“I tripped and fell.”
Penny and Ben looked at each other, and the latter shrugged, indicating that it would do no good to question the man. Determined to keep the truth from them, he would tell only lies.
“You can’t expect us to believe that,” Penny said coldly. “We happened to see you when you went overboard. There was a scuffle. Then the men who threw you in, disappeared. For the life of me, I can’t see why you would wish to protect them.”
“There are a lot of things you can’t see, sister,” he retorted. “Now will you go away, and let me sleep?”
“Better go,” Ben urged in a low tone. “Anyone as savage as this egg, doesn’t need a doctor. I’ll let him stay here tonight, then send him on his way tomorrow morning.”
“You really think that is best?”
“Yes, I do, Penny. We could call the police, but how far would we get? This bird would deny he was pushed off the boat, and we would look silly. We couldn’t prove a thing.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Penny sighed. “Well, I hope everything goes well tonight.”
Moving to the door, she paused there, for some reason reluctant to leave.
“I’ll take you home,” Ben offered.