Read The Pandora Box for Free Online Page B

yet. A pretty good guarantee since you’re already living on it.”
    “I admit I’ve got a vested interest.”
    The aroma of fresh coffee wafted out of the can he was opening.
    “Meaning?” Dee took his place at the table and could not help reaching a tentative hand under a certain carving in the bookcase behind it while his back was turned.
    “Meaning I’ve put a lot of time and money into this old girl and I don’t mind saying I...” He turned around in time to see her withdraw the little wooden box from its hiding place, slide back the top and stare transfixed at the small brass key inside. “I’ll be a son of a...”
    His voice startled her back to the problems of the moment and the fact that he was as much a “wrench in the works” as she was.
    Their eyes locked and held.
    In that moment, without words or explanation, they understood each other. It was a strange experience. Not even her best friend, Marion Bates, who could practically predict her next sentence, had ever penetrated her psyche the way Wayne Hawkins was doing right now. It might have felt like an invasion if she hadn’t at the same instant, been able to read his.
    He knew about the diamonds.
    Not only did he know, he probably had some plan of his own to go after them. And he was at this very moment wondering how he should handle Dee Parker.
    Well, Dee wasn’t about to let him come to any conclusions. Having worked in the newspaper business long enough to know an offense was the best defense, her professional manner clicked in.
    “I’ll be by with the paperwork on Monday.” She got to her feet and started for the ladder. “I’ll pay for any repairs and all the other expenses then, too. Nice meeting you, Mr. Hawkins. I probably won’t...”
    “Hold it.” He reached out one arm and blocked her way.
    “I beg your...”
    “You’re not going anywhere until we talk, sweetheart, so you might as well sit right back down.”
     
     
     
     

6
     
    Hooked
     
    “Silently I marveled at my boldness to attempt such a feat...unused, as I was, to sea-voyages” ~ Nellie Bly
     
    There was the sound of a cheery whistle outside and a slight swaying of the deck as somebody came aboard.
    “Hey, Hawk!” boomed a baritone voice from the cockpit. “I got eggs and bacon. They robbed me on the bacon, but...” A large bearded face that Dee thought bore a striking resemblance to Popeye’s classic nemesis, Bluto, peered down through the open hatchway. “Oh, say. Didn’t know you had company, boy. Want me to come back later?”
    “Come on down, Starr.” Hawkins took his arm away from in front of Dee but kept her nailed where she was standing with his eyes. “And meet the new owner.”
    “What?”
    “Lady here says she’s Pandora’s new owner and has the papers to prove it.”
    “Holy smokes.” Starr eased his large bulk down the ladder without taking his eyes off her. “How’d that happen?”
    “We’re just about to find out,” Hawkins replied. “Have a seat Miss…”
    “Parker,” she filled in for him. “Dee Parker.”
    “Miss Dee Parker.” He turned back to the coffeepot. “Let’s start at the beginning.”
    “It’s simple enough.” Dee sat across from the table this time, on the comfortable couch in matching maroon that spanned the salon. “Peterson left it to me. Free and clear. Except for the repairs you mentioned and the dock fees. That’s all there is to it. Of course, there’ll probably be an exorbitant inheritance tax if it’s worth as much as you say it is. I wasn’t expecting that.”
    “Meaning you’ll sell?” Starr sank into a wide comfortable chair that belonged to a desk area across from the little kitchen. He turned on its swivel to face her.
    “I hadn’t planned on selling.”
    “What would someone like you want a yacht like Pandora for?” His laugh was deep and rolling. “You’re obviously no sailor, and a gal like this costs a lot of money every year just to keep up.”
    “Because she knows