The Sirens Gift

Chapter 7.

“Are… you sure you know what you saw?” My dad asked as he leaned back on the counter. Greg stood at the grill, idly watching a burger as it sizzled. My sister leaned on the wall beside the aprons, giving me another tired expression. I could tell they were getting annoyed by my accusations.

“He was weird.” I responded, rolling my eyes, “We’ve lived on the coast long enough. I know what chum smells like.”

“Maybe he does have a fish tank…” Greg offered, flipping the burger with his spatula.

“I doubt that.” I retorted, “He didn’t seem like the type.”

“Well, no one seems like the type who would float in the ocean in the dead of winter but there you are.” My dad chidded, they all giggled with nods.

“Yeah, that’s different.” I reasoned.

“How?” Sabrina asked, “Don’t judge a book by his cover.”

“Why is he out chumming in winter in a secluded area. If he didn’t have anything to hide he’d just do it in the main bay...”

“Some people like to keep a low profile.” My dad said.

“He was up to something. I feel it in my bones.”

“Your bones have no feeling, Addy.” Greg responded. They all laughed.

Later into the day, Calvin and Jim stepped inside. Swinging their heavy jackets over the backs of their chairs as they sat down and settled into their usual seats.

“Morning Addy.” Calvin said as I set down their usual coffees.

“Morning guys.”

“Haven’t seen you in a few days…” Jim said.

“Yeah, we missed you.” Calvin added.

“Yeah, I was super duper sick the last few days.”

“All that ocean swimming.” Calvin joked.

“You’d think after 18 years in the ocean I’d have gotten sick sooner.” I joked back.

“Hey Jim… you know most of the boats in the bay, right?” I asked. Both Jim and Calvin raised eyebrows at me. Jim nodded as he pulled his coffee cup away from his lips.

“Reckon I do.”

“Do you know of a little skiff called the Jack of Hearts?”

“Jack ‘a Hearts.” He wrinkled his mouth a moment as he thought.

“Isn’t that Otis O’Neills little boat?” Calvin asked.

Jim’s eyes sparked as he nodded, “Ya’ know, I think you’re right Cal.” He looked at me “little silver and red thing?”

“That’s the one…”

“Sebastian O’Neills son…” Jim said with a nod.

“Do you guys know much about him?”

“Why ya askin’?” Calvin asked, concern laced in his voice, “He’s sort of a weird reclusive guy…”

“I saw him out at Sirens lighthouse off of Old Joes dock this morning …”

“Hm, what business has he got at the lighthouse?” Calvin asked.

“It looks like he was chumming. He had a few buckets full and a net and tools…”

Jim shook his head, “Don’t concern yerself with him Addy. He's a piece of work.”

“Dad hates him.” Calvin added, “He's the son of that late oil tycoon, Sebastian O’Neill.”

“Oh, like, the guy who owned St. Bernadette’s island?” I asked.

“Exact same one.” Calvin nodded. “When Sebastian died, Otis inherited his entire estate, including St. Bernie’s and the house on it.”

“He’s got a few small trawlers and yachts and his team clogs up the bays for no particular reason… constantly scaring off the good catches… the cops finally put some orders out that he couldn’t hog the prime fishing areas during peak seasons, but you’ll still see his little trawler out there. What’s it called Dad, that one with that god awful yellow pinstripe?”

“Ah, that's the Golden Egypt, I think.” Jim sipped his coffee.

“Do you guys know if he has a fish tank?” I asked.

“Fish?” They both asked.

“He said he was chumming for a carnivorous fish tank…”

They shrugged. Calvin cleared his throat. “Last time I checked no… He may have one out on St. Bernie’s. But his house on the shore he definitely doesn’t. His daughter told me once he doesn’t like animals of any kind. His granddaughter has begged for a cat and she can’t get her one because of how badly Otis hates animals. She said he flat out wouldn’t come to their house if she brought any animals.”

“He has a daughter?” I asked.

Calvin nodded, “We go to the same church… she’s a couple years younger than me. Her name is Michaela.”

“You seem to know a lot about him.” I laughed. Calvin nodded.

“That’s what happens when you grow up in a small town.” We all laughed together and nodded. “Michaela was a few years below me in school. I think she was in Garrets grade maybe? Or a year below that...”

“Year below I think.” Jim added as he took a breath from his coffee sip.

“You said he has two houses?” I asked.

“He’s got his, it’s on the other side of Planters Bay from us, we can practically see into his windows. He’s got one of those fancy boat garages right on the water. A really nice place.” Calvin took a sip from his coffee cup. “Then he’s got that house out on St. Bernie’s that he inherited from Sebastian. But I don’t think he’s ever actually lived out on St. Bernie’s. I think they just hire a housekeeper, there’s a boat every few days going out there and coming back.”

Jim nodded in agreement with Calvin, “Place’s basically been abandoned by the family since Sebastian died…”

“I think his daughter had a party there once when she was like 20-21? But that’s about it.”

“Ya’ know Addy, ya shouldn’t worry ‘bout that Otis guy.” Jim said, shaking his head, “Guys got a few screws loose if ya ask me.”

“You say that about a lot of people, Dad…”

“But how long have I been sayin’ it ‘bout that Otis Fella. He don’t sit right with me.”

“No one sits right with you…” Calvin joked.

But Jim shook his head, setting his coffee down before turning a serious, hazel-coloured eye at me. “Otis is a problem.” He said firmly, “Can’t trust ’em far as you can cast ’em.” Then he pointed his finger at me. “You stay safe out there Addy, stay away from that guy.”

I nodded. “I will, Jim. Promise.” I turned back to Calvin. “Thanks for the Info Cal.”

“No problem Addy…”

“I’ll make sure dad’s working on your guys' orders and top off your coffee.”