Ghost Writer(68)

He held up a page with a US Navy logo. “This is Captain Tinsdale's official objection to civilians entering the station. He doesn't want you or anyone from the émil Gagnan on the dive. This note is a personal request that you not be included in deference to your health and safety. The rest of this pile represents the paper trail of negotiations concerning who will, and will not be on the dive tomorrow.”

“Captain Franchot suggested that each military ship send one observer.”

“I have that documented. Captain Franchot forgets that it is not entirely up to him.”

“I need to go aboard. I'm not trying to dictate terms, I just need you to realize how important this is.”

“Why, Jenny? For the love of God, why?”

I blushed. Not only was this the first time that the captain had relaxed his formal address with me, but no one had called me Jenny outside my family. Not sure how exactly to handle the situation, I went over to the couch and hoped he'd come and sit with me. After a minute or so, he did. I rewarded his effort with a playful smile.

“If you're going to call me Jenny, do I have to call you Captain?”

“In public. At least for now. My name is Sean.”

I knew that, but I sighed anyway.

“Sean is such a nice name. Well, you can guess I like the Celtic names since I called my son Seamus.”

“Is that why you were named Genevieve?”

“Sort of. My mother was a great romantic. She called me Genevieve, after Queen Guinevere’s patron saint. My brother got saddled with Lancelot. If she had got her first choice, he would have been name Galahad.”

His smile broadened. “I think I would have liked your mother. Do you mind me calling you Jenny?”

I shook my head.

“You're not going to answer my question, are you Jenny?”

I shook my head.

He shrugged stoically. “I'll want to see for myself that you know what you are doing sufficiently to do the dive. If I'm satisfied, I will sign off on your participation. If I'm not, I'll put you in the brig so you can't go behind my back.”

“Can't ask for fairer than that.”

I was almost the hatch before it hit me. “Who wrote the personal request?”

“Your video director.”



My second practice dive drew an even bigger crowd than the first. In addition to Welland, Cross, and Mercuros, Franchot and Tim joined the dive.

Though I was tempted, I didn’t say anything to Tim. I decided my best recourse was to show him I was capable enough not to endanger myself or anyone else.

Observing on deck, there were the émil Gagnan divers, ready to jump in if needed. Captains Campbell and Tinsdale were there, and Gravell, of course. Was I intimidated? Just a bit.

Alex and Franchot watched while I suited up. The others diving with me were standing by. Knowing I was being tested, I went over all the equipment carefully. It looked okay, but I got a head shake from Naire. I went over it again.

“This hose is leaking. Pretty tricky test, guys.”

Franchot examined the line and scowled. He looked to Alex who shook his head. They looked at Welland and Cross who also shook their heads. I cast a glance at Naire. He shrugged.

“Not a test, Jen. I want the maintenance records checked, Alex. Meanwhile, let’s switch out that line for another.”

Franchot let me check everything again. Then rechecked everything. I didn't take it personally. I was happy to have the back up. Naire's expression was grim and that worried me. It wasn't his handiwork, and I could tell he didn't think it wasn't an accident either.

On deck, Tinsdale was impatient. Tim explained that my gear was faulty. Alex added that I caught the problem myself and chalked up two imaginary points for me in the air.

“Madame Kirby?” Gravell’s voice was soft in my ear. I hadn't even noticed him come up behind me.

“Maybe nothing,” I whispered. But I doubted it.

“Be careful.”

I nodded.

“Ready Jen?” asked Franchot.

Welland and Cross went into the water first. I was next. Franchot, Tim, and Alex followed. Once again, I followed Mercuros's hand signals and was put through my paces. Then we went over radio protocols and camera operation. We were equipped with the same shoulder mounted video cameras we would use while exploring the station. We swam under the ship and dove down to the anchor.

I was surprised how interesting it was down there. Somehow I got the impression that Arctic waters wouldn't be exactly teaming with life, but I was wrong. I would have loved to explore longer, but I wasn't given the chance. Alex took a picture of me holding the anchor. After, we practised safe ascension, gradually climbing up the chain. This was considerably deeper than the station.

When we breached the surface, I was greeted by applause. Alex gave me a push from behind as I mounted the ladder. Gravell was in place to give me a helping hand. Captain Campbell gave me the thumbs up and even Tinsdale wore a grin.

“Well, I'm satisfied,” said Franchot, once he was on board. “How about you, Alex?”

“As far as I'm concerned, Jen is four dives away from certification.”

“Captain Campbell?”

The captain nodded. “I have no objections. Do you want to raise any, Captain Tinsdale?”