Beckett's Quarry
Chapter 7
"I've a certain certainty bout the reason for the appallin and egregious apprehensionary nabbin directed against meself by Beckett," Jack said as he paced the width of the cell, "But what would he be wantin with you former Commodore?"
"My departure from Port Royal, and Lord Beckett's employ could not under any circumstances be judged an amicable one." James replied dryly from where he sat leaned against the bulkhead.
"Even if ya had a bit of a potherment atween the two of ya don't explain why he'd be after ya with such determinated zealousy mate……" Jack stopped and turned to peer over his shoulder at James, his expression suddenly showing more than a bit of interest, "less ya absconded with somethin he was loath ta be unpossessed of."
James simply looked at Jack with a slight cock of his head, a raised eyebrow, and a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I am sure Lord Beckett, with the use of more persuasive measures I could coax the information from Mr. Norrington." Mercer said.
Cutler gave the man a clipped smile, "I doubt the man would break, even with the use of your estimable talents set upon him Mr. Mercer. No, the more I ponder the man and the matter I have reached the conclusion he is far too resolute and unswerving in his personal convictions for any success from dealing with him in that manner, he would no doubt go to his grave without uttering anything helpful. We shall have to come up with other ways of procuring the information."
"And Sparrow?" Mr. Mercer asked.
Beckett smiled a salacious smile, "Ah yes……Jack." Then with just a small lingering of that smile continued, "Although Jack Sparrow did not break during our previous association he did bend quite favorably. I should not think this time would be any different. Unlike Mr. Norrington principles mean naught to Jack. In return for the promise of freedom he and I can no doubt come to some accord as to how precisely that freedom can be bought."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jack swayed over and squatted down in front of James, his fingers fluttering a bit in James' face. As he leaned in and peered into the man's face James met his gaze unwaveringly. "An you call me a pirate." Jack said with some admiration in his tone.
James snorted and snarked back, "You are a pirate, Pirate."
"Ah, 'n if ya have indeed managed ta do what it is I'm presently thinkin ya did it appears you'd make a fine one yerself ta be sure. Ya wouldn't care ta be joinin me crew aboard me Bonny Pearl would ya former Commodore? With yer more 'n paltry knowledge o sailin an the sea I might consider placin ya in a bit more officious position, say First Mate or somethin close at least, in consideration of AnnaMaria and Mr. Gibbs ya understand, than scrubbing decks with yer fine wig this time." Jack said with a glittering smile and a flop of his hands.
"Sorry." James said with a sarcastic smile, "Old habits and all. I'm afraid my first action would have to be to hang you."
Jack rocked back on his heels in mock protest, "Still stuck on that hangin thing former Commodore. Figured that'd be well out of yer system by now." Continuing with a puppy dog expression he said, "Ya really aren't really all that intent on hangin me still are ya?"
James, a smirk on his lips, raised his eyebrow and retorted, "Always."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cutler sat leaned back in his chair behind his desk toying one handed with a miniature tin figure of a naval officer as he stared out the window deep in thought. He spoke quietly to himself, "Ah Mr. Norrington, now just what manner of action would be persuasive enough to cause you to yield from those principles you hold so dear? Your reputation and conduct show you are not susceptible to personal threat or bribery. But surely there is something or someone that could be used in a coercive nature in that regard, there always is, only a matter of ferreting out just what, or whom that might be." He gave a huff, irritated that a solution to the Norrington issue was not forthcoming. He stood and walked over to the sideboard preparing to pour himself a glass of brandy. He stopped as his gaze settled on the miniature he still held in his hand as a faint and unclear flicker of thought that this was somehow the answer danced at the edge of his mind.
He huffed again as he set the figure down and poured the brandy, sipping it as he attempted to draw the thought out of the shadows, make it form into something cohesive, something useable. He had intended to commission a metal smith to replace the one Jack had so rudely blown apart fully ruining the set, however he had not gotten around to doing that as yet. But that made no sense, how could a metal smith be the answer to getting information out of Norrington? He poured another glass of brandy, carrying it as well as the miniature back to his desk where he sat turning the figurine over and over in his hand as he thought, murmuring over and over to himself 'metal smith, metal smith…….' Slowly a knowing smile graced his face as he said aloud, "Not metal smith….blacksmith. He set the figure on the desk, walked over and opening the door stepped out on deck and looked around. Spotting Mr. Mercer he summoned him over.
"Mr. Mercer what do we know of the location of Mr. and Mrs. Turner?"
"They were last known to be back in Tortuga Lord Beckett." Mercer replied.
"Inform the Captain he is to make all haste to Tortuga Mr. Mercer." Cutler said. "I think certain resolutely held principles will soon be put to the test. We shall see how fast he clings to them when it is not he but another in peril. He may loosen his tongue after all." He added as he smiled a ruthless smile.
To Be Continued
Comments are Appreciated
5
