The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) (51 page)

Jerard nodded and tucked the cigar into his jacket pocket. He turned and headed out of the bridge. He was thinking he would check in with Paulo first and then make his way to the aux bridge before checking the cargo bays. He realized that he had not detailed anyone to have a look at them.

Paulo was busy preparing a ‘snack’ for the men. As usual the little chef was going above and beyond as it looked more like a four course meal was to be served. Jerard just shook his head and moved on lest he be conscripted to help.

As he approached the door to the auxiliary bridge he heard raised voices. He stopped with his hand on the door to listen but the voices were too muffled. When he opened the door the voices stopped and he found D'Arcey and Wright looking at him it was fairly obvious the two men had been arguing.

“How goes things here gentlemen?” Jerard said pretending he had not heard them.

“Very well Captain.” D'Arcey replied. “Mr. Wright informs me that there is no problems with the pressures. We believe the problems are with the main gauges. The readings here in the aux are correct Sir. I will need to go to the main bridge and check them there.”

“I can do that for you Mr. D'Arcey Sir. I was going to walk the cargo bays first; I realized that I did not assign anyone to search them. So when I return I will call you on the speaking grills. Can you wait that long?”

“Ah Captain, that would be very kind of you but we do not wish to interrupt you. It will be easy enough for Mr. Wright to remain here while I go to the bridge.

“Or, Captain, Sir.” Wright interjected. “I could go and search the cargo bays if you needed to get back to the bridge. This way Mr. D'Arcey could remain at his post.”

Jerard was taken aback at the glaring look D'Arcey shot Wright as the room seemed to fill with animosity. “Mr. D'Arcey, is there a problem?”

“Non Captain. Mr. Wright
will
remain here and with your permission I shall go to the bridge and communicate back the gauge readings to Mr. Wright. We do need to get this finished Sir as there is much more to do.”

“Very well Mr. D'Arcey, I do know that Mr. Nichols left quite a list. Since you are going to the bridge I will have a word with you Sir. Mr. Wright, carry on.”

D'Arcey hurried up the steps to the aux bridge catwalk and followed Jerard out the door. He carefully but firmly closed the door behind himself.

“I would ask you, Mr. D'Arcey, is there a problem between you and Mr. Wright?”

“Non Captain, Mr. Wright he is sometimes...um, how do you say? Not obey rules.”

“Disobedient?”

“Oui Captain. He does not like to work.”

“Then I shall have a word with him.”

“Non Captain, please, I am his superior and I must try to deal with this first, yes?”

“Fair enough Mr. D'Arcey but I will not tolerate that sort of behavior on my ship. See that you fix this problem
tonight
.”

D'Arcey came to attention and saluted. “Oui Captain.”

“Thank you Mr. D'Arcey, you are dismissed.” Jerard turned on his heel and headed to the cargo bays.

This was the second time tonight that Jerard had heard something negative about Wright. He was definitely going to talk to Nichols about perhaps dismissing the man. And he was going to do it as soon as they got back.

Jerard took his time searching the cargo bays and storage rooms. He found nothing amiss and headed back toward the bridge when his thoughts were interrupted by the speaking grill.

“Captain to the bridge, Captain to the bridge please.”

Jerard moved to the closest grill and replied that he was on his way. Well, he thought, I hope this is more interesting than the inspection of the cargo bays.

When he reached the bridge anteroom he was surprised to see Fred Randal standing there grinning like a fool. He snapped to attention and saluted Jerard.

“Permission to bring guests aboard Sir!”

“Granted. What’s going on Fred?”

“Well Sir, I ran into some old friends out there.” Fred leaned over and motioned out the door.

A few seconds later three German Air officers stepped through the door. Jerard nearly fell over in surprise as he recognized an acquaintance he had never thought to see again.

“Rittmeister Von Ulric!” Jerard exclaimed and held out his hand. “It is good to see you! And so unexpected..."

“Ja, ja for me too Phillips!”

The German took Jerard’s hand and then enveloped him in a bear hug. “I am so glad you do not forget your best rival!”

Jerard grimaced. “I don’t doubt you and your people remember me Sir.”

Von Ulric smiled and clapped Jerard on the back. “Maybe not so much like you think. Here! I bring Schnapps, let us sit and have talk, ja?”

“Ja!” Jerard said laughing. He heard a coughing sound and turned to see Wallace standing in the bridge doorway.

“Oh, Rittmeister may I present Mr. William Wallace, my most excellent helmsman.”

“Ah...” Von Ulric said as he looked Wallace up and down. “Most high praise from Phillips. I am happy to meet you.” Von Ulric turned back to Jerard. “I should present my officers to you. You remember Friedrik Lahn my navigator, ja? And I do not believe you know Oberleutnant Ziegenhals, he is what you call my second officer.

Lahn and Ziegenhals, both clicked their heels and bowed to Jerard and then to Wallace. Jerard held out his hand to Feldwebelleutnant Lahn the navigator. “It is good to see you again Sir.”

“And you Captain.”

Jerard had forgotten how good Lahn’s english was, all he could really remember about the man was that he and Fred had hit it off famously. Jerard then turned and extended his hand to the second officer. “A pleasure to meet you Sir.”

The man did not reply but smiled and pumped Jerard’s hand with enthusiasm.

“Captain, Konrad does not speak very much English.” Von Ulric began indicating his executive officer. “However he was keen to come along and meet you. It is not everyday you have the opportunity to be introduced to the greatest airship captain in the world.”

“Me?” Jerard said, he was quite stunned.

Von Ulric laughed out loud. “Ja Phillips! It was me up to the end of the International Competition!”

Jerard was distinctly uncomfortable. “As I recall Von Ulric you won the competition.”

“Nein!” Von Ulric said vehemently. “I have der trophy that should be yours. We will talk of this now, ja?” He waved the bottle of Schnapps at Jerard again and smiled.

Jerard returned the smile. “Right this way gentlemen. If you will follow Fred to our crew lounge, I need a moment to leave instructions with Mr. Wallace.”

Jerard waited until the Germans were nearly out of sight down the hallway before turning to Mr. Wallace. “William, give us a about thirty minutes or so. If you need anything call D'Arcey up from the aux bridge.”

“Aye Captain.”

“Mr. Wallace, you look like you want to say something.”

“Well Captain, there seems ta be a story here an everyone knows there aint nothin’ a Scotsman loves more n’ a good story.”

Jerard chuckled. “So I am told Mr. Wallace, so I am told. You are dismissed to your duty Sir.”

Jerard watched a disappointed Wallace turn and go back onto the bridge. He had also been told that Scotsmen loved unhappy endings as well, guess his story about the Competition would surely fit that bill. He shook his head sadly, all trace of amusement had fled at that thought. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about that horrible day yet here he was, on his way to do just that.

Laughter filled the crew lounge. Apparently Jerard had arrived just in time for the first toast. It must have been a good one but he honestly couldn’t tell because it was in German, even Fred was laughing though. The first to notice his arrival was Von Ulric.

“Phillips!” He called out. “Come! Sit! Drink!”

Jerard smiled a smile he did not feel and took a seat in the easy chair next to Von Ulric. He was handed a glass of the Schnapps and held it up in salute. “To flying!”

“To flying!” The toast was repeated and all the glasses emptied at once.

Wow, Jerard thought as the fiery liquid made its way down his throat. He had quite forgotten the kick that schnapps possessed. Go easy, you’re on duty he warned himself and suddenly he remembered his earlier conversation with Mac. Jerard’s mind raced, he had
never
expected to
ever
see the German airship captain again...could this be Mac’s ‘storm’? But what would this possibly have to do with saving a crew member?

“Captain!” Fred shouted.

Jerard jerked and became aware of his surroundings. All eyes seemed to be on him and he was certain that he had missed something judging from the expectation he saw in those expressions. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I just thought of something and it distracted me. Now, where were we? Another round?”

Fred laughed. “Well Sir while that is always welcome, I was asking if I might be excused to retrieve something from my cabin.”

“Of course.” Jerard said and waved a dismissive hand at Fred.

“So Phillips! This ship she is
wunderbar
! You land on your feet as is said, ja?”

“Ja.” Jerard agreed with a smile. “And you Von Ulric? I did not see any bomber scouts out there, which of those monsters is yours?”

“I have the little bigger one in the middle.”

“A promotion?”

Von Ulric shrugged. “Command, they say yes. Me? I miss my
Falkonn
scout ship. Now I have important persons to fly around. All I hear: Rittmeister is too slow, Rittmeister is too rough, Rittmeister my tea is cold.” He rolled his eyes dramatically.

Jerard chuckled. “Sorry about that old man. So how long are you here in Copenhagen?”

“Six more days. At least food is good, ja? And Ambassador not stay on the ship so we have relaxing time.”

“Jolly good!” Jerard said and wondered how much more fishing he could get away with. So far it did not sound like his friend was involved with the kidnapping which was a huge relief. “At least Sir you have other military ships here for company.”

“True, der crew of der Z-17 was happy to see us. They are here for three more months, her Captain is friend. I would like you to meet him, he is what you say is a jolly fellow. Maybe tomorrow I could bring him here, he would like this ship.”

“I would like that Sir. But I am not sure when we are to leave. I, too, am at the mercy of important personages. Perhaps I could send an invitation around in the morning after I find out our departure time? In fact I could include an invite for your other captain as well.”

Now it was Von Ulric’s turn to chuckle. “You English, so polite, I thank you. But he will not come.”

“Oh are they leaving tomorrow?”

“Nein, nein his ship is assigned to my ship, he leaves when I leave.”

Jerard wanted to breathe a sigh of relief. It looked like the LensBaron’s theory that they were going to try to smuggle Dr. Nordstrom out via the opera troupe might actually be true. He had no idea of what they would have done if any of the German military were involved. And he did not have to be in politics to know the kind of disaster it would cause if they were.

“You have funny look on your face. Is no insult that Rittmeister Braunsberg would not come to see this wunderbar ship. He is...” Von Ulric trailed off and turned to his navigator. He said something in rapid fire German. Feldwebelleutnant Lahn burst out laughing and turned to Jerard to translate.

“My Captain says that Rittmeister Braunsberg is an ass and a stuffed shirt rules broker. That is the best way to translate, in the German tongue it sounds much more insulting.” Lahn grinned.

Jerard joined the German officers in their laughter, apparently they all shared Von Ulric’s opinion. And Jerard was all too familiar with the type.

Fred had finally returned with a small box made of card. “What’s so funny?”

“Later.” Jerard replied.

“Well, this is
not
funny,” Fred said and shook the box, it tinkled and rattled as if it had bits of metal in it. “Better pour us another round herr Lahn. Captain, I brought this along to show you and we haven’t had time since I’ve been aboard. When I saw Friedrik a little while ago he reminded me of it. Don’t worry Captain, everyone here knows about this. And when Rittmeister Von Ulric found out that you didn’t know he wanted to come along and be here when I told you.” Fred held the box out to Jerard. “Open it.”

He took the box and looked inside. Jerard’s face immediately went pale. Inside the box was a collection of tiny gears and bits of wire and string, some of it obviously burnt. “Where did you get this?” He demanded.

“Do you know what it is Sir?”

“I have my suspicions, now answer my question where did you get this? If you have been rummaging around in my cabin Randal, you have gone too far!”

Fred was taken aback. “Your cabin Sir? No Sir, I have never rummaged in your cabin! This came from the floor of the bomb bay of our old Vickers."

“This can’t be.” Jerard said and stood up abruptly. “Excuse
m
e Gentlemen, it seems that there is something
I
must get to bring to this conversation as well.” The four men watched open mouthed as Phillips marched off.

Sabotage! Jerard’s mind was screaming. Someone sabotaged my ship! He had to compare these little parts to the ones Nichols had given him. But before he even laid his hands on his own box he knew that it had to be the same person. The parts looked too much alike and both sets were found at ‘accident’ sites. Jerard’s old anger and frustration boiled up as he snatched the package out of his cupboard and marched back to the crew lounge.

He slammed his box down on the tea table next to Fred’s. “Look.” Jerard said and folded his arms over his chest.

Fred leaned over and picked up Jerard’s box. He opened the lid and whistled his surprise before handing it to Von Ulric. “Where’d you get those Captain?” Fred asked cautiously.

Jerard took a deep breath trying to calm his anger. He relaxed his posture and finally sat down. Putting his elbows on his knees he bowed his head so that he could rub his eyes. After a moment he had regained a measure of calm and looked up at Fred and the Germans.

“They were found on
this
ship, immediately after an explosion that killed the former Captain, a crew man and seriously injured a third.” The silence was palpable as Jerard looked at the shocked and confused expressions of the faces around him.