The Turkish Slave was dirty, undisciplined and only just sea-worthy, but when Peter Landers was offered a job as Third Officer on the ship, he had little choice but to accept. His divorce had driven him to drink and to one fouled-up opportunity after another--here was his last chance to haul himself back. But it would not be easy--on the Turkish Slave he would be up against a huge international diamond-smuggling syndicate, and it was advised that he cultivate 'an abnormal regard' for the safety of his own skin.