‘Trying to unmask Blackbeard,’ said Davey. ‘It could work, Mum. Blackbeard needs locals he can trust. If we can work our way in, it won’t be long until we figure out who he is.’

‘And that’s why . . .’ Shelby swallowed, unable to say it. She gestured for Davey to continue.

Her husband shook his head, eyes wide, looking terrified. You ask her! he mouthed.

‘Spit it out, woman!’ snapped Ivy.

‘They want to know if you’ll take this “Golden Sunshine” to Blackbeard,’ said Ahab, pushing away from the wall. ‘They want you to tell him you’re cooking ice. That you want to go into partnership with him.’

‘Me?’ said Ivy. She pulled her hands out of Davey’s and stood, brushing out her dress. She began to pace the room. Ahab could imagine her mind following the same paths theirs had gone down. ‘And you made this, Shelby?’

‘I’m only cooking for a week,’ said Shelby flatly. ‘After that, I’m out.’

Ivy snorted. ‘Of course, dear,’ she said wryly.

Next she turned on Ahab. ‘And what exactly are you going to do if you do find out who Blackbeard is?’

‘Tell the police,’ said Ahab.

All three Dempseys looked at him.

Ivy began to laugh. Soon she was clutching at the curtains, bent over in mirth.

‘I’m serious,’ said Ahab. ‘This ends. It has to end.’

‘I thought . . . once we knew, we could blackmail him into leaving Shacktown,’ said Shelby.

That made Ivy laugh some more. She rubbed her eyes. ‘Davey has a better idea. Don’t you?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mum,’ said Davey carefully.

‘Give me some credit – I know that look in your eyes, and I know you’re not stupid enough to think that Blackbeard will bow to blackmail. And it’s a death wish to tell the police. Go on, boy. You know what you have to do.’

‘What’s she talking about, Davey?’ said Shelby.

‘I’d like to know that too,’ said Ahab. He took a step towards him.

Davey flinched from the heat of Ahab’s anger. ‘Mum, I can’t.’

‘Don’t tell me what you can and can’t do. You’re Davey Dempsey.’ Her chin wobbled again. ‘You’re alive, and that means everything is fine. You can do it. This is what you were born to do.’

‘What is she talking about?’ said Shelby.

‘Davey will take over his crew. He’ll become the next Dread Pirate Blackbeard.’

‘What?’ cried Shelby.

Davey and Ivy looked into each other’s eyes, and Davey seemed to grow a foot taller. Some of the fire that had been missing was back.

‘You’re right, it’s the only way,’ said Davey.

‘Over my dead body,’ said Ahab.

‘That can be arranged,’ replied Ivy. He shot her a furious glare, but she only raised an eyebrow in amusement. Her hand was possessively across Davey’s leg.