The Floating Corpse Page 6

  Osaki looked at me with a mixture of pride and sadness. Then he said some words I thought I would never hear. “No, Vetora Saku, I can teach you no more. Only experience and practice will make you more proficient. I am proud of the warrior you have become.”

  All I could do was to bow deeply to him again.

  I hobbled up to my room, took a French bath and dressed quickly. Remembering what my Uncle said, I slung my docker’s rig on and put on a sturdy pair of boots. My interest was piqued, wondering what the ‘latest project’ was as Uncle Will always had the most imaginative ideas.

  Catty was pouring the coffee when I entered the conservatory. Looking up, holding a sugar cube with a set of small tongs, she asked. “One lump or two?” William was trying to stifle a laugh, when she went on, “Oh! I forgot! Maybe just some cream? You already got your lumps this morning.”

  Laughter burst from Uncle Will, but I couldn’t be mad at the remark, because she looked so great this morning. Her hair was swept off to one side and cascaded down her right, leaving the left side of her face exposed. She had pretty ears. Her dress was just snug enough to show all her curves and open enough at the top to give a peek of cleavage. The apron she wore around her waist simply accented the whole package, and the perfume she wore made me want to bury my face in her neck and breath deep.

  Instead, I replied sarcastically, “HAR! HAR! HA! Very funny!”

  She cast her eyes down and gave me a little pout that was anything but sincerely apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mr. Frohman. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “Oh no! You didn’t”, I said quickly, not wanting her to think I was a stiff board. “I was just joshing. I got so many lumps; I guess a few more won’t hurt. I’ll take three in my coffee. I like it sweet with lots of cream. And please, always call me Collin.”

  She fixed me a mug of coffee and handed it to me, saying, “Here you are, Collin. You may call me Catty if you like.”

  I took a sip and gave her a confused look, “But, I already do.”

  “Yes”, She deadpanned, “but now it’s alright.”

  With that, she patted me on the shoulder and glided out of the room.

  I looked at William and shook my head. He, of course, was looking like the cat who caught the canary. “You had better watch yourself, young man, or soon you may have to decide whether to fish or cut bait!”

  I was thinking along those same lines myself, but he just was so smug, I replied. “Oh, what would you know about it? You’ve been out of the game a long time, Uncle!”

  Really? Well, I know she has never worn her hair like that before, she has never worn perfume while on duty, and her dress is usually a bit more utilitarian. Since she is here until well after dark today, I doubt, very much, she is trying to get Ozaki’s or my attention!” I didn’t know how to respond to that, but I didn’t have to, because William went on, “Out of the game, you say? Wherever did you get that absurd notion?” He gestured to the chair next to him.

  I sat down and said in all seriousness, because women and Uncle Will is what I wanted to broach with him for a long time but didn’t know how to get past his aloofness. “Well, gee, Uncle Will. I’ve never seen you with a woman and Pop never mentioned one in his journals I’ve read so far. Heck, even the gossip columns never put you with one starlet or another. But you really should think about it”, I went on in a rush, “I know Aunt Helen was a fantastic woman, but life goes on. You don’t have to be alone, Uncle Will. You should have someone to share all this with.” I waved my arms in a big circle over my head. “You have the right to be happy.”

  He laughed, but I could see he was touched by my concern, “Collin, you could not be more wrong. Though it is true that I will not remarry; once a man has had true love, it cannot be replaced. Not for me, at any rate. I have always, and still do in my advanced age, cherished the company of a woman from time to time. Some are and were fleeting, some I still partake with. As far as the ignorance, as to my private affairs, you must realize I am not like Paul or E.L., whose conquests are prolific but mine are hard sought. I learned a long time ago to keep my dealings with the fairer sex out of the lime light and I will give you my last word on the subject. Once women get the word that you are truly discreet – the opportunities presented are endless.”

  I’m not bashful about saying I was dumbfounded to say the least. After all those years I wanted to give him my advice and he turns it around and drops an epiphany in my lap. I was so stunned, I had to sip at my coffee to hide the slackness in my jaw.

  “As far as Catherine goes…well, I know you were raised better than to dally with the help.” He gave me the steely eye, “not that I consider Catherine a mere servant. I am quite fond of her.”

  I could have protested. I could have assured him the thought had never crossed my mind, but I decided that there was no time like the present to practice his advice. I smiled at him over the rim of my mug and said, “I’m glad we had this little talk.”

  He laughed, and I was glad I didn’t say more when Catty came to the door and asked if we’d like some breakfast to go with our coffee. Will looked to me and I shrugged. The coffee was fighting the remnant of what I drank last night, so I was not all that hungry.

  Wiliam rose to his feet. “I think we shall forgo a sit- down meal, Catherine. Instead, wrap a couple of those fresh blueberry muffins up in a napkin and we’ll eat them as we walk.”

  She just looked at him and rolled her eyes. “How did you know she made muffins?”

  I knew he was about to show off a bit and I wanted to be in on it.

  “He must have smelled them.” I offered, “Or he peeked in the kitchen.”

  “I do not smell anything more than the foliage and my coffee in this room, young Frohman- especially with the doors closed! And I assure you I haven’t been near the kitchen this morning. I came straight here from my room and the kitchen is on the other side of the house.”

  I looked Catty up and down, but she didn’t look or smell any different than she did when she poured the coffee, except that she had put her hair back in the usual bun and was alternating rubbing her hands. I was stumped.

  “Then how did you know?” Catty asked. “I’ve got no batter on my apron and I hope I don’t smell like a muffin!”

  William smirked, “While I was on the balcony this morning, refereeing the match, I notice the cold storage was unlocked. Since Ozaki was occupied with Collin, I surmised that it was Mrs. Woods who had retrieved something out of it on her way in to work this morning. At such an early hour, she would hardly bother unless she needed it for breakfast. Also, there is a small smudge of baking powder on your right cuff. Since you are left- handed, you would hold the measuring cup in your right and pour with your left. You came back from the kitchen just now, with your hair piled in a bun, as is your custom when you work the oven, to keep it from being singed. Yet my usual breakfast comes out of a pan. Then too, there are tiny burn lines on the balls of your thumbs that you get half the time you take something out of the ovens.”

  “Usually the muffins”, she agreed. “Dana likes to put them on that skinny middle shelf.”

  “So I have noticed over time”, he quipped. “Frohman and I will stop for a take-out when we finish our coffee.”

  “No need, Sir”, Catty said with a quick curtsy, “Drink up and I’ll bring you back a few. Then you can be on your way.”

  “Thank you, Catherine.” William said, “And could you please cut mine in half, butter and grill it?”

  “Planned on it!” she replied with a big grin. She looked to me, “Yours too?”

  “I think I’ll have mine au natural,” I replied, just to tease her. I doubted, very much, a girl from Chester, Connecticut, knew any French. It was a bit naughty of me as the phrase could mean either without accompaniment or ‘in the nude’.

  “Fine,” she said, with a sparkle in her eye, “But don’t expect anyone to watch you eat it naked.”

  She was out the door before I could reply. William sighe
d and rolled his eyes in mock despair.

  Good as her word, she brought us a couple of fat warm muffins, wrapped in paper, for our walk.

  Going out the French doors to the courtyard we headed towards the bluff. Soon I found myself standing in a long, stone building that was lined on all sides with large window like openings. It made me think of a large lawn tent only made of granite.

  William unwrapped his muffin slowly and took a bite as I looked around. I wondered why he might have had this large granite structure built. It was too open to afford any protection from the weather and the floor had a large raised circle in its center.

  Of course, Uncle Will just savored his muffin until I asked, “Just what is this place for, Uncle Will?”

  He broke off another piece of the muffin top and popped it in his mouth. Chewing slowly, he rewrapped his breakfast and put it on the ledge next to him. He swallowed, then threw his arms out wide, dramatically and announced, “This is Grand Central Station! He laughed at the quizzical look on my mug and explained. “Or so it shall be, abet on a smaller scale.”

  I shook my head. “Stop joshing, Uncle Will. What is it really?”

  He scoffed at my query. “I assure you, Collin, this is where my railroad shall start.”

  Now I know he was joking. Though a man carrying another on his shoulders could walk through the entrance, it was nowhere big enough for a locomotive engine. I just stared at him, waiting for him to get serious. He raised an eyebrow at me, “Oh Ye of little faith. I am being earnest, Collin. It is my intention to build a railroad line and run a train from here to a point a few miles or so along the riverbank. There I will construct another station, with a turn around to run back to this point. Of course, as I said, it will be on a smaller scale. The engine, cars and tracks will all be gauged to about a third of a regular train.”

  “Where are you going to find a train that small,” I asked, my mind not yet grasping the concept.

  “I’m having them built, even as we speak. A company down in New Haven should have them ready for the tracks in a few months.” He pointed out the front to a large swath of vegetation that was cleared for a road. “The land is being cleared for the tracks by Ollie and his gang now. It will be easier for them this time of year-before the summer growth.”

  He stepped over to me, and placed an arm around my shoulder, gently turning me to face outwards. He put his face level with mine and stretched out an arm in the direction of the path.

  “Imagine, Collin, if you will, a scaled down, yet absolutely genuine engine, pulling two or three cars and a caboose. Imagine the vistas, with the river on one side and the pristine forest and meadows on the other. The route will hug the Connecticut River below and be as real as a regular train. I’m even building a trestle over a fissure in the embankment at one point. It will be the sight to behold in any season. Imagine the cool spring air and the budding flowers you’ll see, the hot air of summer, being cooled in the rush of air under the bright summer sun, the crisp clean autumn air with the vibrant colors of the changing leaf. Even bundled up, dashing through the snow, will be an experience you won’t soon forget.” He looked at me and I thought of a little boy on Christmas Eve. “What have you to say about that?”

  It finally clicked in that he was not pulling my leg. I realized that a man of his talent and wealth could very well build his own miniature railroad if he wished. If it was only partially as grand as his home, I knew it would be a sight to see. I promised myself to be sure I was on hand for her maiden run. His excitement was infectious and I had a million questions, but I said simply,” I think it’s going to be a hoot!”

  He laughed and clapped me on the back. “To say the least Collin! Now, let us take a walk down the track route. You need to see the view to really appreciate it.”

  We wolfed down our muffins and headed down the path. The growth was sparse at first, although you could see a definite track where the crew had cleared and leveled the ground. The further we walked, the cut brush began to pile up on either side and soon we saw fallen trees lining the path as the forest grew thicker.

  Uncle Will was droning on about track gauges, horsepower, speed, and other minutia, but I only listened with half an ear. I wasn’t really interested in the details; I just wanted to take a ride someday…and maybe blow the whistle.

  Suddenly, William came to a dead stop and peered forward in concern. As soon as he stopped talking, I could hear frantic movement up ahead of us. A man suddenly appeared, running pell-mell towards us and shouting!

  6

  I went for the pistol I had in a docker’s rig, but William put a hand over mine and shook his head. “That is one of Ollie’s men.”

  Still almost a hundred yards away, I stared in fascination at this man, about my age and height as he came barreling at us hollering at the top of his lungs, ‘Mr. Gillette’, over and over. Arms flailing, knees bobbing to his chest, it was no wonder that, when he finally came close, and he tried to stop, his feet got tangled and he pitched forward-right at us! William and I each took hold of an arm to bring him to his feet since all that wild energy was gone out of him. William dusted him off, telling him in a soothing tone to breathe deeply, while I held him steady. Soon enough he got his wits about him enough to find his vocal cords. When he opened his mouth, it was like a windmill in a hurricane.

  “Mr. Gillette! Thank God! You have to come! I mean, Sir! Mr. Ollie sent me! You have to come, Sir!”

  “Steady, Andrew”, William replied to the outburst. “Come where?”

  “The man pointed in the direction he came from. “There! Down a way! Mr. Ollie sent me to find you. He wants you to come!” He was trembling like a mouse under the paw of a cat.

  “Is there a problem? Do we need the authorities?”

  This really put him in a tizzy. He shook his head violently, “No! No! Nobody else! Only you! Mr. Ollie! Find you! Only you!”

  He looked like he was on the verge of a total breakdown, so William quickly assured him. “That’s fine, Andrew. We were on our way to see Ollie, as a matter of fact.”

  That seemed to snap him out of it. He actually saluted and barked. “I’ll report to Mr. Ollie!” Then he bolted back down the path before William could question him further.

  “Jeez Louise”, I muttered as I watched him hightail it away as if the devil was in his shadow. I turned to William, “Five will get you fifteen he knocks himself out before he gets where he’s going.”

  William chuckled. “Yes, Andrew can get quite excited when he is under stress. But don’t be too hard on him, Collin. He spent last year in France and rode with the American Ambulance Corps. He’s a good worker and a steady enough man until he gets excited. The war has left a mark on him.”

  Like my brother I thought to myself. “Well, whatever got him going is up ahead. You want me to chase after him?”

  “That won’t be necessary, I think, whatever lies ahead is no doubt important, but it’s not imminent.” With that, he walked briskly and I stepped quick to catch up.

  “How do you see that?”

  “Because Collin, if it were an injury or even a death, Andrew is the last person Ollie would have sent. He is the only one on the crew with any medical training. The fact that Ollie told him to find only me and yet he was hesitant to tell me what the issue was, tells me that Ollie told him not to speak with anyone else about the matter. Since you were present, and Andrew will follow an order to the fullest, he was at a loss if he should tell me or not. So, as I said, I believe it to be important-not imminent.”

  “Maybe they found Blackbeard’s treasure”, I teased him, knowing that my father and he had a go at pirate treasure years ago. I read it in one of Dad’s journals. He gave me a sharp look then went to staring ahead in concentration.

  “I have reservations that it will be as pleasant as that, Frohman.”

  Walking as quickly as we could over the uneven terrain, it took us another ten minutes till we rounded a slight curve and came upon a slightly wider clearing. An
drew was standing on the edge of the path waving us on. The shadows created by the budding leaves made it hard to see too far, but I could make out the silhouettes of men. None of them were speaking and the silence lent an eerie feel to the cool breeze that came from across the river and over the back of my neck. Not knowing what we were walking into, I was tempted to put my colt in hand, but Uncle Will didn’t seemed concerned and I didn’t want to look like a nervous nelly. I was watching my feet as I stepped over fallen logs and stumps when an old man popped out of the trees in front of us.

  William stopped and planted his feet. Putting his cane out in front of him and leaning on it with both hands, he asked. “What’s this all about, Ollie?”

  Ollie looked up at him, a sad look in his eyes. “You better see for yourself, Mr. Gillette.”

  I thought that Uncle Will might demand an answer, but he simply nodded and gestured forward with his cane. His foreman turned and led us into the grove. As my eyes adjusted, I saw seven men, standing in a loose semi-circle around a large tree. I don’t know why, but I looked up and thought I was seeing things.

  A man sat on the crook of a large branch that was at least twenty feet in the air. He was really lounging with his ankles crossed, as he twirled a knife between his fingers. When he saw his employer, the knife slapped into his palm and he sat still, looking straight down at us. By the time I looked over for my Uncle’s reaction, he was already looking up at him.

  “What is it, Frank?” He called up.

  The man said nothing in reply but pointed with the knife to his right. It was difficult to see what he was pointing at through the dense foliage. Uncle Will and I stepped closer to the trunk and scanned the tree tops, but it was hard to focus on the upper branches with the sun shining directly down at us. After a few moments, my eyes adjusted, and a rather ethereal image came into focus.