Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 26 – The Note

Year 2 - Early November

Will handed to Elizabeth the folded note that he had found pushed under the smithy door that morning when he returned home for his lunch. The handwriting was neat, well-formed and clearly a woman's hand; it was addressed to the two of them, but he did not recognise the script belonging to anyone he knew.

"It just says 'November 16. Port au Prince. Bring Theo. J&C'... nothing else," he frowned, unable to make sense of it.

Elizabeth read the note herself, looking confused as well. "I'll go and see Captain Groves later today since it mentions him and see if he can make any sense of it. I believe it means that Jack and Catherine want us to be in Port au Prince on that day, with Captain Groves, but why I do not know?" she sighed.

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Later that afternoon, Elizabeth walked up the hill to the fort and, ensuring they were not being watched, showed the note to Theodore Groves. He raised one eyebrow and smiled quietly to himself. "I guess I'd better make preparations then," he sighed. "I never thought she'd actually do it."

"You know what this is about?" Elizabeth frowned, puzzled by his attitude.

He nodded wryly. "Your friend, the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow is about to get married to my sister." Elizabeth gasped in shock. "So I guess we'd better arrange not to miss it?"

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Theodore Groves stood before the Commodore. If the Commodore had wished it, he could have been court-martialled and thrown into jail for the deception with Jack Sparrow, but neither he nor the Commodore had mentioned the incident since his sister had left.

"You say your sister is to marry Mister Wells," the Commodore's lips twitched, knowing the lie for what it was but not correcting it.

"Yes Sir. I would like permission to attend the ceremony." Theodore glanced around, ensuring there was nobody within earshot. "To make sure he goes through with it if nothing else!" At least Catherine would be an honest woman, even if the man she was marrying was a pirate.

The Commodore sat quietly at his desk, considering his options. "You may have three weeks from tomorrow. Perhaps you should take James, he would enjoy the voyage. I will expect a report on the shipping you encounter upon your return however..."

"Thank you, Sir!" Theodore sighed in relief, more than a little shocked at the Commodore suggesting he take James. Although the boy had recently turned six, he was not yet sure of the child's discretion.

James Norrington continued. "I am especially interested in reports about Bailie and the Blessed Mae. He makes Sparrow look like a saint. He was operating up near the Bahamas and north of the Windward Passage. He's the one that sank the Lynn, but he has disappeared..." Theodore did not need reminding of the treatment his sister received from Bailie, nor had the Commodore forgotten that the man had caused the death of his baby niece Sarah. "I don't want him in these waters," he warned.

"What about Mister Wells, Sir? He's worked with us before? When Catherine marries him, he might consider it a personal matter?" Theodore suggested.

The Commodore considered Theodore's words. "He might. Mention it to him. Perhaps something can be worked out for it would be a shame to have to hang a man when he keeps proving so useful..."

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