Now it was obvious this cold front was going to bring more than the light snow they’d experienced all day. Nick had felt uneasy since early that morning, and he knew Captain Wright had too. They’d discussed several ports where they might take cover if things turned bad, but since the snows had been light and the sailing uneventful, they had pressed on.
“We will take cover, but this is a rough area,” Wright said, still studying the map. “There’s just not a lot of choices to be had.”
“I’m sure it’s best to wait out the storm,” Nick said. “What about here?” He pointed to a place on the map. “The depth is good and there’s a hint of protection from the winds.”
“I was thinking the same. If we can reach it.” Wright looked at Nick and then back to the map. “I told you I was just as guilty of bad decisions as others. I hope and pray this isn’t one of those times.”
“There was no reason to stop before now. The snow was light, and the wind was too. This storm front is what’s bringing us trouble. We had no way of knowing. When we checked with the folks at the locks, it looked safe enough to proceed, and the Weather Bureau wasn’t concerned.”
“I trust my gut more than I do that newly formed group of scientists. What do they know about the taste of the wind or the feel of dropping pressure?” Wright asked. “You and I haveboth felt there was trouble coming. This trip has been a problem from the beginning. Anchors don’t just drop, and ropes don’t cut themselves. Someone is causing this.”
“But who? You said yourself you’d trust any of these men with your life.”
“And I do.” The captain shook his head. “If Duran were still on board, I’d think it was him.”
“And that would be a natural assumption, but he’s not here.”
The captain rubbed his bearded chin. “Or is he?”
“What are you saying?” Nick thought maybe the stress of things had gotten to be too much for the captain.
“That fire in Oswego ... it made a good diversion. Anyone could have snuck on board. It wouldn’t be my first stowaway.”
“By why would he want to be on theMary Elise?”
“Who’s to say? It could be nothing more than the law was closing in on him. I’m sure I don’t know.”
Nick considered that. “Let’s say he did stow away on the ship. Where would he likely be?”
“There are plenty of hiding places on theMary Elise. He could slip out and cause havoc, then disappear again. No one expects him to be here. No one is looking for him.”
“Then maybe we should.” Nick was beginning to see his point. Duran had promised to get his revenge. “I’ll get a couple of the boys, and we’ll start searching the ship. We’ll make a pretense of trimming the cargo and go below.”
“The way these waves are building, a pretense won’t be needed. I’m sure the load has shifted. I can feel the slight list to the port side.” Captain Wright shook his head. “I’ll let Elise know our suspicions. You let the boys know as you can withoutmaking a formal announcement. If Duran is on board, he already has the advantage. Let’s do what we can to take that from him.”
Nick nodded and pulled his thick knit cap back on his head. “Aye aye.”
He headed for the stairs, wishing he could stop and speak with Elise for a few moments. Instead, he opened the door and stepped back into the freezing snow and ice. It was clearly worse than when he’d come indoors.
He made his way to Sam, who was at the wheel with Ollie, keeping watch for him.
“Sam, I need to speak to you and Ollie.”
Elise was certain her father had come to tell her to let the stove go cold. She smiled up at him as he crossed the galley. “I’ve already stopped feeding the fire. It’s dying down.”
He nodded. “That’s good. We’re going to find a place to hole up, but that’s not why I’m here.” The waves sent the ship rocking hard to starboard. Elise stumbled, and her father caught her. “We think we have a stowaway. We think it’s Duran, given the things going on.”
Elise pulled back. Her eyes widened. “Well, that would certainly answer a lot of questions.”
“I don’t want you walking the ship unless Nick or I can be with you. Stay completely away from the rails.” He paused, as the rocking was clearly growing worse. “Better still, lock yourself in your cabin. Don’t come out unless Nick or I come for you.”
She nodded. “As soon as the stove is completely out.”
“Douse it. We can clean it up later.”
“All right.”
“Be quick about it, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have to go.”
