I nodded my understanding. “Sort of a tug, isn’t it, especially for a woman? You feel you should be nearby to help with an aging parent, but at the same time you know you can’t go back.”

Patricia spoke with a sigh, “That’s it. The pull of family is always there. And you? What about your family?”

I turned us a few degrees to port and took a heading on a point of the island. “Parents are long gone. I have a bunch of brothers and sisters—seven of us all together; all of them still up in the mountains. I’m close to one of my sisters; the others—well, that’s best left unsaid.”

Patricia went up several notches in my estimation when all she said to that was, “Uh-huh.” Then looking around again, she said, “Now the boat. What’s the story of the Miss Rosalie?”

I contemplated for a moment which version to tell. Then decided on one that was pretty close to the truth.

“She was payment for a job I did several years ago,” I replied. “The client was in a tight spot for cash, so I took the boat instead. It had been lying derelict and neglected in a small port in the Netherlands, but as soon as I saw her, it was love at first sight. The engine was in great shape. The hull was rusty, but okay. But the masts, the rigging, and the interior were a wreck. I got her in seaworthy condition and took her over to Ireland for a full refurbishing. She’s been my home ever since.”

Patricia listened and then said in an even voice, “I notice you didn’t say what the job was you did for the client.”

I turned to look at her. “I notice that you notice things pretty well,” I said with a slight smile.

Patricia nodded slightly. “Pardon the observation—it was my instinct as a professional snoop. No offense intended,” she said with a friendly look on her face.

“And none taken,” I replied with sincerity.

Scanning ahead I saw that we were about a mile from the south end of Daufuskie. Just then, the water off to starboard rolled in a bulge, and then I saw a fin push above the surface and rapidly disappear. But the fin, before it went under again, had been headed directly toward the boat.

“Patricia,” I quickly said. “Put your cup here on the console and go to the bow of the boat. When you get there, hold on to the rails and watch the water in front of the bow.”

She gave me a quizzical look.

“Take off,” I said. “Quick, you don’t want to miss this.”