Once We Were (11 page)

Chapter 7

Emmett grew impatient. He chased a dead end investigation. “Excuse me.” He stopped a man in the street. “I'm looking for this man.” He pointed randomly to his portfolio. “Have you seen this man?”

“Can't help you,” the man answered. “There's enough posts around here to clean a man's arse for weeks.”

“
What about this woman? Her name is Beatrice Luckett. She would be about yeigh high, blue eyes, fiery red hair.”

“
Move along now, man. I got work to do.”

The responses never changed.

“Excuse me, but have you seen this woman?”

“
No, but look closely at this photograph,” a woman begged him. “Please tell me you've seen her. She would've been five years old today.”

“
Excuse me, sir,” Emmett stopped a grungy man. “I only require a moment of your time.”

“
You got money to pay for it?”

“
If you identify the missing person in this photo, you'll be well compensated.” Emmett held up a poster. The tramp stared at it pensively. “Ya, I know him. I know the girl on the next one too. And this one. And this one.
And
this one.”

Emmett raised an eyebrow. “Can you tell me their names?”

“This one here, her name is....Sally. That's it. And that's Smith. This one here is Smithson. And this is Mr. Ping,” he stammered. “Alright, so I ain't no expert at remembering names, but it ain't no difference? You asked if I could identify 'em.”

“
Where is his new residence? This man. Mr. Ping, you said? Where is he staying?” Emmett pointed at Ioan's photo.

“
Davey Jones locker, obviously.”

“
Right. Get out of here.”

“
My pay?”

Emmett marched away. He asked himself again and again why he was here. This was all one big stupid idea. After tea, he'd charge back to Massachusetts and never return. He strode pass the protestors outside the White Star Line American headquarters. A White Star Line employee scurried out the back door. He checked every corner.

“Excuse me, sir,” Emmett called.

“
I'm sorry. I'm late for a meeting,” the man replied.

“
My name is Emmett O'Riley. I represent my client, Mr. Darcy Luckett. I need just a moment of your time to acquire some information.”

“
I am not qualified to speak on any White Star Line business outside this office. If you wait in line, a representative will see you shortly.”

“
I'm not here for compensation. My business is with this gentleman,” Emmett held up Ioan's photo. “He was a crewman on Titanic. Do you know where I can find him?”

“
I don't know him personally. I've only seen his identification placard,” the man answered.

“
Is he still employed?”

“
I know he was recently promoted to a junior officer, but I have no information regarding his whereabouts. That is withheld for our workers' privacy.”

“
I understand. Privacy is highly valued these days. However, I desperately need to find this man for my client's sake. Has he boarded another ship since Titanic?”

“
A good many took a short leave after Titanic. I couldn't tell you where he is,” the man said. “However, I have it on good authority that some may participate in interviews at the U.S. Senate Inquiry. I'm not suppose to talk about that. Perhaps you could try there. I really must be going.” He glanced nervously at the protestors.

“
And your name sir?”

“
Henry. Nestor Henry.”

The man fled. He was agile for a heavy man. He bumped a woman outside a medicine shop. She had the prettiest eyes. It was still quite early for tea. Emmett decided one more survey looking into those eyes wouldn't hurt at all. “Excuse me, miss,” Emmett stopped her. “Could I trouble you with a question? My sister, she went missing after Titanic sank. I must find her.”

“Oh,” she sympathized. “Bless your heart.”

“
Please tell me you've seen her,” Emmett said, handing her Cora's photo.

“
No, I'm sorry, sir. I don't know who she is.”

“
Perhaps you recognize her close friend? They traveled second class together. Her name is Beatrice-”

“
Beatrice Luckett?” the woman questioned.

“
You know her?” Emmett said surprised.

“
I don't know the lady personally. I heard she died on Titanic. So tragic,” she replied. “A patient at our hospital swears up and down that she is Beatrice Luckett. We played along with her, of course, but when we realized who Beatrice Luckett really was, the idea was outrageous. That poor girl.”

Emmett's mind raced. “Forgive me, what hospital did you say?”

*
              *              *

Ioan washed down the Valerian with whiskey. He reached the door to his room. The ocean breeze numbed his toes. “Mrs. Dillsworth,” he called downstairs. “I specifically instructed these doors would remain locked.”

“
Come close them yourself,” Cora said. She stood at the balcony gazing at the vast ocean. The breeze played with her nightgown.

Ioan sat the whiskey on his bedside table and pulled the blanket off his bed. He draped it over her shoulders. “I thought you might want something warmer. I can't stand the bloody cold anymore. You should never have to feel it again.” When she didn't reply, he turned back to his room. “Goodnight then.”

“I shouldn't have said that, you know, about you going down with the ship,” she said quietly. “I didn't mean it at all. No matter how angry I was.”

“
I know.”

“
I think what I meant to say was I wish you trusted me more. You are my dearest friend. Anyone can see you don't smile like you use to, and I know you best. Something's eating you away. Won't you tell me what's happened to you?” 

“
I can't harm you, Cora. I'd protect you from anything unpleasant, especially from the dark things that go on in my head. The sun will always shine for you if I can help it.”

“
Stop assuming I'm the fragile girl you met in Massachusetts. I saw it too. I watched a ship destroy itself with you on board. I can manage. You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Tell me what's bothering you.”

“
I can't,” he said. “It's over, Cora. It's behind us. Why should it remain front and center? We have our whole lives ahead of us. Good, happy, normal lives. That's all you should think about. I want to move on.”

“
Really,” Cora studied him. “And can you handle that?”

“
Of course I can handle it. I suggested it.”

“
And you can make me a promise?”

“
Cora-”

“
Promises are meant to be kept. Don't commit to tell me you will when you won't.”

“
What do you want me to say? I gave you my word.”

“
Pinky promise me.”

“
What the bloody hell is that?”

Cora wrapped her pinky around his. “You solemnly swear this is behind us and we're moving on. No more talk of Titanic or anything related to Titanic. We will live happy, normal lives, so help you, God. And remember, you can never break a pinky promise. Ever.”

“This is ridiculous,” Ioan rolled his eyes. “Fine, have it your way. I pinky promise. Now I'm going to bed before I'm required to sign my soul to you next. Oh, right, you already have it. Don't stay out in this damn cold too long. Goodnight, miss.” He kissed her lightly and started for his room.

“
Goodnight, sir,” she smiled after him.

Ioan broke through the waves and grasped the bobbing deck chair. The lights flickered. An explosion sent the world into complete darkness. He saw the outline of the ship. He couldn't shut out the torment of those around him. The veins in his hands constricted and blood pulled away. He'd been here before. He convinced himself not to  panic and do it right this time. The indecisive lifeboat appeared again. This time he would commandeer it and save as many passengers as it could hold. The lifeboat made no effort to return. Ioan looked back at the passengers fighting for their lives. “Turn the boat!” he shouted.

“
Grab my hand. I'll pull you in,” someone offered. Ioan effortlessly climbed into the boat. He turned to thank the man, but froze. It was Officer Moody. “Don't just stand there, Saier. Pull,” Moody scolded. “What's gotten into you?”

“
They never found you, Mr. Moody,” Ioan said quietly. “I'm sorry.”

Moody stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“I've been here before. Too many times,” Ioan said.

“
There's no need to get worked up, Saier. We'll find you a doctor soon. I warned you when you stepped away from that boat. There's no going back.”

“
I never imagined this,” Ioan said, looking back at the ship. “But this time I'll make it right.” He picked up an oar.

“
What are you doing?” a crewman protested.

“
We're going back.”

“
You're barking mad! We'll be pulled right under! I say wait here until a ship arrives. It shouldn't be much longer now.”

“
No one's coming to save us! The Carpahtia is more than two hours away at full speed. Even then, we'll still be left in the dark. They won't rescue us until daybreak. Some of you don't have that long.”

“
How do you know that?”

“
I've lived it. I know how this ends. 1500 passengers, women and children alike, will die tonight if we don't get a move on. I won't let that happen again.”

“
He's mad! I say we throw him over. There ain't no room for his kind on this boat.”

“
Gentlemen, we're wasting time,” Ioan protested.

“
Help! Please send the boat back!” a woman cried. Ioan turned. Cora paddled against the waves.

“
We have to go back,” Ioan shouted.

“
She's lost,” a crewman remarked. “It's her life or ours.”

“
It will be yours if don't turn this boat,” Ioan threatened, turning back to them. He stepped back. They were all frozen in their seats. Ice clung to their clothes and hair, turning their skin white. Their eyes were pale and glossed over. All were fixed on him. He quickly recognized their faces from alleyway posters. They were all dead.

“
I can't swim,” Cora cried.

Ioan turned from the death party and reached out to her. “Just a little closer!”

“I'm so tired.”

“
Cora, don't you give up! I'm not leaving you here!” One by one, frozen bodies bobbed to the surface around her. “You stay back!” Ioan ordered. “Don't you dare lay a hand on her!”

“
It's alright, Ioan. They're here to comfort me,” Cora told him. “I never wanted to die alone.”

“
Cora, please, just take my hand.”

“
I can't. This is where I always belonged. Like you once belonged.”

“
That isn't true,” Ioan cried. “You survived. That's how it's suppose to be. I made sure you got out of here alive. Why did you leave that boat? You were safe.”

“
I wanted you to be alright. I don't know who makes the decisions of who deserves the right to live or die. I just knew you had to live. So I took your place.”

“
That doesn't make any sense,” Ioan cried. The bodies circled in closer to her. “You stay back!” Ioan shouted furiously. He stripped his coat. The boat rocked dangerously as he balanced himself on the edge.

“
Ioan, don't choose to save me again over everyone else. You can live a happy, unaffected life. No more guilt. No more nightmares,” Cora told him. “Turn the boat back toward the ship and save as many as you can.”

“
I'm not leaving you.”

“
You'll never learn,” she lamented. “You'll always fail them.”

Ioan gazed around him suddenly realizing how quiet it was. They were all dead. All 1500 of them. He was devastated. He turned back to Cora. She wasn't there. Her lifebelt floated idly on the surface. His stomach turned. “Cora!” There was no stopping him. He dived into the ocean. He would tear it apart to find her. He searched every frozen body floating by. “It's me you wanted! You wanted my life! Not hers! You can't have hers!”

Ioan woke in his room again. He didn't let himself go back to sleep. Cora would be in danger if he did. Every hour he walked by her room to confirm she slept soundly. He scouted the entire house for any unusual business. All was quiet and as it should be. Cora was unmoved by any dark entity in the house. He would make sure of it.