The Sea Hawk Read Online Free PDF Page B

Richmond, Virginia, Talbot helped his wife up and hugged her close to him. Stepping into the mid-July heat, Talbot and Regina were met by their priest and exchanged a few words with the man who had christened both of their children. Talbot knew Julia hadn't been to church for quite a while, but hoped she was in God's good care now. As they turned and made their way down the church steps, they were intercepted by an attractive red-head who had obviously been crying. Talbot recognized her immediately.
    "Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard, I'm so sorry about Julia," Amy said as she wiped at her eyes.
    "Thank you," Tal said stiffly. "We'll be in Savannah next week to pack Julia's things and place her house with a realtor." Although he and his wife had tolerated Amy because she was their daughter's "friend", in truth their dislike for the woman was obvious. "I'm assuming you will have your belongings out before we arrive."
    "I was hoping to stay in the house. It was our home," Amy said.
    "My understanding is that the house belongs solely to Julia."
    "I am...or was...Julia's partner. She wouldn't want me forced out of the home we made together."
    Looking coldly at Amy, Tal said, "Our daughter is dead, Miss Robie. As her family, we will make whatever decisions need to be made regarding the disposition of her property. You have one week to remove anything you believe is rightfully yours. Please make an inventory list in case we have a question about any of it." With that final statement, Tal and Regina walked solemnly to the waiting limousine.

    TAL REMOVED HIS suit jacket and loosened his tie. He was more tired than he could ever remember being. A moment later the telephone in the living room rang. Regina had gone upstairs to change as soon as they returned home. Tal was worried about his wife. The bond between mother and daughter had been a particularly strong one until Julia began bringing women home. Regina, however ridiculously, blamed her own family for her daughter's orientation. Always considered the black sheep of the family, Julia's Uncle Bertie was a flamboyant gay man unabashedly unashamed of the talk his escapades caused. Bertram, as Regina preferred to call him, was a successful barrister in Great Britain. Uncle Bertie waited until his financial security was well established before beginning to lead the life he wanted to lead, complete with an extremely attractive young man Bertie referred to as his house boy.
    "Hello," Tal said as he rested the receiver between his shoulder and jaw, struggling to remove his cuff links.
    "Mr. Blanchard? This is Detective Long with the Savannah Metro Police Department," a disembodied voice announced through light static.
    "Yes, what can I do for you, Detective?"
    "I tried to reach you earlier today, sir. Your daughter's cabin cruiser has been located," Long said.
    "What?" Tal nearly dropped the receiver. It took him a minute to collect both it and his abruptly scattered thoughts.
    "The cruiser was found in a marina near Jacksonville. From what we can determine, the boat was pirated by a group of men the drug task force in Jacksonville suspect are part of a modern day pirating ring."
    "But what about my daughter?" Tal managed to ask.
    "The individuals in custody say they found the cruiser abandoned and simply took it into a safe port."
    "That's bullshit and you know it!" Tal seethed.
    "The harbor master on Tybee Island says that Miss Blanchard..."
    "It's Dr. Blanchard," Tal interrupted, not knowing why it suddenly seemed so important that Julia's academic title be used.
    "Sorry. It seems that Dr. Blanchard took the cruiser out alone and apparently went diving. It's possible the boat was stolen while she was on her dive. There was no evidence of foul play on board."
    "Well, didn't they think it was a little strange that they found the clearly marked damn thing empty? Why didn't they contact the Institute? They took it and left my daughter out there alone to die!"
    "We're not sure we can charge them