Chapter 12
"Who could have done that?" Elizabeth asked furiously, pacing the living room, looking for all purposes like a caged lion wanting to break free. "Who would be that sick?"
"I'm not sure. What is there to gain from robbing a body cart?"
Elizabeth's pacing stopped suddenly and a thoughtful look appeared on her face. "Maybe they didn't know it was a body cart…maybe they were just looking for an easy profit."
"But why take the body once you found out the truth? It doesn't make sense."
"Think like a criminal, Will. What's the first rule when you commit a crime?"
"Hide the evidence?"
"Exactly. The thief probably presumed the cart driver dead and with the mule gone, all that was left to deal with was Jack's body."
"But why leave the cart driver's 'body'? Once again, it makes no sense." Will stated, reluctantly bringing the flaw of her reasoning to light. "Unless,"
"Unless what Will?"
"His crew."
"What?"
"What if it was one of his crew? I've heard rumors that the Pearl has been seen near Port Royal as of late…what if they docked and were raiding small peddlers in the rougher part of town?"
"Really Will!"
"Think about it Elizabeth," Will begged. "It's the story that seems most plausible. Once they discovered the body in the cart was Jack they'd probably want to take him for a proper burial at sea. You know how loyal to him they are…I mean were."
Elizabeth was silent for a moment, carefully turning the thought over in her mind, searching for flaws. Finding none, she nodded shortly. "Alright, say it was one of his crew, where would they take him?"
"Back to the Pearl."
"But where's the Pearl anchored? She couldn't set port in the bay because the Navy would be all over her like horses on grain."
Will nodded his agreement. "Then they would have anchored on the other side of the island, away from the fort…I'm going."
Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock and her jaw worked, but no sound was forthcoming.
"I'm going Elizabeth, it's the least I can do, pay my last respects."
"Will, are you mad?!" She exclaimed, having finally found her voice.
Will shrugged nonchalantly. "I learned from the best."
~*~
Jack paced his cabin, staggering often as his strength still hadn't fully returned. 'No.'
'What?'
'I didn't just do tha'.'
'Just do what?'
'I couldn't have just…hit her. Ne'er.'
'Well you did, and with good reason. Stop trying to hide it Jack, I see what's going on.'
Jack froze mid-step and looked about the cabin, seeming to search for the non-existent source of the voice. He would never admit that his blood froze and his heart sped at the voice's mocking tone. 'Wha'?' he tried to keep his mind's voice calm, but it made no difference.
'This isn't doubting yourself or even us…no, this is…you're afraid, Captain Sparrow. Afraid you're going as mad as you act.'
Jack chuckled internally, the sound weak and unconvincing as it echoed through his mind. 'Now why would I be afraid?'
'Why? Simple. You're afraid to hurt the ones you once loved. They betrayed you and you still are compassionate, setting yourself up for a worse fall. Next time you won't survive. Don't let there be a next time. Do away with them now; put them in their place.'
'Who's this 'they' you keep referring to?'
'Your crew, Will, Elizabeth, all of them. They hurt you Jack; they almost killed you on multiple occasions,'
As the voice's statement floated through his mind, he was sent reeling back as the pain returned to old scars tenfold, but only for a moment before banishing itself to the chasms of history once more. Jack stood, taking ragged breaths and rubbing at the still-sore bruise around his neck.
'Return the favor.'
[a/n: Please review. And pendragginink, thanks for the review; when this story is over, I'll just start another! LOL. Plotting, oh yes, plotting…]