Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Chapter 7 The next day I woke up before Jennifer and was dressed when she came out. After helping her get dressed, I made us breakfast and while we were eating I told her what I had planned for the day. "It takes a few hours by boat to get to the main island so I'd like to leave as soon as possible. I need to go and find a slicker for you. I seem to remember having one that was too small for me. Look at the clothes I salvaged and find the warmest top you've got. I think we'll take the sling off for a bit this morning and you can put the top on completely. We'll put the sling back on, then the sweater on to the way you've been wearing it. The slicker will go on top again with one arm through. I'm going to try to figure out how to put the life jacket on you as it will still be quite rough out there. Are you okay with that?" Jennifer smiled at me and nodded her head. "In case you're wondering why the extra top," I continued, "if you get warm while we're waiting for someone, you can take off the sweater and not embarrass yourself." Another smile from Jennifer. "Okay, you look for clothes and I'll see if I can find the slicker and see what I can do with the life jacket." With that I headed out to one of the sheds. It didn't take me long to find the slicker and I looked at the lifejackets, finding one that I could be adjusted to accommodate the arm in the sling. As I was leaving where the life jackets were I saw a `gimme' hat from some business in town that had been given to me but that I'd never worn. It could be adjusted to fit Jennifer and help to keep her hair from getting too wet. Back in the cabin I helped Jennifer with her clothing and soon we were dressed and ready to go. I got the box with the papers then let Maggie out and told her she had to stay. Maggie wasn't pleased with that idea but she'd been left on the island by herself before. She had water available in one of the sheds and she knew where there was a spring that she could drink out of if she wanted. We'd be back before supper but if something happened, there was food in the shed as well. The trip over to the main island was relatively uneventful although Jennifer got a delightful surprise when a couple of dolphins breached close to the boat. Once we were alongside the dock, I helped Jennifer out and headed up the road. When I'm away from the main island, I leave my truck down near the dock with the doors unlocked, the key in the ignition and the gas tank full. Everyone knows this and all the adults have told their kids to leave it alone. I know of a couple of occasions someone has moved it and that's why I leave the key. I've let it be known that I have no problem if someone needs to use it - just go ahead and use it or move it because it's in the way. All I asked is if they use it to make sure they fill the gas up and put it back where they found it once they're done. We got the truck started and headed for the RCMP building. Once inside, we were shown into one of the rooms where we talked to one of the officers together for a few minutes. At one point he asked me to wait outside while he talked to Jennifer alone. In view of the rather strange circumstances of our being together, I'd kind of expected that this might happen. After about 10 minutes, he opened the door and asked me to come back in where he told me he was comfortable with the situation with Jennifer. "I was 99.9% sure but I had to do my `due diligence'." he said and I told him I understood. The room had a speakerphone and the officer had contacted the nearest Social Services office to explain the situation. The lady on the other end - Edith Hanson I was told was obviously used to dealing with the officer as both she and the officer used first names. "Edith, I have Wally here now. Is there anything you want to ask him or tell him?" the officer said. "Thanks Ron. Mr. Brinkley..." I broke in, "Please ma'am, call me Wally" I asked her. "Okay, but you please call me Edith. Now Wally, I've spoken to Jennifer about what happened and I'm thankful that you managed to save her and that you've been looking after her. I was a bit apprehensive about Jennifer staying with you but Ron assured me that firstly, they weren't likely to have been able to get to your island due to the storm, and secondly, that you were well liked and respected in the community and were treated by the Haida almost as one of their own. That says a great deal about you. "Jennifer has expressed a wish to stay with you, saying that you've been very good to her and she feels secure staying with you. Are you comfortable with that situation as well?" It didn't take me long to answer. "Yes, ma'am, I am. I enjoy having Jennifer with me and while the accommodations I have aren't up to the standard of the Ritz-Carleton, I think we're making out just fine. I have some documents and such that I retrieved from the wreck of the boat and I'll leave them with Ron to sort out. I have one question for you - do you want me to do anything special in terms of reporting or...?" I left things like that. "Wally, Ron has vouched for you and I take him at his word. If he says you're okay, you're okay. Just look after Jennifer until we can reach someone who can help us. Let's leave it at that. Ron, thanks for your help. Wally and Jennifer, keep warm and keep in touch. As soon as we know something, Ron or one of the others will let you know." With that the call ended. Before leaving, I went out to the truck and retrieved the box of papers which I gave to Ron. "I found these in a cupboard in the sailboat. It looks like the boat's papers and I see what are likely three passports and a wallet. I just grabbed the paperwork and haven't looked at any of it. Maybe something in there will help sort out where to go next." Ron thanked me and with that we said our goodbyes and left.