path that led along the shore. Arms crossed, his face looked stern.
Occasionally, he’d kick of rock. He stole a glance out in the
direction of his ship, only to feel his heart skip a beat. On the
beach, silhouetted by the moonlight was the familiar figure of
Eileen. He quickened his steps, drawing closer to her.

“Glad ye could join us,” he
commented.

“You’ve told me so much about the
island, how could I resist?” she replied.

She tilted her head to the side.
Though a shadow hide her features, he imagined she was smiling. In
a bold move, he placed himself inches from her. She immediately
took a step back. His hand tightened in a fist and he clenched his
jaw.

He whispered, “May I share a secret
with ye?”

“Of course. It will be held in the
strictest of confidence.”

Despite her initial reaction to
his proximity, he took her hand and pulled her towards the
mountainous area of Saint Vincent. By the light of the moon, he
traversed through foliage and over rock, occasionally assisting
Eileen to ensure her safety. An hour later, they reached a cavern
entrace, well hidden by the fallen rock and overgrowth of plant
life.

“Wait here,” he instructed. He left
Eileen and stepped carefully into the darkness. His fingers ran
along the rock until he found the small hole. Reaching inside, he
pulled out a tinderbox. Following a few failed attempts, he carried
the lit box out and extended a hand to Eileen.

“Trust me?” he asked.

She nodded and took his hand. He led
her through a maze of tunnels, stopping every so often while he
disarmed traps. They continued until their walk ended in a small
cul-de-sac. When he raised the box, light reflected off the gold
and silver coins, chalices and jewelry, shimmering and dancing on
the rock walls.

“Captain!” she exclaimed. She turned
to him in surprise. “Why would you show me this?”

“I—” He stopped, feeling
uncomfortable at the thought of expressing his feelings.

She took a step back. “Oh,
Captain. I’m sorry. I don’t…”

On seeing her reaction, he realized
she wasn’t ready to hear that he had fallen in love with her. He
feared his impatience might cost him more than just the treasure
hidden in the cavern. Hoping to cover the real reason for this
visit, he replied, “I trust ye, Eileen. If anythin’ were ta happen
ta me…”

He could see her shoulders lower as
she relaxed. “Oh, I thought. Uh, yes, of course. You are my
captain, and as such I remain loyal to you.”

He gave a curt nodded. Taking
her hand, he helped her out and back down to the tavern in
Kingstown. He released her just before entering. Once inside, he
noticed Eileen take up residence near the hearth. A frown played at
his lips, one that he squelshed immediately.

A clear night, the stars were out in full. A
light breeze blew past Benedict, raising and lowering the corners
of his coat. Giving final orders and temporary command of the ship
to Smythe, he entered his cabin.

Inside, Eileen stood by the corner, staring
out the window at the dark. She had allowed her hair to cascade
around her neck and down her shoulders. The candlelight within the
cabin gave her an angelic glow. She was not wearing her usual shirt
and pants, but rather one of Benedict's white shirts that reached
down to mid-thigh. Her legs ran down from the fabric. The shirt was
larger than her frame and had slipped off one shoulder.

Upon hearing his entry, she turned and leaned
against the corner. With a mischievous look and a smirk on her
lips, Eileen's eyes locked with Benedict's. His heart pounded
faster in his chest, and he felt a rush of adrenaline. Her chest
rose and fell as she took in slow deep breaths. This was exactly
what he had desired. Not wasting any more time, he made quick
strides across the room until he was inches in front of her. He ran
the back of his hand along her cheek, down her neck and over her
bare shoulder. With just the sight of her, it took all his power to
keep himself under control. He didn’t want to hurry, but to savor
every moment.

"Captain…" she whispered to him.

"Aye…" he murmured in reply, only half
listening. He had angled his head slightly, eyes beginning to close
as he leaned in for that much-anticipated first kiss. His other
hand gently cupped the back of her head and neck. Wanting to draw
this moment out for as long as possible, he ran his lips along her
cheek, near the corner of her mouth. She opened hers in
anticipation of the kiss, but it did not come. He continued across
her neck and up to the other cheek. Her skin was soft. Her scent
was exhilarating. Her moans were thrilling.

He whispered in her ear, "Ye are
my
treasure." He pulled her body close, lips moving in for a
passionate kiss, when he again heard her whisper.

"Captain…"

He ignored her and continued towards his
goal, when he heard a louder male voice say, "Cap'in," followed by
a tap on the shoulder.

Anger crept in at the interruption. He was so
close. He thought perhaps if he ignored the voice. He again pulled
Eileen close, her eyes, lips and body all screaming she was ready.
As he leaned in, someone or something shook him.

"What!" he shouted. His daydream disrupted,
he looked up from his seat at the table. There stood the first
mate, and behind him, Eileen.