Unearthly Power Read Free Page B

another story. The only plan Sean could devise would trade one set of unpleasant circumstances for another. They would go home to visit his parents on the 4 th of July. They would arrive a few days early and leave first thing on the morning after. If it was up to Sean, he would leave right after dinner. Dee would be distracted by the visit enough to keep her off his back.
    He redialed the professor’s number to make him aware that everything was ready for their trip, to determine their exact departure time, and to inquire about where, when and how they would pick up the ROV. At first, the call seemed to Sean to be more of an annoyance to Mr. James than anything. Either he already knew what was involved with such an undertaking, or more than likely, he did not and therefore had no clue what he was in for. Sean kept that in mind while they exchanged information. Something still seemed odd to him about the whole affair but as long as their checks cleared, he was willing to take the chance.
    After they had the boat in better working condition than it had been in for quite some time, they finished the modifications and made the personal berths tolera ble for a possible two week run. They locked everything up tight and made ready for their road trip. Alex had met Sean’s father once before. It was at a staff function. He was a captain in the Navy. Their conversation consisted of little more than, “Nice to meet you sir,” “Yes sir,” and “No sir.” Now, he was going to spend time with him under the same roof. He wasn’t exactly thrilled at the notion, but after Sean explained the situation he decided it was best for all concerned. Sean might have been slow to reveal the finer details of what they were involved in at any given time, but he never kept anything from Alex. They may argue about some things, or most things, but they never lied to each other.
    They packed their bags into Sean’s sport utility vehicle and headed north on highway one. In two hours, barring the unexpected but common traffic congestion, they would arrive at Dee’s in time to start the long leg of the journey. In the Key’s , life went by at a casual pace. As soon as you made it to the mainland it was much more abrupt. Add to
    that all of the retirees who were rewarded with a ten year driver’s license, regardless of whether they passed their test at the age of seventy or eighty, and that made for some interesting times on the highways of Florida. Alex and Dee thought Sean complained too much. Sean challenged them to prove that he was wrong. It gave them something to talk about while the miles passed by. When they reached the Virginia border, Sean explained some of the proprieties involved with lodging at ‘Rylan Manor.’
    “Is it really that big? No offense, but I thought your dad was only a captain in the Navy,” Alex asked.
    “It’s a family home.” Deidra cut in. “It was owned on our mother’s side and she was the last member to be able to afford its upkeep.”
    “You mean your mother. I think I was adopted.” Sean said.
    “Sean, do me a favor ; don’t be a wiseass the entire time we’re home, okay?” she said out of frustration.
    “Just telling it as I see it little sister,” he said mockingly.
    She rolled her eyes at him and kept her next thought to herself.
    “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, when our mother greets you she will tell you to call her Connie. Her name of course is Constance but her friends call her Connie. Please do me a favor and don’t call her by either name. Call her Mrs. Rylan. It will make our time there go much better.”
    When he looked in the mirror he saw the scowl on his sister’s face. “Am I incorrect in any of that sweet sister of mine?” he asked in challenge.
    She said nothing in reply as she turned to look out the window to avoid his taunting gaze.
    “I didn’t think so,” he continued. “You see, our mother is from Hollywood stock. You would be viewed as little