Last month it was animal smuggling. “You’re told where to send rangers and when.”
Declan deflated like a balloon and sat hard on the couch. “It didn’t seem like a big deal. My mother needed to go into a nursing home and I couldn’t afford the care. They offered me money as long as I did what they said.” He looked up. “I put a limit on it. I said I’d only do it a few times.”
Idiot. “It didn’t stop after that?”
“They threatened to tip off the police. Said they had recordings of our conversations. I told them no when they told me about the whale and then they threatened my family. Knew exactly where my kids were going to be this week.”
Shit. “How about when Penelope caught them?”
“She wasn’t supposed to go to the Muiron Islands that day, but she was being her usual efficient self.”
That made sense.
“Have you got contact details for them?”
“No.”
Damn it. He wanted to end this. “The next time they contact you, I want to know.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll stop them. But if you put Penelope in danger again, it will be me coming for you, got it?”
Declan swallowed hard. “Got it.”
Good. “What do we need to tow the whale?”
“We’ve got equipment we can use back at the office.”
“I’ll drive you there.” He couldn’t trust Declan.
It didn’t take long to get the equipment, but it was dark by the time they reached the area where the whale had been. He put his spotlights on and scanned the water. The wind had died and so had the waves, leaving a much calmer environment, but it still took a few sweeps and some back and forth before Declan yelled, “It’s over there.”
Sam followed Declan’s directions and backed up to the carcass. The thunk of the harpoon hitting the body made him cringe and the smell made his eyes water. Declan tied off the ropes and gave him the thumbs up. Sam motored north, keeping the speed low. Declan joined him.
“Head east,” he said. “It’ll be quicker to catch the currents.”
Sam adjusted his course, and it was about half an hour before Declan called, “This will do.”
He cut the engine. In the distance, the islands in the gulf were shadowed. “Are you sure we’re far enough away?”
“We’re in the perfect location.” The satisfaction in Declan’s voice seemed a bit off and as Sam turned, something hard hit his skull and everything went black.
***
Penelope gave in to the prodding and poking by the doctor, too happy to be alive and on land to care about how unnecessary it was. Next to her, someone had found a towel to wrap her wet backpack. She’d have to go through it and dry everything, but most of the stuff was waterproof. Dot and Nhiari stayed with her, and when she was cleared to go, they took her down to the police station to get her statement.
She’d had far too many dealings with the police lately, but she didn’t begrudge their questions. The only thing that worried her was Sam out there. Who had gone with him?
“He’ll be fine,” Dot said as she led them into an interview room.
Penelope jumped. “Who will?”
“Sam. You’ve got worry all over your face.”
“Stonefish are still out there. They might go after him as well.”
Nhiari came in with her laptop. “He’s taken his boat. Does it have a tracker on it?”
