The afternoon session began with Mr. Marconi himself taking the stand. Smith was relentless in his search for minor details, asking about the exact equipment that was supplied and how it was used. Marconi was patient though, probably from having to explain the workings of his machine many times, and kept calm throughout. I will admit that I did not know the exact technical aspects of the apparatus and it was almost as if I was attending a lecture on wireless machinery and its use. It took time though, and most of the audience was shifting in their seats when he was dismissed.

"We now call William Murdoch, First Officer of the Titanic, to the stand." Senator Smith said, dismissing Mr. Marconi with a nod. I anxiously watched as Will stood, adjusting his suit jacket as he moved forward and sat in the chair before the Senator and his aides. All I could see of him was his back, but his posture seemed strong as he waited. Senator Smith began with the usual questions; what his full name was, where he lived, how old he was and what his business was and how long he had been in that business. I stayed quiet, listening to Will's answers; William McMaster Murdoch, currently living in Portswood Southampton, thirty nine years old and he had been a seaman for twenty-two years. Twelve of those had been spent as an officer on White Star ships, rising from third officer to first.

The next round of questions focused on the trials Titanic had undergone in Belfast. It was rather boring to hear Smith constantly ask for the smallest detail, which Will tried to recall but some escaped him. I could not blame him for not remembering them, so much had happened since then. Smith looked up from his papers, "You were first officer during these tests, correct?"

"Actually, I was chief officer during the tests." Will sounded tired, and I looked to the clock on the wall. It was growing late, we'd been here for so long that my legs were falling asleep. I shifted in my chair, feeling the tingling of them coming back to life.

"I thought you were the first officer." Smith was still scratching away at his papers.

"I was to be chief during the voyage, but Captain Smith thought to bring over Henry Wilde from the Olympic to help on our trip while the Olympic was laid up in repairs. That bumped me down to first, Mr. Lightoller to second, and Mr. Blair, our original second, off all together." That seemed to send a bit of a stir through the others taking notes at the table, but Senator Smith quickly got back to his minutia. Will did his best, informing him that the life saving equipment was complete when the tests were done and the ship set out for Southampton.

In Southampton an officer of the British Board of Trade had come aboard to carry out tests. Will wearily explained everything that was done, having to stop and define several terms. It was fairly obvious Senator Smith had very little knowledge of maritime matters and terms. He even had to be told that once tied on a life belt would not float away from the person wearing it. Smith looked closely at a drawing of a life belt that had been provided, "Have you ever worn one of these in the water?"

"Yes." Will's answers had gotten shorter as the questioning went on, his voice still firm though.

"When?"

"During the sinking."

"You left the ship with a life belt on?"

"I did not leave the ship, it fell out from under me."

I could see Smith wince, "How long were you in the water with this on?"

"I cannot say for certain, perhaps an hour, maybe less." I felt a shiver run through me, thinking of the way the cold water had chilled me just from a small wave. No wonder Will had looked practically dead when we had picked him up. An hour in that water, it was a miracle he made it.

"Where did you leave the boat from?"

"Just abaft the bridge."

"What were you doing there?"

"We had gotten the collapsible boat down, upside down on the deck and were readying her to go into the falls when the ship lurched out from under us, took a dive. We were thrown in the water, and the boat floated off." Will's sounded tired, but I found myself riveted. He had told me so little about what had happened after he got me off, learning the full story was enthralling.

"Was there any suction from the ship?"

"No sir, I was pulled down several times by the fiddley grates, the intake grates alongside the funnels," Will cut through Smith's brief motion of interruption, "but I could feel no suction from the ship." He kept his voice even, but I felt my breathing speed up slightly. My mind quickly summoned a visual, him struggling in his greatcoat, the heavy wool weighing him down, to try and get away from the grate and gain the surface, the icy water pulling at him and trying to drown him. I quickly shook it away, praying it wouldn't come back in some nightmare.

"Continue."

"I broke the surface, and saw the boat. I swam for her, got on top and managed to pull several men from the water, including Officer Moody. Together we were able to help some of the swimmers on board before we were washed away from the ship." He had muddled the truth a bit there, but the last thing I wanted for him to reveal was his desire to die. I didn't want him to think of that ever again. In essence, everything he said was true, it was merely his own thoughts that he concealed.

"Did you make an attempt to right the boat?"

"No sir, any attempt to right it would have flooded it."

"What washed you away?"

"The forward funnel fell, the wave dashed us clear away from the ship."

"Did you hear anything?"

I twisted my hands around themselves. I couldn't forget those sounds, no one who had heard it would be able to. Will nodded. "Yes sir, people were crying out."

"Did you make an attempt to go back?"

"We had no oars sir and what little wood we could find to paddle with proved ineffective. If someone came near us we would pull them up so long as we had room."

"How many were on the boat once you stopped pulling people onboard?"

"Not more than thirty sir."

"Did they all survive?"

"Some died of the cold while we were waiting. We slid them off, the boat was sinking lower as each man came on." Will's voice had lost any emotion, growing cold and almost distant as this interrogation continued.

"Were any on your boat passengers?"

"I could not tell in the dark, sir. In the light it appeared to mostly be crew."

"Did you see the ship sink?"

"Yes."

"And how did she sink?"

"By her bow sir, her stern rising as her bow went down."

"Did she break up in any way?"

"It was hard to tell sir, in the dark. We had been washed far away from the ship. We could hear her though, great rushes of air as it was forced out by the water and the sound of her boilers falling through the hull. Once the boilers went whatever light was left on her went out, we could only make her out by where the stars weren't."

"And next?"

"After some time we spotted the other collapsible with Officer Lightoller on board. It took us some time to get closer and by then a swell had began. We organized the men to sway against it so we would not lose the boats. After some more time-"

"How long from when you entered the water to that point?" Smith used this moment to pause the questioning, allowing his secretary to scribble faster until he nodded to the Senator that he had caught up.

"I am unsure sir, perhaps an hour or two. Maybe longer."

"Continue."

"After some time we began to cry out for a boat to come and find us. Eventually a boat came towards us and were able to move most of the men onto it." It seemed so basic when he told it, and I suppose it actually was. It was only in the moment that it seemed so monumental an event.

"Who was in the boat?"

"Officer Lowe, he had discharged most of his passengers into other boats and headed back with volunteers. He was working the sail and the oars to get close to us. Once he had pulled close we starting sending the men over until his boat was full."

"Who was left on the collapsibles?"

"Myself, Officer Lightoller, Officer Moody and some able seamen."

"And then?"

"Some of the sailors said that they would come back to get us but Officer Lowe called for the boats we were on to be towed by his back to the main grouping."

"So you stayed on the overturned boat until you reached the other lifeboats?"

"Yes sir, only once we were able to distribute the passengers more evenly was I able to board the lifeboat." Will sounded exhausted, and I desperately wanted for this to end. To go home, to eat a warm meal and hold him close to me.

"Mr. Murdoch, what was the weather during that night? Before the collision?"

"Cold, very cold."

"And you did not think that ice would have affected the cold?"

"I have never known ice to send off cold, not enough to affect the general weather. Other than that the weather was very calm."

"There were no waves, correct?"

"Yes, everything was flat."

"And no moon?"

"No sir, dark as pitch."

Senator Smith waved a couple of telegrams from the table. "Were you aware of the ice warnings that had been received?"

"Yes, I ordered the lookouts to keep a sharp eye for ice because of them."

"Was the iceberg first spotted by you?"

"No sir, the lookouts saw it first, they called the bridge to report it."

"Who took the call?"

"Sixth Officer Moody."

"Did he survive?"

"Yes, he did."

"Once seeing the iceberg, what orders did you relay?"

"Moody sang out from the call he had received and I ordered the ship put hard to starboard and the engines reversed full astern to slow her. My intention was to port round it."

"What side of the ship was the iceberg on?"

"When I first saw it it was mostly ahead, perhaps a few points to starboard."

"Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but by giving the order for hard to starboard would that not put the ship even more towards the berg?" Senator Smith sounded so confident that it was all I could do to not burst out laughing. The man was an idiot.

"No sir, turning the wheel to starboard means the ship will turn to port, away from the berg."

"So you ordered the bow turned away, did you see it move away from the berg?"

"I did sir."

"But not far enough?"

I wanted to shout out that obviously it had not been enough, but Will merely nodded. "Yes."

"Did you feel her strike the ice?"

"Yes."

"And how did it feel?"

"The ship vibrated sir, I could feel it on the bridge railing."

"Once you felt her strike what did you do?"

"I ordered her hard to port."

"Which would turn the ship to the starboard side?"

"Yes."

"So you turned her toward the berg?"

"We had already struck along the forward compartments, by ordering her hard to port I was seeking to avoid amidships and the stern being holed."

"Were you successful in that?"

"Yes sir, she sunk by her bow, there was no flooding along the sides."

"How long do you estimate the time was from the ice warning to the strike?"

"Perhaps half a minute." I shivered at his words. So short a time to change the course of so large a ship. It was incredible what he had accomplished. If someone without his skill, say Senator Smith, had been in charge, more than likely the ship would have struck head on and we would have sunk quickly.

"After giving the order for hard to port what did you do?"

"I activated the watertight doors and roused the Captain."

"And you informed him of what had happened?"

"Yes."

"What did the captain do?"

"He called for Mr. Andrews and ship's carpenter to sound her."

"Sound her?" Senator Smith looked puzzled and I brought my hand up, pinching the bridge of my nose and breathing in harshly. There was no way this man could have been considered competent enough to have been given this assignment. More than likely it was just a glory seeking venture for him, to get his name in the papers. God, this was a complete farce, and would no doubt get worse.

"To determine the extent of the damage."

"And what was the extent?"

"She was holed throughout the bow compartments."

"Your orders once the decision had been made to launch the boats?"

"I directed sailors to remove the coverings from the boat, and stewards to rouse the guests and have them don their life belts."

"We have had reports Mr. Murdoch, so I will ask, did you enter the first class rooms yourself?"

I could see Will twitch, a slight turn of his head and a glance back, but he steeled himself. "Yes sir, I did."

"For what purpose?"

"To inform passengers of what we were asking them to do."

"Any specific passengers?"

"I informed those I came across, especially the stewards, and a family I had come to know on the trip."

"Why that family?"

"I trusted them to act calm and set an example for the others."

"Why would they set an example?"

"They are a shipping family sir, familiar with ships and the workings of them. They were good solid people, not prone to panic."

Senator Smith looked down his nose, studying a paper in front of him. "Would this family be the Dalians, of Dalian Shipping?"

"Yes."

"I have it here that they are housing you and the other officers during your time in New York."

"Yes, sir. They are."

"Did they make any promises to you of payment either then or in the future, or something of that nature to secure themselves a place in a lifeboat?"

I almost went to my feet, held only down by Mrs. Brown's hand on my wrist. She caught my eye, cutting her gaze over to Frank Reading scribbling in the corner. I fumed silently in my chair. How dare he say that! Bribing our way off the ship! Oh, I was furious, and I yanked the veil away from my face, glaring daggers at the Senator. He looked up from his papers, his eyes finding mine. Every curse I knew was running through my mind, all directed at Senator Smith. He looked away quickly.

I saw Will set his shoulders. "No sir, they did not."

"Was the whole family saved?"

"No sir, Gareth Dalian was lost."

"Did you place the surviving members on your lifeboats?"

"Mrs. Dalian, I did. She was tossed to the port side, but returned to find her daughter. I assured her I would find her and put her in a boat. Her daughter I placed in Mr. Lowe's boat."

"Why did you not place her with her mother?"

"She had gone back to assist in bringing more women and children forward. My boats were almost gone by the time I found her. She came forward as I was loading my last one."

"I have heard that you threatened to shoot passengers trying to storm that one."

"I did say that I would shoot them sir, to prevent a rush on the boat so that it could be gotten into the falls."

"Describe the situation."

"I was calling for women and children but the crowd that was around was mostly men and they looked primed to rush the boat. Chief Officer Wilde was helping me keep the crowd back so the boat could be prepared. I raised my weapon, telling them to remain back and I fear that I may have had to use it except for Ms. Dalian then sang out that she had more women and children. She brought them forward, and I was about to place her onboard with them when the crowd of men rushed forward and their weight sent the boat to the water. I did fire my gun during the rush, but only above their heads to try and stop them."

"And that was your last boat?"

"Almost sir."

"All your boats were gone?"

"Excepting the second collapsible, yes. I had set men to begin to cut the second loose."

"So what did you do with Miss Dalian?"

"I moved her and any other women I saw to the port side where there were a few boats left."

"Once you had placed Miss Dalian in a boat what did you do?"

"I called Moody and some other men to assist me in getting the collapsible off of the officer's quarters after it had been cut loose from the roof." It was already seven, over eight hours of questions and interrogations. I could barely feel my legs and I had only been watching. I tried to move my legs back and forth while Smith continued questioning Will about various items, mainly if he had seen Mr. Ismay get into a boat. Will denied that he had, and the questions continued. Which lifeboat was sent first, who was in it, how many sailors were assigned to each boat. The electric lights of the room were turned up, even as the spirits inside flagged.

It seemed we had covered everything that we could when Smith eventually stood, calling for a recess until eight thirty. I was angry enough by that point to grab one of the aides and demand to see Senator Smith. The aide, a skinny young man with a nervous disposition, brought me over. Senator Smith looked up from the notes he was reviewing, "Yes, Miss Dalian?"

I tucked my veil up, "Is it necessary to continue this so late? They're exhausted, they can barely remember events as it is."

"We must find out as much as we can before they forget."

"I understand, but will you at least release those not needed for the next session? It has only been a day since we got here, for God's sake." I looked over my shoulder at the officers, who had moved over to a window that had been opened. Some of them were sharing a cigarette, including Will who took a drag before blowing the smoke outside. "The officers, for instance. Release them until Monday at least."

"We'll be in Washington, Monday." Smith barely glanced up, even as I felt my eyes go wide. "But they can be released for now. We'll need at least one of them tomorrow for questioning, Lightoller preferably." I mumbled something about thanking him for his time, then hustled away. If the inquiry was going to Washington, our private train car would need to be called up, and hotel rooms booked, and packing the new clothing in trunks and getting them to the train. There was so much, and only a day to get it done if we were to be in Washington on Monday. The thought of staying behind didn't even enter my mind, I was so focused on what needed to be done that I hadn't even noticed the aide trailing after me until he relayed the information from Smith in a rather self-important manner to the officers.

I had the hotel manager send word around to the house to have the carriages come back, and it seemed to take forever before we were safely back inside and rattling back towards home. James and Charles kept the conversation going, talking about how incompetent Smith was and how this was clearly going to be a mess, but Will remained silent. I smiled and nodded along, voicing my own similar thoughts, but kept hold of Will's hand throughout. He was quiet, his head drooping. When we got back home, Peggy was immediately at my side, her voice hushed. "Mr. Keller has been waiting in the parlor for the past hour. I've had dinner for the others set out in the dining room, Miss."

I nodded, "I'll be there in a minute." I turned to Will, who was gathered around with the other officers. I gave him a kiss on the cheek, drawing a few snorts from the others. I smiled at all of them, "Dinner is in the dining room, I'll be along shortly."

The others moved off, but Will stayed by my side. "Why?"

I sighed, it seems his short words weren't just for the inquiry. "Our business manager is waiting. I promise Will, I won't be too long." I made a little shooing motion, "Go, eat something, you need it." He nodded, a little too firmly for my taste. Letting out a breath, I made for the parlor. Adam Keller was sat by the fire, his legs stretched out and his hands across his stomach. He had a long face, a massive bushy pair of muttonchops only emphasizing the fact. He wore black, from his suit jacket and mourning band to his shoes, and immediately offered his condolences when I came in.

"Thank you Mr. Keller," I said as I sat down, handing my hat off to a maid who ran it quickly back upstairs. Would the condolences never end? "If you don't mind me asking, why are you here so late?"

Keller still stood, clasping his hands behind his back. "I had figured to stop in after work had finished, but it seems you were still at the inquiry." He moved over the side of the parlor, examining the ticking standing clock. "Have you heard anything about what I am to do with the company? For now?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Keller, I have not." I blinked tiredly. Yet another task to add on. "I have not had time to speak to our lawyers, I only managed to send a message to the Reverend to set up the funeral this morning. I would assume we will learn what will be after that."

"So, I am to continue in my usual manner?"

"I think that would be best, and I will be going down to Washington on Sunday. If anything needs to come to my attention, please let me know."

"Of course, Miss. The boys down at the office wanted to send their sympathies," He gestured towards a flower arrangement that hadn't been there when I left. "I'll keep you informed."

"Thank you, Mr. Keller." I stood, moving for the door. "Would you care to join us for dinner?"

"I would not want to impose, but if you wouldn't mind."

I smiled, "Of course not, it would be a pleasure." I led him through the house, to the dining room with its chandelier, glass windows, and doors to the small garden and courtyard outside. The officers had already started in on a large roast, but quickly abandoned it, standing when I entered. I nodded to them, "Gentlemen, this is Mr. Adam Keller, the manager of Dalian Shipping in New York. Mr. Keller, the officers of the Titanic."

He nodded, taking a seat close to the head of the table where I had sat. In fact, he was right across from Will. After helping himself to the meal, he spoke up. "I hope Miss Dalian has been proving an able hostess."

I focused on cutting my meat, but Will quickly spoke up. "She has been very kind to all of us, opening her house and kitchen to us."

"The kitchen especially," Charles chuckled, "If her cook keeps this up, I may not head back to England." That led to a round of laughter, even from Will. I smiled at him as the conversation grew easier, the meal, and probably the wine, helping smooth things along. Fortunately Mr. Keller didn't seem to want to stay too long, excusing himself to head home after he had finished. The officers slowly trickled away upstairs, or to the parlor for one last smoke. Finally it was only Will and myself left, the maids quickly clearing away the plates and remains of the dinner.

I stopped one of them before she exited, "Have the new clothes been placed in their rooms?"

"Oh yes, Miss." She bobbed, "And the new trunks as well." I let her head off, and held out a hand to Will. He gently lifted me up, moving slowly. I stepped closer to him, "Let's go see what they got you today. Otherwise I'm going to have to take you out again." He just nodded, and I felt a little pain. His eyes had gained that far off look again, but his step was firm as we headed upstairs. The trunk had been left in the room across from mine, ostensibly it was Will's room even if he slept in mine. The trimming on the trunk had the rich scent of rich, supple leather, and the wood had been stained to a dark brown. I ran my fingers over the lid, a hastily added WM in bronze nailed to it.

Will reached out, pulling the latches and opening it. He breathed out, "Ana, you can't keep doing this." He pulled out a new suit jacket, a bowler hat, a black leather shaving case and a new pipe, with fresh tobacco. He let the lid down, keeping the pipe while replacing the other items. He patiently tamped the tobacco into the bowl, "It's too much."

"Nonsense, I can spend my money as I like." I went to the fireplace in the room, grabbing a matchbook from the mantle and striking one, "And I want to spend it on you."

Will accepted the lit match from me, puffing on the pipe until he was satisfied with the smoke. He inhaled for a moment, exhaling the smoke through his nose. "What did you think of today?"

I kept my face neutral as I breathed the smoke in. It was better than a cigar, but still not my favorite. I sat beside him on the trunk. "I think that Senator Smith is an absolute fool." I couldn't help the smile when I heard him snort, "And I think you acquitted yourself well. An admiral couldn't have done better than you that night."

"He knew I came to your cabin." Will pulled the pipe from his mouth for a moment, "How did he know that?"

I shook my head. "I've never spoken of it. But I wouldn't be surprised if someone saw you and told the papers, get themselves a nice little payout." I watched Will for a moment, the way he seemed to relax as he smoked. "The papers can talk all they like, they'll write anything to sell."

"But your parents bribing me? Won't that draw attention to your family?"

"Perhaps, but I am sure there are people who actually bribed sailors that night." I leaned on him, watching the tobacco flare up as he breathed in. "I'll have Peggy send us the papers in Washington if you're so concerned."

"Us?"

"Will, my family has a private rail car. I'm planning on coming with you to Washington. I cannot imagine this will continue for very long, and I want to be with you as much as I can before you," I swallowed past the slight lump in my throat, "Before you head back to England."

He grasped my hand, "But your family's business here?"

"Mr. Keller is extremely competent, he has a handle on matters here."

"You're in mourning though, to travel with us to Washington, it's not done."

"Neither is you sharing my bed." I couldn't help the harshness in my tone, I was exhausted from being told what I should and shouldn't be doing, from the never ending constrictions of mourning, and I saw him glance away from me. His expression hardened, and he pulled his hand away. "Please Will, I didn't mean it that way. Things have been so chaotic, what's done and what isn't doesn't seem to matter much to me right now." I pressed my lips to his cheek, "I'm going to change, please don't let me have ruined this." He didn't respond, simply nodding. I walked slowly to my room, barely acknowledging the maid who helped me out of my dress and into my nightgown.

I shouldn't have said that, I should have kept myself in check. But it was exhausting, to have all the attention on me, just waiting for a slip up before they could eat me alive. To have to sit in black, as if I were a crow, while everyone else paraded around in their colorful silks and chiffons. At least mourning was no longer as intense as it was in Grandfather's day, back then Mother would have been in crepe for two whole years, with a veil to her ankles. But still, six months in black, six months of being watched for any mistake on my part. I was stuck in mourning, when all I wanted was to be in a normal courtship with Will. To wear pretty dresses and go dancing, and show him all the fun parts of the city.

I angrily swiped at my face, the powder coming off onto the towel. That was selfish. Father was dead, I couldn't be a flighty little girl right now. I had to be the one to carry everything on, the company men were looking to me to keep marching forward. At least they wouldn't care if I wore a purple gown too early, they just wanted some stability. Well, I had given them that with Mr. Keller. He was well respected by the men, he would take care of things here. Which left me, in mourning, with the man that I loved. The mantle clock chimed softly, ten already. I looked to the door, hoping to see Will come through. But it remained shut, and I let out a sigh. I had ruined the night then, when he needed me to comfort him after the inquiry. What a harpy I was. I flicked the lights off in the sitting room, moving to my bed.

But sleep would not come, and I grabbed a book off my nightstand, hoping to bore myself to sleep. I had just made it past thirty pages when I heard the sitting room door open. I heard Will curse quietly, and he came in rubbing his knee. He was wearing a new pair of pajamas, and he stood awkwardly in the doorway for a moment, "I walked into the chaise."

I closed my book, setting it aside. "Are you alright?"

"Just bruised."

"Will, I am sorry for what I said." I twisted the quilt in my hands, "I should not have said it. I was cruel."

He had moved over to the side of the bed, slipping under the covers. I felt his hand brush against my cheek, "You were."

"And I am sorry for that." I let my fingers find his cheeks, feeling the stubble on them. "Please, forgive me. I will be better about my behavior for the papers, I promise."

"I just don't want to see you lose face because of our courtship." He pulled me close to him, "I don't want to give them any more reason to talk about you." A thought, that he cared nothing for what they would say about him, that he would lose far more face than me, died on my tongue. He wanted to protect me, I should be thankful that he cared about me enough to be willing to do that. He kissed my forehead, "Let's just go to sleep. Alright?" I nodded, snuggling into his shoulder as he brought his arm around me. I breathed in the smell of him, bare traces of his aftershave, tobacco, and just a hint of sweat. It was comforting, the only way you could have noticed it was to be so close to him. I closed me eyes, letting it lull me to sleep.