Chapter Seven
As Bruce Baxter walked out of the galley the next morning, he was accosted by Jack Driscoll. "What's all that commotion coming from in there?" Jack asked.
"Your wife and that Seaborne gal are giggling over something," Bruce said, sounding exasperated. "You know women. The silliest things entertain them." He rolled his eyes and strolled across the deck.
Jack raised an eyebrow and entered the galley. He was greeted by the sight of Ann and Clytie laughing hysterically over seemingly nothing. "'Morning, ladies," he said, smiling and sitting beside his wife, who just looked at him and laughed even harder. "What's so funny?"
Ann tried to tell him, but couldn't.
"She--she--" was all Clytie managed, pointing at Ann.
Jack shook his head. "I think I'm going to get some breakfast." He stood up and walked to the counter where Hofstetter stood, taking a bowl of--big surprise--porridge.
As he sat down, Clytie managed to swallow down some of her giggles. "We were imitating people," she explained. "And she just got through imitating Bruce when he walked in and caught us. It was so funny! The look on his face!"
The two women burst into laughter again.
"And then--" Ann broke off to laugh. "And then I started imitating you--and you walked in!"
Jack grinned. "Why don't you show me, Ann? How do you think I act?"
Ann shook her head, her eyes wide.
Jack's grin broadened. He hadn't seen his wife laugh so much in forever. This Clytie Seaborne was good for her. And she seemed to be good for Clytie as well. He had never seen the young marine biologist laugh before.
Breakfast that morning was light and cheerful, punctuated by laughter and joking. But Jack couldn't help but think that these high spirits wouldn't last for long. He knew that they were nearing the island…
(LINE)
"How long now, Captain?" Darby asked from the wheel.
Englehorn glanced away from the instruments. "I'd say we'll reach the fog before sunrise tomorrow." He stood akimbo and shook his head. "I didn't want to go through that at night. Perhaps we should slow down so that we don't hit the fog at night." He nodded, convincing himself. "Yes. That's what we'll do." He proceeded to slow the engines, keeping his eyes on the horizon.
"Good idea, Captain," Darby said. "The thought of that fog gives me the creeps anyhow."
The captain didn't reply as he walked to the window to peer down at the deck. There was Clytie, playing a chess game with Preston. Jimmy hovered nearby, watching, probably waiting to play the winner. The captain smiled. Clytie was laughing, her head thrown back. Her hair was in a loose bun again this morning, and she wore a very flattering blue shirt. He was glad she looked so happy. He trusted Preston and Jimmy to watch out for her… Then, abruptly, that thought bothered him. He wondered suddenly if either of them had thought to kiss her like he had once…
How could they not, spending so much time around her? Suddenly, he felt distinctly uncomfortable about Clytie spending so much time with the two young men… He rubbed his jaw and frowned.
"What's the matter, Captain?" Darby asked from behind him.
He turned around. "Nothing. Carry on, Mr. Galyon." Then he walked out of the bridge.
(LINE)
"You got me again!" Clytie laughed, shaking her head. She was surprised at how little it bothered her to continually lose to Preston. She was usually quite competitive. She supposed it was because Preston was such a nice guy. She glanced at him covertly, wondering what he thought of her. Would he, like Jimmy, ask her to date him? The thought made her a bit nervous.
Preston grinned. "But you're getting better," he remarked. He looked over at Jimmy. "I think I'll let you play Jimmy this time. I'll just watch." He moved aside to let Jimmy sit at the chess board.
"I'm not much better than you at this, Clytie," Jimmy said. "Probably worse." A movement behind her caught the young sailor's eye. The captain was settling against the railing, watching the chess game with seeming interest.
"You go first, Jimmy," Clytie said. She had no clue that her audience had grown by one.
"All right." Jimmy looked down at the board and moved a pawn, then glanced at Englehorn. The captain was still just standing there, watching. Jimmy frowned, puzzled. What did he find so interesting in a simple chess game? He looked back at Clytie. "Go ahead."
Clytie tapped her lips with one long, slender forefinger, studying the board.
Jimmy thought she looked so sweet doing that. Then, it hit him. He looked up at the captain. Englehorn was not watching the game; he was watching Clytie.
"Jimmy. Your turn."
It was all becoming quite clear now to Jimmy. He smiled at Clytie. "Better watch out," he said. "I know how to beat you. I've watched Preston do it about fifty times."
Clytie laughed and faked a pout. "You don't have to be so mean."
"I have to be!" Jimmy protested laughingly, trying not to think about what he had just realized. "You're a cruel woman when it comes to chess. If I'm not mean, you'll show no mercy."
"True," Clytie admitted with a grin.
The game did not last long. Jimmy was unwillingly distracted by his realization, and Clytie had been taught well by Preston; her skills were growing. Jimmy was soundly beaten.
Clytie held up Jimmy's king in triumph. Jimmy and Preston clapped--and so did Captain Englehorn. Clytie quickly got to her feet and turned around.
"Excellent game, Miss Seaborne," the captain congratulated.
"Thank-you," she replied quietly. Behind her, Preston and Jimmy exchanged glances, but she didn't notice.
"Would you like to come check on the rations with me?" Englehorn asked her. "In less than twenty-four hours, we will reach the island."
"Certainly… Uhm…" She glanced back at Preston and Jimmy.
"Go ahead and finish your tournament," the captain said lightly. "When you're ready, meet me on the bridge." Then he turned and walked away.
Clytie looked at Preston. "Are you ready to play me?" she asked. She hoped that he beat her--and quickly. For some reason, she really wanted to check those supplies with the captain.
Preston shook his head. "Nah. Let's call it a day." He smiled at her, then turned to go. "See you later, Clytie."
Clytie turned to Jimmy. "Rematch?"
Jimmy hesitated, then stepped closer to her. "Captain Englehorn watched the whole game."
"Did he?" Clytie asked. She was now very glad that she had won, although she suspected that for some reason, Jimmy had been distracted.
"Yeah." Jimmy nodded, sliding his hands into his pockets. He peered closely at her. "I know why you won't go out with me now."
"Besides the fact that there's nowhere to go?" Clytie laughed.
"Yeah, besides that." Jimmy sighed. "It's him, isn't it? I saw the way you looked at him."
Clytie blinked. "Him…"
"You know who."
Yes, I know… "Jimmy… I…"
He held up a hand. "You don't have to say anything. But… Clytie… He's a hard man, not very easy to get to know. His past isn't spotless, and he probably won't volunteer information about it anytime soon." He sighed. "The whole incident on Skull Island… It bothers him, Clytie. And now… He's going back." He studied her closely. "I think it's for you, though he won't admit that."
Clytie swallowed. "You really think that?"
Jimmy nodded. "I do. Clytie, I think he likes you. But don't expect much from him too quickly."
Clytie wasn't sure what to say. "Thank-you, Jimmy." She smiled wryly at him. "I'd best be… helping the captain now."
Jimmy grinned crookedly. "Yeah. That seems to be your job these days."
Her smile broadened, and there was a bounce in her step as she walked away.
Preston came up beside Jimmy. "Jimmy, she's not for us, is she?"
Jimmy shook his head sadly. "Guess not." Then he brightened. "I wonder if she's got any cousins."
(LINE)
Clytie and Englehorn were going over ration distributions in the hold when Carl Denham joined them. They both looked up and frowned at him.
"It's always nice to feel welcome," Carl said.
"What are you doing here, Denham?" the captain asked.
"Just thought I'd… spend some time with you, old friend. You know, for old times' sake."
"When did we become friends?" Englehorn asked.
"Have you forgotten how well rewarded for being my friend last time, Captain?" Carl shot back.
Clytie stood there quietly, feeling very nervous. This conversation could not end well. Knowing what she did of these two men and their past history together, this wasn't a good time to be standing between them. She swallowed and took a step toward Carl. "Uhm, I think I'm going up on the deck…"
Englehorn reached out and caught her shoulder. "No. Stay."
Clytie turned to face him. Please let me go. I don't like this situation… "I'm not one of your crew," she answered in a low voice, hoping Carl didn't hear her. "I want some fresh air."
"Please. Stay." His blue eyes were almost pleading, which was so odd to see in him.
Something about that compelled Clytie to acquiesce. "All right," she said softly. She glanced suddenly at his hand on her shoulder.
The captain let his hand drop and turned to Carl. "What do you want, Denham?" he asked. "As you can see, Miss Seaborne and I are busy getting things ready for the island. If you don't have anything better to do down here than chatter, then I suggest you get out."
Carl raised his eyebrows. "I can see that you're busy," he said slyly. "Are you sure it's the supplies that you're so busy with?"
Englehorn worked his jaw. "Get out, Denham."
"Actually, I think I'll stay." Carl started pacing the floor. "Looks like you might need a chaperone down here." He smiled crookedly. "But I guess that's what Wilson's down here for." He glanced over at the cage which contained the sleeping Wilson.
"Not exactly," Clytie spoke up sharply, surprising both men. "He's down here because he worked with you to betray this mission."
"That's harsh, Miss Seaborne," Carl protested. "We aren't betraying you. We're helping you."
"The only person you ever help is yourself, Denham," snapped Englehorn. "Get out."
Suddenly, the ship gave a lurch. Carl was thrown to the floor. Clytie stumbled, and would have fallen if the captain hadn't caught her. For a moment, they froze like that, Clytie held against his chest. Then, they pulled apart.
"What's going on?" Clytie exclaimed. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears--whether from almost falling or for being in Englehorn's arms, she wasn't sure.
"Let's go see." The captain sprang toward the stairs, motioning for Clytie to follow him. And behind her staggered Carl.
The sight that greeted her eyes filled Clytie's heart with dread. The noon sky had darkened--and the Venture was headed straight into a thick darkness ahead.
Jimmy ran up to them. "Captain! We're there!"
"I can see that," he snapped. "Go and alert everyone."
Englehorn and Clytie rushed to the bridge. "Why are we already there? We shouldn't be there until tomorrow morning!" the captain cried.
Darby glanced up from the wheel, his bright eyes worried. "I don't know, Captain! I just looked up and there it was! And we hit this rock--it just came up out of nowhere! I don't think there was any damage, but… It gave us a bad jerk. I sent Jimmy to get you…"
Englehorn quickly pulled the levers to stop the ship's engines. Hopefully this time, it wasn't too late…
