Encounters
Kellyawokeathisaccustomedtime,thirtyminutesbeforesunrise,tothemewingofgullsandsawthefirstdullglowontheeasternhorizon.Atfirsthewasconfusedtofindaslenderarmacrosshischest,butotherfeelingsandmemoriesexplainedthingsinafewseconds.Heextricatedhimselffromhersideandmovedtheblankettocoverherfromthemorningchill.Itwastimeforship‘sbusiness.
Kellygotthedripcoffeemachinegoing,thenhepulledonapairofswimtrunksandheadedtopside.Hehadn‘tforgottentosettheanchorlight,hewasgratifiedtosee.Theskyhadclearedoff,andtheairwascoolafterthethunderstormsofthepreviousnight.Hewentforwardandwassurprisedtoseethatoneofhisanchorshaddraggedsomewhat.Kellyreproachedhimselfforthat,eventhoughnothinghadactuallygonewrong.Thewaterwasaflat,oilycalmandthebreezegentle.Thepink-orangeglowoffirstlightdecoratedthetree-spottedcoastlinetotheeast.Allinall,itseemedasfineamorningashecouldremember.Thenherememberedthatwhathadchangedhadnothingatalltodowiththeweather.
‘Damn,‘hewhisperedtothedawnnotyetbroken.Kellywasstiff,anddidsomestretchingexercisestogetthekinksout,slowtorealizehowfinehefeltwithouttheusualhangover.Slowerstilltorecallhowlongithadbeen.Ninehoursofsleep?hewondered.Thatmuch?Nowonderhefeltsogood.Thenextpartofthemorningroutinewastogetasqueegeetodisposeofthewaterthathadpooledonthefiberglassdeck.
Hisheadturnedatthelow,mutedrumbleofmarinediesels.Kellylookedwesttospotit,buttherewasalittlemistthatway,beingpushedhiswaybythebreeze,andhecouldn‘tmakeanythingout.Hewenttothecontrolstationontheflyingbridgeandgotouthisglasses,justintimetohaveatwelve-inchspotlightblazethroughthemarine7x50s.Kellywasdazzledbythelights,whichjustassuddenlyswitchedoff,andaloud-hailercalledacrossdiewater.
‘Sorry,Kelly.Didn‘tknowitwasyou,‘TwominuteslaterthefamiliarshapeofaCoastGuardforty-one-footpatrolboateasedalongsideSpringer.Kellyscrambledalongtheportsidetodeployhisrubberfenders.
‘Youtryingtokillmeorsomething?‘Kellysaidinaconversationalvoice.
‘Sorry.‘QuartermasterFirstClassManuel‘Portagee‘Orezasteppedfromonegun‘ltotheotherwithpracticedease.Hegesturedtothefenders.‘Wannahurtmyfeelings?‘
‘Badseamanners,too,‘Kellywentonashewalkedtowardshisvisitor.
‘Ispoketotheyoungladaboutthatalready,‘Orezaassuredhim.Heheldouthishand.‘Morning,Kelly.‘
TheoutstretchedhandhadaStyrofoamcupfilledwithcoffee.Kellytookitandlaughed.
‘Apologyaccepted,sir.‘Orezawasfamousforhiscoffee.
‘Longnight.We‘realltired,andit‘sayoungcrew,‘thecoastguardsmanexplainedwearily.Orezawasnearlytwenty-eighthimself,andbyfartheoldestmanofhisboatcrew.
‘Trouble?‘Kellyasked.
Orezanodded,lookingaroundatthewater.‘Kinda.Somedamnedfoolinalittleday-sailerturnedupmissingafterthatlittlerainstormwehadlastnight,andwe‘vebeenlookingalloverbejazzusforhim.‘
‘Fortyknotsofwind.Fairblow,Portagee,‘Kellypointedout.‘Cameinrightfast,too.‘
‘Yeah,well,werescuedsixboatsalready,justthisonestillmissing.Youseeanythingunusuallastnight?‘
‘No.CameoutaBaltimorearoundoh,sixteenhundred,Isuppose.Twoandahalfhourstogethere.Anchoredrightafterthestormhit.Visibilitywasptettybad,didn‘tseemuchofanythingbeforewewentbelow.‘
‘We,‘Orezaobserved,stretching.Hewalkedovertothewheel,pickeduptherain-soakedhalter,andtossedittoKelly.Thelookonhisfacewasneutral,buttherewasinterestbehindtheeyes.Hehopedhisfriendhadfoundsomeone;Lifehadn‘tbeenespeciallyfairtotheman.
Kellyhandedthecupbackwithasimilarlyneutralexpression.
‘Therewasonefreightercomingoutbehindus,‘hewenton.‘Italianflag,containerboatabouthalffull,musthavebeenknockingdownfifteenknots.Anybodyelsecleartheharbor?‘
‘Yeah.‘Orezanoddedandspokewithprofessionalirritation.‘I‘mworriedaboutthat.Fuckin‘merchiesplowingoutatfullspeed,notpayingattention.‘
‘Well,hell,youstandoutsidethewheelhouse,youmightgetwet.Besides,sea-and-anchordetailmightviolatesomeunionrule,right?Maybeyourguygotrundown,‘Kellynoteddarkly.Itwouldn‘thavebeenthefirsttime,evenonabodyofwaterascivilizedastheChesapeake:
‘Maybe,‘Orezasaid,surveyingthehorizon.Hefrowned,notbelievingthesuggestionandtootiredtohideit.‘Anyway,youseealittleday-sailerwithanorange-and-whitecandystripesail,youwanttogivemeacall?‘
‘Noproblem.‘
Orezalookedforwardandturnedback.‘Twoanchorsforthatlittlepuffo‘windwehad?They‘renotfarenoughapart.Thoughtyouknewbetter.‘
‘ChiefBosun‘sMate,‘Kellyremindedhim.‘Sincewhendoesabookkeepergetthatsnottywitharealseaman?‘Itwasonlyajoke.KellyknewPortageewasthebettermaninasmallboat.Thoughnotbymuchofamargin,andbothknewthat,too.
Orezagrinnedonhiswaybacktothecutter.Afterjumpingbackaboard,hepointedtothehalterinKelly‘shand.‘Dontforgettoputyourshirton,Boats!Lookslikeitoughtafitjustfine.‘AlaughingOrezadisappearedinsidethewheelhousebeforeKellycouldcomeupwitharejoinder.Thereappearedtobesomeoneinsidewhowasnotinuniform,whichsurprisedKelly.Amomentlater,thecutter‘senginestumbledanewandthefotty-one-boatmovednorthwest.
‘Goodmornin‘.‘ItwasPam.‘Whatwasthat?‘
Kellyturned.Shewasn‘twearinganymorenowthanwhenhe‘dputtheblanketonher,butKellyinstantlydecidedthattheonlytimeshe‘dsurprisehimagainwouldbewhenshedidsomethingpredictable.Herhairwasamedusalikemassoftangles,andhereyeswereunfocused,asthoughshe‘dnotsleptwellatall.
‘CoastGuard.They‘relookingforamissingboat.How‘dyousleep?‘
‘Justfine.‘Shecameovertohim.Hereyeshadasoft,dreamlikequalitythatseemedstrangesoearlyinthemorning,butcouldnothavebeenmoreattractivetothewide-awakesailor.
‘Goodmorning.‘Akiss.Ahug.Pamheldherarmsaloftandexecutedsomethinglikeapirouette.Kellygrabbedherslenderwaistandhoistedheraloft.
‘Whatdoyouwantforbreakfast?‘heasked.
‘Idon‘teatbreakfast,‘Pamreplied,reachingdownforhim.
‘Oh.‘Kellysmiled.‘Okay.‘
Shechangedhermindaboutanhourlater.Kellyfixedeggsandbacononthegalleystove,andPamwolfeditdownsospeedilythathefixedsecondsdespiteherprotests.Onfurtherinspection,thegirlwasn‘tmerelythin,someofherribswerevisible.Shewasundernourished,anobservationthatpromptedyetanotherunaskedquestion.Butwhateverthecause,hecouldremedyit.Onceshe‘dconsumedfoureggs,eightslicesofbacon,andfivepiecesoftoast,roughlydoubleKelly‘snormalmorningintake,itwastimeforthedaytobeginproperly.Heshowedherhowtoworkthegalleyapplianceswhilehesawtorecoveringtheanchors.
Theygotbackunderwayjustshyofalazyeighto‘clock.Itpromisedtobeahot,sunnySaturday.Kellydonnedhissunglassesandrelaxedinhischair,keepinghimselfalertwiththeoddsipfromhismug.Hemaneuvcredwest,tracingdowntheedgeofthemainshipchanneltoavoidthehundredsoffishingboatshefullyexpectedtosortiefromtheirvariousharborstodayinpursuitofrockfish.
‘Whatarethosethings?‘Pamasked,pointingtothefloatsdecoratingthewatertoport.
‘Floatsforcrabpots.They‘rereallymorelikecages.Crabsgetinandcan‘tgetout.Youleavefloatssoyouknowwheretheyare.‘KellyhandedPamhisglassesandpointedtoaBay-buildworkboataboutthreemilestotheeast.
‘Theytrapthepoorthings?‘Kellylaughed.
‘Pam,thebaconyouhadforbreakfast?Thehogdidn‘tcommitsuicide,didhe?‘
Shegavehimanimpishtook.‘Well,no.‘
‘Don‘tgettooexcited.Acrabisjustabigaquaticspider,eventhoughittastesgood.‘
Kellyalteredcoursetostarboardtocleararednun-buoy.
‘Seemskindacruel,though.‘
‘Lifecanbethatway.‘Kellysaidtooquicklyandthenregrettedit.
Pam‘sresponsewasasheartfeltasKelly‘s.‘Yeah,Iknow.‘
Kellydidn‘tturntotookather,onlybecausehestoppedhimself.There‘dbeenemotionalcontentinherreply,somethingtoremindhimthatshe,too,haddemons.Themomentpassedquickly,however.Sheleanedbackintothecapaciousconningchair,leaningagainsthimandmakingthingsrightagain.OnelasttimeKelly‘ssenseswarnedhimthatsomethingwasnotrightatall.Buttherewerenodemonsouthere,werethere?
‘You‘dbettergobelow.‘
‘Why?‘
‘Sun‘sgoingtobehottoday.There‘ssomelotioninthemedicinecabinet,mainhead.‘
‘Head?‘
‘Bathroom!‘
‘Whyiseverythingdifferentonaboat?‘
Kellylaughed.‘That‘ssosailorscanbethebossouthere.Now,shoo!Gogetthatstuffandputalotonoryou‘lllooklikeafrenchfrybeforelunch.‘
Pammadeaface.‘Ineedashower,too.Isthatokay?‘
‘Goodidea,‘Kellyansweredwithoutlooking.‘Nosensescaringthefishaway.‘
‘You!‘Sheswattedhimonthearmandheadedbelow.
‘Vanished,justplainvanished,‘Orezagrowled.HewashunchedoveracharttableattheThomasPointCoastGuardStation.
‘Weshouldagotsomeaircover,helicopterorsomething,‘thecivilianobserved.
‘Wouldn‘thavemattered,notlastnight.Hell,thegullsrodethatblowout.‘
‘Butwhere‘dhego?‘
‘Beatsme,maybethestormsankhisass.‘Orezagloweredatthechart.‘Yousaidhewasnorthbound.WecoveredalltheseportsandMaxtookthewesternshore.Yousurethedescriptionoftheboatwascorrect?‘
‘Sure?Hell,wedideverythingbutbuythegoddamnedboatfor‘em!‘Thecivilianwasasshort-temperedastwenty-eighthoursofcaffeine-inducedwakefulnesscouldexplain,evenworseforhavingbeenillonthepatrolboat,muchtotheamusementoftheenlistedcrew.Hisstomachfeltlikeitwascoatedwithsteelwool.‘Maybeitdidsink,‘heconcludedgruffly,notbelievingitforamoment.
‘Wouldn‘tthatsolveyourproblem?‘Hisattemptatlevityearnedhimagrowl,andQuartermasterFirstClassManuelOrezacaughtawarninglookfromthestationcommander,agray-hairedwarrantofficernamedPaulEnglish.
‘Youknow,‘themansaidinastateofexhaustion,‘Idon‘tthinkanythingisgoingtosolvethisproblem,butit‘smyjobtotry.‘
‘Sir,we‘veallhadalongnight.Mycrewisrackedout,andunlessyouhaveareallygoodreasontostayup,IsuggestyoufindabunkandgetafewZs,sir.‘
Thecivilianlookedupwithatiredsmiletomutehisearlierwords.‘PettyOfficerOreza,smartasyouare,yououghttobeanofficer.‘
‘IfI‘msosmart,howcomewemissedourfriendlastnight?‘
Thatguywesawarounddawn?‘
‘Kelly?Ex-Navychief,solidguy.‘
‘Kindayoungforachief,isn‘the?‘Englishasked,lookingatanotverygoodphotothespotlighthadmadepossibleHewasnewatthestation.
‘ItcamealongwithaNavyCross,‘Orezaexplained.
Thecivilianlookedup.‘So,youwouldn‘tthink-‘
‘Notachanceinhell.‘
Thecivilianshookhishead.Hepausedforamoment,thenheadedofftothebunkroom.They‘dbegoingoutagainbeforesunset,andhe‘dneedthesacktime.
‘Sohowwasit?‘Englishaskedafterthemanlefttheroom.
‘Thatguyisshippingalotofgear,Cap‘n.‘Asastationcommander,Englishwasentitledtothetitle,allthemoresothatheletPortageerunhisboathisway.‘Sureashellhedoesn‘tsleepmuch.‘
‘He‘sgoingtobewithusforawhile,onandoff,andIwantyontohandleit.‘
Orezatappedthechartwithapencil.‘Istillsaythiswouldbeaperfectplacetokeepwatchfrom,andIknowwecantrusttheguy.‘
‘Themansaysno.‘
‘Themanain‘tnoseaman,MrEnglish.Idon‘tmindwhentheguytellsmewhattodo,buthedon‘tknowenoughtotellmehowtodoit.‘Orezacircledthespotonthechart.
‘Idon‘tlikethis.‘
‘Youdon‘thavetolikeit,‘thetallermansaid.Heunfoldedhispocketknifeandslittheheavypapertorevealaplasticcontainerofwhitepowder.‘Afewhours‘workandweturnthreehundredthousand.Somethingwrongwiththat,oramImissin‘something?‘
‘Andthisisjustthestart,‘thethirdmansaid.
‘Whatdowedowiththeboat?‘askedthemanwiththescruples.
Thetallonelookedupfromwhathewasdoing.‘Yougetridofthatsail?‘
‘Yeah.‘
‘Well,wecanstashtheboatbutprobablysmartertoscuttle.Yeah,that‘swhatwe‘lldo.‘
‘AndAngelo?‘Allthreelookedovertowherethemanwaslying,unconsciousstill,andbleeding.
‘Iguesswescuttlehim,too,‘thetalloneobservedwithoutmuchinthewayofemotion.‘Righthereoughttobefine.‘
‘Maybetwoweeks,therewon‘tbenothin‘left.Lotsofcrittersoutthere.‘Thethirdonewavedoutsideatthetidalwetlands.
‘Seehoweasyitis?Noboat,noAngelo,norisk,andthreehundredthousandbucks.Imean,howmuchmoredoyouexpect,Eddie?‘
‘Hisfriendsstillain‘tgonnalikeit.‘Thecommentcamemorefromacontrariandispositionthanmoralconviction.
‘Whatfriends?‘Tonyaskedwithoutlooking.‘Heratted,didn‘the?Howmanyfriendsdoesarathave?‘
EddiebenttothelogicofthesituationandwalkedovertoAngelo‘sunconsciousform.Thebloodwasstillpumpingoutofthemanyabrasions,andthechestwasmovingslowlyashetriedtobreathe.Itwastimetoputanendtothat.Eddieknewit;he‘dmerelybeentryingtodelaytheinevitable.Hepulledasmall.22automaticfromhispocket,placedittothebackofAngelo‘sskull,andfiredonce.Thebodyspasmed,thenwentslack.Eddiesethisgunasideanddraggedthebodyoutside,leavingHenryandhisfriendtodotheimportantstuff.They‘dbroughtsomefishnetting,whichhewrappedaroundthebodybeforedumpingitinthewaterbehindtheirsmallmotorboat.Acautiousman,Eddielookedaround,buttherewasn‘tmuchdangerofintrudershere.Hemotoredoffuntilhefoundalikelyspotafewhundredyardsoff,thenstoppedanddriftedwhileheliftedafewconcreteblocksfromtheboatandtiedthemtothenetting.SixwereenoughtosinkAngeloabouteightfeettothebottom.Thewaterwasprettyclearhere,andthatworriedEddiealittleuntilhesawallthecrabs.Angelowouldbegoneinlessthantwoweeks.Itwasagreatimprovementoverthewaytheyusuallydidbusiness,somethingtorememberforthefuture.Disposingofthelittlesailboatwouldbeharder.He‘dhavetofindadeeperspot,buthehadalldaytothinkaboutit.
Kellyalteredcoursetostarboardtoavoidagaggleofsportscraft.Theislandwasvisiblenow,aboutfivemilesahead.Notmuchtolookat,justalowbumponthehorizon,notevenatree,butitwashisanditwasasprivateasamancouldwish.AbouttheonlybadnewswasthemiserableTVreception.
BatteryIslandhadalongandundistinguishedhistory.Itscurrentname,moreironicthanappropriate,hadcomeintheearlynineteenthcentury,whensomeenterprisingmilitiamanhaddecidedtoplaceasmallgunbatterytheretoguardanarrowspotintheChesapeakeBayagainsttheBritish,whoweresailingtowardsWashington,DC,topunishthenewnationthathadbeensoill-advisedastochallengethepoweroftheworld‘sforemostnavy.OneBritishsquadroncommanderhadtakennoteofafewharmlesspuffsofsmokeontheisland,and,probablywithmoreamusementthanmalice,hadtakenoneshipwithingunrangeandletlooseafewsalvosfromthelonggunsonhislowerdeck.Thecitizensoldiersmanningthebatteryhadn‘tneededmuchencouragementtomakearunfortheirrowboatsandbustletothemainland,andshortlythereafteralandingpartyofJackTarsandafewRoyalMarineshadrowedashoreinapinnacetodrivenailsintothetouchholes,whichwaswhat‘spikingguns‘meant.Afterthisbriefdiversion,theBritishhadcontinuedtheirleisurelysailupthePatuxentRiver,fromwhichtheirarmyhadwalkedtoWashingtonandback,havingforcedDollyMadisontoevacuatetheWhiteHouse.TheBritishcampaignhadnextheadedtoBaltimore,whereasomewhatdifferentoutcomeresulted.m.XiaoShuo530.Com
BatteryIsland,underreluctantfederalownership,becameanembarrassingfootnotetoasingularlyuselesswar.Withoutsomuchasacaretakertolookaftertheearthenemplacements,weedsovertooktheisland,andsothingshadremainedfornearlyahundredyears.
With1917cameAmerica‘sfirstrealforeignwar,andAmerica‘snavy,suddenlyfacedwiththeU-boatmenace,neededashelteredplacetotestitsguns.BatteryIslandseemedideal,onlyafewsteaminghoursfromNorfolk,andsoforseveralmonthsinthefallofthatyear,12-and14-inchbattleshiprifleshadcrashedandthundered,blastingnearlyathirdoftheislandbelowmeanlowwaterandgreatlyannoyingthemigratorybirds,who‘dlongsincerealizedthatnohuntersevershotatthemfromtheplace.AbouttheonlynewthingthathappenedwasthescuttlingofoverahundredWorldWarI-builtcargoshipsafewmilestothesouth,andthese,soonovergrownwithweeds,rapidlytookontheappearanceofislandsthemselves.
Anewwarandnewweaponshadbroughtthesleepyislandbacktolife.Thenearbynavalairstationneededaplaceforpilotstotestweapons.ThehappycoincidenceofthelocationofBatteryIslandandthescuttledshipsfromWorldWarIhadmadeforaninstantbombingrange.Asaresult,threemassiveconcreteobservationbunkerswerebuilt,fromwhichofficerscouldobserveTBFsandSB2Cbomberspracticingrunsontargetsthatlookedlikeship-shapedislands-andpulverizingquiteafewofthemuntilonebombhungontherackjustlongenoughtoobliterateoneofthebunkers,thankfullyempty.Thesiteofthedestroyedbunkerhadbeenclearedinthenameoftidiness,andtheislandconvertedtoarescuestation,fromwhichacrashboatmightrespondtoanaircraftaccident.Thathadrequiredbuildingaconcretequayandboathouseandrefurbishmentofthetworemainingbunkers.Allinall,theislandhadservedthelocaleconomy,ifnotthefederalbudget,well,untiltheadventofhelicoptersmadecrashboatsunnecessary,andtheislandhadbeendeclaredsurplus.AndsotheislandremainedunnoticedonaregisterofunwantedfederalpropertyuntilKellyhadmanagedtoacquirealease.
Pamleanedbackonherblanketastheyapproached,bastinginthewarmsunbeneathathickcoatingofsuntanlotion.Shedidn‘thaveaswimsuit,andworeonlyabraandpanties.Itdidn‘toffendKelly,buttheimproprietyofitwasvaguelydisturbingfornoreasonthatstooduptologicalanalysis.Inanycase,hiscurrentjobwasdrivinghisboat.Furthercontemplationofherbodycouldwait,hetoldhimselfabouteveryminute,whenhiseyesdartedthatwaytomakesureshewasstillthere.
Heeasedthewheelfarthertotherighttopasswellclearofalargefishingyacht.HegavePamanotherlook.She‘dslippedthestrapsofherbradownoffhershouldersforamoreeventan.Kellyapproved.
Thesoundstartledbothofthem,rapidshortblastsonthefishingboat‘sdieselhorns.Kelly‘sheadscannedallthewayaround,thencenteredontheboatthatlaytwohundredyardstoport.Itwastheonlythingcloseenoughtobeofconcern,andalsoseemedtobethesourceofthenoise.Ontheflyingbridgeamanwaswavingathim.Kellyturnedtoporttoapproach.HetookhistimebringingSpringeralongside.Whoeverthisguywas,hewasn‘tmuchofaboathandler,andwhenhebroughthiscrafttoahalt,twentyfeetaway,hekepthishandonthethrottles.
‘What‘stheproblem?‘Kellycalledovertheloud-hailer.
‘Lostourprops!‘aswarthymanholleredback.‘Whatdowedo?‘
Row,Kellyalmostreplied,butthatwasn‘tveryneighborly.Hebroughthisboatcloserintosurveythesituation.Itwasamedium-sizedfishingcruiser,afairlyrecentHatteras.Themanonthebridgewasaboutfive-eight,fiftyish,andbare-chestedexceptforamatofdarkhair.Awomanwasalsovisible,alsoratherdowncast.
‘Noscrewsatall?‘Kellyaskedwhentheywerecloser.
‘Ithinkwehitasandbar,‘themanexplained.‘Abouthalfamilethatway.‘HepointedtoaplaceKellykeptclearof.
‘Sureenough,there‘sonethatway.Icangiveyouatowifyouwant.Youhavegoodenoughlineforit?‘
‘Yes!‘themanrepliedimmediately.Hewentforwardtohisropelocker.Thewomanaboardcontinuedtolookembarrassed.
Kellymaneuveredclearforamoment,observingtheother‘captain,‘atermhismindappliedironically.Hecouldn‘treadcharts.Hedidn‘tknowtheproperwayofattractinganotherboat‘sattention.Hedidn‘tevenknowhowtocalltheCoastGuard.Allhe‘dmanagedtodowasbuyaHatterasyacht,andwhilethatspokewellofhisjudgment,Kellyfiguredithadmorelikelycomefromasmartsalesman.ButthenthemansurprisedKelly.HehandledhislineswithskillandwavedSpringerin.
Kellymaneuveredhissteminclose,thenwentafttohiswelldecktotakethetowingline,whichhesecuredtothebigcleatonthetransom.Pamwasupandwatchingnow.Kellyhustledbacktotheflybridgeandcoaxedhisthrottleacrack.
‘Getonyourradio,‘hetoldtheHatterasowner.‘LeaveyourrudderamidshipstillItellyoudifferent.Okay?‘
‘Gotit.‘
‘Hopeso,‘Kellywhisperedtohimself,pushingthethrottleleversuntilthetowinglinecametaut.
‘Whathappenedtohim?‘Pamasked.
‘Peopleforgetthere‘sabottomunderthiswater.Youhitithardenoughandyoubreakthings.‘Hepaused.‘Youmightwanttoputsomemoreclotheson.‘
Pamgiggledandwentbelow.Kellyincreasedspeedcarefullytoaboutfourknotsbeforestartingtheturnsouth.He‘ddonethisallbefore,andgrumbledthatifhediditonemoretimehe‘dhavespecialstationeryprintedupforthebills.
KellybroughtSpringeralongsideveryslowly,mindfuloftheboathewastowing.Hescurriedoffthebridgetodrophisfenders,thenjumpedashoretotieoffapairofspringlinesbeforeheadingtowardstheHatteras.Theowneralreadyhadhismooringlinessetup,andtossedthemtoKellyonthequaywhilehesethisfenders.HaulingtheboatinafewfeetwasagoodchancetoshowhismusclestoPam.Itonlytookfiveminutestogethersnuggedin,afterwhichKellydidthesamewithSpringer.
‘Thisisyours?‘
‘Sureenough,‘Kellyreplied.‘Welcometomysandbar.‘
‘SamRosen,‘themansaid,holdinghishandout.He‘dpulledashirton,andwhilehehadastronggrip,Kellynotedthathishandsweresosoftastobedainty.
‘JohnKelly.‘
‘Mywife,Sarah.‘
Kellylaughed.‘Youmustbethenavigator.‘
Sarahwasshort,overweight,andherbrowneyeswaveredbetweenamusementandembarrassment.‘Somebodyneedstothankyouforyourhelp,‘sheobservedinaNewYorkaccent.
‘Alawofthesea,ma‘am.Whatwentwrong?‘
‘Thechartshowssixfeetwherewestruck.Thisboatonlytakesfour!Andlowtidewasfivehoursago!‘theladysnapped.Shewasn‘tangryatKelly,buthewastheclosesttarget,andherhusbandhadalreadyheardwhatshethought.
‘Sandbar,it‘sbeenbuildingtherefromthestormswehadlastwinter,butmychartsshowlessthanthat.Besides,it‘sasoftbottom.‘
Pamcameupjustthen,wearingclothingthatwasnearlyrespectable,andKellyrealizedhedidn‘tknowherlastname.
‘Hi,I‘mPam.‘
‘Y‘allwanttofreshenup?Wehavealldaytolookattheproblem.‘Therewasgeneralagreementonthatpoint,andKellyledthemofftohishome.
‘Whatthehellisthat?‘SamRosenasked.‘That‘wasoneofthebunkersthathadbeenbuiltin1943,twothousandsquarefeet,witharooffullythreefeetthick.Theentirestructurewasreinforcedconcreteandwasalmostassturdyasitlooked.Asecond,smallerbunkerlaybesideit.
‘ThisplaceusedtobelongtotheNavy,‘Kellyexplained,‘butIleaseitnow.‘
‘Nicedocktheybuiltforyou,‘Rosennoted.
‘Notbadatall,‘Kellyagreed.‘MindifIaskwhatyoudo?‘
‘Surgeon,‘Rosenreplied.
‘Oh,yeah?‘Thatexplainedthehands.
‘Professorofsurgery,‘Sarahcorrected.‘Buthecan‘tdriveaboatworthadamn!‘
‘Thegoddamnedchartswereoff!‘theprofessorgrumbledasKellyledtheminside.‘Didn‘tyouhear?‘
‘People,that‘shistorynow,andlunchandabeerwillallowustoconsideritincomfort.‘Kellysurprisedhimselfwithhiswords.Justthenhisearscaughtasharpcrackcomingacrossthewaterfromsomewheretothesouth.Itwasfunnyhowsoundcarriedacrossthewater.
&"Whatwasthat?‘SamRosenhadsharpears,too.
‘Probablysomekidtakingamuskratwithhis.22,‘Kellyjudged.‘It‘saprettyquietneighborhood,exceptforthat.Inthefallitcangetalittlenoisyarounddawn-ducksandgeese.‘
‘Icanseetheblinds.Youhunt?‘
‘Notanymore,‘Kellyreplied.
Rosenlookedathimwithunderstanding,andKellydecidedtoreevaluatehimforasecondtime.
‘Howlong?‘
‘Longenough.How‘dyouknow?‘
‘RightafterIfinishedresidency,ImadeittoIwoandOkinawa.Hospitalship.‘
‘Hmm,kamikazetime?‘
Rosennodded.‘Yeah,lotsoffun.Whatwereyouon?‘
‘Usuallymybelly,‘Kellyansweredwithagrin.
‘UDT?Youlooklikeafrogman,‘Rosensaid.‘Ihadtofixafewofthose.‘
‘Prettymuchthesamething,butdumber.‘Kellydialedthecombinationlockandpulledtheheavysteeldooropen.
Theinsideofthebunkersurprisedthevisitors.WhenKellyhadtakenpossessionoftheplace,ithadbeendividedintothreelarge,bareroomsbystoutconcretewalls,butnowitlookedalmostlikeahouse,withpainteddrywallandrugs.Eventheceilingwascovered.Thenarrowviewslitsweretheonlyreminderofwhatithadoncebeen.ThefurnitureandrugsshowedtheinfluenceofPatricia,butthecurrentstateofsemiarraywasevidencethatonlyamanlivedherenow.Everythingwasneatlyarranged,butnotasawomanwoulddothings.TheRosensalsonotedthatitwasthemanofthehousewholedthemtothe‘galley‘andgotthingsoutoftheold-fashionedrefrigeratorboxwhilePamwanderedaroundalittlewide-eyed.
‘Niceandcool,‘Sarahobserved.‘Dampinthewinter,Ibet.‘-
‘Notasbadasyouthink.‘Kellypointedtotheradiatorsaroundtheperimeteroftheroom.‘Steamheat.Thisplacewasbuilttogovernmentspecifications.Everythingworksandeverythingcosttoomuch.‘
‘Howdoyougetaplacelikethis?‘Samasked.
‘Afriendhelpedmegetthelease.Surplusgovernmentproperty.‘
‘Hemustbesomefriend,‘Sarahsaid,admiringthebuilt-inrefrigerator.
‘Yes,heis.‘
ViceAdmiralWinslowHollandMaxwell,USN,hadhisofficeontheE-RingofthePentagon.Itwasanoutsideoffice,allowinghimafineviewofWashington-andthedemonstrators,henotedangrilytohimself.BabyKillers!oneplacardread.TherewasevenaNorthVietnameseflag.Thechanting,thisSaturdaymorning,wasdistortedbythethickwindowglass.Hecouldhearthecadencebutnotthewords,andtheformerfighterpilotcouldn‘tdecidewhichwasmoreenraging.
‘Thatisn‘tgoodforyou,Dutch.‘
‘Don‘tIknowit!‘Maxwellgrumbled.
‘Thefreedomtodothatisoneofthethingswedefend,‘RearAdmiralCasimirPodulskipointedout,notquitemakingthatleapoffaithdespitehiswords.Itwasjustalittletoomuch.HissonhaddiedoverHaiphonginanA-4strike-fighter.Theeventhadmadethepapersbecauseoftheyoungaviator‘sparentage,andfullyelevenanonymoustelephonecallshadcomeinthefollowingweek,somejustlaughing,someaskinghistormentedwifewheretheblotterwassupposedtobeshipped.‘Allthosenice,peaceful,sensitiveyoungpeople.‘
‘Sowhyareyouinsuchagreatmood,Cas?‘
‘Thisonegoesinthewallsafe,Dutch.‘Podulskihandedoveraheavyfolder.Itsedgeswereborderedinred-and-whitestripedtape,anditborethecodeddesignatorBOXWOODGREEN.
‘They‘regoingtoletusplaywithit?‘Thatwasasurprise.
‘Ittookmetilloh-three-thirty,butyes.Justafewofus,though.Wehaveauthorizationforacompletefeasibilitystudy.‘AdmiralPodulskisettledintoadeepleatherchairandlitupacigarette.Hisfacewasthinnersincethedeathofhisson,butthecrystal-blueeyesburnedasbrightasever.
‘They‘regoingtoletusgoaheadanddotheplanning?‘MaxwellandPodulskihadworkedtowardsthatendforseveralmonths,neverinanyrealexpectationthatthey‘dbeallowedtopursueit.
‘Who‘deversuspectus?‘thePolish-bornAdmiralaskedwithanironiclook.‘Theywantustokeepitoffthebooks.‘
‘JimGreer,too?‘Dutchasked.
‘BestintelguyIknow,unlessyou‘rehidingonesomewhere.‘
‘НеjuststartedatCIA,Iheardlastweek,‘Maxwellwarned.
‘Good.Weneedagoodspy,andhissuit‘sstillblue,lasttimeIchecked.‘
‘We‘regoingtomakeenemiesdoingthis,lotsof‘em.‘
Podulskigesturedatthewindowandthenoise.Hehadn‘tchangedallthatmuchsince1944andUSSEssex.‘Withallthoseahundredfeetawayfromus,what‘llafewmorematter?‘
‘Howlonghaveyouhadtheboat?‘Kellyaskedabouthalfwaythroughhissecondbeer.Lunchwasrudimentary,coldcutsandbreadsupplementedbybottledbeer.
‘WeboughtitlastOctober,butwe‘veonlybeenrunningittwomonths,‘thedoctoradmitted.‘ButItookthePowerSquadroncourses,finishedtopinmyclass.‘Hewasthesortwhofinishednumberoneinnearlyeverything,Kellyfigured.
‘You‘reaprettygoodline-handler,‘heobserved,mainlytomakethemanfeelbetter.
‘Surgeonsareprettygoodwithknots,too.‘
‘Youadoc,too,ma‘am?‘KellyaskedSarah.
‘Pharmacologist.IalsoteachatHopkins.‘
‘Howlonghaveyouandyourwifelivedhere?‘Samasked,andtheconversationgroundtoanawkwardhalt.
‘Oh,wejustmet,‘Pamtoldthemartlessly.NaturallyenoughitwasKellywhowasthemostembarrassed.Thetwophysiciansmerelyacceptedthenewsasamatterofcourse,butKellyworriedthatthey‘dseehimasamantakingadvantageofayounggirl.Thethoughtsassociatedwithhisbehaviorseemedtoraceincirclesaroundtheinsideofhisskulluntilherealizedthatnooneelseseemedtocareallthatmuch.
‘Let‘stakealookatthatpropeller.‘Kellystood.‘Comeon.‘
Rosenfollowedhimoutthedoor.Theheatwasbuildingoutside,anditwasbesttogetthingsdonequickly.ThesecondarybunkerontheislandhousedKelly‘sworkshop.Heselectedacoupleofwrenchesandwheeledaportableaircompressortowardsthedoor.
Twominuteslaterhehaditsittingnexttothedoctor‘sHatterasandbuckledapairofweightbeltsaroundhiswaist.
‘AnythingIhavetodo?‘Rosenasked.
Kellyshookhisheadashestrippedoffhisshirt.‘Notreally.Ifthecompressorquits,I‘llknowprettyquick,andI‘llonlybedownfivefeetorso.‘
‘I‘veneverdonethat.‘Rosenturnedhissurgeon‘seyestoKelly‘storso,spottingthreeseparatescarsthatareallygoodsurgeonmighthavebeenskillfulenoughtoconceal.Thenherememberedthatacombatsurgeondidn‘talwayshavethetimeforcosmeticwork.
‘Ihave,hereandthere,‘Kellytoldhimonthewaytotheladder.
‘Ibelieveit,‘Rosensaidquietlytohimself.
Fourminuteslater,byRosen‘swatch,Kellywasclimbingbackuptheladder.
‘Foundyourproblem.‘Hesettheremainsofbothpropsontheconcretedock.
‘God!Whatdidwehit?‘
Kellysatdownforamomenttostripofftheweights.Itwasallhecoulddonottolaugh.‘Water,doc,justwater.‘
‘What?‘
‘Didyouhavetheboatsurveyedbeforeyouboughtit?‘
‘Sure,theinsurancecompanymademedothat.Igotthebestbuyaround,hechargedmeahundredbucks.‘
‘Oh,yeah?Whatdeficienciesdidhegiveyou?‘Kellystoodbackupandswitchedthecompressoroff.
‘Practicallynothing.Hesaidtherewassomethingwrongwiththesinks,andIhadaplumbercheckit,buttheywerefine.Iguesshehadtosaysomethingforhismoney,right?‘
‘Sinks?‘
‘That‘swhathetoldmeoverthephone.Ihavethewrittensurveysomewhere,butItooktheinformationoverthephone.‘
‘Zincs,‘Kellysaid,laughing.‘Notsinks.‘
‘What?‘Rosenwasangryatnotgettingthejoke.
‘Whatdestroyedyourpropswaselectrolysis.Galvanicreaction.It‘scausedbyhavingmorethanonekindofmetalinsaltwater,corrodesthemetal.Allthesandbardidwastoscuffthemoff.Theywerealreadywrecked.Didn‘tthePowerSquadrontellyouaboutthat?‘
‘Well,yes,but-‘
‘But-youjustlearnedsomething,DoctorRosen.‘Kellyhelduptheremainsofthescrew.Themetalhadtheflakedconsistencyofasodacracker.‘Thisusedtobebronze.‘
‘Damn!‘Thesurgeontookthewreckageinhishandandpickedoffawaferlikefragment.
‘Thesurveyormeantforyoutoreplacethezincanodesonthestrut.Whattheydoistoabsorbthegalvanicenergy.Youreplacethemeverycoupleofyears,andthatprotectsthescrewsandrudderbyremotecontrol,like.Idon‘tknowallthescienceofit,butIdoknowtheeffects,okay?Yourrudderneedsreplacement,too,butit‘snotanemergency.Sureashell,youneedtwonewscrews.‘
Rosenlookedoutatthewaterandswore.‘Idiot.‘
Kellyallowedhimselfasympatheticlaugh.‘Doc,ifthat‘sthebiggestmistakeyoumakethisyear,you‘realuckyman.‘
‘SowhatdoIdonow?‘
‘Imakeaphonecallandorderyouacoupleofprops.I‘llcallaguyIknowoverinSolomons,andhe‘llhavesomebodyrunthemdownhere,probablytomorrow.‘Keflygestured.‘It‘snotthatbigadeal,okay?Iwanttoseeyourcharts,too.‘
Sureenough,whenhecheckedtheirdates,theywerefiveyearsold.‘Youneednewoneseveryyear,doc.‘
‘Damn!‘Rosensaid.
‘Helpfulhint?‘Kellyaskedwithanothersmile.‘Don‘ttakeitsoseriously.Bestkindoflesson.Ithurtsalittlebutnotmuch.Youlearnandyougetonwithit.‘
Thedoctorrelaxed,finally,allowinghimselfasmile.‘Isupposeyou‘reright,butSarah‘llneverletmeforgetit.‘
‘Blamethecharts,‘Kellysuggested.
‘Willyoubackmeup?‘
Kellygrinned.‘Menhavetosticktogetherattimeslikethis.‘
‘IthinkI‘mgoingtolikeyou,MrKelly.‘
‘Sowherethefuckisshe?‘Billydemanded.
‘HowthehellshouldIknow?‘Rickreplied,equallyangry-andfearfulofwhatHenrywouldsaywhenhegotback.Boththeireyesturnedtothewomanintheroom.
‘You‘reherfriend,‘Billysaid.
Doriswastremblingalready,wishingshecouldrunfromtheroom,buttherewasnosafetyinthat.HerhandswereshakingasBillytookthethreestepstoher,andsheflinchedbutdidn‘tevadetheslapthatlandedheronthefloor.
‘Bitch.Youbettertellmewhatyouknow!‘
‘Idon‘tknowanything!‘shescreamedupathim,feelingtheburningspotonherfacewhereshe‘dbeenhit.ShelookedovertoRickforsympathy,butsawnoemotionatallonhisface.
‘Youknowsomething-andyoubettertellmerightnow,‘Billysaid.Hereacheddowntounbuttonhershorts,thenremovedthebeltfromhispants.‘Gettherestinhere,‘hetoldRick.
Dorisstoodwithoutwaitingfortheorder,nudefromthewaistdown,cryingsilently,herbodyshakingwithsobsforthepainsoontocome,afraideventocower,knowingshecouldn‘trun.Therewasnosafetyforher.Theothergirlscameinslowly,notlookinginherdirection.She‘dknownthatPamwasgoingtorun,butthatwasall,andheronlysatisfactionassheheardthebeltwhistlethroughtheairwasthatshewouldrevealnothingthatcouldhurtherfriend.Assearing‘asthepainwas,Pamhadescaped.</div> 有的人死了，但没有完全死……
无尽的昏迷过后，时宇猛地从床上起身。想要看最新章节内容，请下载爱阅小说app，无广告免费阅读最新章节内容。网站已经不更新最新章节内容，已经爱阅小说APP更新最新章节内容。
他大口的呼吸起新鲜的空气，胸口一颤一颤。
迷茫、不解，各种情绪涌上心头。
这是哪？
随后，时宇下意识观察四周，然后更茫然了。
一个单人宿舍？
就算他成功得到救援，现在也应该在病房才对。
还有自己的身体……怎么会一点伤也没有。
带着疑惑，时宇的视线快速从房间扫过，最终目光停留在了床头的一面镜子上。
镜子照出他现在的模样，大约十七八岁的年龄，外貌很帅。
可问题是，这不是他！下载爱阅小说app，阅读最新章节内容无广告免费
之前的自己，是一位二十多岁气宇不凡的帅气青年，工作有段时间了。
而现在，这相貌怎么看都只是高中生的年纪……
这个变化，让时宇发愣很久。
千万别告诉他，手术很成功……
身体、面貌都变了，这根本不是手术不手术的问题了，而是仙术。
他竟完全变成了另外一个人！
难道……是自己穿越了？
除了床头那摆放位置明显风水不好的镜子，时宇还在旁边发现了三本书。
时宇拿起一看，书名瞬间让他沉默。
《新手饲养员必备育兽手册》
《宠兽产后的护理》
《异种族兽耳娘评鉴指南》
时宇：？？？
前两本书的名字还算正常，最后一本你是怎么回事？
“咳。”
时宇目光一肃，伸出手来，不过很快手臂一僵。
就在他想翻开第三本书，看看这究竟是个什么东西时，他的大脑猛地一阵刺痛，大量的记忆如潮水般涌现。
冰原市。
宠兽饲养基地。
实习宠兽饲养员。网站即将关闭，下载爱阅app为您提供大神璇玑的璇玑之心刃·冷血悍将
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