Read Online The Pirate by Katherine Garbera - Free Book Online

could talk to him every day.”
    â€œWell I guess I can help out,” Hamm said.
    He walked over to the console and Daphne watched as he turned the large dial in the middle and then pushed a series of buttons on the computer keyboard. She carefully watched the sequence. She didn’t know if Hamm could be trusted or not. She felt better knowing how to operate the radio system.
    â€œWhat’s the number you are trying to reach?” he asked.
    She quickly gave him Paul’s home phone number. Hamm entered it on the keypad and then she heard the sound of the phone ringing on the other end. She glanced over at Bob and he smiled at her.
    â€œHello.”
    â€œLucas?”
    â€œHello, Mom.”
    â€œHow are you? I was worried about both you and Joshua. Is your breathing okay?”
    He sighed in a way that only a teenage boy could. “Yes, Mom. I told you not to worry about me. How’s Somalia? Did you hear the news that Dad is traveling to New York to talk to the UN about the pirate situation there?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t hear that. When is he going?”
    â€œHe’s there now. Josh and I are old enough to stay here alone.”
    â€œIf you say so. Are you behaving?”
    â€œOf course,” Lucas said. At fifteen he was clever, witty, and at times a bit of a prankster. Despite the maturity of his age and his brother who was sixteen, Daphne knew her boys could find trouble anywhere and at any time.
    â€œBe good,” she said.
    â€œWe will, Mom. Love you. Do you want to talk to Josh?”
    â€œYes, please. Love you too.”
    â€œWhat’s up, Mom?” Josh asked a minute later.
    â€œJust checking on you two. Is Lucas doing okay with his breathing?”
    â€œPeachy. I can make him sit down for a while if you think I should.”
    â€œNo, that won’t be necessary. Just stay out of trouble.”
    â€œWe will.”
    â€œLove you, kiddo.”
    â€œYou too, Mom.”
    Josh hung up the phone. She handed the handset back to Hamm. “He’s okay. Paul is flying to New York this week to speak at the UN.”
    â€œThat’s good to know,” Bob said.
    She thought so too. “Hamm, will it be okay if I call my kids back in the morning? I’m not sure I trust two teenagers.”
    Hamm laughed. “Definitely. I was a teenager once so I know what kind of trouble boys that age can get into.”
    Hamm didn’t know the half of it. Lucas and Joshua were good boys most of the time, but they were easily bored and often came up with elaborate schemes to amuse themselves. They were only eleven months apart and sometimes were almost like twins with the crazy stuff they did.
    â€œThanks,” she said.
    She and Bob left the radio room and walked back to their quarters, where the rest of the staff was assembled. “Did you get in touch with the Senator?”
    â€œNo,” Daphne said.
    â€œBut we did see how to operate the radio, which we never would have figured out on our own,” Bob said. “I think we should stay close together and on our guard. I’m not sure what is going on with the crew and until we can talk to the Captain I think we should be cautious.”
    â€œAgreed,” Franny said.
    They all went to the quarters and Daphne tried to go to sleep but she couldn’t. Her mind was full of worry for her sons…not because of any mischief they might get into but because of the danger she’d put herself in by coming on this trip.
    Still Daphne didn’t regret coming on this trip, because she knew her boys would be better for it and right now she felt better for it. Really, she did.
    Â 
    A loud explosion followed by gunfire brought Laz down to the deck from the bridge. He’d been keeping an eye out as the speedboat approached. He picked up the loudspeaker radio. “Unfriendlies inbound. Arm the water hoses.”
    He watched as his men ran about the deck. Some of them grabbed the hoses