Dead Men's Tales (Tales of the Brass Griffin Book 5) by C. B. Ash Read Free Book Online

around this occupational dalliance?”
    Hunter glanced at his old friend with a faint smirk, “Rather straightforward, actually. There were no bodies in the water – otherwise we would have seen the longskiffs – and only a bare handful aboard the Fair Winds . That leads one to assume Clark took both passengers and crew with him. Angela’s cleverly done message, directs us here to Port Signal. I say it’s a safe gamble that Clark came here with his cargo of unwilling guests.”
    The doctor considered that a moment, “Logical, but no one would be able to keep a cargo hold full of kidnapped people a secret. Someone would notice. What people notice, inevitably one talks about.”
    Hunter nodded, then looked out at Port Signal again. Slowly, while he watched, a British cutter slid out of port. On leaving the station behind, her sails billowed out as they caught the wind, pulling the vessel away from the station. Sunlight shone warm along the canvas stretched across the rigid frame of her gas bag, highlighting the blue, red and white of the Union Jack flying in the breeze.
    The captain frowned, then called over his shoulder, “Mr. Baker! Back a third. Let’s allow that cutter to be on their way before we get too close.”
    “Already got it, Cap’n,” The young man at the wheel replied, tapping out a sequence on a small set of lettered keys on astand attached to the ship’s wheel.
    Hunter glanced at Thorias and shrugged, “Normally, I would agree. However, according to Moira, Port Signal has a more ‘interesting’ side. Keeping a cargo hold of kidnap victims sealed against their will might not be out of bounds – once we make the right acquaintance in low places, that is.”
    The doctor crossed his arms. “I see. So we make port, piracy claim and all, but what then?”
    Hunter returned to watching the ships drifting around the station. While he watched, the two French ships from a moment before slowly made their way into docking slips, far ahead. The captain unclasped his hands, rubbing the palm of his clockwork artificial left hand to ease a phantom ache.
    “A gamble,” Anthony admitted, “a very risky gamble. If Clark is intent on seeking our deaths, he’ll know in short order we’ve arrived and make a nuisance of himself. So, it makes sense someone distracts him, while the others quietly search for the innocents he’s abducted.”
    “Of course, why didn’t I see it?” Dr. Llwellyn replied as realization dawned. “You’re using yourself as bait again. Anthony, we don’t know he won’t shoot you on sight, and me as well, for that matter.”
    “Yes, he just might,” the captain admitted. “That’s why I plan on going to find him first. To try and talk some reason. I don’t fully expect it to work, but while I entertain him, you and Tonks can turn this station upside down for those people … quietly of course.”
    “Surely, you’ll not be alone?” Dr. Llwellyn asked, concerned.
    “Of course not alone,” the captain scoffed, “I’ve not taken leave of all my senses. I’ll have some of the crew along, and I’ll keep to the more public venues.”
    “Brash and risky,” Thorias said shaking his head slowly, as he watched the British cutter turn away from Port Signal and vanish among the clouds, “I see your logic, though … along with one glaring flaw.  We’ll surely be seen leaving the ship, even if you leave first.”
    “Quite,” Hunter replied. “However, Tonks has found his way out of more problematic spots, as have you.” The captain called over his shoulder, “Mr. Baker, ahead a third, and have someone send a telegraph to the station, let them know we’re requesting an open slip.”
    “Aye, Cap’n,” Mr. Baker replied from the ship’s wheel, tapping at the nearby telegraph keys.
    Dr. Llwellyn smiled, “True. I’ll speak with Tonks. With you leaving first, we might could use that to some small advantage.” The doctor hesitated, “Anthony, if I may … you’re being