“She’s good. The engines and the hull integrity are perfect,” Buck heard Tabbi say. “What I haven’t checked out yet is a lot of the periphery equipment, like the exterior cameras, the sampling tools, and the manipulator arms. And just a warning. This is an older model sub, so it doesn’t have a photonic mast, and I’m not sure the periscope is working. Will we need it, Spence?”
Buck was savvy enough to know that a photonic mast meant an electronic imaging sensor that sent surface pictures back to a computer screen.
“Buck?” Spencer turned the question over to him.
“We might, in order to positively ID Bobbie’s boat when we reach it. But first and foremost, we need a way to follow her undetected, which thankfully we now have. And also, I’m relieved that we know her exact course. Not only has she shared it with everyone, but her boat’s been tagged so that the authorities would be able to locate her. Which means we can at least get close to her position, and if we can’t get an actual visual, we can contact the Coast Guard, who will let us know the minute that they spot her.
Buck needed clarification, however, for the next thing of which he was uncertain.
“So, Bobbie sails at somewhere between five and eight knots. What can your sub do? Will we be able to catch up to her?”
Tabitha didn’t hesitate, and answered proudly. “Absolutely. My baby is rated for ten knots. And I can’t wait to put her through her paces,” she added excitedly.
“That works for me,” Buck replied, feeling a modicum of hope for the first time this morning. “I’m headed out now. At this early hour, I know I can be at the harbor in under ten minutes. What’s your ETA?”
Spencer gave a wry laugh. “Tabitha’s already out of bed and dressed, and I’m not far behind. I’d say we’ll get there about the same time.”
“Great. Bring your scuba gear. I’m bringing mine because…you never know. I’ll see you soon.” Buck hung up, eyeing Cooper, who was giving him a “what about me?” look.Shit.In his worry, he’d forgotten about not only Cooper, but Reyghan who was in the harbormaster’s office. He assumed Spence and Tabbi were leaving Duck behind. Maybe.
Who could he call to help?
It was far too early to bother Sheila, and even if he did reach her, she’d need a ride all the way to Searsport. Mason was already on his way to confer with Chief Ildavorg. Mase’s wife Everlee, their baby, and Izzy their pup, had all gone to visit family out of state, so he couldn’t call on her. But…Rowan
He quickly dialed his brother, Kyle.
“Hey, man. What’s up?”
Obviously,Kylewas, but that was no surprise. He and Rowan were always early risers; taking a morning run together every day, weather permitting.
“I need someone to head to the Searsport harbormaster’s office and retrieve not only Reyghan, but Cooper who will be there soon, and maybe Duck.”Yeah. There was no help for it. Once they left Hampden in the sub, they’d have to do a quick stop in Searsport. “We’ll need someone to watch the dogs for…I don’t know how long. I get that you’ll be working the sting at the barn today, which you’ll be getting an update on, soon, but do you think Rowan can do dog-sitting?”
“Row?” Spence called out. “Can you head to Searsport, pick up three dogs, and watch them for the day?”
Buck heard a sound of glee.
“Three puppies? Are you kidding me? I’ll be in heaven. Just give me time to grab my keys, and I’m there.”
Buck sighed in relief. “Thank her for me, Kyle.” He finalized the call. “I don’t have time to explain, but you’ll have the whole story soon enough.”
“No problem, Buck. Stay safe, whatever it is your doing.”
“You know it,” Buck replied before hanging up.
He grabbed his gear bag and was out the door, speeding off toward Hampden’s waterfront within a few blinks, his foot heavy on the peddle. Just let someone try to stop him now. They’d have to follow him all the way to Canada.
It took exactly eight minutes to reach the harbor. A new record. But Buck wasn’t ready to claim any prizes, yet. Not until he had Bobbie safe.
He easily located the area where Spence had said the sub was tied off, and he didn’t have to wait long for his brother and Tabitha to show up.
With a quick greeting, they all climbed aboard the sub, dogs and all, heading quickly down the tower while Tabbi got them underway.
It didn’t take long to reach Searsport, where Spence wrangled both Duck and Cooper, trotting off with the dogs to sequester them with Reyghan until Rowan arrived. If Buck knew Rowan, she wouldn’t be long, which was a good thing. That trio of puppies could probably chew through their weight in harbor-paperwork if left unattended for too long.
Tabitha immediately sprang into action again once Spencer returned, beckoning him to close the hatch behind him as she threw switches and got them underway again.
“It’s a good thing she’s all fueled,” Tabitha told him, this time taking a few minutes to go over her pre-launch safety protocols.
Tabitha knew that preparedness was key to any emergency that arose, so of course she’d be as careful as possible.
