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

I’ll …”
    They both turned as the sound of an engine swelled behind the point and another cabin cruiser, this one considerably older than Sanford’s, nosed into the cove and made its way toward the float.
    â€œLooks like he knows where he’s going,” Dan said as they watched the boat slide up to the float. “Must be a local.”
    Walker nodded. “Might be a friend of Sanford’s parents. Looks like he’s headed for the house.” He dug the paddle into the water and turned the canoe toward the shore. “I’ll see what he wants. Sanford probably knows him.”
    â€œI’ll plot a course,” Dan said, his voice resigned. “Then I’d better go up to the light and let them know where I’m going. Don’t want them to think I’m running out on them.”
    â€œTell ’em we’ll call them from the lagoon. Might be good to have an extra pair of eyes at this end too. I’ll meet you back here.”
    â€œWe?” asked Dan, but he was talking to himself. Walker was already away on the water.

• EIGHT •
    The smell of bacon drifted from the open door of the lightkeeper’s house, and Dan heard the clink of plates and cutlery as he approached on the walkway. He hadn’t eaten breakfast—or dinner the night before, for that matter—and all of a sudden he was ravenous.
    â€œGood morning,” he said as he stuck his head in the door. “Sure smells good in here.”
    â€œHey, Dan. Come on in.” Mary was busy at the stove, forking strips of crisp bacon onto a plate. “Would you like some breakfast? There’s more than enough.”
    â€œWouldn’t say no,” Dan answered. “But I’d hate to be the one responsible if you guys had to go back to eating Spam.”
    Mary laughed. “Gene told you that story, did he? Wasn’t the best time in our lives, but it all worked out in the end. We don’t have to worry about supplies now. We can have them brought in on the Uchuck . She’s the supply boat for all the folks around here.” She added eggs to the now empty frying pan. “Gene’s gone down to get Jens. He wanted to spend the night down at his own place, but I don’t think he got much sleep. The light was on all night and I saw him moving around a couple of times.”
    Dan nodded. “Has to be tough. Any word from the cops?”
    She shook her head. “No. Nothing.”
    Dan hesitated for a few seconds. Should he tell her about the footprints? It would explain why he was leaving the cove when there was bad weather coming in, but it would raise hopes that maybe shouldn’t be raised. Probably better to keep his mouth shut.
    As Mary handed him a plate, they heard the sound of voices approaching the house. “Here. Might as well get started.”
    â€”
    â€œGoing to be a pretty hard trip.” Gene nodded toward the barometer. “Doesn’t look like it will blow too long, but it’s already strong enough to slow you down. Sea’s building too.”
    Both men glanced out the window at the spray being hurled off the rocks below.
    â€œShould be better on the inside,” Dan answered. “I’ll head for Tahsis if it’s rough, but I’d really like to get to Louie Bay. Make it an easy trip up to Kyuquot once it clears.” He had used his rendezvous with Claire as his excuse for leaving.
    â€œSounds like a special lady.” Gene smiled across the table at his wife. “You’ll have to bring her down here. Like to meet her.”
    â€œI’ll do that,” Dan said as he stood up. “Thanks for breakfast, Mary. It was great.” He turned to go, then remembered Walker’s parting words. “Ahh, you’ll let me know if anything happens here?”
    Mary glanced at Jens. He was sitting at the table, his food untouched in front of him. “Of course,” she said. “We’re