Chapter 10- A Heading of Sorts
The book nearly cooperated with me. I had to weigh the pages down with rocks and then shake the lockets until they read the right letters. At least the next night I didn't have any visitors. I half expected Romeo to come out and bug me but he didn't seem like the type that could sneak up on me. The part about the book that annoyed me more than its insistence that I needed to find the Fountain of Youth, was that it told me to start looking for Blackbeard's treasure in Mexico. I steered the ship towards Cancun hoping Juan wouldn't notice we were there.
Two days later, we were sitting out in the water a couple of miles out from land. I took Marko and a few others into the navigation room and gave them a wad of cash. "Food, no girls," I warned them. "And bring back some Tequila." I had a hankering for it ever since I woke up. My side hurt less and less every day and now I could even bend about and climb stairs without needing a cry break.
"Yes captain," Marko said obediently but he had that mischievous look on his face that said somewhere there was going to be a very happy stripper.
"No girls," I wagged a finger at him. "I expect you to be back on board by six tonight."
"Do you want me to do some work?" Marko asked. His English wasn't so great at times. Funny as hell when he was confusing someone other than me. "Juan," he hinted.
"If you can dig up some information that would be great. I just need to know where he is right now," I patted his shoulder. "No girls," I added as he walked out.
I turned to Joey who handed me a sonar image of the water below. Sure enough, there was a mass of wood piled up about twenty feet long in the shape of a small boat. "It can't be one of his," Joey said looking over my shoulder. "Maybe a decoy?"
"The book said to come here," I looked at the image once more. "Blackbeard could fool others but not the book. Something has to be down there."
"Wild goose chase," Joey pointed out.
I rolled up the image and went down to the deck where the crew was running around. Some were setting the anchor down while others were preparing one of the small propeller boats for Marko to take ashore. The Saints were leaning against the side of the ship watching the waves hit the sides. All three were smoking cigarettes and had their sunglasses pulled high on their faces looking all the more like the scary killers that they are. I walked over knowing the edge of the boat was right below me. "Marko is going ashore right now to gather some supplies and get the all-clear."
"All clear?" Connor asked me.
"Angry drug dealer looking for me because he thinks I killed his men and turned him over to the FBI," I reminded them. "If no one's looking for us, we'll make port tonight but this might be the only shot you get a Cancun."
The twins looked at each other before Murphy turned back to me. "What are you planning on doing this afternoon if you're not going with them," he hitched a finger back over his shoulder towards Marko.
"Bit of treasure seeking," I grinned. I always went a little geeky when talking about buried treasure and archaeology. "We're parked over what's left of a boat. Hopefully it'll be related to Blackbeard."
"Look at that lads," Connor smiled at the other two men. "She's found herself another buried treasure."
They laughed a little and I figured I deserved to let them take the piss a little. "It's not that simple," I said louder. "Blackbeard supposedly hid treasure all over the Caribbean with false leads and clues that led to nothing. This could just be a sunken dingy."
"How do you find out?" Romeo asked looking around on deck, probably for something that resembled any kind of machinery to aid a treasure hunter.
"Like this," I traded the image for a flashlight and climbed onto the railing.
"Jack!" Joey yelled at me. "Don't you jump into that wreck! We don't know what's down there." He always said that and I never listened.
I dove straight into the clear waters. The boat was resting on a sand bar saving it from slipping further out to sea. The water was shallow enough for me get at it. I flipped the light on and a few fish scattered out in different directions. The boat had been nearly decimated by time and sand but I could see the outline well enough. Pieces of shattered wood littered the area mixed with bits of metal where the single mast had been. I wanted to look at it more, the beauty in the destruction caused by time but I didn't have that much air in my lungs, not with a gunshot wound to the side still healing. I dove deeper flipping my bare feet along until I was face to face with the wreck and no idea what I was supposed to be looking for. I pushed some wood around sending plumes of sand and trapped air up to the surface. My lungs began to burn and I still hadn't found anything. I turned to go back to the surface when the light flashed across something gold. I stopped and pointed the flashlight over and sure enough, there was a chest underneath a hunk of wood. I pushed the wood aside and looked at the chest. It was completely intact and unharmed by the water. The hinges and lock were nearly black, but everything else was in pristine condition. It was what I was looking for.
With the last bit of air left in my lungs, I yanked the chest out of the wood and dropped the flashlight in the sand. It had only cost twenty bucks anyways. With the chest in my hands, I pushed off in the mucky sand as best I could and kicked up to the surface. I broke the water panting for air, Joey glaring at me. "Are you happy? You scared me to death."
"I did not," I was still sucking in air. "Toss me a line."
He did throw a rope over the edge to me which I wrapped around my waist carefully so that it fell above the stitches and waited. Joey took the chest from my hands when I got closer to the railing and Murphy grabbed my arms and hauled me back over the edge easily. "Thanks," I told him but it didn't escape me that was staring at the wet and clingy tee-shirt.
"Okay Jack, show me something worth you risking your life over," Joey handed me a hammer and pointed to the chest.
I swung the hammer down onto the lock amazed at how easily it broke open. Inside, there were a few gold coins, British, and a rolled up piece of parchment, yellowing along the edges. I pulled the paper out and opened it. "Oh look, another map," Joey rolled his eyes.
"Shut up," I warned him and looked at the map. Bahamas. "Damn pirates."
"That's it?" Romeo asked me. I just shrugged and then wrung my hair out. "We might as well go to Cancun."
The Saints left with Marko which, let's face it, was about the only entertainment I had left for the afternoon since the wreck turned out to be a bust. "You wouldn't be bored if you hadn't pissed off Juan," Joey pointed out.
"Don't you have something to do?" I asked him.
He gave me a wide smile and said, "annoying you is a full time job made easier when you can't leave the Sunset Ambrosia."
"Fine, I'll find you a job," I gritted my teeth again. "Go clean the infirmary, there's still blood everywhere."
He looked like he was going to protest but he just walked off muttering, "might as well. Never know when you're going to need again."
"I heard that!"
"I meant for you to!" He yelled right back.
I pulled a lawn chair out on deck and slathered my pale skin in sun block figuring I might as well take advantage of the nice day. It didn't last long. I'd tired myself out diving down to the wreck, that mixed with the lack of sleep and blood loss from the past week. I dozed off in the warm sun. I didn't dream of the Saints but instead the waterfall again.
"You're becoming a regular visitor here," my dad smiled warmly at me.
"I've been nice to them, I haven't locked them up or taken away their food. I even let them go with Marko for the afternoon," I protested before giving him the chance to tell me I had done the Saints wrong.
"That's not why you're here," he informed me.
"Fountain of Youth, eh?" I pointed to the waterfall.
"That's her," he looked at it proudly. I was thinking it was dumb to call a waterfall a fountain.
"Why do I need it?" I asked him.
"You'll learn," he said. Another cryptic message was met by a roll of the eyes from me. "Don't argue with me Jack. This is important."
We stood in silence for a while. He was staring at the water and ignoring me while I had remembered how big and loud my dad could be when I'd pissed him off. Finally, he said, "You know, Juan is planning on shooting you again."
"That's not anything new," I said softly. "Is that why I need to Fountain?"
He laughed and turned to me again, taking my arms in his hands. "I love you Jack but you're too damn stubborn. The Fountain is part of your path." He kissed my cheek and then I was aware of the sun again.
I stretched in the lawn chair and felt the stitches in my side again, "fuck," I grumbled and scrunched back up waiting for the pain to pass. I slowly opened my eyes to find Murphy watching me, leaning with his back to the railing. "What? Was I slobbering or something?"
"No," he shook his head. "You were muttering."
"Oh good, I have lost my mind then," I stood up as Marko came up the stairs from the crew quarters below.
"Juan's not here," he informed me. "No sign of him or any of his scouts."
"Good," I nodded. "Tell Joey we're making port." He scampered off and I turned to Murphy. "There's a little bar about a half mile east of the harbor if y'all would like to join us later."
"I'll think about it," he smiled at me and something inside me like the way he smiled. I frowned and walked off to my cabin.
I didn't want to think about Murphy while I got ready but somehow I ended up dressed in a tight pair of jeans, no rips or tears, and a navy halter that hadn't seen the light of day in about a year. I was even attempting to brush my hair. All this in an attempt to prove I was actually a woman to a man I hadn't had more than five conversations with, two by himself, and who possibly wanted to kill me.
We left the ship a little before the sun had completely dipped into the night sky. Most of the crew went to the bar I'd invited the Saints to, but a few did head off towards downtown, mainly night clubs and seedier bars. I'd take the little bar sitting on the water any day. The actual bar was inside but the walls were basically doors that were kept open most of the year. A covered porch surrounded most of it where extra tables and two worn pool tables sat. We took up two tables inside and four more right outside were Christmas lights and candles illuminated everything. I'd paid the bartender to keep feeding the jukebox coins and keep the beer pitchers full. Joey had surprised me and pulled a couple of bills from his pockets to keep the tables in chips and salsa until dawn.
I was listening to Joey tell some story about he and my dad getting handcuffed to a dock by an irate woman when I saw them walk in. Connor looked around before he spotted me. He pointed me out to Murphy and then waved. They started to head for the bar but I waved them on. I'd warned Joey to pass the word along to be nice to the Saints so they were almost welcomed to the tables. It didn't take Connor long to make nice. He started telling his own story about some bar owner they knew back in Boston and had the crew rolling in laughter. Murphy, on the other hand, seemed happy enough to sulk on his own. He was standing over one of the pool tables hitting the cue ball aimlessly. I stood taking my beer with me and went over to the table.
"Rack em up," I told him picking up a stick and setting my glass on the rim of the table. The night air off the sea made me shiver a little, but that could have been from the darkness along the beach. I didn't like not knowing what was coming in.
"I don't think so," he said.
"Come on, I'll make it worth your while," I tempted him. He looked at me, half way amused. "How about if you beat me I'll give you the three steaks I've been saving in the freezer and another bottle of my whiskey."
"And if you win?"
"You have to fix those steaks for Joey and me," I grinned.
He looked at me for a second and then decided it was a worthy bet. He quickly lined up the balls and skidded the cue ball over to me. "Ladies first,"
I laughed a little and hit the ball easily. Two solids fell into the pockets. "Kill anyone tonight?" I asked him leaning over the table to line up my shot.
"I could ask the same of you," he said and lit a cigarette.
I sunk in another ball and stood looking at the table instead of him. "I probably don't want to know anyways," I grinned and slid past him to take another shot. This one missed. "Your shot."
He looked at me and inhaled on the cigarette, leaving it pursed between his lips. He bent down and easily sank a ball. "So how does this treasure hunting thing work?"
"Usually, we find a wreck, scavenge what we can for usable parts and valuables. I sell some and give the rest to museums." That was an easy enough explanation. No need to get into the book.
"Joey says you're chasing ghosts again," he leaned over and took another shot, another ball went in.
"I'm always chasing something," I mumbled watching him line up another shot. His jeans fit wonderfully. I shook my head forced myself to take a long gulp of my beer. I wasn't supposed to think those things about him, or any man for that matter. Romance usually lead to bad, bad things with me.
I had stood there thinking dirty thoughts too long. He was staring at me again like I'd gone crazy. "Your shot," he pointed to my stick. "I missed."
"Right," so much for being cool and sophisticated. "Do you miss Ireland?"
He was staring again, like he was trying to figure out why I was making small talk. "A little," he admitted and took another drag of the cigarette before stamping it out. "It was quiet there but sometimes too quiet. You ever been there?"
"My dad tried to get me to go when he was still alive," I looked at the table again ignoring how he was watching me. And then I missed my shot. "Never quite made it there though. Land doesn't agree with me so much."
"I've noticed," he laughed.
I was about to say something witty, or at least I was going to think of something witty to say, when Joey pulled at my arm. "We need to talk," I looked at the table and then back to him. "Now," he insisted.
"No cheating," I pointed at Murphy with a grin and set my pool stick down.
"We got a problem," Joey started. That was a fine way to start a conversation. "They shot Pablo."
"Who's Pablo?" I asked feeling a migraine coming on.
"Juan's fifth cousin or something, runs a nightclub here. Sells girls," he hinted.
"I thought Marko said no connections."
"Marko's an idiot," Joey said but then his face softened. He knew I liked Marko, reliable, dependent but dumb Marko. "Juan doesn't deal with him much but," he trailed off and ran his hand through his graying hair. "Two identical murder scenes, execution style with pennies over their eyes and our ship sitting in the port. Juan's bound to show up sooner or later."
And I was sober again. "Get the guys, tell them to find the ones that went to town, we're leaving tonight."
"And what about the Saints? It's their fault Juan might know where we are." He was suggesting I leave them behind.
"Look, a very dangerous and smart man has dirt on Ellie if I don't take the Saints with us. They're staying on board." I turned to head back to the bar but Joey caught my arm.
"Jack, I'm all for you finding a man, but not that one," He motioned to the bar.
My mouth dropped a little. "I have no interest in any of them other than making sure they aren't planning on killing me," I said evenly if not a little cold. "Go find the crew and get them on the ship."
He listened to me for a change and I was alone, outside and looking up at the sky wondering why my life was always complicated. I took a deep breath and started to head back inside but someone caught my eye. Down the little gravel path leading to the beach, a man in a bad Hawaiian shirt and tan pants stood, staring at me. Our eyes met and I knew it was Sir William. Cars pulled up on the other side of the bar, screeching to a halt in the dirt and my head swung over there for a brief second. By the time I looked back to the path, he was gone. Ghosts again I suppose. My mind really had been fried by too much booze and sun. Bigger concern than that was the group of men getting out of the four cars, Juan leading the way in his designer suit and slicked back hair and rifle to his side.
"Shit," I murmured and ran into the bar as fast as I could, sliding past Joey. "Juan's outside, pass the word, no guns," I told him and found the Saints sitting at a table sharing a bottle of whiskey with a few of the crew members. "You three, with me. Now!" I yelled at them and pulled at Connor's arm.
"Sit, Jack, have a drink with us," he laughed.
"Now!" I grumbled again and he must have seen something in my face that made him take me seriously because they stood and followed me. I pushed the three of them into the Ladies room before realizing the room was a bit smaller than I'd expected. There was a single light above and a toilet and sink, all the size of about a closet. They apparently didn't get many women here.
"This is a little kinky, don't you think?" Connor teased.
"Shut up," I grumbled at him. "And get your hand of my ass."
"Not mine," Connor held both of his hands up in the air nearly whacking Romeo in the face.
I looked back to see Murphy give me a sheepish grin. "Right, Juan's here." I cracked the door open a little to see the bar being invaded.
"The drug deal who shot you?" Murphy asked.
"You shot me," I reminded him. "You killed his fifth cousin tonight." They were all quiet for a second.
"Okay, we'll handle this," Connor tried to get past me but I slid over as best I could, blocking his way out.
"Jack, I know you're here somewhere," Juan called out. "Come out and I promise not to kill your crew."
"Our coats are by the door," Connor said. "I'm nearly out of rounds."
"I got another clip," Romeo offered.
"Stay here," I warned them and before they could argue, I'd opened the door and slinked out. "Sorry, had to use the Ladies room," I told him with a grin.
Juan didn't seem too pleased with me because instead of ordering his goons to do his dirty work, he grabbed the back of my neck and slammed my head down onto the bar and held it there against the wood. "I should kill you right here in front of all your crew," he said leaning down into my hair. His voice was gruff and mean. "But we have business to discuss." His grip on my neck eased a little and I was pulled upright again. Yup, wasn't helping the migraine out any.
"Don't anyone try and follow us," Juan warned pointing a gun at my back. He nudged my along until I was following another of his thugs out the back door. Murphy and Connor peeked out as I went, anger on both their faces, possibly because I was bleeding down the side of my face or because they were so close to a man who was so evil their do-gooder instincts kicked in. Either way, I was glad they didn't make a move. Juan could have easily killed me before they got to their coats. Problem was, I had been kidnapped. Again.