Ransom at Sea by Fred Hunter Page A

I swear to God I’ll end up sounding just like Muriel Langstrom!”
    Emily laughed despite herself. “Now, Mr. Driscoll! You were the one who said she was a good soul.”
    â€œCaught by my own words! But you know what I mean. If I start talking about work, I’ll never stop.”
    Again there was an eagerness in his expression that Emily recognized: the slightest encouragement on her part would allow him to proceed onto his favorite topic, despite the polite objection.
    â€œIsn’t the lake peaceful?” she said. “I don’t know why, but I always expect that when you’re out on the water, it will be rougher than it is.”
    â€œI don’t know about that. You know, I wouldn’t mind if it was a bit rougher. That would be exciting, at least. I get all the peace I need at home. Near drives me crazy, sometimes. Don’t you find it like that? I mean, you live alone, just like I do.”
    â€œOh, no, not at all,” Emily replied brightly. “There is so much in life in which to be interested. Tending the garden, going to theaters and films, reading the newspapers. And of course, friends. Visiting with them, having lunches and dinners together. Yes, I would say that my life is very, very full.”
    â€œYes … well…,” Driscoll began falteringly, his usual bluster somewhat daunted. “That’s just the way it should be, a woman such as yourself.”
    A period followed during which Driscoll clumsily tried to regain his conversational footing, but his attempts were so awkward that Emily, though more than capable of holding her own in any social situation, was relieved when Lynn emerged from the stairwell. She pulled one of the chairs to Emily’s side and sat down.
    â€œAll unpacked?” the old woman asked.
    â€œYes. Rebecca and her aunt were down there doing the same. Good grief, you should hear how that woman complains.”
    â€œYou sound upset.”
    â€œOh, I’m not really. I guess I … well, I know how some people get as they get older, and I can understand it.…” Her voice trailed off and she noticed Emily’s kindly smile. “What is it?”
    â€œI’ve a feeling that you wonder why Rebecca puts up with it, and you know why at the same time.”
    The young woman sighed deeply. “You’re right, as always.”
    Emily patted her hand gently, then lay back in her seat.
    As the afternoon wore on, one by one the rest of the passengers made their way up to the deck and relaxed in the sun. Lynn could hear Marcella Hemsley coming up the stairs long before she came into view. Apparently Rebecca’s aunt had fallen asleep in her cabin not long after Lynn had finished unpacking and left the blue deck, and Marcella was chastising her niece for allowing her to sleep so long.
    â€œWe paid good money for this cruise,” she said as her mop of gray hair rose into view, “and I don’t want you to let me sleep the trip away!”
    â€œYes, Aunt Marci,” Rebecca said patiently.
    Driscoll grunted from behind closed eyes.
    Marcella and Rebecca came onto the deck and seated themselves off the starboard quarter, where Marcella promptly fell asleep again. Rebecca stared off toward the shoreline.
    David Douglas came by making one of his rounds of the passengers to see if anyone required him. He made a special point of stopping by Rebecca. “Can I get you anything?”
    â€œNo, thank you,” she said in a pleasant but dismissive tone.
    â€œAre you sure? It would be no trouble to run down to the bar and bring you up something. Whatever you like.”
    â€œThat’s very nice, but no.”
    He crouched down beside her and whispered. “I can see how things are for you, with your aunt.… If you want a break”—he paused and a broad smiled spread across his face—“when we get to town I could have Hoke look after the old girl, and maybe I could