MagAAFSzine November 2018, Issue 7 | Page 27

Inspector Watkins pointed to a large white ship docked in the center of two slightly smaller ones. The men walked over to the ship. Many of the weaponry was still on display on deck. A smiling man in a sailor uniform greeted them warmly. He had the liveliest green eyes the men had ever seen and a grey beard and mustache covered the lower half of his face. "Mornin' gents. Captain Joe B Crawford at your service." The men shook hands with the captain. "My name's Inspector John Watkins and this is my assistant Dr. Michael Nolan. Is this your ship?" Captain Joe nodded,"Certainly. Isn't she a beauty?

Many a battle she's been through, this one. Helped defeat the enemies during the war. Oh, it was quite a sight. Cannons firin', guns blastin' and all-around general chaos. Yes, the Navy was not easy but we managed. Left the Navy to sail the seas. Bought a smaller boat but it's at my house. You gents should come by sometime. Lovely view of the sea. Now then, what brings you two here?"

"We received word of a supposed haunting right here on the marina." Dr. Nolan said, admiring the ships wheel. Captain Crawford paused then replied, "Well, you're partly correct. Some imbecile in a white sheet climbs aboard my boat and terrifies the fish tails right out of me. Next thing you know, somethin's missin'. Already lost a uniform rack and a display case with 5000 dollars worth of valuable British coins.

They were lost aboard a sunken vessel during the war. Washed ashore on the beach a month later. That vermin spirit obviously wants to sell 'em and use the rack to display fancy clothes and such. Probably lives in a mansion or a similar home, he does. Mind havin' a look around? 'Fraid I may have a vandal on my hands." The three men went below deck into a brightly lit space.

More weaponry and ship equipment were everywhere. None of them looked as though they had been touched though the Inspector wasn't so sure. He carefully examined an anchor. Except for a few spots of rust, the anchor was untouched. A painting of Captain Crawfords ship hung on a green metal door. "That be my most prized possession. I've been meaning to take that picture home but it keeps slipping my mind." the Captain said, admiring it fondly.

Something, however, was strange about the painting. Inspector Watkins took a closer look. "What's this? There's a good-sized lump portruding from the back!" Captain Crawford was surprised! "Yar, perhaps I have been vandalized!" Inspector Watkins peeked behind the painting and held it up.

A crumpled piece of paper fell to the floor at his feet. He picked it up and unfolded it. His eyes grew big when he read the writing on the paper,"Crawford, give up the treasures or your ship is sunk!"

28