Below the Surface

by Tim Shoemaker

  Krypto Night stopped. It’s docking lights were now trained directly on The Getaway — and on the three of them.

  “I don’t like this,” Gordy said. “Think Superman can see us?”

  The wakeboard boat was still a distance away from them, but the lights were bright. “Oh yeah,” Cooper said. “He’s got his X-ray vision on us right now.”

  “Act natural, guys,” Hiro said. “Like we’re just out here talking.”

  Waves rocked The Getaway. Aftershocks from Superman’s tantrum.

  “We should have gone for ice cream — without Lunk.” Gordy turned his back to Superman’s boat. “I don’t know what we saw out there — but whatever it was, I wish we hadn’t seen it.”

  “A little late for that,” Hiro said. “What’s he trying to do?”

  Cooper steadied himself as another set of waves rolled past. “He’s answering my message with one of his own.”

  Hiro sucked in her breath. “He’s watching us too.”

  The boat stayed in that position for what seemed like forever. Cooper had no idea how much time actually passed. He could barely hear the low rumble of the engine idling. Superman’s boat slowly turned back and combed the waters it had just churned up. Finally it stopped — and the docking lights pointed to deeper water.

  Cooper could now make out Superman in the glow of the tower light, standing at the port side and looking into the water.

  “C’mon. Get back in the boat.” Superman wasn’t exactly yelling anymore, but his voice was still loud.

  The boat blocked the girl from view — and made it difficult to hear her voice.

  “Can you hear her?” Hiro whispered.

  Cooper shook his head.

  The guy put both palms on the side of the boat and leaned out a bit. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. How many times do you want me to say it?”

  Hiro answered for Pom-Pom. “’Til your face is as green as your boat, you jerk.”

  “C’mon. Please,” Superman said. “Don’t be an idiot about this.”

  Hiro looked like she wanted to deck the guy. “She jumps in the water to get away from him, and he uses his boat to whip the waves into a frenzy around her — probably just to make it harder for her to swim to safety. Who’s the idiot?”

  Cooper agreed. “She’d be an idiot to climb back into the boat with him.”

  “She wasn’t exactly smart to go out with him in the first place,” Hiro said.

  Gordy was back into the M&M’s as if the show was over. “How was she supposed to know he was a total moron?”

  Hiro shook her head. “She knew what he was like. Anger problems aren’t that easy to hide — and that guy has a big one.”

  “Maybe she didn’t know him that well,” Gordy said.

  “Then she shouldn’t have gone on a date with him. Certainly not alone — and not out in a boat.” Hiro said it matter-of-factly, like the answer was obvious.

  Superman put his hands on his hips. “Then I’ll follow you in.” They heard him loud and clear. Either the boat was drifting closer, or he was talking louder. Too bad Pom-Pom didn’t have Superman’s loud voice. Cooper couldn’t hear a word from her end of the conversation, but based on Superman’s response, it wasn’t hard to figure out what she was saying.

  “Okay. Fine!” he shouted. “Thanks for a great time!”

  Superman disappeared under the shadows of the tower. A moment later, the boat lurched forward and made a wide, arcing turn toward the beach, which meant he’d have to pass directly by them. Terrific.

  Gordy hustled toward the stern. “I say we all head to the cabin, douse the light, and pray Superman doesn’t fly in for a visit.”

  Cooper hesitated, straining to see the girl treading water, but it was too dark. He’d need a searchlight. From this corner of the lake, she was about equal distance from the beach and the south shore. Since Superman chose to head for the beach, it was a pretty safe guess she’d swim for the south shore.

  “Coop!” Gordy motioned from the rear deck. “Let’s move!”

  Hiro was already moving to join him. Gordy was probably right. Standing on the bow would be stupid. He hustled to catch up with Hiro. They didn’t go into the cabin but stayed on the back deck.

  “Get down.” Gordy crouched low and peered over the side of the boat.

  Cooper sat beside him, his back against the side of the boat. The cabin light was on, glowing out the oval portholes. But there was no point to going dark. The guy knew they were there.

  “He’s coming our way,” Gordy said. “Think we should swim for shore?”

  Hiro shook her head. “The way that guy drives?”

  “What are we hiding for?” Cooper said. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Gordy kept looking over the side. “Number one, you ruined his date by planting those fish. And two, you blasted those insanely loud horns at him.” Gordy rubbed his ears. “My ears are still ringing.”

  “Sorry, Gordy,” Cooper said. “But it looked like the guy was losing it out there — like road rage or something.”

  Gordy ducked out of sight. “Yeah, well I’d hate to meet him on the road.”

  “The way he treated that girl?” Hiro sat next to Cooper. “I’d hate to meet him anywhere.”

  Cooper heard the rumbling inboard motor. He chanced a peek over the side and his stomach tightened. Superman was stopping for a visit.

  Gordy pressed his back up against the side of The Getaway. “Let’s just lay low. Let him pass.” What if the guy questioned them about the dead fish?

  “Ahoy.”

  Superman’s voice. Great. Gordy put a finger to his lips motioning Hiro and Coop to stay quiet.

  “Who says ‘ahoy’ anymore?” Cooper whispered.

  “Hell-ooo!” Superman sang out. “I know you’re there.”

  Gordy stared at Cooper and whispered. “Maybe he does have X-ray vision.”

  Cooper sighed. “He’s not going away — and if we hide, that looks really bad.” He stood up.

  Just like that.

  “Hi,” Cooper said.

  Okay, how lame did that sound?

  “Got some extra pizza here,” Superman said. “Anybody hungry?”

  “Don’t do it, Coop,” Gordy whispered from the deck. He just wanted the guy to leave. Of course, if he left the pizza behind, that would be even better.

  “No thanks.” Cooper waved, obviously trying to look casual.

  “Where’s the rest of your crew?” Superman said, as if nothing weird had happened out on the lake at all.

  “The jig’s up, Gordy,” Hiro whispered. She stood and prodded Gordy with her toe.

  Even though his mind was telling him to stay right where he was, Gordy got on his feet and stood on the other side of Hiro.

  Krypto Night idled with its nose no more than three feet from the side of the cabin cruiser. Superman stood behind the wheel, turning it, adjusting the speed so the boats wouldn’t bump.

  “I’m Tommy.” He smiled one of those perfect-teeth smiles. He was definitely younger than Gordy had figured. Probably a college student. “Tommy Kryptoski.”

  That explained the name of his boat. But if the guy was expecting Gordy to give his name, he’d be disappointed. Coop must have been thinking the same thing, because he just nodded.

  “My girlfriend and I just had a little fight.”

  “Girlfriend?” Hiro stepped up to the rail.

  Kryptoski flashed a smile. The guy was a charmer. Gordy knew the type. “My date. Lynn. We’ve gone out a couple times. But I’m hoping she’ll be my girlfriend.”

  Gordy figured Krypto was going to be in for a big disappointment.

  Kryptoski nudged the gearshift into reverse for a moment to keep the nose away from The Getaway. “Tonight didn’t exactly go according to my plans.”

  “Poor baby,” Hiro said, but so quietly that there was no way Kryptoski could have heard her.

  Hopefully. Now it was Gordy’s turn to give her a little prod with his fo
ot. Down, girl. Easy, Hiro. Let’s not ask for trouble.

  “For now, it looks like I have no girlfriend.” Kryptoski shook his head like that was a ridiculous concept. “Women. Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em, am I right?”

  “I can live without ’em,” Gordy said.

  Hiro glared at him. Kryptoski laughed.

  “So where is she now?” Cooper said. The surface had calmed again, but it was impossible to make out a swimmer at this distance.

  Kryptoski shrugged. “I’d say she’s nearly reached one of the docks on the south shore by now. Probably The Geneva Inn.”

  “You’re not worried about her?” Hiro folded her arms across her chest like she was daring him to come up with an explanation.

  “Former captain of the high school swim team? She can handle herself.”

  “And if a boat drives by — like you did?”

  Hiro let the question just hang there. She had a way of doing that. And right now, Gordy wished she’d just leave it alone. He stepped on her toe. Hard.

  Kryptoski’s smile faded. “I had the same thought. Which is why I’m going to hang around a bit.” He pointed to the beach. “If you see her walking to town, would you give a blast on that monster horn of yours? I just want to make sure she’s safe.”

  Which sounded reasonable to Gordy.

  “Sure,” Coop said.

  “Appreciate it.”

  Krypto threw the gearshift into reverse, spun the wheel, and eased Krypto Night past The Getaway.

  Gordy watched the boat creep out to deeper water.

  “Wants to make sure she’s safe.” Hiro spit the words out. “Right.”

  A blue flashing light approached from the far side of the lake. Police boat. “Krypto is going to have company.”

  “Maybe you jumped the gun a little calling 9 – 1 – 1 like that,” Gordy said.

  Hiro pulled her braid over her shoulder and played with it. “It’s better to call early and end up with a false alarm than wait until you’re sure — ”

  “And it be too late.” Cooper finished her thought.

  Hiro nodded.

  “I’m glad you feel that way.” Gordy pointed to the shoreline. “Because now they’re coming by land and by sea.”

  A police car raced down the hill and roared down Lake Shore Drive with its lights flashing. The car screeched to a stop opposite The Getaway. A policeman stepped out and walked around the front of the car, scanning the lake.

  “Now what?” Gordy said.

  Hiro climbed over the stern railing onto the swim platform. “Hand me that raft.”

  Of course. The girl who dreamt of being a cop someday wouldn’t miss a chance to talk to one. Gordy grabbed the inflatable and handed it to Hiro.

  She dropped it into the water and scampered in.

  “I’m going with you,” Coop said.

  Which was a good thing. The distance to shore was a longer paddle than Hiro probably figured. But three people in that raft might swamp it.

  “I’ll stay here and keep an eye on the M&M’s.” Gordy needed something to ease the uneasiness in his stomach.

  Cooper smiled. “Make sure the boat doesn’t sink, okay?”

  “Aye, aye, Captain!” Gordy saluted. But it wasn’t the boat that was in danger of going down. This was their first night out, and already the police were visiting. The only thing at risk of sinking was his plan for a carefree vacation.

  Cooper swung his leg over the transom rail and dropped onto the platform. The boat rocked in slow motion, the dark waters burping up between the teak slats. He stared at the surface of the lake. Black as oil — and just as thick.

  For an instant he felt lightheaded and gripped the rail to steady himself. He had the sick feeling that if he went over the side, he’d turn to concrete and drop straight to the bottom. Dead weight. Unable to move. How deep was it here? Deep enough.

  “You coming?”

  Hiro’s voice shook him from his thoughts. Their eyes locked for an instant, but it was long enough. Cooper knew that look. She was trying to figure out what he was thinking. Cooper avoided her eyes and climbed into the front end of the inflatable.

  “Hold on.” Cooper leaned back and used his arms like oars. He did a backstroke for the beach, hoping she wouldn’t ask any questions.

  Hiro sat in the back, apparently lost in her own thoughts.

  That was okay with him. He had some things on his mind too. Like, what had happened to him in the water? The raw fear. The panic. He didn’t exactly know what to call it, but whatever it was, it had been intense. Like the dreams he’d been having lately, only this was way worse. This was real.

  Even now as he paddled, he had a strange sense that something was below the surface — tracking him, ready to pull him under. He stroked faster.

  When he risked a glance at Hiro, she was staring at him again. Analyzing him was more like it. Great.

  “Coop?”

  He ignored her, which was ridiculous. She was impossible to avoid when she had something to say.

  “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

  Honestly? Did she really think that was going to work on him? Yeah, Hiro. I’m glad you asked. A while ago, I got totally freaked out in the water. And if I fall out of this boat, I’m afraid I won’t be able to swim any better than a rock. Maybe he could stall her off a little.

  She tilted her head and smiled slightly. “Tell me what you’re not telling me.”

  Cooper kept paddling.

  “You can talk to me,” Hiro said. “You know you can.”

  Absolutely true. But why would he want to talk about something he didn’t even want to think about? Besides, more immediate problems were looming. Like police expecting an explanation for the 9 – 1 – 1 call.

  He leaned his elbows on the edge of the raft and let it drift. “Did you believe that Kryptoski guy?”

  Hiro’s shoulders drooped like she was disappointed in his change of topic. She sighed and shook her head. “Not at all. You?”

  “No. And yes. I mean, when he was whipping around with the boat out there, it didn’t look so good.” The scene did an instant replay in his mind. “But he had an explanation for everything, didn’t he?”

  Hiro seemed to think about that for a moment. “Remember Detective Hammer’s claim he has a built-in baloney detector?”

  Cooper smiled at the thought of the tough Rolling Meadows cop. He’d become a trusted friend during their eighth-grade year at Plum Grove Junior High. “How could I forget?”

  “Well, I think I’ve got a baloney detector too.” Hiro pointed at her arms. “The hair stood up when he talked. Like it was warning me or something. He was lying. I’m sure of it.”

  Hiro had an almost spooky sense of intuition. And now she also had a baloney detector? Good thing he had no plans to lie to her.

  He checked the distance to the beach. Still more than halfway to go.

  The police officer leaned against his cruiser and watched them, arms folded across his chest.

  Cooper leaned back and resumed paddling.

  “So,” Hiro said. “We were talking about you. About something you wanted to tell me.”

  “You were talking,” Cooper said. “I was listening.”

  Hiro scooped a handful of water and threw it at him, dousing his T-shirt.

  Cooper ignored the chill and kept paddling.

  “I think you need to talk about something,” Hiro said.

  Obviously, she wasn’t going to let this go. “Actually, I don’t need to talk,” Cooper said. “I enjoy listening to you.”

  “Coop, I’m serious. I know what you’re doing.”

  Reach and pull. Reach and pull. Cooper kept the rhythm going. Every stroke brought them closer to the cop waiting on the beach. He couldn’t get there fast enough.

  “You’re stalling. Trying to change the subject. Hoping to distract me. Yeah, I’m onto you.”

  Cooper propped his elbows on the sides of the inflatable. “And I know wha
t you’re doing. You want to know what happened back there in the water.”

  Hiro blinked in surprise. Hey, he’d just surprised himself too. But she was his friend. He knew he could talk to her. And a part of him wanted to. Maybe she could make some sense of what was going on. She had a way of seeing things that others missed.

  He jerked a thumb toward the beach. “I can’t get into it now. Duty calls.” And he just wanted to stand on firm ground again.

  She looked disappointed but nodded. “Later?”

  “Sure, I guess.” Maybe it would make him feel better. Maybe.

  “Right now,” Cooper said, “we need to figure out what we’re going to tell the police.” He started pulling for the beach again. Faster now.

  “Exactly what we saw,” Hiro said. “We’re eyewitnesses.”

  “But we didn’t actually see anything. We only heard.”

  Now it was Hiro’s turn to be quiet. She kept her eyes on the beach. “We tell them what we heard. What we saw. What we think we saw.”

  “And then we’re done,” Cooper said. “We’ll let the police sort everything out. Right?”

  Hiro nodded. “Right.”

  But her expression said something different. Her mind was already in cop mode. He’d have to be delusional to believe she’d let go of this thing that easily

  Cooper gave a few fast paddles to work up some speed before the inflatable grounded itself on the sandy bottom. He hopped out and dragged the boat out of the water as soon as Hiro climbed over the side.

  The officer met them on the beach. He looked big. Solid. He had broad shoulders and easily stood over six feet tall.

  “Miss Yakimoto?” He had an easy smile about him. “Do you pronounce your first name ‘hi-row’ or ‘hero’?”

  “Hero,” she said. “It’s short for ‘Hiroko.’ ”

  The cop held out his hand. “Officer Ryan Tarpy.”

  Hiro shook his hand, introduced Cooper, and started right into her story. She summed up the situation in sixty seconds.

  Cooper stood alongside her, ready to fill in the blanks if she left any.

  “He’s out there now.” Hiro pointed at the lights from Krypto Night, two hundred yards offshore. The police boat was closing in fast, heading directly for the beach.