Duke watched as Nathan and Audrey left. He was telling Hazel the truth. He had already felt the blood rush. It was better than anything, he could guarantee that. But that was what made it so terrible. Duke shook his head and went belowdecks. Tomorrow at least was a weekend. Duke wasn't a morning person, and the high school started early.
The next day, he saw Audrey going into the Herald office. He jogged to catch up to her.
"Hey, no matter what my crazy dad says, I'm not going to kill you. Okay?"
Audrey shook her head. "Yeah, okay. I'm just dealing with a lot."
"I understand that."
Duke went back to his boat. He wanted to start showing Hazel how to use the navigation system. He froze when he saw Hazel staring down his father.
"I just arrived in this town, old man. And you ring of the Troubles. So, either you have one, or you're the manifestation of one. So who are you?"
"I, dear girl, am Simon Crocker."
"Ah. Longshanks' old man."
"Longshanks?"
"Me."
Simon looked in the direction of his son. "You're taking this well."
"Yes I am. You see, I'm pretty sure that you're the result of the brownies this girl gave last night. God, what was her name? Tall, Dutch girl..." Duke said.
"You're not imagining this."
"Says the dead guy I last saw 27 years ago."
"So have you killed her yet?"
Duke feigned ignorance. "Who?"
"Lucy."
"Oh, no. Lucy left. A long time ago."
"I know that. But have you killed who she is now?"
"This has got to be a dream. Yeah, that's gotta be it! Are there mermaids out there?"
"Duke, just ignore him. Weren't you going to teach me something about the boat today?" Hazel had been standing there the whole time, just observing.
"Yeah. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have boating to teach." Duke got up and walked out of the room, climbing up to the bridge. Being with Simon stirred up memories that Duke prefered settled.