To sort out his thoughts, he proceeded straight for his berth. This was the only portion of the crowded ship that could guarantee him any semblance of privacy.
His pledge of secrecy had put him in a most awkward position, and as far as he was concerned, they couldn’t get to the waters of the Andros Trench fast enough.
It had all sounded simple enough when Admiral Proctor had explained his mission back in Washington.
But now that other people were involved, it was getting much more complicated.
How could he tell his current shipmates that he still didn’t know exactly what he was looking for? Like a confusing jigsaw puzzle, the mystery that he had been asked to solve would take both patience and an extreme amount of focused concentration. He would also need an open mind to sort out the facts in a case that pushed beyond ordinary conditions of reality.
From the shelter of his bunk, Moore was able to go over the facts as he knew them. He recalled the first time he laid eyes on the Lewis and Clark, and the moment they cracked open the hatch and climbed inside.
He would never forget the discovery of the redheaded seaman, and the amazing tale he told while under hypnosis.
Proof that the Lewis and Clark had begun its tragic voyage in the Atlantic, lay in the boat’s log, and the sargassum that Moore had pulled from the sub’s sail.
Yet many questions remained — how had the vessel travelled halfway around the world in a virtual blink of an eye? And what happened to the rest of its crew along the way?
And then there was the Philadelphia Experiment to consider. The theory behind this legendary project provided the most logical explanation of all. The explanation gained credence since Moore knew that Russia’s equivalent of Albert Einstein currently waited for them in the waters above the Andros Trench.
Had Seaman Homer Morgan indeed been saved by a cover of water, as appeared to be the case with the USS Eldridge’s sole survivor? This would mean that the devices that caused their warships to de materialize had been very real ones, and that one of them actually waited for Moore off the coast of Andros Island.
Chilled by this realization, Moore readied himself for the coming confrontation. In less than twenty-four hours, his time for supposition would be over. Reality would then rule the day, in his quest for the solution to this perplexing mystery.
14
Mimi Slater spent her free day in Miami at her hotel.
She slept well, for the first time in recent memory, and treated herself to a late brunch. She passed her afternoon reading the newspaper around the pool, and even had a chance to join an aerobics class in the exercise room. She was in her room getting ready for dinner when the telephone rang, and a familiar female voice greeted her.
“Hon, it’s the doc. How the hell are you?”
“I’m doing just fine. Dr. Elizabeth. Where are you calling from?”
“I’m down in the lobby of your hotel. Why not join me in the lounge for a cocktail, and you can tell me what you’ve been up to.”
“I’ll be down in a couple of minutes,” replied Mimi, who was grateful that she had already showered and needed only to throw on some clothes.
She found the psychic seated in the lobby lounge, beside a potted palm tree. Dr. Elizabeth was dressed in a brightly colored, loose-fitting Hawaiian shift, and wore sunglasses and a big, straw hat. An animal carrier lay on the ground beside her, and Mimi could just see the black fur of the psychic’s Persian cat inside.
“Have a seat, hon, and name your poison,” greeted Dr. Elizabeth, after putting down the coconut shell that she had been sipping from.
“But be careful, these rum smoothies are wicked.”
Mimi sat down, and after ordering a glass of white wine, got right to business.
“I chartered us a boat yesterday afternoon. The captain seems like a real nice fellow, and is prepared to get under way practically any time we’d like.”
“What do you feel about takin’ off tonight, hon?”
“That’s fine with me. Dr. Elizabeth.”
“Good. I’m always excited when I’m about to go on a cruise, and couldn’t sleep now even if I wanted to.
How are you really feelin’, hon? You certainly look a bit more rested since last time I saw ya.”
“To tell you the truth. Dr. Elizabeth, all this activity seems to be good for me.”
“There’s nothin’ like travel to make ya forget all your cares. You needed this break, lady.”
“I just hope that we’re doing the right thing,” said Mimi thoughtfully.
Dr. Elizabeth tenderly reached out and took Mimi’s hand in her own.
“Quit feelin’ so guilty, hon. Those doubts of yours are only natural. When we get out there on the open seas, you’ll soon enough know that you made the right decision. Say, you don’t get seasick, do ya?”
Mimi shook her head that she didn’t, and Dr. Elizabeth smiled.
“That’s good to hear, hon. Because all that medication can dull your psychic powers, and I’m gonna need you fully alert to help me contact the entity.”
“How do you go about doing that?” questioned Mimi, not really certain just what an entity was.
“I’ve got a little ritual, hon, that helps me focus my powers and make the connection. When this channel is opened, my psychic guide will be there to lead us along the path to our goal.”
“I still can’t believe that I’m going to get a chance to talk to my husband, and that he’s in another universe.”
“You’ve gotta believe, hon. Remember, it’s your faith that’s gonna make this thing possible. I’m only the conduit.”
In the background, a piano began playing. Mimi recognized the music as Gershwin’s, “Summertime.”
She had heard this same song very recently, but couldn’t remember exactly where. Seemingly picking up on her thoughts. Dr. Elizabeth began softly humming along with the melody.
“That’s sure a fittin’ song,” said the psychic.
“This being the last full day of summer and all.”
Mimi had almost forgotten the date, and looked down to the floor when the cat began to meow.
“Sounds like Isis wants to sing along also,” she said with a grin.
“What about some chow before we hit the seas?” asked Dr. Elizabeth.
Mimi readily accepted the offer, yet excused herself to make a single phone call to Virginia Key first. Only when she was satisfied with the results of this call did she join Dr. Elizabeth in the dining room.
The evening buffet included seafood specialties, and Mimi and Dr. Elizabeth put away their fair share of boiled shrimp, scallops, grilled red snapper, and succulent lobster tails. Isis had her portion of this feast during the drive that followed, and all were content as they passed over the Rickenbacker Causeway and took in the sparkling lights of Miami to their left.
The wharf area was for the most part empty of other cars, and Mimi parked her rental vehicle and led the way onto the nearby docks. Carrying the cage holding Isis, she passed by the sleek cabin cruiser that had been responsible for yesterday’s catch of bonito, and halted alongside the rather decrepit wooden trawler that lay beside it. This vessel’s owner could be seen on his hands and knees, at the stern, over the open engine hatch. With the assistance of a flashlight, he was in the process of exploring the compartment’s innards, and failed to note the presence of newcomers.
“Excuse me. Captain Al. It’s Mimi Slater.”
The silver-haired oldtimer looked slightly embarrassed as he switched off his flashlight and quickly looked up.
“Hello, missy. I was just makin’ some last minute adjustments to Sunshine’s carburetor.” “Don’t let us stop you,” said the psychic as she climbed onto the boat’s fantail and set down her suitcase.