Unpredictable Crossing
This novel seeks a plausible answer to the question, “What if there was a survivor to an Africa massacre and years later she encountered the person who ordered the destruction of her village?”
Tristeza Vilanculus is a cabin stewardess working on the Sibelius Symphony as it makes a transatlantic voyage from Miami to Lisbon. One of the passengers on board the ship is the person who ordered the massacre of her family and destruction of her village in 1972 during the Mozambique war for independence. Seeing Colonel Perreira now releases her forgotten memories. Up to this moment, Tristeza has successfully changed her identity to move on with life unafraid that she could be pursued for having witnessed the massacre. She makes every effort to fulfill her responsibilities on board without dealing with Colonel Perreira.
She also recognized another passenger on the ship, Amanda Bechtel Almond and hopes to confide in her. Mrs. Allmond doesn’t recognize Tristeza, but she knows that this passenger is trustworthy based on the former missionary nurse’s reputation when she lived in Africa. Before Tristeza has a chance to talk to Mrs. Allmond, the Colonel’s daughter is reported missing.
Following an extensive search of the ship, the child is found in an area for which Tristeza is responsible. She is relieved of her duties immediately while the matter is under investigation. When the Chief of Security interviews Tristeza, the truth about the Colonel’s past crimes against humanity unfolds and the story takes another twist.
