"No harm, no foul.”
"What a way to make a first impression," she said.
"There's still time to redeem yourself. It hasn't been 24 hours yet.”
"Is that the rule now? 24 hours to make an impression."
"I don't know if it's a rule, but I'm willing to roll with it if you are.”
She smiled. "Deal.”
"What do you want for breakfast?" I asked.
"Whatever you're fixing.”
"Ham and cheese omelettes okay?"
Ariel nodded.
The smell of coffee swirled, and bacon sizzled in the pan. We dished plates and chowed down on the sky deck, soaking up the amber rays of morning.
I told her all about my misadventures last night.
Her jaw dropped. "I can't believe I slept through that."
"Well, you were medicated.”
“True.”
“What are your plans for the day?” I asked.
“I figured I would run back to my apartment and gather some things. I need to run a few errands. I’d like to stay another night here, if that’s okay. You know, doctor’s orders.”
I chuckled. “That’s okay.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not imposing. How’s that feeling?” I asked, wincing as I motioned to the bruise.
“Sore, but I’ll live.”
My phone buzzed with a call from the sheriff. I swiped the screen and held the device to my ear. “What is it now?”
“Get over to Salt Point Harbor.”
“I’m on leave, remember?”
“Not anymore, you’re not.”
33
Several fishing boats involved in yesterday's shark hunt, along with several that weren't, had been the victims of vandalism. Torched in the middle of the night, the wooden boats had burned up. The steel trawlers stayed afloat, charred shadows of their former glory.
Plenty of angry captains and deckhands lined the dock on the verge of tears. Their livelihood up in flames.
Paris and her crew were on the scene, capturing the aftermath. She interviewed a swarthy captain. "How am I going to put food on the table now? My family is not going to be able to eat!”
"What would you like to say to the person who did this?”
