Ransom at Sea by Fred Hunter Page B

show you around. There’s a nice English pub there … the Red Lion … we could have a few drinks.…”
    She eyes him frostily. “I guarantee that you don’t know how things are for me.”
    With this she lay back and closed her eyes.
    Douglas rose with a complacent shrug and moved on.
    The Genessee continued its leisurely pace along the coast. After another half an hour, Driscoll roused himself with a snort, smacked his lips a couple of times, then rolled his eyes over in Emily’s direction.
    â€œSorry to doze off like that, Miss Charters. Guess it’s the sea air.”
    â€œThat’s quite all right,” Emily said, her face implying that he was not expected to keep her entertained.
    â€œAnyone look at the itinerary?”
    â€œI did,” said Lynn. “We’ll arrive at Sangamore in a little while. We’ll be anchored there—if that’s the right term for it—overnight.”
    â€œWhat’s there to do there?”
    â€œI suppose we shall see,” said Emily.
    *   *   *
    â€œLadies and gentlemen, we will be docking soon at our first stop, Sangamore, Michigan, where we’ll stay for the night,” the captain announced over the loudspeaker. “You may like to have dinner at any of the fine restaurants in town, or if you want you can have dinner on the boat. Just let one of the crew know if that’s the case and Mrs. O’Malley will be glad to prepare something for you.”
    The loudspeaker emitted a loud metallic pop as it was switched off.
    The Genessee continued to cruise north for several minutes before the passengers noticed a break in the endless shoreline. It was the entrance to a small branch of the Kalamazoo River. The boat veered to the right and headed for it.
    They followed the river southeast for a short distance before navigating a corner that took them into a short stretch that went straight south. To their left was the town. The street along the river—appropriately named River Street—was lined with small galleries and shops, most of which looked as if they’d been converted from private residences. After a few more minutes, the Genessee reached a small harbor, and Captain Farraday maneuvered the boat up to a long, weather-worn pier.
    David and Hoke had come up to the deck, and as soon as the boat was beside the pier, David leaped over the side onto the dock in an ostentatious display of athletics that stole the breath of some of the elderly passengers. Hoke threw him the lines and he tied off the boat. Then Hoke swung the boarding plank into position.
    David secured the plank, then sprinted up it and called out, “All ashore that’s goin’ ashore!”
    The passengers moved to the top of the plank en masse, then went down it, progressing slowly due to the fact that by some quirk of fate, Lily DuPree had managed to be in the lead. She was followed by Muriel Langstrom. When the two ladies reached the bottom, Muriel gave her arm to Lilly.
    â€œI’ll stay with you,” said Muriel, “so you have somebody to hold on to. It’s been years since I’ve been to this town, but I remember it well! The main street and all the shops are just over that way. Come on, now!”
    She went charging up the pier with Lily nearly running to keep up.
    â€œI feel sorry for Miss DuPree,” Lynn said to Emily as they went down the plank.
    â€œDo you?” Emily replied with surprise.
    â€œYou mean you don’t?”
    Emily’s gaze followed the retreating forms of the two old women. “No, I would think one’s sympathy might be better spared for Muriel.”
    Lynn laughed. “You know, sometimes I think you work at being an enigma!”
    â€œMe? Oh, no. I’m sure I’m an open book.”
    The passengers more or less fell naturally into the groups they had formed at lunch: the Millers were arm in arm, Martin’s expensive camera