CHAP 2 - OFFICE POLITICS
When heard that a murder had occurred within his ship, Mr. Andrews became furious and demanded that they find out just who the killer was.
"Mr. Andrews, please, we're on a ship. The killer has to be somewhere around here," said Mr. Ismay.
"This, of course, abord Titanic he or she must be on," growled the architect.
"What do we say to the reporters in New York?" cried Mr. Ismay.
"The reporters in New York? An innocent girl had her life torn by God-knows-who. And you're thinking about THE REPORTERS IN NEW YORK?" Mr. Andrews shouted angrily.
"It is obvious that you are not thinking that, after what happened today, Titanic will stay with a good reputation," said the other man.
"What?" Mr. Andrews asked.
"When we arrive in New York and the American high society discovers that a girl was strangled to death on the Titanic's maiden voyage, this ship will sink along with the White Star Line and our careers. This murder is the end for us," snarled Mr. Ismay.
"Actually, I think you're right. Now excuse me, I must go talk to the captain," said Mr. Andrews, leaving.
During his walk to Captain Smith's office, Mr. Andrews began to notice the faces of all the passengers aboard the ship. Although it was the maiden voyage of Titanic, all seemed sad, discouraged, or even shocked by the crime which had happened that morning; some women whispered, while some children, fearful, asked if there was a ghost on the ship. "No, honey, now the ship is protected by an angel who will guide us safely to the harbor," one mother said to the frightened child.
When arriving at the captain's office, Mr. Andrews found him sitting in his chair, reading a small bible.
"Can I interrupt you, sir?" asked Mr. Andrews.
"Mr. Andrews, of course. I'm sorry, what you want?" said the old captain.
"No need to apologize, Captain, we are all shocked by the murder of Miss Rose,'' said the builder.
"True, that poor girl," Captain Smith said.
"Captain, you could ask the officers to investigate this murder, please?" the architect said.
"Certainly, Mr. Andrews, but I have a problem. With fewer people to supervise the work, I'll have to slow the ship. And Titanic will take too long to arrive in New York," explained Captain Smith.
"Frankly, Captain, after learning that there was a murder on my ship, the last thing I'm thinking now is Titanic´s arrival in New York," said Mr. Andrews.
"Right. But another thing worries me, sir... What do we do with the body?'' Smith said.
This was something that Mr. Andrews had not thought of. Thus, as soon as he left the captain's office, he went back to Mr. Ismay's cabin—along with Officer Murdoch, Fifth Officer Lowe, and Mr. Astor—to decide. For a long time, they were talking. Mr. Ismay thought of throwing Rose's body overboard; with this, nobody would know that a murder had happened. The officers Murdoch and Lowe suggested putting the body in a box and putting the box in the basement. However, the idea was discarded because of the rats.
"Vacate a cabin in any class. Let us place Miss DeWitt Bukater's body there until docking. You can have my cabin; after today, I do not mind moving to the second class," suggested Mr. Astor, trembling.
"You do not need to humble yourself in this way, Mr. Astor. I have a cabin in second class where I will deposit the body, locked up till the end of the trip," said Mr. Andrews.
"And how do we make sure nobody will want to get into the cabin to see the body?" asked Mr. Ismay.
"I will order a sailor who will keep guard at the door of the cabin for the rest of the journey," said Mr. Murdoch
Once the decision was made, the small team talked with Ruth about what they had decided. Obviously, Rose's mother did not like the idea, because according to her, Rose, even in death, should stay with the nobility.
"I think we do not have much choice now, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater. The cabin in second class is the only one available," said Mr. Lowe.
"Moreover, you must agree that Rose was never a fan of very noble things. I think we should respect her wishes now," Mr. Andrews said, convincing the sad lady.