Ethics of a Thief Read Free Page B

the helm?”
    After giving him a reassuring smile, she nodded.
    “Will you two promise to stay with your aunt? I don’t want her alone.”
    “I can help her drive the boat,” Lisa said. Larry smiled and kissed her forehead.
    As he walked away, he stopped and spoke to Danny. “Come get me if she needs me, okay?”
    The boy nodded.
    While she stood behind Danny at the wheel, Lisa checked out the ship-to-shore equipment and noticed the radio. She turned it on and found a station. After ten minutes, the girl was bored. “It’s my turn!” she yelled at her brother.
    After Danny vigorously objected, Abigail said, “Let him be. You can have your turn later.”
    Within five minutes, Lisa let out a loud breath. “Can I drive the boat now?”
    “Let your sister have her turn.” This time, Danny didn’t object. While stepping away from the wheel, his face lit up. “Let’s look for whales.”
    “No! It’s my turn.” Lisa grabbed the wheel. Abigail placed her hands on Lisa’s.
    “Are you looking forward to going to school?”
    “No. I don’t like my new teacher. She’s mean.”
    “How is she mean?”
    “She just looks mean. She never smiles. No one likes her.”
    “Perhaps something bad happened, and she is sad. Maybe your smile can make her feel better.”
    “I don’t want to drive anymore,” she said. She blissfully skipped toward her brother. Together, they searched for creatures living in the sea.
    Abigail enjoyed the sun on her skin, but knew she needed more lotion. She wondered how they went from having a late breakfast to being on a fantastic yacht at sea—and all within hours. Everyone knows I’m a control freak, so how did I suddenly give in to two small children? It must be love.
    Danny and Lisa stepped into the wheelhouse to visit their aunt.
    “Hi, kids. Having fun?” The girl smiled, causing her teeth to show and her eyes to squint. The boy nodded.
    “Hey, young man,” Abigail said, “is it true you were in a fight a few months ago?” He nodded.
    “Did your dad find out?” “Yes. I said that the boy hit me first. Daddy said, ‘Kick him in the butt if he tries it again.’”
    “That would be your dad,” Abigail said, while holding back a laugh.
    Lisa yelled, “I see something. It’s a whale.”
    He stared at where she was pointing. “No, it isn’t. It’s only a school of fish—that’s all.”
    The children sat down. “What do you think Mommy and Daddy are doing?” Danny asked.
    “Snorkeling?” Abigail guessed.
    “No, they’re sightseeing,” Lisa said.
    “You don’t know that!” Danny sneered.
    The boy stood and marched up to his aunt. “I’m hungry. Where’s Mr. Kilgore? He didn’t come back.”
    “Yes, I know, Danny. Maybe he is still talking with Sandra.”
    “But, I’m hungry.”
    “After eating all those pancakes?” Lisa said loudly.
    “It’s been forever since then!”
    “You’re right, Danny. Larry’s been gone for hours. I’m starting to get hungry, too.”
    “Can we go now?” he asked.
    She nodded and shut down the engine. As they moved toward the ladder leading to the main deck, they decided their priority was the head.
    The first to return was Danny. He entered the galley and started opening cupboards to check out the food supplies. Within minutes Lisa and her aunt joined him. Quickly, he grabbed the bread and peanut butter and searched for jam. After the sandwiches were made, they went into the main salon and relaxed while eating sandwiches.
    “Where are Sandra and Larry?” Lisa asked.
    “Well, they must be on the lower level. Either the master suite or the engine room, I would guess.” Because she felt exhausted, she wanted to kick up her feet for a while. But, for some reason, she felt uneasy about the Kilgores. She hoped everything was okay.

Chapter Three
    While Abigail and the children searched for the Kilgores, they reached the engine room. Quickly, Danny opened the hatch and stepped in. “Not in here.”
    “Maybe they’re in