87 Freeing Felipe (1/2)
Following his meeting with Peter and Paul Christian, Cruz visited his crewmen. It took a while, because they had been dispersed around Adamstown: as he made the rounds, Cruz had the thought this dispersal could have a dark purpose. He wouldn't put anything past the Christian brothers. The mutineer gene was clearly present in both of them. It was fortunate, Cruz thought, that the only valuables they'd brought to Pitcairn were his own gold watch, bracelet, and neckchain, and that he'd already given them to the brothers for their help in rescuing Susanto. He had no doubt at all that the brothers wouldn't stop at murder as long as it brought a profit.
He found that the crewmen were in good mood. Everyone appreciated spending the night in a proper bed. They'd all been fed by their Pitcairn hosts too, and although the food was indifferent it provided a welcome change from the diet they'd lately had on Henderson Island.
Felipe was the last man he visited. He'd planned it that way: he needed to talk to Felipe at length about the situation. When he'd finished recounting the results of his meeting with the Christian brothers, Felipe frowned and said:
”I think, sir, that we should keep a close eye on things. With your permission, I'll inspect the boats before we sail for Henderson. I also think it might be unwise if just the two of us go. It would be better if we all stuck together.”
”This is exactly what I've been thinking, Felipe!” exclaimed Cruz. He nodded to himself, and added:
”I was regretting I proposed only the two of us go as soon as the meeting was over. But maybe it's wiser to advance one step at a time. So you have a funny feeling about the people here, eh? So do I, so do I.”
Felipe shrugged, and said:
”Maybe it's because they're all living here in total isolation. People often become weird in such circumstances.”
”Whatever the reason, it's the end result that matters. We must stay on our guard. Constant vigilance, eh, Felipe? We won't take any bullshit from them.”
”No, sir.”
Felipe left together with Cruz in order to have a look at the boats that were to take them to Henderson Island. They split up in front of Cruz's house, with Cruz promising Felipe he'd look in on him after his meal with the island's rulers. Then Felipe went on his way, and Cruz went to his room.
A pleasant surprise awaited him there. The Christian brothers had sent him a big basket loaded with diverse goodies. Prominent among those was a round tin of the promised biscuits. There were even a couple of apples, green Granny Smiths! Cruz ate one with great relish, alternating bites from the apple with biscuits.
When the Christian brothers showed up around four in the afternoon, Cruz was in a bouncy mood. He had eaten more sugar in an hour than he had in the previous week. He assumed the brothers had come to personally escort him to dinner. They had not.
”We have come to complain, sir,” said Peter Christian right away, wiping the welcoming smile off Cruz's face. ”To complain, and to issue a warning. We will not tolerate any violence on the part of your men. Physical aggression will be punished with fines and jail sentences.”
”What? What are you talking about? What violence?”
”One of your sailors - what's his name, Paul?” said the mayor.
Paul Christian blew out his cheeks and shook his head.
”Damn me, I can't remember,” he said. ”Something silly. Made me think of Flip and Flap, you know.”
”Felipe Flores?” said Cruz.
”That's it! The man has been put in custody. He has assaulted three of our townfolk. He has injured a couple. His behaviour has been absolutely outrageous.”
”I cannot believe it,” said Cruz. ”I cannot believe it! Felipe is an exceptionally capable, stable man. I must speak to him. I promise to punish him severely if, if - ”
”If what I say is true?” Peter Christian asked acidly.
”If he doesn't convince me that he had a reason for doing whatever he did. I believe you, of course. But I think we should investigate what led to this unfortunate occurence.”
The brothers looked at each other. Peter raised his eyebrows; so did Paul. Peter lowered his eyebrows; Paul didn't. He thrust his chin out at Cruz, and said:
”I shall take you to see mister, mister - ”
”Flores,” Cruz said.
It turned out Felipe was confined inside the governor's house. A tiny room had been converted into a holding cell by mounting a couple of sturdy brackets on the wall. Felipe was handcuffed to one of those brackets, looking rather hangdog. He barely answered Cruz's greeting. Cruz noticed that the knuckles on the shackled hand were red and raw. He sighed and turned to Paul Christian and said:
”Could we get those handcuffs removed? I personally vouch for this man's behaviour.”
”This man is a prisoner awaiting trial,” Paul said heavily.
”Agreed. But where is he going to escape to? I solemnly swear to take all responsibility for his actions.”
Paul huffed and puffed; he seemed to be trying to think of a good reason to refuse Cruz's request. He failed to find one, and eventually he said:
”Very well.”
Accompanied by the unshackled Felipe, Cruz went out onto the large verandah gracing the front of the governor's house. He led Felipe as far away as possible from Paul Christian, who stood in the doorway with suspicious eyes, ears flapping. Cruz smiled at him by way of reassurance. Then he turned to Felipe, and said:
”I hear you've been beating up on the locals. Judging by the state of your hands, it's true. What the hell happened?”
Felipe looked down at his feet and said guiltily:
”I did hit a couple of people, but I didn't start anything. They were the ones that started the fight, I swear. I was just defending myself.”
Cruz groaned.
”You'd better tell me everything from the beginning,” he said.
Felipe shuffled his feet again and glanced uneasily at Paul Christian glowering in the doorway.
”We have nothing to hide,” Cruz said. ”Just tell me what happened.”
”All right, sir,” Felipe said dubiously. He swallowed, and said:
”I went to the jetty to look at the boats, sir. There were a few guys hanging out nearby. One of them told me that I musn't touch the boats. He grabbed my arm, and I shook him off. He grabbed me again, and I gave him a shove. He shouted and a couple more guys came running and they all started hitting me. So I hit back.”
”I see,” said Cruz. He turned to Paul Christian, and said:
”Did you hear all that? It was a simple misunderstanding that regrettably turned into a violent confrontation. And my man here acted in self-defense.”
”He was resisting arrest,” said the governor.