Definitely used for camping. The ground had been cleared and close to the fire, the disturbance was more pronounced, as if something had been buried.
She took a couple of quick steps back, the memory of today’s weapons cache far too clear. Whoever camped here might have buried their waste, but she wouldn’t bet on it. She took some photos and recorded the GPS coordinates. This wasn’t near the usual camp site for the island.
She’d call the police as soon as she got back.
With a last look around, and with her skin prickling, she hurried back to the boat. She was done for the day.
***
Sam sat on his balcony, which gave him a view down the canal to the marina. From here he could see all the boats entering. He would deny to anyone who suggested it that he was waiting for Penelope to return, but that was exactly what he was doing. He didn’t like the idea of her going out alone. The sun was already low in the sky and she should be back by now, even with the water rougher than it was when she’d left.
He scanned the ocean through his binoculars. A boat was heading in, but it was too far away to recognise the person behind the wheel. He sipped his beer and waited for it to get closer.
He’d tried Sherlock again, wanting to let his friend know he was still valued, but there’d been no response. Sam sent him a long text message instead. Still no reply.
He’d try again tomorrow and if he couldn’t get through, he’d call Sherlock’s occupational therapist and get her to pass on the message when she visited him during the week.
Next, Sam called Brandon.
“Didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon,” Brandon said as he answered.
Sam smirked. “Penelope got called into work. I heard from my guy today, and she’s in the clear. He couldn’t find any link to Stonefish.”
“I’m glad. No news from Dot yet, but the bomb squad has to have arrived. No boom either.”
It would be interesting to find out what was in the bag if Dot relented and told them. “Tell me when you know.” Sam finished his beer and took the empty bottle inside to the recycling. By the time he returned, the boat was close enough to make out the PAWS logo on the side. One passenger and though the hat was pulled low, he was fairly sure it was Penelope.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Sam hung up and smiled. He’d walk down to the marina and bump into Penelope there. Then perhaps he could convince her to have dinner with him.
On the way out, he grabbed his hat and sunglasses, and tucked his phone and wallet into his pocket. He took his time walking down, not wanting to beat her there, and his timing was rewarded when she motored into the marina as he arrived. He used his pass to get through the gate and grabbed the rope she threw to him when she entered her pen.
She smiled. “I’m beginning to think you’re stalking me.”
He grinned. “The other night was coincidental. This was completely planned. I saw you come into the marina and thought I’d come down and ask how you went.”
Her smile faded and as he moved to help her off the boat, the smell of dead fish filled his nose. “Smells like you found what you were looking for.”
She nodded and handed him a heavy, stinky bag. “I need to get these sent to the lab, and I need to speak to Dot.”
He jerked, focusing on her. “What did you find?”
She pressed her lips together and seemed to fight with herself. That sense of playing by the rules. Finally she said, “I saw smoke which led me to an illegal camping spot. Looks like something might have been buried there recently.”
His body went cold. “You didn’t dig it up?”
She shook her head. “After this morning, I didn’t dare. Do you think Dot is still out at the Ridge?”
“Brandon hasn’t seen her yet, but she usually drops by to give an update before she heads back to town.”
“I need to deal with the fish first,” Penelope said.
She finished tying up the boat and carried her backpack and a second bag of fish with her as they walked back to her car.
“How about I call Brandon? Do you need a hand with this?”
She hesitated. “Yeah, that would be great.”
A sense of satisfaction filled him as he helped her get the things into the car and then they drove to the PAWS office.
