Narrowing his eyes, he stowed the spyglass. What could have happened to clear the decks of both ships? Had the battle somehow ended up on a lower deck? He exhaled through his nose. That didn’t seem likely—he’d never heard of fighting belowdecks while abovedecks was empty. And there was no sound of clashing blades or gunfire. No sign of men in the water, either.

“Take us in, Mr Munroe,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. Perhaps the ships were in trouble—one could be taking on water, and the crews were belowdecks out of sight trying to save themselves. But surely a team would be up here trying to untangle the pair, so they wouldn’t both be dragged down.

He wrinkled his nose. Something was off.

Still, it was his job to investigate, and he needed to get to Vice and her captain.

“Nice and easy, if you will.” He nodded to Munroe. “Broach The Morrigan.” Her crew had to be hiding belowdecks, perhaps thinking to stage an ambush—well, he’d present them with the smallest target for their cannon if that was their plan. Plus, it might bring him closer to FitzRoy more quickly, wherever he was hiding.

Knigh’s message couldn’t be trusted to anyone else—he needed a private audience with the captain and to get that, it looked like he’d have to lead a boarding party. “I want all port guns ready to fire.”

The lieutenant saluted and relayed the order.

Knigh lifted his rifle as they approached the merchantman, ready to cock it and take aim the instant he spotted danger.

But both ships remained eerily silent.

His stomach knotted. The Veritas was meant to have signalled once the pirates came within range, then surrender. No one was supposed to get killed. Was the deck empty because they’d all died?

Nostrils flaring, his throat clenched. He couldn’t be responsible for so many deaths—not this time. He squeezed his rifle until it creaked.

“There’ll be some other explanation,” he whispered.

“Pardon, Captain?” Munroe blinked and looked at him, eyebrows raised.

Knigh drew a quick breath and gave him a curt nod. “You have the Venatrix, Mr Munroe. I’ll be leading the boarding party.”

A momentary widening of the eyes was the lieutenant’s only reaction, betraying his surprise at the odd instruction. Still, within a breath, he’d smoothed his face and saluted. “Aye, Captain.”

Good man. He understood pirate hunters sometimes had to employ unorthodox practices.

Striding fore, Knigh nodded at the detachment of marines standing to attention on the main deck. “Half of you with me, gentlemen.”

Their second lieutenant saluted and split the unit with a few brief orders, before sending ten with Knigh.

Efficient. That’s what he liked about the man.