Hungry as the Sea by Wilbur Smith

Author:Wilbur Smith [Smith, Wilbur]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Action & Adventure, fiction
ISBN: 9780312600884
Google: 0-eYzCl7QBYC
Amazon: 0312600887
Publisher: Pan
Published: 1978-01-01T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The telephone rang at two minutes past nine the next morning. They were in the bath together and Nicholas swore and went through naked and steaming and dripping suds.

“Mr. Berg?” James Teacher’s voice was sharp and businesslike. “You were right, Christy Marine petitioned for postponement of hearing late yesterday afternoon.”

“How long?” Nicholas snapped.

“Ninety days.”

“The bastard,” grunted Nick. “What grounds?”

“They want time to prepare their submission.”

“Block them,” Nick instructed.

“I have a meeting with the Secretary at eleven. I’m going to ask for an immediate preliminary hearing to set down and confirm the return date.”

“Get him before the arbitrators,” said Nick.

“We’ll get him.”

Samantha welcomed him back to the tub by drawing her knees up under her chin. Her hair was piled on top of her head, but damp wisps hung down her neck and on to her cheeks. She looked pink and dewy as a little girl.

Careful where you put your toes, sir, she cautioned him, and he felt the tension along his nerves easing. She had that effect on him.

“I’ll buy you lunch at Les A if you can tear yourself away from your microscope and fishy-smelling specimens for an hour or two.”

“Les Ambassadeurs? I’ve heard about it! For lunch there I’d walk across London on freshly amputated stumps.”

“That won’t be necessary, but you will have to charm a tribe of wild desert Sheikhs. I understand they are very sympathetic towards blondes.”

“Are you going to sell me into a harem – sounds fun, I’ve always fancied myself in baggy, transparent bloomers.”

“You, I’m not selling – icebergs, I am. I’ll pick you up at the front gate of the museum at one o’clock sharp.” She went with laughter and a great clatter and banging of doors and Nicholas settled at the telephone.

“I’d like to speak to Sir Richard personally, it’s Nicholas Berg.” Sir Richard was at Lloyd’s, an old and good friend.

Then he called and spoke to Charles Gras. There were no new delays or threats to Sea Witch’s completion date.

“I am sorry for any trouble you had with Alexander.”

“That’s life, Nicholas. Good luck at the hearing. I will be watching the Lloyd’s list.” Nicholas felt a sense of relief. Charles Gras had risked his career to show him Golden Dawn. it could have been serious.

Then Nick spoke for nearly half an hour to Bernard Wackie of Bach Wackie in Bermuda. Warlock had reported on the telex two hours previously; she was making good passage with her oil-rig tow, would drop off at Bravo 11on schedule and pick up her next tow as soon as she had anchored.

“David Allen is a good youngster,” Bernard told Nick.

“But have you got Levoisin for Sea Witch?”

“Jules is playing the prima donna, he has not said yes, but he’ll come.”

“You’ll have a good team, then.”

“What’s the latest date for Sea Witch?”

“End March.”

“The sooner the better, I’ve got contacts to keep both tugs running hard until the iceberg project matures. I’m having lunch with the Sheikhs today.”

“I know. There’s a lot of interest.”

“I’ve got a good feeling.

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