On Seas So Crimson by James Young

Author:James Young
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-01-24T05:00:00+00:00

I really shouldn’t have started that fight, Jo thought, stepping up to the door. Yeah, I don’t think she meant half of what she said, but every word in anger has at least a grain of truth. Looking through the peephole, Jo was startled to see a Navy lieutenant in dress whites accompanied by two seamen in khaki. Both sailors were armed with rifles, the weapons slung over their shoulders.

What in the seven hells is this? Jo thought, opening the door with weak knees.

“Ma’am, are you Miss Josephine Morton?” the sandy brown haired officer asked in a upper Midwest accent, his face showing concern at Jo’s appearance. Jo’s mouth worked once, and she had to swallow to get enough spit to move her tongue.

“Y-yes,” she stammered, meeting the man’s green eyes.

“Ma’am, I am Lieutenant Molnar from the Northampton,” the officer said. “I am currently the acting executive officer.”

“I already know about Commander Hertling,” Jo said heavily, drawing a puzzled look from Lieutenant Molnar.

“Ma’am, we’re not here about Commander Hertling,” Lieutenant Molnar said quietly. “We have Mrs. Hertling in the car. When you say you know about him, what do you mean?”

Oh God, Jo thought.

“If Nancy is here, I don’t think I know as much as I think,” Jo said, her voice so soft that Molnar could barely hear her.

“Ma’am, I regret to tell you that Commander Hertling expired from his wounds at 1400 today,” Molnar said. “Nurse Hertling was sedated at that time.”

That’s not a good sign, Jo thought.

“On the advice of the doctor who was attending Commander Hertling, I asked Mrs. Hertling if there was someplace I could take her so that she would not be alone,” Molnar stated. “I know your father and understand this may not be the best time for you to receive visitors…”

“Mrs. Hertling is always welcome in my home, lieutenant,” Jo snapped, then caught herself. “I’m sorry, it’s a stressful time. I’ll come out with you to the car.”

The next five minutes were the longest in Jo’s short life. Nancy was barely responsive to her when she opened the back door, a coat drawn about her body despite the fact that the temperature was quite warm. As they walked back to the house, Lieutenant Molnar and the seamen grabbed Nancy’s luggage. When they reached the house, Jo went to take Nancy’s coat and immediately saw why the woman had been wearing it: the front of her nurse’s gown was covered with blood and other liquids.

“Miss Morton, thank you for your help. I hope that your father makes it back all right.” Lieutenant Molnar said quickly at the door. Looking past Jo to where Nancy stood staring vacantly out the doorway, Molnar moved to make eye contact.

“Mrs. Hertling, Commander Hertling was a great officer. He will be missed.”

Nancy nodded numbly. Lieutenant Molnar, at a loss, signaled his escort to move back towards the car. Jo closed the door, then turned back to Nancy.

“Aunt Nancy, let’s get you cleaned…”

“They tell me he simply slipped away,” Nancy said, her voice with a faraway tone.

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