Hewitt frowned and scrutinized Jack as if seeing him for the first time. He cleared his throat before continuing. “All right. Then answer me one more thing. Why would a simple operative like you know more than the Soviet engineers who’ve assured me those machines are beyond repair?”
“The thing is, sir, if I may be so bold, I don’t give a damn what the Russians say. I know those machines, and I can fix them,” he replied.
“Hmm.” Hewitt clenched his teeth, as though judging Jack’s nerve. Finally, he turned to the Soviet. “Sergei, please order your men to examine the Cleveland machine that trapped me and determine whether it could be fully repaired without having to wait for spare parts.”
“Sir, that inspection already was carried out, and our experts decide—”
“Then do it again!”
Sergei shot Jack a murderous look before complying with Wilbur Hewitt’s order.
While they waited for the report, Hewitt turned his attention away from Jack and focused on checking the cargo inventory. He verified the number of containers still to be unloaded, counted the freight cars to which they’d be transferred, and went over the customs control records while Jack waited by the gunwale. Within a few minutes, Sergei returned, escorted by a Soviet technician Jack hadn’t seen before. The stranger, a timid-looking man, scrutinized Jack with disdain before bending to say something into Hewitt’s ear. When he’d finished, the executive turned to Jack with astonishment painted all over his face. He scrutinized the young man in silence for a few seconds.
“OK, kid. It appears you have ability as well as nerve. I might even consider offering you a contract. But there’s one thing I’d like to get to the bottom of.”
Jack took a deep breath, convinced that Hewitt would make him reveal where he acquired his skills. He felt his heart pumping. Hewitt narrowed his eyes and smoothed his mustache.
“Why would you risk going against the ban on entering the hold to try to fix some machines that, as far as you knew, could have been irreparable?”
Jack tried to control his nerves while he considered his response. He fixed his eyes on Wilbur Hewitt’s and replied, “Because, like you said, sir, this country needs Americans with guts, to get things working.”
Back in the dormitory, he found Walter and Sue killing time until they could disembark.
“Where the hell have you been? We thought you’d gone overboard!” Sue scolded him.
Jack quickly gathered his belongings, deciding to make up a story until he could find the right moment to tell them all about his meeting with Wilbur Hewitt.
“I got distracted up on deck by the scenery. It’s freezing out there.” He cleared his throat. “We should put on every bit of clothing we’ve brought.”
“And what do you think we’ve done?”
Jack, who hadn’t noticed earlier what they were wearing, bellowed with laughter. His friends were wrapped up like mummies. While he finished packing, he saw two families, the Danielses and the Millers with their children, standing nearby.
“What are they waiting for?” Jack murmured into Walter’s ear.
“The Danielses? They seemed a bit lost, so I invited them to travel with us. The Millers heard and asked if they could join our group as well. I couldn’t exactly say no,” answered Walter with a serious look.
“You invited them? And what did you tell them? That if they came with us, they’d all be given Christmas turkeys?” he whispered. “Think for a second! It’s not just that they’ll make the journey more difficult, which they will; if they come with us, they’re putting their fate in the hands of two guys wanted for murder.” He shook his head.
“So, what would you have had me do?” replied Walter. “Remind them that we’re Americans, and that Americans don’t help one another? After all, that’s why we’re here, isn’t it? Because no one in our country helped us. Damn it, Jack! They won’t be any trouble. Look at their eyes . . . They’re excited! They know you speak Russian and that you have a rapport with Hewitt, so they thought you could help them. Ah, well. You’re the one who’s got their hopes up, so you decide.”
Jack turned to look at the Danielses and Millers, and couldn’t find even a hint of the excitement that Walter mentioned on their faces. On the contrary, all he could see was desperation in the dark rings around their eyes and on their famished bodies. He let out a sigh and cursed. These people would be more than an inconvenience, but if nobody took care of them, they would struggle. He took a deep breath and gripped his trunk. “You big softy! All right. Tell them to gather their things and follow us.”
An icy wind stabbed at the faces of the passengers descending the gangplank of the SS Cliffwood, making them huddle together like a row of icicles molded together by frost. Jack was the first to set foot on the Helsinki paving, a wharf like any other, except that ice glazed its surface and snow whitened its little red buildings. Sue suggested they leave their luggage with another passenger and take the opportunity to visit the city, but Jack and Walter thought they’d better save their energy and head directly to the railroad station.