Chapter 21 - Frequent Flyer Program

The drive to the marina had gone quickly and without imposition. Finne’s car averaged over seventy miles an hour on the trek from Great Falls to Dangerfield Island. The call to his brother en route was short and eventually sucessful. “I need her…now!” Finne informed his younger brother Sean.

“She’s on the blocks.” Sean retorted. “I’ve got the prop off and the drive shaft pulled. The bottom is only half painted.”

“Will she take on water?” Finne asked.

Sean knowing his brother all too well had interpreted the intent o f the line of questioning. Finne was on a case and needed to hide or travel by water. By the tone in his voice he was in a hurry. “I can launch her for sail in 15 minutes. The inboard will be useless but I can put on a 15 horse power troller to get it in and out of port. You know where to find it. I will be gone…..Stay safe.”

The STARBIRD had been well under sail out the bay towards the international shipping lanes that stretched out across the globe from the Chesapeake Bay. Finne was headed to a spot just five miles off shore where several super-tankers would be anchored waiting for their port entry clearance from the port authorities at Baltimore and points beyond.

“Go Dark.” was the instruction from Jack.

Finne knew he could hide the 32 foot cruiser easily from any terrestrial based radar amongst the wide body tankers loaded tall with containers destined for the U.S. east coast and beyond. Out here on the water, Finne knew he could settle his emotions down and start to reconcile the events of the last few hours. Someone was out to kill him… and they nearly did. The were also out to kill Sarah. Why?

“Finne?!” Sarah exclaimed! “Where am I?”

Surprised she could comprehend seeing him after what she must have endured both physically and pharmaceutically, Finne calmly replied, “We’re three miles south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I just dropped anchor for the night. You’ll be safe here. Are you OK?”

“What the hell happened? I remember…I remember being trapped under a dead man that I had never seen before trapped in a car that I don’t remember getting into. My head is pounding but I don’t feel wounded. WTF??"

“I don’t know what is going on either,” Finne responded in an honest and equally confused tone. “I was headed to your family’s home to see how to reach you….I was told your life was in danger….I was told to get you away before you got hurt.” Finne offered.

“A little late…Told by whom?”