The crane wound into action, the gears popping loudly, little ice chips falling off the metal gears.
I shivered and squinted, watching over the side of the boat. The line pulled from the sea, pulling the net with it. The bounty was massive today, the entire net full of fish.
I whopped and peered over my shoulder. “It’s a good one!”
Butch grinned, his cheeks pinching. “Hell yes!”
I leaned back as the net crested the railing. It raised high into the air. I held up a hand against the spray of water raining down on top of me. I motioned for him to take it center.
Butch switched the gears.
The net went left, though, as the boat rose on another high wave. Butch was a professional through and through. He quickly switched the controls and took over manually.
When he had it centered, he shouted, “You ready?”
“Almost.” I grabbed my oversized broom, standing clear of the landing zone. “Open it up.”
The net opened and fish fell from the sky.
Boom.
I stared in horror as a magical black ball carried my boss overboard. I stumbled through the fish and fell against the other side of the boat.
Squinting through the rain, I screamed, “Butch!”
“He’s dead.” Joshua Striker cocked a hip next to the railing. He stared out at the ocean. “The magic killed him on impact.”
Rage beat through my veins, shaking my entire frame. But I stepped away from him, my eyes still on the rough water. I shouted, “You’re lying?”
“I’m not. Drowning is one of the worst ways to go. I didn’t think you’d like it if I didn’t kill him before he hit the water.”
I stepped back again, putting distance between us, furious tears rushing down my cheeks. “How the hell did you get on this boat?”
“I stowed away. Though I must admit, the quarters were a bit cramped. But since I don’t know how to use your crane over there, I had to wait until Mr. Reynolds usefulness was up before I revealed myself.”
I pointed at the ocean. “I want his body to bury.”
“He’s a fisherman. The sea is his grave.”
I wiped away my tears, but new ones fell. My fists shook at my sides, and I hissed, “What do you want from me?”
“First? I’d merely like to chat with you. The few times I was in your mind, I found your thoughts refreshing and humorous. I would like a little more of that in my life.”
I steadied my legs as the boat rose again on a wave, noticing how he teetered—not used to the sea. “I’d rather not talk with you. You just killed my dearest friend.”
His head cocked. “Do you ever wonder about the meaning of life, Faith?”
“No, I just live my life.”
“I have been thinking about it. For many, many years now. I’ve come to a conclusion there is no meaning to life on earth. It merely exists, and then it doesn’t.”
“That’s nice. How about you jump overboard?”
He shook his head. “Like I said, drowning is a bad death.”
“You don’t swim?”
His lips curled up at the edges. “You are so cunning. I enjoy that wit.”
