Chapter 4 - The Keys
A smuggler then, perhaps. Again, Jackson was nagged that he knew this woman, if not personally then by reputation. He just couldn't remember. He raised his free hand and rubbed at his forehead for a moment; he was foggy and buzzing... and horny. It wasn't coming to him.
What did it matter? He glanced over at Marina as they left the bar together. It didn't. Not at all.
***
Brax glanced over his shoulder at Jane, Andrew and Gunny, all of whom were carrying crates full of bottles. Andrew and Gunny had sacks piled on top of their crates full of other foodstuffs. Jane had a large metal jug of salt.
They were almost back at the Cloudcutter, and Brax had picked up his pace. They hadn't used the same route to return as they had taken to leave, and everyone's senses were on high alert. Undertown was dangerous, but at night that barely covered it. Finally, they came in sight of the hidden smuggler's dock, and slipped inside as quietly as they could. Two figures stood together at the foot of the gangplank, and as they got closer they clarified into Alex and Dr. Damien. The doctor looked frazzled, almost desperate, and Alex's craggy face betrayed little except annoyance.
"What is it?" Brax asked, motioning his followers to go on up the plank.
"It's the Captain," Damien said. "He slipped away from me when I wasn't looking. Wrote that he'd be back soon. That was almost half an hour ago! I thought he'd be back here, but Alex hasn't seen him."
Alex shared a look with Brax. "It's impossible to look for him. He could be anywhere."
By now the crewmates had reached the top of the gangplank, but slowed once they were out of sight of the senior crewmembers below. Andrew and Gunny also shared a look, then looked at Jane. The Captain? Missing?