The Great Captain Alex Gregory

First Clue

I scrubbed my eyes, trying to keep the words from fuzzing on the page. Two days gone and I had nothing. Where Captain Gregory had gone, I didn't know, but he'd leaped up a few hours ago and muttered something about a contact before leaving.

"Feel free to have a glass of whatever you want. I find that a stiff drink sometimes brings inspiration. Small breaks help, too," He'd said, swinging a black wool coat over his shoulders. At the time, I'd barely looked up, but now I stood and stretched. Muscles strained and joints popped. I ambled over to the Captain's dry bar and uncorked a tumbler, sniffing lightly. My eyebrows arched. This was good giggle water. Expensive. Not the coffin varnish I was used to.

"Alex, I think we are going to be very good friends," I smiled, sniffing the other tumblers, "At least, your boys and I will be." Choosing a nice smelling gin, I poured a small amount into a glass and sipped. Fantastic. I stood there for a moment, just enjoying a good vintage in a peaceful study. I breathed in, I breathed out, and I did it again. Maybe I hadn't been in worse scrapes, maybe I hadn't had a problem I couldn't fight my way out of before, but I'd do what I'd always done: muddle through.

I sniffed and cleared my throat, running a hand through my hair. I missed Sarah so badly. She was my sister. Everything I'd gone through, she'd gone through too. What was I gonna do if we didn't find her? What if we found her dead? What if-?

Captain Gregory slammed through the door, already speaking. I jumped, drink sloshing against the dry bar.

"We need to move quickly, he isn't going to want to speak to us. It's a small miracle he agreed at all, really, but there you go," The tall skeleton tossed my jacket at me, still rambling. "We need to take a cab, but it'll be a short ride, he lives in the city, so have no fear. It- what?" The Captain finally stopped long enough to take in my stunned and confused face. Then he looked to the door and back. "Oh, my apologies, I was thinking out loud to myself and forgot you were not inside my head as well." I blinked, shaking myself from my stupor.

"That-that's okay. Um, you said we needed to meet someone?" I set my drink on the dry bar and fumbled with my coat, pulling it on.

"Yes! A contact of mine. He might have something. Some talk. It's his specialty," Captain Gregory tugged at his skull cap, almost seeming worried. I put that thought on hold and dug through my bag, pulling a few items from it's pockets. Sliding them carefully into my jacket's hidden pockets, I stood and turned to face the Captain.

"Alright, we ready?" I asked, tugging my coat snug around me. Captain Gregory nodded, waving me through the door. Tromping down the stairs, I heard him lock the study. I pulled the front door open and stepped out into the drizzling alley. Over the past two days it'd become familiar, but I was still wary. My sight was limited and the space was cramped. Like I'd told Granny Edna, I still wasn't totally sold on the 'Great Captain Gregory', but maybe this lead would prove my life savings and then some was worth giving up.

"Right this way, Miss Ellie. Our cab is waiting," The Captain led the way down the alley, away from the main street. I tried not to feel nervous, focusing on my surroundings and straining my ears instead. Up ahead, Captain Gregory strode towards a black Low Loader. I cocked a brow at the Captain's back. From his dry bar, I'd have guessed a more expensive ride.

"My taste in alcohol aside, I live frugally when possible, Miss Ellie. I could feel your confusion," Was his explanation. I shoved my hands in my pockets, refusing to feel embarrassed.

"Evenin', Mr. Alex, sir. An' 'ello there, miss guest. Mr. Alex I didn't take ya for one to look for company," The cabby gave me a smile, one that earned him a curled lip.

"A colleague, James, just a colleague," Captain Gregory sighed, "Please take us to the old cannery. The one I told you about earlier."

"Righto, Mr. Alex!" James the cabby turned back to the front and cranked up the car, pulling away from the curb. I gave the Captain a dry look, to which he lifted his hands slightly. What could he do? As we trundled down the empty side street, I mulled over a question, considering whether or not to ask it.

"Captain Gregory?" Said Captain twitched a little, but turned toward me, "Why are you called 'Captain'? Is it a stage name? Or-"

"Don'cha know who yer sittin' next to? That's the Great Captain Alexander Gregory! Lead our people to freedom at the battle of the Croax Srods! That's why I'm always happy to drive him anywhere. Mr. Alex will always have a ride when he needs one!" James laughed, tapping a rhythm on the wheel. I glanced at the Captain's face, then dropped my eyes to his hands. I might not be able to read a skull, but his hands were as expressive as mine. They gripped his trousers tightly. So much so it was causing the fabric to audibly complain. I shut my mouth and turned my eyes to the window for the rest of the ride.

I shouldn't have asked.