CHAPTER EIGHT:
"So, what happens now?" Nancy asked Desmarais and the Duchesse's captain. "Does this ship have watertight bulkheads?"
The captain nodded. "Yes. Since Titanic, international standards have changed to ensure that bulkheads are built a lot higher. They cover a lot more decks. We can contain any water that comes in as a result of the collision. The damage is also luckily confined to the lowest deck. The crew has reported that there is only a small amount of water pooling on the floor. But that can change as the ship moves. Besides, it is difficult to determine the complete damage this early."
"And the pumps?" Desmarais pressed. "Are they operating?"
"They are. We will have plenty of time to transfer passengers to Newfoundland, by using the lifeboats."
"We won't just continue on to the closest port?" Frank asked. "Since the pumps are functioning correctly, surely the ship can stay afloat. Why would you risk passengers in lifeboats when the ship is the safest option?"
The two men exchanged a look. Desmarais looked conflicted. On one hand, if they continued as normal, they could avoid the negative publicity. But, on the other, they still had a-ways to go, and it was hard to predict whether the ship would make it. Nancy shot Frank a look. His face told her that they were on the same page. The damage must be worse than either Desmarais or the captain was admitting. Otherwise, abandoning ship wouldn't be on the cards.
"It's better not to take the risk of sailing on," Desmarais said. "Captain, contact the coast guard and inform the passengers that they will need to board the lifeboats." He called over a crew member. "And you, start assembling the crew. We need to start moving passengers onto the decks and into the boats."
Nancy couldn't believe her ears. A seemingly normal evening had just come undone and was unraveling before her very eyes. She glanced at Frank and Joe to see if they were as stunned as she was. A quick look informed her that they were shell shocked. Frank was ashen and rigid, and Joe's big blue eyes looked glassy.
"Now, you three should start for the lifeboats," Desmarais said.
"Wait a minute, you have some explaining to do. How did this happen?" Frank protested. "The ship has state of the art equipment. You're telling me the autopilot just failed? Like that? And how has a small crop of rocks done so much damage? You're hiding something, monsieur. And we have a right to know what!"
Desmarais started to speak but stopped as the captain's voice rode over his.
"Passengers and crew, we are currently experiencing a minor technical issue. We ask that you move quickly and calmly to your allocated muster station, where you will be directed by the crew. Do not panic. I repeat, please move quickly and calmly to your allocated-"
"Mr. Hardy, this will require an investigation," Desmarais said. "But for now-"
He broke off as Louise Cormon burst into the room. She was followed by George and Bess.
"I'm sorry, Nan, as soon as she heard the announcement she took off," George said.
Louise got in Desmarais' face, jabbing a finger close to his eyes. "What have you done?" she shrieked, sounding unhinged. "What have you done? I knew something like this would happen. I just knew it! All your cutting corners, all your broken promises-"
"Ma'am, calm yourself!" a crew member cried, wrestling her off Desmarais.
Joe assisted in holding her back, as she struggled frantically. But he was too strong. She had no hope of escaping his grip.
"Louise, it's okay. What's going on?" he asked.
"Him!" she snarled, still trying to get at Desmarais. "He killed my dad and now he's going to kill all these people! He's a murderer. And you're protecting him!"
"What do you think Louise meant by that?" Nancy demanded of Desmarais, as two crew members lead Louise away. She'd tried to get the young woman to talk, but the crew had insisted that she was dangerous, as she kept trying to lunge at Desmarais.
She was shocked by the change that had come over the seemingly polite, sophisticated woman who dressed well and had so much charm. However, Nancy knew as well as anyone that people's appearances could be deceiving. Besides, she could tell Louise was hiding something. She had a past. And it could have been the fuse that ignited her rage.
"I don't know. Why are you interrogating me? I was attacked," he protested, straightening his suit. "Now, enough. I have to go. This is an emergency!"
Nancy could have slapped the man. But Frank's hand was on hers, holding her back.
"Later," he hissed. "He's right. This isn't the time."
"But-"
"Where can he go? We're on a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean."
Nancy deflated as she realized he was right. Ever the voice of reason, huh? They were in the middle of a real crisis. She could solve the mystery later. But, as she stood blinking on the bridge, the chaos around her became clear. Below, passengers were rushing about, alerted by the message. Where was the calm the captain had asked for?
George was flustered. "I don't know what's going on. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make this more complicated. She took off. But… what did she mean?"
"Going to have to deal with that later," Joe responded, through gritted teeth.
Luckily the friends were all on C deck, on the port side, so they shared a muster station.
A crew member was handing out lifeboats and seeing the group, he showed them how to fit them correctly. When he saw Bess's teeth chattering, he sourced a blanket.
Nancy noticed that while people were upset and confused, there was none of the confusion of Titanic, in any of the films she'd seen. The crew was pointing out locations to passengers, and others, like Bess, were offered warm things to help combat the chill and shock.
Frank was staring at the lifeboat before them, muttering under his breath.
"Hydrostatic piston unit, mm… must be an offload mechanism operation lifeboat…" he was saying to himself.
"Hey, nerd. What's up?" Nancy teased.
She felt the chill come over her at once, as she glanced into the dark water, felt the spray sting her face. One of the first boats was moving downward, away from the security of the big, strong ship. Was this how the passengers of Titanic had felt, as they looked at the big, lit windows, heard the strains of cheerful violin? And, she reminded herself, it wasn't just the Titanic. She was possibly feeling the same emotions that thousands of shipping disaster victims had felt, before meeting their watery demise.
Great. Real cheerful. Maybe Frank's strategy was better.
"I'm just… trying to focus on things I can comprehend," he said sheepishly, pushing a lock of hair out of his face. The blush on his face made her knees weak. Was this it? Was it all over? If Nancy was going to die, was it going to be on this very spot, when she was away from her hometown, her friends and family?
She found herself come to peace with it. She had her best friends in the world, around her. And she was with Frank. It was impossible to be afraid, with him beside her. But she did get the feeling that this might be some sort of crossroad, that it could be the end. Had she done everything she'd wanted to do? Had she made a meaningful life for herself in her short time on earth? Had she fought enough? Cared enough? Loved enough?
He saw the strange look on her face. And he hesitated. Then, he leaned down… His face was so close... his firm lips were parted...
Was he going to kiss her? Nancy's heart skipped a beat.
"We're up," Bess said solemnly, motioning to the lifeboat that was now ready before them. Already? It had only been minutes. Nancy was stunned. Everything was going as smoothly as silk. It seemed like she was dreaming. Where was the chaos of the lifeboat drills at the beginning of their trip? What had happened to the sunny days, lazing on the deck, swimming in the pool? It all seemed so far away, as she gazed into the darkness.
She glanced back at Frank, but his face was unreadable.
No answers there. Had he been about to kiss her? Surely not. None of it made sense. She wondered if it was what she wanted? No, it couldn't be.
"Are you coming?" Joe held out a hand to help her into the boat.
Frank reassured her, "I'm right behind you."
As she scrambled into the lifeboat, she looked up at Frank and Joe. The two brothers looked so grown up, standing side by side on the deck. Frank's hands were at his sides, and Joe's were crossed over his broad chest.
Joe started to move toward the lifeboat, when the crew member who held a clipboard, pushed him back. "Sir, this one is full. You're going to have to get in another boat."