‘We’ve spent years studying Jan Haan,’ replied Sammy, his weary tone suggesting this was an old argument. ‘He was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. He knew the scale of his enemy, and, in every situation where the odds have been against him, he’s tried to negotiate. I knew he’d come with his cap in his hand, hoping to appease us long enough to betray us. Besides, Eggert was guarding the passenger cabins. If Drecht had tried to seize me, Eggert would have stabbed him from behind. The situation was in hand.’
‘What did you offer him?’ wondered Lia.
‘Your father’s greatest weakness was thinking that everybody wanted what he wanted, but they lacked the cunning and ruthlessness to take it. I told him we wanted our family’s fortune back, and our name restored, something that would be in his power when he joined the Gentlemen 17. We told him that if he betrayed us, we had complete control of the
‘Weren’t you afraid he’d just sail back for Batavia?’ asked Sara.
‘He had the ascension order in his pocket telling him that any delay would endanger his chances of claiming a seat among the Gentlemen 17. Not to mention a cargo hold full of profit spoiling every day we were at sea.’ Sammy smiled darkly. ‘Greed is capable of killing even the most cautious of men.’
‘That was one of your old orders, wasn’t it?’ Arent asked him.
‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘I preserved the stamp.’
‘How long have you been planning this?’ Arent said, stunned.
‘Since I recruited you,’ he said. ‘I only chose you, because I was hoping you’d deliver me to your uncle and grandfather, but, then, to my disgust, it became obvious you were actually an honourable man. Probably the only one I’d ever met. I became your friend in spite of myself. Falling in love with those we believe we’re using is actually something of a family trait.’
He looked at Creesjie knowingly.
‘Hush, brother.’
They entered a great cabin dressed in candlelight and shadow. A feast had been prepared, with a golden ham, its skin crisp and fat dribbling down its sides. Potatoes were piled high and a cone of sugar sat on the table, the granules sparkling in the candelabrum’s warm glow.
Stewards pulled out seats and poured wine.
‘What is all this?’ said Sara, banging the table in frustration. ‘There’s an island full of scared people over there, including children, and we’re sitting down to dinner? We need to bring them aboard. They need to know they’re safe!’
Creesjie glanced at Sammy, then her fingers. ‘You’re right, dear heart, but we have much to discuss first. How about we send a yawl back with food and wine for them? We only need an hour. By the time they’ve eaten, we can start bringing them over. Acceptable?’
Sara nodded reluctantly and Sammy called a steward, relaying the order in a hush.
‘How did you afford all of this?’ wondered Arent, feeling the painted beams in the ceiling. ‘You must have bought off the entire crew. I know you charged an extravagant amount for your services, but this scheme would have cost a fortune.’
‘Actually, Edward Coil bought all of this,’ said Sammy, gesturing for everybody to sit down.
‘Coil?’ asked Sara, shooting Arent a glance.
‘He was a clerk accused of stealing a diamond and fleeing to France,’ said Arent, taking a seat. ‘I thought he was guilty, but Sammy found proof of his innocence.’
‘Only I didn’t,’ corrected Sammy, laying his napkin on his lap. ‘Coil gave me the diamond in return for finding a way to free him, but the reason he’d stolen the diamond was because he was infatuated with …’ He gestured towards the woman at his side.
‘Creesjie,’ finished Lia.
‘Exactly like Vos,’ said Sara, shaking her head. Creesjie smiled at her hopefully, seeking any tatter of their friendship. She was disappointed.
‘You solved that case, Arent,’ said Sammy. ‘You got everything right and I took it away from you.’
And here, at last, was the apology, thought Arent. Not in the words, which Sammy had never said, but in the tone, and the sorrow. For the wreck and the fear, Sammy felt little responsibility, but he’d lied to Arent about his achievement, rather than celebrating it. It was the only regret Sammy had.
Arent saw him then, truly, for the first time. Not the great man he’d believed in, just a clever one. Callous and cold, like all the others he’d met. Through Sammy, Arent thought he saw a future where strength was subdued by intelligence, making the world safer for everybody, especially the weak. But Sammy believed slaughtering innocents was a fair price to pay to kill a powerful man. He was no different from the kings Arent had fought for.
‘The diamond bought us the loyalty of the