“I better get the Otter back out to Wayfarer before the weather comes in, or we’ll have to wait until it blows over,” he said. “That might be enough to send LT into convulsions.”
When Wolf lifted a questioning eyebrow, he explained. “I called the sat phone on the island this morning to fill LT in on what happened with Winston and Chrissy. He’s concerned, of course. But after he realized there’s nothing he can do to help, he asked about the metal detectors and what time I thought I’d be getting them to Wayfarer. He’s champing at the bit to get the island searched.”
“Yeah.” Wolf nodded. “Even though he’s no longer our commandin’ officer, he still feels responsible for all of us. And given he was the one to sell us on the idea of searchin’ for the galleon, I’m sure he feels doubly shitty about the missin’ treasure.”
“Finding the booty was never a given.” Romeo stood and waited for Wolf to do the same.
“I know that. You know that. But try convincin’ LT of that,” Wolf muttered.
Romeo didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. They both knew Wolf was right.
As they walked to the front door, Wolf added, “I’m goin’ to stay here with Chrissy until this mess with the warehouse shooters gets solved.”
“Figured as much.” Romeo nodded.
“You still keep that Glock in the Otter?”
“Of course.” Former fighting men hid guns and ammo like squirrels hide nuts.
“After I get everyone out of Chrissy’s house, I’ll meet you and Mia at the airport and grab it before y’all leave, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course,” Romeo repeated.
Not that he didn’t have faith in the uniformed police officer sent to protect Chrissy, except…he didn’t have faith in the uniformed police officer sent to protect Chrissy.
Becoming a Navy SEAL involved seven months of BUD/S training followed by years upon years of weapons training, medical training, demolitions training, cold weather training, ad nauseum, ad infinitum. In short, for SEALs the training never stopped. And not that Romeo didn’t respect cops. He did. No question. But when he compared Wolf’s qualifications against the policeman’s well…there was no comparison.
Wolf had his hand on the doorknob when Romeo stopped him. “Going back to this thing with you and Chrissy.”
Wolf groaned. “I knew I should’ve kept my damned mouth shut.”
“You and I both know life can go so quickly it’s possible to wake up one day and realize you let a lot of really great things pass you by because your pride or stubbornness made you unwilling to take a chance.”
Wolf studied him for a good long while. Then… “That’s sound advice, man. Maybe you should think about takin’ it yourself.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Romeo didn’t voice his question aloud. Mostly because he didn’t want to know the answer.
Chapter 18
11:41 AM…
“I’m okay. Really,” Chrissy hissed, hot on Wolf’s heels as he shepherded the trio of local ladies toward the front door, “you don’t have to do this.”
“Yeah, darlin’, I do,” he insisted from the corner of his mouth. “You look like a glass factory that’s been hit by a tornado.”
“Wow.” She stopped and frowned. “You sure know how to pump up a gal’s ego.”
“Please,” he scoffed, pressing a hand against Judy’s back when she tried to stop alongside Chrissy. Romeo and Mia had left for the airport. Officer Ryan was happily ensconced in a chair on the front porch with a bowl of peach cobbler. If Wolf could get gone The Three Middle-Aged Amigas, Chrissy could finally catch the break she deserved. “We both know you don’t have a problem in the ego department.” He gently cupped Janice’s elbow when she swerved toward the short hallway that led to the bedroom and bathroom. “But when it comes to the knowin’ when you’ve had enough department? Not to put too fine a point on it, but you ain’t got the good sense God gave a goose.”
Chrissy harrumphed loudly, and he could feel her staring daggers at his back as he gently—but firmly—shoved the J-Name Gang out the door.
“I swear.” Jill turned to glare at him. “You are the bossiest man I have ever met. And if I thought you were acting this way for any other reason than because you’re worried for Chrissy, I’d punch you in the pecker.”
He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. She thoughthewas bossy?Hello, Pot. My name is Kettle.
“Thanks for stoppin’ by, ladies.” His words were as cordial as a Baptist minister at a church picnic, but he hoped they could hear the underlying warning in his tone.
