The Double-Cross In Paradise; Episode 33, A Lonely Night

This is episode thirty-three in the sixth novel of The Trace Troy Adventure Series. It is titled The Double-Cross in Paradise. Here are the links to  The Double-Cross In Paradise: paperback, Kindle. 

A Lonely Night

Near sunset, Cooper woke and prepared ham and cheese sandwiches and tea. The three sat in the cockpit. Trace tethered the rudder and relaxed. 

They ate. Cooper and Kelsey got acquainted. Trace remained quiet and allowed Cooper’s and Kelsey’s relationship to grow. 

“Do you want to run all night?” Cooper asked Trace.

“Yeah,” Trace said.

“I can take the rudder for a while,” Cooper offered. “I got to admit, though, I’m beat.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Trace said. “I’m used to long days and nights. And if it gets to me, I’ll just bring in the sails, and we can drift for a time.”

“If you show me what to do, I can help out,” Kelsey said. 

“That’s okay,” Trace said. “There’s a few islands in our way for now. You have to be able to read the charts, the wind, and currents. It’s not hard stuff, but I think we’d all feel safer.”

“Aye, aye,” Kelsey agreed. “However, I would like to learn how to sail.”

“We will be at sea for almost a week,” Trace said, and assured, “You will learn how to sail.”

Kelsey grinned and added, “Or swim.”

“Nah,” Cooper said, “that would be a waste. Trace and I planned to use you as a drogue.”

“What’s a drogue?” Kelsey asked. 

“If the boat goes too fast, we tie you up and cast you overboard,” Cooper said. “It slows the boat.”

“I got the feeling I’m being messed with,” Kelsey said. 

“We have a drogue,” Trace said. “It’s beneath your seat.”

“You actually have to slow the boat down?” Kelsey said.

“Yeah,” Trace said. “Depending on the seas, you can lose control. Small sailboats, like this one, can flip or roll.”

“Ahh,” Cooper joked, “why didn’t you wait to tell him after we tied him up and were about to toss him over? That way, we’d have known how much he trusts us.”

“You’d have found out just how gullible I am,” Kelsey said, and added seriously. “So, almost a week at sea? Why not fly?”

“A rumor was started back in Fiji,” Trace said. “Rumors, what is it they say, ‘a rumor can go around the world before the truth can get out of bed.’ I want the rumor to  be there  long enough to become fact.”

“What rumor?” Kelsey asked.

“I transport drugs and have reliable sources,” Trace said.

“What will that do?” Kelsey asked. 

“It will get me close to the people who are framing the guy I know,” Trace said.

“It sounds like you are depending on the gullibility of men who prey on the gullibility of others,” Kelsey said.

“Those are the best kind,” Trace said. “The best place to steal a horse is from a horse thief. They think everybody else is honest.”

“How can you be sure?” Kelsey said.

“I can’t,” Trace replied. “But I can hedge my chances. If the lie comes from two different sources, it has to be true.”

“You were able to start that in motion?” Kelsey asked.

“One very reliable source and another eager for anything,” Trace said. “I’m sure it has already reached the ears of those I want it to. After it ferments a few days, it will be an established fact. In fact, it would not surprise me by the time I meet up with those folks, they think I’m the best and transporter of drugs in the South Seas. I’d have to be for them not to have heard of me before.”

“This is kind of scary,” Kelsey said. “That’s the way cops think.”

They finished eating. Cooper collected the metal plates they ate from. He rinsed them off by holding them overboard and then went below to wash them. He emerged from the companionway with three bottles of beer. He handed a beer to Trace, and one to Kelsey.

They each took a swig. 

“I brought a case,” Cooper said. “That comes to one a day for eight days.”

“Keep us honest, Kelsey,” Trace chided.

“An honest cop,” Cooper chortled. 

“Not when it comes to beer,” Kelsey smiled and took another swig.

They nursed the beers and talked until the sun set. 

Cooper collected the empty bottles and said, “Tell ya what, Trace, I’m going to catch a few more winks and relieve you. How does that sound?”

Trace gave Cooper a thumbs up, and Cooper returned below.

“How did you come across him?” Kelsey asked. “Seems like a real good mate.”

“Two years ago, I came to Suva on a long vacation,” Trace said. “I planned for a month. I didn’t want to pay for a hotel for that long, and I didn’t want to sleep on a beach. Cooper rented out a room. We became friends. He lent me The Tineytanic for a while. I sailed it around Fiji—had a great time—kinda. He trusts me and I trust him.”

“Trust means a lot to you, doesn’t it?” Kelsey said.

“One man can’t take care of a thousand head of cattle,” Trace said. “You know that. So you have to put your trust in other men. When you’re sleeping, they better be watchin’, cowboy logic.”

“Bush sense, we call it,” Kelsey said.

“Horse sense in Texas,” Trace said. “We don’t fool ourselves, sometimes it’s the horse that makes the cowboy.”

“You know,” Kelsey said, “sailing is a beautiful thing. I like it. I could do it. So calm and peaceful. It’s as peaceful as watching a dancing campfire.” He gazed at the stars overhead. “I’ve seen every one of those stars a hundred times over. It’s been long ago. I’ve changed, but the stars haven’t.”

“I wish I had written down the conversations I’ve had with them,” Trace said.

“And I wished I’d written what they’ve said back to me,” Kelsey said.

“Why did you ever become a cop?” Trace asked.

“I guess I wanted to fulfill my boyhood dreams,” Kelsey said. “I signed on and took classes to make advancement. I always wanted to put away the bad guys. We all look for purpose in our lives. I guess this is what I came up with.”

“For some reason, you don’t sound all that satisfied,” Trace said.

“Most days I don’t,” Kelsey said and added, “some days I do.”

“What about you?” Kelsey said.

“When I first took over The Tramp Islander,” Trace began, “there was no real plan, just deliver freight at a good price to places a lot of boats won’t go. I spend very little on fuel. The boat is paid for. I suppose satisfaction comes from delivering things to people without costing an arm and a leg. But in between time, other things come up.”

“Like the Patterson guy?” Kelsey asked.

“Yeah.”

“It’s almost like you’ve hung out a shingle,” Kelsey said and held up his hands like he was framing a sign. “‘Here I Am. Will Help Anyone.’”

“Is it really that bad?” Trace asked.

“Things seem to come your way,” Kelsey said.

Trace countered, “Trouble seems to come my way.”  

They stared at the stars for a while. They talked about whatever crossed their minds, anything to keep away the loneliness.

“I remember days like this in the bush,” Kelsey said. “I’m glad you’re here. Only a good ringer could be a good mate at times like these. I’ve been with townies when on the watch. They drive you crazy. They know nothing about being alone. They think talking about football or their many pub crawls looking for Sheilas is conversation.”

“You listen to an ole cowboy talk about life, it’s like sitting at the feet of Socrates,” Trace said. “It drips from their mouths like a spoonful of honey.”

A glowing meteor streaked across the sky.

“Millions of people missed that,” Trace said. “But we saw it.”

“My dad used to tell me, you can’t crash out until you see a shooting star,” Kelsey said.

“Goo’ night, mate,” Trace said. 

“Same to ya.”

The Double-Cross In Paradise; Episode 32, Natural Born Sailor

This is episode thirty-two in the sixth novel of The Trace Troy Adventure Series. It is titled The Double-Cross in Paradise. Here are the links to  The Double-Cross In Paradise: paperback, Kindle.

Natural Born Sailor

Kelsey sat on the grass and rose as soon as Trace waved. 

“Grab your gear,” Trace said, “and follow me.”

They marched a short distance to a dock that lay in the channel separating Naisoso and the mainland. 

Trace spotted The Tineytanic and nodded. “There she is. Let’s go.”

Cooper was below, but heard the footsteps on the wooden dock. He popped from below. Trace introduced Cooper and Kelsey.

“Did either one of you say anything about this?” Trace asked.

“No,” Cooper said.

“No,” Kelsey said.

“Not even your boss?” Trace asked.

Kelsey handed Trace a business card. “If anything should happen to me, call the number on this card.”

“A real estate agent?” Trace said, puzzled.

“That’s a cover,” Kelsey said, “but if you mention my name, he’ll know it’s important.”

“Ain't’ nothin’ gonna happen,” Trace said. 

“Some of the more famous last words,” Kelsey said.

Trace turned to Cooper. “Are we ready to sail?”

“If we stay too much longer, the manager of this place will charge us,” Cooper said. 

“This is Kelsey’s first time in a small boat at sea,” Trace said.

“I’ll get a bucket,” Cooper said. 

“I’ll start the motor and get us out of here,” Trace said.

Trace grabbed hold of the motor's rope and tugged it once. The engine belched a puff of blue/gray smoke and settled into a steady hum.

“Kelsey,” Trace said, “go forward and pull our bow line.”

Kelsey unsteadily walked along the side of the boat and lifted the line from around the piling. Trace did the same with the aft line. Trace stirred into the channel and into Nadi Bay.

Cooper came from below with a bucket.

“Take the rudder,” Trace said to Cooper. “I’ll hoist the sails. Kelsey, let me show you how it’s done.”

After the sails were hoisted, Cooper shut off the engine, and The Tineytanic glided westward over the rippling water. Kelsey and Trace sat on the roof of the cabin. They watched the wind fill the sails and listened to the flapping. 

“Enjoy yourself,” Trace gripped Kelsey’s shoulder. 

Trace swayed as he walked back to the rudder. 

Cooper hung on the rudder with it cradled in his armpit.

“How ya doin’, Cooper?” Trace asked.

“Tired,” Cooper said. “Sailed like I’ve never sailed before to get here. I’m not the man I used to be.”

“Go below,” Trace said. “I can take care of it.”

Cooper stood. Trace gripped the rudder and sat in Kelsey’s place. 

“Sleep well, my friend,” Trace said.

“Sail well, my friend,” Kelsey said, and tipped his brow with two fingers. He ducked into the companionway.

An hour passed.

Kelsey staggered aft and sat on a side bench next to Kelsey. 

“How far have we sailed?” Kelsey asked.

“Almost five miles,” Trace said.

“This isn’t so bad,” Kelsey said. “I thought we’d be tossing around and I’d be heaving my guts.”

Trace smiled wryly. “Maybe you’re a natural born sailor.”

Sci-Fi Challenge Accepted

This will be the front cover of my 
sci-fi novel.

A few months ago, my grandson, Roman, along with my friend,
Mike, were in an intense conversation about superheroes, sci-fi comics, and movies. It’s not my bag. (When was the last time you heard, " It’s not my bag?) Yeah, I’m out of it. 

I tried to nudge my way into the conversation, but clearly it was over my head. It was gratifying to watch Roman’s and Mike’s eyes light up and sparkle at the mention of their favorites. 

Roman lent one of his comics to me. He was undoubtedly certain that once I cast my eyes on the artwork, the dialogue, and grasped the plot, I would be hooked. I read, at most, four or five pages. I’ve updated my vernacular—It’s not my vibe.

Not only have I never read a sci-fi book, but the thought of writing one seemed to me, well, a million light-years away.

I like challenges in writing. Over the years, I’ve been a part of a number of them. And they were rewarding and fun.

It came to me one day while in a conversation with Roman and Mike. Before me was a real challenge: write a science fiction novel. I announced it to them immediately, and a week later, my challenge began. 

Currently, I’m near the finish of the novel. And admittedly, it has been fun. 

There probably lies a lesson. Sometimes it’s good to challenge yourself and shake things up. Kind of like taking a different route to work or giving mushrooms a try. 

I’ve not yet decided on a title.

It appears that the novel will begin serialization on this website in late March.

The Double-Cross In Paradise; Episode 31, The Airport Dodge

This is episode thirty-one in the sixth novel of The Trace Troy Adventure Series. It is titled The Double-Cross in Paradise. Here are the links to  The Double-Cross In Paradise: paperback, Kindle. 

Trace and the driver chatted intermittently on the drive from Suva to Nida. Most of the time, Trace thought and planned. The car with the two men followed at a comfortable distance. 

He trusted Kelsey. At the same time, he held certain information from him. He didn’t want to be second-guessed by someone not thoroughly familiar with the entire situation. 

Trace wanted to confuse the men following. He had already thrown them off his trail one time and innocently showed up again. He reasoned that those following him could only surmise that losing him was an accident; otherwise, why would he suddenly appear on their radar again? Additionally, Trace wanted them to think he wasn’t really that good, just lucky. 

The drive was a good drive. Green tropical foliage hugged the road and climbed slopes and mountainsides. Palms swayed and seagulls swooned. Small houses by the side of the road became more plentiful the closer they were to Nida. Children played in the yards. Old folks sat on porches. 

“How far to the airport?” Trace asked.

“Fifteen minutes,” the driver said.

“Did I pay you enough?” Trace asked.

“Plenty,” the driver said. 

“If I may ask,” the driver said, “who and why are you being followed?”

“Bad men who are curious and want to know every move I make.”

“How do you know they’re bad?”

“Did someone pay you to get information from me?” Trace asked.

“No.”

“If asked, tell them the truth. Tell them what we talked about.”

“While I was in the prison, did you leave the car?” Trace asked.

“I drove to a gas station and got gas,” the driver said. “I went inside to use the loo.”

Trace bent down and picked up a small tape recorder. He held it forward for the driver to see. “Is this yours?”

“I don’t know what it is,” the driver said.

“It’s a tape recorder,” Trace said. “It’s voice-activated. When you pulled into traffic, leaving Suva, you had to accelerate, and it slipped out from under the seat. I turned it off.”

“What are you going to do with it?” The driver asked.

“I turned it back on and stuck it in my bag,” Trace said. “I’m going to slip it back under the seat. When you leave me off, park your cab at the airport, and get a meal. That will give the guys following me some time to retrieve it. If anybody asks, tell them the truth, I found it, and so on. I don’t want you needlessly involved in anything.”

Soon, they pulled into the airport, and Trace got out. He walked inside and up to the ticket counter.

“I’d like a one-way ticket to Port Vila,” Trace said and added, “the next flight.”

“It leaves in an hour and twenty minutes,” the male ticket agent said.

“That’s twenty-five dollars,” the agent said.

Trace handed over the money from his wallet, and the agent handed him his ticket.

“How many seats are available?” Trace asked.

“Three seats are open,” the agent said.

“I’ll buy them,” Trace said.

“You can’t sell them, you know,” the agent warned.

“Some friends are going to show up,” Trace said. “I just want to make sure there are tickets for them.”

Trace paid for the tickets and hurried to the boarding area. He sat and waited for his flight. He grabbed a newspaper. He occasionally looked from reading to notice the frustration of the men following him. Trace had purchased the tickets they could use. They looked desperate enough to fly in the luggage compartment.  

The light to Vanuatu was called. Trace stood in a short line to board and craned his neck looking back at the ticket counter. He smiled at the sight of his two followers having an animated conversation with the ticket agent. 

Several people stood nearby.

Trace cupped his hands to his mouth. “Anybody want a free ticket to Vanuatu?”

Several people held up their hands. 

Trace waved at them to come over. “I have three tickets.”

He handed tickets to the first three people.

Trace handed his ticket to the agent at the gate. He walked through the door and ducked below the windows. He duckwalked along the side of the building. When he reached the end of the building, his long strides took him to a road next to the airport’s property edge. He walked through a gate and onto a road. He continued the fast pace until he reached the bridge to Naisoso Island. He crossed the bridge and jogged to the roundabout, where he instructed Kelsey to wait.