Crosscurrents by Jane Jackson

Author:Jane Jackson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781909624399
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2014-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

As Ellen withdrew, closing the door behind her, Richard rose from his chair in front of the bureau and crossed to a silver tray containing two decanters and cut crystal glasses. Pouring out a generous measure of cognac he handed it to Santo who didn’t hesitate, downing half in a single gulp, grimacing as he swallowed.

‘Much obliged.’ His chest still burned and his voice was rough and raw.

‘My dear chap, I’m so sorry.’

‘Mr Tregarron back, is he?’

‘He arrived shortly after Mr Rowse left.’

‘I want to see him.’

‘About the accident?’

‘It was no accident. It was murder. Don’t try to stop me,’ Santo warned.

‘I doubt I could.’ Richard stepped back.

Realising he was not going to be prevented from seeing the man he considered partly responsible for Will’s death, Santo calmed down. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered. He rubbed one hand over his face and felt stubble rasp against his palm. ‘Will was a good friend.’ His throat clogged with grief and he cleared it loudly, clinging to control. ‘The officers and seamen – their families don’t even know yet. It’s such a bloody waste.’

‘If you storm in,’ Richard said quietly, ‘you’ll have lost before you start.’

Santo swung round. ‘I mustn’t be mad in case it upsets him?’

‘I didn’t say that. Use your anger. What do you want, Innis? Someone to blame? You want him to admit responsibility?’

‘That’d be a start,’ Santo was bitter.

‘Those men will still be dead.’

‘Christ, you’re hard.’

‘No, but I’ve stood where you’re standing. When my wife died –’ He shook his head abruptly. ‘Blame achieved nothing. So I ask again, what do you want out of this meeting?’

‘To make him see there’s a safer option.’

Richard said nothing, merely inclining his head, point made. Then he opened the door. ‘Come.’

Santo was no stranger to Frederick Tregarron’s study with its panelled walls, Turkish carpet, glass-fronted bookcases, richly upholstered chairs, and marble fireplace. Despite the difference in their station he had always felt comfortable here, but not today. Since he and Richard had entered the room the atmosphere had deteriorated. Now it could be cut with a knife.

‘Sir, surely this is proof how dangerous high-pressure steam is? I can offer a safe alternative. All I need is –’

‘Mr Innis, I have invested heavily in the new Cornish multi-tube boiler. As far as I’m concerned high-pressure steam is the future. Clearly there are problems. But your job is to solve them, not waste time on distractions. High-pressure steam works perfectly well in railway locomotives.’

‘With respect, sir, while it may work well enough there have also been a number of fatal accidents. But when a locomotive boiler blows up only two men die. When a ship’s boiler explodes, you don’t only lose the crew and passengers, you also lose the ship and her cargo. That’s exactly what happened to three river boats on the Mississippi.’

‘Which only adds weight to my argument that you should be finding the cause.’

Santo raked his hair in frustration. ‘There isn’t one single cause. But until the Admiralty and the manufacturer are willing to listen, more men will die and ships will be lost.

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