The Sky Beneath Her(26)

“You’d be amazed what happens before that. And then there’s the paperwork. Billing. Taxes. Insurance.”

We stopped at another warehouse office three miles east of Lynn’s. We grabbed the two vacuums and another invoice. By the time we headed back across the bridge, the wind had kicked up more. The clouds had grown plump with rain. I blinked and drew in a breath. As my therapist advised, I imagined standing in a large field surrounded by solid mountains. Grass. Hard dirt. Clear skies.

As I reached for tranquility, a crack of thunder yanked it further away. Breathe in. Breathe out.

The strain banding my body didn’t ease, so I switched to my therapist’s plan B. Face the demon head on.

I grabbed the first question that came to mind. “Has anyone dived the Oceanus recently?”

Kaitlin looked surprised. “Why do you ask that?”

“Just wondering.” My heart beat faster, and sweat dampened my palms.

“There is the occasional recreational diver who talks about the Oceanus, but it’s not a regular spot. A few wrecks are closer to shore.” She tapped the steering wheel with a ringed finger. “I dove the Oceanus a few years ago.”

“Why?”

“Curious. I thought I might see something that I could share with you.”

“Like Mom floating around?” My fear voiced itself without me thinking it sounded angry.

She shook her head. “That was my biggest fear. I thought maybe I’d find a few trinkets or something tangible to give you.”

“Did you find anything?”

The car rolled over the bridge and onto the Outer Banks. A few fat raindrops hit the windshield. “A few things.”

“Like what?”

“An ivory comb. A coin. And a wineglass that never broke.”

I touched the coin around my neck. “And you never told me.”

“You didn’t want anything to do with this place. And you seemed happy. No reason to stir up the past.”

The past’s silty bottom never settled so the waters could clear.

“Do you still have those items?”

“I never took them. The Oceanus is within three miles of shore, so it’s illegal.”

“Did you take pictures?”

“I did. They’re on my computer. I’ll show you when we get back to my place.”

“You look nervous.”

“Not like I saw a ghost or anything. But I did get a bad feeling when I picked up the coin.” Nervous laughter bubbled.

“It was like that the day when I approached the Oceanus. Felt as if we were swimming into a graveyard and the spirits weren’t happy to be disturbed. I’d feared a life force would attach to me and follow me home. Maybe one did. Mystics in other cultures believe spirits can travel via water.”

Kaitlin looked a little paler. “Don’t say that. I don’t need a ghost. Got enough on my plate.”

I shrugged. “Open ocean water freaks me out. But ghosts don’t move the needle on my fear meter.”

“Seriously?”

“I mean, they’re dead. What can they do? Throw a vase or creak across a floor? Make a spooky sound?” I grinned. “Heard any weird sounds lately?”

“Don’t say that!”

My smile broadened. Since the first day she’d welcomed me to her lunch table in high school, we’d teased each other a lot. “They can do a lot of damage. Never underestimate them.”

“Shut up!”

I laughed. “Come and get us, ghosts!”





Chapter Nine


Sigrid





Monday, April 20, 1942, 6:30 p.m.


Four days until the Oceanus is torpedoed


My hand was tucked in the crook of William’s arm as we entered the dining room for the dinner service. I was glad to be out of our cabin and around the company of others. I drew my energy from people and attention. My beauty was an asset that I’d used since I was a child. William had been no exception, although he soon realized that sharing me with others was tiring. He preferred my attention on him and not distracted with others, especially men. But I liked to flirt and enjoyed how it made his face red with jealousy. If he released me, maybe I’d stop. Maybe not. The hum of chatter drifted down the hallway.

The Oceanus was clear of Port of Spain, and now we were in open waters. No one was talking about the dangers of travel, but we were all aware this voyage was not without risks. There’d be no bands or loud parties. We were to remain quiet, our porthole curtains drawn so as not to attract the attention of a U-boat captain.

My dress was not overly formal. It was made of a light blue silk with billowy sleeves that gathered at my wrists. The dress’s collar was trimmed in white lace, and the neckline plunged to a modest depth. He wore his customary dark suit, polished shoes, and a blue tie that matched my dress.

“You look lovely, my dear,” William said.

I beamed, tracing my naked hand over his. “It’s important I make my husband proud.”

“Shh. That is our secret.”

I mimicked a coquettish pout. “When ours becomes a truly legal union, I will shout it out loud.”

“Soon enough.”

I’d told myself a hundred times the journey would be flawless, that I would accomplish what I needed to do, but as we passed several large portholes, I caught myself staring at the horizon. The stars shone bright in the dark sky, but the waxing moon didn’t drip much light on the water. I’d never feared the water and instead found it invigorating.