PHOENIX (AP) -- Southern California authorities are continuing to put the pieces together in the suspicious case of a missing Phoenix businessman.

Robert Lee Vendrick, 71, had traveled to Orange County last week to seal a $1 million deal on what he was told was a promising computer program venture.

So far, the investigation has revealed Vendrick's business partner and co-owner of a sailboat with Vendrick had replaced the sailboat's engine.

The business associate, Gary Shawkey, has been described by authorities as a person of interest in the case.

Vendrick and Shawkey apparently bought the boat to sail out to San Clemente Island, authorities said.

The boat was purchased shortly before Vendrick was declared missing.

Shawkey told police that the boat's engine had not been working properly, and he decided to replace it, said Jim Amormino, of the Orange County, California, Sheriff's Department.

"We have a missing engine, and a missing person," Amormino said.

Amormino describes the circumstances surrounding the case as "highly suspicious."

Also missing, the boat's anchor and several feet of chain, police said.

A dive-team found an anchor outside of Dana Point Harbor, but whether it belongs to Vendrick and Shawkey's boat has not been determined.

On Feb. 15th, Vendrick flew to Long Beach to meet Shawkey for their business deal, officials said. Vendrick's wife alerted police Feb. 18 after he didn't return home as scheduled.

Police searched Vendrick's hotel room. They discovered neatly folded clothes, medication, and a lit fireplace. His rental car was found at a nearby boat dock. The Coast Guard found the sailboat docked in Long Beach, police said.

Police called the business deal involving Vendrick and Shawkey "highly secretive" and said it was to involve high-ranking government officials, although no officials have been identified in the case.

---

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.