by Tripp Ellis
41
The day I was dreading finally came. There was a handshake, and funds were exchanged.
Jack sold the boat.
And I was homeless.
“It’s just temporary,” Jack assured me as we stood on the dock, watching the new owner take the boat out of the marina. “I just need some available cash while I’m going through this thing with Scarlett. That lawyer knows how to do one thing really well—bill.”
“I’ve got cash if you need it.” I had all of my personal belongings stowed in a large duffel bag.
Jack had taken all the diving gear and equipment earlier. “Well, to tell you the truth. I’ve had my eye on something a little… bigger.”
“Another boat?”
“A 65 footer. I just don’t want to take the plunge until I get through this little patch.”
“How’s Scarlett doing?”
“She’s okay. Back at home. On the straight and narrow. She gets up, goes to work, comes home. I’m trying to stay on top of the situation. She’s got a court date coming up next month, and hopefully, we can get the whole thing dismissed. You’re more than welcome to crash on the couch until I get another boat.”
“Jen said I could stay with her.”
“When’s the wedding?” Jack jabbed.
“Oh, no! No wedding. We are just doing the casual thing.”
“That’s how it always starts,” JD said with a grin.
“I don’t know. She’s thinking about leaving the bureau and Coconut Key.”
Jack’s jaw dropped. “Really?”
“That whole incident is really fucking with her head.”
Jack frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
We strolled down the dock to the parking lot when my phone rang. It was Isabella. I had spoken to her shortly after the demise of Vladimir. She was pleased that Archer believed the internal leak was Agent Miller, and her investigation of Muerte Dolorosa was on the back burner. I wasn’t sure what she wanted now.
“Just thought I’d give you a heads up. I located Cartwright. Just thought you’d like first crack at him. After all, he did screw you over in Mexico.”
I hesitated for a moment. Did I even want to know? Did it matter anymore?
“You’re not going to let him get away with that, are you?”
After a long moment, I said, “Send somebody else. I’m totally Zen about it now.”
“You don’t want everyone to think you’ve gone soft, do you?”
“Where’s he at?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Right now, he’s in Monaco. I’ll give you till the end of the day to make up your mind. One way or another, he needs to be dealt with. I can’t have agents going rogue. It looks bad on the Corporation.”
I tried desperately to maintain my state of detachment. But the more I thought about it, the more it gnawed at me. The man had put a bullet in my chest, and I had almost died.
I did die, for a moment or two.
But, maybe it was his bullet that saved me? His bullet that changed my life and gave me a second chance to change my fate?
I sure as hell was screwing my second chance up.
“I’ll think about it,” I said and hung up.
I tucked my duffel bag into the backseat of Jack’s Porsche and climbed into the passenger seat.
JD threw the car into gear, let out the clutch, and the fat tires spewed gravel as we peeled out of the parking lot. He whisked me to Archer’s house. As we pulled into the driveway, I got a text from Aria.
“Hey, got a shoot in Monaco next week. Why don’t you meet me there? Some rich oil sheik is loaning me his yacht for the week. We’ll have a blast?”
I took a deep breath as I tried to decide how to respond. I showed JD the message.
“I’m not touching that with a 10 foot pole. That’s all you, pal.”
It was an odd coincidence. Was the universe trying to tell me something?
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Author’s Note
Wow! Thank you! The response to the first book has been so great. Thanks to everyone who left a great review. I’m having a blast writing Tyson’s adventures, and I hope you continue to enjoy them.
My Max Mars series is heavy with mystery and thriller elements, you might want to check it out.
Thanks for reading!
—Tripp
Max Mars
The Orion Conspiracy
Blade of Vengeance
The Zero Code
Edge of the Abyss
Siege on Star Cruise 239
Phantom Corps
The Auriga Incident
Devastator
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