The Emerald Key - By Christopher Dinsdale Page 0,78
moment of seeing you again. But that doesn’t mean I’m about to leave this project or this new country. Jamie, there’s a lot more going on here than you realize, something even bigger than the Brotherhood. I’ve already decided that I want to be a part of it and that I’m going to stay.”
Jonathon Wilkes casually walked down the wharf and up the gangplank to the Maid of the Rideau. After stepping through a hatch, he made his way along the plush hallway and let himself into the captain’s quarters. Captain Chamberlain and Mr. Reeves were waiting on leather chairs on either side of a large oak coffee table, both nursing a strong drink.
“Ah, Mr. Wilkes,” said Reeves, “I’m so glad you’ve returned. Can I offer you a whiskey as well?”
“No thank you, but you might want to pour yourself a second glass after I share with you the information I’ve gathered from the St. Catharines locals.”
“Is it that bad?” asked Chamberlain, reaching over for the bottle. “Did those delinquents sink my baby?!”
“Say it isn’t true!” stammered Reeves, who downed the remaining alcohol from his glass. “I’d be finished!”
“No, I’m fairly confident that the Carpathia II is still afloat. It’s just docked in a location that you might not like.”
“Please,” begged Reeves, “no more games. Tell us what you know. Where is the Carpathia?”
“It seems that she did make a short stop here three days ago. According to the locals, the ship was crammed full of Irish immigrants.”
“What?” gasped Reeves. “How can that be? There were supposed to be only a dozen children on board my ship. Where in blazes did all the Irish come from?”
Wilkes chuckled. “It seems our child captain pulled a fast one on the town of Toronto by rescuing all of the Irish immigrants they had rounded up and penned on Queen’s Quay last week. After the rescue, the ship stopped here for a short time, where only a few of the passengers disembarked. The ship was still full with many Irish families when she left port and headed south.”
Reeves paled in shock. “South, as in towards the United States of America?”
Wilkes lowered his head in sympathy. “I believe so. I just talked to a seaman on shore leave from a schooner based in Rochester, New York. He claimed he saw a large ship that matches the description of the Carpathia II tied to a little-used wharf just on the other side of the Niagara River. If that is indeed her, then your ship is docked on American soil.”
Reeves jumped to his feet. “This is awful! If the U.S. government sinks their claws into her, they’ll hold her as evidence of human smuggling! This whole travesty could become an unending legal nightmare — which will cost the company a fortune!”
Chamberlain pounded his fist angrily on the table. “My ship is less than an hour’s sail away from here. Perhaps there is something we can do to help salvage the situation.”
“Yes!” agreed Reeves. “After sunset, we could sail the Maid of the Rideau up to the Carpathia II and tow her the short distance back into Canadian waters, but we’d have to get to her before the Americans claim her for their own.”
“As long as she’s still in one piece,” exclaimed Chamberlain, “my crew and I will get her back into Canadian waters, that I can guarantee.”
“Then we must leave immediately! There’s no time to lose! My job depends on it!”
“I believe retrieving your ship at this time is the right course of action,” concurred Wilkes, “but I’m afraid you’ll have to continue on without me.”
“What?” questioned Reeves. “I thought we had an agreement that you would help catch the wretched pirates who took my ship. You’re not keeping up your end of the bargain.”
Wilkes smiled. “Actually, I would like to keep my end of the bargain and that is why I will be leaving you at this time. I heard further reports that several children disembarked with the handful of Irish here in St. Catharines. I have a hunch that these children might be the ringleaders of your whole nasty situation. If I’m wrong, then I will catch up with you in a couple of days’ time. Don’t worry, Mr. Reeves. One way or another, I’ll bring those children to justice.”
“Fine,” huffed Reeves, dismissing Wilkes with a wave of his hand. “You go and do your investigating. As for you, Chamberlain, I want you to get this ship on its way immediately! Reclaiming the Carpathia II