Ransom at Sea by Fred Hunter Read Free Book Online

turkey.”
    â€œIt is turkey, Aunt Marci,” Rebecca said with a weary smile.
    David came over to their table carrying a pitcher of ice water, its exterior covered with condensation.
    â€œWhat would you beautiful ladies like to drink?” he asked as he filled their glasses.
    â€œJust water,” said Emily, which was echoed by the other women.
    â€œHow about you, little lady?” he asked Rebecca rather suggestively. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like something special? I mean from the bar.”
    â€œNo,” she said firmly.
    David scurried to the next table.
    â€œHe’s a very personable young man,” Emily said. “And very attractive, don’t you think?”
    She had addressed this to Rebecca, whose eyes widened with surprise. “What? Oh, do you think so? I don’t know.”
    â€œHe’s a tart,” Marcella said a little too loudly.
    Rebecca shot a guilty glance over her shoulder in David’s direction. He was busy talking to Muriel and Lily, and didn’t appear to have heard.
    â€œI’ve seen his type before,” Marcella continued.
    â€œPlease, keep your voice down!” Rebecca said in an anxious whisper.
    Marcella shoved a forkful of potato salad into her mouth. “I know his type. I’ve seen ’em before!”
    Emily, who was seated across the table from Rebecca, saw David turn his head a fraction of an inch in their direction. Lily reached out and patted his hand.
    â€œAuntie, please!” Rebecca pleaded quickly.
    Marcella’s color deepened, and her niece braced herself for the expected explosion. But Marcella’s expression suddenly altered, as if a cloud was passing before her eyes, and try as she might she couldn’t penetrate it. When it cleared, she continued eating. “Did you say this was turkey?”
    â€œYes, Auntie,” Rebecca said, breathing a sigh of relief.
    The captain entered through the port door and made his way around the tables, stopping briefly at each one to greet the passengers. When he reached Emily’s, he said, “So, how is everyone doing?”
    â€œJust fine,” Marcella said happily, the momentary distress apparently now forgotten. “Very nice boat you got here.”
    â€œThank you, miss,” he replied with a salute.
    â€œYes, it is very nice,” Emily agreed. At close proximity she found the captain quite attractive. Aside from his piercing eyes, he had a smooth, flat forehead across which were three symmetrical, evenly spaced age lines that looked as if they’d been penciled in very faintly. Emily added, “And the rooms are quite comfortable.”
    â€œDon’t know about that,” said Marcella. “We haven’t made it downstairs yet.”
    â€œThey are nice,” Lynn assured her.
    â€œCaptain…,” Rebecca started, but let her voice trail off with an unsure glance at her aunt.
    â€œYes, Miss … Bremmer, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes. I was just wondering … what happens if there is an emergency?”
    The lines on his forehead deepened. “An emergency?”
    â€œWell, I mean, like if one of the passengers became ill, or something like that.”
    â€œYou always worry too much!” her aunt said.
    The captain looked from the aunt back to the niece. “You don’t have to worry about anything like that, Miss. Bremmer. Throughout the trip, we’ll never be all that far from shore. We keep a list of all the hospitals along the way and the fastest way to them. There won’t be any problem. I hope that allays any fears you might have.” He touched his cap again and went on to the next table.
    â€œHonestly, Becky!” Marcella exclaimed, scooping up another forkful of potato salad. “You’re always worried about your health!”
    Rebecca looked down at her plate disconsolately, absently moving the food around with her fork.
    â€œWell, it’s reassuring to