Freddy woke up feeling lucky. He felt like this was going to be the day when everything works out and comes together. All the other things he tried just came up as dead ends and he wound up with nothing to show that he was even getting close. There was a total of five ships at the port the day the girls came up missing 2 of them never left port for 2 days leaving only three as the ones that the girls would have been able to stow away on. He felt sure they would have tried to stow away on one of the two that left at sunset rather than the one that left after daybreak. He knew it was a lot easier to sneak on board in the dark. There were two ships that left at dusk.
As he went checking on anyone that might have been around to see the two ships launch. It took hours but he finally found five people that had watched them leave and he finally got lucky the one had seen the girls on deck. It was more like they were a passenger not hiding like he was expecting them to be. Freddy was ecstatic that he at least knew what happened to them and they were on board the ship called, "The Windstruck." he gathered everything that he could about the captain and crew. It was easy to gather information about it, it was a trader ship that occasionally took on passengers.
Freddy wasted no time in contacting Rodger. This popped Rodger out of the drunken stupor that he was already getting into. The news made him just about jump out of his chair. The girls were on a ship that he found out that left the night that they had come up missing. They were able to track the ship. It had a regular route that it made supplying different ports with supplies. The biggest problem now was going to be the time it took for them to complete their run and return. It took a total of 4 months for them to return to this port. After that, there still would be the time to go where they were, and then to find them there and on top of that to return back home. There was no way that Rodger thought that Stan would want to wait about half of a year for their return.
Rodger thought there was no use in putting it off. He needed to call Stan and at least they knew how they got away, and more or less where they were. Rodger placed the call. The butler answered the phone and informed Rodger that Stan was at the office and that if he wanted to reach him, he would be there. Then abruptly hung up on him without waiting for a reply. Rodger could tell that the butler did not like him, but he was used to that reaction. He really didn't want to call him at work but if he didn't it would be like he is holding things back from him. Reluctantly Rodger dialed the phone and hoped he was out of the office so he could just leave a message. His secretary answered the phone and asked, "Hello this is Stan Bolder's office can I help you?"
Rodger said, "This is Rodger, I need to talk to Mr. Bolder. It's important and he is waiting for my call."
The sectary said, "Please hold."
In a minute Stan's voice came on the line, "What the fuck do you think you are doing calling me here at this time. You better have a good explanation."
Rodger Stuttered out carefully watching his words, "I have the word of your packages."
Stan asked, "Do you have them in your possession?"
Rodger said," No."
Stan spoke loudly but not loud enough for others to hear. "Don't waste my time at work with such nonsense call me at home later and fill me in."
Rodger stumbled out, "Yes. Sir" before he heard the click of the receiver.
Rodger put the phone down and thought "Dammed if you do and Dammed if you don't." But at least he won't think he is hiding anything. At least he hoped that Stan would see it that way. Rodger thought he knew where they were but now, he can't get to them, and it will be a long time before he knows where they got off so he can even chase after them.
Gina was ecstatic that the ship would be pulling into the harbor at daybreak. It would transfer the goods and pick up new supplies. She was hoping that they could find most things on her list. Captain Filmore told her that she had exactly 1 hour and 20 minutes to do the shopping that she wanted and be back onboard the ship. Once it set sail there was no turning back, they still had to keep the route moving. Anyone that was not on board when they left port was left behind. Gina was more than ready to investigate the town and be off board the ship for a while, it hadn't been that long, but she wanted to feel some solid ground under her feet again.
Katie was the opposite. She wanted to stay on board the ship with Jake and explore the closet while they could. Jake was loving the time that they were together, but he was more than ready to take it to the next level. They heard that the port would be coming just after breakfast, and they would be back on their way in an hour and a half. Katie knew that Will would want her to look after Gina. Then a thought hit her. She would have to convince Will that it would be safer if he took Gina into town. Then it would be safe for her to be with Jake without Will looking and watching her every move.
Katie when running to the captain with tears streaming down her face. "What's the trouble little one?" The captain asked.
Katie looked up at him and spoke. "You just have to protect Gina. She said that she was going into town, to find you something special to make the food taste better. I'm scared that something is going to happen to her, and I'm afraid to go ashore with her because I'm not strong enough to keep the men away from us."
The captain nodded understandingly. He knew that two young pretty girls would be nothing for a man to deal with. He supposed that he could tell her that she just couldn't go on shore, but the thought of Gina making something that tasted even better would be a crime to miss. He lifted her face and said, "Don't worry I will have Will escort her to town and protect her while you stay safe on board."
In the back of her mind, Katie was jumping for joy, but she looked up at him innocently. "Really?" She asked.
The captain nodded and sent for Will.
"Yes, Captain. You called for me?" Will asked.
The captain handed Will the list that Gina had made with a few things crossed off. "You are to pick up the things on the list as well as escort Gina to town and make sure she gets the things that she is looking for. Make sure nothing happens to her." He ordered.
With a sigh, he thought here we go again a babysitter. "Yes sir." He said with a scowl on his face. He wondered what happened to his life when he just had to take care of the things on the ship.
Katie with a smile went back to her room, it worked out just how she wanted. Now they would have some time alone and would not have to worry about Will looking for them.
When Katie went into the room, she caught Gina in her hiding spot. She was getting a little of her money. She wanted to make sure she had some in case there was something special in town. Gina said," I'm going to see if there is anything that we can use when we get to our new home. Did you want to come along?"
Katie just shook her head and spoke. "I don't know if it's safe to go."
Just then the familiar knock on the door Will asked, "Are you ready to go Gina?"
Gina quickly covered up the spot that had the money and headed for the door. She opened the door to see Will looking different. He has dressed in formal clothes something that she had never seen before. They were his official clothes whenever he hit port and stood in place for the captain, he had to wear this. Gina let out a little whistle and they both giggled. Will put on one of his grumpier looks and said, "Come on, let's go."