Part 21 (1/2)
Scotty nodded thoughtfully ”I think so The barber ties in because he caton, and he has the machine The houseboaters tie in because of the pram”
”Okay Then if both are involved, they have to contact each other soe information, at the very least”
Scotty ith him ”And it would be easier for the houseboaters to contact the barber than vice versa Because everyone has to get a haircut sooner or later Right?”
”One hundred percent So we keep a watch on both I'll work it out with Joe Blake We could keep watch by day, when possibility of contact is greatest because the barbershop is open The JANIG teaht, because if the houseboaters and the barber ht it will have to be in the woods Anywhere in toould be too obvious--except for the barbershop”
Barby and Jan had listened in silence, but Barby could contain herself no longer ”And we're going to help!”
To Barby's astonishment, Rick nodded She had expected opposition
”You and Jan can keep watch of the houseboat Scotty and I will take the mainland If the houseboaters start for Whiteside pier, you'll tell us We'll pick them up as they land and trail 'eoes into action! We'll use the radio network Right?”
”Yes First thing is, where do you take up a position? If I remember correctly, you can see North Cove from the attic It will be kind of hot up there, buta fan”
”We won't ht now”
Scotty spoke up ”You said you had a couple of things What's the other one?”
”We have to get a look at the barber's ure out soht that the houseboaters ht havethe barber, as well as to get a better look at traffic between Spindrift and the mainland If that were true, they had better hurry
He had another thought, too ”What tiht Why?”
”The barbershop doesn't open until nine I think it ht be useful to have someone call on the houseboaters and try to pu to hear why they chose to anchor in North Cove”
Barby's eyes got round ”Would you do it?”
Rick shook his head ”It can't be anyone from Spindrift, or fro of Cap'n Mike”
”Hey, that's just the ticket!” Scotty shook Rick's hand sole, the way he used to when he was keeping an eye on Creek House He could drift over to the houseboat and ask for a drink of water, or so, and strike up a conversation They'd think he was just a typical salty character”
”Then that's hoe'll do it Scotty, suppose you get the binoculars for Barby, then rig up a fan I'll go get Cap'n Mike It won't take long, and we can have so set before the barbershop opens”
Scotty helped Rick push the plane out from the beach, then collected the binoculars Rick waras He could use a few as up, too There was a pier in Seaford where he could land and get the proper grade of fuel
He taxied out, headed into the wind, and took off Then, to confuse watchers, he headed straight for Whiteside As he passed over the cove he saw the houseboat, anchored in the best position for watching the Spindrift-Whiteside boat course His ht line
Maybe there was no proof, but how much circumstantial evidence was needed to paint a picture? He was sure the houseboat was a part of the plot against the project