Wave Dancer: A Bimini Twist Adventure

By Patrick Mansell

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force must capture Reginald Cordelle and stop him from following through with a plot to smuggle weapons into Florida from the Bahamas. Waves Dancer is a beautiful sportfishing yacht that is the perfect vehicle for this intended smuggling operation, but its owner, Will Tanner, is skeptical. When he sees the quality of personnel and organization involved in this operation to take down Cordelle, he grants his permission to use Wave Dancer and the action begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9780983687931

Book preview

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THE RUDE YOUNG GAFFER

Max was not certain he wasn’t dreaming when the telephone on his night stand rang. There was no light peaking around the edges of the window drapes in his suite, so he correctly assumed that it was still pitch black outside. On the third ring he glanced at the illuminated clock that sat next to the telephone and noted that it was 5:30 AM, and he was not dreaming. His heart raced as a telephone call at this early hour of the morning could only mean it was an emergency. His mind raced to his oldest son, P.J., and was known to stay out til all hours of the night and sometimes morning. He prayed a silent prayer that there was no problem and haltingly picked up the phone. He was hoping that he would hear P.J.’s voice. Instead it was the loud and wide awake voice of Will Tanner. Max’s next thought was to wonder how a man whom he had left just four hours earlier, who had been drunk and exhausted, could be so cheerful. He snapped on the bedside lamp and tried to collect his thoughts. He held the receiver away from his ear as Will’s voice boomed through.

Come on, Max. It’s the crack of dawn and the fish are just waiting to get caught.

Max did not remember making any plans to go fishing this morning. In fact he specifically remembered making plans before he went to bed that he would try to sleep in until 7:30 if possible. His voice came back in a weak croak.

Is that you, Will?

Louder than before Tanner’s voice came back. Come on, Max. You’re a fisherman and so’s that son of yours. I got my crew ready to go, so what do you say?

Max was dazed and disoriented. He did not know how to answer.

Hold on, he said. He placed the phone on the night stand and walked into the other bedroom. There were P.J. and Gaffer, sound asleep. They both seemed to be doing what they wanted to be doing, so Max knew that waking them would be out of the question. He returned to the phone.

Sorry, Will. No takers today. Thanks, but maybe some other time. He hung up.

A half minute later the phone rang again. Max reluctantly picked it up, but he knew who it was. I said . . .

Will interrupted. How about in two hours. Can you be ready in two hours?

I’m busy today, said Max. I have appointments in the afternoon. You should have suggested it earlier and maybe we could have worked something out.

I was drunk earlier and fishing was the last thing on my mind. But I’m sober and awake now and ready for some action. What time are your meetings?

Max did not really want to engage Will Tanner in conversation. He reluctantly answered, I said I’d be at Government House in mid afternoon. No specific time.

All right, then. Be here at 7:30 and bring your sons. We’ll have a ball.

Max considered for a moment. He was free all morning and he really had not made any other plans. Why not?

All right, he said. I’ll be there in a couple of hours. Have coffee ready.

And Max, Tanner continued.

Huh?

Your sons are invited if they’d like to come.

OK, I’ll let them know. See you later. Max hung up and climbed back into bed. He was not going to wake the boys for this. It was their day to sleep in too if they wanted to.

At quarter to eight Max and Gaffer emerged from the back entrance of the hotel to the marina docks. Gaffer rarely missed a chance to go an a fishing expedition, and he was anxious to see what this brand new, right out-of-the-box Hatteras was like. He had heard all about this model, reputed to be one of the top sportfishing boats afloat. He wanted to find out for himself. P.J., not the fishing enthusiast his brother was, chose to sleep this one out in his comfortable bed in the luxury suite.

The engines were already idling when Max and Gaffer stepped aboard the Wave Dancer. There was a deckhand on the bow untying dock lines and a captain on the bridge organizing the effort to shove off. Gaffer now had an opportunity to see in the daylight the damage the flair had caused to the cockpit deck. It was not pretty. In fact, the melted fibreglass and charred teak deck went a long way toward ruining the overall appearance of the cockpit area. It made Gaffer feel a bit queasy to see the damage.

The smell of toast, bacon, and fresh coffee assaulted Max and Gaffer as they stepped into the salon. It reminded Max of how ready he was for his first cup of the day. Will Tanner was standing just outside the galley giving instructions to the ship’s cook. This was quite a setup for a gentleman fisherman. He turned and greeted his two guests.

Breakfast is on. We’ll be leaving the dock in a jiffy and we can all sit and enjoy this while the captain ferries us out to the fishing grounds. He extended his hand to Max and introduced himself to Gaffer. Hi, Son. Will Tanner and I’m pleased to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too. My friends call me Gaffer.

Tanner nodded. I know, he said.

Gaffer looked at him quizzically. You know what? he asked.

That you’re Gaffer.

Oh, you mean that you already know my name? he asked.

Of course, said Tanner. If you’re the son of Max Carson, you have to be either Gaffer or P.J., and Gaffer is the one who fishes. So that must be you.

How do you know that? asked Max.

From the Wahoo tournament in Bimini last year. I wasn’t there, but I heard about the rescue.

Gaffer nodded. The rescue involved a boat that had sunk in heavy seas off Cat Cay. Max and Gaffer were on a boat that was competing in the tournament when the yacht Dream Machine broadcasted a Mayday. They were the first boat on the site and were credited with saving the entire party, although the yacht ended up on the bottom of the ocean. The rescue effectively eliminated their boat from the fishing competition, a tournament in which they were well positioned to win. They were acknowledged for their heroic and selfless actions and were in Grand Bahama Island this week as guests of the government to receive recognition for that rescue. Word of the event spread throughout the Bahamas Islands and yachtsmen in all of the major marinas knew this story.

Gaffer had kept an eye open for signs of what kind of fisherman Will Tanner might be. He looked for tackle, signs of bait, anything related to how Tammer might use this boat to take on fish. He saw nothing more than a pair of outriggers hanging from the side of the superstructure, two rod holders in each of the covering boards, a fighting chair in the middle of the cockpit, and a very fancy one at that, made of highly polished mahogany and stainless steel. There was a freezer to one side of the salon door and salt water and fresh water washdowns. He assumed the drawers in the cabinet on the starboard side of the salon entrance would hold tools and artificial lures. It appeared to him to be a minimal setup in comparison what one might expect of a world class sportfishing yacht.

I don’t see much in the way of fishing gear, he said. Most of the big boats I’ve been on are loaded. Where’s your stuff?

Will looked a bit embarrassed. I’m not that much of a fisherman. In fact, I only intend to visit the boat for a few months a year. The rest of the time I’ll have the crew charter it out. It helps offset some of the expenses.

You’re calling this a charter boat? asked Gaffer.

Sort of like that, answered Will.

Gaffer was more confused than ever. So where’s your gear?

The rods and reels are below. The mate likes to keep them out of the way.

Gaffer looked perplexed. I don’t understand that.

Tanner offered Gaffer a look. Just go below to the mate’s cabin. It’s all there.

Yeah, said Gaffer. I’d like to see.

He passed the galley and turned into the main passage. The cabin doors on each side were open so he looked in each one as he passed. The captain’s cabin did not look anything like a luxury yacht that was about to have visitors. In any other circumstance that Gaffer had encountered a captain’s quarters would be ship shape. The bed would be made and things would be put away so that the room would look uninhabited. This captain’s cabin was a mess. The bed was unmade, there was a wet towel on the floor accompanied by a pair of deck shoes and a pair of sandals, several pieces of clothing, a swim suit and a soiled shirt. Gaffer moved on to the next cabin on the starboard side of the boat. Here he saw a similar situation. The bottom bunk was unmade, there were two or three days of soiled clothes and a couple of wet towels on the floor. On the top bunk were four fishing rods in the heavy duty class, 130 pound rigs, cheap rods, two with Penn International eighties and two with fifties. This scene was just too bizarre for Gaffer. Out of curiosity he glanced into the owner’s cabin where he found the bed made and things in order. He made his way back to the galley where breakfast was just about to be served. The boat had eased out of its slip and was idling out of the marina. Gaffer began to wish he wasn’t on board.

Will had little experience as a yachtsman and even less as a fisherman. He wanted to learn all he could from these seasoned veterans. Gaffer soon understood that this had been his motivation for inviting him and his father out on the boat. It did not sit well with him. On top of that, the charred area on the cockpit deck spooked him. When Will asked the question about how to find the best spots for tuna and dolphin, Gaffer was hard pressed to contain his disdain. He did so by asking a very rude question.

How much do you have tied up in this boat? he asked directly. There was a lot of attitude in Gaffer’s voice as he recalled the drunken Will Tanner from the evening before, losing what Gaffer considered to be a small fortune at the black jack table.

Max interrupted. It’s not polite to ask that kind of question, he said.

Gaffer shrugged, but Will thought he understood. He came clean with the boy.

I can tell from the tone of your question that you see a lot of things wrong with this set up. And you’re right. I don’t know jack about yachting or fishing. I’ve been involved in the Bahamas Islands for a decade and I see so many of my friends enjoying these beautiful surroundings, talking about cruising around, having lunch on the deck and landing tremendous sea monsters. I always feel left out when they talk like that and it sounds like they’re enjoying it so much. I bought this boat so I could join in the fun. After a brief hesitation he added, I didn’t know there would be such a learning curve to becoming a yachtsman and sport fisherman. I feel stupid for making the big splash on the fancy boat without knowing anything about it.

Gaffer listened while Will Tanner made this admission. He didn’t know how to react. Max attempted to lighten the mood.

Hey, I’d rather start enjoying these beautiful Bahamas waters later than not at all. I don’t believe it’s ever too late to begin taking it in. With that said Max now wondered if he had made a social gaff by calling attention to Will Tanner’s age. Will was easily fifteen years senior to Max.

But Will did not take it that way. In fact he agreed. That’s what I thought. It finally occurred to me that instead of being jealous of my yachting friends or feeling left out, I would do something about it. I’ve worked my tail off all my life without much thought to enjoying the fruits of my labor. I’m a workaholic. Then just to set the record straight he added, In case you were wondering, I admit to being a workaholic, but I’m not an alcoholic.

Gaffer did not hold back. Actually I was wondering about that, he admitted.

Max’s anger grew. Gaffer! That’s a very rude thing to say. You know better than that.

Will laughed. Lighten up, Max. The boy has every right to say that. He doesn’t know me. The only way he ever saw me before this morning I could hardly stand up I was so drunk. Then to Gaffer he said, I like you son. You’re direct. Most people aren’t that comfortable around me. I think I can be intimidating. But you came right out with it, and I deserved it.

Gaffer did not respond. He was already pretty sure he did not like Will Tanner, and it did not matter much to him what he thought. Gaffer shrugged.

It was an uncomfortable breakfast. Max felt embarrassed for Gaffer’s unkind comment, and Will felt a bit strange knowing how Gaffer felt about him. Gaffer took a few bites of a bagel and a couple of swigs of O.J. and excused himself and headed out of the salon into the fresh air of the cockpit. There he introduced himself to a deckhand who was doing his best to act as a fishing mate, but who hardly knew how to attach a leader line to a snap swivel. Jeremy Stoner, a Bahamian native who appeared to be in his late teens, was struggling with a Haywire Twist, one of Gaffer’s specialties. For five minutes Gaffer showed Jeremy how the loop was fabricated and how to break off the lose end so as to not have a jagged edge that could leave a fisherman cut and bleeding. Jeremy appeared to be a nice boy and a quick learner, but he was not the least bit sure of himself either as a fishing mate or deckhand. His familiarity with sportfishing could have not spanned more than a few weeks of on the job training, and probably not with anybody teaching him who actually knew what he was doing.

As the boat passed the outer buoy and headed seaward Gaffer returned to the salon. There he found his father and Will still engaged in conversation, but now the discussion had turned to the subject of developing commercial real estate in the Bahamas Islands, something that Will and Max both knew well. Gaffer had a frown on his face and his body language said he was not at all pleased with the setup.

What’s the matter with you? asked his father.

Gaffer’s reply was laced with sarcasm and was pretty much directed at Will Tanner. I don’t understand this boat. It makes me uncomfortable, like no one associated with it has any idea what’s going on. The mate can’t rig baits or tie a knot, the captain doesn’t speak, and the cabins are left a mess. It’s like two million dollars worth of fine yachting equipment being flushed down the toilet.

Now wait a minute . . ., began Max.

Will Tanner held up his hand for Max to stop. No, no, he interrupted. Max, there’s nothing to be said. The boy is right. It’s a multimillion dollar embarrassment. The captain is useless. I had to make a deal with a government officer that I hire him for the first six months of charter operations. He’s a joke and I can’t wait for his contract to be up.

Now Max was feeling uncomfortable. He shook his head. I don’t understand, he said.

It’s a long and not that interesting story, said Tanner. I was bribed into taking this man on as captain. I thought it was one of those employment initiatives the islands are always so keen about, but now I’m not so sure.

So why don’t you pay out his contract and kick him off the boat. He’s doing more damage than good, said Gaffer. Then he added, And as far as that mate goes, he seems like a very nice boy and eager to learn, but that cockpit can be a very dangerous place for an amateur. If I were you I’d hire an experienced mate to teach him before I let him loose out there. You want to charter this boat but you don’t make it very appealing for your customers.

Gaffer, said Max. You could use a lot more tact. I think you owe Mr. Tanner an apology.

Tanner watched to see what Gaffer would do. Gaffer simply shrugged. I don’t think I do, he said. I told the truth. He may not like hearing it, but it’s all the truth.

It looked like Max was going to make Gaffer regret those words when Tanner broke in.

Please, Max. Your son is exactly right about his observations. The captain is doing more harm than good by being on the boat. And Jeremy needs a lot of training. Stay here a minute. I’ll be right back.

Tanner left the salon and went out the sliding door to the outside. Gaffer began an explanation of his behavior and what he had witnessed on the boat since they had been aboard. Max was not in the habit of giving his son tongue lashings without hearing him all the way through. After hearing of the messy cabins and the unfriendly attitude of the captain along with Jeremy Stoner’s inexperience, he agreed that Will Tanner had a big job on his hands to get this boat in proper yachting trim. Suddenly they could feel the boat slow down and begin a turn to port. In no more than twenty seconds they could tell that the boat had turned a one-eighty as Tanner reentered the salon. He joined Max and Gaffer who had moved from the dining area and were now seated on comfortable chairs in the salon.

What’s going on? asked Max.

Tanner looked disappointed.

You’re right, Will said to Gaffer. This is no good. I’ve known it for some time. The boat has taken out a total of four charters and each one of them complained that they would never come back or recommend us to their friends. I’m not going to subject you to that. We’re going back to the marina. As soon as we’re docked I’m going to dismiss the captain and pay out his contract. I’m going to hire a real captain who knows what he’s doing and who knows how to be civil to my passengers.

Gaffer was shocked. He hoped he had not caused all this fuss. What about Jeremy? he asked. He seems like a nice kid. He just needs training.

Jeremy will always have a job with me, said Tanner. He’s sort of an adopted son.

Gaffer thought that was a nice gesture for Tanner. A very well-off, white American capitalist adopting and very poor black Bahamian native.

That’s good, he said. He seems very willing to work and to learn.

He’s really your adopted son? asked Max.

I’ve not formally adopted the boy, said Tanner. He has parents who live in West End. We’ve been friends since Jeremy was a baby. His father was injured on one of Roy Zahn’s jobs in Abaco so I have him on a pension. Making certain that the family has its necessities taken care of has allowed Jeremy to complete his education. He’ll graduate in about four months and then take on-line college courses in business and computer sciences.

That Will Tanner had done this kindness for the Stoner family changed Gaffer’s attitude toward him. Not that he thought he would ever actually like the man, but knowing this side of him made him soften his attitude toward him considerably.

THE BUYING BINGE

When Wave Dancer backed into its slip in the marina, Max and Gaffer were on the decks helping with the dock lines and shore utilities. The fenders were in place and the gangway was lowered to the concrete wharf. The entire docking action took only a few minutes. Gaffer and Jeremy stood on the quay admiring their handy work with the lines tied off and neatly curled along side the dock cleats. Gaffer noticed that his father had entered the salon with Will Tanner following the captain. He immediately understood that his father was there for moral support for Tanner while he gave the bad news to the captain that his days on board Wave Dancer were over. Five minutes later the captain emerged from the salon in a rage, suitcase in hand. He slammed the sliding door so hard that it nearly jumped off its tracks. Gaffer moved Jeremy back to give the angry man a wide berth. The captain did not seem to notice the two boys as he stormed down the wharf.

Max led the way out into the cockpit. He appeared calm. Will Tanner emerged looking flushed and shaken. Jeremy was quick to run to his side. What’s the matter Uncle Will? I just saw Captain Cordelle storm off. Then, looking at his boss’ bright red cheeks, he added, You all right?

Tanner placed a kind hand on the boy’s shoulder. "Don’t worry about it, Son. I just had to let Captain Cordelle go. He won’t be the chief of this boat any longer, but don’t let that bother you. You just do your job and watch after your sister. I’ll hire someone in the meantime until we can get a proper