Solved
Trace could have sailed The Tramp Islander over Niagara Falls and never noticed, because of all the thought and attention he was giving to his suspicions. His head suddenly jerked. A thought pressed against his mind like a hot poker. His hand lazily lay on the wheel. The index finger lifted and moved side to side—one thought and then another, a missing letter to a crossword puzzle, or like a melody needing one more note to leave the world with a masterpiece.
He checked the heading and confirmed he was true. He slid from his chair and sat in the chair at the chart desk. He slid a drawer open, pulled out a thick folder. He perused them one by one, running his finger down each line. Occasionally, he stopped and mentally collected the information. Another file was removed, and he compared one with the other.
Trace slid the files forward on the desk and leaned back in the seat. He laced his fingers behind his head. His head shook from side to side. “Of all people,” he murmured.
He returned to the wheel. At times, he thought his heart would stop beating. He had heard about heavy hearts, but now he knew what it really meant. “Now, what to do?” He whispered.
“The sea is calm,” he thought. “It’s trying to remind me of something: be calm. There are seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. They can all be beautifully hidden by deception.”
Trace picked up the ship’s phone. He punched the number to Kelsey’s room and waited for him to answer.
“Yeah,” Kelsey said.
“I want to see you in the pilothouse right away,” Trace said.
“Let me get my pants on.”
It didn’t take long for Kelsey to come up the companionway steps.
“What’s crackin’?” Kelsey said. “Sounds important.”
“It is,” Trace confirmed.
“I’ve been very cautious with you,” Trace began.
“As you should be,” Kelsey said. “I understand. I live in a world of deception and double-crosses.”
“And apparently so do I,” Trace said.
“You look like a man who has found the secret to life,” Kelsey said. “You know something, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, if you do, you’re a step ahead of me. I’ve been puzzled,” Kelsey confessed.
“Puzzled over what?”
“How did that trawler find us?” Kelsey said. “It was incredible logistics or tactics, dumb luck, or they traced us. And my money is on number two. And yours?”
“Number two,” Trace answered.
“Who, right?” Kelsey said curiously.
“Indeed.”
“And you brought me up here to question me?” Kelsey said. “How am I doing so far?”
“Ehhh, not really,” Trace said.
“Then it’s to pronounce my guilt,” Kelsey grinned.
Trace chuckled. “Please, give me some credit. However, I did run you through my thoughts. You’re a genuine cop. And I recalled that, although I could not hear the code, you did change an E to an I, which is a common mistake. If you were trying to fool me, you would have done it perfectly.”
“How long are we going to dance to this tune?” Kelsey asked.
“We’re done dancing.”
“So, I’m in the clear?” Kelsey asked.
“Yep.”
“Why am I here?” Kelsey asked.
“I have to have you look me square in the eye,” Trace said resolutely, “and tell me that you don’t have proof or that you even suspect I’m involved in drug trafficking.”
“After all we’ve been through?” Kelsey said. “I’ve put my life in your hands.”
There was a pause, and only the swishing of the sea could be heard.
“Let’s have it, mate,” Kelsey said.
“I think there are drugs on this boat,” Trace said.
“And you want me to assure you that you are not mixed up in it?” Kelsey asked.
“Yeah, I do.”
“I can do that,” Kelsey assured. “Because I believe it.”
“Thanks,” Trace said and shook Kelsey’s hand.
“What’s next?” Kelsey asked.
“Watch the wheel and heading,” Trace said. “I’m going below for a few minutes.”
“You trust me at the wheel?” Kelsey asked, grinning.
“I’m trusting you with a lot more than that,” Trace grinned. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
Trace tiptoed down the companionway steps.
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