Seaswept (Seabound Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

friends,” Dirk said, speaking for the first time. He was definitely
a man who picked his moments. “This is a question of power. We’re talking about
a replacement for crude oil. That’ll change the world. We just became the most
powerful ship at sea. I say we keep it for ourselves.”
    Judith stared at
Dirk, apparently surprised that he agreed with her.
    “But there’s still
the question of other material,” Mrs. Cordova said. “All the oil in the world
won’t matter if we can’t repair our hull.”
    “And weapons!”
said her male companion. He was retired navy and a member of the ship’s
seldom-used explosives crew. “We’ll need to defend ourselves if the Galaxy comes calling.”
    “Will you at least
allow me to try?” David asked. “When we reach the Amsterdam , I can do some market research and see if we can’t get an
auction going.”
    “Not so fast,
Hawthorne,” Dirk growled. “Aren’t you taking the Lucinda away? You don’t have a stake in helping the Catalina . And I haven’t forgotten that
you were best friends with Captain Boris back on the Galaxy .”
    “Those days are
over, my friend,” David said. “I’ve—”
    “You’re no friend
of mine.”
    David missed a
beat, his polished demeanor wavering.
    “Esther, it’s your
invention,” Simon said, interrupting the two men before they could take the
conversation any farther. “What do you think we should do?”
    Judith threw up
her hands. “This is not Esther’s decision.”
    “It’s her design,”
Simon said.
    “I’d like to give
it to anyone who wants it,” Esther began.
    “Mrs. Cordova,”
David said suddenly. “What do you think? Many Catalinans look to you for wisdom
and guidance. I’d love to hear your opinion.”
    Judith pursed her
lips. David had shifted to the right as he talked, closer to Dirk. He faced
Mrs. Cordova’s chair, as if offering a supplication to her. David had somehow
managed to change the focal point of the entire room. Despite Dirk’s
provocation, he still wore the smooth salesman’s face that had infuriated
Esther when she first met him on the Galaxy
Flotilla . As her friend Paris on the Galaxy had put it, David Elliot Hawthorne was too eloquent for his own good.
    “I think we need
to look after our children,” Mrs. Cordova said. “I say sell it to the highest
bidder.”
    “I’m still in
charge here,” Judith said. “I won’t have you going off with Catalina property—”
    “We’re on the
council too, remember,” Dirk said, his voice a low growl. “Aren’t we all part
of the Catalina community?”
    “You’re still
strangers here,” Judith said. “You only represent a small percentage of this
population. Don’t overstep your bounds.”
    “Is that right?”
Dirk said. “Reg, do you agree that I only represent a small percentage of the
population?”
    Reggie studied the
grease patches on his hands. “As much as I hate to speak against
Judith”—she snorted at that—“I reckon Dirk understands what we’re
about on the work crews.”
    “We’re all one
crew on this ship,” Judith said.
    “Are we?” Dirk
said. “That’s what you want people to think, but you’ve been calling the shots.
Maybe it’s time for someone else to step up.”
    Judith inflated
like a puffer fish.
    “Look, it’s my
design,” Esther cut in.
    Everyone turned to
look at her. She hadn’t meant to speak so loudly, but she didn’t like the way
the conversation was going.
    “It should be up
to me.”
    “What do you want
to do?” David asked, turning his full attention to her. It was amazing how he
could suddenly make her feel like the most important person in the room.
    “Let me think
about it,” Esther said levelly. “I’ll let you know soon.”
    “Fine,” Judith
said. “But I will handle all other negotiations as usual.”
    “I’ll come with
you,” Dirk said. “To make sure the whole population is represented.”
    “Of course,” David
said. “Esther, I look forward to your