Note: I'm so sorry it's taken so long for me to get out this chapter. I felt it necessary to take a step back and do a little more research and as a result have come up with a few more ideas which I think will greatly enhance the story I had originally planned. I hope you will all find it was worth the wait.
I also want to take a moment to express thanks to all who have submitted your very supportive and complimentary reviews. I am flattered you all think so highly of my story. Thank you!
Chapter 12
An hour or so before the Carpathia docked in New York City a very important, though unreported, meeting took place. It involved only a few select individuals with the knowledge of some very discreet information that had been obtained from the Leyland liner, the Californian. Those in attendance were J. Bruce Ismay, president of the White Star Line; surviving officers Lightoller, Pitman, Boxhall and Lowe of the Titanic; Harold Bride, second wireless operator and Joseph Bailey, master-at-arms of the Titanic; Captain Arthur Rostron and wireless operator Harold Cottam of the Carpathia, and Caledon Hockley, the only passenger informed of the incident. Mr. Ismay requested that the group be assembled for a quick re-briefing before arrival.
"Gentlemen, I have asked you all here to discuss the matter of the incident involving the Californian and her discovery of the young man of which you were all aware. I trust that you have kept this information quiet as I had previously requested. With that in mind, I will ask you all now that as far as you are aware, is there any other individual aboard this ship who is aware of this bit of privileged information. If it is so, I ask that this person be asked to join us before we proceed. Gentlemen?" Ismay was met with a response "no sir" from all.
"Very good", Ismay proceeded. "I need you to all understand my decision to keep this matter quiet. First of all, we have learned that the young man was not traveling with any family, nor does any of his family or friends, if any, have any knowledge of him sailing on Titanic. Mr. Hockley here is familiar with the young fellow who apparently was of some assistance to his fiancé when she nearly fell overboard the night of the eleventh. Mr. Hockley, in attempt to show gratitude, then invited this young man to dinner where he learned much about his past and character. He is a vagabond, a loner. He indicated having no immediate family and he won his fare on Titanic through a game of poker. So you see, the ticket was registered in another man's name. There will be no record confirming this man was ever aboard the Titanic. Do you understand what I am getting at gentlemen?" Ismay was again met with understanding nods from all around the table.
"In addition", Ismay began again, "this young man further proved his poor character by making advances on Mr. Hockley's fiancé, presumably to gain access to Mr. Hockley's quarters where he then lifted a diamond necklace from Mr. Hockley's safe. Mr. Bailey here was called up to make the arrest when it was then discovered that the coat he was wearing had been reported stolen by another passenger earlier that day. This all took place shortly after the collision. He was brought below to the master-at-arms office on E deck where he was secured to a pipe, then left in care of Mr. Hockley's valet. How he managed to escape is uncertain, but he did and it is a matter that must be dealt with most discreetly. Frankly, it doesn't matter to a soul in this world that this boy is alive. It is unfortunate that he was saved when so many good people, husbands, fathers and sons, wives, mothers and children, our own beloved friends and crew, were lost. If this incident were to be reported, it would reawaken hope to those who lost loved ones that this person might be their's, or that their loved ones might be left in the water, or floating atop pieces of wreckage, waiting to be rescued. You all know as well as I that this is now an impossibility. People would also criticize Captain Rostron and his fine crew for not doing more in their search efforts. They will not easily understand that finding this boy was sheer luck, that he happened to find a piece of wreckage to sustain him, and that the Californian just happened to pass by him. The Californian reported that they didn't find anyone else at all, dead or alive. Your silence in this matter gentlemen is of utmost importance, not only to the White Star Line, but to yourselves and your character. That is all I have to say. If any of you wish to express your thoughts, please do so now because once we leave this room, it is expected from all of you to speak of this matter to no one. Not your wives, your closest friends and most trusted confidantes, not each other. That is all."
"I have one question Mr. Ismay", it was wireless operator Harold Bride. "Surely other ships may have intercepted messages between this ship and the Californian. What if they happen to report the story on their own to the papers?"
"Then it will be quickly and adamantly denied Mr. Bride. Your story should be that amongst the immense traffic of messages, several signals were crossed and the message was incorrectly received. Surely that is not an unusual circumstance is it, Mr. Bride? The few inquiries we received so far from other ships have been flatly denied as instructed, have they not?"
"Yes sir", replied both Bride and Cottam, "but the rumor may still spread", continued Bride.
"Then you will continue to deny any knowledge of the incident. I should also add, Mr. Hockley here will be traveling to Boston upon arrival to New York to meet with the Californian and her crew upon their arrival in Boston to secure things there. I assure you, any rumors stirred up by wireless messages exchanged between these two ships will be quickly put to rest. We have some very unfavorable information regarding the Californian and her position. Mr. Hockley here is a fine businessman and he will see to it that her captain and it's crew will find it in their best interest as well to keep quiet. Now, is there anything else gentlemen?
The men all sat quietly and shook their heads, hardly glancing at one another. There was no more to be discussed. Ismay had made everything perfectly clear and there was no arguement for in all their eyes, it was the right thing to do.
"Very well then gentlemen", Ismay concluded. "I thank you all for your time and cooperation in this matter. Godspeed to all of you."
Aside from the meeting that was to take place on the Californian the Friday morning following the Carpathia's arrival in New York, the group of men kept their promise and never spoke of the incident again. The Carpathia arrived in New York City and the men quickly dispersed to prepare for disembarkment as if nothing had just happened. After all, not one of them felt they were doing anything wrong by withholding this bit of information, truly believing they were relieving the survivors and families of Titanic's passengers of unnecessary anguish. Perhaps it was true to an extent. The news of finding a survivor in the water and heroically hoisting him to safety would be all the talk of the general public for a day or two, maybe a week at most. For someone waiting for news of a love one saved however, it would be heartbreaking. Unfortunately, with the exception of Cal, what the men did not know was that there was someone out there anxiously awaiting the news that her loved one had been saved. Someone who would spend the next few weeks scouring the papers for a story that wasn't to be told. Someone who would lie awake in bed night after night, haunted by thoughts of what could have been done differently to prevent this tragedy from happening. Night after night wondering what would have happened if she had stayed with him, feeling guilty for leaving him behind. Day after day, she would wonder if she would, or could, ever love so strongly again.