China Marine: Tsingtao Treasure

by Buzz Harcus

  She laughed. It was a deep, throaty laugh. "Ve are silly. If anyvun overheard us dey vould tink ve vas a little, how you say it, mit a loose screw?" She pointed her finger at her head making a small circular motion.

  "Right. Screwy. Lost our marbles," Harry added. She laughed harder. He liked the sound of her laughter; it was wholesome, honest, not forced.

  The sun sparkled off the water. Along the shoreline thick foliage grew right down to the water's edge. A light, warm breeze rippled the surface of the lake.

  "I understand the trip through the canal takes about fourteen hours," Harry said after a bit. "I've never been this way before."

  "Nor haf I." Her reply was quick. "I tink it is very interesting I - I also enjoy talking vis you."

  "Oh?" he said, pleased.

  She gave a nervous smile. "Vat I mean is dat you are nice, comfortable to talk to, uh, you make me feel at ease, dat is, good. Oh! It is hard to explain -"

  "No, don't explain. I know what you mean," he grinned. "I enjoy talking to you, too. You make me feel good." And she did, he admitted to himself.

  Of a sudden, he wished he could unload, tell her of his problem, but he couldn't; he couldn't share his problem with anyone. Besides, she had her own problems. It was best they stick to small talk. At least he had someone to talk to and that was helpful.

  "Uummm," she inhaled deeply. "Can you smell der fragrance?"

  Harry sniffed. "Yeah. It's that sexy perfume you've got on. Love it."

  "No," she giggled. "It is not my perfume. It is der vild flowers in der jungle. Dey smell like dat."

  He took a deep breath. "Are you sure? I'd swear that's the scent I caught in your cabin the other day."

  "Harry!" she exclaimed, suddenly glancing about to make sure his comment wasn't heard by others. Except for her uncle and his fussing concern for her well being, no man had entered her cabin. It was her personal domain, a place where she could escape from the pressures of her daily routine or fall exhausted across her bed to sleep, escaping the haunting, tormenting memories of Rudy - Rudy in the arms of that young slut. A memory which constantly reminded her of her own feelings of sexual inadequacy.

  "Whew! Look at the size of that ship coming along now," Harry said, interrupting her thoughts. "C'mon. Let's get over to the other side and watch it pass."

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her along after him to the other side of the ship where they stood at the railing watching. It was a huge Japanese freighter, one of the newer containerized ships carrying thousands of cars to the east coast. Help the defeated bastards and put Americans out of jobs. Harry knew full well the loss of jobs in the auto industry in Saginaw, Flint and Detroit, but it seemed our government doesn't give a damn, he thought.

  He was suddenly aware that he was still holding her hand. Reluctantly, he released it. Osa caught the movement, disappointed as her hand fell free coming to rest on the railing. Unnoticed, she moved it closer to his.

  The Japanese waved and they waved back, laughing.

  "Vell, are you two enjoying dis beautiful weather?" Captain Andress said, approaching them, a wide, paternal smile on his face. "Osa, you look absolutely lovely. I haven't see you look so radiant, such nice color in your cheeks. Dat is good. Dat is good."

  Osa blushed at the remark. Why was it, even at her age, he treated her as he did when she was a little girl. She was an adult now and, yet, just the way he spoke to her, especially now in front of Harry, why did she blush like a little girl? She looked away, angry with herself. After a moment, and composed, she turned to her uncle. "Uncle Karl, you embarrass me -"

  "Come, come, child. It is true. It must be der salt air und sunshine," he teased, winking at Harry. "You look so youthful. Here you are getting younger and younger und I, I am getting older by der minute. Tch. Tch. It is not fair, now is it, Harry?"

  "No, sir," Harry replied. "She is getting prettier." He was grinning at her embarrassment, but more so, grinning because he felt like a kid caught making time with the boss's daughter, and it was imperative to say something witty.

  "Oh, you men are all alike!" Osa said with a feigned sigh of disgust. Yet, she was pleased at Harrys comment, especially in front of her uncle.

  "It's a scorcher today," Harry said, changing the subject.

  "Yah. But ve vill be picking up der cool breezes of der Pacific Ocean in a few hours und den ve vill make good time as ve head directly for Shanghai," replied Captain Andress.

  Harry nodded. He liked the man. For being in his sixties, he was pretty sharp, alert. Today, dressed smartly in whites: white shirt with Captain's epaulettes, white shorts and even white calf-high socks and white shoes, the man seemed to tower over him. He was the epitome of the command officer.

  "Do you like our cook?" he asked almost casually of Harry as he reached out and pulled Osa close to him, hugging her to his side. "She is a good cook, yah?"

  "Excellent. I've never tasted better cooking." Harry felt somewhat embarrassed for Osa who looked quite uncomfortable trapped by her uncle's huge arm, unable to escape.

  "Uncle Karl, please," she said, struggling to break free.

  He laughed, releasing her from his grip. "Okay, okay, I am just teasing. I luf to tease her, der vay she turns beet red. Ven she vas a little girl she alvays took off her clothes und ran around naked. I vould tease her und she vould turn beet red all over her body —"

  "Uncle!" exclaimed Osa, glaring at him. "Don't tell dat!"

  Captain Andress threw his head back roaring with laughter. "Okay I am sorry." He wiped at his eyes, still chuckling, much to her discomfort. "I shut up," he said, his body still shaking with laughter. "Besides, she vas only tree or four years old." He patted her hand. "I don't tell dat story any more."

  Osa breathed a sigh of relief but dared not look at Harry. Why? She didn't know.

  "Dis voman is really remarkable, Harry. Did you know dat?"

  "How so?"

  "She is not only a good cook, but she has a brain. She vas a schoolteacher, a professor at der University of Stockholm. Yah. She has an advanced degree in home economics. Dat is vat she taught at der university."

  "Very admirable," Harry said looking at Osa. "That's a demanding area of study."

  The anger she had felt at the embarrassment caused by her uncle softened when she looked up and caught Harry looking at her. Again, sudden warmth coursed through her body.

  "But she vas restless, vanted to get avay," the captain continued. "So, I talked her into taking a sea voyage. Besides, our cook had qvit und ve needed a good cook. My men ver starving on der food der previous cook fed dem. Lots of complaints. Now, ve eat good. Und der trip has done vunders for her complexion. Don't you tink so?"

  "Yes, I do," Harry said without taking his eyes from her. "She's getting prettier all the time."

  "Ahhh, you men," Osa said stepping away from them. "I haf better tings to do dan stand here und haf you discuss me. I must prepare der food for lunch."

  "Vait!" Captain Andress said grabbing her wrist, pulling her around. "You are not der only smart vun here. Dis man, Harry Martin, he is a scholarly person, too. I haf reviewed his papers thoroughly. He holds a master's degree, an advanced degree like yours, only in public relations -"

  "Now you embarrass me," Harry quipped with a sheepish grin. But in his mind he was quickly recalling the papers he had provided. There was nothing in them to indicate he had a master's degree. Interesting. Someone did some research on him, more than likely before they even entered the St. Lawrence Seaway, and they must have approved, or he'd have gone ashore on the pilot boat.

  "Yah. A master's degree, und single," the captain added. "Dat is interesting, yah?"

  "Oh?" Osa hoped her utterance wasn't that noticeable, but saw they were looking at her. "Lunch, I just remembered. I must go. Lunch," she said and walked quickly away.

  "Save me a cup of coffee and a hot roll," Harry called after her. "I forgot all about breakfast."

  Captain Andress looked from Harry to the departing figure o
f his niece. "She is a vunderful girl, a smart vun, too. But she is still just a little girl to me."

  "A beautiful woman the way I see it," Harry countered. "She has a good personality. I enjoy talking to her." He leaned back against the railing turning his attention to the Captain. "I don't recall a copy of my resume amongst my sailing papers."

  Captain Andress winked. "Isn't it amazing vat a simple phone call can accomplish in providing information."

  "I see." Harry scratched his chin. "And -"

  "I know all about you, Harry Martin. Oh, you haf my deep condolences on der death of your young companion. Dat vas tragic." He paused for several seconds watching as a large tanker moved by. "Italian," he said motioning toward the ship. "Dey don't run a clean ship. Dirty. Everyvhere is dirt und rust. Look along the length of the ship. Rust everywhere. Bad. I sailed on vun of dere ships just vunce. No more."

  Harry watched after the departing ship waiting for the other shoe to drop. Was there something, some point the Captain wanted to get across?

  "Yah, der police officer who responded to my inquiry knows you real well. He is a sergeant," Harry nodded. It was Frank. "Und he spoke very highly of you, even made it a point to tell me of all your good qualities. He also pointed out dat you are not a suspect in der girl's murder. He said dey are still vorking on the case."

  Harry nodded again. "That's good to hear. Good to see the investigation is continuing." One day, when his journey was completed, he'd have to sit down with Frank and tell him about the Chink, that the murderer was dead. Yet, the journey was far from ended; Stan was still on the loose and there were thousands of miles yet to cover.

  "I vas impressed by your education and qualifications. I found myself vundering vy such an educated person vould vant to sail on a lowly grain carrier?"

  "To get away," Harry replied. "I had met Peter in the bar that night when the young sailor was injured and before Sandy was murdered. I got to talking with him about shipping out again, kind of toyed with the idea of sailing on your ship seeing as you were one hand shy. I'm a carpenter and right now the building trades business is at rock bottom. I figured I could ship out with you for six months. I'd be earning money and then when I got back, maybe the construction business might have picked up and I'd go back to my regular job."

  "Yah, I see," Captain Andress nodded. "And der girl?"

  "When she was murdered I freaked out. I knew if I stayed in Saginaw it meant seeing all our old friends and acquaintances, going to the same haunts, same bars, places where we had been before and had so much fun, and now -" He paused, gulping, trying to force down a huge lump in his throat. "I'd be wondering all the time why I hadn't got to her quick enough to save her life. It's terrible seeing the one you love like that."

  "I understand," Captain Andress said, patting Harry paternally on his shoulder. "I understand."

  "All these thoughts preyed on my mind. I had to get away, keep myself busy as hell in order not to think back -" He stopped, turned away blinking back tears. They watched in silence as another ship passed.

  "How long did you say you haf been divorced?" the Captain broached after several minutes.

  "About five years. Why?" Harry felt a sudden irritation at the question, an intrusion into his privacy. His divorce was none of the Captains business. One more question and he'd tell him his personal life was none of his damned business.

  "Just curious." He brushed an imaginary speck of dirt off one epaulette. Leaning on the railing he looked forward past Harry.

  "Yah," he sighed, "I tink dis trip vill be good for you, und Osa, too. I tink so."

  Harry let the remark slide by, turning to look forward as another ship hove into view.

  "Vell, I must get back to der job of running dis ship," the Captain said, straightening up. "Second Officer Helmstrund is good but he needs a bit of supervision yet. Vun of dese days he vill be a darn good officer, probably a captain of vun of our vessels." As he started away, he paused, and then looked askance at Harry. "Der section of der ship Osa is in is still off limits. She is a nice girl. I vant to keep her dat vay. Understood?"

  Harry felt a flush of anger. He knew he'd been in her cabin. There was no sense in trying to explain at this late date. "Understood," he replied stoically.

  "You haf permission to explore all der rest of der ship, but not dere." Then he was gone.

  Harry slapped his hands hard on the railing. If that old coot thinks I've got any romantic notions about his niece, he's got another think coming. I don't need that kind of involvement!

  Chapter 35

  A FRIENDLY PASS; A SHARP REBUKE

  The Nurad continued its journey around the Gamboa Reach, through the Gaillard Cut, and on along the Empire Reach. Like many of the other crew not on duty, Harry spent the entire morning since coming off duty on deck enjoying the never-ending panorama unfolding before him. Reluctantly, he had forced himself into the galley for an early lunch before reporting for duty on the noon watch.

  It was business as usual. Captain Andress was on the bridge observing his first officer and pilot as they brought the ship smoothly along the passageway. Harry stood alert, quickly responding to commands. At times he had an uncomfortable feeling that Captain Andress was staring at him. No, I'm not gonna seduce your little niece, for chrissakes, he mused. I've got enough problems without getting involved with her. And then his watch was over.

  Before long they were approaching the Pedro Miguel Locks, only a short distance from the Pacific Ocean. While the ship prepared to lock through, Harry unconsciously looked about him. It occurred to him that he hadn't seen Osa since early lunch, and then only for a cheerful wave and silent "Hi!" Poor girl, the Captain had embarrassed both of them. She probably had better things to do than stand on deck and watch the passing scene. He shrugged. Nice lady, just not my type.

  Osa stepped on deck as the ship began its final descent through the Miraflores Locks, the final 85 feet to the level of the Pacific Ocean. She moved to the railing, breathtaking in a flowery sundress that clung to her lithe body, enhancing her womanly charms.

  Harry glanced at his watch. Just under fourteen hours for the passage. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of her. He was

  tempted to call out but hesitated. Perhaps, after the teasing she had received from her uncle that morning, she preferred to be alone. Pretending he hadn't seen her come on deck, he moved to a spot away from her on the other side of a lifeboat davit.

  Osa saw him walk away. She stood disappointed. Maybe he preferred not to talk to her because her uncle had subjected them to his boorish teasing. She gave an exasperated sigh. Should she return to her cabin? No. She had purposely bathed, perfumed and put on this dress especially for him. It was a new summery cocktail dress she had bought in Stockholm to celebrate her last birthday, only it got lost in the explosion of nasty events surrounding Rudy's death. It had hung in her closet for months. She had wondered at the time she was packing for the voyage why she brought it; now she knew.

  Taking a deep breath, she strode down the deck and around the boat davit coming to a halt at the railing next to him, her hand resting a scant few inches away from his.

  "Hi," she said, her voice soft and friendly.

  "Hi," he replied, turning, taking in her beauty, the way the dress accentuated her charms. There was an intriguing sensuousness in the warmth of her smile, the look in her eyes. A slight breeze fanned her blonde hair curling it around her soft bare shoulders. He caught a whiff of perfume as the breeze wafted the heady fragrance to his nostrils. It was a light, delicate fragrance, very expensive. Sandy loved to indulge in a sensual application of perfume, even on the most intimate parts of her body. Did Osa apply perfume just as indulgently?

  "You look beautiful this evening," he said.

  "Dis?" She seemed flattered he noticed. "Just an old dress I brought along. Vun seldom has a chance to get dressed up on board a ship"

  "True, but very nice."

  She smiled. Inwardly, she was pleased he notice
d. Why was it she felt so comfortable around him? And single. Why would a man his age be single? She'd have to talk to Uncle Karl for he seemed to know quite a bit about Harry Martin, and she wanted to know more about this man, too.

  Nurad had finished locking through and their attention was, now, drawn to a bright red and black pilot boat pulling along side. Just as quickly their nimble-footed pilot descended a ladder and dropped lightly onto the deck. The boat pulled away chugging back for shore as Nurad faced into a brilliant orange sun settling slowly into the darkness of the Pacific Ocean.

  "It vas a beautiful trip," Osa said breaking the prolonged silence "I enjoyed it."

  "Same here," Harry replied. "Sharing it with you made it even more pleasant."

  A wistful smile came to her face. "Tank you. I enjoyed having der opportunity of talking to you, up to der point my uncle interrupted."

  He laughed. "I know."

  "Speaking of interruptions," he said, looking beyond her. She turned; the galley boy stood sheepishly, his hat in his hand. "Der galley is filling up."

  "Oh, my goodness!" she exclaimed with a quick glance at her watch. "I didn't realize vat time it vas. I am late. I must go." She squeezed Harry's hand. "I see you later?"

  "Just like Cinderella," he grinned, "life controlled by the clock." She gave an exasperated look, laughed, then hurried off. Harry watched after her, at the shapely movement of her buttocks under the clinging cocktail dress. The boy cut off his view moving in behind her following quickly in her footsteps.

  I can't figure out what it was with her husband chasing some young stuff when he had a hot looking woman like her at home, Harry thought. He must have had rocks in his head.

  Dinner was over before he realized it. In spite of the food-spotted apron she wore, Osa seemed to glow as she served food to the crew. As he had moved through the line Harry tried not to make eye contact for certain thoughts had begun creeping into his mind, lustful thoughts that would grow and demand fulfillment.

  Back in the solitude of his cabin, he forced himself to concentrate totally on his China mission. Now that they had entered the Pacific Ocean, time was of the essence. There was much to be done. Yet, his mind kept wandering back to Osa, her warm smile, lilting throaty laugh, enticing perfume, full breasts and -