Page 69 of Escaping Pirates
Gil shook her head. “I would need a lot more than just you for a mission like this.”
Dahlia came trotting back as I looked at Korth. “I can help you get two pirate ships off the sea if you help us.”
Korth considered me. I stared back, resolute and praying that I guessed his motivations correctly. “Just think,” I went on, “There would be far less crime with them off the seas. I can provide testimony at their trials.”
“Five hundred?” Dahlia asked Gil as she drew level. “Fifty now and the rest upon delivery.”
“Twenty-five percent now and I can take Elena with me to get the other man.”
“Twenty-five percent now and Elena can speak for herself,” Dahlia countered. “I won’t have her forced into another situation where she isn’t allowed to make her own choices.” Dahlia shot me an all-too-knowing look.
“I want to go,” I told her, my voice firm and confident.
“You are aware this”—Dahlia shot a calculating look at Gil—“person is a bounty hunter whose loyalty can be bought with enough coin, don’t you?”
“I’m aware of it,” Korth piped up. “That’s why I was against it in the first place. We should’ve sent the navy.”
“And the pirates would have slit their prisoners’ throats and dumped the bodies overboard before you got there,” Gil interjected. “You have to fight crime with crime.”
“Well, we shouldn’t,” Korth grumbled. “It’s wrong.”
Dahlia beamed at him. “You’re cute when you’re all indignant about anyone breaking rules.”
“What if Gil and I go first and when we send up a flare, you bring the navy? It would have to be immediate. Gold will mean that Harlan’s safe, and you can do what you want with the pirates.”
Korth looked between us and nodded decisively. “Done. I’ll watch for a flare.”
CHAPTER 25
Gil didn’t wait for a formal goodbye. The coin purse disappeared into her jacket and she spun on her heel. “We need to leave now if we’re going to get this done.”
I fell into step beside her, my shoes striking the cobblestones with more certainty than I felt. Korth called my name once, but I didn’t look back. If I did, I might hesitate, and I couldn’t afford that anymore.
“So did you actually have a plan for this rescue, or are you rushing in with no experience and counting on me to bail you out?” Gil asked. I couldn’t think of her by any other name.
“I’m counting on your loyalty to money. You’ll be getting multiple bounties, and likely more if you help Harlan get to his destination unharmed. His family would probably offer a reward for his safe return.”
Gil stopped so abruptly that I nearly ran into her.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” she told me coldly. “Don’t take me for a fool. Ever. I may play a young boy, but I’m neither young nor a boy. You owe me your life and I collect on my debts.Allmy debts. Make no mistake.”
“I didn’t think—don’t! I don’t think you’re a fool.”
“So, we’re talking about Prince Jameson?”
I bit my lip. I wasn’t revealing his identity if she already knew. Tyrone must have told her, or else she was far better connected than I thought. “Yes.”
“I assumed so. That is the only reason I agreed. I expect a handsome reward for saving his skin. Now, what’s your plan?”
“We steal Tyrone’s flares, stow away on theFortune Hunter, and when he meets up next with Harsh, we rescue Harlan—I mean Jameson—and set off the flare for Korth to send his navy.” I spoke confidently enough that she would know I was serious, but quietly enough that it was for her ears only.
“How are you going to get the flares? Do you know how to pick locks?”
“No.”
“Do you know when Tyrone will meet up with his brother?”
“Soon, I think.”
