Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [12]
“Discard theories. Get me facts.”
“How quick do you want the report?” Wilson asked.
“Fast. Have the preliminary findings waiting for me when I reach Tobago.”
“Fine. Anything else?”
“Yes, there was a cruiser out there this afternoon while we were searching. I saw it several times. It never got close enough for me to get a number, but I think the first three letters of the name on the hull were S-I-R.”
“Great. That's giving me zilch. And that's a popular cruise area. Maybe a fisherman? Or someone from the insurance company?”
“Find out if there were any cruiser rentals.”
“Even if it was rented, it could have been leased anywhere along the coast. I suppose you want that by the time you get to Tobago too?”
The taxi was pulling away and Melis was still staring straight ahead.
“Don't be sarcastic, Wilson.” Kelby turned and headed for his cabin. “You know you enjoy doing the impossible. It's great for your ego. That's the reason you've stayed with me all these years.”
“Is it?” Wilson was already reaching for his phone. “That's news to me. And here I thought it was because I wanted to gouge enough loot out of you to retire on the Riviera.”
Chapter Three
As usual, Susie and Pete met Melis at the net.
She had never figured out how the dolphins knew she was coming. Of course their hearing was phenomenal, but they often ignored the arrival of the mail boat or passing fishermen. Yet they were always there when she returned from any trip. She'd even run tests to try to fool them. Once she'd left the boat a mile from the net and swum the rest of the way. But their instinct was unerring. They were always there, waiting, squeaking, clicking, whistling, dipping, swimming joyously in giddy circles.
“Okay, okay, I've missed you too.” She floated the motorboat over the net before fastening it again. “Have you been giving Cal a bad time while I've been gone?”
Susie gave her high, clicking squeak that was so like laughter.
Dear God, it was good to be home. After the ugliness and horror she'd gone through in Athens, being here with Pete and Susie was like having a loving hand stroking, soothing her.
“I thought so.” She restarted the motor. “Come on, we'll get some supper and you can tell Cal you're sorry.”
Again, that joyous laughter as the dolphins raced ahead of her toward the cottage.
Cal met her at the pier, his expression sober. “You okay?”
No, she wasn't okay. But she was better now that she was home. “Gary called you?”
He nodded as he tied up the boat. “I'm damn sorry, Melis. I'll miss him. We'll all miss him.”
“Yes, we will.” She got out of the boat. “Do you mind if we don't talk about Phil right now? I've got to come to terms with it in my own way.”
“Sure.” Cal fell into step with her. “Then can we talk about Kelby?”
She stiffened. “Why?”
“Because Kelby offered Gary a job on the Trina.”
She stopped and stared at him. “What?”
“Good wages. Interesting work. It wouldn't be like crewing on the Last Home, but we have to make a living.”
“We?”
“Gary said that there was a job for Terry and me too. He gave me Kelby's cell-phone number. He said to call him if we wanted the job.” He looked away from her. “And if you didn't mind.”
She did mind. The thought of losing these men with whom she'd grown up made her feel a little lost. “You think you could be happy working for Kelby?”
“Gary likes him and he's talked to the crew on the Trina. They say Kelby's fair, and as long as you're square with him, he'll be square with you.” He paused. “But we don't have to take the job. Not if you don't like the idea. I know you and Phil didn't agree about Kelby. But his rep is pretty good.”
His reputation was better than good. Kelby was the rising star in the profession Phil had loved so well. He'd already discovered two galleons in the Caribbean. It was one of the reasons she'd harbored resentment. In the relatively short time he'd been in the business, he'd effortlessly overshadowed Phil's accomplishments.
She was being selfish. She had felt so safe when she'd reached