"Didn't you tell the captain all this?" Roy's eyes widened in amusement.

"I tried to, but he wouldn't listen. I don't think he even believed me. He certainly didn't want to know."

Roy stood up impetuously. "I will go back and talk to him. When I have explained all the details, he will have to let you come with us."

Putting a restraining hand on his arm, Layla said, "Thanks, Roy, but it wouldn't do any good. He will just say that I have spun you a whole web of lies."

"Well, there must be some way I can help," Roy said, sitting down again, his brow creasing into a...