Chapter 7: Spy Versus Spy

I Sat down at the Table near the Grand staircase to rest and Collect my facts, So much happened that I don't even know where to start.

First off: The Painting's gone, Whether by Willie or someone else, I don't know! Second: Zeitel and Sasha know it's gone as well, Considering that Zeitel is armed and dangerous; I now have to stay alert. And now that Georgia enters the picture...I didn't even wanna think about that!

Just then, Daisy's voice rang like a bell, "Did you get his name, dear?" she materialized right next to me, interrupting my thoughts. Which, I had to admit, was a relief.

I remembered that she had asked me about a man named G.Q.C, and I was ready to answer, "Well, he's not much, he goes by the name George Quincy Clifford."

"Clifford...Clifford...Never heard of him," Replied Daisy, "You don't suppose he's rich, do you?"

"Could be filthy," I winked, "Look for him in Cabin A-47."

She smiled gratefully, "You're an angel!" She gave me a peck on the check. I smiled to myself, that was one load I could lift off my shoulders.

"Oh," Daisy said Before I could leave, "I almost forgot. Andrew Conkling's been asking for you."

"Andrew Conkling?" I raised an eyebrow suspiciously, I never heard of or knew the man, so I wasn't at ease in the slightest.

"The Steel Baron," Daisy replied, "You may remember his wife, Beatrix, The Designer." To be Honest, I hadn't the slightest idea who they were, but because Daisy was in high spirits, I bit back my words. For her sake, of course. The note read "A matter of urgency requires your attention. Meet me at Scotland Road. A.C"

"They're friends with Captain Smith. He's retiring after his voyage, couldn't be more quaint." She then noticed how exhausted I was, "My dear, you're flushed. Bad news?

I shook my head, "No, But You must excuse me. I have things to attend to." I started off quickly, relieved to escape her acquaintance. I hadn't heard of Andrew Conkling in my life, But I knew of a company that had produced steel for the Titanic's construction. The company was called Conkling Steel, But I still wondered what one of the Ship's biggest Benefactors wanted my attention for. Only one way to find out.

I followed my map towards Scotland Road, Where Conkling was waiting. At first, No one was there, Then I looked again and saw a Man in his late thirties, He Had balding brown hair that matched his mustache, he wore a blue suit and a tan necktie, and he had just finished a cigarette when I walked up to him.

"Hello," he said in a business-like tone, "Andrew Conkling. Good of you to come." we shook hands, "I trust you're finding the accomendations satisfactorly?"

I frowned, "They are. Did you bring me out of my way just to get my review on this ship?"

he shook his head, "No, No. Certainly not. I have a small but important problem. You may be able to help"

"What is your problem?"

"You're under no obligation, of course. A Servant has stolen an important business Document for me and I must recover it." He cleared his throat and continued, "Two years ago, My wife, Beatrix, hired a young Irish girl as a maid in our London house. We treated her well. Two weeks ago, she up and left without explanation or notice, taking a certain document with her. I'd given up hope on finding it until my wife discovered her this morning on the third class promenade. Needless to say, I checked with the Purser."

"About why she was on the ship in the first place?" I asked.

Andrew Nodded "That's right. She originally had be scheduled to sail on the Philadelphia, but those passengers had been transferred to the Titanic because of a coal strike."

I acknowledged his statement, Which had sparked another memory since my paradox. I knew that there was a Coal shortage in the mines, and The Titanic had taken the majority of what could be found. preventing all other ships for sailing for a long period of time.

"Well, you certainly are lucky to have her in your sights." I told him, "but I have my hands full at the moment. Why chose me? And how do you even know of me?" I wasn't supportive of the fact that I was being discovered while undercover.

A sly smile played across Andrew's face, "Government officials, friends of mine, told me a English bureau agent was traveling to America on business. I found you through Mrs. Cashmore. A preposterous Woman, I will admit, but she does have an eye for accomplishment. Look, will you help me? You will be rewarded handsomely."

Now I'm not a man who could be bought, even with money. But because Andrew's case was rather convincing, I couldn't back down, else Daisy would never let me heard the end of it. And I had more problems than ever right now.

"Very well," I said at last, "I'll hear you out. But first, who is this woman?"

Andrew replied instantly, "Her name is Shailagh Hacker. She's twenty or thereabouts, You might say I'm her benefactor." he said the last part nervously, which put me on edge.

"Her...Benefactor?" I asked him, and his face was beginning to redden. But I had to deal with that later.

"Uhhh...yes."

"What does the document contain?"

"Confidential Business matters." Conkling replied, "Conkling Steel provides steel for ships. This ship, for example. If the contents of the letter were to be publicized; our competitors would profit greatly."

I could definitely see what Conkling meant by that, but I didn't know why the letter was so vital to him. Well, I could ask Shailagh when I saw her.

"So, where is this Woman?" I asked him, wanting to end this quickly.

"I've gotten word to her to meet me on the poop deck, go in my place. Tell me there'll be no trouble if she returns the letter."

I sighed, "Very well, I'll go and hear her out, But I'm not promising anything more." I said firmly, It was important that Conkling knew I wasn't entirely at his disposal.

"Thank you," he said, "Afterwards, look for me in my suite, B-59. Now excuse me, My wife is waiting for me in the Lounge. Goodnight." He walked down the corridor and was gone.

After he was gone, I sighed indignantly. I prayed to myself this wasn't a wild goose chase. I had to get back to Find The painting, and fast.

I headed to the Boat Deck and then to the Poop Deck where Conkling said she'd be at. At first there was no one, then I looked again and saw a Couple leaning against the railing looking at the sea below.

I got a closer look at them: the Woman was at least twenty, she had Curly dark red Hair tucked underneath a flower embroided head shawl. Her dark eyes nearly matched her hair, her face was pretty but she was rather frightened...and alone, as if she never had a friend in the whole of her life, and her cheeks were flushed from spending time out in the cold night. She wore a pink dress with a flowered wrap and gloves and was struggling to stay warm. I couldn't blame her.

The Man next to her was a different story. He was a few years older than her, He was also a full head taller. His face had a look of hatred scrawled across it. He wore a navy blue beret that matched his overcoat that he wore over a tan shirt. He looked strong and brutal enough to snap my neck if he could-Though I'm sure the woman wouldn't allow it.

As I approached them, The Man had just finished whispering to the Woman. As soon as he saw me, he scowled

"What did I tell ye, Shay. I knew He'd not come in person." He scoffed rudely in an Irish accent.

The Woman turned to him, Hush, Jack," She said softly, taken aback by his remark. Then she turned to face me, "Conkling, He sent you here, didn't he?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, he did. However," I turned to the Man, "He said to meet with the lady alone. Please excuse us."

The Man broke into a hateful rant, "I told ye, it's a trick! I knew Conkling wouldn't come. He sent one of his cronies instead. "He sneered and jabbed a finger at me.

I was definitely fed up with this man's behavior, I stepped forward until I was looking at him square in the face. "Sir," I told him, "I am not one of Conkling's cronies. And I'm not a man who takes kindly to another who insults him. And secondly, Who are you?"

"I'm her brother, name's Jack. And Conkling, because of him, Shaliagh's had to leave behind everything and everyone she knows!"

Shailagh was shocked and upset at his statement, "Jack, no!" But he just kept on ranting, his anger growing as he went on.

"That Son of a bitch! She was his maid and all the time he violated her!" So now my suspicions were confirmed, I knew there was something Conkling wasn't telling me!

Hush, Jack!" Shailagh snapped at him, "I'll have no more if it!" but then her anger was no longer towards him, but it wasn't toward me either, "Now go on, Jack, say it!" she finished angrily.

Jack pointed a finger at me, as though I was to blame, and said, "You tell Conkling we got his letter, but he'll not be seeing it until he coughs up a tidy some too!"

"And What is the Ransom, if there is one?"

"Five Thousand, ye hear, in dollars." Replied Jack, "And if he moves his hand against us, I'll see to it personally the Newspapers get and letter and print it. So, remember, Five Thousand. Measured against his own weight, it's a bloody bargain!"

Well, THAT was encouraging! I thought. I banished the thought quickly and addressed the two, "Well, I'll give Conkling the message. whether or not he'll comply with the terms remains to be seen."

I nodded to them and turned to leave before Jack shouted "HEY! we ain't with you yet!" I faced them again.

This time Shailagh spoke up, "Meet us here again, at one tonight."

Jack finished, "Five Thousand Dollars then he'll get his damned letter, agreed?" I nodded my agreement, satisfying the two of them.

"We'll be waiting for ye," Shailagh said at last, and I started back to the first class cabins to find Andrew. but just as I reached the aft deck, I spotted Georgia again, she was leaning against the railing. I walked to her and she noticed me right off the bat.

"Hello, Georgia," I said, a bit ruffled about our last meeting with Charles, hoping she wouldn't run out on me again. she sensed my uneasiness and looked at me with sympathy

"Please, I must apologize. Me & Charles, we've quarreled again. I left for a walk."

"well, I'm here, so you might as well finish what you've started, "I said testily, eager to suss the remnants of her story with Sasha.

"Georgia knew I was right, "Alright. About Sasha's friends; Sasha did say they were part of a Balkan aid society. I wanted to expose him when I knew better. But he refused, he said that I, who married for money, couldn't talk about it. He said that if I did; he'd publicize our affair and ruin me! So...I said nothing, although I'm sure there's something vile about them."

I understood much better now, but I couldn't talk more, I had to go find Andrew. "Thanks for explaining, Georgia. But now you must answer me something: Why are you asking me for help out of this mess? And why are you still willing to speak with me even after all these years apart?"

Georgia shifted her feet, "Because you're not like Charles or Sasha, you really did care about me when we dated back then. And even though we only had a few years to spend with each other; they were the best two years of my life. I did marry Charles, not because I wanted to forget you-I could never forget you at all-but because I wanted to be supported and loved. Charles did give me that, until a year afterwards when...you know the rest."

She was right, I did know the rest. All the same, it was a comfort to know that all this right of being apart made us grow closer to each other than we thought

Pushing all that aside, I had to find Andrew and tell him about Jack and Shailagh. I said to Georgia, "I'll try to help you as best I can. But for now, I must leave. Goodnight." I kissed her on the check.

"Take good care of my necklace." She said, "Return it to me in New York. We'll be there soon enough. Goodnight." and she walked down the deck and was gone, leaving me to my thoughts. I guess she really did have feelings for me after all, I wish I realized that much sooner than I did now.

I headed for Andrew's Suite and knocked on the door, "Come in," he said, and I entered, He was composed and ready as I walked towards him.

"Mr. Conkling," I addressed him, "I hope I have not kept you waiting."

"Not at all," He said, "I had hoped to meet with you earlier, however my wife and I were calling on the Astors. Madeline's pregnant." He said this as though It had made the front page of the newspaper. Though no one on the ship knew that, since we were in the middle of nowhere. "Anyway," he said, getting back on subject, "has she been cooperative?"

"No, sir, If fact, she and her brother demand five thousand for it's return."

"I see, it's a ransom!" Just then, the door opened and a woman wearing a green coat and a matching hat with feathers that were put together like a windmill blade, something I found quite odd, Andrew gestured to her, "May I present Mrs. Conkling." He turned to his wife, "Beatrix, this is Frank Carlson, He's here to help us."

She took a drag of her cigarette and scoffed, "You should pitch the ungrateful girl overboard,"

I nodded stiftly to her, "Charmed," She didn't notice, instead studying my Suit.

"Your clothes; French cut." she noted, "Forgive me for not telling you earlier."

"Beatrix is on her way to California. She's got a new job in..." he turned to his wife, "Where is it, Dear?"

She took another drag and answered, "A cow town, A place called Los Angeles. I'm running up a resort there, called the Beverly Hills Hotel. So where's the Irish tart? Dreaming about her newfound riches?"

"We were just talking about that, Darling." Replied Andrew.

"My Husband and I extended every greatness to Shailagh. Don't fail us!" I got the feeling that they weren't being square with me at all. But Before I could respond, she continued, "Now Excuse me, I've quite a headache. It's been a pleasure, Goodnight."

Andrew started to help her undress as he talked to me, "My Wife felt strongly about Shailagh," He said, "As I said earlier, we've no children of our own." His last statement hit me like the Ship's Boiler's. Before my thoughts could take hold of me, Andrew continued, "Look." He said firmly, "You must get that letter, do not wait until tomorrow! See if you can speak to Shailagh directly, without her brother. She's in the third class cabins on F-deck, Cabin 59." He nudged me toward the door, "Goodnight. I'll speak to you tomorrow during lunch." With that, he shut the door in my face, and that was that.

I still remembered Andrew's last statement, "We have no children of our own" Which made me wonder if whether or not he was making it sound like he was the victim.

I decided to go find Shailagh and straighten this out, and THEN I would continue my mission. I hadn't much time before midnight