Danny had had many adventures, and, as he sat in the yacht’s library, he realized he had a different adventure ahead of him -- to get home without harm! He didn’t see the Kilgores’ bodies, but he heard them talking about gunshots. Something happened, and he feared the worst after seeing the terrified expression on his aunt’s face.
The fear he felt was similar to having those angry, loud Doberman Pinscher dogs bark at him. He felt like the gypsies -- watched by strangers. Danny started to wonder if God was punishing him for stealing ice cream. He decided to pray,
Dear God, please forgive me for stealing. I promise never to do it again.
Much to his surprise, he felt more at peace; the short prayer had worked.
Danny knew the four men were not invited guests, and that he, his sister and aunt were not safe. He wasn’t afraid of Matt as much as the situation. He wanted his parents, and to go home.
When he looked up from his thoughts, he watched Matt examine books. He took one at a time -- he would open it and fan the pages, then read the first page and put it aside.
“What are you looking for?” Danny asked.
“Hidden compartments and the date it was published.”
“Why?”
“Sometimes people buy look-a-like books that are hollow and place valuable items in them.”
Danny watched for a few minutes, and thought,
If I can help find what he is looking for, we can go home.
“Can I help?”
Matt turned to face Danny. “Tell you what. If you find it, you’ll get a reward.”
“What kind of a reward?”
“How about five thousand dollars?”
Danny’s eyes sparkled, his lips turned up into a smile.
Matt cocked his head. “What do you say?”
“That’s a lot of money,” Danny said.
Matt glanced toward Abigail. “That goes for you two, as well. Understand?” Abigail didn’t respond.
“Where do you want me to start?” Danny asked.
“Any place you wish.”
Lisa broke her silence by asking her brother, “What do you want with your reward money?”
“A telescope. With five thousand dollars, I could buy the best in the whole world. At night, I could see faraway stars and planets.”
Lisa turned to face her aunt. “He wants to be an astronaut, you know.”
Abigail nodded.
Danny grinned. “I won’t ask Mom or Dad for one. They argue about money too much.” He fixed his eyes on Lisa. “Are you going to help?” She looked down, turned her head and touched her cheek with her finger.
The boy asked his sister, “What do you want?”
Lisa squinted. “I don’t know. Could I look through your telescope?”
“Sure!”
Lisa said, “This is weird. We don’t even know what we’re looking for.” Lisa shrugged her shoulders. “It’s stupid.”
Danny noticed his aunt seemed calmer. He turned to watch Matt methodically examine each book. He decided to make his experience another adventure, as if he was on some scavenger hunt. Yet, he knew it was one adventure they could do without. He glanced at his aunt and saw her rubbing her temples. A few strands of her strawberry-blond hair covered her hand. Danny hoped Matt would keep his promise, so they could all go home after they found the stupid treasure.
Abigail stood on a brilliantly colored rug near a porthole. She walked up to the cherry-wood desk that sat in front of the bookshelves and watched Lisa.
The girl put her hands on her hips. “How can we find something when we don’t know what it is? That’s dumb.”
Danny said, “We all heard you the first time, Lisa.”
“So, I said it again. So, what!”
Abigail walked to the desk and picked up an exquisite ceramic square container, shaded green with a sprinkle of gold, which gave it depth. It stood on four lion’s feet. Both sides had two small, jeweled handles. She pulled off the lid by a beautiful gold figure of an angel that topped it. “Maybe this is it! It’s small enough to fit into Matt’s breadbox.”
Abigail turned it over, and glanced at the bottom. It was made by a manufacturer that was still in business, and she knew it couldn’t be worth even the five thousand dollars Matt offered.
A small bud vase caught Danny’s attention. After picking it up, he turned it over and handed it to his aunt. “Is this worth anything?”
“I don’t think so, Honey. It doesn’t seem valuable enough to have four grown men searching for it, but you have the right idea.”
Abigail knew they could find it only by chance. She watched Lisa. Each time she found something, she quickly brought it to Matt and asked, “Is this it?” That time, she had a small painting by a famous artist. When she showed it to Matt, his head shook back and forth.
After searching for a few hours, Danny became weary, “Can we get something to eat?”
Matt dropped a book on the desk. “Sure. We could all use a break.”
As they headed for the hatch, Abigail placed one hand on Danny’s shoulder while holding Lisa’s hand. “Danny, everything will be okay.” He then noticed that she no longer stood tall, she had lines on her forehead, and her cheerful smile was gone. To him, it meant she was unsure of their fate.
Abigail felt the movement of the sea while she watched Danny and Lisa as they sat under a porthole.
How am I to protect them and keep them safe?
she wondered.
Each time Matt’s eyes glanced her way, as if to soothe her, she turned away.
How can I trust anyone keeping us hostage?
Her captors huddled and talked in whispers. Jack’s eyes glared in her direction. Matt’s eyes were on the overhead, as if in deep thought. The men’s discussion subsided, and Jack stepped away.
Great,
she thought.
What are they up to now? If Jack had his say, he would throw us overboard.
The children’s eyes followed Jack’s movement. “He looks like Gordon.” Danny whispered to Lisa.
She shook her head. “No. He is smaller, but his voice is loud.”
When Brent grinned at Lisa, she whispered to her brother, “He’s cute.”
Abigail pondered.
What are my options?
She glanced out the porthole and noticed the touring vessel still a few hundred yards away.
Signaling it, might be our only chance for help,
she told herself,
but how can I do it without being noticed?
Her body froze.
The captain Larry Kilgore hired. He must be at the helm. Perhaps he had already called for help, and the Coast Guard is on their way. Okay, Abigail, stop it. You’re just being your old, optimistic self. Find a way to signal for help. That ship may be your only chance.
The water movement started to stabilize, and she felt more sure-footed.
As Matt watched her every move, it was difficult to do anything. “I need to use the head.” She spun around so fast she felt her hair swish over her shoulder.
She glanced toward the children and moved her fingers toward her -- signaling them to come. They glanced at Matt. “You two stay here!” He glared at Abigail. “They just used the head. You know that.”
“You two stay, and I’ll be right back,” she said. When she reached the head, she searched under the washbasin, and rummaged through two drawers. She found a compact with a mirror and placed it in her pocket. Her heart beat faster, and her palms were moist as she slowly walked back into the main salon. As she entered, she saw a tall, thin man with a pockmarked face. When he glanced her way, his eyes examined her curves.
Captain Forelli’s eyes shifted and stared at Matt’s feet. “What’s with the broad and kids?”
Matt folded his arms and his lips tightened. “They were here when we arrived.”
“I don’t like it. Luke will be furious.” Forelli’s shoulders slumped.
“Look, we’re not overjoyed either -- especially when your beloved boss, Luke Percy, said, “No one will be on board except you!”
Forelli started to circle, and proceeded to leave. “I’m taking a break. I’ll be in the crew cabin.” He walked toward the galley.
Jack stood next to Matt. “There’s something creepy about that man. He always appears to be hiding something.”
Abigail dropped her head. I guess Captain Forelli won’t be helping us, she thought.
Jack stood and watched Forelli step though the galley hatch, while Matt said, “I’ll go ask Forelli some questions. I can’t wait to get his reaction to the murders.” His smile rose up on one side.
Matt stepped toward the galley and stood at the hatch. “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” Forelli said, while he looked in the refrigerator.
“How do you know Kilgore?” Matt asked.
“Larry called Luke. He needed a captain for a week or two. Later, Larry sent me his navigation course and asked me to meet him at sea. By the way, where is Larry?” Matt was silent. He looked down for a minute and then glanced up.
“He and his wife are dead.”
“What?! They’re dead?” Forelli became silent, while his eyes darted from side to side.
“Do you know anything about their murders?” Matt asked.
“Murders? They were murdered?” Forelli’s mouth dropped, while his eyes stared at the floor. Both men were silent.
“Who might want them dead?” Matt asked.
“Why ask me? I barely knew the man.”
“Well, none of us did it. Was someone else coming aboard?”
“You mean like that woman?” Forelli said. “It had to be her.”
“No.”
“How do you know, Matt?”
“I just know.”
“Who found their bodies? The person who finds a body is often the prime suspect.”
Matt ran his fingers through his hair. “I did. You know I wouldn’t do it.”
“Where did you find them?”
“In the master suite, on their bed.”
Forelli’s voice rose. “Did you even question the woman?”
“I forced her to identify their dead bodies. Her reaction was enough for me.”
“Where did the woman come from?”
“She is a family friend of the Kilgores. She and the kids were hiding in another cabin when I found them.”
“It had to be her, why else would she hide? She had the opportunity.” Forelli’s forehead wrinkled, as he scratched his head. “Does Luke or any of the Top Dogs know?”
“No. Not yet.”
“Luke needs to know. He arranged this gig.”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Matt said. “But, first let’s figure out who murdered them. Have any ideas?”
Forelli’s eyes were hyper focused -- revealing nothing.
Matt cocked his head. “Well, what do you think? Want to tell Luke and the others, or wait until we figure out who did it?”
“Frankly, I don’t give a crap.” He slammed the refrigerator door and quickly walked out of the galley.
Matt followed him out of the galley and watched him descend the ladder leading to the crew cabin. Once out of sight, he returned to his cohorts.
“What did he say?” Jack asked.
“Not much. He’s putting on a convincing act that he knows nothing. Well, at least, we know he won’t blow the whistle on us. It wouldn’t be in his best interest with his federal criminal record. Besides, his boss, Luke, will be furious when he finds out.”
The men were silent. Jack’s eyes were vigilant.
“But, what if you’re wrong about Forelli? What if he does alert Luke? Do we want to take that risk?”
“What are the options here?” While looking down, Matt touched his chin. Everyone was silent as Matt glanced at Abigail. She seemed to be in deep thought.
“Let’s just go about our business,” Matt said. “See if anything looks fishy with our captain.” The men stared at each other. Matt continued, “By the way, no one touch those bodies! The fewer fingerprints found, the better for all of us.”
“Won’t your prints implicate us?”
“Hey, the only thing we’re guilty of is overtaking the vessel, and robbery. None of us carry weapons, do we? How much trouble could we be in? All we have to say is that the Kilgores invited us. They’re dead, so they can’t deny it.”
Jack stared at Matt. “How about kidnapping? We’re holding the woman and those kids against their will. That, alone, places us in deep trouble.”
“But, we’re not holding them at gunpoint.”
“That doesn’t matter, Matt. We’re still holding them against their will. If one of us is convicted of murder or kidnapping, we all go to prison.”
Matt turned to Jack. “Look, I’ll take full responsibility for holding them. If you want to leave, go.”
Abigail’s fear increased, while listening to the men.
“I’ll take over the helm,” Robert said.
Matt shook his head. “I’ll do it.”
“What about the woman and kids?”
“They’ll come with me. Fresh air will do them good.”
Robert turned to leave, Brent followed.
Abigail was alert when Matt turned toward her. “You three come with me.” He turned and stepped up the ladder to the helm.
She took her first deep breath and let the ocean air fill her lungs while she lifted her face to the sun. Just for a moment, she felt better. The children were off playing. They seemed oblivious to any danger. Matt checked the controls panel and grabbed the wheel. In the sunlight, his eyes seemed greener, and his sun bleached hair seemed lighter.
Stay focused,
she told herself.
If I can take over the controls I might be able to signal for help.
“My father owns a boat,” she said.
Matt gave her a blank stare for a moment. Then, his expression softened, as he smiled.
“I loved helping my dad at the wheel. Do you mind if I take over for a few minutes?”
He backed away to let her hold the wheel, and came so close their bodies touched. The electricity between them was noticeable, and she started to pull away. The last thing she needed was to fall for some thief keeping her hostage. When she felt his eyes fixed on her, her stomach fluttered.
Okay, Abigail, stay detached,
she told herself.
Just for a minute she considered using her femininity to manipulate him, but quickly decided against it. It would have only served to complicate things. She was already fretful that her body responded to his touch. She knew she must guard her heart, for that first attraction to him never left.
After Abigail took in a few deep breaths, she pondered how to get the children to safety. Matt stood too close for her comfort. Being at the wheel just wasn’t working.
Having sexual tension with a thief is something I can do without.
She backed away from the wheel. “You take over.”