“Not you, madam,” Kerman yelled, as a girl fought her way towards him. “This is a private party. Try a little farther along.”
The girl, hysterical and screaming, threw herself against him and wrapped her arms around his legs.
“For Pete’s sake!” he yelled. “You’ll have my pants off! Hi, Vic, give me a hand! This dame’s crazy.”
I swung myself over the rail and on to the ladder.
“I thought you liked them that way. Bring her along if she’s all that attached to you.”
I don’t know how he got rid of her, but as I dropped into the boat he came sliding down the ladder and nearly knocked me overboard as he landed.
“Take it easy,” I said, and grabbed him to steady him.
Mike had started the outboard engine and the boat began to draw away from the ship. We had to pick our way. The number of boats coming out to the Dream Ship was something to see. It looked like Dunkirk all over again.
“Nice work!” I said, clapping Mike on his broad back. “You guys timed it about right.” I looked back at the Dream Ship. The lower deck was on fire now, and smoke was pouring from her sides. “I wonder how much she was insured for?”
“Did you touch her off?” Kerman asked.