“There’s more activity going on than I thought there would be,” he said to the silent man beside him, gesturing to the docks on their right.
“Got about sixteen commercial vessels right now, and doing repairs on four for the Navy.”
That explained the question from the first sentry. Civilian builders were employed there to keep the place open, working on merchant vessels. They continued down First Avenue until they turned left onto 5thStreet. Up ahead, on the right was a small, three-story circular building with a turret on top.
“The Muster House,” said the guard, who left him at the door and promptly turned around and went back the way he had come.
Finn entered and nodded to two men who seemed to be doing something official for the Navy, though he couldn’t guess what. They seemed to be perusing ocean charts as well as land maps.
“I’m looking for Master Builder Gilbert,” he told them.
“All the way up, third floor,” said the one closest to him, attaching a piece of string to a map with a pushpin.
Finn climbed the circular stairs in the middle. As he breached the third floor, he saw men at desks positioned by the many windows. He recognized Gilbert at once, sitting at a table with two others, drinking coffee and laughing. It was the laughter that twisted Finn’s stomach.
“Mr. Gilbert,” he said as he approached his old superior, a man in his late forties with a thick moustache and spectacles.
Gilbert looked up and blanched a sickly pale. Instantly, Finn knew that the builder had been warned of his return for he had neither a hint of puzzlement as to who Finn was, nor did the man’s eyes bulge in wonder at the resurrection of a dead man.
Either Mr. Kelly or perhaps Liam had spoken to him already.
Finn decided to take a different tack, as if pulling on the sheet ropes in hope of catching a fairer wind.
“I don’t know if you remember me, my name is Phineas Bennet. I worked at Kelly’s yard years ago. I always paid careful attention to your work,” he said, hopefully with pointed meaning, “and I would very much like to work here under your tutelage.”
Gilbert wrinkled his brow. No doubt he had been expecting heated accusations of incompetency.
Finn held his breath. Perhaps the man would employ him, thinking by doing so, he could keep Finn quiet. If Gilbert sanctioned him by letting him work at the yard, maybe the threats would stop and he could breathe more easily over Rose’s safety. Finn could continue to seek justice in the meanwhile.
“Yes, I remember you,” Gilbert said with a measured tone. “You were a good builder.”
Around them, the other men paused in their work, watching silently.
“I’m better now,” Finn said. “I have an advanced degree from Glasgow University.”
Gilbert’s eyebrows rose. “Really? That is impressive.”
Finn nodded, hating to deal with this man who’d caused the death of boys as young as 14. Still, he couldn’t survive if he couldn’t work. If Gilbert went against what Kelly had said and hired Finn, then he had a chance at a new beginning.
“We might have some work for you here, but we’re not building ships.” Gilbert crossed his arms over his narrow chest. “We don’t need even a loftsman at the moment. For old time’ sake, though, I can put you to work. Do you want sails or rigging?”
Finn swallowed. All that study to make rope or sew canvas!
While he hesitated, Gilbert added, “Won’t be improving this yard until the appropriations act comes through, and then it’ll be for tools and water pipes and such. Maybe dock repairs. What we need is a new dry dock and electric lighting. All these damn gas lamps are a hazard!”
Finn nodded. “I’ll take whatever work I can get.” He had a bit of money saved anyway, and working near Gilbert meant he could continue to pursue some measure of justice for those who’d perished aboard theGarrard.
With that, he began his first day in the immense concrete building known as the Ropewalk.
***
Rose didn’t remember going upstairs, nor undressing, which apparently she hadn’t for when she awoke, it was late the next morning — nearly lunchtime — and she was sprawled across the top of her bed, still in her scrumptious copper gown. A wrinkled mess.
It took her a moment to remember what had happened. When Rose did, she groaned. Then she recalled even more and groaned again before burying her head in her pillow.
William now knew she was married. Two men had tried to abduct her, most probably to kill her. Finn had saved her life.
Rose was supposed to be at her cooking class, but that thought didn’t cause her even to lift her head. There was no point in trying to get to school. She would never make it before the end of the lesson.
