“She’s done a lot of work with those negotiating with foreign entities over international waters. All that maritime stuff is how she met Dad to begin with.” Cressida blew out a big breath. Grabbed another cookie. “They were an unlikely couple if there ever was one. Dad was quiet and laid back and into his books and history. He just couldn’t fit into her world.”
Their failed relationship was a rabbit trail. “So you didn’t finish the article?”
“I had some roadblocks. Dad died, and then ... I focused on this project to get me through. Who knows, maybe I’ll finish it on the other side of his book.”
How did he get more out of her without drawing suspicion? What kind of scumbag was he to even be here asking questions like a covert operative? He felt like it was a dark spot on his soul.
Please, Lord,let her see the connection between her article and what’s going on here—if it’s connected.
She angled her head. “So, Evelyn’s reaction to you suggesting that Caleb wasn’t on theSpecter’s Bountybut another boat...” She scrunched up her face—a look of confusion and incredulity. “What do you make of that?”
“I’ve made a note to contact the DNR to learn more about theSpecter’s Bountyand get a list of any other similar derelict boats in this region of the Pacific. It could be as simple as what Sheryl at the museum told us—it was towed but broke away during a storm and was lost again. Or it could be like Evelyn said—there’s much more to the story. And maybe I can find out if they know something about another lost boat—the one Caleb was on.”
If it was something far more sinister, what could it be?
She hopped off the stool. “I have an idea.”
She moved around the island to stand close to him. He wasn’t so sure it was a good idea.
“And what’s that?” He turned and leaned on his elbow against the counter.
“We need to find theSpecter’s Bountyand board it.”
He straightened. “If it was that easy, do you think it would still be floating out there?”
“I didn’t say it was easy. Finding the truth can be hard, but in this case, it could be as simple as getting information out of Evelyn or Diggins. Let’s find it and board it. I can add that to the book. I’ve dived to see sunken vessels. This is something I want to do.”
“And end the folklore and all the intrigue wrapped around the ghost ship supposedly appearing with the marine fog?”
“I don’t think the book or the truth will end anything. Something terrible happened, and we might never know what that was or what happened to the crew. Those untrue or fantastical stories aren’t going to die, and the warning of danger theSpecter’s Bountyrepresents will remain. Dad used to say that the ocean remembers, and it is both a graveyard and a cradle. So we need to get out there”—she pointed west to the Pacific—“as soon as we know where to go. As for the boat on whatever secret mission that Caleb was on, we’ll board that or dive to see it. Finding it is my priority. I might add one more vessel to Dad’s book.”
The sugar and coffee were getting to her—firing her up—but she made good points. He’d have to remember that for the future.
Before Braden could respond, the light flickered and went out, leaving them in utter darkness.
He felt the warmth of Cressida’s body as she stepped closer, but even that couldn’t chase away the cold chill of dread that gripped him.
29
Ugh. Not again.They’d flickered earlier today but hadn’t gone out. Normally a power outage wouldn’t scare her. It was more of an annoyance. But tonight, in this gorgeous, stunning, butcreepymansion, Cressida couldn’t ignore the terror that threatened. She’d left her handgun upstairs. Her cell too.
“Probably just the wind knocking the power out.” Hadn’t Evelyn said as much before?
Braden said nothing. Nor did he turn on his cell flashlight. She suspected he was listening. The wind buffeted the house, stirring all kinds of creaks and groans. Were any of the sounds footfalls?
“What if it’s the same intruder from earlier today?” she asked. “Maybe he came back to get what he failed to get earlier.” Except Braden believed he already found whatever he was after.
Evelyn had been upset about it too, so something important had been in that room.
“We could just leave now,” she whispered. She sounded like a complete coward. Then again, she was being smart.
But I can’t see.
“What are we doing?” Again she whispered.
“Power outages here are common,” he whispered back, his breath warm against her cheeks. “But until I determine otherwise, I need you to stay safe and quiet.”
A smidgeon of moonlight reflected through a break in the clouds and shone through the kitchen window, allowing her eyes to adjust. He tugged her hand, pulling her forward to the far end of the kitchen. Opened the pantry door and stuck her inside. Then handed his cell to her.
