Ch 4

Two Against One

"Here it is, sir," said the man.

He took a few steps away from Crane satisfied that he had helped the constable find his way. However, rather than being thankful in return, Crane remained suspicious of the shaggy man. In fact, he could hardly contain himself from intruding in this man's business. He finally decided that it would be the right thing to do. It might come to his benefit in the time come, anyway and perhaps it might lead him to the pirate, "Pardon me again, sir," Crane apologized, "May I ask of you name?"

By this time, the man had walked a great distance from the constable. It was unimportant to the man anyway. He still heard every word the constable had said, and in response, turned to face him. Other then that, he hadn't approached the constable. Instead, he felt it rather appropriate to recite his name from the distance, "Murtogg, sir," the man shouted.

Crane tied his hands behind his back like a detective and approached the man nosily, "Yes, Mr. Murtogg, is it," Crane responded, "I have a question for you. Why were you walking alone before in that vacant area?"

The man smiled. The man hadn't seemed insulted at all. Instead, it seemed he enjoyed the conversation, "Isn't that funny? I was going to raise that same question. In fact, I found it quite suspicious that you were alone in that vacant area, also," he laughed, "I suppose it's like they say: two great minds think alike."

Crane shook his head, "You were suspicious of me? Apparently it hadn't occurred to you that this is my first trip to the Caribbean," he confirmed, "After all, there is no need to be suspicious of me. I am a constable of New York."

The man remained kind and tamed, "Oh, I see. How did you know it wasn't my first time to this island as of yours," the man asked.

Crane grew heightened, "You knew the directions to this residence," he verified.

The man bashfully laughed, "Now that's just common sense!"

Crane blinked unable to comprehend the man. Had he been calling him an idiot, a moron, an imbecile? The constable had not heard such a phrase said to him before and, in return, didn't know how to answer it. Instead, he turned to the iron gates and minded his own business once and for all.

The man cleared his throat behind him, "Sir," the man continued, "Would you like me to open those gates for you?"

Crane turned to the man looking stunned, "You have authority to open the gates of the commodore's household," he asked.

The man nodded swollen with pride, "Yes, sir," the man chirped proudly, "I work for the royal navy."

Crane looked horrified, "You work for the royal navy?"

The man nodded again, "Yes, I do."

The constable snapped to his senses and quietly laughed to himself. He knew an idiot like this Murtogg couldn't possible be apart of the queen's royal navy. Such a thing was not logically possible, not even in fairy tales, "No, you don't," Crane denied knowingly.

The man's face dropped. His insult was written allover his expression. He nodded again, "Yes, I do," he affirmed.

The constable squinted his eyes, "No, you don't," he protested.

"Yes, I do," Murtogg exclaimed truthfully.

Crane smiled. He was so confident in his decision that he formulated a plan to prove himself right. He smiled sharply, "You do? Then open the gate. Go on!"

The man smiled. He could hardly wait to prove the constable wrong and himself right. He slipped the key into the lock. Murtogg drew the constable's suspense as he turned to him knowingly. Crane, in return, intently glared back at the man examining his every move. Murtogg, with his eyes steady on the constable, turned they key in the lock. The constable's heart sank as Murtogg lightly lifted the key out of the lock and pressed his hand against the thick gate. Suddenly in a gentle- swoosh- the gate opened.

"Welcome to the Commodore's household," laughed Murtogg victoriously, "Enjoy your stay."

Crane could hardly believe his eyes. But instead of pursuing the matter, he went on his separate way ignoring it. He had no need for his logical mind to be further corrupted with questions upon how this man became a member of the queen's royal navy.

Crane took another step inside the gates to enter the household. The premise was beautiful. Beds of flowers, tall trimmed grass, and the smell of fountains surrounded Crane. But, like usual, the constable hardly recognized it and continued on his expedition lurking up the circular stairs to the pure white house of the commodore.

He intently examined the white marble door, "Hello," Crane knocked, "It is I, Constable Crane of New York."

The door suddenly creaked open, "Crane," answered a woman, "Why, come in! Norrington has been talking so much about you."

Crane smiled, "Is that so," the constable asked proudly whilst admiring the girl. She spread her glossy clover lips into a smile and stepped aside allowing her rosemary dreadlocks to bounce to her side. Her slim body was rapped in a silky peach dress which shimmered in the light of the window.

Her smile widened baring her beautiful pearly teeth, "Why of course," she giggled, "You must be the idiot in which the judge of New York placed in the hands of Norrington to baby-sit?"

Crane's eyes emerged, "What," the constable asked in astonishment.

"Do make yourself comfortable," she continued directing him to the quilted seats, "Sit down whilst you wait."

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Please note (8/18/05): I'm sorry for my lack of updates. I'll be writing the next chapter soon. Bare with me!