Allison; Taking Control

Chapter 88

“Sit,” was the curt, emotionless order he finally gave, accompanied by a point of his right hand. Without turning around, he had indicated a plain, straight-backed wooden chair positioned directly in front of the desk, presumably placed there specifically for this discussion. Allison sat down wordlessly, waiting for his commodore to begin the conversation, but still Sir Roger didn’t speak, turn or move from where he stood. Allison could only assume the purpose of this peculiar behavior was to make him feel uncomfortable; but given the dangers he’d recently faced and the confidence he had in his decisions up to that point, he was determined not to let that happen. Another long pause ensued before Sir Roger deigned to speak further.

“Explain to me if you would,” he began at length, “how two British warships managed to allow a band of French raiders to slip into port and steal a merchantman from right beneath their very noses.”

Semple’s tone was distinctly subdued and yet something in