Dead Waters - Anton Strout [68]
“Good,” I said, “but if you shout out that you’re queen of the world, I may have to push you overboard.”
Jane laughed out loud, her voice ringing out over the sounds of the water and the low, constant hum of the boat’s engine.
“I’ll try not to,” she said. She leaned forward over the prow and I reached out to grab her.
“Easy,” I said. The last thing I wanted was to fish her out of the East River. Her arm was freezing in the warmth of my hand and I pulled her to me, holding her. “You didn’t have to come, you know.”
“Yes, I did,” she said, looking deep into my eyes. “You don’t understand. I had to get out of the Department for a bit. I was getting claustrophobic in the offices. Wesker and Allorah were driving me nuts, running all these tests on my mark.”
“I can certainly understand Wesker driving someone nuts,” I said. “Prolonged exposure to him can also cause a rash.”
The wind blew Jane’s hair across her face, but it wasn’t enough to hide her look of worry. “I know,” she said. “I just needed a break from all the poking and prodding.” She looked into the wheelhouse where Connor stood at the controls. “You sure he’s okay with me tagging along on this?”
“Who cares?” I asked, smiling at her. “I’m just glad you’re feeling better.”
Jane spun around in my arms, putting her back against me. “I never realized how much I enjoyed the open water. Growing up in Kansas didn’t exactly offer much in the way of water-based activities.”
Jane let her head fall against my shoulder. I loved the mood she was in. Days of sniping at each other over the whole drawer debacle melted away, but there was still more than enough to worry about, thanks to the mark.
We rode along the river in our own mini version of the Love Boat until I spotted the Hell Gate Bridge just past the much larger Triborough. Connor angled our boat into the waterway between the shores of Astoria Park and Wards Island. He slowed as the boat passed underneath the bridge and killed the engine entirely when we were at the sweet spot between the two stone towers that sat on either shore. Jane and I headed toward the back of the boat via the narrow walkways on either side of the cabin. Connor was already at work on the newly mounted set of winches, pulleys, and metal draggers that had been added to the back of the boat.
“Sorry to interrupt your pleasure cruise,” he said when he saw us walking toward him.
“You could have at least provided some drinks or hors d’oeuvres,” I said.
Connor stood and looked at me. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Who captained us here again?”
“Fine,” I said. “You drag something nice up to the surface with all the equipment that I can use my psychometry on out here, I’ll buy the drinks. Fair enough?” I worried that I might get another visit from the rageful tattooist if I did use my power, but with Jane’s spirits improved, I hoped that would help quell it. Besides, I couldn’t avoid using them as much as I had been, not when there was a real chance of making headway in the case.
Jane stared at the contraption Connor was readying.
“What is that thing?” she asked.
“A dredger,” Connor said.
“Oh,” I said. “So it dredges.”
Jane laughed, but Connor didn’t. He just shook his head at me.
“You know how to use that thing?” she asked.
“Hey, ask your boyfriend about it,” Connor said. “It’s his boat.”
“Technically it belongs to the Order. I just commandeered it. I didn’t say I knew how everything worked on it.”
Connor stripped off his trench coat and laid it carefully aside on the back bench of the port side. “Don’t worry, kid,” he said. “I’m Greek and Irish. I think I’m genetically predisposed to knowing how to operate all seafaring equipment. . . unless you want to volunteer to do a night dive out here instead?”
I looked down into the murkiness of the East River. The smell coming off it made my eyes water a little. “I’m not even sure I want to get splashed by that water, let alone immerse myself in it.”
“I didn’t think so,” he said and threw the winch lever next to him. Its motor whined into action,