Free A Divided Command by David Donachie Page B

there?’

CHAPTER SIX
    Quite unknown to Hood, his second in command had asked that
HMS Larcher
be kept under observation, an instruction seen as odd by the ship’s officers, but not one to ignore with such an irascible superior. When the deck of the armed cutter turned from celebration to the kind of activity that preceded departure, Hotham was informed and was on deck with a telescope to his eye as she was hauled over her anchor.
    In the glass and at no great distance the admiral could examine quite easily the face and features of John Pearce standing by the binnacle. He was certain he could see endemic malice and rank self-interest, this against most folk – there were some very notable exceptions – who took him to be a fellow who could be termed handsome and, if they had dealt with him, fair of mind.
    Pearce was tall, which to a man of truncated height like Hotham, was enough alone to induce a degree of resentment, but harbouring such feelings would not answer the pressing question of what to do about him. And why, having justarrived, was he being sent away? There seemed no apparent reason for his not remaining in San Fiorenzo, yet, flying a flag that identified
Larcher
as now being part of the fleet Hotham was about to inherit, he was preparing to weigh.
    Hood had employed Pearce in some questionable undertakings before and seemed to repose some kind of trust in his abilities. Hotham wondered if he was on some kind of mission and, if so, could the purpose be detrimental to him? Such a possibility had him call into his cabin, once he had returned, his clerk Toomey.
    ‘I have a need to know where Pearce is going and, if possible, why.’
    Toomey needed no telling of the kind of trouble Pearce could cause and his presence here was just as unwelcome to the clerk. But he was quick to tell the man he served, and on whose good fortune his own prosperity depended, that he had less to be concerned about than he thought.
    ‘Without Burns, and with the reply I sent on the young fellow’s behalf, there is good reason to hope that the matter will be closed.’
    ‘And if not?’
    ‘The case requires a willing witness.’
    ‘You do not see the possibility of others coming forward?’
    ‘Might I remind you, Sir William, of your rank and station, soon to be enhanced by the titular command of the fleet—’
    ‘Once in my hands, Toomey,’ Hotham growled, ‘it will not be wrested back, take my word upon it!’
    ‘And I heartily hope that to be the case, sir, and much honour to follow. But to continue, now Burns is no longer with us the only credible witnesses Pearce could call forwardhave to be serving officers and ones with no known bias, for who would believe any of those lower-deck fellows that he calls his Pelicans? A cursory examination would show their attachment to Pearce personally and thus render their testimony suspect. Now, for a serving officer to risk traducing the name of an admiral—’
    ‘Hold on, Toomey, it is Barclay who is at risk here!’
    The clerk had to suppress a sigh; his master was a sailor and confident in his nautical abilities, about which the clerk was willing to admit to ignorance. In Toomey’s experience sailors were, as a breed, less secure once they let their feet touch land, and the case being outlined fell into that category.
    ‘And he, Sir William, is a client officer of yours and known to be so. To seek to impugn Barclay is to do the same to you.’
    ‘They would fear to risk it?’
    ‘If they care about a career in the service, they most certainly would, especially if the risks they were embarking on were pointed out to them. I would also add that the only two we need be now concerned about, Lieutenants Digby and Farmiloe, are both serving in what is soon to be your command.’
    ‘You’re sure they can be silenced?’
    ‘It is my business, Sir William, to be diligent on your behalf, so yes, I am sure.’
    Hotham nodded slowly as he digested that and it was pleasing to Toomey