The Memory of Eva Ryker Read Online Free Page B

‘Nearer My God to Thee?’”
    Rogers spoke up for the first time. “Actually, Mr. Hall, the ship’s band played the Episcopal hymn ‘Autumn’ in those last minutes.” He grinned apologetically at his own expertise.
    Geoffrey eyed my dubious expression. “Doesn’t the subject appeal?”
    â€œI’m not sure. I don’t know much about ships. Why don’t you contact someone like … well, like Walter Lord, that man who wrote A Night to Remember? ”
    â€œWe’ve decided on a new approach, Norman. New angles someone like you can provide.”
    â€œA rehash with zing, right?”
    Geoffrey’s cheeks puffed in exasperation. “Mike, you tell him. He wears me out.”
    Mike Rogers smiled disarmingly, scratching the back of his ear. No doubt he’d seen plenty of Gary Cooper movies. “Mr. Hall, other people also think you’re the best man for the job.”
    â€œReally? Who else?”
    â€œFirst, I should fully explain my presence here. I’m an attorney and special representative for Mr. William Ryker. Have you heard of him?”
    I turned to Jan. She shook her head and I followed suit.
    â€œNo reason why you should, really. Mr. Ryker hasn’t exactly been a headline maker in many years. But he has been and still is vitally involved in American business. Oil, insurance, railroads. Not as solvent now that the IRS has acquired teeth. But … very comfortable. Mr. Ryker is currently retired in Veyrier, near Geneva.”
    I was amused by his mixture of PR lingo and carefully manicured candor. “A beautiful place. I’ve been there.”
    Rogers took his dessert fork and began tracing arabesques on the tablecloth. “Although confined much of his time to an iron lung, at eighty-five he’s still very active. And he has a personal interest in the Titanic .” A solemn frown. “His wife sailed on the ship. She wasn’t among the rescued.”
    Geoffrey patted his lips. “Mrs. Ryker’s bodyguard and maid were lost, too. The only survivor was her daughter, Eva.”
    Jan reached for the last of her Mouton Rothschild. “Really? How old was she?”
    Rogers cast an ambiguous look at Geoffrey. “Nine or ten. I don’t remember exactly.”
    â€œIs she still alive?” I asked.
    â€œOh, yes.” He leaned forward, elbows on the table. “I’m sure you can understand Mr. Ryker’s strong interest in the Titanic tragedy.”
    It sounded a bit morbid to me. “In what ways does your Mr. Ryker express this hobby of his?”
    Rogers’ face flushed. I had fed him the perfect straight line. “As it happens, he has the resources to indulge this particular hobby. Along with the National Geographic Society and the Navy Department. Have you heard of the bathyscaph Trieste and its exploration of the Marianas Trench off the Philippines?”
    â€œThe deepest spot in the ocean, isn’t it?”
    â€œOver thirty-five thousand feet. Anyway, the Navy was so pleased with the success of the Trieste that it decided to build two sister ships, the Marianas and Neptune . They’re being loaned to the Geographic Society, which is matching the funds provided by Mr. Ryker. He recently purchased an Italian-built oceanographic research ship, the Savonarola , which will serve as a surface and supply vessel for the two bathyscaphs on their first assignment off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Twelve thousand feet, which is a milk run really.”
    He spread both hands flat on the table. “You see, the Marianas and Neptune will be searching for the wreckage of the Titanic .”
    â€œYou’re kidding.”
    â€œMr. Ryker seldom makes jokes as expensive as this one,” Rogers primly said. “He wants to salvage any cargo that remains.”
    I felt Geoffrey’s eyes on me, watching my reaction.
    â€œAll right,” I said. “You’ve made your pitch