An Officer but No Gentleman(19)

“Dr. Kirk’s here, Father. Hang on. You’re going to be fine now.”

Everything happened so quickly, Charlie didn’t have time to think. Dr. Kirk began operating right where the captain had fallen. He pushed sponges into the wound and gathered his scalpel and clamps. He handed Charlie a needle and some catgut.

“Thread it,” Brody Kirk ordered.

Charlie’s hands shook so badly, she had to brace her hands against the deck to slide the catgut through the needle’s hole.

“Breathe, Charlie,” Dr. Kirk said calmly. “I need you to help me and you’re not going to be any help if you’re in a state of panic.”

Charlie’s concentration focused on Dr. Kirk and her father. The training the doctor had given her began kicking in as she tried to anticipate Dr. Kirk’s next request. She had not been aware of the warship’s arrival nor had she noticed that they had boarded until a stranger stood over them blocking the sunlight. He said not a word, but left before even a minute passed.

Minutes later, Brody Kirk sat back on his heels and wiped his hands on a towel. Dr. Kirk’s eyebrows knitted as his eyes met hers. “I’m so sorry. His heart has stopped, Charlie.”

She stared at him, trying to wrap her mind around what he was saying. If his heart had stopped, did that mean her father died? Was that what he was telling her? She covered her mouth with her hand. Silent, gulping sobs racked her body. She took her father’s hand and held it to her cheek. He had been a hard man, but she had never doubted his love for her. She cried for the loss, and she cried for herself. She was alone in the world now. As much as she tried, she couldn’t get control and make herself stop. You were supposed to get to say goodbye and I love you when someone died. He hadn’t been able to tell her he was proud of her or give her sage advice. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.

The doctor set his hand on her back. “He felt no pain after he lost consciousness,” he said quietly. “I’ll watch out for you now. Your father would have wanted me to.”

Dr. Kirk took her by the arms and helped her to her feet. “I need you to pull yourself together, Charlie. Wipe your face,” he said looking into her eyes. “This is not the only crisis at hand. The English are here to shanghai your crew. Your father’s stake in this ship has now passed to your hands.”

Charlie suddenly became aware of her surroundings. The British in their smart uniforms had assembled the Arcadia’s crew on deck, salt and idlers alike. Charlie watched as a British sailor escorted Mr. Byron toward the man who appeared to be in charge. They were coming from the officers’ quarters. As he shoved Byron at the lines of men, she noticed the guard carried several log books.

The warship’s mate took the books, opened the first and tossed it on the deck. She recognized the second book he opened as the payroll ledger. She knew it was what he wanted. The name of every man and his job description was written inside. If they were looking for a specific tradesman, it would be listed there in black and white. He began walking along the queue of men asking each man his name and nationality. He pulled Hugh McNamara, the Scot and two strapping American able seamen out then walked to the quarterdeck where Charlie and the doctor still stood.

“Your name?”

“Charlie Sinclair,” she said, her teeth clenched together. “And that man lying dead is my father, Captain John Sinclair, you murdering, Limey bastard! Take me; I dare you, because the first opportunity I get, I will cut out your heart and your captain’s as well.”

He raised his blunderbuss at her. “Would you like to join him, my boy?”

Charlie stared the man in the face. At that moment she just did not care. With his stance, she knew she could easily flip him onto his back and disarm him, but she couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t fire his weapon in the process. She also knew that doing anything so stupid could get her men killed.

The doctor put his hand on her arm, knowing the direction of her thoughts. “No, Charlie.”

“Thought not,” the Englishman taunted. “You’re all mouth and no trousers.”

Brody Kirk stepped between them, shielding Charlie. “He’s upset,” he said referring to Charlie.

As he eyed Dr. Kirk, a haughty expression of superiority crossed his countenance. He opened the ledger and scanned the page until he found the doctor’s name. “I know you, Brody Kirk. We served together in His Majesty’s Navy,” he lied. “As I recall you jumped ship before your enlistment was finished.”

“Seize him!” he yelled to his nearest men.

“No!” Charlie cried.