School has just started back up for me today. Bummer. :/ I'm hoping that it won't conflict with how often I update, but we'll just have to wait and see. And you guys are amazing! Thank you for the reviews for the last chapter Lightwolfheart, Rwy'n-Y-Blaidd-Drwg, ClutchingLife, and Eva Sirico. You guys are amazing and I really appreciate it.
and now, enjoy! :)
Chapter Ten: Interrogations
The streets of Port Manning were nearly deserted. There were only a few venders out, selling their bit of merchandise, but no pedestrians were to be seen. The wind blew cold and hard against Kate's face, and even though it was mid-afternoon, the sun was not shining through the clouds overhead, leaving Kate feeling cold and uneasy.
"Something's not right here." Jack murmured to Gibbs on the other side of him. His eyes roamed carefully around his surroundings. "Keep moving. The sooner we're out of here, the better."
Jack had left the majority of the crew back on the Black Pearl except for Kate, Gibbs, and Nate. Jack stopped outside of a shady looking tavern. "Wait here," he instructed them. He opened the door of the tavern and took one step inside when he almost collided with another frantic looking pirate. "You must leave here!" He whispered frenetically. He went to say something else but Jack interrupted.
"We're here to see Harl—"
"Not here! He fled—they are coming! They're here! Leave!" The words flew out of the pirate's mouth.
"They? Who are they?" Jack grabbed the man's shoulders and gave him a shake. The man's eyes darted around wildly. "Answer me!"
"The Navy! They are coming!" He rasped. He shook free of Jack and he stumbled back into the tavern, slamming the door in their faces.
Jack's face paled as he turned to the others. They looked just as aghast as he did. "Run," he breathed. The others did not need more prompting as they took off after their captain, their feet pounding down the cobblestone streets, echoing all around them. The noise sounded deafening to Kate, as it was the only sound breaking through the silence of the town. They rounded a corner and to their horror, there was a line of Navy officers blocking the way.
"In the name of—" The leader of the troop began but was not able to finish as Jack shouted over him, commanding his own group to flee another way. "I command you to stop!" Jack's crew turned quickly and started down the street the way they had come. There was a cry from behind him and Jack turned to see Kate stumble over a protruding stone in the street. He hurried to her, wary of the group of Navy men chasing after them, and helped her to her feet. They hurried after the others.
"Adger!" Gibbs's voice shouted in anger ahead and Jack and Kate were forced to stop behind Gibbs and Nate. Jack shouldered his way through the other two and narrowed his eyes at the sight before him. Adger was there with his crew, and to Adger's other side was Captain Webber with a few of his own men as well.
"I told you, Jack." He began. Jack drew his sword in response, putting his arm out to keep Kate behind him. "But you just won't listen or learn, will you, Sparrow?"
The navy could be heard approaching from behind. "There's no way but through, Captain." Nate said quietly. Jack nodded and Nate and Gibbs drew their swords. Kate had never been so scared before in her life as she followed their movement and drew her own sword. Jack was the first to strike, as he stepped forward closing the gap between him and Adger. Adger parried and his crew behind him advanced on the three from the Black Pearl.
"Don't harm the girl!" Adger shouted over the din, blocking another blow from Jack. "Take 'er to the ship!" Kate watched fearfully as numerous pirates approached her at once. There swords were not drawn but Kate pointed her sword threateningly towards them. They merely laughed at her and came closer still, surrounding her from every angle. She raised her sword, but hesitated. Kate didn't think that she had it in her to kill these pirates. She didn't have it in her to kill anyone.
Jack blocked a blow from Adger, and as he did so, he lifted his leg and kicked Adger in the gut, sending him flying backwards. He fell on his back and his sword fell out of his hand. Jack whirled around to find Kate with her sword raised, but hesitating as the pirates still drew closer. Jack took two large strides and placed himself in between Kate and the pirates, and he slashed at one directly in front of him. He fell with an anguished scream and the two others quickly drew their swords in defense. Jack grabbed Kate's sword from her, raising the two at once to block blows from each pirate.
Jack quickly sidestepped to parry, and then he crossed his blades in an 'X' shape and slid both the opposite direction through one of the pirate's torso. Kate had to muffle a scream, her hand flying to her mouth as she watched the enemy pirate fall. Just as Jack blocked the other pirate's sword, Kate noticed Adger quickly approaching from behind.
"Jack!" She shouted. But the Navy men swarmed in, two of them grabbing hold of Kate by her arms, and muffled anything else she were to shout.
Jack slid his sword through the last pirate he had been facing, and turned to Kate, alarmed at her yell. He tried to make his way towards her, thinking that she had called for him because she had been captured, but behind him Adger brought the butt of his pistol down on Jack's head. Jack stalled, and then his eyes rolled up into his head, falling forwards on the ground. Kate gasped and lurched forward, but the Navy men kept a hold of her, pulling her back with a jerk.
"Scum should've never crossed me." Adger said darkly, kicking Jack's unconscious body in his gut.
"Take him." Commodore Bolton said with authority and two of the navy officers picked up Jack by the arms, his feet dragging on the ground as they dragged him.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kate saw Gibbs and Nate half hiding behind a fruit stand and Kate felt a small sense of relief that they had managed to escape. She just hoped that they would stay hidden and not get caught. Kate kept her eyes downcast so as not to give their position away.
Kate could hear the Commodore negotiating a deal between Webber and Adger, their voices rising and falling, but Kate couldn't pay attention to their conversation. Fear gripped her and she began to feel sick to her stomach. The Navy had come for her, that's why they were taking her captive. They think she committed the murder.
Footsteps approached her and black shoes stopped in front of her, yet Kate did not look up. "You are Kate Green, the barmaid from Port Veridian, yes?" The commodore's voice asked.
Kate did not answer.
"I see," he said mildly, taking a step back. "Take them both to the ship, and let's not see if we can end up cutting off the Black Pearl from leaving the port." He instructed, his boots clicking on the flat street stones as he walked.
One of the men that had his grip on Kate gave her a shove forward to start walking.
"Watch it!" She snapped at him, jerking her arm away from him. "I can walk myself, thanks." The man still kept a hold of her arm. She narrowed her eyes.
The Navy and Captain Adger and Webber's crews split when they hit the docks. They all paused though as they watched the Black Pearl sail on the horizon.
"We've got what we needed." Bolton said, not discouraged as they boarded the ship.
"Garner," the commodore addressed the captain who was stationed at the helm. "Take these two to your cabin and wait for me while I…deal with some things." The captain nodded and took Kate gently by the arm, leading the way to the captain's cabin. The other two men unceremoniously dropped Jack with a painful thump onto the ground once inside the cabin. Jack gave released a small moan, his hand moving to clutch his shoulder that he had fallen on.
"Take a seat," Captain Garner motioned to the few chairs that were sitting by the desk, but Kate did not move towards them, instead moving to Jack's side.
She kneeled beside him and helped Jack into a sitting position. His hand moved to his head, rubbing the spot that Adger had hit him. He noticed Garner and frowned, glancing around the cabin. He reached for his sword but found that it had been confiscated. "Bloody Adger," he said vehemently.
Kate gave a small sigh.
Garner had taken a seat but was staring curiously at Kate. "Do I know you?" He finally asked her.
Kate was taken by surprise and looked over at the captain. She studied him with his black hair and blue eyes. A blush slowly crept over Kate's face and she quickly shook her head. "No, you're not familiar." Kate looked down, avoiding the captain's gaze.
"No, I know you. You're the woman at the—"
"I think you're mistaken…" Kate trailed off, running her hand through her tangled brown hair.
"You went home with me that first night I was in Port Veridian," he continued anyways.
Jack's eyebrows rose at this newfound information and he couldn't hide a small grin as he turned to look at Kate.
Kate's eyes widened as she looked between Jack and Garner. "I, I—" She was about to protest again but she knew they both were convinced. "Times were tight!" Kate defended herself as Jack smirked at her.
Jack simply nodded, that dumb smirk still on his face. Kate covered her face with her hand in embarrassment.
"How are you involved in this, Kate?" Garner asked after an awkward moment of silence. Kate lifted her head to look at him.
"Involved in what, specifically?" She asked in response.
"Your governor's murder." He clarified.
"I didn't kill him if that's what you're asking." She said slowly.
Garner shook his head. "No, I know you didn't kill him. But why are you involved in all of this?" He asked.
"Well I, I'm not really…" She trailed off, tugging at a piece of her hair.
"So the tip that you, Clarke, and this Captain Sparrow next to you is false?" He questioned.
Jack sat straight up. "Me in an alliance with Clarke?" He pointed his finger at himself, completely bewildered. "I'd kill the bloody bastard the first moment I could." Jack leaned back, a disgusted look on his face.
Kate raised her eyebrows at Jack's reaction and turned to Garner. "I don't even know who this Clarke person is." She said, her hands displayed in front of her.
Garner was silent, thinking, when the commodore entered the cabin. All three looked up at him and he stared at the two that sat on the floor. "Is there something wrong with my chairs?" He joked, trying to ease the tension that was created when he entered.
Neither Kate nor Jack answered.
"Alright," Bolton took a seat besides Garner, facing the two that remained seated on the floor. "Let's clear some things up." Bolton started, the humor gone from his face as he looked intently at Kate and Jack. "Both of you have been accused of being involved in Albert Willow's murder, the governor of Port Veridian. While this may be false—"
"—which it is." Jack interrupted.
"—we still need to investigate this further." Bolton continued as if he hadn't heard Jack's comment. He turned to Kate.
"Especially you, Miss Green," he paused. "Numerous witnesses said they heard a scream the night that Willows was murdered, and the following days were marked with your absence. And here you are now." Bolton leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "How do you explain that?"
Kate was unsure how to respond. She knew she could not betray Jack, but off the top of her head she could not think of a plausible story that would fit the description he had explained.
"Your silence confirms this then." Bolton concluded. "So were you captured by Captain Sparrow and his crew? Did you flee after your murder of Willows? Did you accidentally kill him?" Bolton leaned forward in his chair.
Kate's hands grew clammy and her heart started to beat faster. So this was it, they were accusing her of his murder. Not answering now would almost guarantee her a spot in front of the noose. Yet, Kate knew no other way to defend herself and Jack at the same time, so her mouth remained shut.
The Commodore grew impatient and he stood to his feet. "You may not answer to me now, but you will one way or another." He said. He glanced between Jack and Kate. "Or maybe, you fear Captain Sparrow here." He added as a second thought.
"Garner, remove Sparrow from the cabin please." Garner stood, but Jack did not move.
"I'll stay here, thanks." He stated testily.
"I do not fear him." Kate said tempestuously. "I will not answer your questions whether he is present or not."
Bolton waved his hand anyway at Garner and the captain stepped forward, holding his hand out to Jack. Jack did not take his hand, but he did stand to his feet and follow Garner out of the room, not looking at Kate as he passed.
"Let's try this again," Bolton said once the door had shut. "And we'll take this one question at a time." He remained standing, towering over Kate. "Were you captured by the pirate Captain Sparrow and his crew?"
Kate stared up at Bolton, but she did not reply.
Bolton pursed his lips. "Did you leave the port voluntarily?"
Again, Kate did not answer.
Bolton closed his eyes trying to control his temper. "Did you kill the governor of Port Veridian?"
Kate still remained silent; her mouth seemed incapable of moving and her throat felt dry. She didn't think she could speak even if she had tried.
Bolton squatted down in front of Kate. "Your silence will result in your body hanging from the gallows when we return to Port Veridian for withholding information pertinent to the case from the Royal Navy and the British government."
Kate, tell me what you know and Sparrow will not be able to hurt you. We will protect you and keep you safe. You can go back to your normal life. This will all be put past you and you can forget about it. We can do that." Bolton's voice softened.
Kate broke his gaze and looked down as tears pricked her eyes. She shook her head. Bolton's proposition of her old life being returned wasn't nearly as tempting as it would have been a month ago. She didn't want to return to her life. She just didn't want to die, but it seemed the only way to remain alive was to return to her old life and betray Jack. Then, Jack would die. She couldn't do that. Either way she looked at it, she was in a lose lose situation.
"Did you kill the governor, Kate? At least tell me that!" Bolton began to shout and Kate could not stop the tears that fell from her eyes.
"No," she managed to choke out.
Bolton stood up and stepped away from the crying woman. He knew he would not get anymore information out of her in the present situation, so he walked to the door and opened it. "Let me speak to Sparrow, alone." Bolton informed Garner.
Garner followed Jack back into the cabin and they both looked in alarm at Kate's crying figure.
Jack's eyes narrowed and Garner reached down to help Kate to her feet. "C'mon Miss Katherine." He said softly, leading her from the room.
"Bring two more men in here, Garner." Bolton called before he had shut the door.
There was a crate outside of the room that Garner set Kate on and he ordered two more men into the room. Kate tried to quickly wipe the tears from her face and compose herself in front of Garner.
The black-haired captain didn't say anything, but he studied Kate, trying to figure out how such a simple barmaid got involved into such a mess like this.
When Kate had been able to stop the tears from flowing from her eyes, she looked up at Garner. A loud noise came from inside the cabin followed by a moan Kate jumped. Hey eyes wavered between the door and Garner, and she burst into tears again.
"Katherine—" Garner began.
"Call m-me Ka-Kate," she managed to say between sobs.
"Er, Kate," he moved next to her on the crate. "I don't know what Bolton said to you in there, but no harm is going to come to you." He tried to console her.
"I'll be hanged for withholding information!" She wailed, burying her face in her hands.
Garner was silent, realizing that what Bolton had told Kate was true; she could be hanged for not only withholding information but for her association with pirates. He thought it wise not to mention that last part though.
"It'll be fine, Kate." He simply said, awkwardly patting her back as she tried to stop crying again.
The door to the captain's cabin opened and two men dragged Jack from his arms. There was purple discoloration forming over his right eye and it was almost swollen shut. There was a bruise forming on his left cheek and a large cut on his temple, blood trickling down the side of his face from it. His jaw was slightly slack, a dab of blood forming at the corner, and he groaned in pain as the two officers threw him onto the deck of the ship.
Kate gasped, "Jack!" She stood from the crate and was about to rush to help Jack back up, but Bolton held his hand up at her and Garner held her back.
"Leave him there." Pure hatred was held in his voice and in his gaze as he looked at the pirate captain below him.
Jack slowly stood back up, leaning forward and spitting at Bolton.
"Escort Mr. Sparrow to the quarters reserved for scum like him." Bolton said vehemently, ignoring Jack's disrespectful act. His gaze turned to Kate. "Find Miss Green some more…respectable quarters."
The two officers that threw Jack to the floor a moment ago each latched onto one of his arms.
"I'm going with Jack." Kate said defiantly, stepping away from Garner and towards Jack.
"You'll go where you are told to go," Bolton said coldly.
Kate remained where she was and Garner ran his hand down his face. "Commodore, it can't cause that much harm to let them—"
"—the last time I checked, Captain Garner," He said, enunciating his title to make the point of where he stood compared to him. "I made the decisions around here."
The two officers started to lead Jack towards the lower deck and Kate began to follow. She was stopped when Bolton grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
Jack looked back in time to see Bolton jerk Kate back and he jolted his one arm out of one of the officer's grasp. He turned on his heel and punched the one in the jaw and the other in his gut. The two officers staggered backwards, but four more ran to keep Jack under control.
"Someone knock that pirate out!" Bolton thundered. One of the navy men took an empty bottle that was lying on a crate and smashed it over Jack's head. Jack crumpled to the floor for the second time that day.
Kate flinched and closed her eyes, not able to bear seeing Jack in his current condition.
"Captain Garner, escort Katherine to her quarters."
Kate reluctantly watched as Garner approached her, glancing from him to the men that were dragging Jack off. Garner put a gentle hand on Kate's shoulder and steered her towards the stairs and to her new quarters. And all too soon enough, Kate was alone.
Finally some meat and potatoes to the story! Poor Jack, though. :( What did you all think of the chapter? Any tips, suggestions, ideas for improvement? I'm here to better my writing and to entertain you all through my story and I'd love to hear what you have to say, even if it's just a couple of words. Reviews make my day! :)
Until next time,
Becca xoxo