Page 54 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“Then why are we still sitting in this natty Tavern?” Ace swatted at an insect that had landed on his forearm.

“We need to refuel, make a new plan to find Marco. Gertie discovered that before Silver became a famous pirate, he was the ship’s cook.”

“A cook?” Ace laughed. “At least he’s following the plot of Treasure Island.”

“Silver wasn’t hung in Treasure Island.”

“Isn’t that how he got the nickname Long?” Ace snickered at his own joke.

I hadn’t seen Marco naked, but the joke made something south of my belly heat.

“Focus.” I leaned closer so Ace could hear me over the increasing bustle of the tavern. “According to the intel that Gertie found, Silver was a cook on theSea Storm.”

“Sea Storm? Bloody ’ell. That was the name on the torn paper in the chest.”

“Marco’s probably on that ship, but this is the only place I know to find out if theSea Stormis still in the bay. Marco brought me here last jump. It’s a hotbed of information.”

A voluptuous woman strutted by wearing heels, a sheer wrap, and nothing else. Ace glanced around the room, took in the women, some clothed, some not. “It’s certainly hot, hon, and it smells. Are you sure this is the place for the intel?”

“Yes.” I ate more meat and fruit, filling my tank and boosting my bravado for our possible pirate ship excursion. My eyebrows winged up when Ace nodded appreciatively at a slim woman in a red veil.

“Although they’re not my type, I always appreciate a good nude.” He sighed at the slender man refilling a mug at the next table.

I washed down the fruit with the ale and scanned the room for a possible contact. Any of these men could know about Marco, a.k.a. John Silver. “If we can figure out which ship is theSea Storm, we can row out to it.”

“Row out?” Ace made a guttural noise, like I might have drunk too much of the brown goo, and it warped my common sense. “Agent McCoy told us to wait in port and follow Mortas.”

“That was before General Potts locked us in a cell. It’s up to us to find Marco.” I picked at the chicken with my fingers and ate a bite.

“What about the eye?” Ace sipped his drink, almost choked. “Gads, who drinks this stuff?” He made a face and pushed it away.

“It takes some getting used to.” I took a sip. “Marco is my priority. Then the eye, then Sasha. And capturing Mortas committing a crime wouldn’t be left off my list either.”

“Fancy that.” Ace leaned back and tilted his chin like a proud papa peacock. “Little Miss Fashionista has moved into defender territory, but the WTF would say your priorities are topsy-turvy.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but the man at the next table spilled his drink, splashing it on the hem of my skirt.

“Pardon me, miss.” His arm was bound in a makeshift sling and not a clean one. It gave me an idea. One that Gertie had mentioned during our late-night research binges. I wasn’t sure if he was a pirate, but we needed to ask around. Time was ticking.

“No bother.” I turned toward him. “Do you know a pirate named John Silver?”

“He’s cunning, that one. Crews with theSea Storm. Met ’im when we took on a frigate. We was only hours upon it. Came out of nowhere,Sea Stormdid, and it had the wind. Beat us to it, they did. Me cap’n thought they’d steal the booty right out from under us. We was ready to fight, butSea Storm’squartermaster, he’s a big’n, he is, informed us they was only smugglers.”

“Smugglers?” Ace pushed away a strand of braided hair that had fallen across his forehead, and our eyes met with that invisible connection that meant Ace also recalled Alexander Hamilton’s inheritance came from a smuggler.

“Ya. The skirmish with the frigate was a bloody one. A few of their crew got injured. Ours as well.” The man pointed at his sling. “Silver bargained for the tobacco and sugar, and we kept the rest.”

I let go of the breath I held. Marco wasn’t injured. “Do you know where I can find Silver?”

“Last I ’eard he was lookin’ for theRanger. That’d be the sloop belonging to Captain Vane.” The man took a slobbery sip of his mug. “Don’t know if’n he’s looking to kill Vane or join him.”

“Is Vane here?” I glanced around, not seeing anyone who looked the part.

“No. He’s been out roun’ a week, I’d imagine. He’s holding up at the Fort. Rumor has it the new govn’r is heading this way wit’ pardons for us.”

“We’re looking to joinSea Storm’s crew.” I sat ramrod straight, shoulders back, trying to look menacing.

“We are?” Ace’s voice went just shy of a shriek.

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