Page 66 of Smuggler's Cove
Olivia was nodding. She knew Madison’s schedule better than Madison did. “According to the ferry schedule, there are several in the afternoon that would get us back into the city between four and five.”
“Excellent!” Madison was buoyant.
“I’ll look for the agent’s number in Connecticut and give her a call tomorrow. I am sure she will be as eager as Irene.” Lincoln smiled. “Do you think Giada will join us over the summer?”
“It will depend on which boyfriend she’s dating.” Olivia chuckled. “She and her roommate usually rent something for a week on Long Beach Island during summer break, but she hasn’t mentioned it yet. I’m sure they will come up with something.”
“She’s really enjoying living in Philly, eh?”
“Don’t remind me.” Lincoln hung his head. “I know, I know. She is in her twenties now, but she’s still Daddy’s little girl.”
Madison’s emotions were always a mess when it came to paternal affection. She adored the way Lincoln cared for his daughter, something she never experienced with her own father. She was grateful that Lincoln’s instincts were far greater than what he’d experienced.
It was almost nine when Olivia suggested she and Lincoln head home. “We have another big day ahead.” She put her hand on Madison’s shoulder and indicated she wanted to speak to her in private. The two women had their own secret language, ever since they were children. Madison led the way into the kitchen and raised an eyebrow.
“Maybe you should let the captain know you are going to be in town,” Olivia whispered.
“Oh, stop. I can’t do that,” Madison said in an equally hushed voice. “What would I even say?”
“Madison, you are never at a loss for words. You’ll think of something,” Olivia said, smiling.
“Hopefully, he’ll be at the seafood festival.” Madison couldn’t wait to see him again.
“Oh, I think we have to make sure of that!” Olivia winked.
Chapter Fourteen
A Seafaring Adventure, Sorta
It had been a busy week for Madison, Lincoln, and Olivia. Olivia was charged with the duty of scheduling appointments for everyone involved, no easy task given they were about to close the book for the fall issue of the magazine. But she knew all about controlled chaos and kept a whiteboard with markers and an eraser on the wall behind her desk. She got teased about being “old school,” but the system worked. She would then send an electronic version to whomever needed to know, but it was much quicker to look at the wall than scroll, swipe, click through a myriad of information. Not only was Olivia an expert in organization, but she was also a bit of a sleuth.
That morning, before Madison got to the office and too enamored by the captain, Olivia wanted to make sure it was clear sailing.Sometimes the puns were just too easy.She smiled at herself. It did not take much digging to find out the main details of Captain Viggo Eriksson.
Name: Viggo Lukas Eriksson
Born: 1983 Bergen, Norway
Relocated to Gloucester, MA—1991
U.S. Citizen—Naturalized 1998
Marital status—unmarried, no records of previous
Education: Graduated from Salem University 2005
Degree in Criminology
Joined Coast Guard: 2005
Became Captain in 2013
2006-2021—Stationed in San Diego, New Orleans, Virginia Beach
2022—Transferred to Sandy Hook
Current residence: Gravely Point, Smuggler’s Cove
Olivia clicked on Google Maps and located his modest house. She went to “Street View” and saw that the front had stones and several tall grass plants with two Adirondack chairs on the small, front patio. From what she could surmise, the rear of the property was enclosed with a white fence lined with more seagrass.At least it’s neat and well kept. But then again, so is he.She printed out her short dossier and two photos of the house. Even though she used an incognito window, she deleted her search history from her computer. One cannot be too careful about spying eyes. She folded the sheets of paper and slid them into the pocket of her cardigan. She would share the info with Madison when she got in. As per her usual routine, Olivia fired up the barista-size coffee maker in the kitchen area. If Madison was a snob about anything, it was her morning coffee. That and beer and olive oil.
