Read Online Dawn Patrol by Jeff Ross - Free Book Online Page A

parents’ life insurance?”
    â€œI’ve been giving it all to Delgado to help finish the hotel. But I can only take out a certain amount every month. So it may be a couple of weeks before we can get the construction going again. And then I’ll get to see my parents.”
    â€œKevin, how do you even know that…?”
    He stared at me. “That my parents are alive?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œI just know, Luca. I just know. Delgado says it’s better if I don’t see them. There was too much heat from the investigation. When the construction is done and the investigators have figured out what actually happened with my dad’s business, then we can be together again.”
    â€œSo you are certain…?”
    â€œLuca,” Kevin said. He leaned against the tree and stared at the ground. His hair had grown out and dangled in front of his face. “What else am I supposed to believe?” He spun around and looked back out at the break.
    Alana came up from the beach and approached the log. “Are you two okay?”
    â€œYeah, but could you go out and see if Esme and Delgado are still at the break?” I asked.
    â€œSure.” She tilted her head to one side. “Are you coming with me?”
    â€œNo, I need to stay here,” I said, handing her the key.
    Kevin looked at me again. “I’m not going anywhere. You caught me.”
    Alana took off toward the water. A moment later she was bouncing out toward the break on her Jet Ski.
    â€œIt all makes sense,” Kevin said. “You have to admit it does.”
    â€œI guess,” I said, but I was skeptical. I knew Kevin’s dad, and he never would have run from a fight. Not even one with federal investigators. He loved LA. I couldn’t see him chucking everything, including his only son, to run away from an investigation. “Do you have any proof they’re alive, Kevin? Anything at all?”
    He banged his chest. “I know it, Luca. They’re here.”
    Alana disappeared behind the waves. I felt a tinge of panic for her. The waves were big, and it wasn’t easy to steer a Jet Ski through them.
    â€œWhy did you run away from us?” I asked.
    â€œDelgado said not to speak to anyone for a while. He said anyone might have been sent to investigate me and the plane crash. This is a big money thing.”
    â€œI don’t doubt it.” I spotted Alana coming back in from the other break. She must have gone out one side, then cut across and searched the other line as well. She pulled the Jet Ski up to the beach.
    â€œYou can come out of there,” she called from the shore. “They’re gone.”
    â€œWhat?” Kevin said. “Crap. He must have seen us together. Now…Where’s Jose? I need to talk to him.” Kevin came around the tree and down onto the beach. He tried to grab the Jet Ski key from Alana.
    â€œHe’s not out there either,” Alana said, pulling the key to her stomach.
    â€œWhere did he go?” Kevin asked.
    Alana stepped away from him. “I don’t know. But all three of them are gone.”
    Kevin looked at me, his face blank and beaten. Blood was smeared across his forehead. “Where did they go, Luca?” he said. “What’s happened?”
    â€œI think they’ve got Esme,” I said.
    He looked up and down the beach. “Maybe they came in to shore and we didn’t see them. Let’s go to Delgado’s house and see if they’re there.”

chapter seventeen
    We moved through the jungle to the edge of the beach in front of Delgado’s hut. Delgado and Jose’s Jet Skis weren’t there, but two boats were.
    â€œCan you see anyone?” Kevin asked.
    There wasn’t any movement around Delgado’s. “No,” I said. “Let’s go to my hut. We can see inside Delgado’s from there.” We continued along the edge of the jungle and darted inside my