Finding Linda

by Ron Sewell

“Simple. I steal ships for profit and I pay those who work with me. Everybody wins. I’ve killed to protect my interests but these people execute, maim and destroy. Since time began, people don’t react to high death tolls. One death can and has mobilized nations. I don’t want to eradicate thousands of people. Think of the women and children who struggle to live on this planet. If Antarah and his men destroy or damage Rome, they start Armageddon.”

  The first officer shook his head. “I’m here for the money. What you pay keeps my family fed and clothed for a year. I follow orders but Isis will demand your execution. A video of your death will be on the world news. You’ll suffer much abuse before you’re beheaded.”

  She leant against the navigation console and stared into the night. “I understand it’s never too late to shift direction and I’ve given this a great deal of thought. If I am to live to a ripe old age, I must vanish. My death is not the most unpleasant thing I can envisage. Lose your reason for living and you’re in deep shit. But I ask you, am I doing the right thing?”

  “Piracy I enjoy and it’s easy money. Like you, killing thousands of innocents is not what we do. So what makes your life worth living?”

  “Life is worth living when someone else cares.” She switched the navigation lights back on and sauntered to the chart table. “We must find an anchorage or harbour where we can disembark the crew.”

  Breathless, the second officer arrived. “I’m told you need my attendance on the bridge.”

  “New plan.” Linda was gambling with her life but it was an acceptable risk. “Have the crew, apart from the two playing with explosives, pack their bags. Can you ask the Chief if he found a volunteer to work the engine room?”

  “Where will we be landing?”

  She gave him a hard, unbroken stare and pressed her middle finger on the chart. “Portpi, Mallorca. You can board a plane from there to Barcelona and then home.”

  Without asking further questions, the second officer raced away.

  “Set course for Mallorca. Like Isis, I do not tolerate failure but I’ve cost them plenty. To survive, I must keep my head out of the firing line.” Linda chuckled. “If you need me, utilise the intercom to contact me, no one’s asleep.” ***

  She returned to Antarah’s cabin, unlocked the door and entered. The sight of his bloodied corpse aroused no feelings. As far as it went the world was a better place without him.

  She hunted for his briefcase and discovered it in the false ceiling.

  In seconds, the tip of her knife prised the hasps loose. Items of clothing covered a bagful of American dollars. Bundles wrapped in protective plastic. Below the money, she found a Glock 19 and three full magazines. Linda chuckled as she slipped the pistol into her waistband. “You made the mistake of taking this bag with you. It had to contain something of value.” She snapped the hasp shut, took one last glance around and laughed. “Your loss my gain.”

  Natalia was lying on the bed when Linda knocked and entered the captain’s cabin. “What’s happening?”

  “When we arrive in harbour, you’re leaving. I’ve made arrangements to get you off this ship.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she stared at her lover. “When?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re asking stupid questions. Don’t argue.”

  Natalia slid off the bed, bent over and retrieved her thong. “Are you leaving with me?”

  “I must complete my escape, but you’ll have money and instructions. Pack and dress, I’ll see you later.” From the briefcase, she took several packets of dollars. “I guess there’s twenty thousand in each. You have two choices, follow my instructions or go your own way. It’s your decision.”

  Natalia met her eyes. “I’ll be waiting for you to find me.”

  “You’ll be doing more than that. Talk later.”

  With the bag of money grasped in her right hand, she climbed the stairs to the bridge. “This is for you and your team,” she instructed the first officer. “I trust you to be generous.”

  “How much is in there?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve taken a few thousand for my expenses. There’s more than enough to pay the men a bonus. How far to Portpi?”

  “Ninety-five miles.”

  “Increase speed to sixteen knots and have Antarah’s body wrapped in chains and dumped into the sea. I’d prefer to arrive when it’s dark. Less people will ensure fewer problems. Have the men ready a lifeboat to take them ashore if we can’t berth alongside. Oh, and find someone to steal a ski boat.”

  “May I ask why?”

  She grinned. “So we can die.”

  He gave a wave of his hand. “Not a problem. One of my men is an expert at stealing such things and he’s volunteered to stay until the end.”

  She nodded. “Good, now I must talk with the chief.”

  The chief engineer was in his cabin reading. His eyes sparkled as she entered. He still wore his uniform of oilsplattered overalls. In contrast, his hands and nails stayed spotless. His thick mop of hair was salt and pepper grey. From the lack of sunshine, his face was white. Deep lines from many sleepless nights surrounded his eyes.

  “I understand you need a volunteer to keep the engines running when the crew go ashore.”

  Linda took a deep breath. “Are you that someone?”

  “Yes. I’ve no one. What I once treasured is now a memory. The morning the government troops attacked, my whole family died. The village smelt of death as hundreds rotted in the sun. For three days, I dug with my bare hands before I found them. I buried them together as a family. You offer me a way to die with dignity. These engines will work until I’m dead. Only then will I be with my family.”

  “I was the one survivor of my last venture. You missed a great time to die.”

  He shrugged. “I heard rumours, but this time I’ll see my family again.”

  Linda placed her right hand on his shoulder and smiled. “I’ll see what I can do. We off-load the crew in five hours. Then, my friend, you’re on your own.”

  “I like it that way.”

  “Have you a pen and paper? I must write a message.”

  He handed her a pad and pen.

  In the officers’ mess, she wrote.

  My Darling Natalia,

  I am not perfect but I love you. Given the chance, I want you by my side, to comfort and love you. I hurt in ways I cannot describe. You can take a chance or walk away, whatever your decision you have a piece of my heart for keeps. You are one of the few people for whom I would go into battle and that will never vary. If you want me in your life, book a superior room at the hotel Des Governors, Bastia, in Corsica. Wait seven days and I will be there.

  Please keep this our secret. Folded, she slipped the single sheet into an envelope and made her way to the captain’s cabin. Natalia was sitting on the settee. “You haven’t packed.”

  Natalia was sweating but her face was a deathly white. "Tell me to my face you do not love me."

  “We both thought this might happen. I love you so much, but I never learned to cry. If I could, then I could show you I care.”

  She raised Natalia from the seat and wrapped her arms around her. The embrace formed a protective shell. For a few moments, the world outside the cabin ceased to exist. She handed her the envelope. “I’ve written you a letter. My first ever. Read it once you’re safe. Life is for the living so no goodbyes.” She left the cabin and climbed the stairs to the bridge

  At the entrance to Portpi, the sky lightened in the east. The sea stayed flat calm and not a cloud blotted the sky as the American Queen slowed to take on the pilot. Linda took the helm. The pilot stood alongside her and gave precise instructions. As with most pilots, they spoke English as the common language.

  “You are landing crew?” said the pilot.

  “That’s correct,” said Linda. “Their replacements came on board in Algeciras. My teams do two months on duty and two ashore. You understand that a ship in harbour makes no money.”

/>   The pilot laughed.

  At seven in the morning, the American Queen eased into her berth. The pilot, his eyes contemplating the vessel’s every move, sipped a fresh cup of coffee. “As you are on a fast turnaround, I will remain on board. I have the forms for signature and need payment in full.”

  Secured to bollards, and the engines on standby, the vessel waited. To starboard, local fishing boats along with yachts large and small bobbed on the waves.

  Linda held out her hand, took the forms and signed them. “I hope American dollars are acceptable.

  ”The pilot nodded. “Not a problem.”

  From her pocket, she paid in full for the ship’s entry and exit from Portpi..

  Linda stood on the main deck as Natalia and most of the crew, bags in hand, strolled ashore. Those who saw her waved as they headed for the port authority and customs office.

  Twenty minutes elapsed before the first officer arrived on the bridge. “The crew are well on their way and we can continue.”

  “Pilot, can we proceed?”

  “Let me speak to the harbour master.” He said a few words in Spanish and replaced the radio handset. “You have permission to sail. The next vessel is not due for an hour.”

  Linda took the helm and worked the engine controls.

  “I recommend you use your forward spring and come slow ahead on your engines. That will turn your stern clear of the dock wall,” said the pilot.

  Linda nodded to the first officer who departed the bridge. She strolled to the starboard bridge wing. “When the stern is clear, I’ll use my engines to spin and come astern. When I can, I’ll continue to pivot but come ahead on my starboard engine until the bow points at the entrance. Is that acceptable, Pilot?”

  The pilot shook his head. “Use your power to come ahead when you rotate.”

  Linda peered forward. The first officer minus his cap stood, feet apart, on the foc’sle. As the stern came off the wall, she pressed the button to sound three short blasts.

  On shore, one of her crew hoisted the wires from the black painted bollards. The first officer used the winch to heave them inboard.

  “Pilot, your boat is alongside,” said the first officer as he strolled onto the bridge.

  Linda ordered slow-ahead. “Thank you, Pilot. One day we might meet again. She stared ahead, grinning as a black and white ski boat raced out to sea.

  With the pilot on route to his office, the American Queen increased speed.

  Linda pointed back at the harbour. “Did you see that expensive white motor cruiser?” The first officer spread his hands in the air. “No. I was acting as a deckhand when we left. Why, is it a problem?”

  She smiled. “It’s the same one we almost ran down last night.”

  “Must have a fair speed. Last time I noticed it on radar it was at thirty miles astern.”

  “First things first. We must hoist our new ski boat. Can you work the crane?”

  “If I can’t you’re paying me too much. To help, you can reduce speed and engage the autopilot. I’ll lower a four point rig and hoist it inboard.”

  She nodded. From her vantage point, she saw the port crane swing into position and the rig for hoisting drop out of sight.

  A few minutes later, the stolen ski boat rested on number two hatch cover. The first officer left the driver to secure the craft.

  “Will I set the autopilot and synchronise it with the Electronic Chart System?” asked the first officer.

  “You’re as capable as I am. Destination Rome, but around the top of Corsica. With six people on board we must sleep.”

  Twenty minutes later the first officer left Linda alone on the bridge. She lifted the engine room direct line telephone and pressed the call button.

  “Chief speaking.”

  “How’s it going?”

  “When they built this ship, they did a good job. Out of interest where are we going?”

  “The plan’s Rome but we’ll jump ship long before we get close. Thank God for the automatic pilot.”

  “I’ve never been to Rome. Pity I’ll miss it this time.”

  “My offer to come with us is still open.”

  “I hear your words. Thanks. Talk later.” The buzz on the line told him she had gone.

  Breathing hard the two Isis men strolled onto the bridge.

  Linda continued to stare ahead. “Aati, as you are here, tell me the good news.”

  His dark eyes were alight with energy. “Allah blessed us. Our work is ready to receive the plutonium,” said Aati.

  “Change of plan. A luxury yacht has been following us. If we waylay the ship carrying plutonium, they would summon reinforcements. The outcome is we will lose. I have set the auto-navigator to guide our vessel into the main channel of the Tiber the Fiumara. There it will explode, sink and block the channel.”

  “When did you discover this?” asked Aati.

  “Antarah received further instructions. The world will tremble at the power of your God.”

  “Praise be to Allah,” both men shouted.

  “Tell me, are you true believers?”

  “There is but one true God and that is Allah,” said the taller man. “Those who are not true must feel the power.”

  She pulled the Glock from her waistband. “Shut the fuck up. You have two choices, work with me or I shoot you where you stand and have you tossed over the side.”

  Both men, each alone with their thoughts, understood they had a choice.

  “As we can never go home, where are we going?” asked the tall engineer.

  “You have your passports. Before we land, I will pay you what we agreed. When we land, you can travel to southern Sicily. Once there, you can mix with the twenty thousand plus refugees already there. With luck, you’ll end up in a reception centre. Keep your mouths shut and you can enjoy your old age. Talk and you will never see sunshine again. Are the explosives rigged for the greatest effect?”

  They glanced at each other. “With a slight modification we can destroy this ship in an instant.”

  “Good. Before you continue, I need two RPGs and a dozen grenades for each. Bring them and three AK47s and a box of ammunition to the bridge.”

  The taller man asked, “Do you expect trouble?”

  Linda kept her face expressionless. “The vessel following us is trouble with a capital T.”

  The two men left her staring through the bridge windows. She loved the sea and its moods but allowed her mind to drift back as it often did since Danny’s death.

  Why do I bother with the future when I doubt if I have one. I want to live for now, not waste my thoughts. There’s a good chance I won’t be alive tomorrow. My way of life has never been like anyone else’s. Every day is exciting, and I’m a free spirit. I need no one telling me what I should eat or what to wear. My life is mine to do as I please. I want to discover how the world looks from the other side of the fence. I know the life I’ve created is the one I must change. Natalia is the first person I’ve chosen to tell.

  Startled by the screeching of a black-headed gull, her thoughts altered. Her lips curled into a wry smile as she pressed the switch to try the electronic jammers. She checked her sat-phone, no signal. The VHF set at the rear of the bridge gave a constant static from its speakers. With a flick of the switch, the communications worked as normal.

  Bleary eyed, the first officer strolled onto the bridge at eighteen hundred hours. “You should sleep.”

  “You’re right. We have three days at most to abandon ship. Any suggestions?”

  “A Mediterranean rain storm might help.”

  Linda laughed. “I’ll be in the cabin at the back of the bridge. Press the captain’s emergency alarm if you need me. Meanwhile I’ll pray for rain.”

  27

  The dark sky merged with the sea, carrying with it the threat of a summer storm. The air was still and low black clouds drifted with an unnatural slowness.

  With Abdullah on the bridge, everyone relaxed on the aft sundeck drinking coffee.


  “Whatever happened to good conversation?” asked Eric.

  Rono glanced at him. “I can’t speak for the rest but I’m bored out of my scull. The odds are that Linda’s on that ship. Why can’t we board and kill her?”

  Eric drew a long breath and exhaled. “If we go too close, they will defend or set off whatever explosives they have. Our controllers believe there’s a fifty, fifty chance they have plutonium onboard. The activation of a dirty nuclear bomb frightens the hell out of them. I must admit it scares me shitless. Their present course of zero four five takes them to the south of Genoa. Don't forget these people tore up the rules. Their ideology means we are the infidels. They are the hyenas but we don't have to be easy prey. We can be lions.”

  “Your mobile is chiming. Someone’s sending you a text message,” said Anna. “Stay where you are, I’ll get it.” She dropped inside the main lounge and tossed the now silent phone out. Eric caught it with his left hand. In silence, he read the message.

  He raised his head. “Rono, how many persons are on that vessel?”

  “Thirty-six or seven. Why do you ask?”

  “Because the authorities cleared thirty–two of the crew through customs and immigration at Portpi. That leaves five or six.”

  “What.” Rono spilt his coffee. “Let’s beat the shit out of them and end this.”

  “There’s still a bomb to defuse,” said Eric. Anna tossed Rono a cloth.

  “No matter,” said Rono as he used the cloth to wipe the deck. “Didn’t you tell us the Royal Navy ship following has SAS troops on board? Those guys are the best.”

  There was silence for a few moments as Eric rubbed his chin. “They need us to test the temperature of the water.”

  “They must be out of their minds,” said Rono. He checked his watch against the boat’s chronometer. From his shirt pocket, he took a crumpled pack of cigarettes and placed them on the table. “God knows what weapons they have? When the shit hits the fan, this floating gin palace is not a gunboat. One man on their bridge could send us to hell in seconds.”

  “He’s right,” said Anna.

  “I know but an order is an order, and the night is favourable to the assailant.”