The punishers a ripple i.., p.5
The Punishers: A Ripple In Time Book 3, page 5
Karen touched his forehead with the back of her hand. “I believe you are fever free.”
Forrest stared at Karen’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“That obvious?”
Forrest pushed himself to more of a sitting position and placed an extra pillow behind his head. “Tell me.”
“They arrested Mason and Jeremy two days ago. Charged them with smuggling.”
“Have they been smuggling?”
“Of course,” Karen said, “but that’s not really taken seriously in these parts. I suspect it’s the same in New York.”
“You’re right. Everybody and their brother have something going on the side.”
“Are you feeling well enough to get up? You could use a bath.”
“I think so. Where’s Mason right now?”
“The provost marshal took both of them. There’s supposed to be an inquiry and then a trial, but there’s been no word since they were taken. I expected to hear something by now.”
“I’ll go into town and see what I can find out,” Forrest said, as he started to rise. He immediately sank back into the covers, for two reasons. He was weak as a kitten and he was still nude.
“One thing at a time. You’ll feel better after a bath and something to eat.” She lifted a thin robe from the back of a chair and tossed it on the bed. “Sylvester has been working on a warm bath for you. Should be ready. Can you get yourself out of bed and downstairs?”
“I think so,” Forrest said.
Karen nodded, turned, and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
Forrest threw the covers back, slowly stood, and slipped into the robe. He made a pit stop at the chamber pot, and then made his way out of the room and down the stairs, supporting himself with walls and railings. He had not been on his feet in days and managing his own unsupported weight would take some time. As much as he wanted to check on Mason and Jeremy, going into town in his present condition would not be possible.
At the bottom of the stairs, Lisa stepped back several paces. She held young Michael in her arms. “Is he still contagious?”
Karen stepped into view and stood beside her. “I don’t think so, but let’s keep Michael away from him, just in case.” She stepped forward, took Forrest’s right arm, and draped it over her shoulders. “We’re headed outside,” she said, as she began guiding Forrest toward the back door. “It’s cold outside, but only a few yards to the bathhouse.”
“You have a bath house?”
“Bath and shower combo,” she said. “We built two of them. One close to the main house and another one down near the worker’s cabins. That one doesn’t get a lot of use.”
“Actually, I remember Mason saying something about bath or shower facilities. You’re lucky if people in this era take a bath once a year.”
“I know,” Karen said, as she maneuvered him through the door. “And they think we’re crazy for wanting a bath as much as we do. Just so they don’t think we are totally crazy, we bathe once a week.”
As they stepped onto the back porch, Karen motioned with her chin. “Kitchen and group dining area to the left, bath and shower to the right.”
Forrest eyed the bath house. “A lot of wood. Looks like something that would be constructed for a sauna.”
“It is a sauna in there during the summer.”
“What’s that on top?” He pointed to the wood construction with flared side panels erected on the roof.
“Catches the rain and stores it in a large barrel. Just turn the tap for a shower. Works like a beer keg. Water for a warm bath has to be heated over a fire. Mason and Jeremy usually just shower off with the cold water. Lisa and I insisted on a bathtub.”
Despite the cold air, they walked slowly until they were at the three steps leading up to a thick, wooden door.
“Oak?” Forrest asked.
“The whole thing is made of solid oak,” Karen said, as she opened the door. “Raised off the ground to give room for drainage.” She helped Forrest navigate the three steps and the door.
Inside, Forrest stared at the structure. As Karen described, the end of a large barrel protruded partially through the flat roof. The wood spigot was within easy reach for an adult. He turned his attention to the bathtub, and admired the workmanship. It was constructed of oak slats, just like a barrel, except it was oblong, nearly as long and wide as a modern tub. Three steel straps banded the slats together just like a regular barrel. The far end of the tub, the head, was raised higher than the foot. He studied the round wood grate, about a foot in diameter, positioned directly under the shower. The entire room was steamy from the half-filled tub of warm water. “It’s beautiful. It really does remind me of a sauna in a fancy men’s club.”
“Never been to one of those,” Karen said, “but I understand what you’re saying.”
Forrest shuffled the few feet to a chair next to the tub and took a seat. He spotted his freshly laundered clothes folded on the seat of a three-legged stool against the wall.
“You need help getting in?”
He smiled and cocked his head. “As much as I’d like your help, I think I can manage.”
“A true marine,” she said with a slight smile.
“Always,” Forrest said. “How long can I spend in here?”
“As long as you want.” She handed him a bar of lye soap. “Scrub everything, especially your hair.”
“Will do, madam.”
◆◆◆
An hour later, Karen and Lisa sat across from a fully clothed Forrest at a table in the dining area off the kitchen. He spooned porridge into his mouth as the two women peppered him with questions about his life in 1945 Miami and in 18th century New York. Just as Forrest finished chewing and was about to answer another question, Jeremy stepped through the door.
Karen and Lisa jumped to their feet and rushed to him.
Lisa wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head into his chest.
Karen looked through the open doorway. “Where’s Mason?”
Jeremy tightened his lips, stared at Karen, and then finally spoke, “He’s on a mission.”
CHAPTER 6
“What do you mean?” Karen asked.
“I should start at the beginning,” Jeremy said, as he nodded at Forrest and took a seat next to him. “You must be feeling better.”
“I am,” Forrest said, as he pushed the bowl of porridge back. “So, what happened to Mason?”
“Loughton took us to his home, where we ate and spent the night.”
“Really?” Karen asked. “Not the watch house?”
At that moment, Charlie entered. He took a seat on the bench next to Lisa. “Gentlemen are apparently not held in the watch house.”
Karen looked at Charlie with a knowing look, as though Charlie would know, given his inclination to overindulge.
Jeremy continued, “Judge Trott showed up yesterday morning.”
“Said he would,” Charlie said.
“Loughton refused to release us, but then he said something to Trott that got Mason’s attention.”
Four pairs of eyes peered at Jeremy expectantly.
Karen’s patience broke first. “Yeah?”
“He told Trott that our trial would have to wait until the admiralty court considered another case. Apparently, they captured one of Ned Low’s men in Port Royal and brought him here for trial.”
“Ned Low?” Forrest asked.
“Notorious pirate,” Karen said simply.
Forrest tossed both hands in the air.
“He’s responsible for the death of people we knew,” Jeremy said.
A knowing expression suddenly spread across Forrest’s face. He glanced at Charlie, and then gave a slight nod to Jeremy.
“Plus, he kidnapped me,” Lisa said, “but that’s another story.” She looked at Jeremy. “So, what’s the mission?”
“Mason convinced Trott, who convinced Loughton to approach the admiralty judge and the governor about a deal.” He paused for affect. “Let Mason befriend this prisoner, a Joseph Libby, and get Libby to trust him. Mason would hopefully be able to gather information about Low’s whereabouts. Apparently, the authorities are much more interested in capturing Ned Low than they are in hanging Libby, at least for now.”
“So, why did they release you?” Charlie asked.
“Dropped the charges on both of us and released me this morning. Part of the deal.”
“Where’s Mason?” Karen asked.
“They moved him to the watch house holding cell last night.”
Karen bolted from her seat. “That’s just like him,” she yelled. “Run off on some half-cocked plan at revenge.” She began pacing back and forth.
“What’s the plan?” Forrest asked.
“Get close to Libby, get him to talk, and see where it leads,” Jeremy said.
Karen stopped pacing. “If I know Mason, and I do, he has more in mind than just that.”
“Just information,” Jeremy said. “That’s what he told me.”
“What do we do?” Charlie asked.
“Glad you asked that, my friend. We’re taking one of the sloops into town.”
Karen started pacing again. “For what?”
“We stand by for a signal from Mason. We’ll have to play it by ear.”
“I’m coming too,” Forrest said.
“You’re in no condition to go traipsing off to who knows what,” Karen said.
“I may not be in prime condition, but I can walk and I can fire a rifle.”
◆◆◆
Mason dipped the stale bread into the bowl of lukewarm broth and munched on the now soggy corner. The taste was salty, but otherwise bland.
The man, with his back against the opposite wall, focused his full attention on getting his own broth and bread down his gullet as quickly as possible. It was a somewhat more involved task, with both hands still tied. Each of his swallows was immediately followed by another bite until the bread was gone. With both hands, the man then turned the bowl up to his lips and drank the remaining broth.
“I must have been a little under the weather when I came in last night,” Mason said. “Don’t remember much.”
Without a word, and avoiding eye contact, the man slung his empty bowl to the straw next to his outstretched legs, pivoted, and reclined to his former sleeping position. He closed his eyes.
Mason placed his empty bowl on the straw, and on hands and knees he moved closer to the man. He leaned against the wall only a couple of feet from the man’s head. “I can remove those ropes, if you want.”
The man scrunched his nose when a fly landed on the very tip. The fly persisted until the man finally raised his hands to his face. The fly left but quickly returned to the same spot. He left for good when the man opened his eyes and went to a sitting position. He stared at Mason for several moments.
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Looks uncomfortable,” Mason said. He glanced at the night watchman at the table just outside the holding cell and then motioned for the man to extend his hands. Mason was aware that there were always two men on duty, sometimes more, depending on the number of prisoners. The second watchman had stepped outside, probably for a latrine break.
The man’s stench became even more apparent when Mason leaned in and untied the rope. “Name’s Mason.” Mason was aware that his own appearance and odor wasn’t much better. Plus, he smelled of rum. The difference was that he had been purposefully made to look and smell the part.
“Libby,” the man said. Rotten and broken teeth filled his mouth.
Libby never asked why Mason’s hands weren’t tied, and Mason saw no need to come up with an explanation.
“Assault on a judge is a hanging offense,” Mason said. “But I don’t plan on volunteering my neck for the gallows.”
Libby’s forehead wrinkled. For the first time he showed some interest in what Mason had to say.
At that moment two additional watchmen entered the building and went directly to the man at the desk. It was, Mason knew, time to change the guard.
Libby’s interest in Mason instantly faded as he reclined back into his former prone position on the filthy straw. His hands now free.
Mason leaned closer. “We can take the two who will be left on duty,” he whispered. “I need your help.”
Without comment, Libby turned on his side and faced the wall.
Mason scrunched closer. “We’ll both be dead in a couple of days if we don’t do something.”
“Get away from me or I’ll kill you myself,” Libby grumbled.
Mason leaned his back against the wall. “We have some time; just think about it.”
◆◆◆
With Charlie and Forrest aboard the smaller and faster of the two sloops, Jeremy stood with Karen and Lisa at the foot of the dock.
“How will you know what Mason is up to?” Karen asked.
Jeremy took in a deep breath and exhaled while he twisted his lips. “He’ll leave some kind of sign in the cell, if he’s able. Otherwise, we’ll just follow as best we can.”
“How will he do that?” Lisa asked.
“I don’t know, he’ll find a way. He’s supposed to make his move tonight, tomorrow night at the latest. We stand by, then follow.”
Karen shook her head. “This is reckless. No real plan. Mason alone.”
“We’ll be close,” Jeremy said. “Besides, I didn’t have a choice. Mason was determined, and Loughton was all for a chance to get Ned Low.” He put his hand on Karen’s shoulder. “He’ll be fine.”
Karen stared at Charlie and Forrest making last minute preparations aboard the sloop. “You have everything you need?”
“Plenty of food and water. Enough for a couple of weeks, if needed. We have the flintlocks and plenty of cartridges. And you have Mason’s Glock. Don’t be afraid to use it.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Karen said. “Worry about yourselves.”
“We’ll bring him back.”
“And make sure Forrest takes the antibiotics. A few more days should do it.”
Jeremy nodded as Karen turned and started walking toward the house. Jeremy wrapped his arms around Lisa.
“Just be careful,” she said. She kissed him, turned, and walked away, leaving Jeremy to peer after her.
He finally turned, sauntered down the dock, and jumped aboard the sloop. “Forrest, if you’ll man the rudder, Charlie and I will handle the polling.”
Two hours later, in the late afternoon, Jeremy tied off the bow and stern lines to an open spot at a dock, a hundred yards down from the night watch building. “Stay with the boat,” he said to Charlie and Forrest. He saw Loughton walking in his direction down the wharf. “I’ll check in with the provost marshal.”
The two men met midway.
“Anything?” Jeremy asked.
“The two of them were talking,” Loughton said. “Mason released him from his ropes. That’s about it.”
“Do the night watchmen on duty know not to shoot either of them?”
“They do. And they know to follow Mason’s lead.”
Jeremy looked up and down the wharves. “Your longboat?”
Loughton pointed to a dock directly in front of the watch house. “Ready and easily accessible. Mason knows where it is.”
“Won’t that seem awfully convenient?”
“It’s what Mason wanted.”
“The plan is still for Mason to lead Libby to the boat and get him alone out on the water.”
“You were there when Mason came up with this idea,” Loughton said. “He thinks Libby will be more forthcoming if Mason helps him escape.”
“Any idea where Low is?” Jeremy asked.
“Not precisely. He’s been marauding up and down this coast for months now. We know he was in Port Royal a week ago. What we don’t know is whether Libby jumped ship or was on a fact-finding mission of some sort. If it’s the latter, Low will be back to retrieve him.”
“So, we wait,” Jeremy said.
“It’ll be at night, maybe tonight.”
“There may not be time to check in with you. If we see them, we’ll pursue at a safe distance.”
“I understand,” Loughton said.
The two men parted and Jeremy returned to the sloop.
“What did he say?” Forrest asked.
“Nothing, so far. We’ll keep watch from here. If we see them come out, we’ll follow.”
“Shifts?” Charlie asked.
“Yeah.”
◆◆◆
Dim light from the lantern next to the watchmen threw long shadows in Mason’s holding cell. He glanced at Libby, still on his side against the wall. He had not stirred since sundown.
The two watchmen huddled over the table deep in conversation about a new tavern that had just opened in town. It had been hours since either of them had taken a latrine break. One or the other would be stepping out eventually.
Mason leaned over Libby and shook his shoulder. “The next time one of them leaves, I’m out of here. You coming or not?” he whispered.
Libby pushed Mason’s hand away with his own, but otherwise did not move or speak.
Mason exhaled and leaned back. It was like Libby was waiting for something. At that point, Mason decided he would have to wait with him. Let Libby make the first move.
◆◆◆
With the moon and stars bright against the night sky, Jeremy rolled to his back on the makeshift bed. He tossed the blanket to the side and got to his feet next to the tiller. He saw Charlie’s silhouette at the bow.
“Anything?” Jeremy asked, as he eased up next to Charlie.
“Nothing.”
“You should probably get some sleep.”
Charlie’s chin, barely visible in the dark, lifted. He turned toward the stern.
At that moment, Jeremy saw movement, something on the water off to his right. He heard the soft thud of wood against wood. “Hold up,” he whispered. He raised his hand in the direction of the sound.
