Chapter 48

That evening the family sat around the dinner table. Joe could see the disappointment in Brian’s face, and he knew where his oldest son had been earlier that day. He did the math and came to the conclusion that the meeting had not gone in their favor.

“So, what are we going to do about the river?” Joe finally broached the topic.

“I don’t know Dad. I’m scared to death of the water, and James can’t dive that deep. Luke is not going to be of much help, even though he had been cleared to come home in a few days. Jerry tried getting help from some of his buddies, but no one was interested. I was thinking of going over to Shamdon to ask for divers or salvage crews there but the ban on the families from there still stands. I can’t catch a break.” Brian replied miserably.

“What about further north?” Joe suggested.

“Where? Calledonia? Those folks don’t want nothing to do with Thomases. Our name is bad out there Dad, and not because of us. It’s no use going there and get into a fight.” Brian re