Page 102 of Paid to the Pirate

“Aye, maybe he is,” came the cry from one of the men.

Colt and Johnson stared at one another as if they might come to blows, which was ridiculous because Johnson, slight and bookish, would never beat a man as strapping as Colt. But Colt couldn’t win against all the men gathering at Johnson’s back, either.

How fast fortunes can change aboard a pirate’s ship,I marveled.

The clouds broke and light raindrops pelted the wood with an ominous, musical cadence.

“We can’t sail anywhere until this storm passes,” Conks announced, interrupting the tense stand-off. “I say we get out of this rain and convene below deck to vote on what to do next. Colt will be temporarily relieved of his captaincy. Anyone who’s interested in taking over the job will have his turn to speak, and we’ll take a vote on who will fill the role,” Conks declared, spinning to address everyone.

Conks’s suggestion was met with proclamations of support. They kept coming until he asked, “Any nays?”

When he was met with silence he said, “Then it’s settled. After, we can have a fair trial to judge Colt for his actions.”

Conks looked at me and it was impossible to read his expression, but my heart sank at his next decree.

“And we’ll keep Charlie in the brig until we decide what to do with her in the morning.”

My head spun wildly and my pulse raced with fear at the change in fortunes and leadership.

What would become of me?

I barely heard Conks tell Miguel, “Stay here a moment, please. We’ll be down there awhile and I’ll need you to prepare some food for everyone while we debate.”

Chapter 42

Charlotte

Colt said nothing, but he was the last to leave the deck, gazing at me with his dark eyes as if he tried to memorize every part of my body, my face.

How dare you even look at me?I thought.

He continued to stare.

You, who murdered my father and stole me. You have no right.

His eyes glistened, slick like water on pitch.

I despise you.

Colt didn’t leave until Conks gave him a firm, but gentle, nudge.

Once the men were assembled below deck only Conks, Miguel, and I remained above. I braced, preparing to be dragged to the brig, but their demeanor immediately changed.

“Hurry, get the ropes,” Conks ordered Miguel, and the two men sprung into action. “Charlotte, help us, quickly.”

Help you?

Seeing my confusion, Conks explained, “Of course we’re not locking you up. You’ll escape in the jolly boat. Miguel can row you to shore. Find Mrs. Penningham and hide yourself. Leave town. Some of the men down there want you for the murder of Maurice and the rest will want you contained -- or worse -- for stealing the Crimson Eye. They won’t let you go. This is your only chance to escape. Hurry!”

My mind quickly caught up to the fact that the captain, Conks, Johnson and Miguel had all just performed a ruse they were in on together, without even speaking. I wasn’t sure what was happening below deck, but above, their plan involved getting me off this ship as quickly as possible.

With no time to ask my many questions, I raced to aid in my own escape, loosening ropes. Miguel and I prepared to climb inside the boat, leaving Conks on deck to finish lowering it to sea.

My hair began to stick to my forehead as the rain pelted the ship with increased force. What had been a sunny morning had turned dreary after my fall and the skies were quickly darkening as the storm progressed. There was no time to do anything other than hug Conks goodbye and whisper, “Thank you.”

Tears of gratitude pricked my eyes. As I leaned into the gray-haired man, he said in my ear, “He loves you, Charlotte, and you must believe he’d take it all back if he could. Even if it meant putting his own life at risk.”

I knew who he meant, of course, and the tears turned bitter before they fell. Ensuring no one could get a good look at my face, I wiped them away and climbed into the boat.

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