In the Deppville Classifieds:

Secretary wanted!

The Deppville Security Office has a job opening for a secretary starting as soon as possible. 

Responsibilities: 

·         Mainly the reception desk

·         archive filing 

·         answering the phone 

·         miscellaneous errands

Qualifications:

·         Some computer skills needed

·         Secretarial experience desired, but not required

·         A desire to serve the public of Deppville with a smile

Address your application to Chief Inspector Donnie Brasco.

At Bournemouth House:

Abberline *takes Chiana up the stairs and puts her down, she starts to crawl, but instead of going to her own room, she passes the threshold to Abberline's study*  Darling, not there, there's nothing there for you to play with ...

Chiana *Stops, stands on her knees and claps her hands*  Ma-ma!  Ma-ma!  MA-MA!

Abberline *catches her before she falls, quietly*  Yes ... Let's go to your room and read a book ... *he turns to have a look at the painting of Kat.  She is not a pirate at all in it, she's more like the fragile and vulnerable and utterly beautiful little lady like she was in the hospital, when she woke up his love and want of protect her, when he heard she was having his baby.  She was not a pirate then, and she was the woman he fell in love with, right there at the hospital, when he understood, that they belong together, that she is his fate ... he slams the door shut*

On The Brave:

Grace *has left the crew behind at the tavern and walks back to the dock alone keeping a watchful eye on everyone around her.  She can’t quite shake the feeling that something isn’t right, something’s coming ... she can’t explain it and doesn’t have a clear idea of what it is, but it fills her with fear.  She’s sensed things before, but without the dreamer abilities, it’s never clear to her what it is and usually she just shakes it off pretty quickly and forgets all about it – unless Grandmother Rose gets persistent and sends her a vision, but that’s very rare and even if Grace wanted to attempt to channel that connection, she doesn’t know how.  But it’s different this time.  She doesn’t just feel uneasy, she’s frightened.  She boards the Brave and goes directly to her cabin; the few crew members remaining on the ship would have alerted her if anything had happened on the ship.  The cabin is dark, but she knows it well and can find her way around easily even though all she can see are shadows.  Suddenly, there’s a sound behind her as if someone has followed her and in her present state of mind, she doesn’t think twice about using her abilities – she turns quickly and a loud crash sound as the trespasser is mysteriously pushed backwards with great force and slams against the cabin door opening it in the impact.*

Gibson *having landing outside on the deck, moaning in pain*  Bloody ‘ell!

Grace *instantly recognizing the voice, runs over to him and crouches down next to him*  Apologies, mate, didn’t know it were you.  Ye shouldn’t sneak up on me like that.  Ye know what I can do.  *With concern*  Are ye hurt?

Gibson *sits up and pats himself up and down as if to check if he’s still in one piece*  I’m OK … *frowns*  I weren’t sneaking, I walked normally.  *Looks at her quizzically*  What’s made ye so on edge, Captain?

Grace *sighs*  I dunno, mate.  I jus’ be sensing some sort o’ trouble … an’ more than yer average pirate be makin’, savvy?

Gibson *nods thoughtfully; looks towards the dark, cloudy sky*  Aye, there be something foul in the air tonight. 

At Tortuga:

Raven *flying overhead, approaches the island, swoops down, watching carefully, trying to find Kat.  He sees nothing to catch his interest for awhile, then he sees someone who looks a little familiar.  Surprised, he swiftly flies down, into the alleyway, lands on the ground, shifts back to his usual shape; runs after the figure slinking away, cries out*  Constable Crane!  Is that you?  *wrinkles his nose*  Where’d you get those clothes?

Ichy *starts*  Now where did you come from?  I am sorry about this pathetic outfit, but my clothes were stolen.  Listen to me, there's something odd afoot.  Kat left the ship and hasn't returned.  I have been looking for her, I have even turned over every drunken pirate wench I've found, but I haven't found her.

Raven:  I’ve come to look for Mother, too.  Please let me come with you.  *lowers his head*  I wasn’t supposed to come here, she wanted me to stay home, she told Manouche … so she’ll prob’ly be mad when she sees me.  I think she might be REAL mad.  *looks up, takes on a stubborn look he gets from both parents*  But I don’t care!  I’m scared, I wanna find her … *he calms down almost as quickly as his anxiety flared, and he takes a second look at Ichy*  You don’t look too bad, sir … *grins*  You look kinda .. tough that way.  That's a good way to look around here ... like a disguise.

Ichy *a bit worried*  Do you think it would work?  In fact, she didn't want me to come either, but I persisted.  And then she left me on the ship, and I had to escape.  I don't think she will be mad, not at least to you and me ... *decides not to tell what happened between Kat and Abberline*  All I can say for now is that she is not in any of these taverns or bars.  We have to start to look for her elsewhere here.  I have no idea where she could have gone, and nor do I know this place enough to suggest anything.  Can't you sense her? 

Raven *eyes solemn*  I have sensed her … that’s why I decided to disobey her an’ come here.  She’s locked up somewhere, but that’s all I can see.  Some people locked her up, an’ there was a bad man who was yellin’ at her.  I think she’s in a lotta trouble.  I was hopin’ if I came here, I could tell where she is, but … I can’t.  *looks at Ichy*  There’s not much law around here, but isn’t there a jail?  Maybe she’s there.  *but even as he says this, he feels doubt; he’s pretty sure she’s somewhere more secluded than a public jail.  Looks at Ichy imploringly*  You’re an investigator, sir.  How do you go about findin’ someone who’s lost, once you’ve checked the usual places?

Ichy *thinks for a while*  There are too many houses and huts to be searched one by one.  What I would do, would be to ask whether anyone has seen her.  But I can't go into a bar and tell them that I am Constable Crane and I need information.  We have to come up with something less suspicious.  I doubt I would be taken as a pirate ... But I could march in and ask if anyone has seen a pirate, and give her description, and tell them that I was shanghaied on her ship, and that she stole all my money.  All my gold?  Something precious anyway.  That would wake their interest to find her for them to get a share of the booty ... What do you say?  You are the pirate.  Do you have anything smarter?

Raven *thinks for a moment, leans in closer to Ichy, lowers his voice*  If she’s locked up … an’ if she’s locked up somewhere that’s not a jail cell run by police … then it’s probably ‘cause she’s in trouble with other pirates.  It might be better for you to convince people here that you’re a pirate, too, an’ that she stole from you.  Pirates might be more ready to give her up to another pirate than just some guy who was shanghaied.  *smiles mysteriously*  At least, that’s what it was like with the pirates I spent time with.  *glances around, looks back at Ichy*  You could do it, you’re kinda dressed for the part.  You haven’t done police work here, have you?  It’d be best if nobody knows you.  *grins*  An’ you’ll need a good pirate name.

Ichy *shuddering*  I doubt that anyone has done any police work ever in Tortuga!  And I doubt there ever would be any police cells here.  Me a pirate?  *he thinks for a long while*  But I can't talk like a pirate ... Though I could perhaps do the gait.  You know, I have watched pirates a lot with Ki..  with Kat.  I don't think anyone knows me, nor would recognize me in these horrible clothes.  A name?  *thoughtfully, he ruffles his neatly combed hair*  Er, there was once a pirate called Mad Ole Cotton among the crew of the Apparition.  Would that suit me?  *he concentrates on doing the walk, till he thinks he's mastered it, so absorbed in the duty that he doesn't note Raven's snickering at all.*  This will do, I think.  I do hope you don't want me to be a drunk.  I don't drink and I can't imitate drunks.  *he sighs*  Well.  Are we ready to save her?

Raven *tries to hide his grin*  Well … I think you better practice a little more.  *he glances around, sees a narrow passageway that leads to a courtyard*  C’mon, Mad Ol’ Cotton, let’s go in there.  I have some other ideas, too.  I’ll give you pointers, an’ … then we’ll go ‘round through the garbage, see if we can find more clothes for you.  *he tries not to laugh at Ichy’s look of disgust as he grabs his sleeve and leads him through the passageway*

Ichy *a bit offended*  I think it was rather good.  Garbage?  But ... But there must be clean pirates too!  *he looks in disgust at all the trash in the alleyway, trying once to pick up something but his fingers just refuse to do at his bidding and dive into a pile what looks like discarded clothes.  Or rather dirty rags.  He takes carefully between his thumb and forefinger a piece of a rag with dark stains and holes and shakes his head*  I don't think I can do this, I can try to pose as a pirate and even try to talk like one, but you can't force me to wear anything like this!  *he sighs*  I miss my coat ...

At Luc’s stables:

Jake *As promised, Luc loaned Jake a portion of the debt and he was able to buy himself a few more days to scrape together the remainder of the money by selling Princess.  He still had to take another beating when he showed up with only part of the twenty-thousand, but at least they let him live.  For the time being.  He is running out of time again and so far the only potential buyers for the horse has been the kind of horse-salesmen only interested in making money with no or very little regard of the future welfare of the animal.  Jake couldn’t possibly let any of those people take his horse away; he couldn’t let Princess pay for his mistake, then he’d rather take another beating even if did kill him.  He brushes down Princess after taking her out for a ride while talking gently to her.  He’s been taking her out a lot, trying to spend as much time with the horse as possible while he still can.  After all, for a long time that animal has been his best friend.  He finishes brushing her down and unties her to lead out to the pasture again.  As he leads her out of the stall, he sees a young woman standing in the aisle near the door observing him.*  Can I help you with something?

Woman:  Are you Jake Caldwell?

Jake *instantly on guard*  Yes …

Woman *pulls out a thick envelope from her purse; approaches him*  Then I have something for you.  *Hands him the envelope.  *Jake opens it and looks inside and finds a stack of bills; looks up at the woman with a puzzled expression*  Clarkson’s men will kill you, if you don’t show up with the full amount.  Twenty-thousand, right?  It should all be there.

Jake *still puzzled*  But .. why?  Who are you?

Woman *holds up a hand to stop his questions*  No questions.  Just take the money.  *Walks towards the door to leave, turns and smiles a little*  It’s a beautiful horse.  *She disappears out the door, leaving Jake with a dumbfounded expression.*

At Bournemouth House:

Godley *having decided that he'd best break the news from the Office to Abberline and take him along to work, having turned up at Bournemouth in the morning, tries to put Chiana down from his shoulders, but she protests so vehemently, that he performs one more round as her pony, wincing of the pain it causes to his poor knees, panting heavily from the exercise*  Princess, enough is enough!  And I do have something important to tell to your father.

Abberline *smiles, but it is a faint smile and lifts Chiana, giving her his cigarette case.  She cradles in her father's arms grasping it tightly, not caring to protest and yawns*  It's time for your nap, Chiana.  Candy, will you take Chiana, she's tired.  *he hands Chiana to Candy, she lets a small howl, but yawns again and grips his finger*  I won't disappear, darling. I promise.  *he gently loosens her tiny fingers and smiles at her, then descends the stairs with Godley, they go to the living room, and he takes his favorite chair and starts to pour himself a drink.*  So, what would it be?

Godley:  If I were you, I wouldn't do that.  I was going to the Office, and I think you should come along with me.  There are some changes.  *He looks anxiously at Abberline who seems totally disinterested, but ceases to pour the liquid in the glass.  He has no idea how he is going to react to Donnie's promotion after the arrest*

Abberline *not looking up*  So?

Godley:  By the way, where have you been?  I heard you disappeared mystically from the Office.

Abberline:  Away.

Godley:  Someone said you sailed with Kat.  I'd like to see her, too.

Abberline *glances at him sideways*  What kind of changes?

Godley:  I take it she isn't at home now?  *Abberline glances again at him without a word.  Godley wonders what has happened, but decides best not to pursue the matter further.*  Well, Portsmith, she has appointed Donnie Brasco to Chief Inspector.  Now I know that he arrested you and clapped you in irons, but he is a decent chap.  He has cleared you of all charges with the help of the tape and his investigation.  I suppose there are going to be changes at the Office, but they can't be anything else than better.  Portsmith herself has decided to promote herself to some kind of Chancellor of Strategy or something like that, you know how pompous and ridiculous she can get, but now she's over the border.  *looks for a reaction but there is none*  So, what do you think.  Donnie is in charge at the Security.

Abberline:  Fine.  *he lights a cigarette*

Godley *is sure that he has not been listening at all. It's like he were still far away ... He has seen the Inspector like this before, in the bad old days before his marriage to Kat, not even when they have had a fight.*  So you don't mind?

Abberline *shakes his head*  No.

Godley *insistently going on*  That's good.  We will be working together on a case he assigned to us.  He wanted to put you and me on the warehouse case.  *Abberline starts and drops his cigarette.  When Godley finally sees a reaction, it surprises him because it makes no sense till he remembers the odd crime of murdering two men that Abberline was accused of*  The Salome case.  Not that bogus accusation by Portsmith, of course.  It turned out that there never was any tape nor anything else that would have linked you to the warehouse murder.

Abberline *quietly*  I did it.

Godley *rises up*  I don't know what's wrong, and I don't even want to know.  Sometimes I have to say I don't appreciate your humor at all.  Are you going with me?

Abberline:  Yeah.  Sure.  Whatever.  *he empties his glass*

Back in Deppville / at Chez Roux:

Manouche *anchors the small boat in the cove on the other side of Deppville harbor.  She turns, looks out at the Guardians’ ship, outside the harbor, pulling farther away.  On board, once she had recovered a bit, she decided that she rather fancied the boat that Yoska had provided for her to escape from Enterré Vivant, and she took it from the Guardians’ ship to the cove.  The Leader agreed, appreciating the chance to keep a low profile and not drop her at the busy, highly visible port.  She secures the boat, turns from the cove, heads toward town.  She makes her way to the docks, is surprised to see the empty slip where The Libertine Trailer is usually docked.  She feels no concern, she feels certain that Perhan made it home safely, and perhaps has gone out once again.  As she turns to look at the town, she puzzles a little over the fact that she’s not particularly worried about her ship being gone.  But she knows it’s because she feels she’s in a daze from her adventure, and she’s so keenly aware of the foreign body under her skin, slowly releasing its venom, though she feels no pain or ill effects at the moment; she feels oddly removed from everything.  She’s too tired to feel the emotions she felt earlier, after the Leader explained her condition to her – panic, anger, sorrow – but she knows that will come and go.  She thinks about the strange visions she experienced, wonders how many of them were true, if any.  Is Kat locked up somewhere?  What’s Grace doing in Tortuga?  Chiana … Fred … She shakes her head as if to clear it, finally thinks of the face she wants to see most of all:  Blake.  She thinks of Rartigillichal, and she feels her heart beat a little faster.  She wants to go home … home, to Rartigillichal, to her horses, to Alifi, Elliott and Dawn … to Blake.  She looks around again, feels a little better now that something calls to her, and Deppville starts to look right again.  Surely, once she’s home and recovered somewhat, things will be better … surely the Guardians will discover a way to save her from her fate.  Or perhaps Alifi, or Boadicea.  Everything will be better once she’s back in Blake’s arms*

*She looks up, sees Chez Roux, thinks perhaps before heading home she’ll stop and have a drink.  She heads for the restaurant, her mood improving with each step … she enters, comforted by the familiar sights and smells of the restaurant, sniffs the air appreciatively; seafood risotto, one of her favorites.  She finds a booth, grabs a menu, looks up and smiles as a waitress approaches*  Petra … long time no see.

Petra *smiles*  Manouche … *she sets a glass of water down for her, then stops, looks at her*  You all right?  You look a little tired …

Manouche:  Nothin’ a good dose o’ Marijke’s risotto won’t cure, luv.  An’ bring us a Sancerre t’ go with it, savvy?  *Petra nods, goes to fill her order.  She lights a cigarette, reaches for the ashtray, frowns as she sees something next to it; a credit card.  Just as she picks it up, she hears a commotion at the front of the room.  She looks up, sees a pretty young woman speaking urgently to the hostess*

Woman:  Please, I’ve lost something … can you tell me if someone turned in a credit card?  I’m not sure, I know I had it here, I just had lunch …

Manouche *glances at the card, stands up, approaches the hostess station*  Couldn’t help overhearin’, luv … what’s yer name?

Woman *looks at her curiously*  Holliday … Constance Holliday.

Manouche:  It’s yer lucky day, Ms. Holliday … *she holds up the card*

Constance *eyes wide, relief flooding her face*  Oh, thank goodness!  *she takes it from Manouche, quickly puts it away in her purse; looks at Manouche gratefully*  How can I thank you?  Please, at least let me buy you lunch.

Manouche *raises a hand*  Rubbish, that ain’t necessary …

Constance:  I insist.  *she guides Manouche back into the restaurant, they go to the booth Manouche had taken, sit down.  Constance crosses her legs, lights a cigarette, smiles*  As I said, my name is Constance, I just arrived this morning for a visit.  I’m staying here at this pretty little inn.