“This is the United States Coast Guard,” a bored voice said over a staticky loudspeaker. “Yes, we have the authority to pull your boat over, and let me remind you that attempting to bribe a member of the military is a federal offence and will result in jail time, not just a fine. You all need to move your boats. Ma’am?”
I peered down. The kid looked like he was barely twenty.
Do I really look that old?
“Ma’am, do you need a ride back to shore?” the baby-faced coast guard asked.
“She’s fine.”
“I’ll take her back,” Walter and Hunter said at the same time then glared at each other.
“Actually,” I said, setting down my champagne glass and checking to make sure I had my clutch, “I would like a ride.”
* * *
“And you just climbed down theladder off the side of the boat like a raccoon?” Susie asked in horror.
“The wind blew up my skirt, and the kid got an eyeful,” I said ruefully. “Then I screamed and dropped my purse while I was trying to fix my skirt. That’s why I don’t have my keys.” I made a helpless gesture.
“I have the early-morning shift,” Susie said, finishing her coffee. “There’s microwave kettle corn in the cabinet and hot chocolate. You know where the shower is.”
“Thanks for letting me crash here.”
“Hey, my dog likes the company. Can you let her out for me before you go to bed?”
I saluted Susie then puttered around the kitchen, preparing a snack. Before I showered, I decided I should take the dog out. I poked the slightly overweight elderly German shepherd that Susie had had since forever. The dog smacked her mouth and yawned.
“Out, out!” I told her. “I’m not cleaning up after you.” I grabbed one of my friend’s jackets and clipped Laika in her harness and followed her as she padded outside. Susie lived in a small cabin adjacent to the old, abandoned farmstead. There was a graveyard on one end, and an overgrown field abutted the Svenssons’ property on the other.
“You better protect me,” I warned the dog as she eagerly led me into the abandoned property. “And no, do not take me to the cemetery; we’re going the other way.” It was the middle of the night and chilly. It was also a little creepy.
There were random flashes of light from around the property. I hadn’t been out here in ages, and I walked apprehensively behind the dog.
“Maybe we should go,” I whispered to her. Then I heard an angry male voice, and a child started screaming.
24
Hunter
“I’m sorry, you bought a whole entire boat?” Garrett said with a scowl as soon as I walked through the door of the estate house.
I sighed. “It was part of my plan.”
“What plan includes buying a whole entire yacht?” Garrett fumed.
“It wasn’t even a new yacht, Hunter,” Archer added.
“You bought a pre-owned yacht?” Mace made a face.
“It was from one of the Richmond brothers,” I said, shrugging off my suit jacket.
“The Richmond brothers?” Mace was appalled. “You need to have that whole thing sanitized before we take the kids out on it.”
“Absolutely not; we are not taking the kids on a boat ride.”
“Then why did you even buy it if no one can use it?” Garrett asked.
“I’m not going on a boat,” Blade said stubbornly. “The last time we were on a boat, Weston made Greg lose his watch, then we had to spend all New Year’s in the freezing-cold water looking for it.”
