Part 22 (2/2)

Like a fool, I stood there just staring at the watch face, trying to work out how I could have slept for over twenty-four hours.

I'd been drugged.

That explained why my bowels had been at the bursting point, and why Captain Pierce had avoided my gaze. No doubt Harlan wanted to insure there was no way I could thwart his desire for the ultimate felo-de-se.

A bitter, sulphurous anger shot through me, coupled with a profound sense of helplessness. I grabbed my clothes and pulled them on, all the while trying to formulate what to do next.

Stepping into my shoes, I went to the dresser for my belt and keys.

It was there I spotted the note written on the cream-colored R.M.S. ”t.i.tanic” stationery, lying atop my accessories: It's time to leave. Meet me on the Boat-Deck. Love, Maddy.

I folded the note and stuffed it into my trouser pocket. I was happy beyond measure that she was waiting for me, though I was also puzzled she'd gone on ahead. I took one last look around my suite, my eyes coming to rest on the framed black-and-white photograph of Arthur and Emily Ryerson. I bid them a silent farewell and left.

The hallway was completely deserted and for some reason, the lifts were not operating. When I entered the foyer for the Grand Staircase, I also found it devoid of people. Where the h.e.l.l was everyone?

I emerged onto the Boat Deck and immediately spotted two crewmen, Charley and the one he'd called Collins, busily preparing Lifeboat Nine. Maddy stood off to the side. And she was not alone.

With her, leaning on Henry for support, was Harlan, still dressed in his red silk dressing gown, his once l.u.s.trous hair in disarray. I walked up to them, noting their grave expressions.

”What's going on, here, Maddy?” I asked.

”Time for you to go, kiddo,” Harlan answered.

”I wasn't talking to you.”

Maddy moved toward me, carrying my laptop inside its shoulder case.

She handed it to me and I saw she was crying. The cold terror I felt gripping my heart had nothing to do with the chill breeze now blowing across the deck, making the steel guy wires supporting the funnels sing with a mournful moaning sound.

All else was silence.

I grabbed her by the shoulders, trying desperately not to lose control. I knew if I did, I stood no chance of changing her mind.

”Why, Maddy? I thought we'd agreed to do this together.”

She broke down then and clutched me fiercely, each one of her sobs a knife through my heart. Looking over her shoulder, I glared at Henry and Harlan. Suddenly, the s.h.i.+p's tri-tone whistle's blew. Three long, three short, and three long again. S.O.S.

Before I could wonder about the significance of this, my silent question was answered when I saw throngs of pa.s.sengers emerging from every egress point. As with Mrs. Bates' funeral, they did not speak, moving with solemn grace. The took up positions all around us, staring mutely. I couldn't help thinking this was indeed another funeral.

But who's was it? Mine...or theirs?

No longer able to remain silent, I shouted over the wind. ”Tell her it's okay to leave, Harlan! Tell them all it's okay.”

Harlan shook his head.

”I'm sorry, Trev, but we've come too far to turn back, now. This is the only way left for us.”

I looked down at Maddy. ”Is this what you really want?”

”No,” she said, shaking her head, her voice cracking. ”It isn't. But last night, after you fell asleep, Henry came in and we talked. He told me they'd drugged your champagne, that you might try something desperate, and they couldn't allow that.”

”What about what we planned, what about our future?”

Her lips trembled. ”We have no future, Trevor, we never did. I guess I let myself get swept up in your optimism, and I'll always love you for giving me that one last burst of hope. But the truth is I'm dying, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.”

I started to protest and she put a finger to my lips. It felt burning hot against my skin, as if she were consuming the last of herself at that very moment.

”No, please listen. Hear me out. I love you with all my heart, Trevor. Aside from Matt and little Rudy, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. But I can't go back.... I can't look into my little boy's eyes again and see that hope in his eyes, too, knowing it's all a lie. If I do, I'll be lost forever.”

”So, that's it? You're just going to give up the fight?”

She gazed into my eyes then, her own filled with such inexpressible despair. ”I've already lost it, Trevor, the battle's over.” She pressed the laptop into my hands and backed away. ”Tell our story.”

”No, Maddy, no!” I screamed, advancing on her. Charley and the other crewman materialized from out of the crowd and grabbed me by each arm.

I struggled, like a fish on a hook, screaming her name. Crying hysterically, she ran into the crowd, which parted to let her in, then closed around her.

”MADDY!”

”Come on, mate, let's not make this any harder,” Charley said, his voice tinged with sympathy.

I shot him a smoldering glance and allowed them to move me toward the Number Nine lifeboat, which had been lowered on the davit. I could now clearly see the supplies, and noted there were at least ten days of food and water. So, she had been planning to go, until....

I stopped abreast of Harlan, my eyes filled with hate. ”I'll never forgive you for this,” I said.

”That's okay, Trev,” he said, nodding sadly. ”I just hope you'll be able to forgive yourself.”

I wanted to leap on him right then, tear his black heart out, but Charley, sensing I might again try something, tightened his grip. ”Let's go,” he said pus.h.i.+ng me toward the boat.

Resigned to my fate, I let them help me into the lifeboat, and then Charley handed me the satellite phone.

”Remember your promise,” he said, drilling me with his dark brown eyes.

”Go to h.e.l.l,” I said.

He nodded, a wistful smile creasing his weathered face. ”More than likely, mate, more than likely.” He turned to the two crewmen manning the davits and shouted: ”Lower away!”

They began turning the cranks as fast as they could. The gears creaked and groaned while I descended to the water over fifty feet below. As predicted, the night was calm, the sea like a sheet of obsidian. Tucked in with the food and water, I found several blankets, and I unfolded one, wrapping it around me.

When the boat hit the water, I had no choice but to undo the falls, casting me adrift. The s.h.i.+p's engines started up again, and from where I sat they sounded like the angry rumblings of some ancient sea G.o.d.

Slowly, inexorably, the t.i.tanic moved forward, the silence of the night split by the sound of the s.h.i.+p's tri-tone whistle blowing a long blast in salute.

I looked down at my hands, which still clutched the satellite phone with white-knuckled intensity. My finger hovered over the power b.u.t.ton, and I debated whether or not to make the call then and there, promise be d.a.m.ned. But I knew I wouldn't. Not because I agreed with what they were doing, but because I had given my word. I found myself recalling Harlan's words with bitter irony: It's the only thing I have left.

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