Broken Faith

Disclaimer: I own Henri, a pub, a ship, and a cottage. Notice how none of them appeared in the actual movie. That's because they're mine and I don't own the movie.
OC/E, J/E, W/E, N/E
Chapter 17

A/N: I'm back! College has been waaaaaay to much work, and getting back to my stories was nearly impossible. This chapter has been sitting on my computer, half finished, for something like 3 months. Finals are next week, but after that I'm going to finish this one (finally!) If this chapter seems short or doesn't flow, it's because I've taken three months to write it

"Captain, someone is here to see you." A lieutenant stood at attention at the door to Groves's office.

"Can't you see I'm busy?" Groves snapped. "Gillette has run off to God knows where with several garrisons, and there is a ship in the harbor that could be carrying a pirate!"

"Sir, he says he has information about the Commodore."

Groves blanched. Sinking into his chair, he pushed aside the papers that he had been looking at. "Credible?" He asked.

"Appears so, sir."

"Very well, send him in." The lieutenant saluted him, then walked out of the office, down a corridor. Groves sat in his chair and stared at the old battered sea chest in the corner of the room that, though scarred and bruised, still bore the distinct initials "JN." Groves had spent his off hours, which lay few and far between now, to search for the dark Frenchman who had killed his captain, his brother. There had been nothing. There were no privateers of note in the water, and certainly none would have been French. Their best had been out of the water.

"Captain." A clocked figure entered the room, bowing his hooded head slightly at Groves, who gestured for the man to be seated.

"The lieutenant says you may have information about the death of Commodore Norrington."

"Aye." The candlelight flickered across the figure, revealing several glinting teeth, almost certainly bared in a Cheshire cat smile. "I know who did it."

"You know who did it?!" Groves exclaimed. "You are bound to tell me."

"I know more then that, Captain, but information is not free or cheap."

"Name your price."

"Firstly, there is a reward outstanding for the death of the dear Commodore. I would like the same sum in return for his killer. Secondly, you must pardon me of my prior sins."

"I must know what they are."

"You know what they are, Captain. You should have no problems." The man chuckled. "Thirdly, you must arrest the two men I am about to implicate."

"That goes without saying."

"No, it does not, since you know both of the men in question. And know of one of their fiancée's, I wager. Pretty lass. Now, do we have an accord?" The man held his hand out toward the Captain. Groves noticed that it was the left hand. He looked warily at the man. "Lost it in a fight at sea." The man answered the unspoken question that hung in the air. Groves reached out uncertainly to grasp the man's hand.

"Agreed."

"Agreed. The man who killed your Commodore is Henri d'Alphose, nee Adrian Lyon. His accomplice is one Lt. Gillette."

"You swore an oath you would tell me who actually killed the Commodore!"

"So I did. And Henri d'Alphonse is Adrian Lyon."

"You've no proof."

"Other then several conversations overheard at a pub, which took place between Henri and your Gillette. And Gillette called him Adrian Lyon."

"Lt. Gillette would never do that."

"Do you know where he is right now?"

"No." Groves flushed red, angry at the stranger for knowing so much.

"I'd wager he is at the house of Elizabeth Turner."

"Why would he be at Mrs. Turner's house?"

"Because he's looking for me." Jack threw back the hood that had concealed his face. Groves face registered shock. "Now you promised me immunity." Jack reminded kindly.

Groves sputtered "Jack Sparrow?!"

"Funny seeing me here, isn't it?" Jack smiled, enjoying Groves's discomfort despite the situation, then turned serious. "Now then, Captain, we had an accord. I do not take to double crossers very well, as I think you well know."

"I cannot believe that an officer in His Majesty's Navy would ever work with a man who killed his commanding officer, nor do I believe Mrs. Turner's fiancé would engage in nefarious activities."

"Fine." Jack stood up and went toward the door, pausing for a moment as he put his hand on the doorknob.

"Wait." Groves called wearily. Jack turned around. Groves had a hand on his head, as though he had a bad headache, which he in fact did. "I have never had cause to doubt your word, pirate though you are. But I still cannot believe that Lt. Gillette would ever do something of that sort."

"Fine. 'S your funeral." Jack turned back toward the door. Groves rolled his eyes heavenward, and without a very clear idea of what he was doing or why he was doing it, he grabbed a heavy overcoat- one without military decoration- and followed Sparrow out the door.