She told me, and I ended the call. Then I updated JD on the situation.
We hurried back to theAvventura, and I called the sheriff. I filled him in and told him to send Tango One to Angelfish for air support. He put a BOLO out on the white Go-Fast boat with sparkly blue trim.
Something told me the assailant she tagged wasn't going to show up at the hospital. I had no doubt there were some shady off-the-books doctors willing to patch up criminal types for a price. We’d busted one before.
JD and I grabbed some gear and loaded aboard the Raptor. I cast off the lines, and Jack took the helm. He navigated usout of the marina and brought the boat on plane once we passed the breakwater.
The engines howled, spitting a frothy wake as we sliced through the swells. The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, sparkling the water, painting the clouds with pastel hues. Mists of saltwater sprayed.
As promised, we arrived at Angelfish Island within the hour. I scanned the bay, looking for threats.
The area seemed clear.
Teal waves crashed against the shore.
Jack navigated the HDPE tactical boat into the shallows and onto the sand. We hopped out, and I called Madelyn. I barely had a bar of service out here.
Tango One circled overhead, the thump of rotor blades filling the sky.
Madelyn didn't answer, and dread filled my stomach.
Her sailboat was still in the bay. The hull had been peppered with bullets. Windows had been shattered. It was a damn shame. It was a nice boat.
A few minutes later, Madelyn emerged from the underbrush, her cautious eyes scanning the area. She was decked out in a ghillie suit, looking like a walking shrub. I had to hand it to her—she was prepared for survival.
She peeled out of the suit as she walked down the beach and tossed it aside. "That thing is hot.”
"You're still alive.”
"Yeah, well, I told you I knew how to take care of myself. I've got caches of supplies hidden on several of the islands out here in case of emergency. I like to plan ahead.”
"Impressive. You’re one of those conspiracy types, aren’t you?”
"I’m still alive, aren’t I? Now, can we get the hell out of here before those assholes try again?”
"I think that's a smart move,” I said in an understated voice.
We jogged to the Raptor, and I helped Madelyn aboard. I weighed anchor, and Jack navigated us out of the bay.
I waved off Tango One, and they returned to base.
“What about your boat?” I asked.
“I’ll come back for it or buy another.”
“You’re loaded, I take it.”
“More than I could ever spend. But not as much as Sebastian, since he screwed me over.”
“That sounds like a story.”
“I’ll tell you about it sometime.”
We headed back to the marina and tied up in a slip. I helped Madelyn ashore and escorted her to theAvventura.We crossed the passerelle to the aft deck. Buddy waited at the salon door, barking and wagging his tail.
“This is a nice boat,” Madelyn said.
I knew what she was thinking. “No. We’re not on the take.”
