Part 20 (1/2)
He leveled off in time to buzz low over the old shack, which was not as shabby as it looked, and neat as a shi+p's cabin inside, then he pulled up into a screaed fro what seereeting, then did a wing over that brought him back low and fast over the old sea broadly as he waved
Rick set a course north and slightly inland In a short ti to the Spindrift beach
While the others went to the house, he stopped at the lab and reported to Joe Blake that he had found a praot what details Rick had, and passed the word to the shore team on the mainland with instructions to follow the houseboat's movements from shore Then he went to the phone and called Steve A up ”Steve says to keep an eye on the houseboat, but to take no action He's going to do a little investigating”
”How?”
”He didn't say But he expects to have soht”
With that, Rick had to be satisfied
Apparently Steve wasted no time, because Barby answered the phone just before dinner, then called:
”It's Steve Aht I'd let you know,” Steve reported ”I had the Coast Guard pay a visit to your houseboat this afternoon”
”You did?” Rick was incredulous ”But thatthe,” he said, wounded ”No faith, huh?
Ever hear of the Coast Guard's courtesy inspection service?”
”Sure They'll inspect your boat for safety”
”That's it And that's the gag we used We sent a brand-new ensign, a real boyish type He checked half a dozen boats before he got to the houseboat When he pulled alongside and offered a courtesy investigation, they invited him aboard like an old friend”
”What did he find?” Rick asked excitedly
”Nothing All was in order, and the boat had plenty of extinguishers, life jackets, and other safety iteave it a clean bill of health They fed hiood-by as if he was their long-lost son”
”What kind of people were they?”
”Two ed couples Business partners, froot the names from him and checked They really are partners, in a used-car business Sorry, Rick Looks like another dead end The Coast Guard drew a blank this time”
”But there isn't another praht We'll be keeping an eye on these people, but we have no grounds for any action Any luck with the barber?”
”We haven't tried yet,” Rick told hiabuck network completed in case we need to communicate”