Money's Worth
The crew returned to The Tramp Islander, except for Cally. He did not return. Everyone assumed he had business and contacts to be made. Everyone slept, not knowing if he returned during the night or not.
In the pilothouse the next morning, Trace sat comfortably in the captain’s seat and Sage sat at the chart desk.
Cally walked through the aft door. “Good evening.”
They greeted him.
“Have you eaten?” Trace asked.
“No,” Cally said, “time got away from me. I thought I could make a sandwich with left overhears.”
Trace grabbed the phone and dialed the galley. “Send up Cally’s plate.” He hung up.
“Thanks,” Cally said. “Good news and bad news.”
“Let’s hear the good first,” Sage said.
“We have a good shipment coming,” Cally said. “But it won’t be here until the day after tomorrow.”
“An M1 tank?” Sage said.
“That arrives tomorrow,” Cally quipped. “Actually, I’d like for it to be a surprise.”
“In other words, you’re not sure what it is,” Trace said.
Cally clicked his cheek and grinned. “You’re reading my mind. I hope it’s what I expect.”
“You’re not telling us so we won’t be disappointed when something less than what is needed shows up, right?” Trace said.
“Spoken like a man who commands a ship,” Cally said.
“You might say that,” Trace said. “But it’s spoken like a man raised on a ranch. There’s always a difference between what is ordered, what is paid for, what is expected, and what you finally get.”
“And seldom do all four collide in the same transaction,” Sage said.
“I have to make plans knowing that in advance,” Cally said.
“Like herding cats,” Sage said.
“What about us? Trace said. “Are you getting what you would pay for?”
“First of all,” Cally said, “none of you are getting paid out of my wallet. Franks has managed some seed funds, and I understand he’s done the same for you. This operation is not completely mercenary. There is charity involved.”
“Don’t tell me you have some hidden altruistic corpuscles pumping through those veins of yours,” Trace quipped.
“There are things I do for pure monetary gain,” Cally said. “If for selfish and amoral people, for selfish and amoral reasons. Franks, knows me. He knows others better than me, but he picked me. Franks knows you. He knows others better than you, but he picked you. He has his reasons—and I’m sure they are for good and well-founded reasons. I’m sure you are thinking the same way. Franks is a crook, not his ex-wife or son.”
“And in the mix is Allie,” Trace said.
“The gal with an iron fist and a heart of gold,” Cally said.
“Whenever we have these kinds of conversations, I always wonder, is there anything more we should know?” Sage asked. “Or should I say, is there anything you care to tell us?”
Cally chuckled. “I don’t want you boys thinking I’m holding out on everything. It’s just that I’m not sure either. What I do know, I’ll tell you—eventually. Here’s something I know: whatever role you take in this operation, and for your information, I’m not quite sure, but anyway, I will pair you two with your dads.”
Trace and Sage glanced at each other. They exchanged agreeable nods.
“Do you want to know why?” Cally asked.
Trace and Sage curled their mouths and slowly shook their heads side to side.
“Nah,” Trace said. “That’s who I’d have picked. And I’d been just as pleased with Sage or Coyote.”
“Same with me,” Sage said.
Makani came up the companionway with a tray. He handed it to Cally. “Special for you.”
“Thank you, Makani,” Cally said. “You didn’t have to go through so much trouble.”
“No trouble,” Makani said, “my job.”
“Can you operate this boat?” Cally asked Makani.
“Sure,” Makani said, “Trace, make sure we can do everything on boat.”
“You may be called upon,” Cally said.
“I ready,” Makani said. “Nobody cook but me.” Makani grinned. “Belong to very strong union. Just me.”
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