Infinite Loop - Chapter 14

Destination Unknown

The SS Andes docked along the great Commonwealth Pier around mid-morning. Even in the early morning, smog covered the horizon as coal-fired steam equipment, cranes and dock loaders created an overwhelming din of noise along the long wharf. Pallets of cargo and equipment moved across the concrete dock way, carrying the freight from the line of ships tied to the pier. Nestled between two ships, the Andes waited for a large crane on tracks to be moved into position to unload its cargo. A small bevy of the harbor police stood along the dock while tugs pushed the ship into place. After workers lowered the gangplank into place, the men in dark blue uniforms rushed aboard. The men quickly shut down any thoughts the passengers had about leaving. A thin rope barred the passengers from the gangplank, guarded by several large, burly harbor police. Amber arrived on the deck just in time to witness Countess Helene Mara being told to return to her cabin.

“How dare you treat me like this? When I talk to your superiors, you will be back on the street with the rest of your type of people.” She lashed out at one man, who stood with his arms crossed.

“Lady, that’s Sergeant O’Malley right over there.” He told her as he gestured with his thumb to a uniformed man in a conversation with the captain of the ship. Next to the captain was first officer Holtz.

“Lady, he’ll be talking to you soon enough. Now be a good girl, and let us do our job,” the policeman told her.

After glancing at the man in charge, Helene Mara fell silent when she realized the officers did not care about her societal rank.

Amber watched the man leading the harbor police. Like his comrades, he was a large man with a barrel chest and thick neck straining to burst the uniform he wore. Carrying a permanent scowl on his boxer face, O’Malley had already ordered a few of his men to the crime scene.

Barking orders like a drill instructor, O’Malley sent the rest of his men along to round up all the crew members. When he finished, he walked over to the line of passengers waiting to leave. When the countess tried to speak up, he cut her off.

“You heard my men,” he said bluntly. “We have two murders on this ship, along with the murderer who we’ll soon find. Now, unless you want to be here all night, go back to your cabin and stay out of the way. I’ll be speaking with the crewmen first, and I’ll get around to the passenger after that.”