Read Online Black Tide Rising by R.J. McMillen - Free Book Online Page A

stare morosely out the window.
    â€œShit!” Dan broke the silence that had fallen. “There must be something we can do. We can’t just leave her out there with some asshole.” He stood up and went to stand by the cabin door, staring out over the dawn-flecked water.
    â€œTrue,” Walker said, watching him. “Could leave the asshole out there though. Be kinda good if he ran into trouble.” He pushed himself up off the settee.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Dan said as Walker struggled toward the aft deck. “You can’t go out looking for her. And there’s a weather system coming in from the north anyway.”
    Walker reached the door and peered out. “Yep. Gonna be here soon, too.” He turned back and looked at Dan. “I’m going to go talk to Sanford. There’s some people over near Esperanza who might know the trail. They know this whole area. Might be able to get them over there.”
    Dan narrowed his eyes. “These like those kids you called in last year?” Walker had asked a group of Native youth, who were living in a remote camp run by a friend of his, to help him disable a boat whose crew had threatened Claire.
    Walker grinned. “Did a good job, those kids. Percy was real proud of them.”
    â€œYeah, Walker. They did an incredible job. Hell, I’m proud of them too. But they didn’t have to deal with anybody face-to-face. This guy could be armed. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
    â€œI’ll let them know,” Walker said, the grin still on his face as he made his way out onto the deck. “They’ll be happy to hear you’re looking out for them.”
    Dan shook his head. “Walker, you know what I’m saying—”
    â€œThink you could make it up to Louie Lagoon if you go round the inside?” Walker asked, turning back to look at Dan as he cut him off in mid-sentence.
    â€œWhat?” Dan wasn’t sure he’d heard right. “Why the hell would I go to Louie Lagoon? I don’t even know where it is!”
    â€œIt’s the other end of the trail. Your fancy computer told you. Remember?”
    â€œDammit, Walker. Are you nuts?” Dan followed him outside and leaned over the stern, watching as Walker used his arms to lower himself to the swim grid and pull the canoe up. “You’ve got to stop this. Let the police handle it. You can’t keep putting your friends at risk. This is not your problem.” Even as he was speaking, Dan was aware of the contradiction. Just seconds ago he had been saying they had to do something. Now he was telling Walker it was none of his business.
    Walker slid his feet into the canoe, then twisted so his weight was braced on his arms as he lowered his body onto the seat.
    â€œWorked pretty good last time,” he said as he untied the rope from the swim grid.
    â€œAh, hell!” Dan ran his hand through his hair as Walker lifted his paddle over the side. “Okay. Fine. I’ll have a look at the charts, see if it’s possible, but I’m damned if I know what good I can do even if I get there.”
    â€œHe’s heading that way. It’s probably the only place he can go. And we could pick up the Esperanza folks on the way. Save them a bunch of time.”
    â€œYou’re serious, aren’t you? You really figure these people can help?”
    â€œYou got a better idea? That trail sounds pretty lonely. She might not make it to the other end.”
    Dan shook his head. He might as well give up now. Walker wasn’t going to change his mind.
    â€œFine. How long do you think you’ll be? I’m guessing you’re planning on coming along for the ride? At least as far as Esperanza?”
    That irritating grin flashed again. “Thought you’d never ask! Might take a bit of time to track the boys down. They tend to move about a bit, but it shouldn’t be too long.