Page 65 of Southernmost Murder

“Were Rogers and Smith friends?” I asked as she skimmed the pages for the final court date. “I mean, after they met on the first wreck. Perhaps Smith was doing Rogers a favor.”

“It’s possible,” Louise said. “It wouldn’t be the first time that Smith proved himself a gentleman. Ah. Final date was 1861. Same as the second, 9 percent and no dispute.”

There was something fishy between Smith and Rogers. And if I discovered what, the truth of One-Eyed Jack would undoubtedly be uncovered.

Chapter Eleven

“OUT WITHit,” Jun finally said once we were in the car again.

His voice broke through my little bubble of thought, and I looked up. “What?”

“You look like you’ve got some great mystery solved and you’re ready to declare results.”

“I’ve nothing to declare except my genius,” I replied coyly. “You know that’s not actually verified to have been uttered by Oscar Wilde.”

Jun looked away from the road and at me a few times. “Smartass.”

I laughed. “My ass is many things.”

“What was that at the library? Your brain was firing on all cylinders.”

I lifted up in the seat to remove the note from my back pocket. “Something is suspicious about Smith and Rogers.”

“How do you mean?”

“Smith was never awarded so little for his wrecking work,” I replied. “But twice in a row he nearly aided Rogers for free.”

“Maybe they were friends like you suggested,” Jun said.

“Maybe.”

“You don’t sound certain.”

“Smith’s personal diary wasn’t terribly well-kept, but the few mentions of Rogers over the years—it was never anything that stood out to me. Like two ships passing in the night, pardon the nautical phrase.”

Jun’s thumb was tapping the wheel absently. “Do you believe they were involved in something illegal together?”

“No.”

“Do you believe Rogers was a pirate?”

“I don’t think so, no.”

Jun cleared his throat. “Then I’ve another idea.”

“What’s that?”

“Lovers.” He looked at me briefly. “It would certainly explain the lack of notations in Smith’s diary, while, when in wrecking court, his discounted aid speaks to some sort of personal relationship.”

“Smith was married,” I stated. “But—ah! I feel like the two years of research I’ve done is as stable as a house of cards!”

Jun put a hand on my knee. “That’s not true. As a historian, you’ve come at these revelations with an acceptable amount of reservation but haven’t dismissed the evidence until you’ve thoroughly researched it. And if your conclusions change, Aubrey—they change.”

“Such is life,” I added.

He moved his hand back to the steering wheel. “That’s right.”

“I’m very hesitant to suggest Smith had a male lover, though I don’t doubt that it’s entirely possible. It requires… a phone call.”