as was his view of her.
Harriet was nervous about being Frank's navigator the next week in the marathon race at Gold Beach; but, they had both agreed no one else was available since his friend Joe Newton, across the river, and regular navigator had an unscheduled business trip. Frank chuckled to himself as he was thinking "regular navigator", since this was his first year of racing but then the two of them had put in a lot of time with the boat.
"Looking at the boat, Harriet?"
"No, something . . . A couple people across the river . . .Come here. What are they doing?"
"Just a minute Frank! . . . They're getting ready to do something."
"They have no business on that property--especially half way up those stairs. Harriet give me the glasses!"
"Stop it Frank. I told you . . .They went behind that little shed."
Frank at last wrestled the glasses from his wife and leveled them in the direction of the two figures across the river. "Where? Never mind, I see them."
"Should I call the police?"
"They haven't done anything yet. They aren't near the house. Let's just wait. What's behind that shed? They have no business up there. There they are. They're looking over here."
"They can't see us, can they Frank?"
"Na, suns reflecting off the glass this time of day. Harriet quit hovering. Move over. There they go down the stairs. Should hear the boat motor in a minute."
"What do you think they were doing?"
"I'm sure I don't know. Now look Harriet, the two of 'em are coming up our stairs."
As was Harriet's habit she stood wringing her hands. "Frank they saw us. If they're up to no good we could be in danger. I have an odd feeling."
"Dear, you always have odd feelings. Relax and let's see what they want." Frank smiled at his wife of twenty years and lay his hand on hers to stop the wringing. "Relax", he whispered into her ear as he squeezed past her to get a better look at the two coming up the steep stairs.
"There go the dogs." Harriet stopped the wringing and relaxed, knowing the dogs would detect if the two were up to no good.
"Harriet, they did something to one of the dogs."
"What do you mean, something?"
"Didn't you hear that God- awful sound it made? It's just laying there--not moving."
"Frank, they saw me. I moved the curtain. I'm going to make sure the doors are locked."
She paused but started up the wringing as she whispered, "What are we going to do?"
"Harriet, what do you propose, that I don't open the door?"
"Talk through the door and ask them what they want. I do it all the time. I'll do it. Everyone knows women are careful these days."
"Harriet, we're blowing this all out of proportion."
"I'm scared."
"Let me think. I don't think there's a problem here. Let's just see what they want. Go on into the kitchen and see if the coffee's still drinkable."