Read Online Eye for an Eye by Bev Robitai - Free Book Online

miserable
lives in cardboard boxes while he swanned around in fancy boats
that could have fed all the city’s homeless for a month.
    It suddenly
occurred to her that Colwyn was very probably setting up similar
scams in Toronto to the ones he’d used in New Zealand, and that at
this very moment he could be talking some poor pensioners into
parting with their nest egg. Spurred by the thought, she wheeled
round and headed back to the marina to get on with the search.
    This time she
was sure she’d narrowed it down to the right area and the right
dock. In a few minutes, she’d be aboard the Angel Lady and giving
her quarry the fright of his life.
     
    Colwyn Symons
jumped lightly aboard the Angel Lady and looked around approvingly.
Everything was tidy, cushions neatly lined up, wrinkles smoothed,
woodwork polished. He dipped a cloth in some mild detergent and
wiped over all surfaces that hands might have touched, especially
the ship’s wheel. He checked his watch, then went below to make
sure the bar fridge was well-stocked. He kept something for every
taste there, from crisp dry Chardonnay to sweet wine spritzers,
bottled beers to spirit mixers. Juice and soda pop for the
abstemious, whisky and gin for the hard drinkers, he could please
any guest. He prided himself on his attention to detail, knowing it
was the little things that made the difference. People could be
relied on to make their choices on the flimsiest of emotional
responses - it was like buying a house just because there was a
pretty tree in the front garden, or a car because it was the right
colour to match a dress. He could make people choose his investment
plans just by tailoring the occasion to their particular needs. His
skill was what earned him the big bucks.
    It was almost
four. He used breath spray, and checked his hair. There was a
tentative call from the dock.
    ‘Mr. Symons?
Are we too early?’
    Colwyn bounded
up on deck, shaking hands and helping the silver-haired couple on
board with the minimum of fuss and maximum charm.
    ‘Wonderful to
see you Alan, come and sit here. Kate, you look blooming, how do
you manage it with everything you do? Sit yourself down, and I’ll
get you a cool drink. What would you like?’
    He soon had
them laughing and at their ease, ready for a short ride on the
lake. The weather was perfect, sunny with just a light breeze, and
the water was busy with sailboats of every size providing an
attractive background. Once his guests were settled with their
drinks, he pressed the starter button on the polished wooden
dashboard, and was pleased to hear an immediate response from the
powerful engines below. A puff of blue smoke jetted from the
exhaust, and he reached across the cockpit to let go the mooring
ropes.
    In the
distance, a slim figure ran along the dock.
    He tweaked the
throttle, enjoying the throaty roar that promised full performance.
The boat started to move. Behind him, the lithe blonde figure was
nearer, still running at full speed.
    Colwyn raised
his glass in a toast to his guests, making sure their attention was
on him. This was their moment. He opened the throttle and the boat
surged forward with a roar towards the sparkling waters of the
lake.
    ‘Here’s to a
great day out,’ he called over the noise of the engine. ‘Let’s have
some fun. I’ll take you round the islands and we’ll see where the
other rich people live!’
    Behind them,
the sound of Robyn’s running feet and her despairing headlong
plunge off the dock went completely unnoticed. The boat wake
gurgled and frothed in a graceful curve as they sped across the
waves.
     
    Sudden
immersion in cold water shocked Robyn out of her blind fury. She
spat diesel-flavoured water, wiped her lips, and paddled in place
for a few moments while she collected her thoughts. Actually the
lake felt quite refreshing after her long day in the sun, but she
was furious that Colwyn Symons had got away just when she’d caught
up with him at last. Still, at least she