Chapter 15, Kanika:Anchorage made, and the watch quickly set, the longboats were lowered from the main deck. The crew was ready for a break and smoke. There were no complaints about the early stop. Even the captain agreed once he came from below deck. He needed a smoke as much as anyone on the ship.
The Resolute was left with just a skeleton crew, which remained topside while Kanika and Hakeem prepared to search the crew’s quarters.
“Are you ready for this? I was down here earlier, and it brought me to tears.” Hakeem stood next to Kanika looking down the ladder into the dark space.
“It can’t be that bad.”
“Then be my guest, ladies first.” Hakeem bowed with a sweep of his arm, offering the young woman to be first into the space.
Kanika didn’t make it halfway down the ladder before she
