As they crashed to the ground, Ahab’s temple hit a boulder and his vision darkened. Vance’s knee caught him in the guts, but Ahab was as tough and wiry from his daily swimming as he’d ever been. And although this man was younger, he could not match Ahab’s desire to avenge Kane and Chips.

He hit Vance in the chest, blocked Vance’s next punch and used the momentum to get beneath his guard, punching him again. Vance’s long legs twisted up to wrap around Ahab’s waist, but Ahab took both of their weight and rolled to the side, scraping himself on the rocks as they tumbled into the same crevice as Kane’s body. Slipping in Kane’s blood, Ahab smeared a handful of it over Vance’s eyes, blinding him. As Vance’s hands went to his eyes, Ahab pulled away, gathered up the shotgun, and rose to his knees.

When Vance opened his eyes, he was looking right down the barrels of the shotgun.

And Ahab, teeth bared, covered in Kane’s blood, wanted him dead.

‘Go ahead, kill me,’ he moaned. ‘She’ll skin me alive.’

‘She?’

‘Blackbeard . . .’

Blackbeard’s a woman?

He felt like the world was tipping away from him, but he kept the shotgun steady.

Distant voices, calling. The hikers he’d passed! Of course they’d heard the echoing blast of the shotgun, and Ahab’s shouts.

He needed to check on Kane. He needed to call the police.

‘I’ll tell you where they’re keeping the detective,’ whispered Blackbeard’s henchman. ‘If you promise to kill me.’

‘De Corrado?’ said Ahab. ‘You’ve taken her?’

‘Hey!’ shouted one of the hikers. ‘Are you alright?’

‘He’s got a gun!’ screamed his partner.

‘Call an ambulance!’ Ahab shouted at them. ‘Call the police!’

‘Everyone says you’re a man of honour,’ said Vance. ‘Promise me you’ll kill me if I tell you.’

Ahab stared down at the man, adjusting his grip on the shotgun. He’d rather die than face Blackbeard’s punishment. That alone chilled him to his core.

Could he do it? Could he kill a man? Especially when he made it this easy – begging Ahab to do it.

Vance had just killed Kane. He’d been there when Chips died.

One of the hikers had approached, feeling Kane’s neck for a pulse. The other hiker had disappeared back up the path – hopefully to call someone.

Can I shoot a man in cold blood?

I have to know what’s happened to De Corrado. She’s the only one who can fix this without more bloodshed.

‘I promise,’ said Ahab.

The man relaxed, letting his head fall back. ‘She’s at Frankie’s house. The counsellor. The detective is at her house. Now kill me.’

Frankie? Frankie was Blackbeard?!

‘The police are coming!’ The other hiker came running back down the trail. ‘They said they’re nearby!’