A Ravel of Waters

Tideman seemed oblivious of her, and said to me, 'What's our course to the Cape? What's our course!’

Brockton's momentary euphoria also vanished. He repeated Tideman's question. 'Yes – the course, Peter?'

'You're all rather jumping the gun,' I said. 'First, I need your help, each one of you. I want to discuss the logistics of the break-out…' 'Break-out?' repeated Tideman. 'That's a strong word.'

'And I mean it,' I answered. 'Listen…' I outlined my interview with Dawson and his veiled threat to enlist the Almirante Storni against Jetwind, When I came to Captain Mortensen's suspected murder, Kay looked very grave.

'I felt all along that there was something about that so-called accident. It was impossible, as far as the furling mechanism was concerned,' she said.

'Murder only adds to our problems,5 I pointed out. 'It strengthens Dawson's hand, in fact. It could, in fact, give him some justification for calling upon the Almirante Storni for assistance.'

'Which means that the destroyer would pursue Jetwind once Captain Irizar discovers the bird has flown,' added Brockton.

Until then Tideman had been the perfect officer, highly efficient, deferential, somewhat Navy-formal. Now the mettle of the man who on three occasions had bull-whipped racing yachts through the wildest seas in the world broke through.

He rose impatiently. 'What the devil have we been waiting for – we've lost hours! The wind's been good since this afternoon! We could have been away on the high seas by now!'

'I was tempted also,' I replied. 'But there's another consideration…' And I explained to Kay and Tideman, with the help of Brockton, about Grohman's angry exchange with me at Comodoro Rivadavia and its disturbing political under-currents.

'Dawson is playing along in the interest of what he terms a modus vivendi between the Falklands and Argentina,' I added. 'I don't know how Grohman fits in. However, I believe he's playing some deep game of his own.'

'Then why did you allow for four Argentinians to join our crew as extra hands? They can only complicate the issue,' said Tideman. 'What did you say?' I asked incredulously. 'We didn't need any extra hands,' Tideman added.

'You must be joking,' I said.'‘ certainly brought no one with me from the mainland.'

'Say, remember those guys with Grohman in the plane, Peter?' asked Brockton.

I felt the same surge of alarm as when I learned about Grohman's proposed picnic. It was another sinister straw in the wind.

Kay added, 'There wasn't room in the foc'sle for them with the rest of our crew. Grohman has housed them in the passenger accommodation.'

I faced their stares and said tersely, 'You have my word that I brought no crew with me.' Then I asked Tideman, 'Are the men sailors?'

'Aye. Good ones, too, from what I could make out. They speak only Spanish.'

'Maybe they're, crew from Grohman's old schooner and he took them on when he thought he was going to be the skipper,' I said. 'It's too late now to send them ashore, damn it, without giving the game away. Besides, there'd be too many formalities. Apart from you three, no one knows we're sailing tonight. I want to keep it that way.'

'We're wasting our time with all this talk,' Tideman said. 'Why don't we get the sail on Jetwind now?'

'Sorry, John. Until the Almirante Storni actually puts her nose into The Narrows, Jetwind does not budge.' 'Why?' He looked at me as if I were mad, 'What's behind the stalling?' asked Brockton.

I looked at each in turn as I explained. 'I summoned you here tonight because I felt I knew you well enough to trust you in an extreme situation. Equally, I hope you will trust me. I'm saying this because I realize that there are questions in your minds whose answers you will have to take on trust.' 'Such as?' asked Tideman.

'I have taken a major decision for which I alone can assume the responsibility. It is a captain's decision. I will tell you what I intend to do once the Almirante Storni shows up in The Narrows. I alone will have to take the rap for the consequences. I do not wish to implicate you. The matter is too serious. If you don't know in advance you cannot be held responsible after the event.' 'Who by?' asked Kay.

'International opinion for one’ I answered. 'Jetwind versus the Falklands is a powder keg ready to explode. Dawson is trying to keep the lid on by appeasing Argentina. What I intend to do tonight will trigger the explosion. It's too late now for any of you three not to sail with the ship. However, you're free to withdraw from assisting me if you feel you cannot cooperate on the basis of being only half informed.' 'I'm with you – naturally.' Kay's voice was tense.

'The sooner we sail, the happier I'll be,' repeated Tideman. Brockton said unhesitatingly, 'I go, whatever.'

I warmed to him. But a second later, I found myself questioning his intentions when he struck what I felt was a false note. 'Oh boy, what a story!'

'There'll be no story yet,' I retorted. 'No use of the ship's communications either.' 'Okay, okay,' he said. 'Forget it!'