Chapter Four
The chapters are probably going to get longer the more and as always there is my introspective thoughts laced throughout. I thank you all for reading it has truly inspired me further because I was really hesitate about how the story would go over. Hopefully I will keep fulfilling your expectations. Please keep reviewing.
James had been working diligently trying to further establish the link between the three murder victims. He had been at it practically all night, only taking a short nap before the morning change of guards. He gave all his men specific duties to carry forth before returning to his work when he stumbled upon it. Norrington found a pattern that was most unexpected. About twelve years ago the murdered men worked at the Sadler Plantation. Abbey supervised over the now defunct Plantation, as did Wheeler and Martin but as overseers. Abbey was handling the affairs of the Sadler Plantation for five years after a small uprising occurred. Twelve years ago a violent uprising happened. Abbey barely got out and several people died. When it was all said and done, many of the slaves were killed, the fields and the house burned to the ground and to this day many say the place is cursed.
Norrington was able to piece some of this together just from what people told him about the three men. Rereading statements helped him find the link of the three men but not closer to the culprit. Obviously the perpetrator of the deaths had something to do with the Sadler Plantation. But Norrington's information about the Sadler Plantation was limited. At the time James wasn't commissioned in Port Royal. His sorry brother was.
Speaking of the devil, he picks up the letter that he received earlier that day stating that his brother Admiral Martin Norrington will be coming to Port Royal. Taking a break from his work, he opens the letter reading it quickly. James sneered at the patronizing part where his brother claims his intention to visit the "watering hole" that James now has in his charge. Martin will be bringing that priss of a wife, Monica, with him along with his two brat sons, Craig and Ian.
Just what he needs at the moment. Admiral Martin Fitzgerald Norrington coming to Port Royal to cause James a whole lot of hell and suffering. Martin and James are not fond of each other mainly because James is the second wife's son and Martin is the son of the beloved first wife who died when Martin was three. Their father remarried a year later and James was born out that nuptial. By the time James was six, hell had been redefined by him through his brother who made sure to remind him that he was the second son of a insignificant wife that father married for image only.
Martin found new and inventive ways to make James hate his own existence. He put snakes in his bed, dropped ink on his school papers and told father every time James did something. And sometimes when James did nothing Martin claimed that he did just to see James squirm. Their father being the bastard he was took Martin's word over James every time. To this day James refuses to refer to his father as anything other than Father.
Martin resented how smart James was in relation to him. James was better at math, reading and common sense than Martin and by the time Martin left the house he had been forcing James to do his schoolwork for three years by the painful reprisals.
After a brief reprieve, James thinking he would go into the university found himself shipped off to the British Royal Navy. Father saying that if his oldest son didn't go to the university there was no way in hell that James would go. Besides it was more James' place to be in the navy than Martin.
Pissed but determined to make the best out of bad situation, James excelled in the military. Finding that he loved the sea very much. He enjoyed serving and James has served with distinction. However he did have the problem of his brother. James was constantly under the yolk and shadow of his brother Martin who had quite a reputation for be a royal asshole as well as a vicious fighter. James on more than one occasion had to explain to people that he is not his brother. Thougha brilliant tacticianJames didn't have a bloodlust like his brother. If a man surrendered to James then the fight was over. It was the Crown's job to convict a man not his. It didn't mean that he wouldn't hesitate to protect his crew, the crown, or himself, but he drew the line at out and out murder. Some resented him for it because he sent many a fool to the brig for breaking regulations that Martin would let them get away with under his watch. But those who appreciated an honorable soldier took notice of him and found it refreshing that both Norringtons weren't complete morons.
Yet Martin managed to become a commodore and had a commission in the Caribbean. While James searched the seas for pirates to rid the waters of them, rumors began to spread that Martin might be in cahoots with them, even with some slavers. James didn't put it past him but it was an embarrassing time for him and nearly drove him into earlier retirement. But then word got out that Governor Swann after riding on a ship commanded under CaptainJames Norrington, wantedJames to work out of Port Royal under his governorship.
The news pissed off Martin, which set off a new rivalry. Martin left him with a mess of soldiers whose attitude was no better than pirates. It took James three years to rid Port Royal of soldiers that supported his brother and not a few officials moved further inland because they preferred the politics of the old governor than the new governor and the younger Norrington.
Martin had married in Port Royal to Monica an idiot woman whose father apparently didn't love her enough to prevent the wedding. James had been present along with his mother and father who made a special trip. The whole time his father and brother talked endlessly about how inadequate James is as a navy man. No matter that James was the youngest man in naval history to achieve the ranks he had acquired. No he was not Martin, he was just getting by on Martin's success. No matter that everyone almost had a festival when news that Martin is to be shipped out of Port Royal; James is a weak wrist Naval Officer that will have Port Royal in chaos within three years.
James hated every moment with them and he couldn't stomach his mother by that time. So broken and battered from years of mental abuse, she is no more than parrot for her husband. Thank god he didn't have sisters. No telling how dim witted and beaten down they would be by years of abuse from a man who has no respect for anything not associated with his son Martin. When it was over James hopped back on his ship so fast people swore that he was never there.
Not too long before James became a Commodore his brother Martin for some ungodly reason became an Admiral and James didn't hear the end of it from his broken down mother and sorry father. They sent many letters lauding Martin's achievements something James knows wouldn't be done for him. A few weeks later Martin sent a letter to him claiming that he would be affecting policy in the Caribbean and that James had better run a tight ship. James just sneered at that letter before tossing it in the fire.
Now Martin is back in the Caribbean and coming to give James large amounts of grief. James knows that if the murders aren't solved before Martin's arrival the hell he will suffer will be unbearable. It's going to be bad enough when Martin learns that Elizabeth rather marry a blacksmith than a Commodore. And James won't even think about the escape of Jack Sparrow.
Tossing the letter back on the table, James forced himself to forget the unsavory news of his brother to think about the very unsavory murders taking place in the town. Leaning back into his seat James reflects a moment before remembering the shadow in the alley. His gut tells him that was the killer. But what he doesn't understand is why the killer was still there when they found the body. He was never there before, James is sure of that. The primarily reason because there was a great chance of getting caught. James thinks a minute. Maybe the killer wanted James to come after him. The idea of trap rang true in James' mind and he was just about to think more on it when one of his men comes in with a report.
"What have you found?"
The man, Tobias Jenson, swallows a bit before talking. He is a younger man, just there under a year.
"I questioned everyone at the bar the last place the man was seen. And pretty much nothing."
"Nothing?" James couldn't believe that. "No one saw anything or anyone suspicious?"
Jenson started to say no but then remembering he says, "Well a barmaid said that she saw a person with a brimmed hat leave right after the victim."
Norrington stands up, "What did this person look like?"
The soldier struggles before speaking. He didn't really think it was important. But apparently the Commodore does so with an air of importance Jenson says, "It was too dim sir but she said that she saw the person come in just after the victim but best as she could tell wearing a hat, loose shirt and dark pants. The man ordered rum and didn't ask for anything else the rest of the night. When the man left, the money was on the table the glass still full."
Norrington thinks a moment before asking, "Is that all?"
"Yes sir. That's all oh wait. The barmaid said that the person was black."
Norrington turns sharply at the boy when the final piece is confirmed, "Good job son. Now I want you to go back to the bar and get as much detail about this person as possible. Take a sketch drawer with you. I want a description as best as you can get make copies and posted before tonight understood?"
The boy snapped to attention, "Yes sir." He turns and leaves.
James shakes his head knowing that he is on the right track. After a moment he leaves his office and heads to the governors home. Not too far behind him the man in the hat tracks him.
"I assure you Governor that we will apprehend the killer very soon. My men are posting pictures of this person as we speak. Once they are up, the reward posted underneath will get the killer captured rather quickly. Further, my men are again searching the area around the location of the crimes thoroughly."
The men are standing in the Governor's study by the bay window looking out over the town of Port Royal. There is a slight strain on the Governor's face that lessens with the news he receives from Commodore Norrington.
Governor Swann smiles a bit, "Well that's good to hear James. I was beginning to think that my daughter and young Mr. Turner would have a bloody wedding."
It has been close to a year since William Turner asked Elizabeth to join him. The Turners had a long engagement primarily for Will to finish his apprenticeship and to acquire the shop from the old Blacksmith. Now the wedding plans are underway and invitations sent. Norrington wonders if Sparrow would dare show his face. Though he has searched he hasn't come close to catching the Pearl nor the pirate he let it go a little over a year ago.
"Their wedding will be quite peaceful I assure you. In fact I think that the murderer's goal was to kill the slave owner and his workers from the Sadler Plantation."
The Governor shutters, "Yes. Yes. So you say. I can't believe Abbey would be involved in something so disgusting. Even for the slave owner that is low."
James frowned, "What do you mean?"
Swann shook his head, "It is all past history but I guess for you were just coming here and making adjustments didn't hear much about it. Besides the situation was a little over a year old when you finally made berth here," The Governor sighs turning from the window and walking a little further into the room. His voice is wary and his eyes are haunted. "You see the Sadler Plantation had a reputation for being the best place to get cane but also for its horrible treatment of its slaves. From the stories I heard, Sadler ran a harsh plantation. Punishment were severe. People disfigured, women raped regularly men having their parts removed. I even heard that the children from those rapes were killed at birth. The man was a sadist and everyone knew it. But again he had the best product so people choose to ignore the vileness that was taking place on that land.
Only the ugliest of people generally worked there. The plantation suffered many attempts from the slaves to revolt against the owners. All failed until the last one. It's a wonder that Sadler wasn't killed himself but he wasn't on the island. People say you could see the smoke all the way here in Port Royal. Many doubt anyone would have made it but obviously some people did survive," sighing a bit Swann turns to James, "Now that I know it was Abbey handling the affairs when he wasn't in England it just turns my stomach."
"Whatever happened to Sadler?"
Swann waved his hand, "I don't know. In fact no one knows. He disappeared right around the time I took over governor of Port Royal. There was nothing left of the plantation. And when he didn't returned many thought that he was too bankrupt to do so."
Norrington thought about the story while gazing out the window. The story answered a few questions in his mind and made everything even more clear than it was before. He begins to wonder why the killer waited so long when his thoughts are interrupted by a question.
"I hear that Martin is coming for a visit. When will he arrive?"
James turns to find that Governor Swann has moved over to the small mini bar. James watched as the Swann poured a drink for himself and James. Although on duty James knew he needed drink to deal with anything concerning his brother. Therefore he takes the drink instead of declining as was appropriate.
After a few swallows of the smooth liquor he answer in a cold voice, "He will be here the day after tomorrow."
Swann smiles faintly, "You two don't get on well with him do you?"
Glancing at the Governor as if he were a fool, James said, "How did you guess?" he takes another swallow before saying, "I didn't think you were too fond of him the way you demanded he be ushered out here."
"Well, at the time I had a young and impressionable daughter to think of and from what I seen on my initial visits, the man just didn't seem to have the propriety to keep his soldiers respectful and the street clean from the riffraff."
James could drink to that and as he did wondered just how the hell he is going to make it through a visit from his brother. He didn't have any pressing matters at sea. The work he had here with the murders would be enough to keep him busy but that wouldn't stop his brother. No, Martin would find every opportunity to be in James' face questioning his authority and abilities.
"I believe that a small reception would be in order for him. And I guess it would be only proper to invite him to the wedding." Governor Swann said slowly gauging James' reaction.
James winced. The wedding is five days away and his brother would be there witness James suffer the biggest humiliation of his life; Elizabeth solidifying her choice to marry Will Turner. It is bad enough that everyone insists that he attend but with his brother there he can hear the conversation at the reception.
"The blacksmith. She chose the blacksmith over you. I would say she has bad taste but then again father said you weren't worth the sweat he expended on making you."
No, hell is not the murders for James. The threshold of hell would be brought to his doorsteps upon the arrival of his brother and when it is all said and done James has a feeling he will never be the same from it. One can only take so many hits before loosing all control. Yet James is a proper English man. He knows what has to be done. He knew he had to make preparations for his brother's arrival. So with a sigh James agreed with the Governor before telling him that he had to leave.
Swann let him go, knowing that the next few days are going to be hard on James. What with the wedding and with his brother coming, the next week is going to be utter hell for James Norrington. Swann wished he could ease the young man's pain but there was nothing he could do. Martin Norrington is an Admiral and had every right to inspect the Crowns holdings. And his daughter loved another man and James willingly released her from any obligations to him. Yes, James is going to be tested more than he rightly deserves and there is nothing Governor Swann could do about it.
What the Governor failed to realize was how true his thoughts were and how wrong the reason why.
Norrington walked briskly back to his offices, noticing with satisfaction that the posters were up. The picture is funny looking but serve its purpose. Studying it he felt something was off about it. Aside from the fact that the face had a lot of shadow cast on it, there is a something's missing feeling he is getting. A strong feeling like he is missing something very obvious. Thinking he'll work it out in the confines of his office he keeps walking.
It is a lovely evening in Port Royal. The sun is setting slowly leaving a yellowish orange haze over the town. Dusk is always a nice time of day in Port Royal as it illuminates the town resting on the hills in a lovely cove on Jamaica Island. The air is fresh and warm caressing a person like an old friend. And in this type ambience it is hard to believe that so much bad and disturbing things could be taking place in Port Royal. Yet they are and James has to change it before even pleasant walks like the one he is taking back to his office won't be hampered with fear.
He is halfway there, just crossing from the edge of the more modest homes of Port Royal to the more affluent when he realize that he being followed. When he first thought it, he dismissed it as a trick of shadows. But then a few blocks later he spotted the briefest sight of a hat shape the same way as the hat he saw last night. Moving a little slower without being obvious he thinks about his next move for he knows that the killer is following him. Why anyone would kill him, unless a pirate, is beyond him but he wanted to be prepared. He got to a stretch of street that has a garden park by it on the right and a brick wall on the left. At this time though still light enough for it to appear illuminate by sunlight. However,it appeared like no one was on the street. The idea of it unnerved him until he saw a few people coming towards him. Thinking himself silly he walked by nodding to the passerbyers while at the same time trying to ascertain if he was still being followed.
He saw nothing as he reached the end of the park where a few old buildings met near a small alley. He walked a little further with more caution, as alleys nowadays were known for their ability to hide horrifying deeds. Yet he couldn't see anyone when he made casual glances over his shoulder. He didn't hear any footsteps or see anything out of the ordinary. Yet he felt in his gut that something is not right. Where has is tag gone he wondered. As he walked the feeling of overlooking something nags him until he turns around. At that moment he sees a flash of metal.
Jumping back, James barely missed getting powder blown into his face. Ripping out his sword, he gets into a defensive position only to see empty space.
"What the hell ump…"
Something hard hits him on the head. In the daze he sees the man with the hat wielding a viciously sharp blade come towards him before he blacks out.
The man's blade stops just before gutting the Commodore and he watches the Commodore hit the ground with a thud. What stopped the man was not the fact that the Commodore dropped out of reach. It was the sight of a wigless James.
"Who be …" the man starts. Already annoyed that Norrington foiled part of his plan, the sight before him caused him to pause. Reaching down, he removes the silly coiffure completely to stare at a young man in his late twenties early thirties with short dark brown black hair.
"This ain't right…it a trick…" but something gnawing at the man makes him think that no trick is present. Thinking hard for a moment the man makes a decision. Grabbing James and dragging him to the small alley between the two buildings, he walks until it would difficult for anyone to see what he is doing. He then strips James of his fine jacket, shoes, stockings, sword and shirt. The shirt he uses to help the head wound that is bleeding slightly from James' head hitting the ground.
After tossing the clothes, the man noticing that the setting sunlight has turned in a way to provide more of a view in the alley. He then drags James further between the buildings. He knows that time is of the essence. The posters all over the place makes him an easy person to spot for he hasn't changed that look, couldn't really afford to. Further there are soldiers crawling around. He has to get to safety quickly.
The man comes out from between the buildings at an intersection of other buildings. Turning left he drags his heavy prisoner further away from any help. Once at the end of that small alley, he finds that he is close to woods. Stepping out to see if anyone is around and seeing no one, he drags Norrington out and into the woods.
An hour later he has James hog-tied, gagged and dumped unceremoniously in a small boat. Within minutes the man has pushed off from the cove where he had his boat hidden and set sail.