southern Florida. We would be on a reciprocal course to the hurricane
track, a directly converging course. Even at fifteen knots, we would be
through the Straits and into the Gulf with twenty-four hours to spare,
Duncan stated, and looked to Randle for confirmation.
At the present speed of the storm's advance - yes/ Randle qualified
carefully. But conditions may change with respect, sir. Our The Mate
persisted. Again, nearest safe anchorage is the lee of Bermuda Island
Do you have any idea of the value of this cargo? Duncan rasped. No, you
do not. Well, I will inform you. It is $85,000,000.. The interest on
that amount is in the region of $20,000 a day. His voice rose a note,
again that wild note to it. 'Bermuda does not have the facilities to
effect major repairs The door from the private accommodation opened
silently and Chantelle Alexander stepped into the stateroom.
She wore no jewellery, a plain pearl silk blouse and a simple dark
woollen skirt, but her skin had been gilded by the sun and she had
lightly touched her dark eyes with a make-up that emphasized their size
and shape. Her beauty silenced them all and she was fully aware of it
as she crossed to stand beside Duncan.
It is necessary that this ship and her cargo proceed directly to
Galveston/ she said softly.
Chantelle -'Duncan began, and she silenced him with a brusque gesture of
one hand.
There is no question about the destination and the route that is to be
taken. Charles Gras looked to Captain Randle, waiting for him to assert
the authority vested in him by law. But when the young Captain remained
silent, the Frenchman smiled sardonically and shrugged a world-weary
dismissal of further interest. Then I must ask that arrangements be
made for my two assistants and myself to leave this ship immediately we
have completed the temporary repairs. Again Gras emphasized the word
temporary'.
Duncan nodded. If we resume our sailing when you anticipate, and even
taking into consideration the low fuel of the helicopter, we will be
within easy range condition of the east coast of Florida by dawn
tomorrow., Chantelle had not taken her eyes from the Golden Dawn's
officers during this exchange, and now she went on in the same quiet
voice.
I am quite prepared to accept the resignation of any of the officers of
this ship who wish to join that flight., Duncan opened his mouth to make
some protest at her assumption of his authority, but she turned to him
with a small lift of the chin, and something in her expression and the
set of her head upon her shoulders reminded him forcibly of old Arthur
Christy. There was the same toughness and resilience there/ the same
granite determination; strange that he had not noticed it before.
Perhaps I have never looked before, he thought. Chantelle recognized
the moment of his capitulation, and calmly she turned back to face
Golden Dawn's officers.
One by one, they dropped their eyes from hers; Randle was the first to
stand up.
If you will excuse me, Mrs. Alexander, I must make preparations to get
under way again., Charles Gras paused and looked back at her, and he
