Sam Mullins

That morning, Albert and Ron checked out of the Steam Packet Inn after breakfast, got on the Lady Jane, Albert's 24-foot sailboat, and headed out to sea. No one sees them until late that night. At around 11 p.m., Albert calls a hotel in Totnes, one called the Royal Seven Stars, and says, We're on a boat waiting for the tide to come in. Do you have two rooms? They did.

So, a very tired-looking Ron and Albert arrive at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel shortly after that. And Albert says to the concierge, memorably, My God, we were stuck out at sea, and then on the drive here, I just ran over a cat. Why did they check out of the steam packet inn that morning if they knew they were coming back? What were they doing for all of those hours on the Lady Jane that day?

So, a very tired-looking Ron and Albert arrive at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel shortly after that. And Albert says to the concierge, memorably, My God, we were stuck out at sea, and then on the drive here, I just ran over a cat. Why did they check out of the steam packet inn that morning if they knew they were coming back? What were they doing for all of those hours on the Lady Jane that day?

Bill MacDonald still wonders.

Bill MacDonald still wonders.

All we know is that the next morning, Ron Platt checked back into the steam packet inn for 10 more nights, which is significant because he only had 10 nights left in his life. So with Ron checked in, Albert Walker drives four and a half hours to Woodham Walter.

All we know is that the next morning, Ron Platt checked back into the steam packet inn for 10 more nights, which is significant because he only had 10 nights left in his life. So with Ron checked in, Albert Walker drives four and a half hours to Woodham Walter.

Then, on July 12th, Albert Walker loads Sheena and the kids into the car for a pre-planned, pre-booked holiday halfway up the dart in Dittisham. Albert, Sheena, and the kids had reserved a cute little cottage called Potter's Loft. They were booked at the cottage for a full week, July 12th to 19th. But the week was dreadful. The weather was bad, and both the children caught a nasty cold.

Then, on July 12th, Albert Walker loads Sheena and the kids into the car for a pre-planned, pre-booked holiday halfway up the dart in Dittisham. Albert, Sheena, and the kids had reserved a cute little cottage called Potter's Loft. They were booked at the cottage for a full week, July 12th to 19th. But the week was dreadful. The weather was bad, and both the children caught a nasty cold.

So, feeling robbed of their holiday, or perhaps for some other much darker reason, Albert called the booker.

So, feeling robbed of their holiday, or perhaps for some other much darker reason, Albert called the booker.

Albert was told that another similar place just around the corner was available, a cottage called the Old Brew House. So with 48 hours left in Ron Platt's life, they moved a few houses down the hill.

Albert was told that another similar place just around the corner was available, a cottage called the Old Brew House. So with 48 hours left in Ron Platt's life, they moved a few houses down the hill.

If the river dart is a snake, we have Ron in the steam packet inn at the very tip of the tail in the north. And we have Albert in Didisham, the fat middle of the serpent, with the Lady Jane moored just across the river.

If the river dart is a snake, we have Ron in the steam packet inn at the very tip of the tail in the north. And we have Albert in Didisham, the fat middle of the serpent, with the Lady Jane moored just across the river.

But then suddenly on July 18th, Albert tells Ron to leave the steam packet inn and move to an accommodation down river of him in Dartmouth, where the mouth of the snake spits the dart into the channel.

But then suddenly on July 18th, Albert tells Ron to leave the steam packet inn and move to an accommodation down river of him in Dartmouth, where the mouth of the snake spits the dart into the channel.

Which brings us to July 20th, 1996. Albert Walker wakes up that morning and tells Sheena that he's heading out for a solo sale for the day on the Lady Jane.

Which brings us to July 20th, 1996. Albert Walker wakes up that morning and tells Sheena that he's heading out for a solo sale for the day on the Lady Jane.

To get to the Lady Jane's mooring just across the river, he needed a ride. Not just from anyone, but from a man named Captain Kirk.