The Shackleton Affair (A Raymond Armstrong Novel Book 2)
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The Endurance set sail for Buenos Aires before continuing on to Antarctica. They left Plymouth four days after Britain declared war on Germany. Sir Ernest Shackleton sent a cable asking if he may continue or should the entire crew help with the war efforts. A one word reply from his cable was received from the Chief Admiral of the fleet – (Sir Winston Churchill) “Proceed”.
1915: The ship Endurance sank. All crew are trapped on Ice Floes.
1916: After two years leaving England, Ernest Shackleton with seven crew members returned to Elephant Island, saving the entire crew. All 28 men!
1959: The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 nations active in Antarctica during the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR). The Antarctic Treaty’s primary purpose is to ensure “in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord”. The Treaty entered into force on 23 June 1961 and applies to the area south of 60° South latitude.
1974: The last living member of the order of St Patrick died. Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester. While the order lay dormant many over the years since 1922 have suggested a revival including Winston Churchill. Today, the sovereign of the order is Queen Elizabeth 11. It’s highly unlikely it will ever become active in the future.
2007: Members of the New Zealand Antarctica heritage trust find Shackleton’s whisky from the discovery expedition in 1907.
2011: Three bottles were flown to Scotland.
On-going. Chippy Henry McNish never did receive the polar medal. A travesty in my mind and that of many. In 2009, the MSP for west Scotland Bill Wilson campaigned to have the decision overturned. To my knowledge it’s still not resolved.
Ironically Chippy was recognized a hero in New Zealand. When he died, the New Zealand government arranged and paid for his funeral receiving full naval honours at his funeral.
Author’s Notes
The Shackleton Affair story was initially inspired by the recent discovery of whisky from Shackleton’s Antarctica expedition in 1907. The excitement round the whisky industry at the time and consequently three bottles arriving in Scotland to be analysed was indeed fascinating to me. Sir Ernest Shackleton is a respected historic explorer all over the world with a multitude of true stories in many aspects of life.
I would like to acknowledge two books in particular that I read with keen interest. Shackleton by endurance we conquer by Michael Smith and Endurance by Alfred Lansing.
What I had not bargained for was the link I found from his brother Frank Shackleton, which took me to the most astonishing research into the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. One of the greatest mysteries of the last one hundred or so years! This is a true cold case at Scotland Yard that has been closed all of this time.
The information is sketchy, books are almost impossible to find. I managed to find one book from an on-line store in England that when arriving at my door had an original library stamp from the Kingston Frontenac library right back here in eastern Canada! Scandal & Betrayal by John Cafferky & Kevin Hannafin is the bible of the Irish crown Jewels theft. With an extensive amount of research they still list a number of possibilities and suspects in their conclusion.
While this is a work of fiction I do hope you appreciate the amount of historic fact I have included in the Shackleton Affair. True or false is for you the reader to decide?
Read on for an excerpt from
The Whisky Affair
By
Michael J Gill
PROLOGUE
Isle of Bute – Western Scotland
Gordon Reid pulled up his jacket collar against the cold spring breeze blowing in from the east – typical for this time of year. The wind direction was a clear indication that the ocean winds would drop the temperature into single digits – a reminder to all on the Island that summer was still a way off. He approached the hotel, weighted down by troubles.
Today should have been one of the best in his life. Instead, it had been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Partly to blame was the chaos following the unexpected announcement by the press, the champagne lunch for all his staff, his daughter Louisa’s presence at his side and the absence of his son, James, who was nowhere to be found. Off somewhere sulking, more than likely. Today, Gordon should have been shouting his success from the rooftops instead of feeling this sense of impending doom. His dream had been fulfilled; all his hard work had paid off. The Isle of Bute Distillery was finally going global. Their 12-year-old single malt whisky would be enjoyed around the world.
If only his son would stop being such a twit. His latest escapade could be the last straw. After the champagne lunch, Gordon had argued with James behind closed doors. How could James have accumulated such debt and put the distillery’s future in jeopardy? All Gordon had ever wanted was a family run business with his daughter and son by his side. Now, he had no choice but to meet with the sleazy solicitor from the mainland. Tonight, face to face, Gordon would give the weasel his final answer. Then he would find an alternative solution to this problem.
They had arranged to meet at Ghillies, a small wine bar, part of the hotel that overlooked the high street. He paused at the entrance to the lobby and peered in. Though they’d never met, Gordon quickly located the solicitor in the corner of the bar, seated at a table for two. He knew almost everyone on the Island, and the man’s shabby suit gave him away as not local.
He entered the bar, ordered a beer and walked over to the corner table. Gordon had checked out the firm and uncovered its dubious reputation. He refused to meet them at their offices on the mainland as they requested. The short balding man stood and thanked him for coming. He offered his hand to Gordon…
Gordon ignored the gesture.
The disgruntled solicitor from the small Glasgow law firm came to the point quickly.
From a brown file, he produced documents with an accounting of the huge debt amassed by Gordon’s son. He explained each item in detail, making sure Gordon understood. “If my client cannot persuade you to do this their way, the alternatives will cause you and your distillery even more problems,” he warned, his fleshy chin jiggling.
“The legal ratifications, the bad press… You don’t want this, Mr. Reid. Your distillery does not need this PR nightmare, especially on the tails of your success today,” he repeated. Gordon was unfamiliar with the state laws in the USA, which were now being explained to him by the seedy solicitor from Glasgow.
Gordon stopped listening to the solicitor. He was frustrated beyond belief – his thoughts were scattered with images of his son and hard to tie down. He knew now that James had been given too much responsibility in the company, too soon. Gordon gazed around the pub, while the solicitor became more agitated, his words becoming just a distant mumble to Gordon. Gordon’s gaze slid to another stranger who entered the bar. He watched while the stranger sat on the nearest bar stool to their table. The man quietly ordered a scotch on the rocks. He wore a black turtleneck under a black leather jacket, top rack denim jeans and Italian shoes – not a local for sure with those shoes… Gordon dragged his attention back to the solicitor.
“Under state law, Mr. Reid, my clients have the right to demand the full payment and in the past have successfully recouped other losses, regardless of where the debtor resided. What I’m offering is a good deal that will prevent all the fuss, bad press and personal heartache – I urge you to sign these papers.”
“Over my dead body,” Gordon finally said, standing and buttoning up his jacket. His heart pounded in his chest yet he maintained a calm appearance. “Please do not call me again.” He turned his back on the sputtering solicitor and exited the bar.
Gordon walked outside into a stronger, colder wind than when he had entered the bar thirty minutes earlier. Damn weather is so unpredictable. I should have brought a warmer jacket. As
he turned to head toward his home, a voice come out of nowhere.
“Mr. Reid, good evening.”
Gordon looked in the general direction of the voice. “Do I know you?” he asked staring into the shadows.
“You certainly do not want to know me,” said the stranger who reached out of the darkness and grabbed the lapels on Gordon’s jacket so tightly that Gordon couldn’t breathe. The man pulled Gordon into the alcove by the entrance to a large shop that closed hours earlier, leaving the small area dark and secluded. In fact, the entire high street was eerily quiet.
Gordon’s mouth went dry and his pulse started racing as he felt the menacing power of this muscular, much younger man.
“W-what do you w-want?”
The stranger came in closer, his sharp green eyes piercing Gordon. He moved a toothpick and a large mint from side to side in his mouth. Without warning, he crunched the mint, causing a cracking sound, followed by an evil smile – the smile, so sinister it put Gordon on edge.
Gordon knew, with a sinking heart, that this stranger was enjoying this encounter immensely and though Gordon wanted to put a bold face on things, he couldn’t stop shaking.
“I will give you fourteen days to sign the papers. If you don’t, I will return to your precious island and kill you. I will then go to work on your daughter.”
Gordon, appalled his daughter had been drawn in, stumbled against the wall as the stranger’s grip relaxed, Before he could plead for his daughter, the man turned and moved away without so much as a backward glance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael is the author of several novels after spending a decade writing many articles and a non-fiction book on whisky. Born in Yorkshire, England, Michael moved to North America in the eighties. Presently, he lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with his wife Debra.
Michael’s vast knowledge of the whisky industry and his love of British History, really stand out in his latest novel – The Shackleton Affair.
Visit him at:
www.michaeljgill.co.uk
Table of Contents
Books by Michael J Gill
Praise & Reviews
Acknowlegements
Part One
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Part Two
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Part 3
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Part 4
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
The Shackleton Affair Historic Timeline
Author’s Notes
The Whisky Affair
ABOUT THE AUTHOR