Ghosts of the Titanic Read online

  “Nick,” he said. “Nick, look at me. It was just a current.”

  Finally, Nick's eyes drifted over to Franco. Slowly he nodded in understanding.

  “It was a current, Nick. Nothing more. The movement of the water. It just made the door close. That's all, a trick of the mind. Nothing more,” Franco said. “Besides, look.”

  Franco pointed to the next door down the hall, which read in ornate gold plate: Room 108. It stood slightly ajar, but not as fully open as the other doors had been.

  “Come on.”

  He turned and began his slow motion advance toward the room.

  Once Franco reached the door, he pulled his arm forward against the water pressure and pushed the door open, allowing him to see the first class accommodations. The room looked opulent, even after the years of decay under the ocean. In the sitting room, Franco saw an ornate settee which looked as if it could be plucked from the wreckage to decorate any high-class living room. A small writing table huddled in a corner, with a full set of pens and stationery strewn below it. An electric lamp sat on the table, catching the reflection of the diver's headlamps; the light bulb appeared to glow with the illusion that it was switched on. Franco approached the desk, hoping to find a clue as to where the chest and the diamonds might have been located. A sheet of paper rested on the desktop. Franco could see writing, but the contents looked like gibberish. He slowly reached out to try and pick up the paper, but it crumbled, disintegrating at his touch. A sudden darkness appeared, and he realized that the light in the lamp had somehow gone out. Franco remembered the warnings given by the medic before the dive and assured himself that they were experiencing nothing more than a trick of the eye. With the strange shadows, currents and flickering creatures around them, this seemed like the best and only explanation.

  Franco turned, discovering behind him the entrance to the sleeping quarters of the suite. He moved forward, his headlamp throwing a sharp shadow against the walls of the room. He took a breath, allowing the oxygen to strengthen him. As he made his way forward, one inch at a time, Franco realized just how good he felt. The dive had been flawless, so far everything had gone according to plan. A sense of euphoria and confidence began to seep into him. He reached the doorway of the bedroom. Looking around, he could see the large canopy bed. The sheets looked messed and tangled, but other than that, perfectly preserved. He swam into the room. Above him, a smaller but still ornate overhead chandelier swayed in a small eddy. A luxurious wardrobe sat in another corner opposite the bed. Franco stood at the doorway slowly swaying his head from one side of the room to the other, allowing the orb of light from the headlamp to cover every surface of the room. When he saw the chest, he would know it: a small, painted wooden box with Mother of Pearl inlay. He had seen a picture of one like it when he had been hired by Matvei initially. Strange shadows danced about as the light swept the room.

  Franco could almost envision the young girl sitting at the vanity, brushing her hair in preparation for receiving her lover. The vision seemed to come alive before his eyes as he imagined Darya balanced on the edge of the chair, back straight, dressing gown draped around her. He pictured her pinching her cheeks to bring a blush to them, then sitting still for a moment. He could almost see the face of the young woman, embarking on the journey of a lifetime with the man she loved. For a moment, a flame of curiosity flickered in his mind. They had been sent to find the diamonds and the chest, but what of the people behind the story? The family lore that had been told to him by Leo Matvei was only part of the story. What happened after they set sail on the Titanic? The shadow of the girl in front of him seemed to have a look of hope upon her face, mingled with a hint of sadness. He flinched when the soundless vision seemed to show the young woman pick up her hairbrush and fling it suddenly at the mirror before her, shattering it into a thousand pieces; the shards creating an aura of mirror light around her. The vision dissipated, floating into nothingness. The girl had vanished.

  He shook his head lightly to clear his thoughts. He needed to focus on the mission. Something underneath the bed caught the reflection of his lamp. Moving forward, he approached and leaned down to look. By an amazing stroke of fortitude, he reached under the bed and pulled forward the very chest that had been one of the purposes of the mission. He pulled it from underneath. The small ornate box had been marred by the presence of algae and barnacles clutching to the outside. The front lock looked secure, but he knew once they reached the surface that they could break the lock with no problem.

  A blood-curdling scream broke the silence over the comm link. Nick.

  Franco looked behind him, realizing Nick had not followed him into the suite. He moved back and tucked the small box under his left arm, beginning to find his way back to his diving partner. The screams continued over the comm link, sending waves of fear through him. His steps felt painfully slow as he emerged from the bedroom into the sitting room.

  “What's going on!?” Harper's voice came over the comm link from far above in the support vessel. “Somebody speak to me! What's happening!?”

  “This is Micheals,” Franco said in response. “I've lost visual on Moore, but I have a trajectory.”

  “Come on guys,” Harper said. “Don't do this to me.”

  Franco moved toward the hallway, struggling against the water, every movement a belabored effort. Cold fingers of suppressed panic danced up and down his spine as he pushed forward to try and find his friend. He did not know if Nick had fallen and gotten trapped somehow. Oddly enough, the sound of the screams gave him at least the realization that Nick was still alive. If there had been a breach in the suit or the TLV tank, Nick would have drowned in seconds. Screams meant life. As long as he could hear him, he could reach him. Franco moved forward into the hallway. Three doors down just within reach of the light of the headlamp, he saw Nick cowering against the wall, eyes wide with terror, his gloved fingers clawing uselessly at the wall behind him.

  “Harper, I have visual on Moore. Situation is under control. Diver has not been compromised.”

  “Repeat that?” Harper said.

  “Diver has not been compromised. Preparing to ascend.”

  Franco switched his focus from communicating with base to speaking directly to Nick.

  “What's going on, Nick?” Franco said, keeping his voice stern and professional. He needed to bring Nick back so they could get back to the surface. “Nick. Talk to me.”

  Nick's eyes darted from side to side, finally settling on Franco, who seemed to just become aware of his presence.

  “The people. I saw the people walking along as if they were here,” Nick mumbled. “First in the hallway; ladies and men wearing clothes from a long time ago. Then, here in this room, there were two men. I saw them as plain as day. And don't you dare tell me it was just a trick of the light, Franco. I know what I saw.”

  Franco's mind drifted momentarily, thinking of his vision of the girl sitting at the vanity.

  “I believe you.”

  “They moved and talked like they didn't even see me,” Nick continued. “Then the one stabbed the other. The other man fell down but he was still thrashing around. Then the first one wrapped something around his throat, until the other man stopped moving.”

  “Nick. I believe you, okay. Now, listen. I found the chest. We can go back to the surface. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.”

  “Franco, listen to me! I saw two men arguing just now. In that room!” He pointed to the door in front of him. Room 114. “One of them killed the other. He stabbed him. I saw it.”

  Franco finally reached close enough to Nick to reach out to him, strange shadows etched on his face from the light of Franco's headlamp. He touched Nick's shoulder.

  “Nick, let's go back up. We can sort this out once we reach the surface.”

  Nick's eyes seemed to calm slightly, but still flamed with a crazed look. He finally rested his vision on the box underneath Franco's arm. “Okay, Franco. Let's go up.”

  Chapte
r Four

  April 12, 1912

  The RMS Titanic, Room 114

  A well-dressed servant opened the door for Darya and Stephan, both dressed for dinner as they entered the chamber of their new acquaintance, Vlad Afanasy. Against the back wall, a large table filled with delicacies greeted them as they entered the room.

  “Please come in,” Vlad said as he stood from the seating area, hands extended to greet them both. He gave Stephan a hearty handshake, then took Darya's hand and, with a grand gesture, bowed his head to her.

  “Thank you so much for having us,” Darya said. “It is always nice to spend time with a fellow countryman.”

  A woman entered from the back room. She was a slight, blond woman with thin, delicate features, wearing a fine evening dress of blue silk. She had the same eyes as Vlad.

  “My sister, Katinka,” Vlad said, motioning for her to come forward. “She is my traveling companion and will be joining us for dinner.”

  Katinka walked forward and greeted Darya, gently grazing her fingertips with her own and offering a slight smile. Darya could not quite say why, but there seemed to be something strange about this young woman, something off. Katinka extended her hand to Stephan next, but she seemed to pause as he took her hand with a bow.

  “I'm sorry, comrade,” she spoke in a voice that sounded like a tinkling of crystal, “Have we met before? I am sure I have seen your face.”

  Stephan shook his head with a small smile.

  “I am certain that we have not. I would have remembered.”

  Darya suppressed a fleeting disturbance at the exchange between the two. She could have sworn she saw the blush rise in Stephan's face when Katinka greeted him. She dismissed the passing thought with a shake of her head.

  “We are dining buffet style this evening,” Vlad said, sweeping his arm toward the table of food. “I had the food brought in from the restaurant so as to be more comfortable for us. Please, help yourselves.”

  The four of them took turns filling their plates with cold cut meats, bread, melons, and other fruits from the bedecked table. A dining table had been set near the sitting area, utilizing the cushioned armchair for luxurious comfort and elbow room for the diners. Darya settled on the seat opposite Vlad. Stephan sat next to her on, and Katinka finally sat down across from Stephan and beside Vlad.

  “What brings you aboard the Titanic?” Vlad asked Darya after they had begun the meal. “A woman of your social status surely has opportunity to make a trip such as this regularly, I would assume.”

  “Actually, this is the first time I am making a trip across the Atlantic,” Darya said, improvising once more. “It is on behalf of my father's business. He is quite ill you see, and he has given me authority to go in his stead.”

  “That is interesting,” Katinka replied, taking a delicate sip from her water glass. “It is not often to see women involved in business affairs in such a manner, especially a woman of your position and stature. Do you find it difficult?”

  “On the contrary,” Darya said. “My education and upbringing has prepared me for it quite nicely. Besides, I do enjoy the travel aspects. My father's best man is sent along to accompany me, of course.” She gestured to Stephan. “After all, it would be unseemly for a woman to be traveling alone.”

  Katinka turned her attention to Stephan.

  “And you, sir? How are you enjoying your stay on the Titanic? It must be an honor to make such a journey for someone of your... position.”

  Stephan picked up the ruse that Darya had begun. When he spoke, he cast his eyes downward, playing the part.

  “I am at my lady's service. That is the honor I carry.”

  “And just how far does that service extend to your lady?” Katinka said, her sky blue eyes peering intently at Stephan.

  An awkward silence hung in the room at her sudden boldness. Darya tried not to react, but felt her ire rising nonetheless.

  “Oh, please forgive my sister,” Vlad said, glancing at Darya. “She can be quite bold at times. Though one does wonder...” He took a glance at Darya as he said these last words.

  “Dear me,” Katinka said, suddenly placing her small hand to her forehead. “The wine seems to have gone to my head. Would you care to accompany me for a turn about the deck for some air?”

  She continued to look at Stephan while she spoke. He and Darya exchanged a glance, both worried that their facade remain intact.

  “Perhaps we all should,” Vlad added. “It is a lovely evening after all. My lady,” he stood and extended an arm to Darya. The moment for scrutiny and offense had passed, so Darya smiled as she stood to accept Vlad's offered arm.

  June 17, 2014

  Latitude 41° 43' 57" North, longitude 49° 56' 49" West

  The DSV Diamond bobbed in the water surrounded by endless horizon; Harper, Lisa and Captain Martin waited by the diving platform for Franco and Nick to emerge from the deep. Harper had been able to keep comm link contact with both of them during the ascension and knew they were minutes from the surface. The water seemed to be tossing the ship up and down as the waves had increased. A stiff wind blew, but the sky remained calm and blue.

  “Did they say they found the diamonds?” Lisa asked.

  “I don't know,” Harper answered. “They mentioned the chest, the woman's chest that she had carried on board. The diamonds must be in it.”

  “Here they come.” Lisa stepped forward and the two men broke the surface of the water.

  Her attention immediately went to Nick as Franco guided him to the ladder alongside the boat. He had been coherent during the ascension, but everyone knew he needed an evaluation after the experience on the ship.

  “Be careful,” Lisa said. “When you take off your apparatus, you will have to expel the oxygenated gel. Your body will naturally reject it when you start breathing air again.”

  Franco nodded in understanding.

  “Might as well get it over with,” he said. Franco then pulled the face plate forward, allowing the liquid around his head to drain out. He began to cough violently, his body wracking. He collapsed to his knees, as the tremors passed through him. He vomited the clear liquid onto the deck of the ship, heaving and coughing until at last, he pulled in a deep breath undisturbed.

  “Let's get you both to sick bay for evaluations,” Lisa said. “Nick, I want you stabilized before you take off your helmet. As you can see, it has the potential to be traumatic.”

  Lisa lifted Nick with his arm around her shoulders, and Franco steadied himself on the deck railing. Franco held up a hand and spoke in a raspy voice.

  “I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath. Take care of Nick.”

  Harper had been pacing around the others rubbing his hands together.

  “Did you find them?” he said. “The diamonds, did you find the diamonds?”

  “I don't know!” Franco snapped, still crouched on the ship’s deck. He stood and removed his helmet fully. The chest brought from the Titanic had been placed in a small carrying device attached to the dive suit during the ascension. Franco lifted it forward and placed it on the deck. Lisa began to lead Nick toward the galley area where they disappeared toward sick bay.

  Captain Martin stepped forward.

  “It's my ship,” he said. “I should be the one to break the lock.”

  He had brought the bolt cutter from below and everyone else stood back while Martin wrestled with the lock for a moment. With a large snap, the lock came loose and Franco reached forward to open the ornate lid. Everyone on deck held their breath as the contents of the box came into view. They immediately saw that water damage had been minimal due to the seal on the lid. The first thing they saw was a small locket resting on top of a pile of books. One seemed to be a diary of some sort, a travel log or journal. Franco carefully lifted the books out. Underneath he found a small photograph showing two young women; one with unruly dark curly hair standing next to another much younger girl with dark straight hair. His eyes did not flicker, and he did not take in a
breath. But Franco very much noticed the strong resemblance between the image of the woman in the picture and the imagined vision that he had seen on the Titanic. How could that be? he wondered. Perhaps he had seen a photograph of the woman without realizing, when he had met with Leo Matvei to accept the job. He lifted the pictures out and laid them on top of the books. The box now sat empty.

  “The diamonds are not there.” Harper said what they were all thinking. “Dammit! We need those diamonds.”

  “Calm down, Harper,” Franco said. “Let's take a look at what’s is here. There may be something of worth yet.”

  “Without the diamonds, there's no payout!” Harper said, his voice rising with agitation.

  “You think I don't know that?” Franco spat. “I had to get Nick back to the surface. We still have to prep for another dive. Just relax. This isn't over yet. Let's look at this first.”

  Franco picked up the locket and opened it, showing a picture of the same woman from the photograph next to the face of a handsome blond young man; Darya and Stephan locked together with eternal smiles, never touching. Next he picked up the journal, opening the first page.

  Дорогая Маша,

  Когда вы читаете эти слова вам будут не хватает меня на довольно некотороевремя. Могу заверить вас, что я хорошо. Я хотел, чтобы сохранить запись о то, чтослучилось со мной, поскольку я видел вас последний. Как вы знаете, я былаобручена с Igor Давидович против мои пожелания я любил и до сих пор люблю,Степан

  .

  “It's gibberish,” Franco muttered.

  “It's Russian,” Captain Martin interjected. “And I'd venture to say that if you could read it, that book there might lead you to the diamonds.”