The Floating Corpse

by James Walker

  When we reached Uncle Will’s home, I asked why the train was traveling so slowly.

  “Geography, Collin.” He pointed out to the front of his property. “As you can see, the land slopes down and away. There is a fairly steep grade a southbound locomotive has to traverse until the tracks level out before the bridge. That’s why they only get up to speed after they have crossed the river.”

  I took that in and commented. “I hope the Chief Inspector takes that into consideration. It’s a lot easier to jump on a train when it’s going six miles an hour, than when it’s going sixty!”

  Uncle William looked impressed. “That is solid thinking, Collin! You would make a fine Jesse James!” He laughed.

  Uncle Will went off to his study, excusing himself saying he wanted to spend some time ‘delving’. I had no idea what he meant, but it had been a long day, so I poured myself a tall one, including a refill of my flask, and took it up to the library. As I had hoped, Uncle Will had a few books on astronomy, one that even showed the stars’ positions at various times of the year in this hemisphere. I was going to awe Catty with my knowledge of the universe! Ozaki came and we talked of my family, the folks we knew from my childhood, and life in general. I spilled a little about my misgivings at heading the production company and he gave me a few sensible pointers. Not about how to run a business but how to handle myself while leading the company. I’d forgotten how much I missed his insight and sage advice.

  After he left to check on Uncle Will, Catty came to see if I needed anything and we chatted for a while. I casually mentioned that it was supposed to be a clear night, great for using a telescope, and we made plans to do some star gazing after dark. When she left to finish preparing dinner, I was feeling pleased with myself and had a couple more gulps from my flask. When the sun started to get low in the sky, I got up and went to my room to freshen up for dinner.

  At the dinner bell, I went downstairs and headed for the dining room. Uncle Will was still in his study, just rising from his chair when the telephone rang. Uncle Will saw me and waved me inside as he picked up the receiver.

  “Hello. Yes, it’s me. Of course, please put him through.”

  I realized he was talking with an operator, but when I got close; he reached out and pulled me next to him. He angled the ear piece out so I could hear what was said.

  “Hello William. It’s Kevin Rowan here.”

  “Good evening Chief Inspector. It is a bit late, are you working still?”

  “Oh, I’ll be working straight through until the day after tomorrow. Have to keep a tight rein on security along the tracks until then. Thank the saints that it’s due through here early in the morning. We can all get back to our routines after that.

  “But that’s not why I rang you William. I have an interesting tid-bit to share with you. Guess what showed up this evening, about a half hour ago?”

  Even through the tinny sound of the wire, Rowan sounded like the cat who ate the canary.”

  “I have no idea, Chief. Do tell.”

  “Well, Gordon Steele was locking up the harbormaster office for the night when he saw something sitting at the end of the dock.”

  There was a long hesitation. I think Rowan expected Uncle Will to take the bait but he misjudged. Finally, he said, “The missing payroll box! Still locked and full of cash.”

  I wouldn’t say William was confused but he did look concerned. “And what do you discern from that Chief?”

  “Why, the obvious of course. There was no robbery! No self- respecting criminal would kill a man and sink a boat, just to return the money!”

  Uncle Will smirked and winked at me. “So, you think that your sea monster, after realizing the box was not nutritious, conveniently spit it out on the dock so Gordon Steele could return it?”

  There was a dead silence and Rowan responded in a tight voice. “No, of course not. I think a good samaritan came across it left it for us to find. There are some good people in this town William, people who do the right thing and don’t want any credit for it.”

  “They have a lot of faith in this Steele too.” I mumbled.

  “What was that?” Rowan asked over the wire.

  “A valid point Chief Inspector. Whoever left the box must know the harbormaster, or at least of his reputation for honesty. Many men would not be inclined to give up such a windfall.”

  Rowan heaved an audible sigh. “Then what do you think is going on?”

  “I can’t say, but I’m sure it will be clear to us soon. Thank you for the call. I’m sure we shall see each other tomorrow. Goodnight.”

  He set the phone back on its cradle and shook his head. “Ninny!”

  He didn’t elaborate as we headed for the dinner table.

  20

  Since Catty was staying for the astronomy lesson, Mrs. Wood could take the night off after our dinner. To my delight, she joined us as well. Near the end of the meal, as we were savoring our rice pudding, Catty broached the subject of the infamous ‘River Monster’.

  “Well, sir, are you beginning to rethink your denial of the creature.”

  William’s spoon stopped in midair. “Why ever would I do that, dear Catherine?”

  Catty looked at him like he was mad. “Why, because of the attack today! There was a victim! I heard the poor man’s head was torn off and his arm was eaten!”

  “Catherine!” Ozaki was appalled. “That is certainry not appropriate dinner conversation.”

  William put his spoon down. “No, No, Ozaki. It is quite alright. This is a valuable lesson in life for our next generation.” He gestured at Catty and I, then began his lecture.

  “This is exactly why I do not listen to gossip! Everything you just said was a gross distortion of the facts. Neither the men nor the boat was the focus of the attack. The strong box was the target and the former were nothing more than collateral damage. Second, though he suffered a blow to the head and a severe wound to his right wrist, no part of him was bitten, much less devoured! The official cause of death was drowning. In fact,” he sat back and drummed his fingers on the tabletop, “evidence suggests the wounds were not the result of an offence.”

  Catty looked at him like his train had jumped the rails, but I thought about what he just said, and it came to me.

  “The knife! That fat guy said the pilot pulled a knife with his right hand and dove into the river. So …whatever… grabbed his arm did it in defense!”

  “Excellent, Frohman! Now, what does that infer?”

  I thought about it for a second then replied carefully, “Whatever it is, it’s smarter than a fish!”

  William laughed and slapped the table. “Eloquently put, Collin! Enough of that monster fairy tale for one night. Just remember, children, gossip is nothing more than vague sources spreading misinformation to the bored and petty.”

  I wanted to get back to the knife, but I knew by the look on his face that my uncle would not be forthcoming, so I let it lie.

  Wiliam smiled and announced. “I suppose we shall forgo the after-dinner smoke tonight Colin, as you and Catherine are planning on stargazing tonight.”

  “With your permission, of course, Sir.” Catty put in quickly.

  “How’d you know we were thinking about it?”

  He laughed and replied. “Ozaki told me you were pouring over the astronomy books in the library. It was a logical deduction.”

  Catty whirled to face me looking half outraged and half amused. “So you were planning on dazzling me with your knowledge of the stars?” She had seen right through me.

  “I was just boning up.” I blustered. “I know enough about the stars to steer a boat by-day or night!”

  “That much is true.” Ozaki put in.

  “It’s just as well you are occupied tonight,” William said as he tapped the floor switch and rolled the table away from us. “I have a great deal of correspondence to deal with before I retire. You’ll see Catherine home, I presume?”

  As it turned out, we did have time for sm
oke as I had to wait for Catty to tidy up after dinner. I was dying to ask him for his thoughts on the day’s events, but I sensed he was through discussing it for now. Instead, he gave me instructions on how to set up the tripod for the telescope. Then he said something cryptic.

  “Don’t just look up with the instrument, Frohman. There may be just as many interesting points down here on earth.”

  Catty appeared before I could ask him what the hell he was talking about and we said goodnight.

  I ducked into the library on our way up to the third floor to grab the book with the star maps. The cat was out of the bag anyways and everything I had read this afternoon was pushed out of my head. We pulled out the secret staircase and had the telescope set up and pointed skyward in a flash.

  We had a grand time. The air was crisp but still retained some of the day’s warmth. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and I don’t remember ever seeing as many stars so clearly before. I would pick out a star in the book and Caty would find it. Then I would tell made up stories about the constellations and she would laugh. I loved her laugh. It was rich and throaty and came straight from her heart.

  I took out my flask and to my surprise she took a long pull before letting me have it. I was impressed as it was straight gin and she didn’t even wince. I remembered my experience with her brother, so I decided to watch myself in case it was a family trait. Over the next couple of hours, she matched me snort for snort and showed no outward signs. When it was my turn to man the instrument, I remembered Uncle Will’s advice and turned the lens at the town and the river. There wasn’t much to see in the darkness. There were lights in town, but I couldn’t make out any movement. There was some activity on the barge, some powerful lights shining on its deck and men moving about, though I couldn’t discern what they we about. Then I saw Marquis’s boat, drifting down the river. It was hardly moving and canted at a strange angle, so I knew it wasn’t under power.

  “Hey Cat,” I said. “I think I see your brother’s boat drifting on the river. What’s that all about?”

  She got up and positioned herself on the eyepiece, then shrugged. “Probably passed out, the damn fool, and forgot to set the anchor.”

  “He’d better be careful,” I joked, “or he’s going to wake up off Long Island. Does he live on the boat?”

  “Not really. He still has a room at our house. Funny thing is he’s been spending more nights home this past month than he did all winter. I wonder how he didn’t freeze to death all those nights he spent out.”

  I didn’t really want to talk about him at the time, so I let the subject drop and we talked about anything else. We were having so much fun, I nearly forgot about the time. I pulled out my watch and my heart sank a little. “Damn! The last ferry leaves in forty-five minutes. We’d better pack it up and head down.”

  I was pleased to see she seemed disappointed as well, but she was more pragmatic, as women are prone to be. We stowed the telescope and returned the book to the library then headed down to the river. When I went to get my motorcycle, Catty suggested we leave it and walk, as it was a lovely spring evening. I was just as happy since we’d have more time to talk. Besides, I was feeling the effects of the day’s drinking and didn’t want to spill us both on the road.

  As we walked down the hill towards the landing, I could see the ferry was still out on the river and there were just a few folks milling about, waiting to take the last run as we were. We were just about abreast of what would be Ozaki’s new home and I was regaling Catty with some of my college day’s antics when I realized I was walking alone. I stopped, mid punch line and looked back to see Catty standing still with a big grin on her face. I knew she was feeling the Gin also.

  “I want another drink.” She announced. I almost laughed, but I could see she was earnest.

  “Well, we drank all my gin; I suppose we could stop at the inn for a nightcap.”

  She shook head and the grin never left her face. I was beginning to think she was far drunker than I thought.

  “That’s our only option at this time of night, Catty.”

  “Actually, it isn’t.” She said slyly. She jerked her head over her shoulder. “Your Uncle keeps a well- stocked cabinet on the Aunt Polly.”

  “Girl…you’re a genius!”

  Catty led me down a path that followed the river bank between the trees and boulders, and we soon came to the dock. As we went up the gang plank to the aft deck, I was thinking how I could break in without causing any damage. Catty walked right over to the French doors that led to the salon and reached into her purse to take out a set of keys.

  “You have a key?” I asked.

  “Of course,” she replied as she opened the door. “Who do you think cleans Aunt Polly once a week?”

  Once inside, I sent Catty to fetch a bottle and a couple of glasses, while I pulled the blinds before lighting a lamp. Both my Uncle and Ozaki had sharp eyes and I didn’t want any light showing.

  I plopped down on one of the sofas and Catty returned quickly with what I sent her for. She poured us each a stiff one then curled her legs up under her and draped an arm on the back of the sofa behind my head as she sat down next to me. Very close to me.

  I clutched my glass with both hands in my lap, trying to understand what was happening. Funny, at any other time with any other girl, I would have called on every bit of my charm, however with Catty, I was as flummoxed as an adolescent.

  My discomfort was obviously amusing to her. “Something wrong, Collin? You seem a tad nervous.”

  I started to stammer like a schoolboy. “No...I mean…well, I’m not sure we...I mean…are you sure?” I knocked back my drink to calm my nerves.

  She laughed softly and put a hand on the back of my neck. Collin, you are no monk and I am certainly no blushing maiden and neither of us are virgins.” Then she leaned in a kissed me long and hard.

  Before I knew it, she had me by the hand and was leading me to the hallway that led to the bedrooms. Any doubt or reservations I may have had dropped right out of my head.

  The night was more wonderful than I could have imagined.

  And then some…

  21

  We awoke as the first rays of morning light spilled through the windows and washed over the bed. I opened my eyes to find Catty, lying on her side next to me, staring at my face. I smiled and rolled over to put my arms around her.

  “Now, where were we?” I asked.

  She laughed and pushed me away. “None of that now, my bucko! I have to get to work. Sweet Christmas! Wasn’t last night enough for you?”

  “I’m not sure I could ever get enough of you, Catty.”

  She wore a sad smile when she said, “Don’t be starting with all of that! We both know what last night was.”

  Never had I gotten off the hook with a girl so easily, yet, I found myself not wanting that. “Hey now!” I protested. “I’m not saying that a part of me didn’t want this to happen, but you were the one doing most of the seducing.”

  She laughed out loud. “I practically had to hit you over the head and drag you in here!” Then she settled down and said seriously. “Look, I now you were trying to be a gentleman. That only made me want you more, but we both know you’ll go home soon and someday you’ll find a girl from your station in life. Last night was deliciously wicked and I will treasure it always, but I knew this was just a …tryst. You don’t have to pretend it was more, not for my sake.”

  I sat up a bit to levy another protest, but she put a finger to my lip. Then she kissed me long and hard. Before I could put my arms around her, she shifted her legs off the bed and sat up. She jumped up before I could lunge for her and she started to put her under things on. I laid back in the bed and started wondering how we were going to keep this from Uncle Will and Ozaki. Not that I was ashamed, but they would definitely not be pleased with me if they found out I was slept with their maid.

  I looked over and Catty was riffling through the closet. We were in the second suite, where W
illiam’s guest usually stayed. “What are you looking for?” I asked her.

  She turned and gave me an annoyed look. Hands on her hips, she groused, “Well I can’t very well go to work today in the same dress I wore yesterday, can I? Your Uncle would see right through that! Miss Barrymore keeps some spare clothes here for when she visits. We’re the same size so no one will notice.”

  “You’re lucky she’s a …busty one herself.”

  She crinkled her nose at me then stepped into a blue dress that fit her to perfection. She was just slipping on her shoes when there was a loud meowing at the door. She hopped over one on foot and opened the door. An orange blur streaked past her and leapt up onto the bed with me.

  “That’s Maurice.” she informed me as she twisted her hair into a bun and started to strategically stab it with bobby pins.

  Maurice didn’t seem very happy to make my acquaintance. He paced back and forth on the bed but hissed when I went to pet him. I was about to swat him off the bed, before he settled at the end, atop my trousers, and stared at me. By the time we had made our truce, Catty was ready to go. I was hoping for a good-bye kiss and was sadly mistaken. She was all business now that she was dressed.

  “I’m going to walk back the way we came last night then walk up to the castle. Wait awhile before you make an appearance.”

  “Tell you what; I’ll walk up the long way from the boat shed. I’ll probably be there before Uncle Will gets up, but if he asks—I’ll tell him I took a walk.”

  “Thank you. I’d rather no one knew about us. I’ve had enough gossiping to last me a lifetime already.”