Sam Mullins

Craig's dad was unafraid of the roughs because he'd modified his nets specifically to traverse the big rocks that the other fishermen were wary of. After a couple of hours in the roughs, they started to bring up the net to see if their third toe would be different. And as the seagulls began circling, they could tell right away that this was the catch they were after.

Craig's dad was unafraid of the roughs because he'd modified his nets specifically to traverse the big rocks that the other fishermen were wary of. After a couple of hours in the roughs, they started to bring up the net to see if their third toe would be different. And as the seagulls began circling, they could tell right away that this was the catch they were after.

But then, their fortunes turned.

But then, their fortunes turned.

Father and son stared at the body in disbelief.

Father and son stared at the body in disbelief.

The man on their deck was fully dressed, wearing a button-up shirt, trousers with a belt, and laced-up shoes. His skin had a grayish hue and appeared almost like latex.

The man on their deck was fully dressed, wearing a button-up shirt, trousers with a belt, and laced-up shoes. His skin had a grayish hue and appeared almost like latex.

The Coppix approached slowly for a closer look when they noticed two key details.

The Coppix approached slowly for a closer look when they noticed two key details.

To young Craig, there was a body on the deck, and with it, a mystery. But to his father, a much more experienced seafarer, all he could see upon the deck was the dilemma now before him. The right thing to do would be for him to go into the cabin and radio the Coast Guard about this. But the right thing in this case, as it often is, would not be the financially savvy thing to do.

To young Craig, there was a body on the deck, and with it, a mystery. But to his father, a much more experienced seafarer, all he could see upon the deck was the dilemma now before him. The right thing to do would be for him to go into the cabin and radio the Coast Guard about this. But the right thing in this case, as it often is, would not be the financially savvy thing to do.

And beyond today, Craig's dad knew there could be a second, even bigger financial hit coming down the road from this. There was an urban legend among the fisherman community that they believed to be true.

And beyond today, Craig's dad knew there could be a second, even bigger financial hit coming down the road from this. There was an urban legend among the fisherman community that they believed to be true.

So before they did anything, father and son would need to have a sober talk about their options. In the privacy of the open sea, it was obvious. No one needed to know about this. This could easily be kept between them and the gulls.

So before they did anything, father and son would need to have a sober talk about their options. In the privacy of the open sea, it was obvious. No one needed to know about this. This could easily be kept between them and the gulls.

The more they thought about it, the lost money, the lost day, the hassle of inviting cops on board and giving legal statements, it didn't seem worth it to get involved. Even though it felt wrong, this didn't need to be their problem.

The more they thought about it, the lost money, the lost day, the hassle of inviting cops on board and giving legal statements, it didn't seem worth it to get involved. Even though it felt wrong, this didn't need to be their problem.

Coppock made contact with the Coast Guard over the VHF radio, and Central Command paged one of their most experienced men.

Coppock made contact with the Coast Guard over the VHF radio, and Central Command paged one of their most experienced men.