An Excerpt from Calling All Angels

Abby’s voice came over Kurt’s headset, “All lines are clear, you’re safe to push.” The bow and stern thrusters whined as the boat crabbed away from the dock. Kurt pushed both shifters forward and they were on their way back to Kettle Cay. He was eager to get back on the island since it had been over a week since he had seen his father.

As the miles churned out behind them in a foaming trail, Abby emerged into the pilot house with a plate of sandwiches and a concerned look on her face.

“Everything okay?” Kurt asked as she set the plate down.

“I don't know, I think someone might be following us. There's been a black cruiser trailing behind us ever since we left the harbor.” she said.

“Really, let’s take a look.” He switched on the radar and they immediately saw a vessel at their 5 o’clock and 3/4 of a mile. He changed course 45° to the left and touched a button on the radar bringing a heading line onto the screen. He adjusted it so it pointed directly at the vessel and they watched. The boat stayed on the line leading to the Eagle Ray, Abby was right, they were being followed. “Okay, let's go up on the bridge.” he said, handing Abby a pair of heavy binoculars.

When they got upstairs Kurt diverted back to their original course and Abby took a closer look at the vessel. “It's all black, kind of sinister looking,” she said, handing the binoculars to Kurt.

“Hmm, it’s not pirates…” he said,

“That's an expensive boat.”

“Well who could they be, and what could they want with us?” Abby asked.

“I don't know but we've only got about twenty more minutes to Kettle. Let’s continue around the far side and we can see if they still follow us.”

They passed in front of the windward side of the island and it looked as idyllic as ever. The water was calm and crystal clear And a light breeze rustled through the palms that reached out over the water.

Ever since that stormy night when they tucked in behind Kettle Cay, they never saw another cloud overhead or more than a ripple on the sea around the island. But even though the scene was so picturesque, Abby was becoming a bit uneasy.

“They’re still coming Kurt and it looks like they're getting closer.” she said with an aire of controlled alarm in her voice.

“Yeah, they’re about a half mile out now. I'm going to call them out on the radio.”

“Black hulled vessel traveling on a heading of two-seven-zero on the windward side of Kettle Cay, this is the motor vessel Eagle Ray off your port bow, please state your intentions, channel one-six over.” Kurt was very detailed with his radio call, not so much so the black vessel would know he was addressing them, but more for if something went wrong, then hopefully someone listening might remember some detail of the transmission.

They looked at each other, waiting for a response, Abby biting her lip.

“Okay, you’ll tell me when I need to start getting concerned, right? I mean, you know I’m not any good with guns…”

“Well they don’t need to know that and we’re not at that point yet.” Kurt said. He picked up the mic again and adjusted the squelch on the radio,

“Black hulled vessel off the north shore of Kettle Cay, this is the motor yacht Eagle Ray. Be advised that we are prepared to defend our vessel to whatever extent necessary. State your intentions.”

A prolonged silence was broken by: “Eagle Ray, this is the black vessel J.L. III. We apologize for any alarm. A mutual friend directed us to you and our only request is to have a word.”

“Understand J.L. III… define mutual friend.” Kurt replied.

“Mr. Ben Allgreen sir.” J.L. III replied.

Kurt flashed Abby a somewhat disarming look.

“What could this be about?” she asked.

“I’m thinking Ben may have spilled the beans!” Kurt said. He keyed the mic.

“J.L. III, Eagle Ray, we will make anchorage in the bight on the leeward side of the island, suggest you approach our stern once we’re set.”

“Roger Eagle Ray, thank you, standing by.”

Abby made quick work of dropping the hook and Kurt backed down to set them up tight.

“I’ll meet you on the aft deck!” he called down to Abby.

“J.L. III, anchor’s set, ready to receive you.” Kurt directed on the radio.

The elegant, black yacht slid up from the rear. This clearly was not your run-of-the-mill Sea Ray. Kurt joined Abby on deck and got a better look at the yacht.

“Whoa…” he said in a low tone.

“It’s a SunSeeker.” Abby whispered.

“Damn, that’s gotta go 2 million easy.” he said.

A man in a black ball cap and mirrored aviators was at the helm and a silver-haired woman wearing a white windbreaker and a visor like you’d see on a country club tennis court stood in the cockpit. Now about 20 ft away the woman called…

“Is your name Kurt?”

Kurt looked to the man in the ball cap, now joining the woman.

“Do we know you?” he asked. The woman unzipped her windbreaker, sliding it off her shoulders and folded it over her arm. Abby gasped, Kurt confused at her reaction.

“She's wearing an O’Henry t-shirt.” Abby whispered, under her breath. Puzzled, Kurt strained to see her better,

”Whaaat?” Kurt whispered under his breath. The woman stepped to the rail, collecting her thoughts.

“I don't know if you remember me, but you saved my life almost 35 years ago and I’ve never gotten the chance to thank you. I'm Elena Prince, and this is my husband Carl.”

“Oh my God, Elena… Please-please swing around to the swim platform and you can tie off of our stern.” Kurt said.

Carl brought the gleaming yacht around and they got their first glimpse of the transom.

“Jacob's Ladder III,” Abby said.

“That's the name of their boat, Jacob's Ladder III. Wasn't that…”

“Yes… their boy.” Kurt interrupted.

They welcomed the Princes aboard and Elena immediately melted into Kurt's arms. She buried her head into his chest and remained there until she regained her composure. Looking up at him with the Caribbean blue eyes he remembered from that day, she softly held his face with both hands and said, “Thank you Kurt, thank you for keeping your promise.”

Now Kurt began welling up and she pulled him in tight again.

“And I'd like to thank you as well,” Carl said, extending his hand, “For bringing this incredible woman and my son back to me. January 18th, 1990 was a tragic day for us, but somehow Elena has managed to keep our boy’s memory alive and we have you in large part to thank for that.”

“I've played that day back in my mind over a thousand times and I always wish I could have done more.” Kurt said. “I’ve always wondered how things ended up for you and am so glad to see you here today!”

They moved up to the aft deck, sitting around the varnished table with compass rose inlay. Carl ran his hand over the teak in front of him, regarding its impeccable workmanship while Abby served Kurt's favorite, Arnold Palmers in tall glasses with a slice of fresh lemon.

“So how do you folks happen to know Ben Allgreen?” Kurt asked.

“Well, we've had a home on Staniel for about 40 years now, and we've probably known Ben for say, 20 of those years, right dear?” Carl said.

“Yes, and after Ben and Daphne lost their beautiful daughter Winnie, Ben and I became close friends. I shared with him about our loss and we began to realize how very connected we all were.” Elena said.

“When I think back to the accident, things seemed to have happened so quickly that day, but always play back in my mind in slow motion.” Kurt said.

“Sometimes it feels like it happened yesterday, this album of snapshots playing back in my head. Jacob was so happy, so curious and full of life.” Elena's voice trailed off.

“Tyler and I tried to find you but when we finally found the right hospital they told us that you were transported back to the states and they had no more information after that. I've often wondered about your recovery and how you were doing…it’s so good to see you now.” Kurt said.

“Our world was in turmoil back then.” Carl said. “Jacob was returned to us in New York about a week later and Elena had just been released from the hospital. We planned a small funeral that blossomed to almost six hundred attendees, it was hard on everyone.” Elena looked down at the table, nodding. “But we have never stopped wondering about you Kurt,” Carl continued, “We had very little to go on to locate you and of course there wasn't even an internet back then.”

“But how did Ben ever connect you to Kurt?” Abby asked.

“It was completely out of chance dear,” Elena began. “Kurt was so lovely to me that day and he gave me this shirt to preserve my dignity. Although it's truly a stark reminder of that day and honestly becoming somewhat threadbare now, I can't bring myself to part with it. There are times that I'm actually compelled to wear it, you know, on days that are particularly difficult. I love the strength that it brings me, reminding me of the closeness that I felt to Jacob on our last day together. About a week ago I was having one of those days and Carl, bless his heart, couldn't bear to see me lay in bed all day and go down that dark path. So he got me up and took me into town. I put on my shirt and our first stop was at the market to see Ben. We walked in and he was busy arranging his catch. He was whistling and smiling as he worked but when he looked up at me, his smile ran away and he honestly looked like he'd seen a ghost. He didn't even say hello, just, ‘Where did you get that shirt??’ I told him that it was given to me by the young man who saved me the day of the crash and he asked, ‘Was his name Kurt?’ I guess he could tell by the look on my face that indeed it was you and he said, ‘Kurt is one of my most cherished friends, he alone has given me back my life and I will never, ever, forget that.’

Kurt nodded and looked down at his lap. Abby reached over, stroking the back of his neck while Elena continued.

“I told him that I never got to thank you and he said that you had bestowed your confidence in him by sharing something that he couldn't repeat, but that he would be happy to tell us how to find you.”

“Are you saying that that's all Ben shared with you?” Abby asked.

“That's it, and that's all we wanted to know, just how to reach you both to offer our sincerest gratitude.” Carl said.

“Ben is an honorable man and an incredible friend.” Kurt said.

“Without question,” Abby said,

“But he's got you pretty well figured out Kurt.” she said with a smile,

“He knows your heart.” The Princes looked at each other and smiled in confusion.

“What Abby is trying to say is that,” Kurt paused,

“the secret that I shared with Ben is certain to be just as valuable to you both.”

Carl, feeling a little uneasy, removed his glasses to look Kurt in the eye, “We're really just here to say thank you and maybe for a little closure.”

“I know and it means the world to me that the two of you came all the way out here to see us, but I need you to know that I meant it when I said that I wished I could have done more on that day, only now, I think I can.”