"How are you, Gaia?" Captain Kelly grasped her hand. It was almost like having her father there. The concern he felt flowed from him and made her sorry she had to tell him she was still seasick in the morning before having her ginger tea with breakfast.

"Better with ginger tea and a constant glass of Pepsi. Seems to be the magic combination, and I'm glad the lounge opens early for those who wish to indulge."

They were in the officer's meeting room. Gloriously burnished mahogany glowed in the dimly lit room. Sconces spotted the wall, leaving small pools of light all around the long table. Three sides were surrounded by blue leather cushioned benches and three Captain's chairs with ornately carved armrests were pushed under the fourth side.

Gaia pulled the Captain into a quick hug.

"I seem to be a bit more tired, but I expect that's because I'm so sick in the mornings. I just want to go back to sleep afterwards. But I've got a mission this morning. I cannot thank you enough for the use of this room."

"Happy to oblige. Dr. Jenkins is a good family friend. I grew up with him. You would think an Irishman and a Scotsman would have trouble bonding, but we ended up at Oxford together before he went on to medical school. He is going to Harvard to teach, and perhaps he will find a love for the morgue again. His passion is the mystery of why."

"I'll try. Do you understand what I do? And that you have several ghosts around the ship as well?"

"I would be surprised if we didn't. The ship carried troops during the ward, and we were designated a hospital ship for almost five years. I inherited the Captain's position when I resigned my naval commission."

"Do you want me to help them over as well?" Gaia asked.

"If they want to leave. I've grown accustomed to them, as have my crew. One of them has been an amazing help, an Admiral who passed from what my Chief Medical Officer told me was a massive brain hemorrhage. Nothing they could do to help him." Captain's warm brown eyes glinted with tears he kept in check. "Gregory Malcolm was like a father to me. Guided me through my officer's training."

"I'll see what I can do. If they are tormented, I'll help them as well." Gaia promised. "I'm not sure though, and it does explain a few things."

"Where's Harry?"

"Gone to fetch Graham. He was rather worse for wear when we parted last night. Johnny took him to his cabin. You do know our purser is a treasure," Gaia said.

"We're trying to get him into the British Mariner's College. He has all the makings of a fine officer, but he resists. I'll be promoting him to Chief Purser at when we return to Ireland. Please don't spoil the surprise though."

Gaia put her fingers to her lip and made a gesture indicating she turned a lock. "I won't even tell Harry."

"I've asked the galley to bring up more ginger tea for you, and some late breakfast. Johnny will make sure you are not disturbed."

The door opened and Harry came in to pull out one of the chairs for Graham.

"Tisk, tisk, you are definitely feeling a bit under the weather my friend." The Captain clapped his hand over Dr. Jenkin's shoulder.

"With some luck and Gaia's help, perhaps I'll sleep soundly once more." Graham placed his elbows on the table and his head in his upturned hands. "I have to stop with the drink. I know better, but it has been all the brings me any rest."

"Where's Johnny?" Gaia asked.

"Don't worry, my love," Harry responded. "He's coming with a couple of emergency lanterns. We'll use them instead of candles. It wouldn't do to have an unprotected flame. The seas are rough, and a candle flame could spark a fire by accident."

Captain Kelly nodded. "And this is why I want Johnny in officer's school. He thinks critically and stops problems before they happen."

The door opened again, and one of the waiters from the main dining room pushed a cart into the narrow gap between the chairs and the wall. "Your tea, Pepsi, and some pastries, ma'am." He placed the teapot on the table, into a shallow sunken area in the middle. "It shouldn't slide around too much there. Hold onto your cups." The rest of the plates and cups went into the same area. He saluted the captain and disappeared with the cart.

"I'll leave you to it then, Gaia, Harry. I hope you get what you want Graham."

The Captain stepped over to the door, as it opened on more time. Johnny placed two pewter lanterns on hooks hanging from chains above the middle of the table.

"These should work. We use them when we do emergency drills," Johnny explained. "I'll come by in an hour to see how you are doing." He followed his Captain out of the room.

"Are you ready?" Harry asked.

"I am," Gaia said. "We'll start as soon as Graham has eaten."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"I'm ready," Graham said. "I feel much better now."

"In that case, I'm going to turn off the lights and we'll use the lanterns as a focus point for me," Gaia said as she got up. "I'm feeling better too."

"What do I need to do?" he asked.

"Sit quietly and listen," Harry said. "Gaia will draw the spirits who are here if they are important. She drew the murderer a couple of times in the past. He placed her portfolio of previous work and several pencils on the table along with a few key colored ones.

"She can give us portraits then," Graham stated.

"Gaia can't draw at all when she isn't in a trance. However, she showed her ability when she was still a child of five the first time. She identified a child who went missing many years ago, from a castle close to where she grew up, by drawing her."

"Fascinating." Graham raised an eyebrow. "Why isn't she famous? This ability would be a godsend to investigators all over the world."

"I prefer to work as I see fit. Being on a team, or at the beck and call of a police force? No way. I wish to help those who linger in grief or guilt. Like you, Graham. And like Archie."

Gaia settled into one of the captain's chairs at the head of the table. She took a long swallow of Pepsi and nibbled on a section of orange before beginning her breathing exercises. Relaxation was key to becoming a conduit for the spirits who lingered around them. Deeper communication was only achieved by deep meditation.

She picked up a pencil, twirling it between her fingers working it between her knuckles. Staring at the glowing wick in the lantern to her right.

"The one who haunts you, Graham, is little Betty Anderson. She stays close because you are the one who understands who did this to her," Gaia said.

She pulled a piece of blank art paper toward her.

"Who did this to you Betty? I see the marks around your throat."

There was a long pause as Gaia began to draw. A quick sketch of the little girl came clear before she slid it away. On the next one a long narrow face with a beautifully proportion nose and full lips appeared. Delicate eyebrows, deep set slanted almond shaped eyes, and thick eyelashes came clear and she added a strong chin. Gaia continued to draw, producing a picture of long slender hands with a skinny bony wrist.

"Can you see these, Betty?" Gaia asked, and her voice shifted. The excited piping of a child came through her lips.

"That is her. That's Aunty. She said I would never scream again. She takes the children, she said she would teach me to stay quiet. I shouldn't be heard, only seen."

"Aunty?" Graham asked.

"Aunty, Doctor Grandpa. She lived across the park; I think. At least that is where the other children who played there said. I was bad. I was supposed to be sleeping in my room."

"Where were the others?" Harry asked.

"They ran away home, but I was swinging, and screaming cause it was fun! And she came to push me, but then she grabbed my neck and I couldn't breathe."

"Holy God, it makes sense now." Graham jumped up to stand behind his chair. "It wasn't thumbs it was long middle fingers that met at the center of Betty's throat." He grabbed the picture of the hands, "See!" he point to the unnaturally long digit Gaia drew.

"Your Aunty is going to show you how to be quiet. I'll take you to the church. God can take care of you now." A hoarser deeper voice took over.

"Is that what Aunty sounds like Betty?" Graham asked.

Gaia nodded.

"Are there others?" Harry asked quietly.

Gaia began to draw, five other toddlers and babies took shape in quick succession.

"Aunty took care of them too," Betty's voice cracked a little. "They were loud too."

"A woman, like I thought," Graham declared. "So many. Where is she now?"

"Here! And she's mad again. The babies are crying too much," Again Gaia's voice retained the frightened tones of a small girl.

"Dear God," Graham exclaimed. "We have to search the ship."

"Find her Doctor Grandpa. Please."

Gaia pushed her art aside and reached out to pick up her teacup as it slid slowly toward her as the ship rocked. Harry reached out to stop the teapot and picked up to pour more for her.

"You'll know her by her hands, Graham. Take this to the Captain." She picked up the killer's portrait.

"Where is the bridge from here?" Graham asked.

"To the right and up the stairwell at the end," Harry said. "Captain Kelly gave me a tour a few days ago. Said I should let my father know where he ended up."

"I'm going to finish this," Graham said. "I'll let you know after we catch her."