Page 32 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

Chapter Thirteen

Making Lemonade

L incoln was not thrilled with the idea of telling his sister that getting clear title for the water rights was going to be a laborious process if they planned to sell it.

If it remained in the family, they would be able to continue business as usual.

The definition of usual escaped him, but they were going to have to make the most out of a challenging situation.

Before he had the chance to rehearse his speech, his phone rang.

It was Madison. He took a deep breath. “Hey, Sis. What is going on so early in the morning?” It was past nine, but Madison rarely phoned before eleven.

“I got a message from Captain Eriksson.” Her voice was unusually buoyant. “They identified the body.”

“What did he say?”

“I didn’t speak to him. He left me a voicemail saying I should call him back and he would give me more details.”

“And did you? Call him back?” Lincoln asked.

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Because?”

“Because we have to have a plan.”

“Meaning?” Lincoln knew this was where he was going to have to drop the news.

“Meaning, now that they’ve identified the body, maybe we can start to move forward.”

“Did Eriksson say if they found the cause of death?”

“No.”

“Maybe you should call him back and get all the information you can before we start on the next leg of this seafaring adventure.”

Madison sighed. “I suppose you are right. I’ll give him another hour before I call. Once I speak with him, I’ll call you back.”

“Good idea.” Lincoln felt relieved. He knew the conversation was inevitable, but at least he bought himself another hour or two to craft his words, call the Tides Resource Council, and have a timeline that would not send Madison into a tizzy.

Lincoln’s optimism waned when he realized the council was made up of twelve governor-appointed volunteers who worked under the purview of the Department of Environmental Protection. At best, it would be a nightmare dealing with another level of bureaucracy. Madison was not going to be happy.

Lincoln began doing some research on what it might take to replace or repair some of the deck and the shack.

If it were going to take months to get the situation resolved, maybe they could eke out another summer and make a little money.

He would have a chat with Charlie and Crusty to see if they would be interested in running the place. How hard could it be?

He trolled the internet and discovered there were dozens of deck materials from poly dock boards to preconstructed lengths made of wood.

He opened his folder of paperwork that Madison copied for him.

He looked at the rough drawings and began to do the math.

If they replaced all three docks, it would cost about seven thousand dollars in materials.

A prefab shed would run around four thousand.

He would have to figure in labor, but he calculated the entire job would run somewhere in the mid-twenties.

Six new dinghies would bring the total close to thirty.

Then add six outboard motors. That would be another six grand.

They were looking at a forty-thousand-dollar investment.

He knew Madison would go kicking and screaming and would rather set the place on fire.

But what if he could make it work? The idea of rebuilding something was appealing.

Plus, the family could spend the summers at the shore.

Another expense. Throw in ten thousand to rent something.

Okay, fifty grand for the whole enchilada.

He might be able to convince Olivia. Madison was going to be the hurdle. But just maybe he could get Olivia to help him coax his sister into taking a shot.

Lincoln had some savings and knew he could get funding through a home equity loan.

He checked and double-checked the numbers.

If he was right in his calculations, and there wasn’t anything hidden underwater, this was doable.

A burst of excitement coursed through his veins.

He quickly put everything into an Excel spreadsheet, with names of suppliers and prices.

He figured Charlie could help him with the locals and make recommendations, and he would gladly pay Charlie to supervise.

Add another five grand. It would still be a sound investment, especially if they eventually were able to sell it.

Meanwhile, he would have to figure out a way to balance the books.

They say it takes at least three years for a new company to start to see a profit.

It could be risky, considering none of them knew one iota about running a marina, but Lincoln felt he would have the support of Uncle Kirby’s circle of friends.

It would be good for everyone. There is nothing like breathing new life into something people appreciate.

Next would be convincing his sister and his wife.

* * *

Madison drummed her fingers on her desk, waiting for what she thought would be the right time to return Captain Eriksson’s call.

She had to admit she was a little nervous.

But why? He was not going to arrest her.

When she heard his message, she got butterflies.

Maybe that was why. But why now? She was forty-eight years old.

Wasn’t she past having a crush on someone?

A crush? She shrugged it off. She was too old for schoolgirl nonsense.

But still. She called Olivia into her office.

“Captain Eriksson phoned.”

“Ooh.” Olivia wiggled her eyebrows.

“Okay, you stop that.”

“My dear Madison, I have known you too long to not be able to recognize when you find a man alluring.”

Madison laughed. “It has been so long I almost forgot what that was like.”

“And? Did you speak to him?”

“Not yet. But the good news is they identified the body.” She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose that really is not good news. A dead body and all, but at least that is one thing out of the way.”

“So? What are you waiting for?”

“Moral support. Please sit with me while I call him back.”

“Madison Wainwright! You are almost giddy.”

“Exactly. I want to be cool, calm, and collected.”

“As you always are.”

“Ha! That is on the exterior, and you know it.”

Olivia smiled. She was happy to see Madison excited again. The disappointment about the marina knocked her a bit, but Madison was resilient.

Olivia pointed to Madison’s phone. “Dial.”

Madison sat up straight and hit the redial button. It rang twice. Each time, a line of goosebumps ran up her arm. She shook them off.

“Captain Eriksson,” a smooth, deep voice answered.

“Hello, Captain Eriksson. Madison Wainwright returning your call.”

“Good morning, Ms. Wainwright.”

“Please, Madison, remember?”

“Yes, of course. Madison. What can I do for you?”

“I am returning your call. You identified the person?” She really did not want to refer to him as the body . It sounded so indifferent.

“Yes. Name is Dennis Farrell. Treasure hunter.”

“Treasure hunter?” Madison asked.

“There is a group of them in search of a treasure map that is supposed to show where Captain Kidd buried his gold. Supposed to be about a million dollars’ worth.”

“How intriguing,” Madison said slowly. “Do you know what happened to this treasure hunter?”

“Not yet, but at least we know who it is. Was.” He paused.

“They found his car about a mile downstream. They haven’t found any watercraft, like a canoe, or kayak, which is what a lot of them use to navigate along the shore.

No one has seen any of his fortune-seeking buddies either, so we don’t know if he was on his own. ”

“Are they looking for the map or the treasure?”

“Both. There are a few books that describe certain areas, but they think if they can get their hands on this phantom map, they’ll hit the jackpot. Did your uncle ever mention a map to you or your brother?”

“No. As I told Detective Burton, we had no communication with him for several years, but there were several maps pinned on some fishing line in the shack.” She shuddered at the thought of the odoriferous ramshackle structure.

“I see. Yes, I noticed them when I was on the scene. I thought he may have kept a log or a journal. Most anglers keep a log.”

“Captain, believe me. If I thought I had any information that would help this investigation, I would happily provide it. But unfortunately, I do not.”

“It was worth asking. Sometimes people don’t remember things right away. In any event, I thought you’d be interested in knowing that the investigation continues, but now we have one piece of the puzzle.”

“Does this mean you are off the case?” Madison crossed her fingers, hoping for a negative response.

“Not yet. Not until the coroner sends over the report.”

“Then I suppose we’ll be seeing each other again?” Madison cringed at her forwardness.

“If you’re in the neighborhood.”

An awkward silence hung in the air. “I am sure my brother will drag me down there at some point,” she said with a nervous giggle.

“You sound as if you don’t appreciate our little enclave.” He was half teasing.

“Oh, it is lovely. But I know nothing about docks, decks, jetties, wharfs, or piers.”

“You seem to have the lingo down.”

“Well, just don’t ask me to describe what they are. All I know is that they are things in the water.” She tilted the phone so Olivia could hear what he was saying.

“Next time you’re around, I’ll give you a primer.”

“I’d enjoy that.” She winked at Olivia, who gave Madison a thumbs-up.

“I have a meeting I have to get to but look forward to your next visit,” he said with a smile that she could not see but felt.

“Me, as well. Enjoy your day.” Madison ended the call before she made a total fool of herself.

She threw her arms up in the air and spun herself around in her chair. “Woo-hoo!”

“I think someone likes you.”

Then Madison put on a frowny face. “What if he has a girlfriend?”

“I don’t think so,” Olivia replied. “It sounded like a date to me.”