Where'd You Go, Bernadette(64)

Love,

Soo-Lin





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FROM ELIJAH HARMSEN,

PRESIDENT OF HARMSEN &

HEATH ADVENTURE TRAVEL


Dear Mr. Branch,



Let me begin by expressing my sincerest condolences to you and Bee for the sudden disappearance of Bernadette. I can only imagine what a shock it must be to lose such an extraordinary woman.

Since Harmsen & Heath was founded by my great-grandfather in 1903, the safety of our passengers has always been our top priority. Indeed, for over a century we have enjoyed an unblemished record.

As promised, I have enclosed a report compiled by Captain Jürgen Altdorf. It is largely based on the electronic signature created by your wife’s magnetically coded ID card. It paints a reliable and detailed portrait of her shipboard life: daily disembarkations, purchases in the gift shop, bills from the ship’s lounge. Additionally, Captain Altdorf conducted extensive interviews per Harmsen & Heath protocol.

Your wife’s last recorded activity occurred on January 5. She went on the morning excursion, and returned safely to the ship, then made some significant charges at the bar. At that point, the H&H Allegra headed through the Gerlache Strait. It should be noted that the ocean was unusually turbulent during the next twenty-four hours. We were forced to cancel two planned disembarkations. Out of an abundance of caution, several announcements were made over the PA system, warning passengers not to go out on deck during such severe weather.

I believe the weather conditions and charges made at the Shackleton Lounge will give you a better understanding of your wife’s condition on the day she was last seen. While nobody can ever know what really happened, there are inevitable conclusions to be drawn.

While unpleasant to contemplate, the facts may provide a small measure of comfort to you and your daughter during this difficult grieving period.

Sincerely, and with my utmost condolences,

Elijah Harmsen





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Captain’s report


THIS IS A REPORT FILED BY CAPTAIN JüRGEN GEBHARD ALTDORF OF THE HARMSEN & HEATH ALLEGRA BASED ON PARTICULARS FROM ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE OF PASSENGER ID CARD #998322-01 ON 26 DECEMBER VOYAGE FROM USHUAIA, ARGENTINA, TO ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND REGARDING THE VERIFIED PRESENCE OF MANIFEST PASSENGER #998322-01 BERNADETTE FOX U.S. CITIZEN, WASHINGTON STATE, SEATTLE.

26 DECEMBER 16:33 PASSENGER BOARDED HH ALLEGRA ASSIGNED CABIN 322. 26 DECEMBER 18:08 PASSENGER COLLECTED PHOTO ID CARD. 26 DECEMBER 18:30 PASSENGER MARKED PRESENT FOR MUSTER DRILL. 26 DECEMBER 20:05 GIFT SHOP CHARGE $433.09 USD FOR CLOTHING AND TOILETRIES.

27 DECEMBER AT SEA. 06:00 PASSENGER RECEIVED TREATMENT FROM SHIP’S DOCTOR FOR MOTION SICKNESS. 27 DECEMBER PASSENGER NOTIFIED HOUSEKEEPING NOT TO ENTER ROOM FOR CLEAN OR TURN-DOWN SERVICE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. HOUSEKEEPER RECALLS VARIOUS CONTACT WITH PASSENGER IN SHIP HALLWAY AND ENVIRONS. INQUIRY ABOUT CLEANING AND TURN-DOWN SERVICE. PASSENGER REFUSED ALL SERVICE. NO HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE LOGGED FOR DURATION OF JOURNEY.

30 DECEMBER 10:00 PASSENGER DISEMBARKED DECEPTION ISLAND, WHALERS BAY. 30 DECEMBER 12:30 BOARDED SHIP. 30 DECEMBER 13:47 PASSENGER LOGGED OUT NEPTUNE’S BELLOWS. 30 DECEMBER 19:41 BOARDED SHIP.

31 DECEMBER 08:00 PASSENGER DISEMBARKED 70.6S 52.4W WEDDELL SEA. 31 DECEMBER 13:23 LAST PASSENGER TO BOARD.

1 JANUARY 10:10 PASSENGER DISEMBARKS DEVIL ISLAND. PASSENGER REEMBARKS 16:31. 1 JANUARY 23:30 PASSENGER SIGNS FOR 2 PINK PENGUIN DRINKS AT SHACKLETON LOUNGE. 1 BOTTLE WINE CABERNET AT DINNER.

2 JANUARY 08:44 PASSENGER DISEMBARKS DANCO COAST. 2 JANUARY 18:33 REEMBARKS. 2 JANUARY 23:10 1 BOTTLE CABERNET WINE AT DINNER. PASSENGER SIGNS FOR 2 PINK PENGUIN DRINKS, LOUNGE.

3 JANUARY 08:10 DETAILLE ISLAND PASSENGER DISEMBARKS. 3 JANUARY 16:00 PASSENGER BOARDS SHIP. 3 JANUARY 19:36 PASSENGER SIGNS FOR 5 PINK PENGUINS, LOUNGE.

4 JANUARY 08:05 PASSENGER DISEMBARKS PETERMANN ISLAND. 4 JANUARY 11:39 EMBARKS. 4 JANUARY 13:44 PASSENGER SIGNS 1 BOTTLE CABERNET WINE LUNCH. 14:30 PASSENGER DISEMBARKS PORT LOCKROY. 18:30 REEMBARKS. 4 JANUARY 23:30 PASSENGER SIGNS 4 PINK PENGUINS, 4 WHISKEY SOURS, SHACKLETON LOUNGE.

5 JANUARY 08:12 PASSENGER DISEMBARKS NEKO HARBOR. 5 JANUARY 16:22 PASSENGER CARDS IN. 5 JANUARY 18:00 PASSENGER SIGNS 2 BOTTLES WINE, SHACKLETON LOUNGE.

6 JANUARY 05:30 SHIP UNABLE TO ANCHOR DUE TO OCEAN CONDITIONS. 6 JANUARY 08:33 ANNOUNCEMENT MADE, ROUGH SEAS. CONTINENTAL MEAL SERVICE ONLY. 6 JANUARY 18:00 ANNOUNCEMENT MADE, SHACKLETON LOUNGE CLOSING.

15 JANUARY 17:00 PRELIMINARY ROOM CHARGES TOTALED. BILL PLACED IN PASSENGER’S DOOR.

16 JANUARY 16:30 PASSENGER MARKED NOT PRESENT FOR FINAL DISEMBARKATION BRIEFING. 16 JANUARY 19:00 PASSENGER DOES NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT FOR BAR BILL, GIFT SHOP BILL, AND CREW GRATUITY. 16 JANUARY 19:00 PASSENGER DOES NOT RESPOND TO REPEATED PAGES. 16 JANUARY 19:30 PASSENGER DOES NOT ANSWER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO ENTER CABIN. 16 JANUARY 19:32 PURSER ENTERS CABIN. PASSENGER NOT PRESENT. 16 JANUARY 22:00 EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH OF SHIP DOES NOT LOCATE PASSENGER.

17 JANUARY 07:00 PASSENGERS INTERROGATED BY MYSELF AND PURSER. NO RELEVANT INFORMATION GAINED. PASSENGERS RELEASED. 17 JANUARY 10:00 CARBO THERMAL SCAN REVEALS NO UNACCOUNTED FOR PERSONS.


**PHOTO DOCUMENTATION REVEALS NO PHOTOS OF PASSENGER IN CRUISE PHOTOGRAPHER’S ARCHIVES. NO VIDEO OF PASSENGER FROM SHIP’S VIDEOGRAPHER.

*** SEARCH OF CABIN 322 REVEALS PAD OF PAPER WHICH HAS PER INSTRUCTIONS BEEN TURNED OVER TO USA EXPERT.