Chapter 13

In unison, they said, “Yes, Captain.”

They finished their work for the first seating and then the second one. They walked the deck until it was time to go to the captain’s cabin. They knocked, and the captain opened the door.

“Gentlemen, come in.” He asked, “Wine?”

Mikhail immediately said, “Why? I don’t see why we have to come here and especially without a lawyer. Why pick on us? You have an entire crew to bother.” He smirked.

The captain’s wife bellowed and spoke in Italian and then in English. “Giovanni, he’s making a joke. You said ‘wine,’ and he ‘whined,’ that is, he complained. Quite funny.”

The captain laughed and patted Mikhail’s back. “Nice sense of humor.”

Solomon shook his head, and Mikhail bowed and said, “Yes, Captain, I will have some wine.”

Solomon said, “Just a little for me.”

They sat and chatted. The captain gave an envelope to each of them.