Part 11
"Taking Necessary Precautions"
As was his routine, Daniel was up early the next morning. After a quiet walk on the beach, he grabbed several apples, sharing one with his horse, then hitched him to the rig and set off for town. He went directly to the docks and wasn't the least bit surprised to find James already aboard the Kitty Keane.
They met on the quarterdeck and discussed everything that had been accomplished in his absence and what the plan was for this week. Before they finished, his second mate joined them. Mitch took some ribbing due to his changed marital status, but it was all in good fun, and he took it that way.
After both officers were brought up to speed, the Captain told them he would be leaving shortly and wouldn't return before tomorrow morning. If something came up they couldn't handle, they were to send a message to Claymore Ebenezer's house or, if he wasn't there, up to Gull Cottage.
Having been given his orders, Mitch left to get started. James, concerned that something was wrong, stayed behind to find out what would be keeping his friend away all day.
"Sir, is everything all right? There hasn't been more trouble has there?"
"No, everything's fine. I'm going over to Claymore's to shore up the house, in case Callahan tries something there."
"That won't take all day, will it?"
"No, once I finish, I'm taking the family up to the house. Carolyn has the day off."
"Claymore gave Carolyn a day off?"
"Yes, he did, and it's the least he can do after all the work she's done to clean up the mess he has in his office."
"Please tell me he's not going too?"
"No, thank goodness. He'll be out of the office most of the day."
"Good, after what happened, it will be good for Carolyn to get away. She seemed all right, but how is she, really?"
"It's hard to say. She puts up a good front, but she's definitely frightened. I need to find a way to take that fear away . . . permanently," Daniel said determinedly. "James, I've got a few things to look over in my cabin. I'll check with you before I leave."
The first mate watched the Captain go below and could only pray the solution to the Callahan situation wouldn't destroy his friend's chance at happiness.
