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

Chapter 63 - Explanations

October

Elizabeth Turner sat next to her husband, son Billy and James Schott both tucked up asleep in one of the bedrooms upstairs. "Will you tell us what happened Theodore?" she asked, concerned that the Black Pearl had not answered. "Nobody knows where the Pearl is and we are all worried terribly about Jack and the crew…"

He sighed, glancing at the Commodore. "This goes no further… not on any official records or anything?"

James Norrington nodded. "I will have to put something though in the Governor's report…" he cautioned.

Theodore sighed, realising he would have to tell what he knew - even if it meant his sister could hang. "When I got to the lobby, Jack was down, unconscious. I believe his wrist was broken and he had been shot in the leg. DeWitt was dead, shot through the eye. Catherine was pulling her sword from Gillette's chest as I arrived…"

"She killed Gillette?" James Norrington gasped, realising why Theodore had been so reluctant to talk earlier.

"From what she said as she left, I believe the Lieutenant tried to kill Jack. She fought him - he died," Theodore explained.

Commodore Norrington pondered the information. If this was the case, then it was little surprise that the Black Pearl had not answered, they were understandably ignoring all attempts at contact. Killing a naval officer was a very serious offence, a hanging offence, and the Black Pearl would be unwilling to put Catherine's head in a noose. "If it was self-defence, then she would be pardoned," he advised Theodore, "and from what you say it sounds as if it was. What happened then?" he prompted.

"She was pretty badly cut, especially along her ribs. She drew her pistol, helped Jack up and they staggered away," he sighed.

"Who shot DeWitt?" Will asked.

"I would assume Catherine," Theodore admitted, loath to admit the thoughts that had been whirring around his mind since their departure. The thought of his sister killing anybody sat ill with him. "Jack was clearly barely conscious… and I know his pistol was spent earlier."

"So her pistol was unloaded too?" Will puzzled. "If she shot DeWitt…"

The Commodore realised what Will meant, laughing quietly as he realised the desperate bluff she had played. Theodore groaned. "It is all right, Theodore, I'm sure you were still in shock… although she may have had reloaded."

"Do we know if they are all right?" Elizabeth asked worriedly.

"I can only hope so…" Theodore whispered. "She was losing a lot of blood..."

"The Black Pearl left no man behind, even those that were dead" Will assured them both, "and I think we would have heard if the worst had happened."

"If they won't answer our hails, do you think that they would let someone aboard?" the Commodore asked. "I will have to fill out an official report before the new Governor gets here. I'd rather know the truth… and Catherine is the only one who knows the truth."

"I know a number of the townsfolk want to thank her," Elizabeth added. Theodore looked surprised. "She and Zeke got around twenty hostage families to safety before the pirates realised," she explained. "Women and children… Mistress Hansord has not stopped singing her praises to anyone that will listen."

The Commodore made his decision. "Theodore, I want you to travel to Tortuga and to track down the Black Pearl if they are not there. I must know what happened, however unpleasant the facts. If Catherine acted in self-defence then she will be pardoned, I promise you that."

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