Free Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom Book #3) by Elizabeth Ludwig Page A

whoever had claimed McKillop’s life wasn’t after hers, as well. But to uncover that, he’d need help.
    He needed Cass.
    His mind made up, he deposited Tillie at the church and then made the long trek back to the wharf at a rapid pace. Cass was working alongside the rest of the crew on the deck, his chest bare and red from the heat of the day. Morgan motioned to him from the dock.
    “Fetch a shirt,” he yelled, cupping one hand to his mouth. “You’re going to need it.”
    “Where we going?” Cass asked once he’d dressed and scrambled down the side of the ship onto the dock. As they walked, he tucked the tails of his shirt into the waistband of his trousers.
    “Someplace where we can talk.”
    “You’ve never been afraid to talk aboard the Marie before.”
    No, and he’d never had to worry about who heard, either. That he did now set him on edge. He motioned to a pub down the street, whose door swung open and closed with patrons entering and exiting.
    “Hungry?”
    “Always,” Cass said, “but especially after unloading crates all day.”
    Inside the pub, loud music and voices made conversation difficult. They wound past the crowded tables to a secluded corner. Once they were seated, and their orders of roast-beef sandwiches taken, Cass dragged his cap from his head and motioned to Morgan.
    “You going to tell me what happened today or aren’t you?”
    He did, beginning with the first time he’d laid eyes on Tillie McGrath, and ending with their visit earlier that day. “She’s alone, Cass, and whether she knows it or not, my allowing her in to see McKillop before he died may have put her in danger.”
    By now, the food had arrived but still sat untouched on their plates. Cass picked absently at a wilted piece of lettuce before lifting his head to look Morgan in the eye.
    “Well?” Morgan said. “What do you think?”
    Cass sighed. “I think you’re right. We owe it to this girl to try and found out who Doc was working for. But you should know I have no intention of letting you do this on your own.”
    Morgan hid a grin. So accustomed was he to looking after his younger brother, it was quite amusing to be on the other end—and if he were honest, a trifle humbling. Leaning forward, he lowered his voice so only Cass could hear. “I have no intention of trying. But we’re going to need to stay in New York longer than we’d planned. Do you think you can arrange it?”
    Cass hesitated a moment, then nodded. “Aye, should be simple enough. The off-load’s been a touch tricky this time around, anyway. I think I can delay it a couple more days.”
    “And the repairs to the bilge,” Morgan said. “I’ll go ahead and order them in the next day or two. That should give us at least a week without raising any suspicions.”
    Cass matched Morgan’s whisper. “Mind if I ask whose suspicions you’re worried about raising?”
    Morgan’s thoughts turned quickly to Donal. He didn’t fully trust the man, but that wasn’t enough to accuse him. He picked at the rim of his cup with his nail and said, “I’m being cautious is all. I thought I could trust Doc, and we saw how that turned out. No, ’tis better if we hold our cardsclose, at least until we understand what it is we be dealing
with.”
    Cass agreed with a slow nod. “Right. So? After we get the repairs ordered, then what? Have you given any thought as to how we should proceed with the girl?”
    “I dinna know, Cass. This entire business sets me flesh to crawling, like something terrible may be coming.”
    Cass shifted in his chair. “What do you mean?”
    Morgan paused. How to explain the roiling in his gut that had started the day Doc told him about what he’d done and had continued to grow ever since? He shoved his cup back and laced both hands. “What was it about McKillop that made someone want to kill him? Have you thought of that?” By his blank expression, Morgan knew he had not. In fact, the notion had only just occurred to him.