Harry whacked the side of the boat. "Dang it, we're too late!"

"Maybe not," muttered Lillibulero. "This still could have happened recently, and yet . . ."

"I think a good question is, why haven't we gone after that stupid pirate yet anyhow?" asked Stan. "If he's trying to live in the past with the life of a pirate, we should be able to find a pirate ship anchored nearby real quick."

Lillibulero turned to Robby. "Did the MacAllisters say what type of boat Julian Vandal used?"

Robby slowly shook his head. "They just said it was a boat like it was a regular boat."

"Then maybe finding Captain Vandal might be harder than you think if he is using a regular boat," said Lilibulero. "The galleons and old masted ships have been out of use for some time, and the remaining ones are museums. No, I don't think the style of the ship is what matters to Vandal, only the life he lives."

Stan crossed his arms and humphed. "Go figure."

"It was a good idea, Stanley, but a man like Vandal would have been smarter than that. An old masted ship would no doubt have raised too many eyebrows and people would have come to expect him upon seeing that kind of a boat nearby. Besides, it would have been too slow. Pirates have to be quick." He pointed at the anchor. "Drop anchor, I'm taking a look around. Come, Robby."

"But, but what about the others?" asked Robby.

"They may come, but I want you close." Stan dropped the anchor and Lillibulero jumped onto the other ship. Robby, Harry, and Stan followed him over. Irene led the way back down the stairs into the hold. It looked like any other hold, a bed on their right and a kitchenette on their left. But on the far side of the wall was a long desk with computer equipment, scanners, and other electronic equipment needed by a scientist to study life on the ocean floor. But Robby noticed something that, though it looked out of place with the electronics, it looked rather normal too. Lillibulero noticed it as well and walked towards the desk to pick it up. It was an empty plate with a few crumbs of the sandwich Finski had eaten still on it. Lillibulero brought the plate close to his face to scrutinize and sniff it. "This isn't a day old," he whispered.

Stan stepped forward and touched several of the electronics. "These still feel pretty warm." He glanced at the others. "This means it really did happen only recently!" He turned to Lillibulero. "If we hurry, maybe we can still catch up to them!"

Lillibulero lowered and raised the plate, as if weighing the options on the plate itself. "Something does not seem right." He glanced at the teens. "And I would feel better if you were not with me."

"Dude, you're going up against a pirate crew, you're going to need our help," said Stan.

Harry cleared his throat. "Um, no, not really. Well, maybe with Vandal, but . . ." Harry turned to Lillibulero. "Would you like for us to go for the police?"

The beginnings of a smile appeared on Lillibulero's face. "That is a wise decision, Harriman. Yes, I want you to go to the police, but first . . ." Lillibulero picked up two walkie talkies from under the table and turned them on. He handed one to Robby. "Allow me to find their location. If I don't find them soon, we'll have to start all over again. Besides, it wouldn't be right to call the police only to send them out on a wild goose chase. It would be far better if I had the crew all for them to take to jail."

"What?" exclaimed Stan.

Lillibulero turned to him. "Do you have a boat without a motor?"

Stan opened and closed his mouth a few times before sighing. "I don't, but Dr. Finski does. He should have it moored to the back of this boat. Come on." Stan led the way back up to the deck and around to the back. When everyone got to the back, they gasped. There were two boats, and one looked like it had been attacked by a creature with really sharp claws.

"Um, why is that boat all messed up?" asked Robby, eyes wide.

"D-Dr. Finiski's only supposed to have one boat!" exclaimed Stan.

Irene gulped. "Then maybe, then maybe this is the reason why he was taken. He found Jack's boat!"

Lillibulero jumped into the slashed boat. He went over every square inch, looking for a clue of some kind. But after a thorough search, he straightened up with a sigh. "Nothing, but this does prove one thing."

"What's that?" asked Harry.

"Jack Storm was taken alive, and he tried to race them back. The harpoon was only used to try and catch him like a fish, not to hurt him. But whoever was using the harpoon apparently was not very good as he had to try several times to get it fastened into Jack's boat."

Irene gasped. "And Poipu got caught in the fire!"

Lillibulero nodded. "So it would seem."

"Well, that does answer quite a few questions," said Harry. "But I have so many more!"

Lillibulero jumped nimbly into the next boat. "Maybe the rest of your questions will be answered once we have rounded up this pirate crew. Now, hand me the oars." Robby and Harry each grabbed an oar and handed them down to Lillibulero.

Stan leaned over the railing. "Are you sure you'll be able to catch up to them in that?"

"I'm not planning on catching up to them, Stanley, if I was, I would be taking the police with me. Now stay here and try to contact me through the walkie talkies until I have contacted you."

"But what if you get captured?" asked Irene with worry.

Robby scoffed. "Only if he wants it to happen, Irene." Irene and Stan turned to Robby and glanced at him in confused shock. "Wait until you've seen him in action, then you'll understand."

Harry scoffed. "I can't wait until you do." He grinned. "Can't wait until Vandal does too. He's going to sink like a rock."

Stan raised his eyebrow. "You two seem awfully sure of Mr. Lillibulero winning against this guy."

"And are you two hinting that he can handle all of those guys single-handedly?" asked Irene incredulously. "No offense, Mr. Lillibulero, but . . ." She turned to look down at the boat, but it was gone! "Wh-what? Where did he go? How could he have gone so quietly?"

Stan's mouth dropped. "No way, man, oars make lots of noise!"

"But now are you two beginning to see what we're talking about?" asked Robby. "He was able to leave without you noticing it. He can sneak up on those guys, beat them up, and save the day all by himself if he wanted to. But he still needs police backup, he can't exactly bring in all these men at once. He's not a squid or an octopus."

Harry chuckled. "No he is not."

"Well I can believe that he can be quiet," said Stan, backing away from the railing, "but is he really as fast and as strong as you make him out to be?"

Harry sighed and shrugged. "Guess you will have to see for yourself." Stan turned and began walking the length of the boat. Irene, Robby, and Harry followed. Irene was looking over the side for Lillibulero as well, but so far, the little man could not be seen. The two climbed on their own boat and looked around again before coming back to where Robby and Harry stood waiting by the door to the hold.

"I don't believe it," said Stan softly. "I just can't believe it," he added more loudly. "How did he do that?"

Harry shrugged. "You got me, and he's been slowly trying to teach us a few of his tricks."

Robby chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. "Except we just can't keep up. He was the one who found the map underneath Jack's coffee table."

"Oh yeah, we didn't even think of looking there!" exclaimed Harry with a throw of his hands. "But he did and found the biggest clue of them all."

Irene glanced out at sea and sighed. "I just hope we weren't too late and that he can save Dr. Finski."

Robby glanced down at the walkie talkie. "I guess we'll have to wait and find out. But right now, it sounds like Mr. Lillibulero only wanted to locate them, not confront them, not yet anyways."

Stan groaned. "But what can we do now? I don't like sitting around and just waiting, I do want to do stuff."

"Maybe we can do a more thorough search for clues," said Robby. He glanced at the walkie talkie again. "Though, Mr. Lillibulero might end up finding all the real clues when he gets back."

Harry shrugged. "Well, we can at least get started. I mean, it wasn't like we were on the wrong track, Jack was looking for the treasure as we thought."

"But, why?" asked Robby. "Grandpa is so certain that he's not the type, and Maggie did confirm that he's not looking for it for wealth. But she didn't exactly say why he was looking for it either."

Harry rubbed his chin. "You're right. We asked if he could possibly be looking for it to help ICS get rid of the treasure hunters and be free of one obstacle to getting Nai'a Bay turned into a conservation site. She simply said that most people would think he was doing it for the money, but she didn't confirm that was the reason."

"But then, what other reason is there?" asked Stan.

Harry sighed. "See, this is why we need Mr. Lillibulero. He's the pro and can see things from more than one angle." He paused and he creased his eyebrows. "He also acted like he's heard of Julian Vandal before."

Robby nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I haven't had a chance to ask him."

"Neither have I. Except for this, it seems like he's trying to avoid it."

Robby crossed his arms, holding the walkie talkie against his arm. "I think we should ask him the first chance we get and not let him get away without answering."

Harry nodded. "I agree." He glanced at Irene and Stan. "Well, heck, we have other witnesses here, why not ask him when he gets back?"

Robby held up a finger. "Provided there's nothing else of importance that we need to tend to upon his return."

"So yeah, basically whatever chance we can get."

Robby nodded. "Yeah."

Stan groaned. "Ok, we get it, and we'll help you get this chance if you need it. But what in the world are we going to do until we hear from Mr. Lillibulero?" asked Stan as he pointed at the walkie talkie.

Robby huffed. "I guess we can search for other clues. We can tackle the hold first and then Jack's boat."

"Ok, fine, thank you. I just want to do something," said Stan as he led the way back down to the hold.

"You know, you could just make your own decisions, man," said Harry as he followed him down.

"I'm not getting paid to. And besides, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. You and Robby rank higher for being related to Dr. Von Hoffer."

"I'm not related to Dr. Von Hoffer," said Harry, "I'm just Robby's best friend."

"That's close enough. Dr. Von Hoffer talked about you as much as he talked about Robby. He was certainly full of excitement for both of you getting accepted into Sanford," remarked Stan.

"Well that's good to hear, but, right now, you are technically in charge. You're the only ICS employee," pointed out Harry.

"And while I am related to Dr. Von Hoffer, and by virtue of friendship, Harry, you are the one who has the expertise with the machines and the system of ICS," said Robby. "Harry and I know nothing in that area."

"They have a point, Stan," said Irene. "Even I don't know as much as you do."

Stan sighed. "Alright then. But Irene, you do know enough so why do you work with me on Dr. Finski's records. Robby and Harry can take care of the living quarters and Jack's boat."

Harry saluted. "Aye aye Captain."

A soft smirk began to appear on Stan's face. "Then get to it." The four split up. Stan and Irene went to the desk and began looking over the notebooks and the screens. Robby and Harry made a quick search of the tiny living quarters. There really wasn't much to find in the tiny dresser, the bed, or the kitchenette. It was really nothing more than Dr. Finski's personal belongings and food. And, of course, some treats for dolphins. The two went outside and realized they had to hurry with their search of Jack's boat. The sun was setting, and though they had their phones, the light of the sun was better suited for clue hunting. They dashed over to the boat and began going over every square inch. Robby looked over the harpoon holes and noticed one looked discolored. He scraped a bit off with his fingernail and gasped.

"Harry," he muttered.

Harry, who was still going through the boat, looked over the side. "Y ou found something?"

Robby pointed out the hole. "This is discolored, it looks like dried blood." He glanced up at Harry. "Dolphin blood."

Harry's eyes widened. "Poipu was near the boat! He must have seen Jack was in trouble and was trying to protect him!"

"Yeah, and by the looks of these holes, I don't think any of those harpoon shots hooked. Jack must have let them capture him so that Poipu could get to safety!"

Harry's fingers curled around the edge of the boat. "And Poipu probably feels really bad thinking he failed his friend."

"I think we should check on Poipu as soon as possible, he might be able to help catch these crooks. He was the only witness to the whole thing."

Harry glanced up around the sea. "I guess so. But the timing doesn't make sense. You and Kalea found him during the swim, which was after noon. Jack was out searching at night. Dr. Finski should have been up by eight, at the latest."

Robby's eyebrows furrowed. "You're right, the timing is way off. But I know there were no sharks around, or at least, none that I could see."

"Unless the harpooner was keeping the sharks away as part of the bargain so that Poipu could get back to ICS," said Harry.

"Yes, but then, why didn't Dr. Finski see Poipu and help him get back?"

"Unless they made Poipu take a different route so Dr. Finski wouldn't notice and suspect anything," suggested Harry.

"It's the most probable explanation." Robby shook his head. "It's sad to think of what Poipu must have gone through."

"If he's feeling better, maybe we can ask Dr. Cho and your grandpa to take him with us to save Jack. I'm sure that will make him feel a whole lot better."

Robby smiled. "I bet that would. I know it would make me feel better."

Harry scoffed. "Yeah, man, me too." He grunted as he stood up. "Well, I think that's everything. If Jack had any ICS equipment, they took it with them."

Robby nodded as he pulled himself back into the boat. "So it would seem. Come on, let's go see if Stan and Irene found anything."

"Yeah." Robby grabbed the walkie talkie and the two got back onto Dr. Finski's boat. They went down into the hold and saw that Stan and Irene were hunched over, still working away. Stan turned around and glanced at them.

"Find anything?"

Harry winced. "Well, would some of Poipu's blood count?"

Irene's head snapped up at that and turned to look at them in shock. "What did you say?"

Robby nodded. "I found what looks like Poipu's blood dried up on the boat. We surmised he must have realized Jack was in trouble and tried to help him, only to get wounded. Jack must have turned himself in to make sure Poipu could get help."

Irene gasped. "Oh no. Poor Poipu."

"Yeah," said Harry. "Did you find anything?"

"No," said Irene quickly, "nothing at all. I mean, nothing besides his research."

"Yeah," said Stan as he turned back to the desk. "But some of these notes, man, they're really weird."

"How so?" asked Robby as he and Harry stepped closer.

"Well, this one says, 'They're really elusive, must be cautious and patient, but I'm running out of time and funds. I have to find their hiding place and reveal them to the world'. Or this one. 'There's a hidden door around here somewhere. Maybe the treasure is the key?'"

"Wait, why would the treasure be the key in cetacean research?" asked Robby, glancing at each person in confusion. Then he saw Irene's face. She wasn't confused, not one bit, she looked like she knew exactly what Dr. Finski was talking about. Her eyes were wide and her face had blanched. "Irene? Are you alright?" Stan and Harry glanced at her in concern.

"I, I need to go home, now."

Harry shot a sly glance at Robby before approaching Irene and touching her shoulder. "Are you sick?"

"I just need to go home now. Please."

Robby held out the walkie talkie. "We're still waiting to hear from Mr. Lillibulero." He glanced at it. "He's actually been quiet for longer than I thought." Everyone jumped when the walkie talkie buzzed to life.

The next moment, the distinct voice of Lillibulero cut through the static like a chainsaw through wood. "Robertson, Harriman, Stanley, Irene, have the boat ready to go. I'm on my way back."

Robby pushed the button. "Did you find something?"

"Get the boat ready now. We're heading to Uncle Billy's. I must see William immediately," said Lillibulero in a commanding voice. The four raced up to the ICS boat and got in. Stan started it up while Irene untied the rope tethered to Dr. Finski's boat and Harry and Robby pulled up the anchor. The next minute, Lillibularo had rowed beside the boat and was hoisting himself up.

"Do you think they're going to take Uncle Billy tonight?" asked Irene in a panicked voice.

"Stan, go," was all Lillibulero would say. Stan got the boat going and steered it towards Uncle Billy's dock. Robby and Harry glanced at each other. If those pirates were going to kidnap Uncle Billy tonight, well, they just hoped they weren't too late.

(Author's Note: So, I'm hurrying to try and finish all of these as quickly as possible. Went in for an interview today and got the job! It's only temporary, it's at a bookstore at the University in Tyler, but it's something for now and it's the first one I've heard from. It could become a regular position, but right now it's only until the end of September. After that I'll have to look for another job, but from the way she was talking to me today, she really liked me, so there's a chance I could become a regular clerk over there. It's Monday through Friday, and it has the same schedule as the school, for the most part, concerning classes, so I'll get those nice long breaks like I like. XD And right now it's only ten to to two since classes haven't started yet and they're opening things up slowly due to the pandemic. We'll see how things go from here, but it's a start. That being said, I'm going to try and work solely on finishing up this story, the Hardy boys, and Nancy Drew this week. Or, at least as much as possible, and then get back to work on Broken Blade and Valley of the Diamonds. I think that if I take a little bit of a break from Broken Blade, I can figure out how this one chapter is supposed to go before getting into the final chapters, Valley of Diamonds might be finished before that. But, anyways, I start next week, so if I can get at least three out of the five done by then, I will be happy. Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day! God bless!)