Three Lights over Bimini Bay

Three Lights Over Bimini Bay

Chapter 1

Lazy summer days spent relaxing on the Florida coast are practically enough to make anyone glad to be alive.

Including a dog named Jack who happens to make his home on a charter boat with his owner Gill Preston. Jack is

a small half wire haired terrier, half mutt, and this morning finds him at his usual post on the dock of Sailfish Bay

Marina in Key West Florida. Jack spends most of his time busy making sure anything from a treasure thief to a

misguided pelican stays far away from his master’s boat.

He is lying on his back with his paws in the air, and listening to the sounds of the warm summer water lapping

against the hull of Gill’s ship the “Skeleton Key”.

The Skeleton Key is a beautiful seventy foot; thirty Passenger Sea going yacht that was built in the Netherlands

in the late 1960’s. The ship was originally classed as an ice breaker, and was purchased by Gill from his longtime

childhood friend Brad Dennon.

After a thorough refitting, she was fully restored and made into a charter boat, for everyone from weekend

fishermen to the occasional diver slash treasure hunter. Or anyone else that may want to pay to go to sea for as

long as three and a half weeks at a time. She is a truly wonderful ship. 11.52 meters at the beam with two MAK

2495 horse power engines that can muster up some 21 knot speeds. Gill personally picked out a brilliant white for

her base color that made her gleam in the summer sun, and then added blue and red pinstripes to set off her

curves. Though she was completed in 1968 she looks brand new thanks to Gill who had worked his fingers to the

bone on her since the day he became her owner.

Gleaming lacquered cedar storage cupboards hang proudly in the galley and cover three walls. An oak table

capable of seating 15 at one setting Complete with an oven and kitchen sink trimmed in stainless steel shined so

clean one could use it as a mirror to shave with.

She has a full bathroom with a commode, stainless steel shower, and lavatory. A cedar great room with built in

padded bench seats surrounding the outer walls located amidships. This was one of Gill’s favorite spots for those

long nights spent gently rocking back and forth on the open sea.

Brad Dennon is the manager of the southeast branch of Huntington Financial. Brad’s company practically

owns half of southeastern Florida and has branches around the world. Brad let Gill have the boat for about one

third of its worth to try to help his friend achieve the career he had always dreamed of, and to aid his friend’s

financial stability through the help of the charter service that he had always dreamed of owning and operating.

Brad’s company holds the note on the Key, and Brad has had to face the upper management for Gill

numerous times to avoid repossession of the craft. Unbeknownst to Gill, he has also had to sneak a couple of

payments on the ship to the bank from his own personal account. Brad was always the smart one of the two

growing up and in turn always looked out for his best friend who was neither very business savvy nor thrifty.

Gill on the other hand, always lived his life as if tomorrow would never come and only looked at money as a

necessary evil. In fact, he looked at a lot of things in that way. Cell phones, personal computers, and even remote

control color televisions were all on his short list of things spawned of the devil. His only real link to the outside

world is what news he gets from his UHF ships radio and what he picks up during local conversations at The

Porpoise Pub; his local watering hole.

Jack suddenly came to full alert and jumped from his warm spot on the dock to the gang plank of the Key. He

made his way onto the ship and down the cedar stairs that lead into the galley.

“Good Morning little man” Gill said as he poured dog food into Jacks bowl.

“Catch any suspicious seagulls this morning?” Gill finished filling Jacks bowl and knelt down to give his friend

breakfast and a hearty petting.

“Good boy, I never have to worry about gun toting sea birds with you around” He chuckled as he put away the

food and started getting a pan warm for his own breakfast.

Jack headed for his bowl and dug in whole heartedly.

“I’ll need you to carry on at guard mate”, Gill said as he cracked an egg into the hot pan on the stove, “I have

to go into town again this morning for a meeting at the bank”. Just saying the words aloud made Gill lose some of

his appetite, he thought as he shook his head. “I would rather stick a rusty hook in my eye than have to go, but

there’s nothing I can do about it”.

Gill had received his second late notice that month from the bank about his payment for the ship, and he knew

this time the bank was not playing around. As best he could recall he had been in a rears with his payments for

the last four months. The registered letter from the bank had practically ordered him to be at a conference call at

9:30 A.M. between him, his friend Brad, and the big wigs in New York that held the title. He had every reason to

worry considering the fact that he had very little money in the bank and no real prospects on clients as of yet. The

season was still young, but usually by now he had at least booked two or three trips for dailies, and sometimes a

full week or even two. He thought that maybe his saving grace would be that he had the upcoming weekend

booked solid. That, and some persuasion from Brad, may keep the bank off him as long as he promised the

money he stood to make go directly to the bank, at least he hoped that would cover him for a short time.

Gill finished preparing his breakfast and sat down with coffee, eggs and a filet of mahi mahi. He wanted to

make sure he got there a little early to be able to talk to Brad alone before the others were there to chime in. Gill

smiled as he ate and watched his friend Jack make short work of his breakfast. He thought how great it must be to

be able to lay on a dock all day and bark at birds for a living. Have your meals served to you and to never know

what the word money, or lack of it, even meant. “Dogs life?” he whispered as he shook his head, “I’d love to try it”.

Gill finished his breakfast and put the used bowls and pans in the sink. He then headed for his room to get

ready for what was sure to be a grueling, hour long, gripe session.

In his mind he could see ten bank big shots with old English judge wigs on, sitting behind a long polished

bench, pointing their fingers at him and demanding the return of the Key. Not a pretty picture for him and almost

enough to make him lose his breakfast he had just finished. He had to get money in the bank and fast, he thought

again. As he was laying out his clothes and preparing the shower it dawned on him just what it would mean to lose

his beautiful boat. His life would be over as he knew it. The thought of doing anything else in this world was to him,

well…unthinkable.

His shower done and his “meeting clothes” on he stepped off the gangplank leading from the Key and onto the

dock of the marina. Jack jumped on the dock directly behind him.

“Stay” Gill said firmly, “I will be back as soon as I can”.

Jack sat immediately and gave him a longing look; almost as if he knew his master was preparing to walk the plank.

Gill made his way to the end of the pier and headed into town towards the bank. As he walked he thought how

beautiful the morning was, crisp, clear and warm. He thought of all the people in the world that were so happy this

day had finally come. Some waiting and watching, marking their calendars to start their vacations, some were

giving birth to their children, some maybe even retiring to a life of ease. He thought how lucky they were and that

this day for him meant he may lose everything he loved on this earth.


Chapter 2

Gill entered the front door of the Huntington Financial building and was met by the perky receptionist whom he

only knew as Barb.

“Good Morning Gill” Barb said smiling, “How are you this morning”?

He returned her smile and as he walked past her in the direction of his friend Brad’s office, “Well Barb,” Gill

sighed, “ask me in an hour”.

Gill stuck his head in the door of Brad’s office and knocked on the wooden jam, “Anyone home”?

“Come in Gill, have a seat” Brad said as he looked at his watch and pointed to the high backed leather chair

across the desk from him, “You’re a little early this morning”.

Gill made his way to the chair opposite Brad’s desk and sat down.

“Oh I didn’t sleep much I guess, big day today”. He said nervously as he could already feel the beads of sweat

building up on his forehead.

“Don’t let this meeting worry you too much Gill, if it comes down to it I can help you out”, Brad tried to comfort

his old friend. “The worst thing I imagine they will do is to give you 30 days to become current and that should be

easy for you this time of the year”.

Gill wiped his hands on his pant legs and said, “That would be fantastic, but between you and me, I only have

two days booked this season, and I don’t really know how the rest of the charter year will go beyond that.” Gill got

up and headed for the coffee pot that was in the corner of Brad’s office on an oak cart.

“I’m trying my best to not let this worry me, but it’s not working. Tell me something Brad,” Gill said trying his best

not to sound petrified, “Do you think a thousand dollars will keep them off my back until I can make some real

money”? He asked as he poured some coffee into a Styrofoam cup he had gotten from the cart.

“I think that may work, but listen Gill, I know these clowns and their just trying to scare you into either

refinancing with us, or trying to come up with all the money you can muster”, Brad said. “I think if you told them you

would give them a thousand dollars by Monday and enough money from what you are due from customers this

season to become current within the month, it would keep them happy for a little while”. Brad looked at the door

and then directly at Gill and spoke quietly. “Although I don’t think I would mention you only have this weekend

booked, that might not look so good from the company’s point of view”. Brad added, “I happen to know for a fact

they don’t want the ship back. They would certainly rather have it paid off.” Brad stopped talking abruptly and

quietly looked Gill over and then added, “Where is your planner and receipts book”?

Gill looked at Brad like a second grader whose dog ate his homework. “I left it on the boat; I didn’t figure it was

that important, nothing really in it to look over anyway”. He said awkwardly.

Brad sighed, “Damn it Gill, You’re going to force me to lie for you again, these guys are stuffed shirts yes, but

they have the power to make your life very miserable.” Brad shook his head and laughed under his breath. “What

would you do without me”? He asked his friend.

Gill looked sheepishly at his lifelong comrade and said, “There would just be no reason to go on ole buddy”.

Gill held his cup up as to say cheers and drank his coffee. He laid his head back on the chair to take a deep

breath and look at the ceiling. “Once again you are saving me man; I don’t know how you have put up with me all

these years”. Gill looked at Brad, “If not for you I just don’t know where I would be right now.”

“Well one things for sure, I don’t think you’d be here in this office facing a firing squad if not for me”, Brad

chuckled. “I wish you would just let me give you the money for the whole loan, but I know, I know”, he said holding

his hands up in front of him, “I wont mention that, I don’t want to battle you for an hour over it anymore, but I am

helping you because your my favorite person on earth”, he paused and smiled, “And besides, I told your mother I

would look after you and I don’t forget true friends”.

“I don’t either Brad, in fact you need to swing by the boat when you can get out of here this evening, I caught

some fresh dolphin and tuna I’d like to grill you some filets, maybe even have a beer or two”. Gill said still sipping

his coffee.


“Sounds like a plan, I can’t stay out to late though, I have to get home and pack for Bimini in the morning. My

plane leaves at 5:50 A.M. and I won’t be back till next Wednesday”.

“Oh, is that this weekend? I thought you weren’t leaving for another week or two,” Gill said with a puzzled look

on his face.

“Yes, My meeting was moved up because the architects finished their plans early for an upcoming project over

there, I am supposed to ok the plans and start processing their loan, maybe meet some big shot politicians, you

know, all that kind of stuff”. Brad sighed “Their raring to start tearing up 20 acres of prime beach front to put up a

condo, so hence; I have to be gone by morning”.

“Ouch, man I hate to hear that, not enough virgin beaches left in the world if you ask me.” Gill said finishing off

his coffee and wiping his chin of the last drop. “So what does twenty acres of beachfront go for in Bimini”? Gill

asked out of curiosity.

“Well, let’s just say you can sell a condo unit for four or five hundred thousand, that just for one unit out of the

whole building”. Brad said. “The property over there is worth much more, think about it, all of North Bimini is only

seven miles long, twenty prime acres of a small land mass like that, would be worth a king’s ransom”.

The telephone buzzed on Brad’s desk, it was Barb, “Mr. Dennon, New York on the phone for you”. She said.

“Thank you Barbara.” Brad said and looked seriously at Gill.

“Mr. Dennon?” Gill said with a laugh, “I will just never get used to that”.

Brad rolled his eyes and looked at his friend, “Ok…Showtime Gill, remember, professional, articulate and don’t

be scared of these guys, Just picture in your mind that their all in their underwear”.

“Well thank you for that visual”, Gill said through gritted teeth.

Brad grinned and then leaned forward to hit the conference call button on his phone.

“Huntington Financial this is Brad Dennon speaking” he said trying to sound as professional as possible.

“Good morning Brad, this is William Brock in conference, attending as well is Ms. Donna Banks, Mr. Steven

Moore and Mr. Paul Zeigler. Our office is calling about the seriously delinquent account of one Mr. Gill Preston”.

“Yes Mr. Brock, we have Mr. Preston and myself in attendance here. We have already begun to put our heads

together this morning on working a plan to get him back on track in order to honor his financial obligations with

our company”.

“Seems as though it may be to late for him,” Mr. Brock said smugly, “Not many other companies would even

consider keeping his account in the situation it is in.”

Gill watched as Brad scribbled something on a paper and slid it to him from across his desk. It said two words.

“Scare Tactics”.

Brad dove right into the bottom line, “Mr. Brock, it appears that one payment can be made of one thousand

dollars within four business days, and then four more thousand can be made to his account before the end of this

month”. Brad looked at Gill as he spoke.

Gill’s jaw almost hit the floor as he mouthed the words “Four Thousand”.

“Well, that would be the first time we would receive five thousand dollars a month since he has had his account

with us. Have you viewed his receipts and ledger book?” Mr. Brock asked.

“I have that information right here let me see”, Brad shuffled some papers on his desk as he looked at Gill with

a smirk. “Yes here we go, he has seventeen hundred and forty three dollars here and looks to be booked up for

practically the entire month for charters which would net Mr. Preston another twelve thousand dollars, I personally

think there should be no problem according to these records, for him to make good on the payments”.

Brad gritted his teeth while looking at Gill, for making him out and out lie to his boss.

Gill was in shock, he was sitting in the leather chair, with his hands on his head staring at the ceiling.

Ms. Banks chimed in, “I for one would like to hear directly from the owner of this loan, does he speak?” She said in

the best “you’re a loser” voice she could muster.

“Certainly, Let me introduce you to Mr. Gill Preston, Gill” Brad said as he grimaced and pointed to his friend.

“Uh, yea, I am here, over”. He said awkwardly, and then instantly looked at Brad and made the motion of a gun

to his head with his hand and pretended to pull the trigger.

“It wont be necessary to say over Mr. Preston, this is not ship to shore radio”, Ms. Banks said, still with her

voice in the same tone. “Mr. Dennon has set up a rather vigorous payment schedule for you judging from your

past, can you honor the time table and payment amounts we have been given”?

“I uh, think I uh”, Gill stumbled for words that just weren’t there. Brad motioned for him to get closer to the

phone. Gill stood up and put his face six inches from the receiver on Brad’s desk.

“I think I will be able to do everything Brad, er…Mr. Dennon stated”. Gill sounded nervous.

“Think is not a word I personally wanted to hear Mr. Preston”, Ms. Banks replied, “All we expect is a definite

answer, yes or no. It appears after reviewing your financial record we have a history of having to chase you every

month at payment time.” Gill was starting to get a little upset by this woman’s tone. He bit his lip and flipped his

middle finger in the direction of the phone.

“Well, it’s been kind of slow so far this season, but I am sure it will come around and after this month you should

have no more problems from me”. Gill mustered all the warm and fuzzy voice he could. “I would appreciate the

opportunity to become current and honor my debt in full”. Brad was impressed with that and gave him a nod and

the ok sign with his index finger and thumb.

“Mr. Preston, Mr. Steven Moore here, I would like to ask about your past payment record and the properties

used to secure this loan”.

Is this guy fifteen years old or what? Gill thought to himself. He pictured a kid fresh out of sixth grade with

pimples, braces, and pictures of Wonder woman on his bedroom wall. “Well, I see there were no properties listed

to be held, that’s odd, it appears you have had no other source of income except for your charter services either,

you secured this loan on just your stellar credit record I suppose. Is there anything you can offer at this time to be

held as collateral?

Brad didn’t want them digging this deep into Gill’s credit background. It could spell trouble for him and Gill. Brad

looked at Gill and shook his head no. Gill leaned forward again to the speaker on the desk, “Just some fishing

gear and a dog that thinks he’s a human”. Gill said with a chuckle; trying his best to lighten the mood.

With a huge smile on his face he sat back in his chair and looked at Brad as if he had pulled it off. Brad made a

motion of a knife moving across his neck with his hand and now shaking his head no in very large movements.

“It will be noted on your account Mr. Preston; though I assure you we are not in the kennel business, nor canine

sales.”

“Mr. Preston”, Mr. Brock was back on the speaker. “We will review your request and your payment schedule.

We will be in touch with Mr. Dennon by this afternoon with the final word. Thank you Brad and we all here wish you

a good day, Mr. Preston, we will be in touch.” He said. “Oh and by the way Brad, nice work on that Bimini contract.

We can’t wait to hear all the news upon your arrival back in the states. Keep up the good work down there”. He

added.

“Thank you Mr. Brock and thank everyone there in New York for giving the audience to my client, if you need

any further information I will be in all day, just give me a call”. Brad said and with that he hit the button to end the

conference.

“Well, it could have been a lot worse right”? Brad said.

Gill didn’t say a word, just pointed to the phone with one hand, and put his index finger against his mouth, shhhh.

“Uh, Gill,” Brad stared blankly across his desk at his friend“, the conference is over…they can’t hear us anymore”.

Brad said rolling his eyes.

“Four Thousand Dollars Brad? Four thousand dollars!” Gill exclaimed as he jumped from his chair, “Are you trying

to give me a heart attack?, I cant come up with that kind of money in three weeks, and you told them I had almost

eighteen hundred in the bank already?” He paced nervously now back and forth from the chair to the office door.

“Calm down Gill, I told them you had almost eighteen hundred yes, but I didn’t say it was in the bank, that would

have been crazy. They can see your bank records in New York as easy as I can see them right here. I made it

sound like you had the money in cash from your receipts. Besides, I could give you the fourteen hundred an...”

“Stop it”, Gill said pointing to his friend sitting behind the desk, “Just stop it right there, I’ve told you time and time

again, I refuse to take your money Brad, I got myself into this, I will get myself out”.

Brad knew better than to argue with Gill, he was as stubborn a man as Brad had ever encountered, and way to

proud to accept a helping hand.

“Gill look, I can let you borrow the money, not give it to you, just let you borrow it, then when you are raking it in

later this month you can pay me back, either way, a payment of one thousand dollars will be due by Monday”.

“Oh god, I need a beer”, Gill said as he flopped down in the leather chair he had been sitting in. “I will be lucky to

come up with half that if I can fill my register book, man I have to get out of here”, He said as he stood and moved

toward the door. “I am going to have to let Luke go, I can’t pay him anymore and he doesn’t deserve to have to

put up with my situation.” Gill said nervously. Brad tried to calm his friend, “You just try to fire Luke, he would take

a bullet for you and you know that. I am sure he is not going to walk away now just because you can’t make good

on his total salary for a week or two. Just pay him what you can and he will be fine, besides, you’re a two man

crew on a ship that should have at least four men now, you cannot run the business alone.”

Luke O’Neil had been the only crew Gill had since he started his small business. He had other hired hands

from time to time to help out with large parties or longer trips, but Luke had been with him from the very beginning.

He was a mechanical whiz and knew the sea like the back of his hand. A true native Key Westerner, he stood six

foot six and was strong as an ox. He had tanned leathery skin and hair as black as wet coal. He and Gill were born

of the same salt. He, like Gill, didn’t care much for the 21st century and often wished he was born back in the

1600’s when sailing the sea was a lifestyle, not a career choice.

“Look, go back home and I will swing by this evening when I am done, I will know by then what New York says

and we can discuss it then.” He said as he got up and followed Gill to the door. “Don’t worry, I just know New York

is going to give me the go ahead, and the deal we proposed should satisfy the bank. Then you’re going to be

buried in charters and be raking it in. You can do this or I wouldn’t have told them you could.”

“I wish I had the faith in me you do”, Gill said as he put his hand on Brads shoulder. “You have always been there

for me and I really appreciate the kind of faith you hold in me”. Gill took a deep breath and let it out. “Ok, come by

this evening and dinner is on me, I need to clean out the ice box while I still have one” He said still shaking his

head.

“Alright, go home, relax and I will see you later this evening.” Brad said patting his friend on the back. As Gill made

his way to the banks front door staring at his feet, Barb chirped cheerfully, “It’s been almost an hour Gill, now how

are you doing?”

“Oh hi Barb, uh, right now? I feel like a one legged man in a butt kicking contest”, he said as he opened the door

and made his way out onto the street quietly mumbling something about four thousand dollars.