“That’s certainly part of it, but then you add that with the pending bank sale and she’s looking more and more like the only likely suspect. She’s been running Roland’s bank for years. If he sells it, she might not be running anything.”
“I appreciate the input, I really do, but you already said it yourself; revving an engine isn’t a crime.”
“That’s true, but if she lied to me that could be. And then there’s the question of why she would do it in the first place and if she’s willing to do something more. I thought it best to make you aware for your own protection. Be on the lookout for her, Adele—and don’t tell Roland. Let me handle that part.”
“Why don’t we go tell him right now?”
“No, now isn’t the time. I’m still putting some things together. Can I count on you not to say anything to him yet?”
“I don’t want to lie to him if that’s what you mean.”
“I didn’t say anything about lying. Just don’t bring the subject of Sandra Penny up to him.”
“What if Roland brings it up?”
Lucas looked up at the darkening sky and sighed. “You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“You’re right you know.”
“About what?”
“You’re being a bit of a dick.”
“I’m not going to let you bait me into an argument. That said, if you staying with Roland last night is a sign you two are getting close, you know he’s going to find a way to disappoint you again. He always does. And I’ll be there like I always am to help you pick up the pieces of that mess because that’s what friends do and that’s who I am.”
“I agree. I owe you and you owe me and that’s never going to change, Lucas.”
“Around and around we go and yet it seems like we always end up in the same spot—this spot.”
Adele shook her head. “No, we don’t. This spot is different because we’re different. There’s been so much change in both our lives. I’ve finally learned to stop trying to figure out what the future holds because I don’t have a damn clue. I just know I want people like you with me and I hope you feel the same.”
“You know I do, but I have to ask you again about why you haven’t reported the potential bank sale in the paper. It’s a huge story.”
“Because Roland asked that I hold off and then, when he’s ready, he’ll give me an exclusive interview.”
“So, I’m not supposed to suggest how you should run your business, but Roland is? Do I have that about right?”
Adele’s eyes flared as she pointed at Lucas. “How did you hear about the sale?”
“You remember a man by the name of Randall Eaton? He was here last summer during the Liya and Visili Vasa trouble.”
“The FBI agent? Of course I remember. What about him?”
“The feds haven’t stop watching Roland. They likely knew about the sale almost as soon as he did. Eaton was the one who told me.”
“And why would he do that?”
“He wanted me to know as a way of making sure everything was on the up-and-up. Look, Roland has a history with some very shady business partners. You can’t expect the authorities to just forget that.”
“Including you?”
“Least of all me. My job is to protect this community, remember?”
“Oh, that must be why you broke into Roland’s yacht the other day—to protect the community. Or was it actually because Eaton told you to and then you used my concern for Roland to justify it?”
Lucas glared at Adele. “I did that because you were worried about him and don’t you dare make it out as anything different.”
“Or what? You’ll arrest me?”
“Is everything alright with you two?”
Adele and Lucas both turned to look at Fin. “We’re good,” Lucas growled.
“No offense, Sheriff,” Fin said, “but I was talking more to the young lady who you’re looming over. Some might even mistake it for intimidation.”
When Adele tried to move in front of Lucas, he pushed her back and stepped toward Fin. “I wasn’t looming over anyone. We were having a conversation. Now mind your own business, shut up, and be on your way.”
Fin held his hands out at his sides and smiled. “I believe America is still a free country, Sheriff. At least that’s what they’ve been telling the rest of us. I have as much right to be standing on this dock as you.”
“I’m warning you, Fin. I’m in no mood.”
“Mood for what? Are you going to come over here and try to intimidate me like you were just doing to Adele? You’re a big fella I’ll give you that, but I’ve tangled with bigger than you and have come to learn that big doesn’t always mean tough.”
“Fin,” Adele said. “I’m fine.”
“See?” Lucas added. “Now do like I asked and get out of here.”
Fin’s eyes narrowed. “You asking, Sheriff, or are you ordering? Where I come from, my people, we don’t respond well to things like threats and orders.”
Adele saw the vein throbbing on Lucas’s forehead and knew she needed to act fast before the situation devolved into something that could get Fin hurt. “I said I’m fine. Everyone needs to take it down a notch, okay?”
If either of them heard a word Adele said they didn’t show it. Lucas took another step toward Fin with his hand resting on the butt of his gun.
“Ah, just like an American to reach for a weapon,” Finn said. He held his fists upside down in front of him like a bare-knuckle boxer from the Victorian age and nodded. “How about we keep this civilized, Sheriff? Just a bit of good old fashioned knockin’ about, yeah?”
“You’re threatening an officer of the law. I can arrest you for that.”
Fin clicked his tongue. “Hiding behind that badge, are you? What a pity. Here I thought you at least resembled a real man. Guess I was wrong.”
“I don’t need a badge to kick your ass.” Lucas took off his gun belt and badge and set them down on the dock. “You sure you really want to do this?”
Fin skipped from side to side as he made little circles with his fists. “C’mon then, Sheriff. Less talk and more walk.”
Lucas rolled up his sleeves and shook his head. “Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Stop it,” Adele yelled while putting both hands against Lucas’s chest. It felt like trying to push against a slab of granite. “You’re both acting like idiots.”
When Fin put his hands down, Lucas pointed at him. “I knew you wouldn’t go through with it.”
Fin raised his fists again. “Step out of the way, Adele. No worries. This won’t take long.”
Adele stared up at Lucas. “I mean it,” she said as she pushed against him even harder. “Don’t do it.”
Lucas gently moved Adele out of the way and then faced Fin. “Last chance.”
“Don’t waste time worrying about me, Sheriff. You don’t know it yet, but you’ve really stepped in it. You’ll know soon enough though.”
Fin didn’t swing first and neither did Lucas.
To the shock of both men it was Adele who struck the first blow.
26.
“T hat almost hurt,” Lucas said while rubbing the spot on his lower chest where he’d been hit. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Adele remained in her fighting stance as she stood between Lucas and Fin. “I’m trying to get your attention before you do something really stupid. Now put your badge back on. You’re the sheriff. Act like it.”
“That’s right I am the sheriff and you just assaulted me. But you want it both ways, don’t you? I’m only supposed to bend the rules when it’s something you want.”
“I could have hit you a lot harder, Lucas.”
“Hey,” Fin called out from behind Adele. “I don’t need anyone to do my fighting for me. I’d have dropped the dumb goon quick like a wet sack of grain falling off the back of a truck.”
“Not likely,” Lucas seethed as he clenched his fists.
&n
bsp; Adele heard footsteps and leaned to the side to see past Lucas. It was Roland walking toward them. He stopped and pointed at Lucas’s gun belt and badge. “You drop something, Sheriff?”
Lucas turned around and glared at Roland. “What do you want?”
Roland stuffed his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “Just wondering what’s going on out here is all. I heard some yelling and saw two men puffing out their chests and looking like they were about to either kiss or throw down and then Adele trying her best to knock some sense into them. Do I have that about right?”
“Point of clarification, Mr. Soros,” Fin said. “I didn’t need Adele’s help. I don’t want folks around here thinking I’d allow a woman to do my fighting for me.”
“Point taken, Fin. We all know Adele is no ordinary woman though, don’t we Sheriff?” Roland stared at Lucas. “And I’m guessing that’s what this is really about. Look, nothing happened. We were both on Shaw, it got late, we stayed over, and then we came home. Not that it’s any of your business. You should know by now there’s no caging a woman like her. What I don’t understand is why you’d ever want to.”
Lucas grabbed his gun belt and badge and put them on. “A lecture from you is the last thing I need to waste my time listening to.”
“You’re right, Sheriff. That said, if I ever see you looking like you might hurt Adele again that’ll be it for you on these islands. You’ll be done. I’ll see to it personally.”
Lucas looked at Adele and then Roland. “What? I wasn’t going to hurt her. I’d never—”
“He’s right,” Adele said as she put her hand on Lucas’s arm. “I was just trying to stop him from hurting Fin.”
“Ah, c’mon now,” Fin whined. “How many times do I have to say it? The good sheriff was about to get properly thumped.”
The marina’s automatic night lights kicked on, illuminating the docks in their florescent buzz. Adele folded her arms across her chest. “It’s getting cold.”
Roland nodded. “That it is. You were on your way to see me, right?”
“Actually, I think I’m going to head up to the hotel instead.”
“Why? I already opened a bottle of red for us.”
“I didn’t ask you to do that.”
Lucas stuck his thumbs into his gun belt. “Wasn’t it you who said not to try to cage her? I should haul your ass in right now just for being such a spoiled hypocrite. How about it, Roland? You want to spend the night behind bars?”
Now it was Roland whose eyes flared, and his fists clenched. “Take your best shot, Sheriff. Everyone knows that the only thing big on you is your mouth.”
Lucas took two long strides, grabbed Roland by the shirt, and nearly yanked him off his feet. “This has been a long time coming so keep talking. Go ahead. I dare you.”
“Boys. You turn around and look at me right now.”
Tilda emerged from the darkness and was clearly in no mood for further nonsense. She tapped Lucas on the shoulder. “I mean it, young man. You let him go this instant. We have guests at this marina who shouldn’t have to witness this embarrassment. I won’t tell you again. Let Roland go.”
Lucas took a deep breath, sighed, and then stepped back. “All due respect, Tilda, but this isn’t your concern.”
“Everything that goes on here is my concern, Sheriff. Now all of you follow me back to the hotel and not another word from any of you until we get there. And then we’re going to sit down and have a talk—a real talk.”
“Will there be food and drink?” Fin asked. Everyone turned at the same time to look at him.
“What?” Tilda replied.
“Well, I’m getting pretty hungry and I wouldn’t say no to a pint either. Talking and listening can be hard work. I need proper sustenance if I’m to contribute to the intended conversation. We all do. Isn’t that right?”
Whatever anger Roland had toward Lucas appeared to melt away as he smiled and pointed at Fin. “I don’t know our Irish guest well, but I know him well enough to say I like him. I’ll grab the wine from the yacht and bring it with me. It’s already open and it’d be a shame to waste it.”
Tilda straightened her dress and arched a brow. “What’s the wine?”
“Just a little Syrah from Paso Robles. It’s good stuff. You’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will. Then it’s settled. Shall we go?”
Adele could feel the heat of Lucas’s aggression still coming off him. She reached out, took his hand, and tilted her head toward the hotel. “C’mon. It’ll do us all some good to clear the air.”
“I don’t know, Adele. What’s more talk going to do?”
“A lot more than trying to pick a fight with everyone.”
Lucas squeezed Adele’s hand hard enough it almost hurt. “I don’t have anything to say to these people.”
“That’s because you’re still angry. Let it go. Come with us to the hotel. We’ll sit, we’ll have something to eat and drink, and we’ll talk.”
Fin put up his fists and winked. “It’s a better plan than staying here and getting your ass kicked, Sheriff.”
As soon as Fin said “Sheriff” he looked up at a low-flying seagull and then cried out after a slimy white glob splattered across the bridge of his nose. “Ah, I’ve been hit,” he wailed. “Oh, it smells so bad.” He leaned forward and reached out to Tilda. “Wipe it off. For the love of God wipe it off me.”
Tilda shuffled backwards. “Absolutely not, Mr. Kearns. You’re on your own.”
“Fin went around in circles flailing his arms. “It’s in my eyes. I can’t see. Oh, the smell—it’s awful. I’ve been done in by a damn bird. Help me. Tell me what to do.”
“Get down and put your head in the water,” Roland offered. “Hurry, before it burns your eyes out.”
Fin shut his eyes tight and suddenly became very still. “It can really do that?”
“Oh yeah,” Roland replied. “I’ve read all about it. Seagull crap can burn the paint off a car. Imagine what’s it’s doing to your eyes right now. You better get that head under the water pronto.”
Fin dropped down onto his hands and knees and crawled toward the edge of the dock. “That’s it,” Roland said. “You’re almost there. Just lean over and make sure to dunk your whole head in and give it a few good shakes while you’re down there. Hopefully it’s not too late.”
The threat of being too late seemed to motivate Fin even more. He removed his cap, hung over the dock, and dropped down into the water all the way up to his shoulders.
Tilda pointed at a dark mass speeding through the water toward Fin. “What’s that?”
Before Adele could yell a warning, a harbor seal was already floating no more than a few inches from Fin’s submerged head. When Fin came up gasping for air the two were nose-to-nose. The seal’s dark eyes widened as it barked a warning for Fin to get back right before unleashing a grunting wet sneeze that sprayed Fin’s face.
Fin launched himself away from the water, fell backwards, and then screamed again. “The beast tried to make a meal of me.”
Roland bent down and gripped Fin by the shoulders and shook him. He appeared very concerned and sounded just as serious. “But can you see, man? Tell us if you can still see.”
“Yeah,” Fin said as his eyes went blink-blink-blink. “I can. I’m okay.”
Roland whistled. “Whew, thank goodness. That was close. You acted quick and most likely saved your life. I’ve seen the seals around here rip through men twice your size. Their appetite for blood is insatiable. Just last summer, an entire flotilla of confused and careless tourists fell in and they were lost forever. Fortunately, it was just a bunch of retired Canadians, so it didn’t even make the news. A harbor seal feeding frenzy is truly something to behold. If there’s one standing rule about Roche Harbor, it’s this—never go into the water.”
“But you were the one who told me to dunk my head.”
Roland stood, put the back of his hand against his mouth, and snickered. Fin’s eyes nar
rowed. “Wait a damn minute. Were you putting me on? Having a laugh at my expense eh, Mr. Soros? Well, to hell with you then.”
When Tilda and Lucas started to laugh, Adele soon joined them. Everyone but Fin doubled over with tears streaming down their cheeks. Roland held his side and said he couldn’t breathe. Lucas leaned against a piling and appeared to have regained control but then looked at Fin and lost it again.
Fin got up and nodded. “That’s it. Make fun of the new guy with the funny accent. Get it out. Laugh it up. Ha-ha. Oh, yes, it’s all so very amusing.”
“I’m sorry,” Adele managed to say between giggles. “But the seagull, you sticking your head in the water, and then the seal, I’ve never heard anyone scream like that. I really thought I might pee my pants.”
The seal barked at them again as it swam by. When Fin gave it a one-finger salute it took another five minutes for the others to compose themselves.
“And on that note,” Tilda said while dabbing away her tears, “I ask that everyone follow me to the hotel.”
Fin reached down, snatched up his cap, and put it back on his head. “I’ll be sitting right in front of the fire with a proper whiskey in my hand. You all owe me that much for the entertainment value alone.”
Lucas clapped Fin on the back hard enough it made the Irishman grunt. “You got it. At least now I don’t feel like kicking your ass anymore.”
“Now, Sheriff,” Fin said, “we’re just getting past all that but if you really want me to bloody you up, I’ll be happy to oblige. Just say the word.”
“Nah,” Lucas replied. “Maybe next time.”
Tilda led the way along the dock. Behind her were Lucas and Fin, then Roland, and last to follow was Adele. The soft breeze that caressed her face was almost warm, a reminder that the long winter was finally giving way to spring.
When Roland slowed, looked back at her, and then held his hand out, Adele took it.
A new season was fast approaching.
Change was coming.
27.
R oland was tired of the question. Everyone else was tired of his refusal to answer. They had spent the last hour sitting around Tilda’s table enjoying wine and a large platter of finger foods that she had prepared for them. The bottle Roland brought was quickly emptied. Tilda had opened a second and now they were well on their way to finishing a third.
Roche Harbor Rogue Page 18
