Free The Raft by Christopher Blankley

Island this morning.” Rachael took
the photocopy from her pocket, unfolded it and handed it to
Gandalf. “There was ID, her real name was apparently Joanna
Church.”
    Gandalf took the photocopy, but didn't seem
to really look at it. He was dumbstruck. In shock.
    From behind him, Orac called out. “What's
going on, Gandalf?”
    “Nothing!” Gandalf snapped back to reality.
He handed back Rachael's photocopy, uninspected.
    Gandalf's gaze fell on Rachael, silently
questioning.
    “This is Rachael Hanks-” Maggie began to
introduce Rachael.
    “Bigallo,” Rachael interrupted.
    “What?” Maggie was lost.
    “Bigallo. I'm Rachael Bigallo.” Rachael held
out a hand to Gandalf. “I'm an old friend of Maggie's. I'm with the Times .”
    Maggie winced.
    “A reporter?” Gandalf seemed to panic. He
looked nervously over his shoulder at the collected golfers on the
greens. “Good morning,” he continued nervously, taking Rachael's
arm and leading her away from the miniature golf course. “The Times you say? They call me Gandalf... the Wizard,” he
laughed uncomfortably. “This is my ship, the Kalakala ...” he
waved a sweeping hand.
    “Yes, I-”
    “I purchased her in 2024, from the foundation
that was attempting to restore her to-” Gandalf was leading Rachael
farther away from the golf course and the representatives of
Arrowsoft.
    Maggie took a few steps and caught him by the
arm. “Gandalf, we're not here for the tour.”
    “Maggie,” Gandalf whispered. “Keep your voice
down.”
    “Why? Everyone is going to know by
lunch.”
    “No, I have clients here. From dryland.”
    “Clients?” Maggie was confused.
    “Clients. Business interests. People looking
to invest.” Gandalf shot a worried look at Rachael, and realized
she was no one he wanted to be whispering in front of. He let go of
Rachael's arm and took Maggie's, leading her away from both Rachael
and the golf game.
    When they were out of everyone's earshot, he
said, “Maggie, what's going on?”
    “Meerkat's dead.”
    “Yes, you said. But what does Chemical have
to – where's Horus?” Gandalf realized.
    “Put his boots on.”
    “Then Chemical?”
    “No, he just showed up suddenly while I was
aboard Horus's boat. He was as surprised as you to hear about
Meerkat.”
    Gandalf gave Rachael a look out of the corner
of his eye. “And the reporter?”
    “She's an old friend. She was worried.”
    “But a reporter ?”
    “She's all right. She has connections on
dryland. She's useful.”
    Gandalf nodded. The weight of the situation
hit him. “Oh God, Meerkat... what are we going to do?” he asked,
his eyes pleading.
    “We're going to get Horus and turn him over
to the cops.”
    “Yes, yes...” Gandalf nodded along.
    “Before they get the urge to come out
here.”
    The idea shocked Gandalf to attention. “But
if they do that...”
    “Right, so I have to find Horus soon. It's
just... Chemical there,” Maggie cocked her head at where Chemical
still lay on the deck. “He has this crazy story... about Meerkat...
and why she was killed. We need to keep it under wraps.”
    “Yes, I can imagine,” Gandalf agreed.
    “Who's his Magistrate?”
    “What?” Gandalf thought about it. “Does he
have one?”
    “He has to have a Magistrate,” Maggie
countered. “How can he trade without a Magistrate?”
    “He doesn't,” Gandalf exhaled. “As far as I
know.”
    “Then how does he eat?”
    “Well, his business isn't exactly aboveboard,
Maggie!” Gandalf exploded. “I assume he and Horus get everything
they need from dryland in exchange for their product.”
    “And you've allowed this?” Maggie said in
shock.
    “It's not against the law,” Gandalf was
defensive. “At least no Raft law, if we actually had any.”
    Maggie growled, rubbing at her eyes. “Then
you've got to hold him. Here on the Kalakala .”
    “I can't do that,” Gandalf protested.
    “You've got to. If he starts shooting off his
mouth...”
    “No, if word got out that I