Inspector Watkins was already awake and once again looking at the newspaper article by the time Mary had woken up. "Why, John you're already awake and you bought
your breakfast too." Mary yawned and walked over to the sofa where Charlotte was still sleeping. When Inspector Watkins had woken up, he had gotten dressed,went down to the hotel kitchen and bought himself a muffin without making a peep. Mary gazed fondly at her daughter, "We should let her sleep. She's had a long train ride." Inspector Watkins nodded, "Nolan and I will investigate this supposed haunting of the marina after breakfast. Then I wish to speak to Ed Ridgley, the trolley driver, about these mysterious happenings."
Inspector Watkins finished his muffin and strode across the hall to Dr. Nolan's room. He was finishing scrambled eggs when the Inspector knocked. "Nearly finished" the Inspector heard through the door. The knob rattled and Dr. Nolan stepped out wiping his hands on a napkin." "I'm ready. Shall we go?" "Go where? Can I come, Father?" William Nolan popped his head out. William looked a lot like Dr. Nolan. Blond and spectacled with a wide grin.
"Sorry, son. This is detective business. You go on and play with the other children, but please keep it quiet. The other patrons don't want to be disturbed." The two men went down to the lobby. "Ed's waiting for you." Bill said, dully. He looked like he hadn't been to bed. His hair was uncouth and his eyes were bloodshot. "Looks like he had an awful night." Dr. Nolan observed, taking his seat in the trolley. "Bill? Yes, he's sort of droll at first but he's a charming gent once
you know him." Ed Ridgley replied from the driver's seat.
Inspector Watkins suddenly remembered what he wanted to ask Ed. "Ed, you've heard about this supposed haunting of a ship at the marina?" "Sure have. Dunno why you gentleman would want to go down there if there's a spirit or ghost." Inspector Watkins laughed, "Oh come now, there's no such thing as ghosts. Nolan are going to investigate."
"Oh, you're dectectives! Pardon me, didn't realize this was so important. You'll love the marina. Those vessels are real beauties. You'd be amazed by how much hard work is put into keeping those ships as shiny as military medals. Ah, here's the marina." Ed had parked the trolley in front of a winding boardwalk. Inspector Watkins and Dr. Nolan got off and stared in awe. The marina was just
as Ed had described. Giant ships used during World War I stood tall and grand, roped to the docks. "Which one are we looking for, John?" Dr. Nolan asked. "The Riptide. In the middle, right there."
Inspector Watkins pointed to a large white ship docked in the center of two slightly smaller ones. The men walked over to the ship. "Sure have. Dunno why you gentleman would want to go down there if there's a spirit or ghost." Inspector Watkins laughed, "Oh come now, there's no such thing as ghosts. Nolan are going to investigate."
"Oh, you're dectectives! Pardon me, didn't realize this was so important. You'll love the marina. Those vessels are real beauties. You'd be amazed by how much hard work is put into keeping those
ships as shiny as military medals. Ah, here's the marina." Ed had parked the trolley in front of a winding boardwalk. You'll love the marina. Those vessels are real beauties. You'd be amazed by how much hard work is put into keeping those ships as shiny as military medals.
"Ah, here's the marina." Ed had parked the trolley in front of a winding boardwalk. Inspector Watkins and Dr. Nolan got off and stared in awe. The marina was just as Ed had described. Giant ships used during World War I stood tall and grand, roped to the docks. "Which one are we looking for, John?" Dr. Nolan asked. "The Riptide. In the middle, right there."
CHAPTER 2
BATTLESHIP