I’m not sure what I expected, but the smile that tipped his lips wasn’t it. “’Atta girl.”
A surprised laugh pushed free as I pulled my hand away and sat down in one of the chairs. Frank steered the boat this morning but still managed to hog most of the pineapple. While he and Captain Matthews argued over how much of the tropical fruit to divvy up to the guests, I let my gaze wander outside. The windows on either side of the cabin were open, the warm sea breeze circulating the small compartment. Outside, the ocean stretched out around us but the waters were tinged a pale green, different than any ocean I’d seen before.
Lucas leaned in close to me. “If you think this is nice,” he murmured, nodding his head toward the sea, “wait until you get closer to land.”
I pushed him away with my good hand and he sat back, grinning. As much as I wanted to be mad at him for bringing me on this journey, the mood within the cabin was too happy to ruin. A smile tipped my own lips as Matthews handed me a bag of ice, which I carefully laid atop my bruised knuckles.
Frank waved two decks of cards above his head. “Okay, who’s up for a game of Pinochle?”
We made landfall late that afternoon, although we were in sight of the shoreline long before that. “Which island is it?” I asked the captain.
“Jamaica. Winter is the best time of the year too; can’t get more perfect weather.”
My first view of land however was somewhat lackluster. Palm and thick-leafed tropical trees lined the shoreline, but the ramshackle port we pulled into would not have been on any tourist map. Lucas went below, leaving me up top while he dealt with his business on the docks. The sudden reminder of what kind of ship I stood upon was a hard pill to swallow.
“How do you cope with knowing what you’re carrying?” I asked the two seamen, watching as Lucas’ men started moving the crates off the ship.
“We don’t look.” Captain Matthews was somberly watching the proceedings below. “This ain’t a dream job, but the money is good and neither me nor Frank put anything away for retirement.” He sighed. “I hate lying to the boys that give me a call, wondering what their old captain’s up to nowadays. That part stings the most, I think, but I want the lot of ‘em to stay as far from this life as possible.”
I couldn’t imagine doing work like this for a living, and meeting good people like the captain and first mate confused me. Perhaps I could have vilified all of Lucas’ men if I hadn’t met these two; now, through the lens of their experience, I had some sympathy for the rest. And then there was my part, merely as a translator but my words and actions may have killed that French doctor. Pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I contented myself with staying as far away as possible, not leaving my current location until everything was done.
Until I saw Jeremiah being led down the gangplank to the docks.
The tension in my heart escalated as I watched Lucas’ men escort a handcuffed Jeremiah to the pier, and suddenly I couldn’t stay in my safe little box. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” I said, making my decision. “I think it’s time for me to go.”
“It was good to meet you, missy,” Matthews said, shaking my hand. “I hope to see you again someday, albeit under better circumstances.”
I felt bad for leaving them and wondered if I was making the right decision, but still hurried down the steps and around the side of the ship. The water here was more stable than when we’d left New York but I still took the gangplank to the shore carefully. Watching the bustling proceedings was very different than when I was up in the captain’s area, and I didn’t breathe easy until I was beside Jeremiah. I could feel the big man’s gaze on me, a heavy weight that I tried to ignore. “I thought you never wanted to see me again,” he murmured.
“I thought so too.” I fought the urge to look at him, desperate to see his expression. I cringed toward him as a forklift veered dangerously close. The two guards still flanked the big man but despite the flurry of activity, I felt safest beside the ex-Ranger.
Loud cursing preceded Niall’s arrival onto the docks. The Australian was supported by two of his men and didn’t look at all thankful for their help. “Where’s that son of a bitch?” he shouted, scanning the docks. “He’s going to pay for what he did.”
“Somebody called for me?” Lucas stepped out from between two crates, smiling at the furious blond man.
Niall pointed a finger at the gunrunner. “When Mr. Smith hears about what you did to me, he’ll...”
“Mr. Smith can hear quite well, thank you.”
Niall’s eyes bugged out as another man stepped out of the shadows beside Lucas. “G...Good afternoon, sir,” he stuttered. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I didn’t expect I’d need to make the trip.” Smith was an older man, maybe in his mid-fifties, but he wore his age well. Silver hair streaked his temples, and the wrinkles on his face only served as character. Much like Jeremiah, he had a commanding presence you couldn’t help but notice, and right now he didn’t seem to approve of his Australian lackey. “Tell me, Mr. Jackson,” Smith said conversationally, “where is Doctor Marchand?”
Niall licked his lips nervously. “My men couldn’t find him before we left,” he said, then quickly added, “sir.”
“I see. So you didn’t intend to take his shipment of supplies and try to sell them without my knowledge.”
The blond man’s mouth worked for a moment, his face white, then he shook his head. “No, sir,” he whispered.
“Because word about special sorts of deals get around, and people frown on betrayal like that. Those feelings affect business, which isn’t something I appreciate. Fortunately, I’m in a good mood today.” Smith looked at the two men carrying the terrified Australian. “Take care of him.”
The two goons who had been propping the man up suddenly became his captors, dragging the man quickly out of earshot. I clenched my fists, pressing my forehead against Jeremiah as Lucas asked, “What are you going to do with him?”
“Unfortunately, this one is my wife’s nephew so my hands are tied. However, I don’t think he’ll make this same mistake twice. Thanks for the call, I’m certain the authorities will find the poor doctor eventually.”
“A shame,” Lucas replied. “There are so few chances to do any kind of good in this job, but the medicines will reach the good doctor’s hospital.”