At 2:00 PM sharp, a truck pulled up to the marina. Marcus and his technician didn't just look at the boat; they listened to Silas. They respected the meticulous maintenance logs Silas had kept in waterproof binders. They checked the hull, tested the electronics, and fired up the twin diesels.
He had tried the traditional routes first. He listed The Sea Siren on classified sites, which resulted in a week of endless phone calls from "tire kickers" asking questions already answered in the description. One man offered him a trade for a used jet ski and a collection of vintage power tools. Another scheduled a sea trial, only to back out at the last minute because his wife vetoed the purchase.
"Tell you what, Captain," Marcus said. "I have a mobile inspector in your area this afternoon. If you’re free, we can come take a look. No obligations."
He smiled, raised his coffee cup in a silent toast, and felt the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. Selling his boat hadn't been the end of his story—it was just the perfect closing chapter.
Silas blinked. No endless negotiations. No classified ad scams. No waiting for a buyer's financing to fall through. "And the boat?" Silas asked. "What happens to her?"