Tidewater Times May 2022

Page 141

Changes:

Coming Again A work in progress by Roger Vaughan

Chapter 6: Drilling “Evening, Mr. Moss,” the security guard said. His name tag read Darryl Cronin. “S’late.” “’Lo, Darryl. It is. Couldn’t sleep. Had to check a couple things that are keeping me up.” “Yes, sir. Go right ahead.” “I’ll be on the boat for at least an hour. Take a break if you want. Get yourself a snack.” “You mean it, sir?” “I do. Just give me a whistle when you’re back.” “Could use a bite. Thanks.” “I’ll try not to shoot anyone,” Andy said. Darryl laughed. Andy made sure the hard area where most of the boats were parked was deserted. He’d arranged to have All American launched late that afternoon for an early-morning sail to test a new jib. It was moored at the farthest dock out. The first thing he did was f lip the running lights on and off three times. The boat was moored bow out. The red port light was blocked by the wall of the dock. The green starboard light

could only be seen by someone offshore who was watching. Then he removed the cabin sole boards. He didn’t have to wait long before he felt someone step aboard. Damned if it wasn’t Martin, the guy who’d been ready to break his ribs when he’d been hauled up by the wrists in the gym. Martin, the size of an NFL tight end. Andy knew Martin had come by boat, but he hadn’t heard a sound. He had a large duff le bag with him that he handed down the hatch to Andy. The bag nearly knocked Andy over. It must have weighed 50 pounds or more. “Juice?” Martin asked after the briefest nod of recognition. “Plugged in,” Andy said, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Martin wasn’t a talker. He pulled the hatch shut and got right to work exposing the keel bolts. He knew exactly what to do. Andy later found out that construction plans hadn’t been that difficult to get if you knew the right people. For Martin, a boat builder and mechanic, it was a piece of cake. Andy could only watch nervously as

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