Preparing To Repel All Boarders
Trace and Kelsey began constructing a plausible story. They informed Sage, Makani, and Tom. Franks and Paul were kept in the dark. They were certain that Franks would contradict portions of Trace’s and Kelsey’s story, but they had alibis and explanations that would prove otherwise.
Shortly after sunset, and only a faint purple glow of the day remained on the western horizon, Tom cupped his hands around his mouth and called to the pilothouse. “There’s a flickering light starboard!”
Trace lunged to the starboard side of the pilothouse. He squinted, peering through the window. He reached back and grabbed the binoculars from a hook on the chart desk. He brought them to his eyes.
He grabbed the mic and stretched it to the starboard side. He pressed the button on the mic as he looked through the binoculars. “There’s a vessel starboard. It’s a trawler. It’s moving parallel to us. If they’re looking for us, they haven’t seen us yet.”
Trace returned to the wheel and flipped off the deck light.
He put the mic to his mouth again. “Pull the shades and curtains on all portholes and only a night light.’
He hung the mic and turned to Kelsey. “Take Sage’s place and send him up. And have Makani bring me a coffee.”
Kelsey went below.
Sage climbed up the companionway. “What’s up, Trace?”
“I sent Kelsey below because I don’t think he could come up with an idea,” Trace said.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s law enforcement,” Trace said. “I’ve been trained the same way he has when it comes to conflicts at sea; you give in. It’s not worth the risk. I don’t like being beat, bested, or boarded. You, my friend, will come up with something.”
“For what?”
“I almost forgot, if that boat is some of Franks’ associates, I’d like to keep them and the boat away from us. We can’t outmaneuver or outrun them.”
“So you need an unconventional approach,” Sage said. “Ain’t that usually your department?”
“If that boat is one of Frank’s cohorts,” Trace said, “if they spot us, we may not have much time.”
“They’ll want Franks and his kid, right? If we give them over, would that be a bad thing?” Sage reasoned. “It’s temporary. They’ll eventually get caught.”
“That all sounds possible,” Trace replied, “but what if they want retribution. The drug business thrives on making examples of those who oppose it. I think if we turn over Franks and Paul, that won’t be the end of it. They’ll want to send a strong message.”
“Okay,” Sage said, “I can buy that. And I think you’re more right than wrong. Yep, we have to prepare for that because that’s who they are.”
“In whatever scenario, Franks and Paul are a bargaining chip, a delay tactic,” Trace said.
“What are we delaying for?” Sage asked.
“The Australian Navy will be here in the morning.”
Makani brought a thermos of coffee.
“Thanks, Makani,” Trace said.
“No problem,” Makani said. “What’s up?”
“I spotted a Trawler a few miles away,” Sage said. “We’re preparing for it to be somebody who’s looking for us. We’re trying to come up with a plan.”
“We hope to have a plane,” Sage said and clicked his cheek. He rubbed his chin. “I hate to tell you this, but I held on to a couple of grenades from the Flint Island escapade. I was going to hold on to them until I got back home. I had a project in mind.”
“Well,” Trace said, “that’s a start. But I’m not into blowing people apart.”
“As am I,” Sage said.
“Can we use them to dissuade or disable them?” Trace said.
“That will be tricky,” Sage said. “We may have to prepare ourselves for the worst-case scenario.”
“An extreme resolution may be the only thing that can save our own lives and those of our friends,” Trace said.
“I guess that says it all,” Sage said. “And on that happy note, I have an idea.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“You can scuba dive, and you have the gear, right?” Sage asked.
“It’s stored forward,” Trace said. “The last time I used it was six months ago. It was in good working order then.”
“When my dad was in Korea, during the war, he learned a nifty little trick with a grenade,” Sage raised his eyebrows.”
“Watch the wheel for me,” Trace said. “I’m going forward to check out the scuba gear.”
Trace went forward and checked out the scuba gear. It was in good condition. He returned to the pilothouse.
“The gear is fine,” Trace said.
Sage gave up the captain’s chair to Trace.
“I’m going into the engine room,” Sage said. “I have to rig something up. I’ll grab a can of beer. My dad said they are perfect.”
“I’ll get it,” Makani said.
“I’ll get it,” Sage said. “There’s one on the counter inside the galley.”
Makani dashed for the companionway. “No problem. I get.”
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