Finn takes the podium and politely bows his head to the crowd. His tall, elegant stature and science-nerd style of dress signal trustworthiness. He gives a brief introduction and then jumps into the facts.
“The truth is, we don’t yet know what’s warming the waters.” Fearful gasps fill the room. He continues to explain the current situation and what he and the team of cave divers and scientists are doing to find answers.
“But wewillfind out what’s going on, and wewillfind a solution. You have my word.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t care who the hell you are. You can’t make guarantees like that. Failure is always a possibility.
He wraps up his presentation and then opens the floor for questions. Most people raise their hands to speak, but a few shout out rudely, canceling each other out. He ignores them until everyone behaves.
“You, yes, you. Lady in the green dress.”
The woman speaks fast, tripping over her words. “My friend’s son got a rash a few days ago. After swimming at the beach. And some of my neighbors aren’t feeling well. Hundreds of dead jellyfish cover the beach every morning until they’re cleaned up.” Her voice rises, strained. “Is it dangerous?”
“No. It’s not dangerous, but we are concerned. Ms. Glassier will go over the environmental impacts. And I’m afraid those impacts have brought us to a difficult decision that I’ll let Mayor Bent speak to.”
Loud chatter erupts from the crowd. The woman sitting to my left twists her closed hands tighter, her face a wall of worry. I get her attention and whisper, “It’s going to be okay.” Some of the tension leaves her face.
Mayor Bent walks back up to the microphone, relieving Finn.
“Friends. When I was told this news, I swore like a sailor and demanded we find another way. But NOAA and Coast Guard officials have made the call, and I’m on board. We’re closing all the beaches and suspending recreational aquatic activity from Maverick Key’s shoreline to the waters surrounding the reef.”
An explosion of loud conversation takes over the room as some people surge to their feet as if they plan to storm the stage. Police officers who have been idle until now move quickly, corralling agitated citizens back to their seats.
“Why is that big military ship anchored less than a mile offshore? What aren’t you telling us!” one man yells over the commotion.
“Folks, I need you to quiet down a little so I can speak.” A flurry of shushes rolls through the audience. Mayor Bent continues. “We’ve called in all the big guns. That ship is where they’re doing their fancy lab work.”
The man eyes the mayor skeptically and asks another question.
My alarm vibrates. It’s time to leave so I can pick up Natalie.
Standing to leave, I try to wave goodbye to Crystal, but she doesn’t see me. I hate leaving her here in this mess.
When I find Sid, she waves me down the hallway and out to a narrow alley where she’s moved her bike. The passage is squeezed between two sections of the concrete block building.
A quiet hiding place tucked away from the curious mob who’s waiting for a glimpse of Nathan Carter.
“You and Crystal are going to get a lot of attention you didn’t ask for now. And your little girl.” She frowns. “Take her somewhere else until all this settles down.”
“Won’t your dad just tell them anything we do?”
“Yeah, well.” She swallows. Fightingtears? “He and I are going to have a little chat. I’m fucking tired of him messing around with everyone’s lives.” For a moment, her tough exterior slips, and she’s just a little girl. One who loves her father. And still knows he’s a world-class asshole.
“For what it’s worth. You’re not him. Thanks again for today.”
She drops me off at Spock’s Ice, and I drive to the school.
I’m on the parent pickup list and have all the instructions for following the school’s safety protocols. Sweat pools at my hairline. I’m late. School was dismissed twenty minutes ago.
When I pull into the parking lot and scan the sidewalk for Natalie, I spot her sitting alone on a bench. Thank God. No other kids are left, but there’s an older man standing beside her. He must be a chaperone.
Closer, I notice he’s not wearing a volunteer safety belt. A jolt of fear shoots through me. Picking up the pace, I rush over toher. His eyes widen in shock when he sees me, and he turns and bolts.
What the hell?
“Hey!” I shout, getting a nearby police officer’s attention. “He was talking to my little girl.”
The officer darts off after the man.
