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rug near a porthole. She walked up to the cherry-wood desk that sat in front of the bookshelves and watched Lisa.
    The girl put her hands on her hips. “How can we find something when we don’t know what it is? That’s dumb.”
    Danny said, “We all heard you the first time, Lisa.”
    “So, I said it again. So, what!”
    Abigail walked to the desk and picked up an exquisite ceramic square container, shaded green with a sprinkle of gold, which gave it depth. It stood on four lion’s feet. Both sides had two small, jeweled handles. She pulled off the lid by a beautiful gold figure of an angel that topped it. “Maybe this is it! It’s small enough to fit into Matt’s breadbox.”
    Abigail turned it over, and glanced at the bottom. It was made by a manufacturer that was still in business, and she knew it couldn’t be worth even the five thousand dollars Matt offered.
    A small bud vase caught Danny’s attention. After picking it up, he turned it over and handed it to his aunt. “Is this worth anything?”
    “I don’t think so, Honey. It doesn’t seem valuable enough to have four grown men searching for it, but you have the right idea.”
    Abigail knew they could find it only by chance. She watched Lisa. Each time she found something, she quickly brought it to Matt and asked, “Is this it?” That time, she had a small painting by a famous artist. When she showed it to Matt, his head shook back and forth.
    After searching for a few hours, Danny became weary, “Can we get something to eat?”
    Matt dropped a book on the desk. “Sure. We could all use a break.”
    As they headed for the hatch, Abigail placed one hand on Danny’s shoulder while holding Lisa’s hand. “Danny, everything will be okay.” He then noticed that she no longer stood tall, she had lines on her forehead, and her cheerful smile was gone. To him, it meant she was unsure of their fate.

Chapter Five
    Abigail felt the movement of the sea while she watched Danny and Lisa as they sat under a porthole. How am I to protect them and keep them safe? she wondered.
    Each time Matt’s eyes glanced her way, as if to soothe her, she turned away. How can I trust anyone keeping us hostage? Her captors huddled and talked in whispers. Jack’s eyes glared in her direction. Matt’s eyes were on the overhead, as if in deep thought. The men’s discussion subsided, and Jack stepped away. Great, she thought. What are they up to now? If Jack had his say, he would throw us overboard.
    The children’s eyes followed Jack’s movement. “He looks like Gordon.” Danny whispered to Lisa.
    She shook her head. “No. He is smaller, but his voice is loud.”
    When Brent grinned at Lisa, she whispered to her brother, “He’s cute.”
    Abigail pondered. What are my options? She glanced out the porthole and noticed the touring vessel still a few hundred yards away. Signaling it, might be our only chance for help, she told herself, but how can I do it without being noticed? Her body froze. The captain Larry Kilgore hired. He must be at the helm. Perhaps he had already called for help, and the Coast Guard is on their way. Okay, Abigail, stop it. You’re just being your old, optimistic self. Find a way to signal for help. That ship may be your only chance. The water movement started to stabilize, and she felt more sure-footed.
    As Matt watched her every move, it was difficult to do anything. “I need to use the head.” She spun around so fast she felt her hair swish over her shoulder.
    She glanced toward the children and moved her fingers toward her -- signaling them to come. They glanced at Matt. “You two stay here!” He glared at Abigail. “They just used the head. You know that.”
    “You two stay, and I’ll be right back,” she said. When she reached the head, she searched under the washbasin, and rummaged through two drawers. She found a compact with a mirror and placed it in her pocket. Her heart beat faster, and her palms were moist as she slowly walked