Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [13]
“We'd feel bad if you—”
“Cal, it's okay. Call Kelby and take the job. It's not as if you're going to work for a group of terrorists. I would have had to find all of you new berths anyway. I can't keep you employed here, so you might as well go where you can get work.” He was still frowning and she forced herself to smile. “Unless you want me to hire you to help take care of Pete and Susie?”
“God, no,” he said, horrified. “Do you know what they did to me? They stole my trunks. I was taking a morning swim and that female came up from below and jerked them off me. I thought I was being attacked. A man's privates should be respected.”
She smothered a smile. “Only a little prank. They don't understand clothing. It's just another toy to them.”
“Yeah? Well, I don't understand being stripped down to my birthday suit.”
He was so outraged she couldn't resist. “They must have found you appealing. Dolphins are very highly sexed, you know.”
“Oh, my God.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “They were just playing. Neither of them has reached sexual maturity yet. They're only about eight years old and it may still be a year or two.”
“Remind me not to be around. And that's not all they did. I couldn't get in the boat without them tipping it over.”
“I can see you've suffered. I'll talk to them about it.” She opened the front door. “After supper I promise I'll have them apologize.”
“I don't want an apology. They wouldn't mean it anyway.” He scowled. “Just don't leave me alone with them again.”
“Not unless I absolutely have to do it.”
His gaze narrowed on her face. “What's that supposed to mean? You never leave the island these days unless you're forced.”
“Things happen. I didn't want to leave here when you brought me those documents from Phil, but I did.” She headed for the kitchen. “Besides, you won't be here for me to call on if you're going to take that job with Kelby.”
“I never leave a buddy in the lurch.”
She was touched. “Thanks, Cal. I hope I won't have to subject you to any more of the dolphins' tricks.”
“Don't worry. I can handle them.” He hesitated. “Maybe.”
“They really like you or they wouldn't play with you. You should be flattered. It's a wonderful comp—”
“I don't want to be flattered. I just want to keep my drawers on.” He gave her a nudge toward the lanai. “You look tired. Go out and sit down. I'll make supper.” He hesitated. “I was wondering . . . Is there anyone we should tell about Phil? He didn't have any family, did he?”
“No one he's kept in touch with over the years. You and the other guys were more his family than any relation.” But there was one person she should call. Not for Phil's sake, but Carolyn would be concerned if she found out later that Melis hadn't told her. “Maybe I will make a phone call or two.”
“Do you need me?” Carolyn asked quietly. “Say the word and I'll hire a seaplane here in Nassau and be outside those nets in a heartbeat.”
“I'm okay.” Melis gazed out at the sea where Pete and Susie were playing. “Well, not okay. But I'm pulling myself together.”
“What are you feeling? Anger? Sadness? Guilt?”
“I don't know yet. I'm still numb. I know I was glad to get home. I feel as if everything is dammed up inside me and can't get out.”
“I'm on my way.”
“No, I know what your appointment book looks like. You have clients, for God's sake.”
“And I have a friend who needs me.”
“Look, I'm coping. If you want to come here this weekend, I'll be glad to have you. You haven't seen Pete and Susie for a while anyway.”
There was a silence on the other end of the line, and Melis could almost see the thoughtful frown on Carolyn's café au lait face. “Are you alone?”
“No, Cal is here. And, even if he wasn't, I'm never alone, Carolyn. I have the dolphins.”
“Yeah, they're really great to confide in.”
“Actually, they are. They don't talk back.”
Carolyn chuckled. “Okay, I'll wait until the weekend. And next week I'll arrange a few