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with more than theft at this point, Mr. Blanchard. They all deny seeing anyone on or near the boat."
    "Thank you for letting me know, Detective," Tal said. "Please keep me informed if you learn anything else."
    "Who was that, Tal?" Regina asked as her husband replaced the receiver.
    "The Savannah police. Julia's cruiser has been found in Florida," he said as he walked toward her.
    "My God! She might still be alive!" Regina said, the dullness in her eyes for the past week brightening a little. "She might have made it to shore and is wandering around not knowing who she is."
    Taking his wife in his arms, he took a deep breath. "The police are confident the boat was stolen while she was diving."
    "They left her out there!"
    "She shouldn't have gone out alone, Gina," Tal said, trying to face the stupidity of his daughter's actions. "What the hell could she have been thinking?"
    "She was thinking the boat would be there when she returned to the surface. Please, don't give up on her, darling. She's an experienced diver and an incredibly strong swimmer," Regina pleaded.
    "I know. I know, Gina. I just don't want you to get your hopes up too high. Promise me," Tal said as he held her face between his hands.
    "I might have to eventually, darling, but I can't give up on Julia yet."
    Chapter Three

    AN UNFAMILIAR SOUND roused Julia from her watery nap. She closed her eyes against the sun beating down on her and wished she had her Ray-Bans. She brought her hand to her face. It felt hot to her touch and she knew she was getting the mother of all sunburns. The best she could do was tread water periodically before resuming her floating. As she forced her legs down and moved her arms slowly to keep herself above the water, she looked around. The sound she heard was a thumping noise, but, knowing sound could travel great distances under water, she couldn't tell how far away it might be. She wished she could cover her face before it turned into a charcoal briquette. Glancing around she saw the same thing she had seen since sunrise...nothing. A few minutes later, her arms and legs grew tired and she flipped onto her back again. I can see the headlines now, she thought with a grin. Woman floats around the world.

    Dozing and trying to ignore her growing sunburn, Julia was suddenly awakened by something hitting her body and the sound of voices calling out to her. Half opening one eye, she rotated it in its socket and gasped. Oh, God! Now I'm hallucinating! Father forgive me for I have sinned.
    "Grab the rope!" voices were shouting at her. Instinctively she reached out and felt coarse fibers scratching her hand as her fingers closed tightly around them. She felt her body being dragged quickly through the water. She looked up and saw off-white sails billowing against a clear blue sky from three tall masts rising above the deck of a huge wooden ship. She knew this kind of ship--a frigate. A row of closed cannon ports extended along its side. Although she could see the sails being lowered, the ship continued cutting through the water, dragging her along. She didn't have the strength to pull her body closer to the cargo netting thrown over the railing of the main deck. As the last of her strength seeped away, she released the rope and began to sink into the water beneath her. It was over.

    DYING ISN'T SO bad, Julia thought, taking a deep breath. For the first time in--how many days--she felt warm and dry. She lifted a hand and winced at the soreness in her arm muscles as she gently touched her sun-burned face and ran fingers through her short hair. She felt something slightly scratchy rubbing her skin when she moved. Perhaps when you died you entered Heaven or Hell unclothed. She was afraid to open her eyes, afraid she was in a horrible place.
    "She's coming to, lad. Fetch the Captain," a firm British-accented voice said as Julia felt a hand come to rest against her head.
    Julia blinked her eyes open and let them sweep quickly around her surroundings.