Part Two

Chapter Fifty-Two

Captain Casey Jones of the United States Navy pulled the spyglass away from his blue eye and frowned deeply, the sun was setting on another day of fruitless searching and he was growing beyond impatient. Slamming his open palm upon the polished wood of his ship, the USS Independence, which he kept in pristine condition, he closed his spyglass and headed down from the bow in search of Richard Isles and Garrett Fairfield. He didn't want to be the bearer of bad news and tell Richard that the chances of finding his daughter alive and well were slim to none but he would search the entire Atlantic and Pacific oceans gladly if Richard asked him to. He hadn't made it this far in his distinguished career by giving up when the odds were against him, in fact situations like this when people he knew and cared about where in danger only made him more determined to keep pushing forward until answers were found. He had known Richard Isles since he was a young lad as his own father was a good friend of Judge Paddington and Paddington knew Richard Isles. He remembered the first time himself and Richard had been introduced at a festive Christmas party many years before. Judges, politicians, lawyers, navy men, and army men anyone who was important or held high status was there along with their wives and families. It was the night Casey had met Maura Isles for the first time and he remembered it like it was yesterday even though he was now twenty years older.

She had been seventeen and innocently beautiful, himself a dashing twenty year old just beginning his career in the Navy. He had first been introduced to the infamous Richard whom had immediately as was a longstanding habit of his, took Casey under his wing. At the time, Richard found Casey's dedication and hard working attitude akin to his when he was that age, Casey was serious beyond his years and the two had bonded over the years like father and son. However, when Casey had been introduced to Maura that night he had felt light headed and enchanted by the mere sight of her before words were even spoken between them. Casey might have been courageous man even back then but when it came to women, he was a shy and intimidated boy. He had been enamored by the fact she seemed as shy and awkward as he had been, neither of them able to hold a conversation for an extended period due to a lack of knowing what to say. However, she did not seem like any of the other young women at the party that night, he could sense she was highly intelligent, and thought that if they could just get past their initial nervousness that they would be able to engage in quite challenging and interesting conversation together. However even all these years later Casey Jones one of the most esteemed and well-known gentlemen in the United States Navy who had fought many a war and captured and taken many a ruthless pirate to the gallows was still timid around Maura. He was unable to tell her of his true feelings for her even though it was too late and she was engaged to another. Even Richard did not know of the love he held for his only daughter.

Therefore, it was with utter shock and devastation that he received a letter from Richard two weeks ago, detailing Maura's kidnapping and Richards insistence that he come help her fiance Garrett and himself find her. A whirlwind of emotions had seized Casey over the couple of weeks since that day. He had been and still was anguished over Maura's kidnapping and heavyhearted at the news she was engaged to be married even though they had not seen each other in years and Casey knew she would not stay unwed forever. He had been pardoned from his duties of hunting down a pirate by the name of Jason Delaware and instead commissioned by the head of the Navy as the captain solely in charge of finding Maura Isles and bringing justice to all those involved in her merciless kidnapping. He had obtained his official commission three days after he had received word from Richard and had then spent the next couple of days preparing and sourcing those of whom he trusted to join him if they were willing. He had left Fort Sheppard with a fleet consisting of Captain Elijah Thomas and USS Vermont a 74 cannon frigate, Captain Henry Quaker and USS Cumberland a 50 cannon frigate, James Parker and USS Cyane a 22 cannon sloop, and last but not least Michael Young and USS Tioga a small gunboat. These men were men whom he trusted with his life and none of them had objected to his plea of assistance. It had taken only a couple of days for the fleet to sail from Washington to the main port of Boston as they had sailed without pause through the nights as well as the days. Casey was fierce with worry for Maura and had been shocked and deeply troubled by the sad news he had been given the night of his arrival in Boston. Richard and Maura's fiance Garrett had met him at the docks; they had been visiting there regularly in the hopes of Casey's swift arrival. He had been welcomed grimly with the information that only days before Judge Paddington's daughter Kristen had been discovered beaten, raped and disemboweled hanging next to the rotting, crow ravaged corpse of Charles Vane.

Needless to say the Judge and his wife Julie were devastated and grief stricken over the ghastly murder of their only daughter. Richard explained to Casey with tears in his eyes as the two of them sat quietly in his study that night that he had been at Paddington's estate when he had received word. Julie had screamed in agony before fainting while David Paddington wept openly and unashamedly in Richards rough embrace, their bond even stronger due to their shared losses. Perhaps the worst part for the Judge was the fact that his daughter's murderers had yet to be identified and captured, all that was known was the assumption that one or more of Charles Vanes men were responsible, but so far none of them had been found. In honor of Kristen Paddington, Casey had visited the Judge before leaving Boston and asked his permission to find out who had so evilly taken Kristen's life away from them. He did not know her personally, but wanted to out of respect for David and the friendship he and his father shared.

So it was now, a week later after leaving Boston that Casey found Richard and Garrett below deck, heads bowed together and talking quietly. One of the first things that had struck Casey seeing Richard again after all these years was how old and drained he appeared. His broad, muscled shoulders hung dejectedly while his face was drawn with dark circles under his eyes, eyes that held pain, anger, and had lost their vibrancy. The grey in his thick hair and beard had taken over and all in all the agony of losing his daughter had transformed him truly into an old man. Casey looked to Garrett and frowned, he had disliked the man instantaneously upon their meeting for the first time a week ago and it was not only due to the fact he was Maura's fiance. There was just something about the man Casey didn't trust and he had yet to figure out why although it appeared Garrett's dislike for Casey was mutual. However Casey was not concerned by the man's dislike for him, he had more pressing an important business instead of worrying what one man thought of him.

"Excuse me Richard."

Richard stopped talking to Garrett and raised his weary head, "Sorry to interrupt but I would like to speak with you a moment when you have time."

Garrett looked peeved by the intrusion but Casey ignored him, "Of course my boy I shall join you above deck shortly."

Casey nodded and went back above deck, and began pacing absentmindedly across the scrubbed floorboards, broad hands behind his back. None of them had any useful clues or leads into Maura's disappearance, which reduced them to grasping feebly for something to go on and it frustrated Casey more than he admitted to Richard or any of his men for that matter. Richard had told him everything he knew, including little James Lewis's involvement in her kidnapping and had showed him the building where she had been kidnapped but that was all they knew. Richard explained his and Garrett's attempts to find information or the whereabouts of any of Charles Vanes men but nothing had been forthcoming so the three of them had decided unanimously that they needed to broaden their search. Casey held his worry and concern for Maura deep inside and bared it alone, but would not let it over run his mind or his ability to source out information that would be useful to them. He needed to stay sharp, alert, focused for Maura's sake, and refused to think the worst. But Casey had no idea that in the weeks to come he would once again be facing his greatest and most cunning enemy.

Richard interrupted his pacing and Casey turned to him, keeping his sadness for his friend hidden, it would do the man no good if he saw it, Casey needed to be strong, commanding and keep things under control.

"What is it Casey?"

Casey eyed the cigar between Richards lips distastefully, he didn't care for them at all but it seemed as though Richard was hardly without one the entire week and his fingers and teeth had begun to stain more so.

"Are you sure you're willing to sail to Havana without first stopping at San Juan and in particular Nassau? You know yourself these are well populated pirate hideouts."

Richard sighed wearily and rubbed at his temples in an attempt to settle the headache that was forming, "I think its best we go to Havana, we can source information without stirring up interest, we need to keep everything to secrecy lest word gets back to those who took Maura."

"But we can do this at both San Juan and Nassau Richard; pirates are forbidden in Havana, what are the odds we will find any there?"

"Slim to none I know Casey but it's worth a try damn it, Garrett agrees."

Casey clenched his jaw tight in frustration, "What does he know of these waters Richard? I am a Navy captain, I have sailed them many times, why write to me for assistance if you are not willing to take it?"

This had been there ongoing problem for a couple of days now and even though Casey had the authority to sail wherever he thought best he wanted Richard to see the sense in his proposal and agree with it as he didn't wish for them to go against each other. The more time they spent wasting could be detrimental to finding Maura alive.

"I am taking your assistance goddammit!" Richard roared uncharacteristically and turned away from Casey to look out over the choppy seas.

"I'm sorry my boy, that was uncalled for," He spoke quietly, shoulders hunched over despondently, the grief in his heart knowing no end. Casey knew he was speaking out of grief and longing for his daughter and paid no attention to his outburst for his rage was not meant for him but for those who had taken Maura.

"Never mind Richard," he said coming to stand beside him starboard side, watching the other ships sail beside his own, "I just think it would be a great folly to pass by Nassau without spending a little time there to ask around quietly, as I have told you I have contacts."

Richard glanced sideways at Casey, resplendent in his blue-jacketed naval uniform with gold buttons and embroidered lace, and crisp white breaches, he was a handsome, courageous man and Richard respected him greatly.

"You know it's the wise thing to do Richard so why are you fighting me on this?"

"Garrett is her fiance I have to respect his wishes also."

"Christ sakes Richard this is Maura we are talking about, your daughter! If it comes down to it I have full authority of my ship and its destination and I am going to Nassau first whether you agree with me or not, I will not have Maura's life in anymore jeopardy due to an ignorant buffoon who wishes to only have his way!"

"Watch the way you speak of him Casey, Garrett's a fine man."

"If you say so. We are about half a week away from Nassau from my earlier calculations." Casey was done talking about Garrett's wishes.

"Okay do as you must. I know Garrett knows very little of the seas as you do but the man is devastated I am just trying to give him some semblance of control back."

"At the expense of your own flesh and blood Richard?"

Richard however had no answer or explanation to give Casey but his words had finally registered with him and he was mortified and disgusted he was putting Garrett's wishes before his own daughter's safety.

"Good God what is wrong with me?" Richard spat out harshly.

"Nothing Richard, I don't think either of you are thinking clearly because of your grief, that's a normal reaction."

"It's been three weeks, I miss her so much," he rasped, and Casey stood quietly beside him, a strong hand on his shoulder giving him what comfort he could.

"We will find her, don't give up hope."

"I wish I could believe you but I keep thinking of Kristen and oh God Casey I picture Maura ending up the same way."

"Don't think that way, you can't, you have to stay positive. Do it for her."

"And how am I supposed to stop thinking the worst?"

"Think of her home, the both of you reunited; don't let anything else enter your mind. She will be okay Richard, you have to believe it."

Casey left him alone then to take over from his second in command and set a course for Nassau, however the next day brought with it unexpected wild weather which set them back a couple of days. After the rains had passed Casey and his men spent a whole day altering the appearance of USS Independence from a Navy ship to a pirate ship, as only he would sail close enough to Nassau. If the entire naval fleet where to suddenly appear at Nassau the pirates would scatter and disappear, there was no chance in hell they would disclose information to the Navy. Therefore, Casey would pose as a pirate as he had done many times in the past, go ashore alone, and scour the bars and whorehouses keeping an ear out for word of Maura. Pirates could not help but brag of their exploits and Casey was counting on those who had taken Maura to be no different. However, in the instance his plan backfired he would check in with one of his contacts, a man by the name of Eric Walker, a spy for the Navy whom posed as a pirate and filtered information via ship of various pirate activities. Perhaps Eric had knowledge on Maura's whereabouts that had not yet reached Boston.

They were a day's sailing away from Nassau when Richard broke the news to Garrett of their plans to visit Nassau and he was furious and left Richard below deck, storming above in search of Casey. He found him behind the wheel and it angered Garrett this man was taking such liberties with his fiances life.

"You! What do you think you are doing?" Garrett hissed, pointing a long finger at Casey accusingly.

Casey glanced at Garrett in frustration, undoubtedly Richard had told him of their change in plans.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, don't play dumb with me, Maura is my fiance and I think it best we sail straight to Havana, and my future father in law just so happened to agree with me until you changed his mind."

"Pardon my frankness but it seems as though you are more interested in having your way over any concern you may have for Maura."

"How dare you!" Garrett clenched his fists and stepped closer to Casey, anger in the depths of bluish eyes, but Casey stopped him temporarily with his words, "Do you really think it's wise to assault a captain of the United States Navy?"

"I don't give a damn who you are; you are endangering my future wife's life!"

Casey was quickly losing patience for this man's accusations, "With all due respect I know these waters and their inhabitants better than you, and I mean no harm towards Maura."

"It's Miss Isles to you," Garrett seethed, spittle flying from his mouth, "And I don't care for all your naval experience, we will sail to Havana, you are wasting precious time if you go elsewhere."

God Almighty this man must have a screw loose! Casey thought grimly, beginning to understand why he had taken an instant disliking to the man, he was possessive of Maura; he spoke of her as though she were his possession, not his love.

"Garrett that's enough," Richard spoke sternly from behind him, "Insulting Casey will not get Maura back."

Garrett turned angrily to Richard, "What is the matter with you? Do you not want to find your daughter?"

"Watch your mouth Garrett," Richard fumed, "All three of us care deeply for Maura in some way or another, but I believe as her father its best we go to Nassau as Casey suggests, he knows of ways to get information that we do not, what possible reason does he have to lead us astray?"

"He is merely showing off his prestigious rank and the authority he has over us, can you not see that Richard?"

"No my boy I don't, Casey has known us for twenty years he is part of our family, when you insult him you insult Maura and myself!"

"He's your family, your family! What about me? I am to be your son in law!"

"Garrett you are acting like a petulant child! Maura is my daughter and I will do what is best for her come hell or high water, if you don't like my decision I'm afraid there's nothing I can do! I will not stand here and debate with you who has the biggest claim to her, it is preposterous!"

Garrett turned back to Casey enraged, "I swear to God if any harm comes to Maura that could have been prevented while you are buggering around in Nassau or San Juan you will regret the day you met me Casey Jones!"

And with that, Garret stalked off before he hit the insolent bastard.