Free Sail With Me by Chelsea Heights

shoot.   “Mrs. O’Sullivan, did you take any pictures?”
     
    “Did I ever.   Every time I touched the button it fired off.   I had no idea how to control it. Like I said, it has a mind of its own.”
     
    Delaney reached for the box and asked, “Do you mind if I take a look at it?   I know a little about photography and SLR cameras.”
     
    Eagerly, Susan said, “Yes, go ahead.   Do you think you’ll see anything on it that will help find out what happened?”
     
    “I’m not sure.   If it’s okay with you I’d like to take it with me.   Do you know if the SD card is still inside?”   Delaney turned the camera on its side and opened the slot.   The card was right where it was supposed to be.   Next she powered it on and saw on the display screen Susan had snapped over five hundred pictures.   Thinking to herself, she recalled that this model was capable of taking up to four frames per second, a lot of pictures in rapid succession if it’s programmed on the continuous shoot mode.   She checked the control dial and there it was, the arrow indicator pointing directly at the continuous fast mode.   Now it made sense.   Delaney could imagine the woman in the delivery room, a high emotion situation and a camera that she didn’t understand.
     
    “Did you use the camera anywhere else?” Delaney asked.
     
    “From what I recall I did take some pictures in the hall when Andrew was being transferred to the NICU.   But I’m certain nothing after that, I never saw him again,” and her eyes shifted downward now as she searched for a tissue in her pocket.
     
    Jake leaned forward and placed his hand on Susan’s shoulder. “Mrs. O’Sullivan, have you ever looked at those pictures?”
     
    Looking up now and shaking her head no, Susan choked up. “No.   I’ve thought about it but I just haven’t felt up to it yet.   I know eventually I will but that time hasn’t come.   I’m not sure if Caroline even knows about the pictures.   She was in so much pain and so focused that she never realized I was even in the room until after the birth.   After everything that has happened, I’ve never even told her about the pictures.   She spends so much time at the cemetery. I miss my daughter.”
     
    Jake stood, “Mrs. O’Sullivan, you’ve been a great help.   I can’t thank you enough for calling Detective Davenport with this information.   I hope we can offer you and your daughter closure and you can find some peace.”   Then he turned and picked up the box with the camera and Delaney followed him to the foyer.
     
    Turning, she asked, “Susan, who was Andrew’s father?”
     
    Susan’s shoulders slumped forward and her mouth tightened.   Silence filled the room before she finally answered, “I have no idea.   Caroline refused to tell me.”
     
    Chapter Fifteen
     
    At the end of the day Jake followed Delaney to the boat ramp with sailboat in tow.   He backed the trailer down the ramp and into the water.   The tide was coming in and there was a strong breeze, perfect for an evening of sailing.   He pulled the emergency brake and started the power wench, watching the boat slowly entering the cool bay water.   Delaney went home to quickly change and grab Fetch.   Heading toward the bay, she pulled into the liquor store, purchasing an inexpensive bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers.   Getting back into the car, she plugged her iPod into the adapter and listened to Bono sing “It’s a beautiful day.”   Driving toward the water and seeing the sun on the horizon, she had to agree it was indeed a beautiful day.
     
    Jake was already on board and had hoisted the sail when he spotted Delaney walking toward the floating dock.   She was stunning.   It was the first time he had seen her with her hair down.   He hadn’t realized how long it was as the dark curls gently draped her shoulders and bounced with her every step.   The tight white tank top and short white cotton skirt