B. J. Winters

On vacation, Roman Kennedy believes he sees his missing father on a crowded street. The pursuit leads to mystery and intrigue on the islands of Belize where getting home may be more difficult than just boarding the charter boat owned by Gina Svensson

Roman Kennedy - 24 year old newspaper reporter who is currently moving to New York to start a new job.  His father disappeared, but Roman has never surrendered the belief that he's still alive.

Hillary Kennedy - Roman's twin does not share his obsession.  She is with Roman on this mini-vacation before he starts his new life.   Events that unfold may make her a believer.

Miles Nelson - Hillary's boyfriend is an adventurer and professional sportsman.  He's along for the ride, but this particular journey is more than he bargined for.

Gina Svensson - Owner of a charter boat business on Belize called Daylight Discoveries.  She takes the three tourists to Coco Cay.  Unfortunately, she's made this trip before.

"It's him, it has to be."

Roman Kennedy whispered the fateful words to himself as he watched the back of the gray haired man slip away into the crowd. The certainty of his conclusion was striking. For years he had searched for Lyle Kennedy and here, on a small Caribbean island, it appeared his quest had unexpectedly ended.

Raising a hand, as though the wave would stop the retreating figure, Roman finally found his voice. "Dad!" he shouted, only to realize that he had lost sight of the stranger amongst the other people that milled about on the street. For stranger he was; Roman at twenty-four, had not seen his parent for more than twelve years.

Finding the energy to move, Roman trotted forward, his tall frame following the path he hoped the other man had taken through the bustling marketplace. Blue eyes rapidly scanned the people who were busy bartering for colorful items from the selection of tourist merchandise. As the other man did, Roman blended with the local population, dressed in casual attire and tan. Snippets of Spanish, French and English bounced off his ears as he vainly searched for the one he was desperate to speak to if only for a moment.

So you can explain why you left me...

In a few blocks the marketplace gave way to the harbor. Roman's steps slowed, and the crowd thinned. Tiny sail boats graced the water of the bay. A few motor boats awaited the opportunity to offer service to the fisherman or diver. Shielding his eyes against the 100 degree tropical sun, Roman finally saw the older man again as he untied a motor boat and started the engine.

In profile, Roman recognized the same long, thin nose, and lean jaw that stared back at him in the mirror each morning. Although his hair was gray to Roman's brown, it was still thick and wavy. Convinced more than ever, Roman closed the distance at a run just as the speedboat started to pull away from the floating pontoon.

"Dad!" he shouted again. But the sound either didn't carry or was ignored. Roman hated to consider the second possibility, but his heart beat too fast for reflection. Skidding to a stop on the wooden pier he watched helplessly as the small boat sped off into the ocean to destination unknown.

Looking around, Roman grabbed the arm of another man who stood on a pier. Dressed for boating, he assumed the other was a local vendor, perhaps a fisherman. "Please help me - do you know that man who just left?" By way of explanation he pointed in the direction of the rapidly disappearing boat.

A lazy smile returned Roman's breathless greeting, "Sure, that was Terrance Carmichael."

Roman blinked. Carmichael had been his mother's maiden name.

"Where did he go?" Roman asked.

The stranger answered the question, although his smile started to fade, "I don't know - can't read his mind. He comes in about once a month buys supplies and then heads back to his island. Keeps to himself, and pays his bills. I don't meddle in things that aren't my business."

"Sorry," Roman mumbled. Realizing he still held the stranger’s arm, Roman released his grip, letting his hand fall to his side.

He couldn't wait a month to find out if this odd sighting of a man who looked like his missing father was significant. A tourist, he was only on Belize on vacation. In less than a week Roman was expected in New York for a new job at a newspaper. His boss would not wait for him to pursue the mystery. He had already lost three jobs over the years for random goose chases and he vowed not to lose another.

But this…

Looking around the docks, Roman tried to form some sort of plan. "Excuse me," he said, pursing the friendly man who had offered the best lead in his desperate search in many years. "How can I get to this island you mentioned?"

With a long suffering sigh, the tan merchant replied, "By boat obviously." With a smirk he continued, "But it's not part of the regular ferry service. It's a private island called Coco Cay."

"Can you take me there? I'll pay you."

The other man stopped in his departure preparations and stared at Roman. "Sorry," the man explained, "I don't do charters; you might be able to ask Gina." With a jerk of his head he indicated a small shack that stood next to several others and displayed a wooden plaque proclaiming the business within ‘Daylight Discovery.’ The structure was painted a festive blue indicating that someone took pride in the humble shack even if it was likely to collapse in the next hurricane.

"Gina?" Roman repeated, as he helplessly watched the fountain of information board his boat and throw the tow rope back ashore. Turning back he noticed there was indeed a woman inside the building although he could barely make out her form through the glass. A shiver ran up his spine and Roman wondered why he was reluctant to approach her.

"She doesn't bite!" the other man hollered in a parting shot.

 Read the rest...