Once We Were by Aundrea M Lopez Page A

her. “Besides, I wasn't finished talking. This morning, while having my black coffee, someone told me most unthinkable things. Is it true you confirmed your interview with the Senate Inquiry?”
    Cora stared at Ioan. “I'm sorry. You did what?”
    “I think it's time you left, Mr. Spruce,” Ioan suggested.
    “ But I believe she asked for clarification,” Mr. Spruce replied. “Allow me to set the record straight, Miss Harlow. He just said yes to give his testimony to the United States Senate Inquiry Committee, who mean to investigate the reasons behind the Titanic disaster.”
    “ Have you gone mad?” Cora cried.
    “ Goodnight, Mr. Spruce,” Ioan said. “I trust you can find your way out.”
    “ Ioan, don't you dare change the subject, you cheat,” Cora declared.
    “ You mean he hasn't told you?” Mr. Spruce asked innocently.
    “ I was going to tell you,” Ioan said. “When the time was right.”
    “ Oh,” Cora nodded. “You mean never !”
    “ This is not a public discussion,” Ioan said.
    “ What's the difference?” Cora cried. “Apparently everyone else knows more than I do. What were you thinking? You will lose everything. You understand that, don't you?”
    “ I understand that it's the right thing to do.”
    “ You are not an American citizen. White Star Line is not American. This is none of their business.”
    “ This isn't about citizenship. It has everything to do with a sense of humanity,” Ioan defended.
    “ And tell them what exactly? What if they find you out? You expect them to just laugh it off?” she demanded.
    “ They want the mechanical facts. They're not interested in my personal life. This is about saving one more life at sea. I have a chance to prevent something like this from happening again. I'll gladly give up my position as officer if it means saving every one of them.”
    “ How is your contribution different from anyone else's?” Cora cried. “Titanic sank! It's gone! There's no getting it back! What more do they need to know?”
    “ You don't understand. It's not the ship. This can't happen again. So many of them I couldn't save. No one deserves that nightmare. I can't stand back and watch another night like the one I saw. I won't do it.”
    “ You can't just throw yourself mindlessly into the sea. You won't save anyone if you're drowning yourself. None of this is your fault. I know you feel guilty about it, but it won't bring anyone back. You're not being reasonable,” Cora pleaded.
    “ It was my duty. I won't live with myself if I don't go,” Ioan answered. “I don't expect you to understand.”
    “ Then I wish you had gone down with that ship,” Cora answered bitterly. “I'd rather pray for your soul at sea than watch you destroy yourself. I hope you're prepared to lose everything.” She slammed the doors behind her. Ioan stood silent. Mr. Spruce grinned. “You know, I like her more and more. She is absolutely perfect for you,” he said.
    “ Will you get out of my house?” Ioan ordered. Mr. Spruce snatched the whiskey bottle as he took his leave. “Listen to her, Ioan. You are her heart. I'm sure she only means well.”

Chapter 7
     
    Emmett grew impatient. He chased a dead end investigation. “Excuse me.” He stopped a man in the street. “I'm looking for this man.” He pointed randomly to his portfolio. “Have you seen this man?”
    “Can't help you,” the man answered. “There's enough posts around here to clean a man's arse for weeks.”
    “ What about this woman? Her name is Beatrice Luckett. She would be about yeigh high, blue eyes, fiery red hair.”
    “ Move along now, man. I got work to do.”
    The responses never changed.
    “Excuse me, but have you seen this woman?”
    “ No, but look closely at this photograph,” a woman begged him. “Please tell me you've seen her. She would've been five years old today.”
    “ Excuse me, sir,” Emmett stopped a grungy man. “I only require a moment of your time.”
    “ You got