Passage by Night - Jack Higgins [59]
'And bring them out into the open?' Morrison shook his head. 'I'm not too happy about that and I'm not keen on wasting time in altering course. I've got un uneasy feeling they might be up to something. I think we should keep after them.'
'I agree,' Manning said. 'If the weather stays like this, we stand a fair chance of catching up before dawn. We should certainly get there before they've finished whatever it is they intend doing.'
'Are you sure about that? They've got nearly an hour's start on us, remember.'
Manning touched the side of the wheelhouse lightly with one hand. 'I've been concerned with boats since I was a boy, Morrison. You name it, I've sailed on it. The Grace Abounding is the finest craft I've ever known. She'll get you there.'
Seth came in at that moment and cut into the conversation. 'Take the wheel for a moment, Mr Morrison, while I fix him up.'
Manning sat down and turned his face to the light. Seth swabbed it quickly with a piece of lint soaked in antiseptic and affixed a plaster along the deep cut.
'Good as new,' he said.
Manning took over the wheel again and Morrison lit a cigarette. 'What if they're already on the job when we get there? She told you she was going skin diving, remember.'
'We'll go down after them.' Manning turned to Seth. 'You can break out all the diving equipment and check it. How about aqualungs?'
'We got three, but I ain't sure about spare bottles and Mr Morrison used one for an hour the other day.'
'Better check and let me know how things stand.'
Seth nodded and went out and Morrison leaned over the chart to trace their course with a nervous finger. He looked up, face strained and anxious. 'If we do have to go down after them, things could get nasty.'
Manning shrugged. 'Can you think of a better way of handling it? Out in the open and official, it would be the biggest international stink since the Cuban crisis.'
Morrison nodded. 'You're right, this is the only way.'
'Of course I'm right,' Manning grinned. 'Go and give Seth a hand with the equipment and stop worrying.'
The wind kicked spray against the window and he rubbed the weariness from his eyes and sat down, the wheel gripped tightly in his hands. There was no moon, but visibility was excellent and he strained his eyes into the distance. The door opened and Orlov entered.
'How's Papa Melos?' Manning said.
'Indestructible. He's having a sleep.'
'Thank God for that. He's been hurt enough by this business.'
'So, the stern sea chase begins?'
Manning glanced at him quickly. 'You've been talking to Morrison?'
The Russian nodded. 'I'd like to make up the party if you have to go down. I'm a useful man with an aqualung.'
'How useful?'
Orlov shrugged. 'The study of marine life is a sideline of mine. I've been at it for five years or so now. Mostly in the Black Sea, but I've put in a lot of time underwater since my posting to Cuba.'
Manning grinned. 'Looks like you're elected.'
Orlov smiled charmingly. 'I'm so glad you agree. I'd have insisted on going anyway. I'll take over for an hour if you like. Anna's got the coffee going below.'
Manning didn't even try to refuse. His eyes were sore and the nagging pain in his face seemed to drag him down. He went along the deck and paused at the rail for a moment before going below.
Seth and Morrison had the diving gear spread out on the floor and table of the saloon. There were a couple of brand new spear guns and Manning picked one up and frowned.
'Where did these come from?'
'Mr Morrison bought them while you were away.'
'What about the spare bottles?'
Seth shook his head. 'Not too good. About forty minutes for one of the aqualungs, that's all.'
'Should be ample.' Manning turned to Morrison. 'By the way, Orlov's coming with us if we have to go down. Apparently he's something of an expert.'
'So he informed me,' Morrison said. 'He's quite a guy, that Russian.'
'An understatement,' Manning said.
He moved into the galley as Anna came out of the forward cabin. Her face was white and strained and there were dark circles under her eyes.
'You