Rod looked at the dark clouds in the distance. “Storm’s coming. It’s going to get dangerous out there real quick.”
“Even more reason to go now. What do you say? You know these waters better than anyone.”
Zach didn’t know the waterways around here well enough to navigate them, and he didn’t want to take any chances, especially considering everything that had happened lately. The approaching storm only heightened his urgency.
A few minutes later, they boarded Rod’s Tracker and were gliding across the water. Small whitecaps had formed and made the ride choppy. But that was nothing compared to how the water would be once the storm was upon them.
Zach scanned the expanse, looking for a sign of Ernie and Madelyn. A bad feeling churned in his gut.
Zach should have gone with Madelyn today. After everything that had happened so far, he should have known better. But he’d actually thought she might be safer out on the water than she was in Waterman’s Reach. He’d been wrong.
“You have any idea where they went?” Rod asked over the roar of the engine, a toothpick dangling from his mouth.
“I just heard Ernie was taking her on a tour of the coast.”
“I know where he generally takes people when they charter boats. We’ll start there. I doubt he would have gone seaside. Not with the weather being iffy today.”
Zach prayed that was true. The ocean waters would be so much more dangerous than the placid waters of the various bays and inlets between the peninsula and the barrier islands. With the storm in the distance, the waters were churning, anticipating the arrival of wind, thunder and lightning.
Miles of blue water passed around them while birds squawked, warning of the coming bad weather. In Zach’s mind, they couldn’t travel fast enough. Time was not on their side.
“Look, that’s Ernie’s boat!” Rod pointed to something bobbing in the water in the distance.
As they idled up closer to the boat, Zach was able to grab the side of it and pull the watercraft closer. He studied it a moment. The front appeared to be intact. But as his eyes traveled to the back, to the area around the engine, he saw the problem.
There was a crack in the hull, Zach realized. Between that and the lack of a Mayday call, he’d guess the boat had been sabotaged. There was no other reason for an incident like this to occur. Ernie was an experienced fisherman who knew how to take care of his watercraft.
But where were Madelyn and Ernie?
Alarm rose in him. His gaze scanned the water for any bobbing heads or flailing arms.
Nothing.
“Where’s the closest barrier island?” Zach asked, turning against the wind to face the man.
“It’s probably a half a mile out,” Rod shouted, pointing at a landmass in the distance.
“We need to get there. Quickly.” Just as Zach said the words, the first plop of rain hit him. The sky was completely dark now, and the waves were getting rockier.
Rod put the boat in gear and raced across the water. As he did, Zach searched the water for any sign of life. He didn’t see anything or anyone.
He wasn’t sure if that comforted him or not. Best-case scenario was that Ernie and Madelyn had made it to one of the barrier islands and were waiting until help arrived. Worst-case scenario...well, he couldn’t go there.
Rod couldn’t seem to go fast enough for his liking. But finally, the barrier islands came into view. The rain came down at a steady pace now, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
“Low tide will be here soon. If we’re not careful, we’ll be stuck on one of these sandbars,” Rod warned.
“Let me just check the island.”
Zach knew this was one of the local’s favorites because of its raw beauty. It was a glorified sandbar, in reality. There was nothing here, though, except for a few trees on the opposite end. Searching it would be easy because of the unobstructed views. Once he crested the slight dune at the center of the island, he’d know whether or not Ernie and Madelyn were here.
Despite the rain that hammered his face, Zach finally reached the center of the island. He surveyed the shoreline, praying desperately that he would locate them. If Ernie and Madelyn weren’t here, he didn’t know where they might be.
His eyes widened when he spotted two people down the shoreline.
It was them! They were safe!
Thank You, Jesus.
Now Zach just had to figure out how to get them off this island before the storm unleashed all of its fury.
* * *
Madelyn huddled under the tree as rain came down hard. Not only was the downpour steady, but the drops were big and seemed to fall with unusual force. Out here on this island, the thunder sounded louder as it echoed across the water. The lightning seemed brighter as it reflected off the bay. The danger seemed even more real.
She and Ernie had been pacing the island for the past two hours, hoping for a sign of another boater. There had been several large tankers and container ships out in the ocean, but they had been too far away to notice them. All the other local boaters knew better than to be out here with an approaching storm.
Madelyn looked into the distance, hoping to see some sign of hope. She didn’t even know what she was hoping for. But anything was better than staying here.
She blinked. Was she seeing things? Or was there a man walking down the shoreline toward her?
Could it be...Zach?
“Ernie! Look.” She pointed, hoping desperately that she wasn’t having some kind of hallucination.
He jerked his head toward the sight. “Well, what do you know...”
Madelyn took off in a run. She knew they didn’t have much time and that their window of opportunity would quickly close for a safe departure from the island. Here, they had no real shelter from the rain and wind.
But on the boat, the bay could be a watery grave. The waves could certainly toss the boat, flip it and leave them at the mercy of nature.
Again.
But she’d take her chances out on the water.
As another thunderclap sounded overhead, she resisted a scream.
Zach grasped her arms when she reached him. His body looked rigid and on guard as his gaze soaked her in. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, touched by the worry in his gaze. “Now I am.”
He waved at Ernie to join them before tugging her toward the shore. “Come on. Rod can get us back, but we don’t have much time. This storm is going to be a doozy.”
The wind worked against them, pushing them back and away from the shore. Every time the thunder rumbled, they all seemed to duck at the enormity of the sound. Lightning struck precariously close.
They weren’t out of danger yet. Not even close.
Rod had remained in the boat, and he pulled up closer to them now. Zach had one hand on Madelyn as they waded through the chilly water. The waves lapped at them, soaking their pants and tugging on them.
Finally, Madelyn reached the boat. The way it bobbed back and forth would make it difficult to climb aboard.
“You’ve got this,” Zach shouted over the wind.
Madelyn gripped the edge of the boat before putting her foot in Zach’s outstretched palm. He boosted her inside, and she landed on the floor with a thud.
If Madelyn had been hoping to impress him, she’d utterly failed. Her hair clung to her face, her clothes were plastered to her body and any makeup was certainly long gone. Not to mention that she was the opposite of graceful.
None of that mattered, though. All that mattered was getting to safety.
Rod didn’t waste any time. As soon as Zach and Ernie were aboard, he zoomed across the water. Whitecaps had already formed, and the ride was rocky, tossing everyone on board back and forth.
Lightning cracked in the distance, and thunder rol
led overhead. The rain came down even harder. It was no longer a splattering of water. Buckets of moisture poured from the sky.
Madelyn sat in a seat at the back, holding on to the side for dear life. The rocky boat made her stomach feel uneasy and made her head spin.
She pulled a strand of wet hair from her eyes and glanced at Zach. He looked grim with his jaw set and his shoulders rigid. Madelyn noticed he sat close to her. Was that a coincidence, or was he purposely remaining near in case she started to topple overboard?
Cold-blooded killer, she reminded herself.
Why was it so difficult for her to remember that? When Madelyn was away from him, it came more easily. But when they were together, all of her suspicions seemed to disappear.
You’re a terrible reporter, she told herself. You’ve got to be tough, not so soft hearted.
As a wave hit them, the boat nearly went airborne. Madelyn felt herself falling backward at the sudden motion. Zach’s hand circled her waist, keeping her grounded.
Her pulse surged. Something about his touch made her tingle all over.
That wasn’t good.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Zach said, leaning close enough that she could feel his breath on her ear. “We’re still a good thirty minutes away, and the storm isn’t fully on us yet.”
She nodded, the sick feeling gurgling even stronger in her gut now. She knew this was serious, but his words had been a grim reminder of just how serious.
She tugged on her life jacket, knowing that such a simple device truly could save her life.
“I’m going to try and make it to Oyster,” Rod yelled over the hum of the boat and roar of the wind. “We’re not going to make it to Waterman’s Reach. There’s no time. It’s too dangerous.”
Madelyn looked to the sky. She hoped they made it to safety in time.
She was halfway tempted to even pray.
But then she remembered all of her unanswered prayers. She couldn’t handle any more.
TWELVE
Relief filled Zach as they reached the dock of the small fishing community of Oyster. It was one of the seaside towns that had once been a part of the booming seafood industry. Now it was only a few buildings and a couple of small fishing operations.
The sight was a welcomed reprieve.
Everyone on the boat was drenched when they arrived at the pier. The watercraft had nearly toppled several times. Lightning had struck precariously close, and everyone looked deathly pale from the turbulent waves.
“Watch your step!” Rod told everyone as the boat slammed into the pier.
With shaky steps, they all managed to climb onto the pier. Zach made sure everyone else was out before he pulled himself ashore. Madelyn had waited in the pouring rain for him, he realized.
The thought warmed him. She could have easily run ahead to get out of the weather.
He took her hand and pulled her toward the bait- and-tackle shop in the distance. Her hand trembled uncontrollably in his. She would get hypothermia if she wasn’t careful.
The woman looked scared. She’d obviously been the target here—again.
Zach wished he could do something to erase her terror. But fear was healthy, in this case. It would keep her vigilant and help keep her alive.
He was going to do everything in his power to ensure that. Probably the best thing he could do for her was to encourage her to go back home. She hadn’t been experiencing these problems until she came here.
Finally, they reached the shop and stepped inside. Water dripped from them, dampening the floor. But it felt good to be out of the wind and rain.
“That was close,” Ernie said, wiping water from his eyes.
“You can say that again,” Zach said.
The owner had left a note on the door, saying he’d stepped out for lunch. Small-town businesses were known for being more trusting, but Zach wished someone was working here now. They needed blankets and warm drinks.
“My friend Will can give us a ride back in his truck,” Rod said. “He lives right down the road.”
“Why don’t you and Ernie go ahead?” Zach said. “I’ll wait here with Madelyn and see if Tyler can come pick us up.”
Neither Rod nor Ernie argued. They were older, and they needed to get warm more than Zach or Madelyn did. Besides, Zach needed a minute alone to chat with Madelyn.
While Rod called his friend, Zach called Tyler. He didn’t offer many details, just asked that he come right away. Madelyn was shivering uncontrollably beside him, and there was nothing Zach could do about it except encourage her to hang in.
The storm continued to rumble overhead, and rain pounded against the tin roof above. The sounds were almost a melody made by nature itself, a rhythmic drumbeat that set a creepy mood in the rustic space.
Around them were bare wood walls lined with fishing hooks, tackle and fishing rods. The underlying scent of sea life lingered in the air, as well as the slight hint of oil.
After Ron and Ernie left, Zach turned toward Madelyn. She looked so unpresumptuous as she stood there. Her hair, normally perfectly styled, now formed wavy ringlets around her face. Her makeup had been washed off. Her clothing was wet and clung to her.
He’d never seen someone look so beautiful.
The thought surprised him and made him want to sock himself. He couldn’t let his attraction to the woman grow. He had a mission here in Waterman’s Reach, and he didn’t want anything to distract him.
“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” He resisted the impulse to reach out to her, even though she looked so alone standing there. He wished he had something to offer her—some coffee, a blanket, a change of clothes. But he had none of those things.
It was chilly in here, even chillier because they were wet. The lights flickered overhead as thunder rumbled again.
Madelyn nodded, although the action wasn’t quite believable. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He stepped closer, despite his better instincts. “Madelyn, I don’t think either of us can deny that...”
Her eyes widened.
“...someone is targeting you,” he finished. “I know we’ve been through this before, but I keep hoping you’ll remember something new.”
Doubt—maybe even disappointment—flickered in her gaze for a moment before she finally shook her head. “You’d be the first person I told if I remembered something.”
“Is there a reason why someone would follow you down from Maryland and try to harm you?”
She visibly shuddered. “I honestly can’t think of any enemies. I’m pretty private. I work and I go home. I’m not big on the social scene.”
“Are you sure you haven’t written any articles that angered anyone?”
She shook her head. “It’s like I said, I write travel pieces.”
“You’ve written a few that aren’t just travel.”
She flushed...more than flushed. She looked shocked for a moment. She stepped back and nervously pushed her hair away from her face. “You’ve researched me?”
“I’m just doing my job. If someone’s trying to hurt you, it’s my job to figure out why.”
She swallowed hard and averted her gaze. She was getting ready to lie, he realized. But about what? And why?
“I’ve done a few other pieces,” she said. “But nothing that would make anyone angry.”
“You might be amazed at the things that upset some people.”
“You think I’m naive?” A touch of defiance and a touch of hurt stained her gaze.
“I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to explore all of the options here. Madelyn, I hate to tell you this, but there seems to be something about you and this town that doesn’t mix. I want to help out Mayor Alan and the town in any way I can. The article you’re writing sounds great. But it might be the
best thing if you left.”
An unreadable emotion sparked in her eyes. Indignation? Stubbornness? Determination? He couldn’t be sure.
“I’m not leaving. I came here to do a job, and I’m going to do it.”
“Even if your life is on the line?” He knew his voice had taken on a hard edge, but he needed to get through to her just how serious this was.
She raised her chin. “That’s even more the reason to stay. Someone’s trying to intimidate me, and it’s not going to work.”
Before he could argue anymore, Tyler pulled up in the police cruiser.
This discussion wasn’t over yet, though.
* * *
Madelyn mulled over their conversation as she sat in the back of the police cruiser. Zach sat in the front with Tyler, while Madelyn had some time alone to think. She pulled the blanket closer around her as the heat blared from the front. She still couldn’t get warm, though. Her coolness started from inside her; it wasn’t just the rain that left her chilled.
Zach Davis was trying to get her to leave town. When he’d asked those prodding questions about who would want her gone, his name was the only one that had risen to the surface.
Maybe Paula was right and he was an expert at manipulating people—including her. Maybe she’d been blinded by his good looks and his seemingly knight-in-shining-armor tactics.
She had to get a grip here, though.
Rain pounded on the windshield. The sky was still eerily dark, and thunder made the windshield vibrate. Tyler took his time traveling down the Lankford Highway. That was probably a good thing, since visibility was poor.
It only took thirty minutes to get back to Waterman’s Reach. Instead of pulling up to her apartment, they stopped in front of a sprawling Victorian.
“This is Eva’s bed-and-breakfast,” Zach said. “She said you’re more than welcome to stay here. I’d feel better with you here instead of by yourself.”
But would he? Or was this just a part of his plan to appear like he was the good guy and throw her off his trail?
“Sounds good,” she finally said, remembering that if she wanted answers, she needed to get on his good side.
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