I don't own any of the characters of places in this story so far. By the way, if I get any spelling or technical things wrong, I apologise ahead of time.
"Bright Island; everything leads back to that island" Mike thought to himself over and over.
After not even making it to the hospital to question Carl, due to the fact that Carl hadn't made it there alive, Mike had gone back to the Hammersley to try clear his mind. What was going on on that island, Mike had no idea, but everything led back to there; that and Rick Gallagher seemed to be the only links between everything that had happened. It seemed too much of a coincidence that Ursula Morrel was now travelling with Gallagher without even letting Mike know.
Mike frowned. Kate wasn't so sure that Ursula didn't have anything to do with any of it. Mike had a feeling that Kate actually thought Ursula could have been in on everything. He shook his head; he knew Ursula and was sure that she couldn't be involved in whatever was going on. He did trust Kate and her judgement thought, so at the moment his mind was pulling him from one scenario to another then another.
Mike gave up and tried to move his thoughts to another topic, one that was a little less confusing.
"Sir?" Mike's face turned red as to turned to face the very topic he had just been thinking about.
"Yes Kate?"
"Sir, I just wanted to check that you are alright. You seemed a little out of sorts over Carl's death." Kate said, a little nervous to bring the topic up again.
Mike smiled inwardly. He should have known that Kate would notice that not everything was okay in his mind. She knew him better and could read him better than anyone else.
"Just a little frustrated Kate. Something is going on on Bright Island and I don't know what. Carl was our only real link to everything." Mike sighed as his mind again went over everything that had happened.
Kate nodded silently, knowing that there was more on Mike's mind.
Mike sighed and after a pause added, "And I'm also worried about Ursula. I know her Kate and the Ursular I know would not have anything to do with Gallagher or whatever else is going on." Mike stopped and looked up at Kate, not sure whether he wanted to hear her response or not.
Kate nodded but waited a while to think about her response before she answered.
"I understand Sir but if she had been in any sort of trouble while on Gallagher's boat, she had plenty of opportunities to tell me or any other of our crewmen on board that day. I just don't know that she is in any trouble Mike. Well any of that sort of trouble anyway."
Mike nodded, still not sure whether he wanted to believe Kate's judgement or not.
"I don't know Kate and for now, I'm done thinking about it. I'm headed down to the galley to see what food Chefo left there. Care to join me?" Mike found himself holding his breath a little while he wanted for an answer. He wasn't sure whether that was because he just needed company right now or whether it was because it was Kate that he had asked.
After a slight moment of hesitation, Kate nodded and stepped aside to let Mike pass and then lead the way to the galley. Kate wasn't sure exactly why she had agreed. Being alone on the Hammersley with Mike was dangerous enough and now she had just agreed to go and eat alone in the galley with him. Kate shook her head at her own thoughts and continued to follow Mike.
To be continued…