“And the sole woman on board makes for a hell of a joke.”
“It’s not like that. It wasn’t you they were laughing at. It was your…” Thor groped for the right word. “Theory.”
Flora folded her arms across her chest. She’d promised herself she’d stay calm, but she could feel her temper rising. “You saw those teeth marks. What do you think it was?”
He glanced behind her, even though they were alone in the narrow hallway. Thor leaned closer, close enough that she could smell his stale breath. “To be honest, I think the guys are a little freaked out. No one can explain what happened to the drill, and no one wants to think about it much. You’re a convenient scapegoat.”
“I have a son, Thor. I’m raising him on my own. I really need this job.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, unable to meet her eyes. Instead he studied his sneakers, which were tied with sloppy bows. “But you’ll find another ship. The Cormorant isn’t the only game in town.”
Flora’s mind reeled. Is he really that obtuse, or is he trying to get rid of me? “Are you serious? After Apostolos is finished, my name will be mud. You heard him last night. He won’t stop until no one will hire me.”
He shifted his weight from foot to foot as if he had to use the head, which he probably did, considering he’d just woken up. “Apostolos can be vengeful if he’s double-crossed, sure, but I don’t think he’d do that to you. He thinks you’re incompetent, not someone worth blacklisting.”
“Well, that makes me feel a lot better. I’m sure there are tons of people who would go out of their way to hire an incompetent oceanographer. And you know what the worst of it is? I’m not incompetent. I’m actually really good at my job. They just refuse to hear what I have to say.”
“What do you want from me, Flora? I tried to talk to them last night. You heard it yourself—they won’t listen to me.”
She had to restrain herself from grabbing the front of his grimy shirt. “I want you to talk to Apostolos. Convince him to give me another chance. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I think you have an exaggerated view of my importance. Why would Apostolos listen to anything I have to say? He’s the captain. I’m just a grunt. People like him don’t listen to people like me.”
He’s not dumb, then. Only obtuse.
“He listens to you all the time, Thor. Sometimes I think you’re the only one he does listen to. Why do you think I came to you? I need your help.”
Thor frowned and ran a hand through his tousled hair. Like most of the men, he could have used a barber, but his need was more desperate than the others. His hair was so long in front he was beginning to resemble a sheepdog.
After a moment, during which Flora’s stomach tied itself into knots, he shook his head. “That won’t work.”
“How do you know if you don’t try?” Her fists clenched, her nails digging painfully into the skin.
“Apostolos isn’t the type to change his mind once he’s set on something, especially if I tell him he should. If anything, that will make him more stubborn.”
She’d seen enough of the captain’s behavior to know Thor was right. If one of the other men had told her the same, she would have accused them of making excuses, but his words had the ring of truth. “So there’s no hope.”
Flora was already considering how she’d break the news to Zach. Maybe she could teach him karate herself. She’d never taken a single class, but they had tutorials for everything on YouTube these days. It wouldn’t be the same, but once she explained the situation to her son, she knew he’d understand. He’d shrug his little shoulders and say, “That’s okay, Mom. Don’t worry about it.” Sometimes it broke her heart how accustomed he was to receiving bad news. It didn’t even faze him anymore.
Why did I go ahead and open my fat mouth? Why did I make that stupid promise? I should have waited until the check was in the bank—or at least in the mail.
Thor’s next words were enough to snap her out of her funk. “I wouldn’t say that. Talking won’t work, but you know what they say—a picture is worth a thousand words.”
“You’re not suggesting…”
“There’s no permanent obstruction. You believe a large creature destroyed the drill. Correct?”
“Correct, but—”
“So what we need is evidence. We’ll show Apostolos you were right. He won’t be able to argue with that.”
“Assuming there is such a creature, how do we know it will still be there? That’s like expecting a shark or a fish to stay in one place and never move. It doesn’t happen.” But even as she said the words, Flora wasn’t so sure. She knew there was something down there, and she suspected it was still close. She wasn’t sure how she knew, and she wouldn’t have confessed this to a living soul, but…she could feel it waiting. “And say it is there. How am I going to get a photograph? You’re talking about an area that’s thousands of feet under the surface. We don’t have the equipment to get a diver down there.”
“But we don’t have to go that far. The drill was attacked near the surface. All we have to do is find something we can use as bait. If the creature is down there, it might attack again. And this time, we’ll be ready.”
In spite of the hot closeness of the hold, she shivered. “You’re not suggesting putting a man down there. We have no idea what this creature is, or how it will react. No one would agree to do something that suicidal.”
Thor grinned. “Ah, but if they don’t believe there’s anything down there, it’s not suicidal, is it?”
Chapter Six
Thor could see the terror in the big man’s eyes. It was clear his bravado was nothing but an act—and not a very convincing one.
“Absolutely not. Nothin’ doing. There’s no way you’re getting me in the water with that…that thing.”
To be fair, they’d chosen the strongest man among them. Flora was reluctant to put any of the crew in danger, but if anyone could handle the risk, it was George.
No one had expected such a violent reaction. George’s eyes rolled until they were showing almost all white, like a nervous horse.
Ah-ha! Thor attempted to hide a smirk but failed miserably. “So you do think there’s something down there.”
“Nah,” George said, pointing at Flora, “I think she’s crazy. But I’ve seen horror movies. I know how this goes. You crackers always make the black man go first. I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to fix any generator, I’m not going to investigate the scary noise, and I’m definitely not going in the water.”
He folded his arms, making his biceps pop more than usual. He glowered at them while sweat pooled under Thor’s collar.
“We asked you because you’re the strongest, George—not because you’re expendable. You’re also one of the smartest,” Flora said.
The huge man snorted at that, rolling his eyes. George resembled Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile, except he looked nowhere near as friendly. “Damn right I’m smart. Too smart to get in that water. Find yourselves another sucker.”
He shoved past them, clipping Flora with a shoulder as he passed. She lost her balance and crashed against the side of the ship. If George noticed, they couldn’t tell. The air was lighter once he left.
Thor shrugged, giving Flora a sheepish grin. “Well, there goes that plan. Guess we have to find someone a little less superstitious.”
“This is too much to ask of anyone. It’s too dangerous. We don’t know what we’re dealing with down there, if anything. I’m not comfortable asking anyone to risk his life.” Flora rubbed at her forehead as if she were trying to scrub the skin off. She probably had another headache. She was sick an awful lot—not that he blamed her. Living at sea took a bit of getting used to. At least she wasn’t puking her guts out like some of the new guys did.
“What are our choices? Either we convince Apostolos you’re telling the truth, or you’ll lose your job as soon as we return to port.”
She straightened, and her
face took on that determined expression again—the same expression that had convinced a lot of the guys she was a stone-cold bitch. But Thor suspected Flora was only tough when she had to be. “I’ll do it.”
“No.” He shook his head, echoing George. “Absolutely not.”
“It has to be me. It’s the only thing that makes sense. It’s my theory and my job that’s on the line. I’m a great swimmer and a certified diver. And I have the most experience with marine animals.”
“Whatever is down there shattered a steel drill into pieces. I don’t think you’re going to get the chance to Dr. Doolittle it.”
“No one is going to stick out his neck for me, Thor. You saw George’s reaction. They don’t believe me, but they don’t want to risk it, either. And I don’t blame them.”
Thor was too exhausted to argue. He sank down on the deck, sighing. “For a woman with so many degrees, you’re pretty dense. Let’s say you go down there and that thing appears. Just for fun, let’s say you survive. Why should Apostolos believe you? Once again, it’s your word against ours. Of course you would say the creature exists. Why wouldn’t you? It’s your theory.”
Flora frowned. “You’re right. No one would believe me.”
“I would, but that’s the reason it can’t be me, either. We have to find someone else. And they’ll need to take a camera.”
* * *
They found Liam—Liam of the shy smile and wire-rimmed glasses. Thor didn’t want to ask him. He was one of the only guys on the ship Thor could stand. Unlike the others, Liam didn’t consider Playboy fine literature, and he believed that clipping one’s toenails and cleaning one’s nose were best done in private.
Thor knew something was down there. The teeth marks were proof. But he suspected it was a shark, or maybe a giant squid—something with a logical explanation that would have moved on by now. And if not, he was confident he could get Liam on deck fast if he had to.
“You can’t be serious,” Liam said when they asked him, but his smile soon vanished when he saw their expressions.
“Please, Liam. Flora needs this job. She has a kid to feed, and she’s on her own. If we don’t get someone to corroborate her theory, Apostolos is going to can her.”
Liam’s brown eyes softened as he considered Flora, and Thor knew they’d found the right guy. He may not have had the strength of George, but he was younger and faster. George was so big he’d probably have sunk like a stone. “I was raised by a single mother,” he said.
“There you go.” Thor clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ll help us, then?”
He gave them a wary look that Thor instantly understood. Men got bored living in close quarters like this. The practical jokes could get vile in a hurry. Thor glanced at Flora, who appeared to read his mind.
“I really appreciate your bravery, but I understand if you don’t feel comfortable with it. We’ll do everything we can to keep you safe, and if you get into trouble, all you have to do is tug on the line,” she said. “We’ll pull you up. Still, you should know there are no guarantees. We have no idea what we’re dealing with.”
“Wait—you don’t actually think there’s a sea monster down there?” Liam looked from Flora to Thor, waiting for the punch line. “You can’t be serious. I thought it was a prank.”
“You saw those teeth marks,” Thor said. “What do you think made them, a fish?”
“We’re not saying there’s a sea monster. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for what happened to the drill string,” Flora added. “But whatever made those marks is extremely strong, extremely large, and highly aggressive. If you decide to do this, you should know what you’re risking.”
Liam fell silent for a moment, considering. Thor wanted nothing more than to get the show on the road—soon the ship would be moving again, and then it would be too late. But Flora had told him not to press. If anyone agreed to help, it had to be of his own free will.
After what seemed like hours, Liam shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
“Great, let’s get you suited.” Before Thor could rush him below deck, Flora stopped them. Her eyes were damp, and the hand she put on Liam’s shoulder trembled slightly.
“Are you sure? We’ll do everything we can, but we can’t guarantee your safety.”
Thor held his breath, positive she’d just fucked everything up. Liam didn’t strike him as the most courageous guy in the world.
But Liam only grinned. “Why not? Until we get under way again, there’s nothing else to do.
“Besides, everyone knows there’s no such thing as sea monsters.”
Chapter Seven
Something was wrong.
The dread that hovered over Flora had grown stronger once Liam agreed to Thor’s plan. She had to bite her lip to keep from talking the young man out of it. She’d already said too much, which had earned her an elbow in the ribs.
But she couldn’t help it. That heavy feeling of foreboding increased until she wanted to run to her cabin and lock herself in. When Liam joined them on deck, dressed in scuba gear, it was all she could do not to block his way, screaming doomsday warnings.
While Liam was fiddling with the oxygen tank, she grabbed Thor’s arm. “We can’t let him go down there.”
Thor stared at her like she was insane. “What are you talking about? Of course we can. It’s your one chance.”
Flora tried to stay calm, but her head was pounding so much she could barely think. “I don’t care about the job. Forget it. Nothing’s worth someone’s life.”
“Liam’s life isn’t at risk, any more than it ever was. You know the plan—if he gets in trouble, he just—”
“Pulls the line, I know. But what if he doesn’t have time? What if we’re not fast enough?”
A wave of nausea rippled through her stomach, signaling an oncoming anxiety attack. Oh God, not here. Not now. Her forehead broke out in a sweat, and she doubled over, clutching her abdomen.
“Flora?”
Liam stood over her, his brow furrowed with concern. He hesitated, then put a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I—I haven’t been feeling well.” It was close enough to the truth. There was no need to reveal the cause of her illness.
“I heard you guys talking, and I wanted to tell you I’ll be fine. I’m not worried. Did you know I was born in the Maldives? I was practically raised in the ocean.”
She managed a smile. “With a name like Liam?”
“My mom is Irish.” He shrugged.
“No one is doubting your diving skills. It’s just that…you saw what happened to the drill. We don’t know what this creature is, or even if it’s still down there. We can’t predict its behavior. It wouldn’t be safe.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of fictional creatures,” he said with the conviction of the young. “If it doesn’t exist, it can’t hurt me.”
“And how do you explain what happened to the drill string?” Flora asked, fighting to keep her breathing slow and even. Her heart felt like it would explode from her chest at any moment. “Those teeth marks certainly aren’t a figment of my imagination.”
“The human mind is highly susceptible. Some people see the Virgin Mary in a piece of toast. You’re an oceanographer, so you’re conditioned to see a Holy Grail of another sort—proof that a mythical creature actually exists.”
“I didn’t see anything. That’s the problem. We have no idea what we’re dealing with. Why isn’t anyone listening to me?” She needed to stop talking in order to catch her breath. Using both hands, she pressed hard on her diaphragm, willing the panic that was welling inside her to stay where it belonged. Thor stepped in between them, shooting her a worried glance.
“Flora is a scientist. She’s no more prone to flights of fancy than you or I, and if she says those are teeth marks, it’s like one of us saying the Bernoulli Equation exists. I’d take her word for it.”
Liam grinned. “So you believe in the monster too? I didn’t think you were the ty
pe, Thor.”
The temper that had gotten her into so much trouble in her youth bubbled to the surface. She elbowed Thor aside and closed the distance between her and Liam until their noses were nearly touching. She was gratified when Liam retreated a step.
“Something is wrong here—can’t you feel it? Something bad is going to happen if you get in that water.”
For a moment, she thought they were feeling it too. That their hackles were rising, the skin on their arms and necks pimpling into goose bumps. Then Liam laughed, raising an eyebrow at Thor.
“Yep, that’s pretty scientific, all right. She’s got a bad feeling. Can’t argue with that.”
Her temper got the best of her then, and although she knew she’d probably regret it for the rest of her life, the heat of her anger made her want to show him. Let him laugh when he came face to face with whatever lurked beneath the surface.
Praying she’d be able to forgive herself, she let him go.
* * *
“You promise not to let go of the line?”
Liam nodded, tightening his grip on the towline. It was impossible to make out his expression under the mask, but without his glasses, his eyes were larger than usual. Was he finally showing some sense? Was he frightened? That flicker of fear, that widening of the eyes, was all she got before Liam saluted them and strode to the side of the ship.
“Don’t worry. If it was an animal that did this, it’s probably long gone,” Thor said, grunting with the effort as he guided his colleague over the side of the boat to the ladder that would take him to the surface. “Liam’s sharp. If he sees anything that worries him, he only has to tug on the line and I’ll have him out in two shakes.”
“And how’s he going to see a bloody thing? We blinded him.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she relaxed her grip on Liam’s wire-rimmed spectacles. He’d handed them to her before putting on the diving mask. The rage that had temporarily rendered her uncaring had vanished. Instead, she wondered what she would tell Liam’s mother.
“He’s far-sighted, Flora. Unless the creature is nose to nose with him, he’ll see it in plenty of time.”
Monsters In Our Wake Page 3