MartyS

Hi CJ, I was not overly happy with some of your comments and justifications regarding Trevor’s arrival in Australia with an undeclared firearm. When I am unhappy with any information I am being given, I tend to check it out. Since my discovery of the Internet, I have found many sources of information. My surfing expedition on this subject has led me to the following listed site. It looks to me to be a Forum. Posters on this site appear to be discussing yachters arriving in Australia. The various dates shown on the individual posts are in the calendar year 2007. Because these dates, in my opinion, reflect the situation occurring in Australia, around the time of our adventure, I believe we should consider the information worthy to be mulled over. Some posts contain interesting links. Arriving in Australia For some reason or other, when I paste this address into my browser, the page does not open at the top. I would highly recommend, you scroll all the way to the first entry. Then be sure to read all the posts. I will refrain, at this time, from making any comments. As the saying goes CJ, “The ball is in your court.” Marty

Sorry CJ,, No way is this correct. A statutory age requirement, one that is set by law, has nothing to do with being an adult. Check it out.

Hi CJ, First I would like you to note there are only two letters in my salutation. This response is intended to be actual and factual. It is not being addressed to, “The Goat,” or to, “CHJ.” That being said let me continue. The laws governing the possession and use of firearms in Australia, could not exist unless, the majority of the voters permitted them to do so. I have no knowledge or remote understanding of how laws are enacted in that country. Nor do I care. I have no right to address how that county governs it’s residents. It is not for me to speak for or against its laws. I do not intend to move to Australia. Hell, I do not expect to visit there. However, Trevor set sail for Australia. Had he been successful in his attempt to reach, Reunion, that might change the situation. If he had arrived there it would probably change my opinion. Before continuing I would like to discuss something. The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights define certain constitutional rights affecting me. I am addressing my rights as provided by the Second Amendment. There have been, over the years, many court decisions defining how those rights are applied. I have NO, I repeat, NO, intention, to open in this Forum, a discussion regarding those rights, nor how they have been interpreted by those decisions. The state I reside in has established laws governing the possession and use of firearms. Other states in the Union have passed laws, which control the possession and use in that individual state. Should I decide to visit another state, I would be required to follow the laws of the state I was in, not the laws of my state. There is no way I could define Trevor’s attitude and actions regarding his possession of a firearm as lawful. His uttered defense as to why he failed to inform Officer Fowler of the presence of his handgun may be factual. However, Trevor has consistently, throughout the story, concealed the presence of a firearm aboard his Atlantis. His excuse is he is worried about his status as a minor. At the present time, due to Dirk’s current legal problems, I have serious questions, in my mind, about whether a handgun could be under Trevor’s control, in the State of Florida. Without getting involved in a lengthy discussion concerning the laws governing the presence of a handgun, aboard Trevor’s Atlantis, I believe the following. Trevor as a minor may not own a handgun. He may possess one with parental consent. A handgun may be present in a residence owned and occupied by Dirk. Trevor’s Atlantis would, IMHO, be classified as a habitation under Florida law. This is where it gets sticky. Trevor’s Atlantis is not owned by Dirk. I am sure Dirk could establish he obtained the firearm and placed it aboard. But, Dirk has no control at present. Dirk certainly knows Trevor travels to other countries while on charters. He expects the weapon to be available for Trevor to use to protect himself. I believe the presence of Julie would cover any legal requirement regarding the presence of the revolver. I know for a fact, that if Trevor had taken his Atlantis into the waters controlled by the State of Texas, the following would be the law. Trevor would be a minor. However, seeing as he had passed his seventeenth birthday, he would be considered an adult by the Criminal Justice system. Atlantis would be considered a habitation. The handgun would be legally aboard, if Julie were there. Throughout the book, Trevor’s excuse has been, he was concerned with loosing the revolver, because he is a minor. He has touched upon many countries during his circumnavigation. I do not know, nor do I intend to research the laws of those countries regarding the possession of a handgun. Your response regarding Trevor using as a possible defense, his concern of it being confiscated has a problem. To start with, why did he have the handgun aboard in the first place? Should Trevor respond with he had it to protect himself, this I believe would be the next logical question. Where was that handgun when you say pirates boarded you? Sorry CJ, Trevor knew he was unlawfully concealing that handgun throughout his trip. It is said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” He did not declare the firearms presence. The only reason it became an issue is, Officer Fowler, two days after Trevor’s arrival, found it, while conducting what I believe to be a lawful search. During that two days Trevor conducted business and made connections to the United States. For Officer Fowler to confiscate the weapon and guide the criminal justice system to decline to prosecute Trevor I have no problem with. This is not the case. The story establishes, Greg Fowler, at the time he confronted Trevor about finding the weapon, created a method for the revolver to be legally returned to Trevor, when he departed Australia. I would speculate, with some degree of certainty, the following would occur if Greg Fowler reported the actual facts. Fowler’s first report would cover the rescue of Trevor and all concerns regarding his safety Two days later, without any assistance from Trevor, Greg discovers the concealed firearm. In that report, Fowler would have to include Trevor’s admission as to why he failed to disclose the presence of the handgun. Then Officer Fowler creates the necessary paperwork to inventory, secure and return the pistol to Trevor, immediately prior to his departure from Australia. All these reports are then forwarded up the line to Greg’s superiors. I find it very difficult to believe, none of the reviewing officers would not object to Officer Fowler bending the rules. I can understand them not pushing to prosecute Trevor. The only way I can see for that gun to appear now, and then be returned to Trevor as outlined, is for Trevor to have voluntarily surrendered the handgun to Officer Fowler. But, that is not the case, is it? Like I pointed out in a previous post. Officer Greg Fowler has a serious problem. The only way, I can see him not getting a complaint for trying to return the revolver to Trevor, by bending the rules, is for him and his partner, Craig Grundig, to be very creative in writing their reports. That by the way, is a polite way of saying, they lie through their teeth. That is how I see it. PS If you are willing to admit, here and now, the prediction I made regarding how Officer Fowler was alerted to the probable existance of a concealed firearm aboard Trevor's Atlantis, I am willing to consider softening my hard line approach. Heh Heh.

Seeing as neither of us are in a position to speak with any knowledge of the Australian Border Protection Service, Rules and Procedures regarding the seizure and reporting of undeclared firearms, I will not address that issue. However, regarding Trevor's failure to declare the presence of a firearm on his vessel, I present the following copied directly from Chapter 66. Now, I am not an attorney. However, my interpretation of Trevor's statement is, " He readily admitted to deliberately concealing a firearm to avoid law-full confiscation of said firearm."

Hi Zombie,, You certainly are correct about, "The Goat." I think your comment about him and his evil ways must have hit a nerve or something. He has been real quiet lately. Marty

Hi Zombie, NO. The presumption that Rachel is dead was created by the author, in the Prologue. Dirk knows Rachel is not dead. However, the author cannot publish any part of any conversation between Dirk and Jim to contradict the presumption. Confusing, isn't it. Marty

Hi Benji, I had this prepared and was waiting you to respond to my previous post. I am not going to go through an edit I will post this now. We can agree to disagree about Martin’s actual age I am going to stick with the age appearing in Chapter 70. New Post Let me continue to examine the relationships effecting Martin and Sarah with Greg and Shelley. I didn’t go into this when I examined Martin and Sarah. First let us look at what we know about Rachel. After she and Dirk were married they bought the Ares. After they had possession of the Ares, they found they had been screwed over by Arnold. They couldn’t go back and bitch to him because he was dead; Rachel stepped up and proved her abilities by taking the Ares out on charters without engines. How difficult that was is easy for us to imagine. All we have to do is compare what Trevor did when Dirk disabled the engines in Chapter 7. Not only did she surmount basically the same problem, she had to do it with paying customers aboard. OK. Rachel proved she was a damned good captain. She certainly didn’t learn that in a book. In chapter 70, Martin tells Trevor, Northam is a couple of hundred miles inland. That figure is grossly exaggerated. Northam is closer to one hundred miles from the Indian Ocean. While doing my research, I have discovered it is on a river. However, based on what I have learned, I doubt the Kookaburra could sail there. No matter what, Rachel learned to be a blue-water sailor before meeting Dirk. Before I continue I want to establish what I believe. We both agree Rachel is actively present and involved in the current scenario-taking place. I believe Rachel is presently living the life of Sarah Blake. Let me explain why I believe this. Trevor and his Atlantis barge into Greg Fowlers life. When Greg and Craig find Trevor, after he arrived in Shark Bay, a whole new future begins for Trevor and for Officer Greg Fowler. During the time they were being towed to Carnarvon, Trevor is more or less compelled to give Greg a lot of information. At first, Greg is highly skeptical of Trevor’s story. However once they have arrived, everything Trevor has claimed appears to check out. So much so, Officer Fowler does not require Trevor to immediately produce his hidden funds for verification. Greg does insist the funds be placed in a secure location, as soon as possible, because there may be a thief in the area, After eating, everybody goes to bed. First thing the next morning Trevor meets Fowler, who sight inventories the money and declares it to be more or less correct, as to the amount. Whoa. Lets back up a bit here. Greg goes home and tells his wife, Shelley, all about his exciting day. By the time he has done this, it is bedtime. Keep in mind one thing, we do not learn until much later. Trevor is familiar with, in a positive way, the name Shelley. After Greg departed for work Monday morning, I believe Shelley made a telephone call to her long time friend Sarah, who is known locally as Martin Blake’s wife. One thing we do know, Greg Fowler is treating Trevor in a very nice way. I believe, it was after Greg returned home that Monday, he learned quite a bit, he hadn’t known before. However think back, just before he left work, he and Craig become involved in the Shane/Trevor situation. The way the two of them handled that, clearly demonstrates to me, they were backing Trevor. Of course, we later learn, Shane is not their favorite person. Let me skip forward to Tuesday evening. Trevor returns to his Atlantis and learns the $hit has hit the fan. Read back to my previous article. After Greg arrived home on Monday, I believe Shelley had a long, long discussion with him. I will go further. There is no question in my mind that at this point, Greg Fowler became very close to becoming involved in a Criminal Conspiracy. When Greg, the following morning, searched for and located the handgun, he had been alerted to look for, he was in shoal waters. When he proposed his solution to legalize Trevor’s possession and voluntary surrender of the weapon, he was crossing his Rubicon. This would require altering official records. He would have to get Craig to agree, thus dragging Officer Grundig into yet another one of Rachel’s conspiracies. I have two thoughts here. First, I hope this one works as well as the one Rachel planned for the Disappearance. That one is still solidly in place after nine years. My second thought is a question. “I wonder how long the Statute of Limitations is on this type of Criminal Conspiracy in Australia.” Benji, I know you think Rachel comes close to walking on water, but even you will have to admit, she certainly knows how to drag people into her nefarious schemes. No matter what, even if I am wrong about Shelley, Sarah and the phone calls, Greg Fowler put himself in “Harms Way,” by covering up the finding and legalization of that revolver. I thought so at the time. It is only with recent revelations; a reason has surfaced which possibly explains his actions. Let me continue with the Martin/Sarah relationship. In 1997 at the time of the Disappearance, Rachel was approximately thirty years of age. Martin would have been in his early twenties. Rachel had been gone from Australia for just about ten years in 1997. When Rachel left, “Down Under,” Martin would have been entering puberty, most likely, a Randy Teenager. Martin’s farm is located near Geraldton. I have already previously mentioned, I believe most farm owners usually inherit their farms. If this were true in Martin’s case, he would have most likely, grown up in or around the old homestead. Rachel’s family comes from the Northam area of Western Australia. The two locations are approximately 500 kilometers, by road, from each other. It is extremely difficult for me to come up with, a realistic explanation of how the two of them could have known each other, prior to Rachel’s immigrating to the United States. Especially when you factor in the approximately seven-year difference in age. Greg Fowler has known Martin Blake since school days. That in my opinion eliminates a family name change for Martin. In my July 4th posting, I speculated Rachel headed for Australia, by way of France, after leaving the Bahamas. I was quite clear she made the plans some time previously. You might want to review the article I posted, to refresh your recollection. All things being considered: the distance between the probable locations they grew up in; the span of years between them, back when Rachel left Australia she was approximately twenty years of age; with Martin around thirteen, leaves me to question the nature of their current relationship. I am having some serious doubts about it being romantic in nature. If they did not know each other prior to Rachel leaving Australia, they sure made some serious plans, involving large sums of money, before actually meeting. That does not sound like the Rachel I have learned about since starting to read this mystery. I am awaiting your response. Again lots of questions, very few answers. Marty

Hi Benji, This posting is filled with a lot of questions, but no real answers. I would like to explore with you the dynamics of the relationship between Martin and Sarah Blake. Ever since Trevor met Martin in Chapter 70, one primary thing has been bothering me, and still is. When Martin exited his pickup, he is described as being in his early thirties. I have considered this part of his description many times. No matter how many times I mull it over, I cannot determine if this is Trevor’s opinion or the narrators description. IMHO, I have a lot more wiggle room if it is Trevor’s determination. For the sake of this discussion I am establishing Martin’s age as thirty-three in 2006. And Yes, Benji, I know, appearances can be deceiving. According to Martin, Kookaburra is the first boat he has owned, and he purchased her new. Based on the information in Chapter 81, the Builders Plaque, affixed to the transom by, JeanneauTechniques Advances, indicates she was launched in 1996. Let me thrash out with you the finances first. We know Dirk received Fifty Thousand dollars from the insurance company for the Ares. The narrative in the Prologue indicates the sale price established by Arnold Bellevue with the Carlson’s was on the low side. This was because he said he wanted to screw over his wife in an upcoming divorce. My guess regarding the insured value was established based on the original sale price. Dirk had filed an intent to increase the insured value of the Ares. Plus the engines were either overhauled or replaced after the sale. This no doubt enhanced her value. That requested increase and the request to enlarge the value of Rachel's life insurance was withdrawn by Dirk, prior to the Disappearance, according to Sergeant Gonzalez. Ten years later, Trevor’s Atlantis has an insured value of Six Hundred Thousand dollars. There was some mention in the story that Yacht prices had increased in recent years, Taking everything into consideration, I am going to establish a sale price for the Kookaburra at Three Hundred Thousand dollars (US), when Martin bought her in 1996. That is approximately ten years ago. Lets discuss boats next. The Kookaburra is not a small, medium or even a large boat. Shane describes her as a building. Add in the fact, Kookaburra is a catamaran. Top that off with the biggest reality, she is a sailboat. That is, IMHO, one hell of a lot of boat for a newbie skipper. Martin Blake decides to start big, OK. There were twenty Lagoon 55s produced. Add in the sixteen 57s. Grand total produced was thirty-six. Those numbers do not seem to be a significant proportion of large sail boats, when you look at it on a worldwide basis. There is no question my mind, Martin had received advice to purchase a Lagoon 57, from someone familiar with the Lagoon series of boats. Well now, Martin has chosen the boat he wants. At present, he resides on a ranch or farm. Most people who do so, are born into ranch or farm owning families. All the information available in the story indicates Martin Blake is still learning, after ten years, to handle Kookaburra. He purchases a very large sailboat. He then goes into the business of operating her as a charter boat. You need to be licensed, here in the U.S., to do so. In the U.S., in order to get a Captain's License, you have to document your experience. I would think you would need to be licensed in Australia. So, how did he do that? Interesting question, isn't it. Going back a bit now. This novice Captain, who probably resides on a farm or ranch, plunks down or finances a Three Hundred Thousand, US Dollars, very large size sailboat, ten years ago, at the approximate age of twenty-three. Kind of young to be able to get that kind of money. While you are thinking about this, let me continue. The biggest problem I have is based solely on my understanding, of the observation in Chapter 70 as to Martin's age. This has been bothering me since I first read that chapter. I established Martin Blake’s age in 2006 at thirty-three. Ten years ago he would have been approximately twenty-three. The kindest age I can establish for Rachel in 2006 is forty years of age. Benji If you don’t agree with me go back to the Prologue and do your own math. Don’t forget to figure in how many years between the marriage with Dirk and the birth of Trevor. One other interesting fact to keep in mind. Martin Blake and Greg Fowler have been friends since school days. I don’t know about you Benji, but most of my school friends were about my age. That means Greg is about the same age as Martin. Based on my life experience, most men at twenty-three are looking for someone their own age to younger for partners, not someone seven years older than themselves. The gap between thirty-three and forty is a lot smaller than the one between twenty-three and thirty. To tell you the truth Benji, I don’t have a good answer to the many of the points, I raised. I am looking forward to your input. I certainly hope to get some answers. Now I have given you, and no doubt anyone else who reads this, something to keep you busy thinking about, over the weekend, while waiting for Chapter 91. Bye for now. Marty

Hi Benji, I goofed and posted two articles for you yesterday. You have not responded to the second one which starts. Sorry about that Marty

Fair? The Goat Fair? Fair? Haa!!!!!

Still don't work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A typical response from, "The Goat." Then CHJ posts a SPOILER. Well just for $hits and grins, I clicked the Show Button. Yep!!!! All that happened was The button changed from SHOW to HIDE

Hi Benji, OOOOOOOOppppppppppsssssssss Sorry Benji, I should have said PRESUMED DEAD. Marty

Hi Benji, Something new for you to consider. Think back to Chapter 66. It is a Tuesday. Trevor returns to the Customs Station after spending most of the day with Shane. Officer Fowler confronts Trevor about finding the .357 revolver. Ever since I read Greg’s explanation, to Trevor, it has bothered me. His answer regarding the size of Trevor’s hiding place is, in my opinion reasonable. I more or less allowed myself disregard the unstated reason by Fowler, as to why he felt it necessary to search and examine the crew cabin. Now think about the Prologue. Specifically, the section regarding Dirk’s objections to Rachel operating the Ares as a charter boat. He was concerned about her safety, taking out charters alone. Next skip forward to Trevor’s explanation to Joel, regarding his having the Magnum aboard. He told Joel his father insisted he be able to protect himself while on charters. In fact, in Chapter 3, Dirk quizzed Trevor about his upcoming charter. Dirk wanted to know if they had been checked out. Benji, it is quite obvious to me, Greg Fowler presently knows a lot more about Trevor and his Atlantis, than he did when he first rescued them. IMHO, someone briefed him between the time of the rescue and Greg confronting Trevor about finding the revolver. Over half of the yachts that made up the convoy, discussed at the meeting in Chapter 40, were unarmed. Based on everything I have read, Australia does not have our United States Second Amendment culture. I doubt a private yacht, operating in Australian waters is likely to have a handgun aboard. Moving along, here are some facts to consider... First of all, Dirk insisted Trevor learns to protect himself. Then he provided him with a handgun and made sure he trained with the firearm. I think it is reasonable to conclude, Dirk required Rachel to do the same. I think whomever gave the information to Greg, informed him of the probability there was a handgun aboard. Fowler explained how he knew the general location of Trevor’s hide-a-way compartment. Trevor had constructed a well-concealed compartment. However he goofed by leaving the magnet there. Even so, as Greg explained, it took two trained customs officers about a half hour to locate it. Then, after Officer Fowler has "FOUND, the revolver, he turns into, Officer Good Guy. He not only does not make an arrest, Greg puts into effect a cover-up. I would think he would have to amend his original report. The handgun would need to be accounted for on Day One. Tuesday is Day Three. Fowler would have to convince Craig to do the same. Then Fowler would have to create a false Evidence Log entry. Why would he stick his neck out? This has been ticking along in the background ever since it appeared in Chapter 66. But, with so many other mysteries in this story, it got lost in the shuffel. I would suggest you go back and read the conversation Greg has with Craig in Chapter 90. I am specifically referring to where he more or less try’s to apologize to Craig, for not telling him everything. Then go back and read thoroughly the conversation between Greg and Trevor in Chapter 66. Benji, I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. Marty

Hi Benji, This is also something I have been working on. Please permit me to give you my analysis of the legal situation. We are dealing with three sets of possible offenses, involving two people, Dirk and Rachel. The biggest problem is a lack of solid information. The best source is the meeting held between Dirk and Frank Tittle in Chapter 54. Jim and the Private Investigator were present at that meeting. The meeting also referred to Trevor. However, the discussion regarding Trevor mostly involved any probable problems that might affect him and his Atlantis because of any violations of law, Dirk may have committed. Whatever was actually discussed at that meeting, was given to us, the readers, in a very redacted format. Our very sneaky author CJ, AKA, “The Goat,” established in the Prologue of Circumnavigation, the inference that the Ares and Rachel were lost at sea. We would not be holding this discussion, unless at least one of us, did not believe that scenario. Keeping our skepticism in mind, you need to factor in one absolute. Nothing can appear in the story, which contradicts that picture. No references to Rachel being alive, or her being able to influence future actions or activities can appear. A very good example of that appears more than once in the storyline. There is more than one discussion appearing, that takes place involving only Dirk and Jim. Several times, the reaction Trevor will have when the secrets are revealed after December 16 is discussed. They both appear to agree the presence of Joel will help him over the rough times. There was no reference to the presence of Rachel, or what if any influence she might have on the situation, appearing in writing. Why? It is simple. Rachel is Dead. Before continuing I would like to establish an understanding between us regarding a fact of law. A Criminal Conspiracy is an agreement, between two or more persons, to commit a crime. Let me give you a simple example. Joe and John meet and agree to steal Bill’s boat, which is stored on a trailer, parked in Bill’s driveway. In order to haul the boat away, they steal a truck with a trailer hitch, belonging to Tom, from a parking lot. Together they do what they planned. Each crime is a separate one. Both Joe and John can be charged with each offense. For the sake of this discussion, let me establish a Statute of Limitations. Each and every crime, except for the Criminal Conspiracy, has a Statute of Limitations of five years. The Criminal Conspiracy has a Statute of Limitations of ten years. What this means is that while neither of them could be prosecuted for stealing the boat or truck after five years, they could be charged with the Criminal Conspiracy to do so. This is what Dirk is dealing with. Every individual crime he committed has already passed the expiration of each Statute of Limitations. What he is waiting for is the expiration of the Criminal Conspiracy Statutes of Limitation. As far as I can figure out, the authorities do not even know about these crimes. This meeting was held early in November. At that time, according to Frank Tittle, all of the crimes committed by Dirk, both Federal and State, have already passed the expiration of each individual Statute of Limitations, except for three. All are violations of Federal Law. One is a violation of Internal Revenue Law. My belief is this involved Dirk’s actions, acting as Rachel’s Executor, filing her final Income Tax return. According to Frank Tittle, this would expire later that month. In fact, the storyline is well past that date. The second charge is a Federal Conspiracy charge. According to Frank Tittle, there is a Statute of Limitations of seven years for this crime. This will expire sometime early in the month of December, before December 16th. I believe this charge is based on a Criminal Conspiracy involving Dirk and Rachel, setting up the disappearance of the Ares and Rachel. Based on the expiration date, Dirk’s last action in support of this conspiracy, occurred early in the month of December 1999. This by the way is when the Memorial Service for Rachel was held. The final charge is also Federal Conspiracy charge. According to Frank Tittle, there is a Statute of Limitations of ten years for this crime. This will expire on December 16th. Dirk’s last action in support of this conspiracy, must have occurred on or about December 16th, 1996. That is approximately five months before the Disappearance. I believe both Dirk and Rachel were involved in this conspiracy. Let us look at some of the individual crimes, which may have been committed, by Dirk, in support of the first two charges listed above. Several are easily determined. Dirk had to have filed paperwork to have Rachel declared deceased. He filed insurance claims with insurance companies for the Ares and for the death of Rachel. I am sure there were other crimes committed by him. There is no information available to form a reasonable hypothesis of what crimes were involved in the third charge. There is no way to determine when, or how, the two Criminal Conspiracies started, what crimes were involved or what all of Dirk’s actions were to support either conspiracy. Rachel probably was discussed during this meeting. But, like I previously stated, nothing about her was included in Chapter 54, or elsewhere, because she is presumed to be dead. In addition, information has surfaced during the story; Rachel was involved in criminal activities with Bridget. They apparently were the laundering and concealment of money. Rachel was under investigation for this at the time of the Disappearance. The Expiration of the Statute of Limitations, discussed by Frank Tittle with Dirk, only addresses Dirk. Based on what information Dirk provided Frank, he advised Dirk as to the successful completion dates. Lets examine Rachel’s situation. To start with, Frank Tittle is not Rachel’s attorney. Frank has no information, to the best of my understanding; knowledge and belief, as to what Rachel may or may not have done since the Disappearance. As to the investigation underway when she disappeared, Dirk may not be aware of it. I am more inclined to believe he does not know anything about it. Rachel was putting money away for her own purposes. Rachel may not have any arrest warrants currently open. If there were any, I believe they would have been canceled when a court declared her deceased. The bottom line is: Rachel fled and went into hiding. Dirk stayed and waited out The Expiration of the Statutes of Limitation. IMHO, when and if, the authorities learn of the conspiracies Dirk and Rachel were involved with, they will open investigations. They may not be able to touch Dirk, but Rachel is fair game. Then consider Rachel arriving in and establishing residency in Australia. What happened to all that money she has squirreled away from her illegal activities? How about the monies realized from the sale of the Lagoon 55 she sailed away from The Bahamas? Something to consider. Marty

Well Benji, I guess we will have to sit back and wait until the story gives us the facts. I appreciate your input. Marty

Hi Benji Trevor said has always liked the name Shelly. Why? Maybe he heard it when he was a very little boy. Maybe he received presents from his mother’s best friend named, Shelly or being polite, Aunt Shelly Just speculating Marty

Hi Benji, Go back and read Chapters 59 and 60. Pay special attention to the Narrators comments about how Fowler is suspicious of Trevor. Also his checking by Google. Read Chapter 68. Who delivered the Key Lime Pie to the Customs Office. Would Rachel take a chance of running into Trevor, Then go back and read the conversaion between Fowler and his wife in Chapter 88 Marty

Sorry Benji, I disagree. I just posted something for you in Brain Storming. I have been working on it for a while Marty

Hi Benji, This started as an assessment of one part of our posted July 4th forecast. While I was considering the various aspects, other events surfaced in the storyline. Part of our posting was that the Ares and the Atlantis were swapped prior to the disappearance of Rachel and a Lagoon 55. CJ has created a very complex mystery story. It is not just one basic Whodunnit. In order to protect the Primary Secret, he has had to create additional supporting blind alleys and False Flag operations. Then he wove a shroud, by knitting together false clues, inferences and misdirection of the readers. Once it was completed, he draped it over the primary and supporting mysteries. Unfortunately, he is at present faced with a dilemma. The plot is so interlocked; he cannot divulge any singular portion without the shroud unraveling like a cheap sweater, when one loose thread is pulled. I have been doing some thinking on one small part of our predictions. I believe that Rachel found the hidden compartments that Bridget was aware of aboard the Ares. I also believe Rachel found some if not all of the new concealed compartments, Bridget thinks her husband installed. In Chapter 79 Trevor telephones Ned. I would describe the entire conversation as being stilted at best. My immediate conclusion was that Ned had found them while he was stripping the remaining interior of the boat. When Trevor went with Greg Fowler to Ned’s boatyard after leaving the bank, I fully expected Ned to bring the existence of the compartments to Trevor’s attention. As we both know, this did not occur. My opinion, based on Chapter 89, is that Ned has completed gutting the interior. It is possible the concealed compartments are located in an area of the interior that has not yet been worked on by Ned. We know there were hidden compartments aboard the Ares. We believe, at least I do, Rachel switched boats prior to, “The Disappearance.” I do not believe Rachel would have left any property or documents that had been concealed by Arnold, which she had found, when she did her disappearing stunt. If Ned had discovered any disguised cubbyholes, why wouldn’t he bring them to Trevor’s attention? At present I have only one possible explanation. If one of the compartments, constructed by Arnold, but not discovered by Rachel, contained money or other valuables, Ned may be biding his time. Anything hidden away for over ten years would, in my judgment, show signs of lengthy undisturbed storage. Any realistic evaluation by Ned should establish the contents had been secreted when Trevor had been approximately eight years of age. It is possible Ned discovered valuables unknowingly left behind by Rachel and decided to quietly try to keep them for himself. Especially if, Trevor gives no indication of knowing anything about the hidden locations. I am not comfortable accusing Ned of this. I am more inclined to believe, if Ned had discovered locations designed to secrete anything, he would have brought this information to Greg Fowler. At this point in the storyline, it is very obvious to me; Greg Fowler has been made aware of some, if not all of the events leading up to, “The Disappearance.” Based on his conversation with Officer Grundig, he has only been made aware of it recently. The conclusion I have reached is; Greg Fowler does not like the position he finds himself in. Officer Fowler has not in any way made Trevor aware of any information he discussed with his wife, It is obvious Greg respects and admires Trevor. I believe this is based on Trevor’s surmounting the problems he faced after he was boarded by the pirates. Keep in mind; he has already cut Trevor a lot of slack after discovering the .357 Magnum revolver in it’s hidden location. It was not until after that incident, the Blake’s became involved in Trevor’s problems. I would describe Greg Fowler as a very good, understanding and somewhat compassionate, professional law enforcement officer. I do not believe he would permit anyone to escape punishment for a proven violation of law. However, consider this. If Greg was informed of all of the circumstances, without reservation, of the events leading up to, and through the entire scenario of, “The Disappearance,” what would he be faced with? For the sake of this discussion lets use the prediction we worked on and posted here in the Forum on July 4th.. Rachel and Dirk may have committed offenses in another country prior to June 1997. Neither of them have been arrested, indicted or convicted on any charges relating to those activities. Dirk has been indicted for the murder of Rachel. I believe Greg has only recently been informed Rachel is alive in Australia. Even if Dirk is guilty of murdering Arnold Bellevue and attempting to murder Trevor, how does that concern Greg. Since Trevor arrived in Carnarvon, Officer Fowler has been doing everything possible to protect and shield Trevor from harm. IMHO, Greg Fowler is not very happy with the situation he finds himself embroiled in. Neither professionally nor personally We both believe Rachel is hidden in the Carnarvon community. She would not have any problem developing a scenario, which would get herself off the hook, with her legal problems, back in the United States. I am sure, you are aware; I do not believe Rachel has fulfilled the requirements, to be protected by the expiration of any Statutes of Limitations. The only way, I can see, at the present time, is for Rachel to provide information to the United States Government. This would have to be something big enough for the Feds to decline to prosecute her. I am wondering ff you noticed the following information which appeared in Chapter 89. I wonder why Gonzalez telephoned Greg. Nothing has appeared to explain it in either Chapter 89 or 90. Marty

Great chapter, CHJ, including the skillfully, embedded and concealed CLIFFHANGER. What cliffhanger you will no doubt proclaim loudly? At this point if all goes as planned, Trevor will have disappeared aboard the Kookaburra, cruising south. Kline will be basking in contentment having gotten his exclusive. Basingstoke will be nosing around Carnarvon, trying to fulfill his contract. . Well now, the Hitman will not find Trevor in Carnarvon. Any snooping will lead him nowhere. I believe that he will learn about the newspaper story. I would speculate Basingstoke, after reading the story, will come to the conclusion, Kline knows a lot more than was published. I sincerely doubt, if the Hitman attempts to casually get the information from the reporter, Kline will give him anything. It s not too hard to speculate, Basingstoke will want a lot more than Kline will be inclined to share. I doubt the Hitman will try to get the hidden facts, by getting Kline drunk. What comes to my mind is an interrogation with the reporter strapped to a chair, being encouraged to reveal everything. How much does Kline know? All one needs to do is reread Chapters eighty-nine and ninety closely. It will lead Basingstoke to Ned Kelly and Greg Fowler. I doubt the Hitman will initially move against Greg, but Ned is a wide-open target. If my musings are correct, Sanchez’s recent party will seem like Sunday School get-together, compared to the carnage that could descend on Western Australia. Methinks, interesting times await us in the upcoming chapters.

Hi Zombie, You certainly did extensive research. Unfortunately, you have a problem. The accepted,(By Me,) legal authority, Frank Tittle, appears briefly in this story. When he discussed the legal responsibilities in Chapter 54 he only addressed the charges, which could be filed against Dirk. There was some discussion regarding Jim and Trevor, but Dirk was the primary focus. There may have been some discussion regarding possible charges against Rachel. However, these never appeared in the storyline because Rachel was legally declared deceased in Nov/Dec 1999. Any mention of possible charges against Rachel would have acted as a spoiler. We only have hints and vague references as to exactly what criminal acts were committed by Rachel. We do know she was being investigated by some unidentified law enforcement agency. We do know Statute of Limitations for one conspiracy charge against Dirk will expire on December 16, 2006. We also know the only other Statute of Limitations for another Conspiracy charge will expire prior to that date. Basically a conspiracy requires two or more persons acting together to break the law. Nothing has appeared in the story so far to indicate another person, other than Rachel, could have entered into a conspiracy with Dirk. On December 15th, 1996 was the last time Dirk took any action in the Conspiracy charge who’s Ten Year Statute of Limitations expires on December 16th, 2006. Whatever criminal activity Rachel was involved in to cause an investigation, I do not believe involved Dirk. My primary purpose in getting involved in this discussion was and is simple. Based on everything appearing so far, the Statute of Limitations, which expires on December 16th, will leave Dirk clear of any successful prosecution. Nothing we know can be used to consider any or what charges could be filed against Rachel. After all is said and done, today (Storytime) is December 6th. A Court of Competent Jurisdiction has previously declared Rachel dead. We do not know what Dirk will reveal when Sergeant Gonzalez interviews him. We do know that if Rachel did not die as part of the disappearance, the Declaration of Death issued by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction, was obtained through fraud. It is my belief the ruling could be overturned. Bottom line. Dirk maintained his residence. Rachel, if she is still alive, did not. BTW The date on that CRS report is in 2007, many years after the timeline this story is set in.

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrr TalonRider, TSOI Book 2 Interlude Seventh - Silver does not appear, at the present time, on my computer. Apparently my motherboard or something is malfunctioning. Could you email me a copy? Thank you.

Hi Storymonger, I would like to bring one fact to your attention. Although various jurisdictions have similar elements to define the requirements for a Statute of Limitations to proceed without interruption, I believe one feature is universal. The perpetrator must remain available. He/she may not flee the jurisdiction. Now Dirk has maintained, until recently, his residence at the location he resided in, at the time the offense was committed. He was the principal suspect in the suspicious disappearance of his wife Rachel. I am quite sure he is able to produce credible evidence, to prove she was alive, subsequent to her disappearance. Dirk’s problem is, he would have to confess to other offenses, the law enforcement authorities are unaware of. Now Rachel is in a different position. She was the subject of an active investigation. I believe she also was involved in the offenses Dirk is awaiting the expiration of Statute of Limitations on. The active investigation she was the person of interest in, was halted when her apparent death closed the case. In staging her death, Rachel did in fact, flee the jurisdiction and concealed herself. I do not believe Dirk will have to produce Rachel to clear himself. All that should be necessary is, for Dirk to produce evidence Rachel was alive on a date subsequent to May 1997. Once the law enforcement authorities become aware she did not die in May 1997, they can continue their investigation, and proceed to indict her, if their evidence is sufficient to do so. Dirk started the clock on the Statute of Limitations, for the crimes he had committed years ago. Rachel did not. Marty