by Buzz Harcus
I'm turning into a damned voyeur, Harry thought watching a moment longer. Then, quietly, he closed the door. As he turned, he accidentally tripped over a sewing basket spilling the contents. He recalled Janie said she loved to knit in her spare time. A half-finished sweater had tumbled out. Quickly he scooped the sweater and ball of yarn, needles and other material back into the basket. A roll of Velcro landed on top of the heap. On an impulse, He stuffed the Velcro into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and left three singles in the basket.
Then, silently, he let himself out of the apartment.
Chapter 25
TYING UP LOOSE ENDS
Driving east on Shattuck Road, Harry turned on the radio. The newscaster was reporting late breaking news. "Closer to home, two Saginaw police officers are recovering in St. Mary's Hospital after they were gunned down when they responded to a neighborhood complaint call. Two heavily armed men seated in a car opened fire on the police as they approached. Both officers were seriously wounded but were able to return fire. A police spokesman said they emptied their weapons at the fleeing car. Road blocks are being continued in and around the city of Saginaw as police continue looking for the bullet-riddled car."
Harry shook his head. They were still on the loose. Damn!
"Saginaw also recorded its tenth murder last night," the announcer droned on. "A young divorcee who's name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin, was brutally murdered in her west side apartment about three o'clock this morning. Police would say only that she had been strangled, although a shootout occurred in her apartment when a male companion momentarily trapped the suspected killer in her apartment. Police report the suspect was wounded in the exchange of gunfire, leaving a trail of blood into the parking lot where an accomplice picked him up and they both escaped in a bullet-riddled car. Police investigating the incident believe the two men are the same two men involved in the earlier shooting with police officers. Police described the two suspects as armed and dangerous. One is a white male, middle-aged, with a salt and pepper beard. The other is a younger Oriental male. Anyone seeing these two persons or a car with numerous bullet holes in it should contact the Saginaw police."
Harry reached down to shut off the radio but decided, instead, to see if there was any brighter news that might cheer him up on an already depressing day.
"In farm news," the announcer continued, "the first shipment of grain under the new 'preferred nation status' is destined for Communist China. The Swedish grain carrier, Otto J. Nurad, out of Stockholm, will leave the port of Saginaw later today, one day ahead of schedule, with a full load of grain for the starving folks in China. The ship will be escorted by the icebreaker, Mackinaw, into Lake Huron for the trip that will take it down the Detroit River and across Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, where it will enter the St. Lawrence Seaway. From there, the ship will pass through the Panama Canal and on to China.
"Authorities say the extended shipping season on the Great Lakes was caused by a mild fall, unusually higher temperatures, and rain through January up until about a week ago. They say Nurad will most likely be the last ship out of Saginaw, and one of the last through the Welland Canal, and the seaway, before the shipping season ends."
Harry snapped off the radio.
Wheeling into a florist shop, he ordered a large spray of flowers and penned a note, "All my love, always, Harry." He told the florist to contact the police department and ask for Sergeant Frank Cavitch. He would know what funeral home Sandy's body would be sent to. "Make sure the flowers are placed by the head of the casket," he added, as he jotted Sandy's name on the envelope. He wrote a check for the spray, then left.
Within minutes he was northbound on Seaway Drive headed for the Wickstrom grain terminal. As he rounded a curve he could see the large, massive grain elevators standing tall against the lead- gray sky. Beyond the elevators sat the ship.
Otto J. Nurad was a gigantic grain carrier. Its long black hull was topped by a white and tan painted superstructure with red trim. The closer Harry drove, the more massive the ship appeared. It was the largest ship he'd ever seen. White steam billowed into the sky from its single stack.
Pulling onto the Wickstrom elevator property, Harry drove along a road angling back toward the elevators located close by the river. He stopped when he found the office, a small building hidden in the shadow of one huge elevator.
Stepping inside, he was met by a vivacious, bosomy redhead who stepped to the counter with a friendly smile lighting up her face.
"Hi," she said in a warm voice. "What can I do for you this morning?" She leaned forward rising up slightly allowing her ample breasts to rest on the glass-topped counter.
Lucky counter, Harry thought at that moment. He also decided not to give her one of his normal, nasty comebacks on what she could do for him this morning "I'm signed on board the grain carrier, there," - he pointed in the direction of the ship - "and I just got word we're supposed to sail today -
"Sorry. I don't know anything about the ship's sailing schedule," she interjected apologetically.
"No." Harry cut in. "I'm interested in where I can leave my car for a couple of days. My son will be down to pick it up."
"Oh, that's no problem," she replied. "Park it around in back over by the far end of the terminal. A lot of guys leave their cars there if they're going to be gone for just a few days or a week. No problem, no charge —"
"Thanks. Much obliged," Harry grinned. "Uh, say, could I use your phone to make a local call? Call my son to let him know where to pick up my car."
"Oh, sure," she replied reaching over and sliding a phone toward him. Harry picked up the phone and dialed Jeff's number. The phone rang several times. He noticed the clerk still watched him, standing to one side offering an excellent profile of her trim young body. He winked. Flustered, she turned and walked back to her desk. Harry caught the swing of her trim buttocks. Nice. Still no answer so he let it continue ringing. She was looking again. He smiled. She smiled. He winked again. She looked away and started typing on an invoice. Damn but she's a cute trick, he thought.
After a couple of minutes, he hung up. "No answer," he said looking in her direction, and loud enough for her to hear. "He must have left his office for a few minutes."
She stopped typing. "Leave the number and I'll give him a call for you." She smiled, crossed to the counter, and again rose up allowing her bosom to rest on the glass top. She pushed a piece of paper and pen toward Harry. "Jot down his name and number," she said in a throaty voice "I'll call him for you, no charge."
Harry grinned as he took the pen and quickly jotted Jeff's name and number on the paper along with the make of his car. He glanced up at her. She was watching him intently. He was half tempted to jot down one of his smart comments but decided against it; she was too much like Sandy. He shoved the note back across the counter to her.
She read the note and nodded. "No problem. I'll call him. Is he as good-looking as you?"
"Spitting image," Harry quipped back. "Only twenty-five years younger-"
"Oh?" Her eyebrows rose at the remark. "I'll make sure I tend to this personally."
"And married," Harry added.
"Damn." She thrust out her lower lip in a pouty gesture. "Just my luck."
"Thanks, anyway, uh, Miss -"
"Jean," she replied, "and still single."
Harry laughed. "I'm sorry, Jean. Only one son, but I do appreciate your help. Just tell Jeff where the car is parked. He's got a spare key."
"No trouble," she replied, smiling. "I'll keep an eye on it for you. You have a good trip."
"Okay." Sandy was sassy like that he thought. Tears blurred his vision. Turning abruptly, he hurried from the office. In the car, he took a deep breath, and then drove around in back parking it next to a huge snow bank.
He unloaded his seabag and suitcase, locked the door, and pocketed the keys. This done, he lifted the seabag up on his shoulder, picked up his suitcase and headed for the ship.
Chapter 26
>
THE OTTO J. NURAD
Otto J. Nurad was overpowering, longer than a football field and almost as wide, Harry estimated. The closer he got to the ship, the more impressive was its massiveness. It seemed to be an unending wall of steel plate, larger by far than any ship he'd ever sailed on before. He stopped at the bottom of the gangway realizing that when he walked up the steps there was no turning back; he was committed to go forward, regardless of the outcome.
Before going aboard, he looked back across the Saginaw skyline. There was a tug at his heartstrings. He knew he should stay for Sandy's funeral, for the kids, and for his friends. But more than anything, he knew he had to get away. He had to occupy his mind with work, anything to keep his mind from dwelling on Sandy's death. He had to go. It would be a short time, three or four months, six months at the most. There was more — the adventure of returning to China, the thought of finding hidden millions.
Turning, he headed up the gangway. Stepping on deck, he looked forward, and then aft. There was no one in sight. He noticed the decks were relatively clear of snow and ice. He also saw that the ships hatches were already in place and sealed for the voyage. The ship was obviously ready to sail. Setting his seabag and his suitcase down, he glanced about again. There had to be someone on deck somewhere.
At that instant, a sailor stepped on deck from one of the hatchways. "May I help you?" he asked with a thick Swedish accent.
"I hope so," Harry replied cheerily. "I'm here to see your First Officer, Peter Selham."
"Yah, I vill get him," the sailor replied. "Please vait here." He
disappeared back through the hatchway leaving Harry standing on deck. He could feel the chill of the cold steel deck through the bottoms of his boots. After several drawn minutes, he began shivering. This is a hell of a way to greet your new helmsman, he thought.
"Hello, Harry Martin. Velcome aboard." Turning, Harry saw a grinning Peter Selham stepping through the hatchway. He grabbed Harry's hand shaking it vigorously. "Tank you for coming so soon. It is short notice but ve are getting set to sail. Come, Captain Andress vill see us now." Turning to the sailor who had accompanied him on deck, he ordered, "Take his gear to my cabin."
The husky sailor effortlessly grabbed up the seabag and suitcase and disappeared through the hatchway. Peter led Harry along the deck. "Vatch out. Der decks are slippery in spots," he cautioned, skirting a patch of ice, as he led Harry forward, then up a ladder towards the bridge.
Inside, the cabin was warm and comfortable. An array of dials, lights and other sophisticated electronic gadgetry filled the center control panel. Although he recognized most, Harry admitted to himself there had been some significant changes in the few years since he'd last been to sea.
Forward of the control panel in front of the huge windows facing the bow stood a tall, powerfully built man sharply attired in a black uniform with gold braid. He sported a neatly trimmed mustache and beard. At the moment, he was involved in a heated exchange with a smaller, scowling man in grease-stained clothing.
Harry gathered from the animated exchange that the Captain was winning the battle of words. He and Peter stood to one side. Peter appeared somewhat embarrassed at the topic of discussion and, as Harry listened, he realized it involved him.
"I don't care, Ernst! You could haf sailed on dis ship since it rolled down der vays in 1957. You could be der most senior man on board, but you are a machinist's mate und I vill not promote you to der position of helmsman simply because you vant it. I make der decisions on dis ship as to who vill vork on der bridge. Dat is final! I vill discuss it no ferder! Now go below, ve sail shortly."
"Aye, sir!" Ernst growled, snapping off a brisk salute, the scowl etched on his face. He turned seeing Peter and Harry, and glared at both as he stalked out of the wheelhouse.
"Peter," the Captain said turning his attention to them, a broad smile quickly replacing the frown. "Und who is vis you?"
"Sir. I haf der new man, Harry Martin," Peter said gesturing toward Harry.
"Ah, yes, der American -" The Captain approached, extending a large, beefy hand that enclosed Harry's within it. "I'm Karl Andress, Captain of der Otto J. Nurad." Harry felt the man's strength through his firm, but gentle, grasp.
Beneath shaggy eyebrows, Captain Andress' steel-blue eyes searched Harrys face. Andress knew himself to be a good judge of character. Character showed in a man's eyes, in his handshake and in his appearance. What he saw and felt pleased him. The American seemed all right.
"I'm pleased to meet you, sir," Harry replied knowing he was being sized up at the moment. The handshake was firm. He hated limp, wimpy handshakes. He recalled his dad always telling him a solid handshake was more sincere, more telling of a man. Harry was impressed by the Captain's size, towering at least six foot six, and probably topping two hundred and fifty pounds. He seemed sincere; one who left no doubt as to who was in command, regardless of the situation. Harry liked him immediately.
"Peter told me how helpful you ver in getting him to our shipmate, Alex," Captain Andress said. "Dat vas too bad about Alex. But den, dese kinds of tings happen. You haf no control over such situations. Ve truly appreciate your help. It is not often today dat vun meets a helpful stranger in a strange land. Tank you so very much."
"It was the least I could do," Harry replied. He knew the captain was making a decision on whether to hire him. "I'm sure you would have done the same for me if I had been in your country, and in a similar situation"
"Yah. You might say it vas fate dat brought you und Peter together," Captain Andress added with a breaking smile. "Peter informs me dat you haf sailed on merchant ships before as a helmsman. Your papers are in order? Is dat correct?"
"Yah, yes, yessir. I do have all my papers in order and up to date." He fumbled inside his jacket pocket, somewhat surprised at his sudden nervousness, and then extracted a packet of papers which he passed quickly to the Captain.
Captain Andress sifted through the papers. "Passport, union papers, quarantine requirements, good, good, all seems in order. Excellent." He handed the papers to Peter. "Check dem more thoroughly," he said turning back to Harry, who wondered why he felt so nervous all of a sudden. Just as suddenly, he shrugged it off. He was always nervous for job interviews.
"Peter tells me you served in China before. Ven?"
"Back about thirty years ago. I served with the United States Marine Corps in Tsingtao for a couple, three years. We had to evacuate in 1949 when the Communists overran the Nationalist forces and took over the Shantung peninsula and, of course, all of China."
"Yah," Captain Andress acknowledged with a knowing grin "I vas in Shanghai at der time China fell. I barely got my ship out of der harbor. Dey vas shooting at us as ve sailed out der river into der China Sea." He laughed heartily. "I vas really scared. It vas my first command. Dat vould haf been terrible to lose a ship on der first voyage." He stopped, a distant look in his eyes as he remembered that moment in history, then gave a deep sigh. "But enough, ve vill haf time to talk und spin tales about der good old days later. Right now, Peter vill check out your papers. If all is vell, you vill sail vis us. Okay?"
"Okay," Harry replied.
Peter, who had been sifting through the papers while the two talked, shuffled them back into a semblance of order, saying, "All papers are in order, sir," he said; "I'll sign him on."
"Good." Captain Andress beamed. "Velcome aboard Harry Martin. It vill be nice vorking vis you."
"Thank you, sir. It's good to be on board ship again." They shook hands all around. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He was underway.
"Peter. I vant Harry to vork vis you taking on Alex's duties. He vill bunk vis you. Ven you haf time, show him der ship und introduce him to der crew." With that, Captain Andress turned away from them, back to the task of getting the ship ready to depart. He seemed intent on what was happening on dockside as a long contingent of cars arrived stopping at the gangway.
"Oh, Mr. Martin," the captain asked, not turning his atten
tion from the delegation of people alighting from the cars. "How old are you?
"Just turned fifty-three, sir," Harry replied with a questioning look in Peter's direction. Peter shrugged with an "I don't know why the question" look.
"Good. Are you married?"
"No sir," Harry replied.
"A vidower?"
"No sir. Divorced." Why the sudden inquisition, he wondered.
"Oh, sorry. How long haf you been divorced?"
"Several years." The old goat is blunt and to the point, Harry thought. The captain's back was still toward them. Harry glanced over at Peter again. Peter shrugged, not understanding the line of questioning either.
"We raised two kids, but found out we weren't compatible anymore, so we got divorced."
"Sorry. I did not mean to pry," Captain Andress said turning back to face Harry.
The hell you didn't, Harry mused.
"But you are not attached at dis time?" he continued the line of questioning.
"No sir. I'm older, free, virile and full of piss and vinegar!"
Captain Andress chuckled at the remark. Peter, too, wore a big grin. "Ahhh, you haf a good sense of humor, too, Harry. Good. I like dat." He turned to Peter. "Get Harry settled on board now, please. Ve haf much to do."
"Come," Peter said ushering Harry from the bridge leading him below deck to the ship's galley where they took a moment to enjoy a steaming cup of coffee.
Harry looked around the galley. It was neat and clean. The bulkheads were white with yellow trim. The aroma of food being prepared wafted throughout the galley. It smelled good and he was hungry. If the food was as good as the coffee, there'd be no complaints from him.
"Vell, Harry,' said Peter, "as Captain Andress said, velcome aboard." He reached across the narrow table and shook Harry's hand again. "Let me tell you a bit about our ship. Der Otto J Nurad is a grain carrier of Svedish registry, out of Stockholm, Sveden. Der ship is 730 feet long mit a beam of 75 feet. Ve are propelled by Kockmust- DeLaval steam turbine engines und twin screws. Ve are carrying vun million, five hundred tousand cubic feet of grain to China. Ve haf a crew of tventy-nine including you, und vun cook. It is a vell- disciplined crew. If dere are any disputes or misunderstandings, you see me first. If I can't handle it; I see der captain. Usually, however, most misunderstandings are settled qvickly between myself und der disagreeing parties. Ve are a good crew, a hard vorking crew, und ve do haf disagreements on occasion, but rarely. Ve also haf a good sense of humor, as you vill soon learn."
