Tom soon joined them, practically climbing over her. She couldn’t just lie here. She struggled to her hands and knees, but before she could go far, Nick had her in his arms. He kissed her frozen face and held her close for a few heartbeats.
He pulled her to her feet and led her to a grouping of rocks. “Stay here.”
She nodded and tried to tuck herself into the rocks to block the wind. She was alive. She hadn’t fallen to her death or drowned in the deep. She was alive. Now, if only the others could get to safety. She dropped to her knees and began to pray in earnest.
Bill Wright felt Booker Duran’s presence before he saw him. “The ship’s sinking, Duran. Best to take the rope and get to land like the others.”
“Not until I take care of business. I’ve already lit this load on fire, and theMary Elisewill soon be no more.”
“You lit the ship on fire? Are you mad? Don’t you realize the danger to yourself as well as the others?”
“I don’t care. My life is already forfeit. It’s only a matter of time until the authorities catch up with me. One more death isn’t going to make my punishment any worse, but it will satisfy a hankering in me.”
“So you did murder that man in Duluth?”
“That man and one in Buffalo, another in New York City. Two of your crew, although I did try for more. There’s so many I’ve lost count.” He laughed against the wind. “And now I’m gonna kill you.”
He lunged for Bill, but the captain merely stepped aside. Duran went crashing against the rail. He stood and slipped on the icy deck just as flames from below broke through the hatch.
“Where’s your pretty daughter? I have plans for her.” Duran regained his footing and charged again.
Bill took hold of Duran’s coat at the shoulders and tossed him aside like a sack of grain. The bigger man gave a yell that was quickly swallowed up in the wind.
The two men fought unseen by the others. Bill didn’t want to kill the other man, but Duran was bent on this fight being to the death, and Bill would oblige. His anger at the way Duran had endangered them over and over fed his rage. Duran would see them all dead, and Bill knew he was the only one who could resolve the situation.
The flames were growing against the ice and snow. The waves crashing against the ship didn’t seem to have any effect on the blaze. They were taking on water, so surely that would help stifle the fire. But Bill didn’t think on the matter long, as Duran came charging at him once again.
This time Duran took Bill to the ground with the full blow of his body. They slid across the icy deck until they smashed up against the side. Duran pulled Bill to his feet as another fierce wave hit the ship.
The loud cracking sound was no doubt proof that theMary Elisehad only moments before completely breaking apart. Bill did his best to put Duran down on the deck, but it was as if the man were possessed.
The ship shifted, and so did the men. They were thrown against the rail, and with each man embracing the other in a death grip, they were hurled over the side and into the lake.
Bill’s last thoughts were of his daughters.
“The ship’s on fire,” Elise heard someone yell above the wind.
She got up from where she’d been huddled against a group of rocks to walk back to the edge of the cliff. She could see the eerie scene below as flames rose from beneath the hold of theMary Elise. She looked at the small group of men pointing and commenting. Two other men were on the ground at the edge of the rocks, helping someone finish the climb. Elise prayed it might be her father.
When Ollie Johnson came over the ledge, Elise tried not to feel disappointed. She wanted each man to be saved. However, with the ship on fire and the storm raging, she wanted to knowthat her father was safely making his way up the ropes. She searched for Nick. He was with the group of men, doing his best to make a plan.
“We’re going to need help, but we’ll wait until first light. There’s no sense trying to make our way in this storm and the dark.”
She took hold of his arm. “Have you seen my father?”
He looked down at her. “I told you to stay put. I haven’t got time to worry about losing you.” He walked her back to the rocks. “Please stay here. I’m trying to account for everyone. I haven’t seen anything of your father yet. Russ and Seamus are missing, as well.”
“Father will be the last to leave.”
“I know.”
A sense of emptiness washed over her. Papa would wait until everyone else was off the ship, including Duran if he could find him, before ever trying to seek safety for himself.
She sat back down, shivering against the bitter wind. She tucked her feet up under her and made a tight huddle against a large rock. If they didn’t get better shelter soon, they’d freeze to death, and their escape from the water would mean nothing. She had no idea where they were. Were there cities close by, or even a small farm? Would any of the men know where to seek help?
Tucking her face against her knees, Elise pulled her coat up over her head and prayed.
“Please, God, save my father,” she whispered. “Save us all.”
