Dot got out the camera, using a towel to hide the light from it.Either the smugglers hadn’t noticed the navigation lights on the police boat, or they didn’t care.Maybe they had heard the radio call that the police boat was stuck until the tide turned.
The dinghy moved to the next location and then the next.Dot glanced to the island and, in the darkness, she made out movement on shore.Oliver was safe.
She readied herself as the sound came closer.The spotlights pointed in the right direction, and her camera was ready.Someone on the boat had turned on a torch, making it easier to track.If they started shooting, she’d go over the side.
The engine idled and Dot pictured them searching for the last barrel.
Now.
She flicked on the spotlight and raised the camera, zooming in to the silver dinghy with two people on board.She took photo after photo as the man at the side of the boat stared straight at the light like a startled kangaroo.From this distance it was hard to see clearly, but he had no distinguishing features and he wasn’t a local.
Damn it.
The captain at the wheel glanced across.“Get down!”He had the build and colouring of Steven Hamilton.
The man finally clicked out of his trance and ducked.
Dot grabbed the loud hailer.“This is the police.You are surrounded.Turn off your engine and put your hands up.”
She took a photo of the boat’s name before the captain gunned the engine, speeding away into the night.She swore.
They’d scared easier than she’d expected.No weapons, no attempts to fight.
Across the way, theOceanid’sspotlight came on, scanning the water.Perhaps she should have used them, but she didn’t trust the radio was a secure form of communication.
She switched to the right channel.“All good,Oceanid.You can stand down.”
“What the hell, Dot?”Sam said.
Dot didn’t answer, aware of those who could be listening.Instead, she checked the photos she’d taken.
A few grainy and blurry ones, but there were a couple of sharp ones in the mix.Hopefully enough to get a good resolution shot of the men.
She checked the time.Another hour before high tide, but perhaps there was enough water to get over the reef.
A splash of water had her turning, hand on her gun.She swivelled the spotlight to find Oliver was almost back at the boat.He waved and she moved the light so it wasn’t shining directly at him and instead at the reef nearby to check how deep it was.The coral which had been evident above the water was now submerged.
“Throw me my goggles,” Oliver called as he got closer.“I’ll check.”
She waited until he looped around the boat, examining the reef.As he climbed onto the deck, he nodded.“We’re good to go.”
Dot handed him a towel, ignoring the sliver of disappointment.She switched on the main light and the bright beam cut through the dark, ending their private interlude.She needed to get back to reality.But where were they going from here?“Thank you for doing as I asked.”She felt a little foolish now for making him leave the boat, but at least he was safe.She pulled the anchor in.
“I never thought Retribution Bay was dangerous.”
She glanced at him.“Anywhere can be dangerous if the wrong people get involved.”She started the engine.They’d cleared the air between them and now she had a crime syndicate to end and he had a wreck to examine.Anything else would have to wait until later.
Using the spotlight to illuminate the water, she picked her way back to theOceanid.Oliver put his hand on her arm.“What are you doing now?”
“Heading back to town.I might catch them at a boat ramp or the marina.”
“By yourself?”
Her muscles tensed.“I don’t have a choice.”She slowed the boat as she came alongside theOceanid.Everyone was on board watching them and Sam grabbed the rope Oliver threw him.“What’s going on, Dot?”Sam demanded.
“Police business,” she answered.“I need to get back to town.”
“Dot…” Oliver just looked at her.
