Revenge of the Fox

Chapter 12

Jack, Will, Joseph and Norrington left the tavern. "What was in the letter, Jack?" Will asked.

"Save it for a moment, mate," muttered Jack. "Ah, there's a good place to talk."

"There?" Norrington said incredulously, looking at the alehouse Jack indicated. It was the noisiest one of the street, and was obviously packed to the gills.

"It's perfect," Jack said opening the door "No one will be able to hear a word we're saying."

"Including us," said Will, but he followed Jack into the ear splitting cacophony. The place reeked of rum, stale beer and unwashed humans. Deftly Jack managed to weave his way through the crowd to a small table that was tucked underneath the staircase. A raised brow and an evil grin was all it took for the occupants of the table to suddenly decide it was time to take their leave. Joseph flagged down a waitress and commandeered four cups of rum, dropping a coin on her tray in payment. The four men sat down, Norrington suppressing the urge to wipe down the chair first with his handkerchief. Surprisingly, the noise was diminished in the little alcove.

"You don't have to drink that," said Jack nodding at the cups on the table. "It's probably ghastly. We need the props is all. "Got to look like four mates out for a drink, eh?"

"What was in the letter?" Will asked again.

Jack pulled it out and handed it over. As Will scanned it, Jack said. "We've instructions to go to the Bahamas. Crooked Island to be precise. The letter includes a map and coordinates for a particular spot."

"Do you think we'll find the women there?" Will asked.

Jack sighed. "No, Will, I do not."

"It seems to me," said Norrington, "that this Reynard is sending us on a wild goose chase."

"Aye, I agree with you," Jack said.

Joseph spoke up. "Johnson was given that letter more than two weeks back. He called Reynard 'Captain'. That must mean that he has a ship. If there was a ship anchored in Tortuga two weeks ago, then someone remembers it."

"Indeed." Jack looked at Will and Norrington. "You two return to the Pearl. Tell Gibbs that we'll be sailing with the morning tide. Joseph and I have some business to take care of."

"Where are you going?" Will asked.

"A brothel," said Jack, matter of factly.

Norrington's eyes narrowed to slits. "Your wife is in the hands of a villian and you're going whoring?" he hissed.

Jack's sudden stillness was chilling, and the other occupants at the tiny table immediately felt frozen. "Your outrage on my lady's behalf does you credit, James, but your lack of faith in me is rather disappointing. Very well then, I'll explain." Jack spoke slowly and carefully, eyes cold. "Sailors like to drink, brag and tumble women, not necessarily in that order. If Reynard has a ship, then he has a crew. If they were in Tortuga, then his crew got drunk, found wenches to spend time with, and no doubt babbled far too much of their Captain's business. Joseph and I will find some of these girls, and see what they have to say."

"They'll talk to you?" Will asked.

"They'll talk to my gold," said Jack, not taking his eyes from Norrington.

Norrington cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Sparrow. If I'd thought for even a moment I'd have realized what you were doing. My comment was inexcusable. I beg your pardon."

Jack nodded slowly. "Accepted." Turning to Joseph he said, "Let's get going, mate." The two rose. "Don't do anything stupid, mate," he said to Will as they walked away.

Will and Norrington regarded each other across the little table. Norrington absently took a sip from his cup, then choked and spit it back out. A hint of amusement lightened Will's expression. "Ghastly, eh?"

Norrington coughed. "Very. I can't imagine how men drink this."

Will shrugged. "I couldn't tell you. We'd best get back to the Pearl."

"The crew won't be pleased to be denied a chance to go ashore, will they?"

"They won't be too angry. I don't think you realize how fond they are of Gwen and Annamaria."

Norrington frowned. "Doesn't the pirate code say something about if you fall behind you are left behind?"

"It does. However the crew of the Pearl have found that maintaining loyalty to each other has profited them more than abandoning each other ever had." He smiled. "I believe they consider the code more like 'guidelines' than actual rules."

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