KNIGHT'S REPORTS: 3 Book Set Read Free Page A

here, you’re really here!”
    “I am here!”
    “I’ve missed you so!”
    “Sophie, how could you miss me? You were only this big when I saw you last.” I indicated about an inch between my thumb and forefinger.
    She giggled. “I was never that tiny, silly! Daddy and Mommy have told me al-l-l-l about you.”
    “Uh-oh,” I said. “Everything?”
    She nodded. “I have dreams about you, too.”
    “Nightmares? You poor girl!”
    “No, Uncle E Z, good dreams . You always rescue me from a mean ol’ dragon.”
    “I do?”
    “Yes. I’m the princess and you ride up to the dragon’s castle on a beautiful red horse ... ,” she said pointing to my car, “an’ you rescue me before the dragon can eat me. You’re my hero.”
    I had one of those déjà vu moments, and wondered if her dreams might be premonitions.
    “But I’m hungry, now,” I said, eyes wide. “What if I eat you?”
    Her eyes grew big as well, and she pursed her lips, analyzing me.
    I quickly placed my mouth to her bare shoulder and blew to make the raspberries.
    She giggled wildly.
    But Jason didn’t turn around. He kept his back to me, gazing out over the cliff side — a sheer, three-hundred-foot drop to a rocky ravine.
    I stepped carefully toward the edge, Sophie still in my arms, and I stood about a foot back and to the side of Jason.
    “Hey, buddy,” I said. “Long time no see.” I patted his back with my free hand.
    He glanced over his shoulder with a forced grin. “Hey, E Z. Great to see you.” His voice was flat. “Sophie, I told you not to bother Uncle E Z.”
    “She’s no bother, Jason — none at all.”
    He seemed distant. I wondered if he and his actress wife had been having marital trouble again.
    I asked him, “You okay, buddy? Wanna talk?”
    He didn’t turn away from the canyon. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about a major role I’m playing.” He smiled with another sideways glance. But the smile faded quickly.
    Yep, I thought, it’s Stella again. Acting like a happy family man opposite that woman was probably the toughest part any guy could play.
    From then on, it was all business. Jason gave me the names of three marinas to check out. He said all were reasonable, all just a bit south of LA. He recommended that I steer clear of the last one, Smokey's Marina. Even though it had a great reputation up until now, it seemed in some sort of distress since the owner was killed in an accident about six months ago. The place was now being run single-handedly by the widow, the marina's namesake, Smokey.
    Can you guess which marina I checked out first? The only one I was interested in. I’ve always been drawn to the underdog and the out of the ordinary. Do I need to even mention my leanings when someone insinuates that I not do something? I had decided where I’d dock my boat as soon as he told me about the place: Smokey's Marina, of course.
    Jason grew quiet again, and I found no reason to linger.
    I took a couple of steps away from the cliff’s edge.
    “I’ll take Princess Sophie to the car,” I told him. “You coming?”
    “Yeah, I’m coming.” He picked up a rock and threw it as far out as he could.
    I was relieved when he turned and followed us back to where the cars were parked.
    After shaking hands with Jason, I gave Sophie a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, which she quickly returned.
    At one time, Jason and I had been like brothers, so I wasn’t too keen on how he was acting now. But I didn’t have the feeling he was suicidal — just troubled. Maybe he was trying to get his mind wrapped around a movie part. I hoped it was about a movie role and not financial difficulties or the more probable marital problems.
    I remembered how full of herself Stella Hutchins had been when we dated briefly nearly fifteen years ago. Our little fun hadn’t lasted long — she was way too much of a material girl for me and extremely flirty.
    All those years ago, when Jason told me they’d gotten engaged only a