Page 42 of Mail Order Splash

“What’s with all the netting out here causing trouble like this? It doesn’t seem possible there could be this big of an issue.”

“There has been an odd amount of these occurring. Tony, my Coast Guard friend, has been alerted to watch for boats dumping trash.” She climbed into the boat. “There should be some heavy fines or jail for people caught.”

“Shouldn’t there be boats patrolling the water for this?” I climbed in next to her.

“I would think there should be. All I have is Tony and that’s only when he comes upon it or gets a call from fellow boaters.” She unzipped the wetsuit. “This makes it even more urgent for me to save the facility and bring in all ages to learn about what is going on out here.”

“We’ll make it happen. Once all the details are collected, my brother Kellan will be able to help. He’s an attorney who I would never want to go up against.”

“Sounds promising. When we get back, I’d like to show you a map Josh has been working on. We’ve been placing pins for every rescue to see if there is any kind of pattern.”

“Perfect. That’ll be something Kellan may want to use as part of his argument.”

“Do you truly think you can help? I was only looking for financial support, like a sponsorship or charity.”

“We’ll know come Monday when I can call.” I dried my air and face. “Why haven’t you brought this to the media’s attention? They can be a powerful source.”

“Because they would also show how broken down the facility is. People, in general, don’t care what’s happening out in the water. If they can’t see it or aren’t affected by it, then it isn’t their problem.” She took a visible deep breath. “Sorry, you got me started. This isn’t a new issue but it’s definitely worse.”

“I like your passion. Only wish I could solve it right away.”

“The thing is, it’s happening everywhere, even further out where no one comes to their rescue, and for what? Because people are lazy or slobs.”

“I understand what you’re saying, I do, and we will work on this.”

Who am I to say “we”? This is her place, her legacy.

Once we docked, I said my goodbyes with a promise to be in touch by the end of the next day. On the drive back to my yacht, I thought about my own presence out on the ocean with it and wondered if my crew was dumping, too. Pouring myself a drink, I called Kellan for advice.

“What’s happened, Dalton?” He growled into the phone.

“Good evening to you too, big brother.” I dropped into a chair on the deck.

“You don’t call me, especially on the weekend, so something must be wrong.”

“What if I was lying in a hospital bed dying? Would you not be allowed to be called by me because it’s the weekend?”

“You’re not dying. I can see you having a drink with your feet up from where I’m sitting.”

“Perfect. Where are you? I’ll come over. I need advice.”

“You want my advice? Since when?”

“Since always, man. If you’d stop being a jerk all the time you’d see that. You know what? Never mind.” I hung up the phone.

Aunt Victoria will know who to talk to. She knows Kellan is impossible these days.

“Evening. How are things over there?”

“Where is ‘over there’, Aunt Victoria?” I smiled, knowing she was being coy. “Let me guess, you’re with Kellan somewhere nearby.”

“I’m in a meeting at the moment. Can I meet with you, perhaps in an hour, to go over that, over dinner?”

“Dinner it is. On the yacht, or are we going out in public?”

“The rooftop would be wonderful. I haven’t been there in months. Can you make the arrangements?”

“Consider it done, and you do know he probably isn’t falling for this.” I hit the end button, laughing to myself.

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