Page 42 of Hired by Pirates

By the time the men had licked the last of the pastry sugar from their fingers, we had all gathered in the navigation room. There wasn’t quite space for everyone, so Jake, Jocko, and Barnaby lurked outside the door.

“You three will be staying on the ship with Astor,” I said to them, “but you might as well listen in anyway.”

We reviewed everything while referring to the map, which now held hastily sketched revisions as per information relayed from Woods.

Simon sat beside me, muttering to himself. I knew that he was estimating the time per lock, and the distance.

“We’ll all be wearing our best clothes, and looking as tidy as possible,” I said. “So as long as we are walking briskly, and smiling a greeting to everyone, no one should be suspicious for at least a little while.”

Staring down at the map, Simon frowned. “The bookkeeper is farther away from the Town Hall now, and they moved the stage.” He pointed to the area that was sure to be completely filled with people for the Mayor’s speech. “Getting through the crowd with a bundle of papers is going to be tricky when I also have to race to the back of the building to get the money in time.”

“We could take care of the papers,” Astor said, nodding to Woods. “We strolled around town and nobody batted an eyelash. We could walk straight through the crowd as if we were invisible.”

I felt the pressure of everyone’s stare. I couldn’t stand the thought of having her anywhere but safely on the ship while we were sneaking about.

“Time-wise, Captain, it’s the perfect solution,” Simon said, watching me closely. “I could dash around the crowd after handing her the papers. Then I’ll slip in the back door, grab the money, she makes the delivery and we are gone.”

Tobias nodded. “Then we’re all back on the ship, ready to shove off the second Morty joins us.”

I knew they were right, but I still didn’t like it.

“I’ll be right beside her,” Words said gently. “Just a visiting couple out for a pleasant evening stroll, enjoying the festival. The mood of the crowd was jovial and light. Nobody is looking for trouble today.”

“Aye, I’ve been watching the people coming on and off the ships all day,” Jocko said. “No pirates, except for us. Nobody sinister.”

Dammit. They had me cornered. There was no way I could put my foot down now without looking like a complete ass.

“Captain,” Astor said softly, placing her hand on my arm, “you said that I’m a real member of the crew. Please, let me help.”

Those blue eyes melted me. “You are indeed a real member of our crew, lass. You know that. All right, you and Woods can run the papers across the crowd.”

I looked to Woods. “Do you remember Morty? Will you recognize him quickly?”

Woods chuckled. “With that nose and his odd manner of walking? I could recognize him in the dark, Captain.”

“I guess it’s settled then,” I said. “Simon, if the speech is at six, what time do we need to leave the ship?”

We all remained silent as he looked to the sky and muttered for a few moments. We didn’t dare break his concentration.

Finally, he nodded. “Astor and Woods leave at quarter past five, to mingle in the crowd. The more they are seen and the more familiar they become, the less suspicious they will be.”

“Got it,” Woods said, checking his pocket watch against Simon’s, where it was sitting on the table.

“Tobias and I leave ten minutes later. We visit the bookkeeper’s office, then meet Astor and Woods here at quarter to six.” He pointed to the street corner closest to the Town Hall.

“I’ll bring my shopping basket,” Astor said. “That will hide the papers perfectly.”

I slipped a hand around her waist, holding her against me.

“That will give us ten minutes to spare,” Simon continued. “We can check that the coast is clear, and Captain, you’ll leave the ship at half past five, meet us behind the Town Hall, then we help ourselves to the ill-gotten gains of two greedy families.”

“I’ll have eyes on Morty just before the speech,” Woods said, “and rush the papers to him as soon as the mayor takes the stage.”

“The moment those papers are delivered, you and Astor head straight back for the ship,” I said firmly.

“Aye, Captain,” he said, giving me a quick nod.

“And we all sail away, very rich men–” Tobias stopped himself. “And woman. Sorry, lass.”

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