Crossbones

Previously on Crossbones...

Is this what it seems to be?

If it seems like gunpowder, then yes.

What could the Commodore want with it?

He intends to desolate and lay waste the English.

I saw such maladies treated with a trephine.

And what does one do with such an instrument?

One drills a hole in one's skull.

Heathens believe the procedure releases evil spirits.

- And do you have one? - No.

There's a fellow in Jamaica.

Nenna will take you.

You trust me to do this?

But I trust your desire for Kate Balfour.

Who are you, Tom?

I don't know what you want me to say.

What business do you have in Jamaica?

What do you think my business might be?

Betrayal.

If I chose to betray this place, you'd be lost to me.

Thieving from thieves.

I know there's more.

I found a property that might interest you.

This is perfect.

Acquire it for me.

Will you speak to me now?

Where's Edward?

Tell me where he is.

I must sail soon to enact a great endeavor.

A Spanish fleet.

Where have you been

With Edward Teach.

- Where is it, this island? -He's here.

The people of this island are

Are what? Innocent?

As good as you or me.

What I am and what I pray you still are is the King's man.

Unseamed him from nave to chops while giving suck...

Plucked the nipple from his boneless gums...

Dashed his brains out, making flowers on the wall.

I have something for you...

A gift.

Antoinette.

He's alive.

Your husband.

This is him as he is now.

I can take you to him if only you could help me.

It's good to see you so far from the safety of home,

given the measures you generally take to prevent it.

So what am I doing here?

If he should ever ask you about us,

you can never tell him the truth.

You have to deny it, no matter what.

I can't lie to him.

He can't be lied to.

You have to.

It will kill him.

Or he'll kill us.

Mr. Lowe, you're back. I knew it.

Knew what?

That you'd come back.

Mr. Fletch.

I never doubted you, sir,

Not once.

Do you want to talk about the assignment?

The wild man in the cave?

Sorry.

You're back.

So I am.

You're somewhat less amazed than I'd expected.

Why would I be amazed?

Why indeed?

We're overdue a conversation, I think.

I'd like nothing more.

But it'll have to wait, I'm afraid.

Urgent business to attend.

The cave?

Blackbeard's there at least once or twice a day,

early mornings and afternoon.

What does he do?

Mostly, he inspects these.

An explosive of some sort.

The method's foreign to me, but the intent's familiar.

It's a trigger mechanism.

When the glass comes into contact with something,

it shatters, triggering a detonation.

I need you to steal me a boat.

Again?

If you would.

I don't know why we keep doing it.

We never go anywhere.

This time, we shall.

And this time, you'll come with me.

And this time, we shan't be coming back.

When do we leave?

Shortly after I've introduced the Commodore to this.

You wasted no time, I see.

Well, I missed you.

I'm sure you did.

Well, it's true.

I don't see how it can be.

You're bleeding me sapless.

Who says true had to be simple?

So what do you have for me?

A gift for your sweetheart?

A token?

Oh, it's lovely.

Oh, I love it.

It's gorgeous.

But it's not enough.

I've great need of the money.

Oh, Nenna.

Delectable as you are,

sweet as you are,

mine as you are...

I'm not a giver of alms.

What more do you want?

There's no more.

This is it.

There is always more, hmm?

It's all gone.

You'll give me everything,

and I'll give you happiness.

I'll make you happy.

Let me make you happy.

I saw the green flash this morning.

Did you see it?

No.

Have you ever?

No, but I've heard of it.

Have you seen it before?

Once or twice.

I've been round awhile and seen most things.

What gives rise to it, do you think?

Some science, I expect.

An old legend claims it gives a man's power

to read another man's soul.

Well, I heard it had something to do

with the souls of the drowned or with luck or money;

I forget which one of the usual.

You don't believe in the signs and portents?

Never did. Never shall.

A judicious resolution, I'd imagine.

I wonder. Did Selima acquaint you with my condition?

What condition? What do you mean?

Apparently, she hasn't.

Why would she? What condition?

I find myself somewhat indisposed physically.

How so?

If I named it, would that make a difference?

The point is, only Lowe can put right what's wrong.

Even then, the outcome is not assured.

She enjoins me not to trust him.

What do you think?

Listen to her.

Kill him and have done.

And it's that straightforward?

To my mind, it is.

So I kill what I can't trust,

even if killing it might kill me?

The thing about a sword is,

A man has to know which end to grab it.

Take it by the hilt, it's a friend you can trust.

Take it by the edge... bites your fingers.

Every tool is a weapon, Charlie,

depending on how skillfully it's handled.

But never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

He made house with you, yes?

In Charleston, Carolina province.

One year, was it?

Two years?

26 months.

It's a miracle you kept him so long.

No one else came close.

His new wife.

Commodore, I've obtained a trephine for the surgery.

You seem perplexed to see me.

A little, perhaps.

I'd understood the Commodore's condition to be a private affair.

There are no secrets between the Commodore and me.

So it would appear that while in Jamaica,

you were arrested and imprisoned?

I was.

And you fought your way free?

I did.

An impressive feat.

Not really. I seized the moment and ran.

But what got you arrested?

It seems curious.

You are normally so prudent.

I was detained while pursuing matters that required my attention.

Those matters being?

- A visit. - To?

William Jagger.

To what purpose?

Murdering him.

And why would a sane man attempt that?

Because of what he did to Kate Balfour

and because of what you told me he'd do to this island,

Commodore, if given the opportunity.