Page 54 of Smuggler's Cove
“I wanted to talk to you first.”
“Because?”
“Because we have to have a plan.”
“Meaning?” Lincoln knew this was where he was going to have to drop the news.
“Meaning, now that they’ve identified the body, maybe we can start to move forward.”
“Did Eriksson say if they found the cause of death?”
“No.”
“Maybe you should call him back and get all the information you can before we start on the next leg of this seafaring adventure.”
Madison sighed. “I suppose you are right. I’ll give him another hour before I call. Once I speak with him, I’ll call you back.”
“Good idea.” Lincoln felt relieved. He knew the conversation was inevitable, but at least he bought himself another hour or two to craft his words, call the Tides Resource Council, and have a timeline that would not send Madison into a tizzy.
Lincoln’s optimism waned when he realized the council was made up of twelve governor-appointed volunteers who worked under the purview of the Department of Environmental Protection. At best, it would be a nightmare dealing with another level of bureaucracy. Madison was not going to be happy.
Lincoln began doing some research on what it might take to replace or repair some of the deck and the shack. If it were going to take months to get the situation resolved, maybe they could eke out another summer and make a little money. He would have a chat with Charlie and Crusty to see if they would be interested in running the place. How hard could it be?
He trolled the internet and discovered there were dozens of deck materials from poly dock boards to preconstructed lengths made of wood. He opened his folder of paperwork that Madison copied for him. He looked at the rough drawings and began to do the math. If they replaced all three docks, it would cost about seven thousand dollars in materials. A prefab shed would run around four thousand. He would have to figure in labor, but he calculated the entire job would run somewhere in the mid-twenties. Six new dinghies would bring the total close to thirty. Then add six outboard motors. That would be another six grand. They were looking at a forty-thousand-dollar investment. He knew Madison would go kicking and screaming and would rather set the place on fire. But what if he could make it work? The idea of rebuilding something was appealing. Plus, the family could spend the summers at the shore. Another expense. Throw in ten thousand to rent something. Okay, fifty grand for the whole enchilada.
He might be able to convince Olivia. Madison was going to be the hurdle. But just maybe he could get Olivia to help him coax his sister into taking a shot.
Lincoln had some savings and knew he could get funding through a home equity loan. He checked and double-checked the numbers. If he was right in his calculations, and there wasn’t anything hidden underwater, this was doable. A burst of excitement coursed through his veins. He quickly put everything into an Excel spreadsheet, with names of suppliers and prices. He figured Charlie could help him with the locals and make recommendations, and he would gladly pay Charlie to supervise.Add another five grand.It would still be a sound investment, especially if they eventually were able to sell it.
Meanwhile, he would have to figure out a way to balance the books. They say it takes at least three years for a new company to start to see a profit. It could be risky, considering none of them knew one iota about running a marina, but Lincoln felt he would have the support of Uncle Kirby’s circle of friends. It would be good for everyone. There is nothing like breathing new life into something people appreciate. Next would be convincing his sister and his wife.
* * *
Madison drummed her fingers on her desk, waiting for what she thought would be the right time to return Captain Eriksson’s call. She had to admit she was a little nervous. But why? He was not going to arrest her. When she heard his message, she got butterflies. Maybe that was why. But why now? She was forty-eight years old. Wasn’t she past having a crush on someone?A crush?She shrugged it off. She was too old for schoolgirl nonsense. But still. She called Olivia into her office.
“Captain Eriksson phoned.”
“Ooh.” Olivia wiggled her eyebrows.
“Okay, you stop that.”
“My dear Madison, I have known you too long to not be able to recognize when you find a man alluring.”
Madison laughed. “It has been so long I almost forgot what that was like.”
“And? Did you speak to him?”
“Not yet. But the good news is they identified the body.” She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose that really is not good news. A dead body and all, but at least that is one thing out of the way.”
“So? What are you waiting for?”
“Moral support. Please sit with me while I call him back.”
“Madison Wainwright! You are almost giddy.”
“Exactly. I want to be cool, calm, and collected.”
“As you always are.”
