‘If you won’t tell me, maybe he will,’ said Kane. ‘Who are you?’

‘Who are you?’ said the man.

‘Who do you think I am?’ said Kane. ‘Look me in the eyes.’

The boy had courage, Ahab would give him that, but he was stupid. He thought his money made him invincible – he got that from his father.

Ahab took a step forward, and Vance raised his eyebrows in warning. He smiled again, showing those studded jewels, and put his hand inside his jacket.

He wouldn’t . . . not a child.

Ahab gauged the distance. Could he tackle the man before he drew his weapon?

‘I was expecting to find Ahab with Forest Dempsey.’ He cocked his head, studying Kane. ‘Are you him?’

‘Well,’ said Kane, ‘I’m definitely a Dempsey.’

The way he said Forest’s name, Ahab realised Vance wasn’t looking for the imposter Forest – Blackbeard had sent him to look for the real Forest.

How did he know the truth about Forest? Why had Ivy led them here?

Something was about to go terribly wrong.

‘Boy, run!’ shouted Ahab, dashing forward.

But Vance was too quick. He pulled the shotgun from his jacket, levelled it, and fired.

Kane’s body jolted, then slumped down over the boulders, sliding into a gap between two rocks.

Ahab’s vision grew dark, then blindingly white. He yelled in agony.

No . . . it couldn’t be . . .

Vance looked from Kane’s lifeless body up to Ahab.

Again, he levelled the shotgun. And Ahab, somehow, brought his body into a pause.

He was looking down the barrel of the gun. The sound of the shotgun blast had left an imprint on his hearing; all he registered was Kane’s blood on the man, splattered all over his face, still grinning.

Kane is dead. Another boy dead. Because of you.

He knew he had to put that aside for now or he’d be just as dead. This man in front of him would not hesitate to kill him.

Kane is dead.

What will I tell Shelby?

What would Ivy do?

‘You realise what you’ve done, don’t you?’ said Ahab, raising his hands in surrender.

‘I’ve killed the real Forest Dempsey.’ He smiled wider. ‘Now Dempsey Abalone will be ours.’

‘That’s not Forest Dempsey,’ said Ahab. ‘That’s Kane Dempsey. You’ve just killed Davey Dempsey’s son. His crew will kill you. Ivy Dempsey herself might kill you.’

Confusion rolled through Vance’s face. He looked down again at Kane’s body.

‘Kane Dempsey?’ Horror replaced confusion.

He let the shotgun dip, and Ahab leapt forward to tackle the man to the rocks.