“You’re in good shape. Start getting these men off the ship. Fast as you can.” Jim leaned inside. “Everyone out. Come on!”
One by one, the men climbed out. Mack assisted his brother, who was bleeding badly from the head. “That’s the last of ’em, sir. Except Udell.”
“Stay with your brother.” Jim motioned him to the cargo net. “Thanks for your help.”
“Udell’s in bad shape, sir.” Mack looped his arm around Hank’s waist. “Doesn’t want to leave.”
Jim groaned and glanced at Hadley. “Coming with me?”
“In for a penny, in for a pound, my mama always said.”
“Let’s hope we’re not in for a pounding.” Jim climbed through the door, fighting to keep his balance on the tilted deck.
“Mr. Avery?” Udell’s voice came out strained in the darkness. “What are you doing? Get out of here.”
“Not without you.” He yanked his flashlight from his pocket and aimed it at the voice.
Udell shielded his eyes from the beam. “I ain’t going. Look at my feet. Just look.”
With his stomach in his throat, Jim angled the beam down, to the twisted, bloody remains of Homer Udell’s feet. “Oh no.”
“I ain’t never walking again. I’m a sailor. My life is over.”
Light-headed, dry mouthed, Jim couldn’t stop staring. Just like Lillian. Only this wasn’t Jim’s fault. And didn’t Lillian’s life disprove Udell’s statement?
Jim licked his lips. “Don’t talk like that. We’ll get you help.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Udell’s voice climbed and broke.
“I don’t know,” Hadley said, “but can we figure it out on the other ship?”
“Great idea.” Jim slipped his flashlight into his pocket. “You’re coming with us. Durant ordered everyone to abandon ship, and that includes you and me and Mr. Hadley.”
“Yeah.” Hadley climbed out the door, then reached in and beckoned. “Mr. Avery and I are already in trouble. Don’t make it worse for us.”
Jim squeezed beside Udell and shoved his shoulder and hip. “Come on. Your hands still work. Scoot to the door.”
“If you weren’t officers, I’d cuss you out.”
“Go ahead.” Hadley pulled the petty officer’s arm. “I’ll return the favor, you stubborn old sea salt.”
When Jim grabbed the man around the knees to lift him through the door, Udell rewarded him with a couple dozen of the Navy’s best swear words.
The ship shifted to starboard, at least thirty degrees. Jim sucked in a breath, half icy, half fiery. They had to get off the ship fast so they wouldn’t get pulled under when it sank.
“Come on. Let’s go.” Jim anchored his hand under one shoulder.
Hadley grabbed the other, and they dragged Udell up to the edge of the gun platform and swung his legs over the side.
Jim slid down to the deck. Hadley lowered Udell, and Jim braced the wounded man’s fall.
Then Jim and Hadley took Udell under the arms again and made their way up the inclined deck. Jim ignored the petty officer’s moans and cries. If he had to hurt the man to save his life, so be it.
Breathing hard, coughing from the smoke, Jim grasped one of the poles that held the lifelines and heaved himself forward, muscles screaming.
No cargo net on this section of the hull, but with the destroyer at such an angle, they could just slide into the water.
Water covered with burning fuel oil.
