Ghost Writer(46)

“Si, se?ora. I could use one or two helpers.”

Mary Lou looked around. Lil shrugged and the two women followed Cookie to the galley, leaving me with the most nervous members of our party.

“Let's make sure everything in here is secure. There's a checklist on the wall. We can run through it.”

There wasn't much on the checklist that we could do that we hadn't already done. Still, going over it and double checking things passed the time and took our minds off the pitch and roll of the ship.

Cookie, Lil, and Mary Lou joined us.

“The Skipper wants you to make sure everything is stowed safely in your cabins,” Cookie told us in his perfect, heavily accented English.

“Return here with your PFDs. There is nothing to worry about. This is just protocol, si?”

I plastered a bright smile on my face.

“Hey, if we're not needed, we can play cards when we get back.”



I taught them Blackout Bridge. The six of us could play it together and it was an easy game to pick up if you already played bridge or euchre. One of the adaptations we had to make was to find creative places to stash our tricks. The ship's movement made it unwise to leave things on the table. Lil used her lace bra. Mary Lou had her tricks poking out of her hair, which was pulled back in a ponytail. Jamal used his left shirt pocket and Tracy his right. Cookie stuck his tricks in his hat. I used my bra strap as a holder then switched to my cup when I lost a trick down my sleeve.

I desperately wanted to know what was going on and would have loved the excuse to go on deck for fresh air. Only willpower kept me from bringing up dinner. I was damned if I was going to be the weak link. I had a new-found reputation to live up to. While I made my bids and kibitzed over play, I sought a reason for me to check on things.

“All hands to emergency stations. All hands to emergency stations.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” I muttered.

Cookie directed us to put on our PFDs and checked each of us before leading us to the divers’ ready room. There we were directed to put on our thermal gear, as we had when we went to the station. Staying afloat was only part of the task. We also had to keep warm.

Mike and a couple of the divers were present. They assured us collectively and individually that we would probably not need to leave the ship and if, by some chance we did evacuate, we'd be on enclosed life rafts. This was just a precaution.

I wasn't buying it. I remembered what Gravell had said about the danger the wreck presented to the ship tethering it. As soon as I could, I took Mike aside and asked him the million-dollar question.

“What's happening with the station?”

Mike gave me a funny look.

“Why do you ask, Jen? What do you know?”

“I know that it's less likely to sink as it is to sink us right now. I have faith in the crew’s ability to handle the situation. I just want an update. Inquiring minds want to know, y' know?”

“Skipper's playing the station like a marlin, but he might have to cut it loose.”

I nodded. No doubt I'd get a more technical answer later, which I would duly record and understand less than Mike's simple analogy.

“How's Gravell doing?”

I asked, realizing that it was a dumb question as soon as I asked it.

“Funny, he wanted to know the same thing about you.”





Chapter Twenty-Four ~ The Rain



For well over an hour, we waited for the worst to happen. Lil started a game of Fact or Fiction. We took turns coming up with three bizarre statements, only one of which was true. The others tried to guess the fact. When that palled, I suggested my stand-by for long car trips with my son and nieces: the Alphabet Game. We took turns picking a topic and went round finding items in alphabetical order. Food and animals were easy. I'm aces at geography. When Mary Lou suggested legal terms I wavered.

“Affidavit,” said Mary Lou

“Ballistic report,” said Lil.

“Cadaver?” I suggested.

They let that one go. I had to drop out at ‘I.’

We'd moved onto sea animals. The divers were cleaning up. The rest of us floundered. We got to ‘Q,’ with no one dropping out, when Mike reappeared. He looked exhausted and elated.

“We've still got rough water and rain to contend with, but the storm is receding. Franchot says we can stand down and go to bed. He wants us to keep our gear handy so we can suit up if there's a second front.”

He reached out for his wife.

“I've been relieved so I can get a few hours in the sack, so if you'll excuse us.”

Mike and Mary Lou left with Tracy and Jamal close behind them.

Cookie rubbed his hands. “The Skipper will want coffee and breakfast is only a few hours away.”

I shook my head. “I'll make coffee. You get some rest. You've been up longer than any of us.”

“I'll help,” said Lil.

Cookie thanked us, then rattled on with instructions all the way to the galley. I had done enough early morning KP to know how things worked, so as well as brewing coffee, we assembled sandwiches.

“Do you mind if I take the bridge and you take engineering?” I asked Lil. “I really need an excuse to get some fresh air.”

We secured the galley and headed out, each armed with a couple of thermal carafes and a large plastic container of sandwiches. Lil wished me good night. As soon as her delivery was complete, she intended to hit the sack.