Page 40 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

Chapter Fifteen

A New Chapter

T he ferry ride back to New York went by quickly.

Olivia was busy taking notes, and Madison was making lists.

Everyone agreed that Lincoln was in charge of the reno, and Madison and Olivia were in charge of the family participation in the seafood festival and getting the house ready.

Lincoln’s phone rang as they were entering New York Harbor.

“Hello, Lincoln. This is Detective Burton. I have some news for you.”

Lincoln couldn’t tell by the sound of his voice whether it was good news or bad news. He inhaled. “Hello, Detective. I trust it’s good news?”

“In some respects, it is. We were able to track down a few of Farrell’s associates.

They had concocted a plan that, unfortunately, went awry.

” He paused. “Farrell parked his car near an area where people can easily launch a small craft. He had a kayak, which we found a short distance from his vehicle. According to his friends, the plan was for Farrell to paddle near the dock, wait until dusk, and then swim to Kirby’s.

They are convinced there is a treasure map somewhere and thought it might be in the shed. ”

“Do you know what happened to him? Aside from him being dead?” Lincoln realized he sounded crass. “Sorry.”

“No problem. We got the report from the coroner. Farrell drowned. He got caught in some tow lines, and when the tide came in, he was under the dock and couldn’t get out.” Burton took a breath. “At least that is what we can surmise. There is no evidence of foul play.”

“That is a terrible story.” Lincoln did not want to seem coldhearted and resisted asking if they could remove the tape.

“It is, and it could have been avoided. But those are the risks if you are a treasure hunter. Many have been rescued off the coast in search of sunken ships. Anyway, I thought you would like to know that you can remove the tape. The place is yours.”

“Thank you, Detective. That is a big relief. We want to get moving on cleaning up the place.”

“If you need any local assistance, don’t hesitate. Everyone is glad that Kirby’s place will be up and running.”

“Thanks again. Have a good evening.” Lincoln ended the call, lifted his hands, and gave Madison and Olivia high-fives. “We are good to go.”

Madison thought for a moment. “How many days has it been since this whole thing started?” She counted on her fingers. “Five? Wow.”

The ferry landed at four thirty, just in time for rush-hour traffic. Madison looked up at the FDR Drive. It was bumper-to-bumper cars. “I think I like this ferry thing.” She tucked two boat schedules into her tote.

They walked to the parking garage where Lincoln had left his car. He gave Madison a lift to her apartment and then took the West Side Highway home.

Mario and Luigi greeted her. “Kitties! I have lots and lots of news. How would you like to spend the summer at the shore?”

They looked at her as if to say, How about feeding us; then we’ll talk?

Madison promptly went into the kitchen and put their favorite salmon paté in their bowls.

She went into her bedroom to change into a lightweight tracksuit.

Thoughts of wearing jeans, shorts, and summer dresses filled her head.

She threw herself on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

It brought to mind the afternoon she got the news about her father and threw herself on the hotel bed and stared at the ceiling.

She considered Olivia’s words. She had come a long way from that dark day.

Now she didn’t care who knew. She thought about springing it on her boss and staff, but decided she could still keep it under wraps.

There was much to do, and there was no reason to add confusion to the mix. Someday. Just not today.

Madison was excited to speak to Olivia without her brother listening in. She rolled over and dialed Livvy’s cell. “Got a minute?”

“You know I do,” Olivia replied. “Dinner with the handsome captain, eh?”

“I thought I was going to pee in my pants!” Madison chortled. “I was not expecting it, for sure.”

“I’m not going to say, ‘I told you so’ but I told you so!” Olivia burst out laughing. “I liked your response. You were agreeable to dinner but veiled your relationship status.”

“What is there to veil?” Madison chuckled. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Not yet,” Olivia teased.

“You know what I always say?”

Olivia responded. “Yes. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’ ”

“Correct.” Madison could not erase the glow and smile on her face. “But it surely gives me something to look forward to.”

“So? When?”

“I was considering I would wait until we bring some of our things into the house. Makes much more sense.”

“Yes, you have a point.” Madison could hear Lincoln’s voice in the background. “Why is he interrupting our phone call?” Madison joked.

“What’s up, honey?” Madison could hear Olivia ask Lincoln.

“Just got off the phone with Irene. She said the owners told her we can move in any time we want. We don’t have to wait a month.”

Olivia turned her attention back to her conversation with Madison. “Did you hear that? We can move in sooner.”

Madison sat up like a rocket ready to take off. “Really? That’s great! Let’s go with Lincoln on Saturday. Give the place the once-around.”

Olivia conveyed Madison’s thoughts. Madison could hear Lincoln’s response. “Sounds like a plan!”

Olivia put the call on speaker. “Should we drive?” Madison asked.

“Charlie and I should take a couple of hours. Is there anything in particular you want to do?” Lincoln asked.

“No. The ferry is fine. If we are only going to be there for two or three hours, there is no sense spending four hours on the road when the boat takes forty minutes.”

“I agree. We can deal with driving when we have a few things packed,” Olivia chimed in.

“Sounds good, my sister.” Madison was all atwitter.

“See you in the morning.” She realized it was Thursday night.

One more day in the office, and then the weekend was upon them.

In less than a week, her life changed course, but this time was much more exciting.

Funny how one family member can disrupt or improve the life of others.

Madison looked up at the ceiling again. “Thank you, Uncle Kirby.”

Madison was in a courageous mood. She scrolled through her phone and found Viggo Eriksson’s number and hit the green button. Two rings.

“Ms. Wainwright?” Viggo answered.

“Captain, you must call me Madison.”

He chuckled. “And you must call me Viggo.”

“I believe we can agree on that,” Madison added.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked.

“The Kramers offered to let us have use of the house beginning next month.”

“As in two weeks.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes. The three of us are going down on Saturday. Linc is meeting with Charlie, and Livvy and I are going to check the house—get a feel of the place.”

“Excellent idea. I think you are going to like it there. The view at night is spectacular.”

“I can only imagine. It is quite spectacular during the day.”

“There is something ethereal about viewing the city at night from a peaceful, quiet place,” Viggo added. “It’s kind of hard to describe.”

“I hadn’t thought about that perspective.

I suppose I have become impervious to the noise.

That is not necessarily a plus. One night I was staying at a hotel, and the next day, everyone kept asking me where I was during the fire alarm.

‘What fire alarm?’ I asked, then realized I had slept right through it. Not a good thing.”

“Most definitely not a good thing. Glad you are here to tell about it.” Viggo chuckled.

She pulled up another dose of courage. “I wanted to take you up on your offer to tutor me in maritime lingo.”

“I would be happy to. Did you have a particular date in mind?”

Madison froze on the word date ; then she regrouped. She double-checked her planner, even though she would change whatever plans she had, if any. “Two weeks from Saturday?”

“That works for me. Any particular time you care to dine?”

“Not really. I shall leave all of those decisions up to you.” Now there was a big step for Madison Wainwright: putting someone else in charge. And it felt good.

“Let’s touch base the beginning of that week.”

“Will do. Have a good night,” Madison signed off.

“You as well, Madison Wainwright.” After he hung up, he turned to Diogo. “Well, pal, looks like your old man has a date.”

Diogo woof ed his approval, lay down, and put his snout on his front paws. Being Viggo’s only love and center of attention was a lot of responsibility.

* * *

Madison couldn’t believe what she had done. She quickly called Olivia again. “We have a date.”

“Who? You? The captain?” Olivia could hardly wait to hear the details.

“You will be quite proud of me, dear Olivia. I phoned him.”

“Shut. Up. You did not.”

“I did too!”

“I am beyond impressed. What made you do it?”

“The ceiling,” Madison answered.

“The ceiling?”

“Yes. I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, and remembered the time I was in the hotel waiting to meet Lincoln so we could get our clothes and say farewell to Sutton Place. You recently reminded me of how far I’ve come.

I thought, ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen?

He mentions a girlfriend? ’ If he did, then I could put any fantasies away and move on. ”

“It sounds like a date to me,” Olivia said with confidence.

“I have the same feeling. It was an easy conversation. Date material.” Madison giggled.

“I am proud of you, my dear. You get a good night’s sleep and have wonderful dreams.”

“I just might do that,” Madison said, smiling, and ended the call.