The Lost Empress Read Free

had wondered many times since taking the assignment, why Alice might have felt the need to leave her past behind. ‘You see, that’s not all. Inside the locket there’s an old photograph of two small children, and that begs the question of why anyone who bought a second-hand locket, and who was known to have always worn that locket, would carry pictures of someone else’s children inside it?’
    Girard smiled, exaggerating the lines on his face. ‘It sounds as though you have a fascinating puzzle to solve, Mr Tayte. Let’s take a look at those records, shall we? I’ve already prepared some information I’m sure you’ll find of interest. Perhaps it will shed some light on the matter. But then again, what I have to show you might just deepen the mystery further.’

    Tayte and Girard went back into the Site historique maritime building where they had first met, which was itself a monument to the Empress of Ireland , with its twin glass light portals shaped like funnels rising from the roof, half of the building leaning to starboard as the Empress had leaned after she was struck. Girard took Tayte through a bright and airy space, past the exhibition visitors and the many displays and information boards, to a room that was not open to the general public. They exchanged smiles and nods with a female member of staff as they passed her and went inside.
    ‘Please, have a seat,’ Girard said, indicating a chair by the desk that was further into the office-like room.
    Tayte put his jacket over the back of the chair and sat down. His eyes followed Girard as he went to a cabinet and returned a few moments later carrying a clear plastic folder. He sat in the chair beside Tayte and set the folder down on the desk in front of them.
    ‘I have several things to show you,’ Girard said. He slid a sheet of paper closer to Tayte. ‘This is from the second-class passenger list for the Empress of Ireland ’s last voyage, confirming information you will already have seen on the Internet.’
    Tayte studied the familiar record, following Girard’s bony finger to Alice Stilwell’s name. His eyes scanned across to the word ‘lost’ on the right, and then to the blank space where other entries had ‘body identified’ written in.
    ‘This I think you have not seen,’ Girard said, ‘or I’m sure you would already have mentioned the anomaly it represents.’
    He slid another record in front of Tayte. It was another extract from the passenger list, this time for first-class passengers. Tayte saw the name before Girard pointed it out.
    ‘Henry Stilwell,’ Tayte said, furrowing his brow and noting that, like Alice, he was recorded as lost, his body unrecovered.
    ‘I thought that would interest you, Mr Tayte. I’m sure you’ll be able to confirm whether Henry Stilwell was related to Alice. Maybe that will shed some light on why they were travelling in different classes.’
    ‘It only makes me more confused,’ Tayte said. ‘Henry Stilwell was the name of Alice Stilwell’s husband.’
    Tayte’s focus so far had been on Alice and her side of the family. He knew whom she was married to—and more besides—but he hadn’t delved into the lives of anyone else just yet. When he’d seen Alice’s name on the passenger list as the only Stilwell travelling in second class, he hadn’t thought to look for other family members aboard. The lists were ordered alphabetically, showing members of the same families together, as expected. Alice had appeared to be travelling alone.
    Girard looked pleased with his find. ‘Of course, it cannot be ruled out that our two Stilwells may not be related at all, but it’s a curious thing, don’t you think?’
    ‘Yes, I do,’ Tayte said. ‘It’s not a common name. What are the odds of another Henry Stilwell being aboard the same voyage?’
    ‘I would say they were very slim.’
    ‘As would I,’ Tayte agreed. ‘But why would husband and wife be travelling in different classes? Why didn’t they