Waiting for Daylight
 

Richie arrived in Brisbane around 9:00 it was too late to be checking marinas so he found a room for the night. He bought a six pack of beer and settled in, he thought it might take all six before he could call Nonnie and let her know where he was. She’d been heavy on his mind for the last hour.

He was still mind struggling with Libby. They’d been lovers no doubt about it not just friends at least it was that way for her, he figured. As for himself he liked her a lot but he couldn’t bring himself to use love where she was concerned. It was a damn complicated relationship. He was beginning to worry she would get the wrong impression when he found her. And then on the other hand she might be mad at him for looking for her; especially if she was all tucked up with that bounty hunter, Barth Madison. He just wanted to satisfy himself that she was all right and not in any trouble.

He was on the fourth beer when he propped himself up on pillows on the bed and called Nonnie.

“Hey, I know it’s late to be calling…”

“It’s never late when you call me, where are you I heard you’d left early today?”

“Oh, Nonnie I’m in Brisbane. I had a visit from Frank Parker today about Libby. You know I told you about what happened at the Tavern. Well it seems she took a large amount of money from the bank, quit her job and sent Frank a note saying not to worry. I’ve been tracking her down today and this is where I’ve ended up, she’s with that bounty hunter, Barth Madison, came up by boat. I’m worried she might be in trouble there.”

“He didn’t abduct her again did he?”

“No, she evidently came willingly. I don’t know maybe I’m crazy for going after her. I wanted you to know where I am and what’s going on.” He waited for it seemed like a long time, “Nonnie?”

“I’m here…so what are you going to do when you find her?”

“I don’t know, if she’s okay and still hanging with Madison, probably nothing except apologize for hurting her feelings. If she wants to come home I guess I can bring her back.”

“How old is this girl?”

“Not sure, early twenties I think…”

“Twenties…Richie, honey she’s old enough to know what she’s doing. If she wants to come home she can come by train or plane, why is it you have to go after her and bring her back?”

“I…because I set her off, upset her not that I meant to, you know I was shocked…”

“Oh come now, you don’t know when a girl is interested in you?”

“Well yeah but not, not that interested…you’re mad?”

“I’m thinking about being mad and you’d better be thinking about why you’re in Brisbane instead of here with me…” Nonnie hung up the phone.

“Nonnie?” Richie tossed the phone to the end of the bed he was in trouble with her. He hung his head and let out a breath. This had been a mistake. Eyeing the two other beers left he finished off the one he had on the bedside table and sat up head in hands. He’d rather be there with her than sitting in a hotel room in Brisbane.

After a restless night he was up by 6:00, fuelled by coffee he set out for the marinas. According to the phone book there were plenty of them to check out. However, he got lucky on the second one. The boat was docked but there didn’t seem to be anybody around. He walked up from the marina and found a coffee shop, a bit of breakfast and taking a large coffee with him he went out and found a place to sit in the shade where he could see the boat. And he waited.