Titanic 2012 by Bill Walker

Author:Bill Walker [Walker, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Transportation, Action & Adventure, Cruise Ships, Transatlantic Voyages, Fiction, Ships & Shipbuilding, Thrillers, General, History
ISBN: 9781881475491
Google: i0QIAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0615592392
Publisher: Bill Walker Designs
Published: 1998-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

11

After I was sure she would be all right, I left Jenny on the Boat Deck, and proceeded to the Marconi Room. Sammy was on duty, and he smiled and waved to me with one hand, while the other busily scribbled the translation of an incoming message. A few minutes later, he put down his pencil ripped the message off his pad and placed it into his “out” box, then tore off his headphones with a sigh.

“Bloody long one that,” he said, rubbing his ears, fiery red from having to wear the headset for hours at a stretch.

“Anything good?” My question was meant to be facetious; Sammy took it at face value.

“Someone’s idea of a joke, sending me an ice warning from the bloody Baltic. Aside from the fact that particular ship hasn’t existed for ninety years, icebergs are a lot fewer and farther between than they used to be. Talk was last year they were even going to disband the I.I.P.”

He was talking about the International Ice Patrol, organized by England and the United States in the wake of the Titanic disaster.

“Of course it’s all satellite-based now, so there’s not much else to do but look at a bloomin’ computer screen.” He then shook his head and shrugged. “Anyway, I suppose you’ve got another one of your dispatches?”

“If it’s not too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all, mate. It’ll be right enjoyable compared to what I’ve been doing. Have a seat.”

I’d culled some of what was now the book’s first chapter and I dictated it to Sammy. I watched his face as he keyed the words, and his normally placid expression became animated. When we finished, he turned to me.

“That from your book?”

I nodded, putting away my notes. “Part of the first chapter.”

“Well, if the rest of it’s as good as that, you’ll have a right best-seller.”

“Thanks. I’ll send you an autographed copy.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, suddenly distracted.

“Maybe not, but I want to.”

Sammy nodded, adjusting his headphones. “Send it round to me Mum. She’ll be wanting one, for sure.”

“My pleasure.”

The Marconi began clicking, signaling that another message was arriving, and I took this as my cue to leave. I was wrung out from Jenny’s story and from my less than restful sleep the night before. Still, I was troubled by what had happened with Maddy and I wanted to confront her and find out what had caused such an emotional about-face,

maybe help her get past it, if possible. Of course, my motives were not entirely unselfish. I wanted to be in the safe haven of her arms once more.

My first stop was the Purser’s Office, situated amidship on C-deck. I came up to the window and spotted the Purser seated at his tiny desk poring over a ledger. He looked up at me, his hawkish face registering surprise. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir,” he said, unfolding his tall, lanky frame out of his chair. “I didn’t see you. What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if you could help me locate a fellow passenger.

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