When they entered the galley, the boy’s eyes opened wide. “Wow! This is bigger than our kitchen.”
The girl peeked into the galley. “Gee, it is big. Look! The refrigerator has two doors.”
After Sandra opened a cupboard door, she took out a package of cookies. When they were offered, Danny immediately grabbed two.
Suddenly, Larry tapped Abigail’s shoulder. “Let’s go topside.”
She grinned, and her eyes became bright while she swiftly followed him up the ladder.
When they reached the wheelhouse, she observed the metal-framed glass enclosure. On a hot day, the glass rotated to allow for cool breezes. “Goodness, Larry. You have every imaginable electrical and mechanical device possible. Do you know how everything works?”
“No. It’s too new.”
She noticed the area behind the wheelhouse. At once, she saw a Jacuzzi. It seated six and had drink holders around the deck. Nearby was a small bar, which she was sure was fully stocked.
Larry watched her inspect the grown-up play area.
“They didn’t forget a thing, did they?” she said.
“That's part of the fun of showing it off.” He grinned.
“I bet.”
As they walked back to the wheel, she smiled broadly. “Being here is wonderful. I wish Dad could see this. You know how he loves to check out yachts. And, he would enjoy being out at sea on a day like this.”
Larry nodded in agreement.
They turned when they heard jubilant voices coming from the ladder. Danny boldly marched up to Larry. “Wow! Will you take us out sometime?”
After placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder, he said, “Sure.” He winked.
The girl exposed her biggest smile while looking at Sandra. “Can we go out today?”
Abigail’s face turned red. She squinted with a glare at the girl. “Young lady, it is not polite to ask such things.”
“The child can ask anything she wants.” Larry smiled at Lisa.
“She needs to learn not to impose upon others. It is not right to put anyone on the spot like that. It is just not polite,” Abigail said.
Sandra stood in front of Lisa, then bent down to her level and asked, “Is it truly your desire to go out to sea today, little one?”
“Can we? Can we really go? Today?” Lisa’s face lit up. She jumped up and down clapping her hands.
After Abigail’s face turned a brighter shade of red, she stared at the child. “No, not today, Lisa!”
“But, why not?” Larry piped in. “Do you have better things to do?”
Before Abigail had a chance to respond, Sandra said, “It’ll be pleasant having you three on board.” She surveyed her husband’s face. “Abigail can help you at the wheel. Can’t she, dear? Knowing her, it won’t take long for her to get the hang of it.”
“Sure, it’ll be fun.” He then faced Danny. “Want to spend the night out at sea?”
By then, Danny was so excited he hugged Larry’s neck without letting go.
Abigail shook her head in disbelief and quickly folded her arms tightly. Everything is happening too fast, she thought, staring at the children. She looked at Larry and Sandra. “I can’t believe you’re giving in to the children -- really, overnight?”
“Our replacement skipper was due to come today,” Larry said. “I’ll have him meet us at sea after faxing him our navigational chart. Sandra, we still have our clothes on board. It’ll be fun. Abigail does learn quickly. I’m sure she won’t mind helping me navigate this thing.”
Abigail’s head throbbed. How did I get us in this mess, and how can I get us out? Her arm felt tight after recalling her earlier warning while driving from Santa Barbara. Each time she had a premonition, she feared it might come true. While feeling the pressure to say yes, she really wanted to say no, but hesitated when she saw the children’s jubilant faces.
“Pleeeeease,” Lisa begged.
“We still have our clothes in the car,” Danny said. “Remember?” His eyes danced with delight. “Can we go get them, can we?”
Although her instincts wanted to say no, those happy faces broke down her defenses. She turned to Larry. “Are you sure you want to put up with us overnight?”
“It’ll be delightful.”
Soon Sandra placed her arm around Abigail’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. It will be fun for all of us. So, go get your things. When you return, I’ll show you to your cabin.”
Quickly, Larry disappeared and then came back with a luggage carrier. “Use this. It’ll be easier.”
On the way to the car, Abigail was still upset with the children and herself. At that moment, she wished she wasn’t responsible for them. And, she desperately wanted to be alone to think. Everything was moving too fast.
Why am I so upset with the children? She questioned herself. I love the sea. Why am I resisting the idea? She stopped. It’s that fear again. I must let it go. While walking to the parking lot, she told herself, we’re on vacation, aren’t we? I’m just being silly. Perhaps, I should apologize for not being more appreciative. And, it’s too late to back out now. I might as well enjoy myself. She put on a smile for the children and decided not to scold them.
When they reached the car, they quickly got their bags onto the carrier and grabbed the smaller items. Danny’s face was beaming with anticipation. “I can’t wait to tell Dad. He won’t believe we were on a yacht. I wish he were with us.”
Lisa was grinning while saying, “We’ll have our own cabin. Won’t it be fun?” She glanced up at her aunt.
Abigail grabbed the girl’s ponytail. “Yes. This will be an adventure to remember.”
When they returned with their bags, Sandra gave them a choice between two cabins. Danny said, “Can we stay in this one? It has a couch. We can all be together.”
“Can we?” The girl said, with her chin held up, blinking. “Pleeease?”
“Sure. That’ll be fun,” she said, while thinking, I desperately need alone time, just to think. My mind can’t catch up with what’s happening. Not being in control is not one of my favorite things. I feel defenseless over what others want. Everything is out of my control right now.
After they got settled in and changed clothes, the children went to the main salon and played cards with Sandra, while Abigail joined Larry topside. He was moving the vessel from the dock and it needed his full attention. She remained silent as she watched him steer the yacht away from the pier.
Larry saw her and waved her closer. “Where are the kids?”
“Playing cards with Sandra, is my guess.”
“It’s a beautiful day. I’m glad you decided to join us. Or, did we decide for you?”
While smiling, she turned away. She was grateful that at least one person knew her true feelings. It felt good to be away from the children, even if for a few minutes. She had developed a greater appreciation for stay-at-home moms.
I must stop worrying. It is a beautiful day.
After he successfully moved out of the harbor, Larry said, “Come take the wheel.” While he showed her the fundamentals at the helm, he also showed her how to shut down the engine in case of an emergency or to take a break.
“Where’s Captain Majors?”
“On leave. He is in Mount Dora.”
“Where’s that?”
“Not too far from Orlando. Bill was raised there.”
“How long will he be gone?”
“Just a few weeks.”
“The person coming later today is his replacement.”
“How will he find us?”
“He’ll take a smaller boat.”
Abigail’s attention turned to the children, who were yelling. “What’s the problem with you two?”
“I won, “Lisa said, tearfully,” but he said I cheated
“You did cheat,” he said.
“No. I did not, Danny.” She pushed him.
“Stop teasing your sister,” Abigail demanded.
Danny’s chin lowered. “Okay.
” The boy turned his attention to the wheel and watched. “Can I help drive the boat?”
“Sure,” Larry said. “Come here.” For twenty minutes, Larry stood behind the boy patiently teaching him how to handle the wheel.
“What’s Sandra up to?” Larry asked.
“I don’t know,” Danny said.
“I’ll go check on her.” He faced Abigail. “I need to speak to Sandra about something important. Are you okay at the helm?”
After giving him a reassuring smile, she nodded.
“Will you two promise to stay with your aunt? I don’t want her alone.”
“I can help her drive the boat,” Lisa said. Larry smiled and kissed her forehead.
As he walked away, he stopped and spoke to Danny. “Come get me if she needs me, okay?”
The boy nodded.
While she stood behind Danny at the wheel, Lisa checked out the ship-to-shore equipment and noticed the radio. She turned it on and found a station. After ten minutes, the girl was bored. “It’s my turn!” she yelled at her brother.
After Danny vigorously objected, Abigail said, “Let him be. You can have your turn later.”
Within five minutes, Lisa let out a loud breath. “Can I drive the boat now?”
“Let your sister have her turn.” This time, Danny didn’t object. While stepping away from the wheel, his face lit up. “Let’s look for whales.”
“No! It’s my turn.” Lisa grabbed the wheel. Abigail placed her hands on Lisa’s.
“Are you looking forward to going to school?”
“No. I don’t like my new teacher. She’s mean.”
“How is she mean?”
“She just looks mean. She never smiles. No one likes her.”
“Perhaps something bad happened, and she is sad. Maybe your smile can make her feel better.”
“I don’t want to drive anymore,” she said. She blissfully skipped toward her brother. Together, they searched for creatures living in the sea.
Abigail enjoyed the sun on her skin, but knew she needed more lotion. She wondered how they went from having a late breakfast to being on a fantastic yacht at sea—and all within hours. Everyone knows I’m a control freak, so how did I suddenly give in to two small children? It must be love.
Danny and Lisa stepped into the wheelhouse to visit their aunt.
“Hi, kids. Having fun?” The girl smiled, causing her teeth to show and her eyes to squint. The boy nodded.
“Hey, young man,” Abigail said, “is it true you were in a fight a few months ago?” He nodded.
“Did your dad find out?” “Yes. I said that the boy hit me first. Daddy said, ‘Kick him in the butt if he tries it again.’”
“That would be your dad,” Abigail said, while holding back a laugh.
Lisa yelled, “I see something. It’s a whale.”
He stared at where she was pointing. “No, it isn’t. It’s only a school of fish—that’s all.”
The children sat down. “What do you think Mommy and Daddy are doing?” Danny asked.
“Snorkeling?” Abigail guessed.
“No, they’re sightseeing,” Lisa said.
“You don’t know that!” Danny sneered.
The boy stood and marched up to his aunt. “I’m hungry. Where’s Mr. Kilgore? He didn’t come back.”
“Yes, I know, Danny. Maybe he is still talking with Sandra.”
“But, I’m hungry.”
“After eating all those pancakes?” Lisa said loudly.
“It’s been forever since then!”
“You’re right, Danny. Larry’s been gone for hours. I’m starting to get hungry, too.”
“Can we go now?” he asked.
She nodded and shut down the engine. As they moved toward the ladder leading to the main deck, they decided their priority was the head.
The first to return was Danny. He entered the galley and started opening cupboards to check out the food supplies. Within minutes Lisa and her aunt joined him. Quickly, he grabbed the bread and peanut butter and searched for jam. After the sandwiches were made, they went into the main salon and relaxed while eating sandwiches.
“Where are Sandra and Larry?” Lisa asked.
“Well, they must be on the lower level. Either the master suite or the engine room, I would guess.” Because she felt exhausted, she wanted to kick up her feet for a while. But, for some reason, she felt uneasy about the Kilgores. She hoped everything was okay.
Chapter Three
While Abigail and the children searched for the Kilgores, they reached the engine room. Quickly, Danny opened the hatch and stepped in. “Not in here.”
“Maybe they’re in their bedroom,” Lisa said.
“It’s a sleeping cabin,” Danny responded.
“It might be a sleeping cabin, but it has a bed, too. So, it’s a bedroom.”
“Don’t argue, you two,” Abigail said, while smiling at the girl’s logic. “Let’s see if Lisa’s right.”
They continued and saw a hatch with a gold plate that said, Master Suite. Abigail promptly knocked. No response. Again, she knocked, still nothing. So, she called out, “Sandra, Larry.” No reply. After slightly opening the hatch, she called out their names again, but still no response.
“Well, that’s strange. What’s going on?” Suddenly, her stomach was uneasy and her arm tightened.
“Let’s check the other cabins,” she said. The three of them continued until they reached the last cabin.
After opening the hatch, they entered. Soon, they heard alarmingly loud voices. At first she was excited, she thought it was Larry greeting the new captain. That was until she heard a stranger shout, “I’ll search the lower deck.”
Another yelled, “I’ll start in the main salon.”
Neither voice was Larry’s.
Instantly, she knew something was terribly wrong. She heard footsteps coming closer, so she quickly grabbed some blankets for hiding and whispered, “Cover up. Lie still. Don’t say a word.” Hiding under the blankets was not a great idea, but it was her only option.
While she listened to the sound of her heart pounding in her ears, time seemed to stand still. Slowly, she rubbed her arm hairs and thought they felt like porcupine pointers. She thought she was alert enough to hear a needle drop three cabins away. She desperately hoped they would not be discovered.
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the sound of footsteps stopped. She held her breath as the latch turned. She cringed when the hatch connected with the bulkhead. The footsteps came closer and abruptly stopped. She heard what sounded like a blanket being pulled away. A man said, “What are you, a stowaway?”
Quickly, she removed her own blanket and stood next to the boy. Danny’s eyes were wide, and his mouth was open, gawking at the stranger. Abigail immediately recognized him from the dock. “Why did you follow us?” she demanded.
After looking into her eyes, his face softened. “You’re the woman from the pier, aren’t you?”
When she didn’t respond, he moved his attention toward the closet. “Is someone hiding in there? Who’s in there?” he said, louder.
He moved swiftly to the cabinet and threw open the door. “Nothing.” He swiveled and briskly moved to the bench seats. After pulling the blanket off Lisa, he said, “Can you stand up and step away?” He lifted the bench, but after his examination, he found only supplies.
“Who else is here?” he questioned. “If someone else is hiding, I want to know now! Do you understand?” They were silent, so he moved toward the hatch, and walked out of sight.
Lisa pulled on Abigail’s arm. “Why is he here? Why is he so mean?”
“I’m not sure,” she said, while being mortified that earlier she enjoyed his attention.
Danny looked to his aunt. “How did he get here?”
“I don’t know, Honey.” She thought, Well, isn’t this great! We can’t very well hide or run. So, what else can we do? While she squirmed and tapped her fingernails on the bulkhead, she
felt distressed and knew lines were forming on her brow. If this keeps up, I’ll need Botox before I’m forty, but I guess that’s the least of my problems.
The Kilgores were missing, and strangers had taken over. As she rubbed her temples, she heard a loud bang, as if someone slammed another hatch against the bulkhead. The man returned -- his face drained white.
“What’s wrong?” Danny asked.
The man stood in silence for a moment with his chin low and arms hanging at his sides. He grabbed Abigail’s arm and pulled her into the passageway.
While trying to resist, she said, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“Look, miss, you need to come with me, right now! Understand?” He pivoted and advanced down the passageway, half dragging her.
When Abigail heard Lisa crying, she yelled back at the children. “Everything will be okay. Please stay in the cabin with Danny.”
The man pulled her to the master suite, stopped at the hatch and waited.
“What’s going on?” she asked, while glaring.
Although he was silent, his eyes showed horror. “Who are they?” he demanded. He placed his hand on her back to guide her into the master suite.
She tried to resist his push, but lost. She faced the bed as she entered. There was no way she could have been mentally prepared enough. On the bed were the dead bodies of her hosts. After covering her mouth to hold back a scream, she leaned into the man. She stared at the bullet hole on Larry’s forehead. Blood dripped from his mouth. Sandra laid half on the bed, with her blonde hair hanging off to the right and blood covering the carpet.
She started hitting his chest with her fists. She yelled, “Why did you do this? Why did you kill them?”
He grabbed her arms and pushed her away. Glaring at her, he said, “I’m not a murderer. I didn’t do this!” He quickly led her into the passageway.
She suddenly became weak, doubled over and used her hands to cover her face. When she fell to her knees, she yelled, “No! This can’t be happening. It just can’t be real. Oh my God, how can this be?”
The man closed the hatch when he saw Danny and Lisa running to their aunt. “What’s wrong?” the boy called out to his aunt.
Ethics of a Thief Page 2