Ghost Writer(75)

“Earth command doesn't tell you everything, gentlemen,” the captain sputtered.

Bane listened to the argument with growing concern. He was beginning to think Pox might be right. Maybe the Remans had brainwashed James when they held him in captivity last month.

Reading between the lines, Shore was acting out of character. Margolo and Minton were questioning his behaviour. Also, despite his ravings in his journal, Minton's outward behaviour wasn't that remarkable at least, not to Kant.

“You should have called me, Madame Kirby.”

“Good morning, Chief,” I said, setting aside Kant's prose for the time being.

“I had an escort to the wardroom. I assumed you knew.”

He made himself a cup of coffee and sat beside me.

“Someone broke into ops. They smashed the video camera and took the memory chip.”

He looked at me.

“And you don't seem upset.”

“Compared to almost falling overboard and passing out on deck, this doesn't rate getting too upset. Besides, I copied the chip onto my smartphone. Nothing has been lost.”

With a surprised look he asked,

“How much memory does that thing hold?”

“Lots. What troubles me is why someone would do it. There wasn't anything earth-shattering said in the interviews. The loss of one camera won't stop the dive. The documentary crew is due this morning. It just doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense.”

“Unless someone is trying to scare you. That's why I asked Franchot to assign a guard to your cabin.”

I nodded. We sipped our coffee. The first hit of caffeine produced a shiver of distaste from Gravell. I grinned and nudged him with my knee.

“You must be exhausted to drink coffee instead of tea.”

“I didn't sleep well.”

“Then go back to bed. I'll be fine. I'll stay here. Or maybe I'll go back to bed for a couple of hours too. I didn't sleep that well either.”

“Breakfast first, then maybe we'll both sleep.”

That sounded enough like an invitation to cheer me up, even though I didn't expect anything to come of it.

We should have escaped while the going was good. Before I finished my granola and yogurt, Franchot joined us. He wanted to discuss the vandalism. Then Mercuros appeared. He wanted to go over instructions for the dive. When Captain Campbell joined us, Gravell reminded me that I needed to rest.

“Dora kept me awake,” I explained.

“Dr. Leland is having breakfast now, so perhaps this is a good opportunity to get another couple of hours sleep,” said Gravell.

“Good idea,” I said, gathering up my things.

Campbell started to get up. Franchot also rose.

“Sean, we have some business to discuss with Tinsdale. This might be a good time.”

I left before Campbell could reply. Gravell was right behind me. Neither of us said anything until we reached my cabin and the door was locked behind us.

I laughed.

“I don't think I can have an affair with Franchot. He's too loyal to you.”

Gravell smiled, but his eyes were solemn. “You need to rest, and I need to leave.”

“Some bodyguard you are,” I said, but I saw his point. Especially since Franchot ran interference for him, Gravell had to been seen elsewhere.

“Go. I'll lock up behind you. Get some rest. I won't leave the cabin without calling you first. I promise.”

“Thank you, Madame Kirby.”

Once I was alone, I considered going back to Kant's files. I dismissed the notion. I really did need to rest. The trouble was, this was easier said than done. Just lying down didn't work, so I stripped down to my underwear and a t-shirt. That was better, but my mind was still buzzing with dive instructions, Kant's prose, Minton's journal, Gravell’s knee pressed up against mine.

My phone warbled.

“Hello?”

“Bonjour, Madame Kirby.”

“Bonjour, Chief Gravell.”

Funny how that simple exchange of greetings had a calming effect on me.

“Are you in bed yet?” he asked

“Yes. You?”

“Yes. I thought you might have some trouble getting to sleep.”

“You thought right. There's too much to think about.”

“Since my voice seems to have a soporific effect on you, I thought I could tell you more about my Grandma Verity. She was a war bride, you know?”

“Really? I'd like to hear about that.”

And I did. But not for long.



A cool hand on my shoulder woke me first. Then I heard the warble of my phone. I looked up to see Margolo and reached blindly for the phone. His hand guided me.

“You're warming up,” I said, flipping the phone open. He winked in response.

“Bonjour, Madame Kirby.”

“Bonjour, Chief Gravell.”

Margolo backed away from me, fading from view.

“The documentary crew has arrived and the director is hoping to talk to you before the dive.”

“How long have I been sleeping?”

“Four hours. I made sure no one disturbed you until absolutely necessary. Dr. Leland is not happy with me.”

“Oh dear.”

At least she wasn't mad at me.