Thirty eight - A Disturbing Chain of Events
Betrayed could not even cover it. The words on the paper had been written so confidently. Cal had believed that she wouldn't leave. Her threat would have been empty – just like all of the others. His eyes had been kept on the doors at dinner, expecting to have to make up some sodden lie to the Captain for her lateness. She never arrived. She had left with Jack Dawson, the note had explained. Cal sighed. He glanced away from the paper for a moment. His teeth clenching together tightly that the pain in his jaw caused his eyes to squint. He had given her everything, provided for her, even opened the heart he never realised he had. He had fallen in love with her. Despite their doubts, he had believed their marriage to be a happy one. For the most part.
He clutched the note in his hand, he screwed it up without a second thought. He felt nothing but anger. He had been made a fool of, an utter fool. Jack Dawson, the scum Rose had barely spoken to. The man he had taken in and given money, food and a good job.
Lovejoy approached the wardrobe room, sensing some disturbance. ''What has happened?''
Cal turned to him. ''This.'' He lobbed the balled paper to Lovejoy, who caught it with no effort. He unscrewed the paper before reading the words quickly.
''Well, well. The 'German Count' I assume?''
Cal narrowed his eyes. Oblivious to what Lovejoy meant. Rose had not only lied to Cal but she had made him look like a complete fool leading him to believe that the man had been some strange German man she had met up on decks the day before.
''Do you always place the necklace on the top of the safe?'' Lovejoy pointed to the safe.
Cal turned saw that it had been placed at the bottom on a smaller shelf on top of a stack of bills. It had been moved.
''Mr. Hockley, I do believe I have a plan…''
The air was cold but Jack and Rose didn't even shiver as they left the interior through the deck door. Above them the lookouts Fleet and Lee sat in the crows nest. Their laughs pierced the quiet air as they fought for breath as they burst out onto the deck.
''Did you see the look on those guys faces?'' Jack held his stomach, his left hand holding Rose's. The cold air hit his face and he pulled Rose closer to him.
In that moment realisation hit Rose hard. She and Jack were going to create a new life together, they had started their journey together and it would go on. Her face fell serious. She placed her fingers on his lips to shush him.
''When this ship docks, I am yours, fully.''
Jack touched her face with the palm of his hand. She wore no make up. Her hair so perfectly curled down her back. This was the most beautifully alive he had ever seen her.
''In a few days, we will be stood here with the Lady Liberty within reach, that's our freedom Rosie, right there, you and me.''
Jack kissed her, with such fire and passion. This was the beginning of their lives together. He didn't care who saw them they were too lost in the moment. He loved her, with all of his heart he did and he wasn't going to let anything stop them from being together now.
They failed to hear the ships bell ring three times above them. Not knowing their journey was about to be halted.
Their breath clouded around them, the freezing air which neither of them felt due to been so wrapped up in the other. Jack broke their kiss, the deck beneath their feet vibrating. Seconds later, chunks of ice rained down onto the deck.
''Get back!'' Jack pulled Rose away from the rail. They watched in amazement as a massive iceberg crossed their sight. As quickly as it had arrived, it vanished passed. Jack shot to the rail and watched as it disappeared into blackness. It disappeared into the black night and Rose then felt the cold hit her.
''Did we hit?'' Rose shivered, the cold now hitting her.
''I think so.'' He looked over the rail once more. ''Did you feel the shudder.''
''Yes.''
Rose glanced over the rail. The berg was more or less out of sight. First class passengers had begun to gather out on deck. Some still wore their lavish evening gowns, whilst some wore pyjamas with overcoats. Some were worried, some played football with ice on the deck. Jack took Rose's hand and began to lead her back towards the entrance. They needed to get warm.
Cal paced the corridor angrily, he shouted toward a steward. ''You there!''
''Sir, there is no emergency.'' He reassured Cal right away.
Cal was impatient. ''Yes there is.''
''No, sir. I have no information…it was a small shudder…perhaps a propeller blade…''
He tried to convince them until Lovejoy butted in. ''Fetch the Master-at-Arms, there has been a robbery!''
The steward blinked a few times at the gentlemen, not quite processing what he just said. ''Now you moron!''
''Yes, sir.'' He stuttered as he backed away.
Lovejoy and Cal turned to enter the suite. ''Bloody English, I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire!''
Inside the stateroom they found Ruth had awoken. ''Cal what is all this commotion about?'' She wore her emerald green dressing gown, her hair curled down her back.
''Ruth, there are some things you should know.''
Ruth took a seat on the divan couch. ''Oh Cal, whatever has happened.''
Lovejoy left the room sensing he should not be present whilst such conversations were taking place. ''Your daughter has left with Jack Dawson.''
Ruth brought her hand to her mouth. She shook her head in disbelief. ''Wherever could she go? I warned her of such things.''
''You knew?''
Ruth clamped her mother shut. ''She cared for him, I knew that much.''
Ruth stood from the couch. She began to pace the sitting room floor. ''Oh Lord.''
Lovejoy approached with a glass of brandy for her. She didn't usually drink such strong liquor at this hour no less but with the situation, she needed it.
''Also, I have fetched the Master-at-Arms.'' Cal looked to Lovejoy. ''The Heart of the Ocean has disappeared along with Rose and her lover.''
Ruth's mouth curved into an 'o'. ''My daughter would not-''
''Rose wouldn't. He would.''
Below decks, Fabrizio and Tommy were in a crowd of steerage men. They had not left their card games long before and had not been to bed yet. The corridors were clogged, men grabbed their belongings which were soaked. Something was not right.
''We need to wake Jack. Tell him to get the fuck out.'' Tommy shouted above the noise of the immigrants in the corridor. Fabrizio followed Tommy to their room. It was empty. Even the Gunderson's had left.
''Where must he be?'' Fabrizio was worried for his friend. Tommy clocked Rose's belongings which had been slung on the bed. He also found Jack's drawings.
''He is with Rose.'' Tommy pointed to the clothes. ''She must have left her rich bastard of a husband. Those are her things.''
Fabrizio spied the bag. ''He will be all right, no?''
''He's fine, he's great. He will be on drier decks than we are. Come on, let's move.''
On the well deck two gentlemen threw blocks of ice to each other. They watched as others played soccer. ''It's not too serious. I'm going back to my cabin to read.''
Jack overheard them say. He weaved in and out of people as he and Rose headed back inside. They went up the stairs up onto B deck.
A moment later Captain Smith rounded the corner, followed by Andrews and Carpenter Hutchinson. They had come down from the bridge by the outside stairs. The three men, their faces grim, crushed right past Jack and Rose. Andrews took a moment to glance at Rose. They shared a look which neither of them understood.
''Can you shore up?'' Smith asked the Carpenter.
''Not unless the pumps get ahead.''
Jack turned to Rose. ''This is bad.''
Rose watched as the trio disappeared down onto the well deck. She had a bad feeling in her stomach. ''I have to warn my mother.''
''Now its worse.''
Rose turned to Jack. ''I'm sorry, she is my mother. I know Cal will possibly be there but we will face him together.''
Jack nodded, he knew he was been unreasonable. ''I'm sorry.''
Jack followed Rose inside the ship they entered the B deck foyer and followed the corridor. ''Just don't let go of my hand.'' Rose whispered, feeling the nervous bubble inside her.
She hoped that Cal would still be in the smoking room but she knew he had always returned by this time, if not earlier due to the commotion.
Lovejoy was waiting in the hallway. ''We've been waiting for you, Mrs. Hockley.''
She winced at the sound of her name. ''We won't be staying long.'' She told him firmly as she entered the room. She grabbed Jack's hand tighter as they passed Lovejoy. He stood casual, not allowing this moment to affect him in anyway.
Cal stubbed out a cigarette. He saw the pathetic couple stood holding hands like loves young dream. Lovejoy closed the door behind him.
Rose failed to notice the Master at Arms stood with her mother. ''Something serious has happened.'' Rose began. ''Mother, I must speak with you-''
''There are more important matters to discuss first.'' Cal cut her off. ''Two things dear to me have disappeared this evening.''
''Cal, I left you-''
''Now one is them is back.'' Cal glanced from Rose to Jack. ''I think I know where to find the other.''
The Master at Arms stepped closer to Jack. ''Come on Sir, allow me to search you.''
Jack stepped away from Rose. ''What? This is horseshit!''
Rose watched as they searched Jack but she wasn't sure what for. ''Cal, we are in the middle of an emergency. What's going on?''
The Master at Arms continued to search Jack. He came to pants pocket, searching the back pocket. He pulled out the necklace which they were looking for.
''Is this it?''
Jack stared with as much disbelief as Rose. ''I didn't take that.''
''Well what was it doing in your pocket? We all know you only came back here for the money. Not for my wife.''
The Master-at-Arms continued to search Jack.
''I love Rose.'' He watched as she backed away from him. ''Don't believe this Rose. You know I wouldn't do it. You were with me the entire time.''
''He couldn't have.'' Ruth came to Rose and offered her a sip of brandy. She replayed the moment she had gone into the safe in her mind. He had been stood behind her.
''Of course he could. He's a professional. Once you smell that wealth, you would do anything to regain it.''
''Now come on, lets not make a fuss.'' He began to handcuff Jack.
''You put it in my pocket.'' He shouted to Lovejoy.
Rose was hurt, betrayed and most of all confused. She clung to her mother for support whilst taking a sip of the brandy. It burned her throat and did nothing to help the situation. Minutes earlier they had been up on the decks, so happy.
The Master-at-Arms took Jack outside of the room. Lovejoy followed. ''I will accompany you, I worked as railroad security for twelve years. I can handle this.''
''Rose don't listen to them, you know me. I didn't do this.''
Ruth lay a comforting hand on Rose's shoulder. ''Why do women believe men?''
The door was slammed. Rose squeezed her eyes closed. She couldn't believe the events of the evening. ''I came back to tell you we had struck ice, Mother.'' Tears welled in Rose's eyes.
Ruth placed her hands on her face. ''Oh Lord.''
''I know nothing further.'' Rose turned to Cal. ''Are you satisfied now?''
Ruth needed answers. ''I'm going to find out just what is happening. I cannot sleep now.''
She found herself in the corridor wearing her night clothes which was something which she never did.
Cal emerged from the wardrobe room. He was silent as he crossed the floor towards her. She found she didn't care what he said anymore. She leant against a chair. Seconds later, he slapped her straight across the cheek.
''You shameless slut.'' He grabbed her arms. The blow was painless compared to the devastating blow she had received from Jack. ''I should have known all along just how much of a whore you were.''
She remained silent not giving him the satisfaction of an answer.
''I though I was the only man to have been in your bed.''
He let go of her and found his cigarettes in his pocket. Tonight would be a long night. Ruth emerged from the corridor breathless.
''I have been advised we must go up on deck.'' Seconds later a knock sounded on the door and a steward entered straight away.
''Mr. Hockley, I have been asked to advise you to put on your life jackets and dress warmly. You must head up onto the deck.''
Cal walked into his bedroom, his head was about to explode. ''This is ridiculous.'' He called out.
''May I suggest topcoats and hats.'' The steward found the lifejackets. He spied Rose's sagging body and she rubbed her face. ''I'm sure its just a precaution.'' He smiled.
Rose turned to Ruth. They both know it was more than a precaution.