Dolby(41)
Author: Maryann Jordan
Moving to the refrigeration room door, he cracked it open and observed the empty kitchen. Thankfully, with most cargo ships, the food preparation would be shared by a couple of crew members who also had other duties. He quickly moved around the stainless counters to one door that led to a dining area that held three long tables with ten chairs around each. Reaching to the doorframe above, he attached one of the miniature cameras provided by Teddy. He tapped on the screen of his watch, noting the camera number and location.
Hastening to the next door, he moved into the hall and placed another camera at the end, noting its placement as well. The hall was empty, and using the stairs, he moved up and down the four decks, placing cameras on each so that LSIWC would have video from the inside of the ship. Coming to the clinic, he opened the door and saw that it was empty. He stepped inside and glanced around. Cargo ships didn’t sail with a doctor, but several crew members would be trained in first aid. It appeared the clinic wasn’t in use for anyone, so he slipped back out.
He finally entered a supply closet filled with cabinets and shelves. Attaching a lock to the inside, he slid to the floor and settled in to wait and watch.
For the next two hours, he watched as a few crewmembers moved about the halls, but for the most part, the accommodations decks were empty as everyone attended to their duties. It was amazing a ship this large could be run with only about thirty people. A few would work in shifts, but many other duties would be during the day.
Just as he suspected, two crewmembers entered the kitchen, tied on aprons, and began the meal preparation. He continually switched between camera views, constantly looking for a clue as to Marcia’s whereabouts. He also knew that other Keepers would be monitoring the cameras as well so nothing would be missed.
The image of Marcia’s shy smile that she finally graced upon him in the lighthouse ran through his mind. How can a strong connection be felt in such a short amount of time? It was like being hit by a truck or jumping from a plane without checking if your chute would open. It was like running a race, not worried about where the finish line was. It was the gut punch from the hit not expected. It was the shot through the heart from a weapon you never knew was being fired. He knew he’d fallen for Marcia the instant he discovered she battled through her fear of him and took care of his wound.
Staring at the screen on his watch, he jolted at the sight of a woman entering the kitchen. Women crew members were rare, only making up about two percent of the maritime industry. But the fact she wasn’t dressed in uniform like the other workers was what captured his attention.
She didn’t speak as she waited while one of the crew members plated food onto a plate set on a metal tray. She walked to the refrigerator and retrieved a water bottle, then set it on the tray as well. She carried the tray out of the kitchen, walked down the hall to the elevator, and entered. Once she stepped out on the floor above, she was met by a man who escorted her down the hall, stopping at the clinic. They entered, and then a few minutes later, the man came back into the hall, followed a moment later by the woman, her hands now empty. When he’d peeked inside the clinic, he hadn’t seen anyone. So who received the food? And why was a woman delivering it?
Radioing to Jeb, he asked, “Are there any women crew members listed on the deck logs for the Skirta Kralista?”
After a moment, the succinct reply was given. “No.”
So the woman wasn’t an official crew member. Calculating how he could get to her without the escort, he watched the man leave the area while the woman continued to help in the kitchen. Most of the crew entered the dining room, ate, then left while she remained. She cleaned the kitchen and dining room alone. He followed her movements as she also mopped the halls and two of the bathrooms. She moved between two floors only for several more hours, just cleaning, not interacting with any of the crew members she came in contact with.
The two kitchen crew members returned and began the supper meal, and he watched as the woman repeated her earlier procedures with the covered food plate on the metal tray with a bottle of water. Leaving the supply closet, Dolby moved with stealth, and when she stepped into the elevator, he shot out his arm and stopped the door from closing. Stepping inside, he towered over the woman who was staring, eyes wide with terror as she backed into the corner. The door closed, and knowing he only had a few seconds, she looked down at the tray, which was rattling in her shaking hand.
Pointing at the tray, he asked, “For the woman? Woman in clinic?”
She didn’t say anything as fear oozed off her. He repeated, his voice a little sharper. “Is food for the woman in the clinic?”
She jerked her head up and down. Pulling the small dove figurine from his pocket, he lifted the cover over the food, and set it on the plate, then recovered the dish.
She still said nothing but lowered her brow in question.
“Gift to woman.” The elevator stopped, and just before the doors opened, he repeated, “Say nothing to anyone but give to the woman.”
Her gaze jerked back to his face, but with less fear in her eyes. She jerked her head up and down again, then stepped out of the elevator, and the doors closed behind her. As Dolby slipped back to the supply closet, he watched her on his screen as she met the man outside the clinic door. When they stepped inside, he held his breath, waiting to see if the woman had told the man what he’d done.
But after a moment, they came out again, and the man gave no indication he’d seen anything untoward. He walked down the hall while she made her way back to the kitchen.
Now, he waited. But not for long.
19
Marcia was restless, pacing back and forth. Her nerves were heightened more than at any time since she’d woken into this living nightmare. Her body ached from the poor mattress, and she shivered from the chill. She’d spent time staring out the corner of her window, but the cloudy day gave little hope. She’d paced for as long as she could, determined to work her muscles in the cramped space. She knew they’d docked, and according to Tudora, they were supposed to be in Hawaii, and she wondered if she could rush out when her meal was served, finding a way to jump ship… without killing myself in the process!
But a surprise at lunch had greeted her. When Tudora came with the tray, Pitar wasn’t with her. Instead, another large man with a hard expression and a scar down the side of his face had been at the door when it opened. And his countenance had not been welcoming in the least. Shocked at not seeing Pitar, her heart skipped a beat at the glare this man had sent her way, causing all ideas of rushing out to shrivel.
But as soon as Tudora scooted into her closet cell with the tray, it was evident the young woman was unnerved. Marcia wanted to ask where Tudora’s brother was, but the vibe pouring from the new guard gave evidence that she shouldn’t speak. Or even if she had asked, she doubted Tudora would have replied.