Menace from the Deep

By Perry DeFiore

Ralph is retired. He tells himself he doesn’t want to work because his family insists he doesn’t work, but his wife’s passing leaves him empty inside, so why not investigate what this strange species is?

As usual, Ralph’s investigations become dangerous and are filled with adventures. His grandson, who he has been g

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Mar 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781643459288

Perry DeFiore

Perry was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and lived a pauperized lifestyle, joining the USMC to get an education, but his prowess led him to Vietnam instead, so his studies had to wait. He went to various universities to get his education in environmental sciences, ocean sciences, oceanography, physics, and chemistry and more, still continuing to study today. His wife refers to him as a permanent student. He founded a society to develop young scientists, which still exists today, using his experience working with scientists from various countries on expeditions. His scientific knowledge and twenty-year experience in education, along with his education in writing, has given him what is necessary to be a good writer. Most of what he writes is actually true.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Life Is Beautiful

Grandpa?

Yes?

Can you take me with you on your next expedition?

Ralph may have been an adolescent of fourteen, but his interests didn’t fit his age very well, nor his size; thus his friends were few and he got along with adults better than others his own age. He was a top scholar in school, especially in math and science. His grandfather taught him marine biology at every opportunity and how to research and use lab equipment. Ralph spent most weekends with his grandfather, both of them researching in the bowels of his grandpa’s home, oblivious to the hour, sometimes working all night, never complaining of hunger or thirst or lack of sleep. Little Ralph’s interest in science was so keen he even built himself a small lab in his bedroom at home. Frequently, when staying with his grandpa, they worked through the night, then would go out for breakfast together, a highlight of his weekend. Ralph would rather be with his grandpa than spend time at home, playing boring electronic games and doing petty chores. His grandfather always had some fascinating things to show and tell him in chemistry and astrophysics, Little Ralph consuming the knowledge with an insatiable thirst.

Little Ralph was also a good athlete. He was the first string running back for a privately sponsored football team (proudly wearing grandpa’s number 22 on his jersey) and ran a five-minute mile in track for his school’s team. He felt obligated to go out for his school’s football team next year because the high school coach was constantly after him to do so during gym class.

Ah-h. I’m afraid my expedition days are over, son. Ralph tightened his lips and shook his head dejectedly. He left out a deep sigh.

Yeah, I know. You’re retired, but I’m sure they’ll call you again. When they do, can I go with you? Ralph was named after his grandpa because his father had always been real close to his grandpa, and both his father and mother highly respected his grandpa.

Well. I doubt that very much. You know I’d love to have you along, of course. I dare say you know more than most other adults would, but I have a feeling your mother won’t cotton much to the idea. She doesn’t even want me to go anymore. Ralph shook his head, remembering how his daughter scolded him as his wife had for so many years when she was alive. A smile crept across his lips as he reminisced.

If she said it was okay, would you?

Ralph turned and looked his grandson in the eye for a second and said, Sure. If it didn’t interfere with school, of course, he quickly added.

Deal! Thanks, Grandpa. Remember when they call you. Your word, right? Ralph knew his grandfather’s word was as good as gold.

Word. He laughed softly and watched his grandson, who was already up to his shoulder, run off toward the dock. He was very proud of how his grandson was turning out. He wondered what Ralph had in mind to convince his mother to let him go along with him on an expedition. He was a smart kid. He shrugged his shoulders. He wished him luck. He also sadly wondered if there ever would be another mission. He did miss it—the action, the excitement, and the adventures into unknown territories, always a challenge, full of the unexpected. Ralph let out another heavy sigh.

Grandpa? Annie, Henny, and Julie interrupted his thoughts as they ran up to where he was sitting on his deck. The smell of flowers saturated the air around him and offered a colorful background to his redwood seat. Every time he saw his girls, he wanted to grab them and hug them so tight they would become part of him. They would complain, of course, when he squeezed too hard.

Can you tell Mommy to let us stay another week? Annie asked.

Please? the other two chimed in.

She’ll listen to you, Grandpa, Julie added.

Woah, girls. He chuckled. Mommy’s the boss. I’m sure she has other plans for you.

No, she don’t. She just works, and she wants to send us to summer camp to get rid of us, Annie complained.

Ralph loved his granddaughters dearly, but after a week of a full dose of grandchildren that turned his tranquil world upside down, he was just a little anxious for getting his peace and quiet back. Was he getting old?

Summer camp! Why, that’s great! There’s all kinds of things to do at summer camp. Boating, hiking, fishing, tons of games…and you get to play with all those other girls you’re going to meet there.

Aw. I wanna be here with you, Grandpa. Annie climbed on Ralph’s lap and gave him a tight hug.

"That’s not fair!" He wanted to say, but couldn’t. His heart melted like butter on an August Texan day.

Girls, let’s pack your bags. All of you. Stop bothering your grandpa. Barbara had come to his rescue. She smiled at Grandpa and hurried the girls off into the house. Ralph sat on his bench; the odor of wisteria that climbed the arbor, and hung its white blossoms from above, hung sweetly in the air. His heart was torn between the knife Annie had left in his heart for disappointing her and the relief he felt, looking forward to a little quiet fishing time.

The rest of his family was leaving tomorrow, and he had guests coming on Tuesday. That only left him about a day and a half, not much time to tidy the place up after a week with so many.

Thank goodness he had Arcelia and her family. They made his life so much easier. He had started the construction of a three-bedroom home beyond the fruit trees for her and her family. It wouldn’t be much, just 21,000 square feet, but they seemed quite happy with the idea. Pedro, Arcelia’s husband, did most of the supervision of the construction. Ralph only made a walk through once a week to make sure everything was up to his specs. The foundation and shell was up, so it should only take the workers another three months to finish. He wasn’t building this one himself; although he did design it and drew up the plans. He insisted on building his own home himself. The contractor was Mexican and spoke fluent Spanish, much to the liking of Pedro. The contractor and Pedro kept erroneously referring to Ralph as arquitecto.

He taught Pedro and his son how to build furniture and allowed them to use his workshop to take advantage of their learned skills to save all of them money.

His Stephanie had found them. She was really good with people. They were the first and only help she had hired—many years ago. His eyes watered in memory of his longtime companion. His wife had had such a way with people.

We’re ready, Grandpa, Barbara said.

Ralph snapped out of his trance.

You’re not having breakfast first? He looked at his watch, 08:45. You’re early. Wow. I thought you weren’t leaving till around noon.

I gotta get back to do laundry. Work tomorrow, Dad. She smiled and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. And your grandchildren dirty a ‘lot’ of clothes!

Me, too, Susan said and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

See you later, Dad. Robert grasped Ralph’s hand firmly. I thought it would be best we all stay together going back.

Ralph nodded. He liked that idea, although he couldn’t help but feel like they were running away all of a sudden. It only took another thirty minutes to say goodbye to the whole gang and see them away. He felt a pang of abandonment. When he walked back into the house, Arcelia and her family were preparing breakfast.

Looks like it’s just us so don’t make a mountain of food. What are we having?

Huevos con salsa y frijoles refritos. Arcelia spoke to Ralph in Spanish when others were not around.

Sounds great. Coffee’s made. Pedro nodded, holding his coffee cup up. Ralph loved scrambled eggs with salsa with Arcelia’s homemade flour tortillas. He could eat just her tortillas with salt and butter melted all over them rolled up tight. Just thinking about them made his mouth water. The store-bought ones tasted like cardboard. He would skip the beans. He only liked them whole when they were freshly made and in frijoles borrachos. And oh, did Arcelia ever make good drunken beans and sopa de fideo! She was dangerous to the waistline, and Pedro was the proof.

Your friends come Tuesday, no? Arcelia asked.

Yes. We have a lot to do.

No problem, Doctor. We do everything. You relax. We know what to do, Don Ralph.

Thanks. I think I’ll make some more soap today. I see there is nothing left in the pantry. Ralph thought about making more for his guests, too.

Make that one with the good smell, Don Ralph.

Chanel No. 5. Ralph chuckled and nodded. She had raved about how much she liked the smell and how it made everything smell good in the house.

"Eso es. I love that one."

Okay. I’ll make a batch of liquid hand soap for the bathrooms, too. What color would you like this time?

Not red, Don Ralph. It was like washing my hands with blood. Make it yellow…or blue, maybe…or lavender.

Anything but red. Got the message. Ralph chuckled, poured himself another cup of coffee, and waited on the veranda for his simple breakfast, looking at the deck below and the boathouse and dock. They were all gone. Poof! Just like that it was empty. He remembered how it teemed with movement and laughter just an hour ago. He watched the fresh breeze make the leaves say good morning and felt the moisture in the zephyr cool his face. He touched the repaired bullet hole on the railing and smiled. That had been close. He looked skyward and whispered thanks. Life was beautiful. A little boring right now, and empty without Stephanie, but the world was beautiful just the same.

"Here is your egg tacos, Don Ralph. You are sure you no want otra cosa?"

Ralph silently smiled and sat down shaking his head. Arcelia grabbed his coffee cup and said softly, She happy, Don Ralph. She know the family take care of you. Ralph nodded his understanding and wiped his eyes. The first bite of the taco shocked his taste buds with delight with the egg and fresh green tomato salsa made with chili piquin; suddenly his thoughts of sadness disappeared like the snap of the fingers.

God, she’s gonna get me fat. He chuckled to himself. Going to have to work out later and burn all these calories off before they accumulate.

His mind drifted to the expected arrival of some dear friends he had come to know over the years who shared so many of his adventures. He wondered how they were handling their age, if they were working on any new adventures, if any retired or planned retirement. Well, he would find out in two days.

Chapter 2

A Rare Reunion

Ralph pulled himself up in bed and lazily looked at the clock on the nightstand to his left. The small alarm clock read 6:11 in big red numbers. He stretched and yawned. He wasn’t sleepy at all even though he tossed and turned all night. He was actually nervous. His guests were very special to him and getting them together, all at the same time, was just as much an accomplishment as solving the giant squid mystery in the bitter cold waters of the North Pacific. They all lived complicated lives.

He showered and decided to wear a pair of khaki dress Dockers instead of the normal jeans, even though he preferred jeans. A navy blue Polo covered his torso. He stood in his closet and pondered, then finally decided on the blue Sperrys. He grabbed his Navy Seal cover on his way to the kitchen.

Delicious aromas floated through the house. He could smell Arcelia’s cooking before he made it to the kitchen and the coffee was ready.

Buenos días, Arcelia. He poured himself some coffee in his favorite mug and doctored it just the way he liked it.

"Buenos días, Don Ralph. Dormiste bien?"

No. Not really.

Everything is ready for your people. Pedro has the yard well-trimmed, he checked all the flowers, and now he is in the hothouse attending the vegetables.

And the house is obviously impeccable. Thanks, Arcelia.

Are you going to eat outside or inside?

Inside is fine, today. Thanks. Hm! You added canela to the coffee grounds.

She smiled and placed a plate of two fried eggs sunny-side up with two crisp strips of bacon in front of him. Then she brought him a small bowl of grits. The butter was already melting on top.

Thanks.

Thought you would like your grits this morning. Stick to your stomach, no?

Ha, ha. Yes. That’s just what I need.

Ralph ate quickly and made his round of the house and grounds. Then he returned to the house and poured himself another cup of coffee and stood out on the veranda off the kitchen that looked out over the deck and onto the dock and boathouse. This was his favorite spot each morning to have his coffee, and today the cinnamon added to the pleasant aromas of Mother Nature.

He heard the doorbell and briskly walked to the front of the house to answer the door.

Well, well, well. made it early, did we?

Hi, Ralph. Good to see you. Wow. You look great! Still working out, obviously. Am I the first to arrive?

Someone has to be first. Come in, Sam. I put you in the first bedroom to your right there. Drop your bag off and join me for a cup of java in the kitchen. Ralph nodded toward the kitchen.

Sam nodded and stopped in front of the bedroom door. A gold nameplate read Robert and Gaby. He shook his head and entered the room. He had never met a more organized person, male or female, in his life.

There was a queen-sized brass bed with a bedspread of browns, tans, and silvers with a selection of seven different pillows of motley sizes covered in the same color combination as the bedspread. He gently laid his small suitcase on top of the dark wooden footlocker at the foot of the bed.

The lower half of the walls were texturized and painted an olive green. The upper portion of the walls was covered with bone ivory linen wallpaper with thin silver vertical stripes. A piece of dark wooden molding that matched the furniture separated the paint and wallpaper.

A triple dresser of the same dark wood hugged the wall on the right. On each side of the bed sat a wooden nightstand adorned with a large crystal lamp and bone shade.

Good taste, he thought to himself and made his way toward the kitchen.

How’s Hilda? Ralph began as Sam approached. She did an incredible logistics job for this reunion.

I thought it was mission impossible, actually, but she pulled it off somehow. With all your conversations, though, I think she’s fallen in love with you—which is okay by me, by the way—leaves me off the hook.

Time for you to find someone, isn’t it?

Yeah. Maybe. Maybe when I retire—which won’t be long, by the way. Uncle Sam’s putting pressure on me.

Just like ’em. Send them to hell, Sam. Well, could use a fishing buddy.

"Wish I could be more like you, Ralph. They really don’t like dealing with you—he chuckled—but respect you too much not to when they have a really serious problem."

Well, fine by me. Ralph chuckled, flashes of some of the heated arguments with Uncle Sam’s holier than thou coming to mind. Maybe they’ll leave me alone.

Hilda’s great, by the way. Superefficient—as you already know. Makes my life a hell of a lot easier. Always comes to work with a smart, professional presentation. Shame she’s heavy.

Can’t have everything, Sam. Shame you couldn’t have brought her along, but I guess someone has to watch the store. You look good, though. Rested. Got rid of the pot gut—been exercising. Face filled out. You look stronger. Hilda agrees with you—better keep that one.

I fully intend to…what? The chime of the front doorbell interrupted them.

That’ll be our next guest. Ralph rose to answer the door.

Jerry!

Hi, Ralph! Look what I found at the airport. Thought I’d bring her along to liven things up around here.

What I found at the airport? Hi, Ralph. Wow. Can’t believe the shape you’re in. Someone’s been eating their Wheaties! Ralph smiled and gave Sonia a welcoming peck on her right cheek.

Come in, come in. Ralph’s face reddened. Jerry, you have the second room on the right there. Richard will be rooming with you. Sonia, you’re in the third. Dump your bags off and join Sam and I in the kitchen.

Of course Sam beat us here. Why am I not surprised? Jerry stopped in front of the second bedroom door and read the gold nameplate: Susan and Bill. He shrugged his shoulders and entered. There were two queen-sized brass beds with a wooden footlocker in front of each, one painted royal blue and the other candy apple red. Jerry placed his suitcase on top of the blue one.

He looked around the room. The lower half of the walls was painted royal blue and the upper half was wallpapered in white with a red and blue design. A red wooden molding separated the painted area from the wallpapered area. A single white nightstand, adorned with a large red lamp with a white shade, separated the beds.

Bright and cheerful, Jerry murmured to himself and made his way to the kitchen.

Sonia stopped in front of the third door and read the sign: Barbara and David. She frowned and looked toward the kitchen then decided to enter. A large brass bed met her straight on with a white, wooden footlocker at the foot of the bed. She placed her suitcase gently on top. The bedspread was lavender with dark purple flowers and an array of pillows with matching covers. Two lavender nightstands stood to each side of the bed, each with a large brass lamp and lavender shade.

The bottom half of the wall was texturized and painted a dark purple. The tapestry was white with pastel lavender vertical lines. A white wooden molding separated the two types of wall covering.

A large white triple dresser with brass hardware sat against the right wall. A large mirror framed in white wood that hung above the dresser made the room look larger.

Sonia wrinkled her nose and left to join the rest.

There she is, Sam said, rising to say hello.

So this is who? Let me guess. Dr. Sam Johnson, I presume.

Yes. You presume correctly, my lady. A real Sherlock Holmes, you are. May I call you Sonia?

You better. God! We finally put a face with the name after so many phone conversations.

Right.

"How are you,