Chapter Five

Everyone watched nervously, backing away a bit as Wilson stood before the captain. There was something dangerous in the man, something reckless. If he knew that he had been caught, he was not showing it.

Clytie prayed silently. Something was about to happen. And she hoped that no one got hurt.

"So… Mr. Wilson, what do you have to say for yourself?" Englehorn asked his crewman.

Wilson shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know what you're talking about, Captain."

"I'm talking about that, Mr. Wilson." The captain pointed to the lights behind the Venture. "How do you explain the fact that we are being followed by a ship bearing Carl Denham and Jake Atkins?"

Wilson worked his jaw. "I don't explain it, sir."

Clytie could see that he was growing angry. Was it possible that he was an innocent man, angry to be falsely accused? He noticed her studying him and gave her a lazy grin before turning back to the captain.

"Stop leering at Miss Seaborne and explain to me why you were using the wireless yesterday," Englehorn snapped.

"She's a very pretty girl, Captain," Wilson said, grinning.

Clytie fancied that he looked like a jack-o-lantern--bald, big, and grinning wickedly.

"That's beside the point, Wilson. Answer me." The captain was obviously growing impatient.

Clytie saw through her peripheral vision that Preston and Jimmy were moving closer to her. Did they sense the danger as well?

"Very pretty. Have you asked her to your cabin yet?"

For a moment, Clytie was sure the captain was going to go for his pistol. Her throat tightened.

Instead, he stepped forward and grabbed the bigger man by the collar. "You are out of line, Wilson," he snapped. "One more comment like that and I am throwing you overboard. Now answer my question… Did you or did you not send a transmission to that ship, giving them our location?"

There was a moment of tense silence. Jack moved behind Englehorn to back him up if need be. Ann and Clytie moved closer together, flanked by Preston, Jimmy, and Darby.

Wilson's grin broadened. "I did, little Captain," he replied. "I was paid well. You, of all people, should know what it's like to compromise for a little cash."

Englehorn glared at him, momentarily tightening his hold on the larger man's collar. Then, he released him. "Mr. Darby, Jimmy--take this man to one of the cages in the hold. You might want to keep some weapons drawn. If he tries to get away… shoot him."

Darby and Jimmy nodded and quickly flanked Wilson, who was still smiling. Darby drew his pistol and prodded the big man with it. "Let's go, Mr. Wilson," he said.

As they walked by Clytie, Jimmy asked, "Are you okay, Clytie?"

She nodded quickly. "Fine. Thanks, Jimmy." She gave him a weak smile as he walked off with Darby and Wilson.

Ann reached to loop her arm through Clytie's. "Are you all right?" she whispered. "You look pale."

Clytie sighed. "I'm just… a bit shaken, I think." She glanced at the captain. He was standing at the rail, looking out at the lights behind them. She had been so worried that Wilson would fight back. And those things that the big man had said…

"Clytie, would you like to play a game of chess with me?" Preston spoke up.

Clytie smiled at him. "I'd love to. I don't think I could sleep now, anyway."

"I don't think that any of us can," Jack said. "Let's go to the galley and play some board games. That might get our minds off of things." He took his wife's hand, and the four of them started toward the galley.

Clytie trailed behind Preston, still disturbed at what had just happened.

"I apologize for Mr. Wilson's actions, Miss Seaborne," Englehorn said, falling into step beside her. His hand still hovered over the holster at his hip, as if he were still ready for a fight.

"It's not your fault," Clytie said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"But I take full responsibility," the captain replied. "He is one of my crew."

Clytie sighed. "I'm not going to be angry with you.--even if, for some odd reason, you want me to be." Dang it! I've done it again! I go from all silent and pitiful to blurting out the first thing that comes to mind in five seconds!

Englehorn laughed quietly. "You are a fascinating person, Miss Seaborne."

"Clytie."

"Clytie." His blue eyes were laughing. "Your insight is stunning."

She smiled almost shyly at him. "Thank-you. And you are a very responsible person, Captain Englehorn. Your maturity is stunning."

"Thank-you." He almost opened his mouth to tell her to call him by his first name, but something stopped him. He pressed his lips together, then said, "Have fun playing chess, Miss Seaborne, but be ready if I need you to help me."

"I'll be ready and waiting, Captain," she replied.

Then he stood there and watched her walk off with the others.

(LINE)

"You haven't played this game much before, have you?" Preston asked, raising an eyebrow at Clytie across the table.

"No," Clytie laughed. "In fact, I barely know the rules. Jake and David used to play all the time back home, but… I was always too busy doing something else."

"Like what?" Preston asked, moving his knight into position. He glanced furtively at the board. In a few more moves, he'd have her queen.

"Well… marine biologist stuff. You know. Studying fish and all that." Clytie looked down at the board, frowning in confusion. "Am I missing a pawn?"

Preston smiled and held it up. "I got it on my last turn."

"Oh…" Clytie shook her head. "You're going to win." She randomly chose a piece and moved it, not even sure if it was supposed to move like that.

"What other stuff do you do?"

"I love to read. I read all the time." If he keeps winning, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to snatch T.S. Eliot back from Jimmy and read it…

"I thought maybe you did. I saw you and Jimmy reading on the deck the other day." Ha! One more move, and the queen is mine! "So? Tell me more about yourself."

"I like going to movies and plays." She turned to smile at Jack and Ann, who were engaged in a fierce game of checkers. Checkers is so much easier than this! She absently moved her bishop, smiling. "I especially like going to plays when there are handsome actors in them."

Great. I've got her talking about men. Now she's really not going to notice this. Preston moved in on the queen. "Do you like Bruce Baxter movies?" he asked dryly.

Clytie remembered that he had been on the first voyage to Skull Island as well. "He's attractive, I suppose," she commented. "But he seems as if he would be a very… self-centered person."

"Oh, he is."

Clytie glanced down at the board. "Where is my queen?"

Preston grinned.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Clytie laughed. "Well, I guess it's working."

"I don't think we've ever heard you talk so much at one time," Jack spoke up, grinning.

"It's because I'm nervous and tired and tense," Clytie explained. "I always talk too much when I'm like that."

"Keep going," Preston said. King, here I come. "So… let's talk about men, Miss Seaborne. What kind do you like?"

Abruptly, the handsome face and form of Captain Englehorn came to her mind, but she pushed it away. "Strong men," she said quickly. "Men with passion and life and depth. I can't stand a shallow man. It helps if a man is intelligent, too." Her green eyes defocused. "I just want one man. I've always been like that. It's my dream, really--to get married and start a family."

"Clytie, I just beat you," Preston said, grinning.

"Again?" She laughed. "Jack, Ann--would you like this chess board? I think Preston and I are going to play checkers."

(LINE)

"Clytie certainly isn't very good at chess," Ann remarked to Jack and Preston as the three of them walked down the hall. They all laughed.

"No, but she's a killer at checkers," said Preston. "She actually beat me twice."

"Which is more than Ann can say." Jack smiled slyly. "She never beat me."

Ann slapped his arm playfully, the Jack bent to kiss her on the nose.

Watching them, Preston thought, This is what Clytie wants--a relationship like this, one that's real and full of love. For a moment, he wondered if it could be him, that he was the one for Clytie Seaborne. Then he shook his head. No, not him, not her. Her description of what she wanted repeated itself in his mind as he walked into his cabin. Did he know a man like that? If so… then he would have to help Miss Seaborne get the man of her dreams.

(LINE)

Clytie felt rather odd as she dressed in her nightgown that night. Had she revealed too much of herself tonight? She always talked too much when she was nervous. Other than that, she didn't talk much at all, so her new friends were probably not sure what to think of her talkativeness. And yes, she had been very nervous. The scene on the deck had startled and shaken her, not so much in its potential violence as in what it had revealed--about the captain, about Wilson, about Clytie herself…

She curled up on her bunk and pulled the thin blanket up to her chin, feeling as if she were in over her head. Everyone thought she was so strong, so capable. But right now, she felt insignificant, very young and very alone. She was letting such a little thing get to her! A little emotional matter…

"Don't cry, you idiot," she whispered to herself in the dark.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Clytie frowned. Who on earth could it be? "Who is it?" she called.

"It's Jimmy, Clytie," came the young sailor's voice. "The captain said you wouldn't be asleep."

"I'm not. What is it?" How did he know I wouldn't be asleep? Does that man know everything?

"He for me to check on you… that you might be upset." Jimmy paused. When Clytie didn't answer, he asked, "Are you upset?"

Clytie sighed. What was she to say? If she admitted that she was upset, she would demonstrate her weakness, and Englehorn would think that violence upset her (which wasn't really the case), but she didn't feel like lying… "I am a bit upset, Jimmy, but I'll be all right."

"Okay. Well… if you need anyone to talk to… I'll be out on the deck."

Clytie smiled. "Thanks for the offer. If I can't sleep, I might take you up on that."

(LINE)

Jimmy turned around and smiled as Clytie joined him at the railing. "I figured you'd be out here sooner or later."

Clytie gave him a sheepish smile and wrapped her pale blue robe closer around her shoulders. "I can't sleep. Everything's got me worried…" She was quiet for a moment, leaning over the rail, looking out at the reflection of the half moon on the water. Then she glanced up at the bridge. "Jimmy, what's the captain going to do about Mr. Denham and Jake? Is he going to let them join us?"

"I don't see how he can refuse," Jimmy said grimly. "Mr. Atkins is sponsoring this mission. He's the one with all the say-so."

"Maybe I can talk sense into him," Clytie suggested. "He's my godfather, after all." She sighed. "I don't understand. Doesn't he trust me?" She smacked her palm against the rail in frustration, wincing when it hurt.

"Calm down, Clytie." Jimmy reached and tentatively patted her shoulder. "He'll probably listen to you. I'm sure he will."

Clytie smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Jimmy. I appreciate it." Then she turned to once again stare out at the waves.

The two were silent for a long time.

Then Jimmy said, "I saw you playing chess with Preston."

"Yeah, he slaughtered me," Clytie laughed. "I must admit, I'm not the chess expert. And Preston distracted me with conversation."

"What did you talk about?" Jimmy asked curiously.

"Reading and movies and men… Stuff like that…" Clytie smiled. "He and the Driscolls probably think I'm crazy now, after hearing me blabber like I did."

Jimmy tilted his head to one side and studied her. "I think I'd like to hear you talk about those things."

"You would?" Clytie playfully shoved his shoulder. "You're just being nice."

"No, I'm not," Jimmy protested with a laugh. "I'm not. I like you a lot, Clytie."

Clytie suddenly realized that he meant it--and how much he did like her. "Jimmy--" she started, but he interrupted her.

"Clytie… you wouldn't… consider… going out with me… would you?" Jimmy asked, looking down at the deck.

Clytie's eyes went wide. "Uhm… Where would we go?" she joked nervously. "We're kinda stuck at sea."

Jimmy frowned. "That's not funny."

"I'm sorry… Uhm, Jimmy? I… you're like a brother to me. You remind me of David." She bit her lip, feeling horrible. "I think it would be best if we were… just friends. Okay?" Please, God… Don't let this ruin things between us! It's not that I don't like him… it's just… not right, not meant to be…

Jimmy was quiet for a moment, not meeting her eyes, and Clytie felt horrible. Then he looked at her and smiled, "Yeah. That's fine. I think… we make good friends." He laughed. "But if you ever reconsider and just have to have a boyfriend, you know where to find me."

"All right, Jimmy. Sounds like a plan." Clytie sighed in relief.