Alicia and the crew sat about the long eating table and discussed their current situation with regard to seeking out and stopping the slave ships. Without the former help from Henry, they had to rely on other means, which were pretty lean.

"Nothing from Cap Haitien or Montecristi?"

"Nothing, Captain. A ship came through from Florida that said they saw sails further south but it could be anyone. I think we either find a new source of information or we just cruise the seas and hope we find them on our own."

There was a swell of grumbling from the crew at the latter suggestion. It meant weeks or months away from home with no guarantee of success.

"I have been mulling this over and I agree, a new source is best. To get that I'm proposing we head to St. Maarten . . . the Dutch side."

"That's van Dught's favourite harbour!" Cafferty blurted.

"The French side, I know. But it is also where he gets his information."

"We'd be taking a big risk, captain." Mullen said.

"We don't even know if Henry is still afloat. Maybe the French ship sank the Avenger."

Right away an argument began among the men and Alicia let it go on until it lost steam itself. None really believed a French ship of the line could best Henry van Dught.

"With favourable winds and your brilliant seamanship, we should make St. Maarten in about a week." The deliberate compliment had the men laughing and agreeing with taunts and less objection.

"That would be favourable indeed, Captain. We would have to make eight or nine knots steadily."

"That's why you're my first officer, Mister Mullen. If anyone can get that out of the Queen, you can." She slapped his back, knocking the frown off his face.

"You have a way, Captain. When do you want to leave?"

"Tomorrow morning, we'll leave with the tide."

******

Henry considered the shrunken man in the worn, dirty clothes. He couldn't remember when he first met him but it was a long time ago and their relationship had always been one of mutual benefit. He took out a small sack of coins and jogged them in his hand as he watched the old man's eyes.

"I can rely that this information is good, can I, Frog?"

"Ain't never been bad afore, Cap'n Henry." The toothless mouth made the words hiss.

"True. So you say she sailed two days ago and she's coming around the top of Puerto Rico?"

"Aye," the smile was hideous. "She's wanting to stay as far away from your waters as she can."

Henry tossed him the pouch and waved him off.

He leaned on the ship's rail and stared at the horizon. What was she up to, he wondered. He went over all the possibilities in his head and decided that, Alicia being Alicia, she would seek to continue her war against the slavers. Since he was her previous source of information she needed a new one, and what better place that where he got his . . . St Maarten. She wouldn't dare sail into The French ports so he would wait for her on the Dutch side.

He shouted his orders to the crew and went below to speak with Downs. As soon as he entered the cabin Downs was on his feet.

"Henry, listen-"

"Captain van Dught." Snappish.

Downs saw right away his request had already diminished by half. "Captain . . . I know how this has been an unfortunate-"

"Unfortunate! That's how you define the mess you've made of years of work?"

"No- yes- I mean, It wasn't my fault that Bloode failed."

"You never told me, Mister Downs. You let the word sweep the Caribbean and come to me too late to do any damage control."

Henry unrolled a map of the islands and studied the possible ports Alicia might attempt stopping in for information. He hadn't bothered too much with the Dutch side, his main enemy was the French and the English. He selected two of the most likely and then plotted a position where he had good access to both. he would wait for her to arrive or leave and he would blow the Queen out of the sea with her Captain and crew. He let the map roll itself back up and poured himself a mug of rum, offering none to Downs.

******

The bow of the longboat nudged the hull of the Queen and Cafferty tossed down a line to one of the crew.

"Well, was it successful, captain."

Alicia clambered up the rope ladder and dropped onto the deck, dusting her hands and slapping them on her pants.

"I found a trader who deals in sugar with the English. He has some impressive connections and we struck a deal. He gave me information on a slave ship that will be passing south of St Lucia, heading to Curacao and if the information is good, we agreed on a sum to be paid. This first one is a test."

"Not for free."

"No. Not for free." She grinned at Cafferty. The old bugger still knew his way around bargaining.

Terry met her at the steps to the quarterdeck and asked the same questions.

"We'll leave after the sun drops behind a little and head on a course for Curacao. We should meet up with our slaver sometime tomorrow afternoon."

"If the information's good."

"Oh ye of little faith, Terry. That's what life is, chances and choices."

"Then will we be returning to Tortuga?"

She paused on the steps and looked at him. "We'll be returning when I deem our business is done." Before he could speak, she added, "All the men on this ship have someone waiting, Terry. This is the life we chose." She hopped up the last few stairs and began a conversation with Mullen.

Terry blew out an angry breath and stomped off to his duties.

"He'll come around, Captain. Young love . . . first love."

"I suppose. Guess I shouldn't be pointing any fingers, eh, Mister Mullen?"

His face became sad and he tried a smile. "That was a grand union, Captain. Meant to be in spite of how it came about."

"I believe that too, Gregory."

He blinked and his head jerked sharply. "In all the years, Captain, that's the first time you've used my given name."

"Nostalgia, Mister Mullen. Hollick used your full name when he announced you as the new Captain when he retired."

"Yes, and that was a short run, wasn't it?" He laughed and touched Alicia's arm.

"You've been Captain as much as I . . . Gregory." She returned his smile and they chuckled together, reliving old times.

When the sun moved lower in the sky, the Queen slipped out of the harbour and set sail for the waters near Curacao.