Rough Waters

by Maggie Toussaint

  “I think we’re good to go. With the refrigerator my neighbor loaned us running outside and the Frosty Aire guy coming this afternoon to fix my industrial unit, I’m in good shape. I need to create the floral orders I have for deliveries today, and then I’m calling it a wrap.”

  “You called your insurance company for approval?”

  “I did.” She had forgotten how high the deductible was, but it was the only policy she could afford. “I’ve got about three hundred in flower losses, and I’ll bet you anything the big case will cost right about seven hundred to fix. If it costs more, the insurance will kick in. If not, I’m still out a grand.”

  “Sounds like you need a lottery ticket. I heard the pot’s up to a million bucks.”

  Jeanie didn’t believe in throwing hard-earned money away. “I’d rather find a treasure chest buried in my back yard. No way to tax buried treasure. I’d dig up a few coins wherever I needed them.”

  A dark expression flickered across Rock’s face. Was that anger? It came and went so fast she wasn’t sure. Instead of making her more wary, his changeable expression made her more curious.

  “I didn’t know there were buried treasures around here,” he said.

  Local history was her favorite topic. “We have a few. Mossy Bog was a thriving shipping port in the late 1800s. Big rafts of pine and oak came downriver from the interior of the state. Sailing vessels from all over came here to get it. Georgia pine went to China, to Europe, to South America, and more. The timber boom ended before the First World War. We also had a lot of traffic up and down the Intracoastal Waterway in those days. Steamers went down. So did the cargo ships. Most everything was salvaged or buried with wave action, but we have shipwrecks that periodically get uncovered on the beaches with the right kind of storms.”

  “Really? History fascinates me, and wreck diving is my hobby.”

  “Laurie Ann and Wyatt have a boat. I can ask them to take you around to the sites.”

  He scowled at that, piquing her curiosity further. The man liked wrecks and boats. Was it her cop friend he didn’t like? Why? What was he still hiding from her?

  “Are the wrecks marked in a chart or book?” he asked.

  “The nav hazards are recorded. I don’t know where all of the timber era wrecks are, but I know some of them from living here my whole life. I don’t know how to hail a cab in New York City, but I can darn sure work a crabbing line or gig a flounder.”

  His disarming grin set off a slew of butterflies in her belly. “My kind of woman.”

  Chapter 16

  The dive shop’s weathered siding had seen better days. Probably been years since Dive Ahoy saw a coat of paint, but the wooden steps didn’t sag as Rock climbed them. A breeze blew off the deepwater creek and nearby marina, relieving the early heat of spring.

  He pushed his sunglasses up on top of his head when he entered the dark space. A bell tinkled as he closed the door. Posters of reefs and tropical fish and wrecks lined the shop’s walls. Near the checkout counter, a well-endowed female cutout sported dive attire and a come-hither look.

  His gaze lingered on the wetsuits, fins, masks, racks of charts, gauges, and tanks. The shop smelled like neoprene and saltwater. It smelled like home.

  “What can I do you for?” a sandy haired, tanned young man of about twenty asked.

  “Used to do some diving and thought I might get back into the sport,” Rock said. “Stopped by to check the prices.”

  “Feel free to browse. I’m happy to answer any questions about diving or the area. I’m Derek, by the way.” Derek retreated to the table where he’d been sanitizing masks when Rock entered the shop.

  Rock moved over to the wetsuits. He fingered the stretchy material with reverence. The water here was warmer than in the Hatteras area. He might not need a suit to dive around here, if he decided to indulge while recuperating. But he’d need a full suit to continue searching for the Clarissa.

  He had online connections where he could buy the needed gear at a discount, but he might purchase a lot of goodwill by buying locally. The suit was marked up to about what he’d expect. Not too high, but not cheap either.

  “Y’all teach beginner’s classes?” he asked, stopping near Derek’s jumbled pile of gear.

  “We do. Guy who owns the shop gives the classes. This month’s schedule is on the white board and on the brochures at the register. We have rental equipment, you can rent to own, or you can buy brand new gear.”

  “Good to know.” Rock drifted closer to the workbench. “What’s the dive scene around here?”

  “Runs the gamut, everything from salvage and maintenance guys diving to do hull-cleaning jobs, to offshore reef excursions, to cops diving in quarry holes to find missing people. You dive blackwater before?”

  “I have. Say, I heard something about sunken ships in the area. Do you have information on local shipwrecks here?”

  “Check the rack by the door. Mostly shrimp boats have gone down in the past fifty years, but before that were timber barques and sailing ships. We have a long nautical heritage in this region.”

  “I used to dive wrecks near Cape Hatteras,” Rock began experimentally. He gathered up the local dive books and a few nautical charts.

  “Hatteras, you say? We had a guy in here a few days back talking about wrecks up there. Said he was on vacation and might try diving here, but he didn’t bring his gear. I fixed him up with our best rental package. First class all the way.”

  Rock’s pulse quickened. What were the odds? “Do you remember his name?”

  “Vance something. Wait. That’s not right. Vince. That was it.”

  Rock’s gut iced. “Vince Palamiri? Tall, thin man with gray eyes?”

  “That’s him. Took me a bit to get past those spooky eyes. Looked like he might have been part wolf in another lifetime.”

  Vince Palamiri was definitely a wolf. He’d tried to run Rock out of business from the get-go. He’d never caught the man outright sabotaging his property, but he’d swooped in to take Rock’s charter customers on more than one occasion of unexpected boat trouble. He’d been suspicious of the man, but without proof, he couldn’t do anything about the opportunist.

  What was Palamiri doing way down here?

  Couldn’t be a coincidence.

  Did Palamiri know about the Clarissa?

  Rock schooled his features into a polite mask as his thoughts whirled. “I’d like to get in touch with Vince. You happen to have his number?”

  “He’s staying at Queen’s Plantation. Leave a message for him at the front desk. If he comes by here, I’ll give him your number.”

  No way was he giving Palamiri anything, much less his new phone number. “I’ll leave a message at his hotel. That way it’ll be up to him to contact me. He might already have commitments with a group of divers.”

  “Whatever.” Derek nodded toward the items in Rock’s hand. “Can I ring those up for you?”

  Rock placed the items on the counter and handed Derek his credit card. Derek swiped it, then studied it closely to verify the last four digits. “Wait a minute. You’re Rock Mackenzie? From Diving Today magazine and Hatteras?” His face went blank then lit up at Rock’s arm sling. “You’re the dude that got blown up. Man. Imagine that. You here in Dive Ahoy. How’d you swim all that way with a broken arm?”

  “It beat the alternative.”

  “Wait until the guys hear this. I’ve read your stories all over the diving mags. They’re awesome. Dude. I can’t believe this. Tell you what. You decide where you want to go diving, and I’ll be the best dive buddy you ever had. I’ll spring for the fuel. This is so awesome. I want to open the door and shout out to everyone that a living legend is standing in my shop.”

  Rock felt every year of his age and then some in the face of this pup’s energy.

  “Where you staying, dude?” Derek asked. “How can I get in touch with you?”

  Rock pocketed his credit card, picked up his purchases, and slid his dark glasses i
n place. “I’ll find you.”

  Chapter 17

  Jeanie set the vase of flowers on Stella Rivers’ desk at the phone company. “Happy Birthday, Stella.” People bustled in and out of the adjacent main office, waiting on her cue.

  Stella gasped with delight at the flower arrangement. “For me?”

  She leaned close, shut her eyes, and practically inhaled the glads, irises, and baby’s breath combo Jeanie’d assembled in a turquoise vase. She’d special ordered the vase as soon as she learned about the surprise party. Turquoise was Stella’s favorite color. Today she wore matching clip-on earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings adorned with the blue-green stones.

  A deep sigh flowed from Stella. “They’re beautiful. Who sent them?”

  “Your coworkers.” Jeanie raised a hand and started the familiar birthday tune. People poured from the nearby offices and cubicles to join voices with hers, and the building fairly swelled with emotion.

  Stella had been with the company since day one, and now, at seventy-five, was the oldest employee. She was also the founder’s niece. With tears in her eyes, she thanked everyone. As Stella’s coworkers showered her with presents and cake, Jeanie edged out of the happy fray and drove home.

  Thank goodness she’d stored the vase in the shipping carton or else it might have been broken during the break-in. Odd, Laurie Ann hadn’t called today. Had the investigation stalled? Jeanie made a mental note to contact her friend after supper.

  Supper.

  With Rock.

  She couldn’t stop smiling.

  “Mom!” Nathaniel and Sable chorused, jumping around her legs like they were on pogo sticks. Nathaniel grabbed her jeans and held on. Sable climbed onto the ottoman and launched herself at Jeanie.

  She caught her daughter and bent down to hug her son. “I missed you today. Did you have a good time with your Nonnie?”

  Nathaniel’s face clouded over. “Nonnie’s mean. She won’t let me watch TV.”

  Sable nodded, all eyes and flying hair. “Mean.”

  Jeanie barked out a laugh. “No way. I love you guys, and so does Nonnie. You don’t have any idea what mean is, and God help me, I hope you never do.”

  Her mom appeared in the doorway, Sable’s dolly in her arms. “Hey, Mom.” With a kiss to both kids, she rose and moved toward her mother. “Did y’all have a good day?”

  “We did fine. No problems here.” Her mom leaned close. “That man called.”

  A spark flashed inside Jeanie. She felt all of fifteen again as she put her daughter down. “Which man?”

  “Mr. Mackenzie.”

  The spark brightened and flared. “Did he leave a message?”

  “Said to remind you he’s cooking dinner tonight. For you and the kids. He invited me to come over, too.”

  “Please join us. You’ll get a chance to get to know him.”

  Mom tucked Dolly under her arm and gestured with her hands. “I’m worried about the children. What if they get attached and you don’t? If you want to date him, I can keep the kids. Any time.”

  Jeanie hugged her mom. “I appreciate your offer. You do so much for us already. But it’s okay. One dinner lets everyone meet on friendly terms. If something more develops, we’ll figure it out as we go.”

  “Dolly,” Sable demanded.

  Mom gave her the doll, then gripped and regripped her empty hands. “Is this serious? I thought you just met him two days ago.”

  “He’s a nice man. I’d like to become better acquainted with him. Let’s not read anything more into a dinner date.”

  “Nathaniel said the man had a broken arm and a scar on his face. What happened to him?”

  “Rock was in an accident, Mom.”

  Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm.”

  “Please join us for dinner and meet him. He’s not the devil incarnate.”

  Her mom snorted. “Couldn’t be. We already know who that is.”

  “Mom. Not around the kids.” Alarmed, Jeanie glanced at the children playing nearby. Nathaniel squalled when Sable plunked Dolly in the middle of his make-believe construction site.

  “You shouldn’t shield them from his true nature.”

  “They’re kids. They need to believe in loving families, even if it’s a stretch when it comes to their dad.”

  “Is Daddy coming?” Nathaniel asked, tugging on her jeans.

  She frowned. How much had he overheard? “Not tonight, sweetheart.”

  “I want to see him,” her son persisted.

  She finger combed his unruly hair. “So do I.” Unlike her son, she didn’t want to engage Avery in a pillow fight to save Camelot. She needed child support money from him. Two years ago, Avery had worshipped the ground his kids walked on. Then Shandy entered the picture.

  Jeanie couldn’t blame Shandy one hundred percent. Avery had left of his own accord. No one had forced him to abandon his family.

  A sharp pain jabbed Jeanie’s heart. She drew in a cautious breath. This was supposed to be getting easier. That was what people said about broken marriages. You got over them. Time healed everything and all of that. She had news for them.

  “Jeanie?”

  Her mom seemed to be studying her intently. “Sorry. Wool-gathering.”

  “I’m not the only one who needs to get away. You work too hard. Bessie’s house in St. Augustine has plenty of room. Why don’t we all take a weekend off?”

  “Spring is my busy season. Prom’s coming up, and graduation parties. Several big wedding anniversaries are on the horizon. And funerals. We’re having a rash of burials. If I can’t provide the flowers for Tidewater County, my customers go elsewhere. Once they start using another shop, they won’t come back.”

  “Ever since you know who took off, you’ve worked day and night to make ends meet. You’re my baby, and I worry about you.”

  “I can do this, Mom. I got myself into this fix, and I’ll get out of it. But I couldn’t manage day to day without your help, and that’s a fact.”

  Her mom hugged her, and the genuine caring touched Jeanie’s heart. She’d been duped by Avery, but if she was being honest, he’d never loved her the way she deserved to be loved. He’d played at being a family man. When he’d had enough, off he went.

  “Car,” Sable said.

  Nathaniel ran to the window. “We’ve got company. Yay! Company!” He twirled in circles.

  Jeanie eased out of her mom’s arms, grabbed Nathaniel before he fell down, and opened the door to Laurie Ann. “I hoped you’d stop by with an update.”

  “I wish I had better news. Can we talk privately?”

  “Sure. Let’s sit at the kitchen table. Can I fix you something to drink?”

  “Water’s fine.”

  “I’ll take the kids out for a swing in the backyard,” her mom said.

  A few moments later, the children were happily shrieking outside.

  “Shandy’s in town,” Laurie Ann began, a folder on the table before her. “I got a call from Fred over at Sheryl’s Diner. Shandy came in flashing a wad of cash and ordered takeout for two.”

  The news socked Jeanie in the gut. “Avery? Is he here?”

  “No one’s seen him, but I phoned the police up in Hatteras and asked them to do a courtesy welfare check on him. Neighbors say he hasn’t been home in over a week. I called the marina where he worked, and he hasn’t shown up for work in that time either.”

  Jeanie found it hard to breathe as dread flamed her heart. If Shandy was here and Avery wasn’t in North Carolina, they were most likely here together. And what about the things Rock had told her? Was Avery a murder suspect? He couldn’t be, if he was running around loose, right?

  “I don’t understand,” she said slowly. “Is he in some kind of trouble?” Shandy and Avery. Were they behind her break-in?

  “Besides leaving you hanging? I don’t trust him. What if he broke into your shop?”

  Jeanie’s head shook even while Laurie Ann was talking. “No. He wouldn’t do that. He was never violent
.”

  “People change.”

  Her hand trembled. Could she have been so inept at judging Avery?

  “Here’s the deal,” Laurie Ann went on. “Do you want to file a missing persons report on your ex?”

  Jeanie shuddered. “Why would I do that?”

  “It would get Avery on the law enforcement radar, both here and at the Outer Banks. Plus, if we found him, you would be notified.” The cop cleared her throat. “It’d give us a chance to look into his phone logs and bank records for unusual activity.”

  If Shandy had cash, then so did Avery. Checking into their financials would most likely help her gain some of the court-ordered, past-due child support he owed her. “I like the idea of holding his feet to the fire. First, though, let me call him. If he picks up, that will save us both a lot of trouble.”

  She dialed his number. Got his voicemail. Left her standard message. “Avery. It’s Jeanie. I need to talk to you right away. Call me.”

  Pocketing her phone, she felt the weight of her friend’s sharp eyes. Jeanie’s nerves loosened her tongue further. “He hasn’t returned my calls in weeks. You’re right. I need to know where he is, for the kids’ sakes. File that missing person report.”

  “I have it right here.” Laurie Ann pulled paperwork from her folder. “All you have to do is sign the request. We’ll also put a BOLO out on his truck.”

  Jeanie signed the form. “The Sheriff’s Department is lucky to have you, Laurie Ann.”

  Their eyes met, grim determination in Laurie Ann’s.

  “I’ll find him.”

  Chapter 18

  Rock drove to Mossy Bog Carryout to get dessert for his dinner party. When he asked to buy the whole chocolate cake, Donna burst out laughing. “I was telling someone about you the other day, saying how you could probably eat one of my Murder Cakes.”

  So much for keeping a low profile. He brazened it out with a smile. “True, but I’m sharing this one.” He paid an outrageous amount and took the treasure home for safekeeping. On his next trip out, he bought supplies at the grocery store, along with burgers, the fixings, fresh strawberries, and vanilla ice cream.