“Thank you,” said Barkison.
“Let’s get out of here,” said the Colonel. “We got two cars.” He waved to two staff cars which were parked on the other end of the dock. Their drivers got into them and in a moment the cars were beside the ship.
“Here’s Evans,” said Hodges as Barkison was about to get into one of the cars.
“Oh yes, Mr Evans. Do you think you can come to my office sometime tomorrow? We’ll talk over that investigation business.”
“I certainly will, sir.”
“And thank you for everything, Mr Evans. You did a fine job.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Barkison nodded and Evans walked away.
Barkison sat between the Colonel and Hodges in the back seat. For the first time he noticed the difference between being on land and on the sea. The steadiness of the land soothed him. He felt safe.
“You’re giving us a party, aren’t you, brother Barkison?”