This is episode forty-eight of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise
. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by.
A New Deckhand
Three days later, the wedding occurred without a hitch. It was held on the deck of The Tramp Islander. A fautasi was held at a nearby beach.
The next day, Adam and Talei flew to Hawaii, where they planned to honeymoon for a week. Then they planned to return to Texas.
Coyote flew out on a later flight. Pete flew back to Suva.
After the wedding and reception, a detective returned to The Tramp Islander and took statements from Trace and Sage. He did not seem to be bothered that Adam and Coyote had left Pago Pago. Trace surmised it was less paperwork for the detective, who seemed not too interested in the case anyway.
Trace and Sage sat in the pilothouse. Trace sat at the chart desk, and Sage was on the bench across from him.
“Well,” Sage said, “how do ya ’spose we find a crew?”
“If we were in Suva, Allie could help us,” Trace said. “I met some of Talei’s cousins, maybe they can help us.”
“I’m gonna get a beer,” Sage said. “Ya wanna come along?”
“Nah,” Trace said. “Makani is someplace in Pago Pago. I want somebody here just in case one of the ex-members shows up or the police have some more questions.”
“I heard most of ‘em have left the island,” Sage said. “Some of ‘em have probably had a belly full of paradise.”
“Heard anything about Demeter?” Trace asked.
“He’s sitting in jail,” Sage said. “I guess they’ve been trying to get him for a while. Law enforcement put it on the back burner. I heard murder charges are on the table.”
“I want to get a crew and get out of here before it becomes news,” Trace said. “The government is going to have to make a case without me.”
“And me,” Sage said.
“We probably speak for Makani, too,” Trace said.
“Nobody speaks for Makani,” Sage said.
“That’s for sure,” Trace said. “He’s probably selling the story to some tabloid right now.”
Sage stood. “There’s a beer in a little bar not far from here. It’s an off-brand. It’s label says, Sage.”
“You can also have the one labeled, Trace,” Trace said.
“See ya after I finish yours,” Sage said, and he walked out of the pilothouse.
Trace picked up a book that lay on the chart desk. “Texas by Michener,” Trace said. “He wrote about the South Seas and Texas, right down my alley.”
Trace lay on the bench and began to read. It did not take him long to realize this novel would touch him like no other because he would see himself, his ancestors, the folks he grew up with, those who worked the Troy ranch, and all their ancestors in between these pages. He couldn’t wait to arrive at its end.
After half an hour, his eyes became heavy. He laid the book on his chest and began to visualize what he read. Seeing Texas was a sure way to ease into a peaceful sleep. However, “Ahoy!” He heard.
Trace laid the book on the chart desk and looked out the window. A scrawny, dark-haired lad stood on shore.
Trace leaned out the window. “What’s up?” He thought it might be a reporter looking for a story.
“Permission to come aboard.”
“Permission denied,” Trace said firmly.
“Please.”
“Please denied!” Trace retorted.
“Pretty please.”
“No, now go away,” Trace said.
“Petty please with sugar on top.”
Trace squinted his eyes. The lad looked familiar. “Okay, come aboard. I’ll give you a minute.”
The young man walked into the pilothouse.
Trace stood. “Don’t I know you?”
“Sort of,” he said. “You probably know my father better. And our meeting was brief and not among the best of circumstances.”
Trace smiled. “You’re Waldo Franks kid, Paul.”
“Paul Purnell,” he said and reached out to shake Trace’s hand. “I want to thank you. And so does my dad.”
Traces smiled broadly and shook Paul’s hand. “Have a seat,” Trace gestured to the bench.
Paul sat on the bench.
“So you flew to Suva to meet your dad?” Trace asked.
“Yes,” Paul said.
“How is he?”
“He’s good.”
“You never met him before, right.”
“No,” Paul said.
“Was it hard?” Trace showed a willingness to be understanding.
“Not at all,” Paul said. “It was something we both wanted very badly. I don’t understand his life choices and he can’t figure out mine, but he’s glad of the ones I chose.”
“Well,” Trace said, “I can tell you, he loves you very much.”
Paul smiled and bobbed his head. “We met every day for a week. It’s incredible how many years we crammed into that time.”
“So what are you going to do now?” Trace said. “And how is Sylvia.”
“When Sylvia and I were locked up, we already made up our minds that we should separate for a while. We didn’t know whether it was love or just emotions, given our dire circumstances. So she went back to The States with he mom and dad. We both needed a breather.”
“And what about you?” Trace asked.
“My dad gave me some advice,” Paul said. “I ask him for it.”
“Stay away from casinos?” Trace responded.
“Yeah,” Paul said, “really.”
“Well,” Trace said, “I’m sure he gave you good advice.”
“He did.”
“I’m curious,” Trace said.
“He told me to see you about a job,” Paul said. “Even if it’s a cabin boy.”
“You’re kidding me,” Trace said.
“No, I’m not,” Paul said.
“Exactly when do you slit my throat in my sleep?” Trace smirked.
“I understand how you feel,” Paul said, “but my dad speaks very highly of you. He said working and learning from you would be the second best thing he could ever do for me.”
“What’s first best?” Trace asked.
“It’s sad,” Paul said, “but he said the best thing for me is for him to stay locked up.”
“I don’t know,” Trace said, “It takes some muscle and stamina to work the decks on a schooner.”
“I was a wrestler in college,” Paul said, “first place in my weight class in our conference. I’m stronger than I look.”
“Well,” Trace said, “you do have a good grip. But do you have any idea what it’s like to be in the middle of the ocean with nothing to do and few people to talk to?”
“Remember,” Paul said, “Flint Island.”
Trace half smirked. “Okay, but if Sage comes back here with two deckhands you’re out. And by the way, I don’t think they have cabin boys anymore.”
Sage returned a few minutes later. He was alone.
