Chapter Eight – 12:30 p.m.

Up on the widow's-walk, Sam turned to his friend. "Okoy Al! I know that look. You've found out something! Now what is it?"

"Well, Sam . . ."

"Don't give me that! Do you have some news, or don't you?" Sam asked, already feeling exasperated.

"Well, as I was going to say, before I was so rudely interrupted . . ." Al started again, "We know there is going to be an accident, but we don't know exactly when, or where . . ."

"Ziggy pulled that up? It's not much!"

"Sam . . . it's not Ziggy . . . it's these small town newspapers. They aren't always very accurate. There's only one newspaper here in town. It's called the Schooner Bay Beacon. It's kind of a one-man operation run by a second-year Journalism graduate . . . guy sounds like a real nozzle from the editorials he writes. His name is Finley."

"So what has this got to do with anything, Al?"

"The paper is published every Friday, Sam. This is Monday. The paper goes to bed Wednesday night and comes out Friday. There was no paper published Friday, April 18, 1970."

"And . . ."

"Well, then the editorial the following Friday, April 25th, refers to . . ."

"To what, Al?"

"The 'accident that claimed the lives of the Muir children last week." Al blurted out.

"Oh no . . . Sam groaned. "Both of them? I wonder what happened to Captain Gregg?"

"So, buddy . . ." Al said hurriedly. "What kind of accident we don't know, but we know it has to happen some time between now and . . . say Friday."

"That's a hell of a window to work with, Al . . . " said Sam, pacing the widow's-walk.

"It's better than nothing, Sam." Al answered. "Ziggy is working on it and I'm still going to try and pump Gregg some more. I think there is something important he's not telling us yet. I'm not sure. Something's just not clicking." Al paused, and then remembered what else he needed to tell his friend. "Oh, by the way, Gregg told me he has always called Carolyn Muir Mrs. Muir. He's a formal sort of guy, that Captain Gregg! He's only called her Carolyn once. Last night. So for now, I guess you better call her Mrs. Muir."

"You know, Al," said Sam, thoughtfully, "Obviously we have to make sure Candy and Jonathan are safe, but I think some of what I'm here for has to do with the Ghost and Mrs. Muir."

"On what level, Sam?"

"I don't know, Al. I guess all I can do for now is keep my eyes open and hope for the best." Sam paused and looked down into the yard. "Speaking of which, I don't see either of the kids. I better go ask Martha where they are."

"Go for it, Sam." Al said, punching a new code into his handlink, "I need to go talk to Gregg again anyway." The Imaging Chamber door opened. "See you later, buddy . . . " said Al, stepping through the door. "Good luck."

GLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGLGL

Sam materialized in the kitchen, right in front of Martha, startling her. "Darn it, Captain! Stop that!" said Martha, almost dropping her coffee cup, "You know I'm not as used to you 'popping' in and out as Mrs. Muir and the children are! Maybe when I've known you longer . . ."

"I'm sorry, Martha," Sam said contritely, "I'll try and do better!" He looked around. "Have you seen the kids?"

"Adam and Quentin came by about a half-an-hour ago, Captain," said Martha, "Candy and Jonathan grabbed a sandwich, their fishing poles and the volleyball and took off for the beach. They should be home by suppertime though. Was there something special you had planned to do with them?"

"No, not really . . ." Sam's voice trailed off as he thought to himself. Well, this can't be it – if there were to be an accident today, it would have said four children — or listed Adam and Quentin's names in the editorial too. Sam relaxed. Guess I'll have to wait a while longer . . .

"Are you going upstairs to work on your Memoirs with Mrs. Muir now?" Martha interrupted Sam's thoughts. "I think she is looking for you."

"Uhh . . . No Martha, not right now . . ." Sam answered, "I'm sure she can manage quite well without me. I think I'll . . . take a walk." Sam dematerialized and moved himself to the attic to hide out; leaving the puzzled housekeeper to wonder how Carolyn Muir could work on the Captain's Memoirs without the Captain.