Lure

by Brian Rathbone

  "Ah. You noticed," Sam said.

  "How could I miss it?"

  "I don't know what's going on yet, but this boat trip will help."

  "Either that or it'll get us locked up. I think this thing might be a little loud," Greg said, after pushing some buttons that made noises but had no visible effect.

  "Ya think?" Shells asked.

  "Well, it's got dual 427s bored out and supercharged. If memory serves, this thing will get out of its own way."

  Everyone in the marina looked when Greg turned the key. Just the whine of the starters and the superchargers drowned out the other boats nearby and attracted unfriendly glares. When the engines fired, one before the other, there was a loud backfire and flames shot from the pipes.

  "No worries," Greg said, as the crowd reacted in surprise. The second engine fired and all 16 cylinders sang a deep-noted tune, rumbling like a coming storm. "Hold on everybody!" Greg shouted. The uniformed men and a few others made as if to move, and everyone watched to see what Greg would do. He moved the throttle forward and the sleek cigarette boat eased away from the dock with a blub blub blub blub. "What?" Greg asked to all those watching. "Too much? Wait. How about this?"

  He must have had it planned since he cranked up the stereo and out came the theme song from Miami Vice. Those on the docks laughed and clapped their hands, and Shells was jamming on the air drums as they coasted out to deeper water at a snails pace.

  "I think you can go a little faster," Shells said.

  "Let me at least get out of the no wake zone before I piss off the locals again."

  Sam had to admit it was a really nice boat.

  "Twelve speaker sound system," Greg shouted over the music, which was echoing off the valley walls, but no one seemed to care. Other boaters waved and cheered them on, so Greg held a steady course. "We've got a couple hours of daylight," Greg said. "Where to?"

  "Just keep going straight for now," Sam said. "There is a specific spot I need you to take me to, and we are headed straight for it."

  "What's at this spot?" Greg asked.

  "I have no idea," Sam said. "I just have a feeling."

  "You and your feelings," Greg said with a dismissive wave. Shells and Maddie gave him dirty looks. "Nothing I've ever felt has overridden my ability to use reason. It's like you feel something and then all common sense goes out the window."

  "It's nice to see you, too."

  "I'm sorry," he said. "I really am glad to see you."

  "So tell me, what exactly happened to land you down here? I thought you were working construction."

  "Yeah," he said. "That didn't work out."

  Sam raised an eyebrow.

  "I quit."

  Sam raised both eyebrows.

  "Ok. I got fired. Satisfied?"

  Sam nodded, a small smile playing across her face. "I'm happy to see you too."

  "Aw. That's so cute!" Shells said, and Maddie laughed for a moment, but then her face looked distant.

  "Slow down," Sam said. "Wait, turn around, go back just a little."

  "Yes," Maddie said, not opening her eyes.

  This was the spot. It felt now as if she were being pulled straight down.

  "Can we go swimming?"

  "Yeah," Greg said. "I can drop anchor here for a while."

  "You wore a swimsuit?" Shells asked.

  Looking coy, Sam just took off her boots and socks, dropped her jeans and jumped into the water in nothing but panties and a white t-shirt.

  "You never were afraid to show your ass, were you?" Greg asked. Sam just dove into the water so her butt stuck up for a moment before dipping below the greenish-blue waters that were cleaner than Sam would have imagined. She could easily see her feet and for quite a distance beyond. This would be perfect for diving. If only she had diving gear and knew how to use it.

  When she reached the surface, she saw Maddie standing with her back to her. Shells sat across from her, an expectant look on her face. Then Maddie raised her hands over her head and removed her top. Shells looked as if her eyes might pop out, and Greg looked much the same. Then Maddie dropped her jeans and jumped into the water. Sam couldn't resist the unspoken challenge and threw her soaking wet top at Greg; it hit him with a wet splat, but he didn't seem to mind much.

  It seemed like good fun until she heard the cheer from a nearby boat where a pair of young men held binoculars.

  Maddie laughed and waved to them. "Let them have their fun," she said.

  Still feeling the insistent tug, Sam smiled and then dived below the lightly rippled surface. Though she dived until her ears hurt and her chest felt like it would explode, Sam could not see the bottom; below her only deeper green and then darkness. The need for air drove her back to the surface with urgency, and she broke into the open air with a desperate gasp.

  Maddie was there and put her arms around Sam. "Are you OK? You were down there a long time."

  Sam nodded, it was the only thing she could do at the moment besides breathe. Her mind noted that the feeling of Maddie's breasts pressed up against her was far from unpleasant.

  "Did you find anything?" Maddie asked a moment later when Sam's breathing started to slow.

  This time Sam shook her head.

  "Damn. I was really hoping you would. I can't dive, inner ear problems."

  Together, they swam back to the boat. Shells waited with towels and in no way averted eyes. Greg wasn't exactly turning away either and Sam flushed when the boys on the nearby boat erupted again. Maddie left the water first and seemed less embarrassed than Sam, but then, Sam thought, she was definitely better endowed. The woman's tattoos were nicely done and accentuated her natural beauty.

  Shells just stared when Sam left the water and seemed to have forgotten the towel she held in her hand. More cheers echoed through the valley, and Maddie put her arm around Sam. The two took a bow, then turned toward the other boat and took another bow. The sight of a black boat with a silver star painted on the side and coming straight for them convinced Shells to give up the towels. The police boat approached slowly.

  "Please remain calm and stay where you are," came a voice over a far-too-loud speaker. "We are going to board your vessel."

  Using oversized bumpers and what looked like a padded gaff, the police brought the two boats together and two men boarded Greg's Uncle's boat. "We had a report that y'all were creating a disturbance."

  "A disturbance?" Shells asked. "I'm pretty sure those boys over there were anything but disturbed."

  Greg shot Shells a look that clearly told her to shut up.

  "Any alcohol or drugs on this vessel?" the man asked ignoring Shells.

  "No, sir," Greg said. This was the same man who had been giving him a hard time when he had arrived, and it was clear Greg knew he was not in a good position.

  "This is a family friendly town," the officer said. His partner couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Sam and Maddie. "Maybe you should take your boat to Vegas."

  "I'm sorry, sir. It seems a couple of my passengers lost their shirts. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

  "It seems your partner wouldn't mind if we disturbed his peace a bit, now would you sweetie?" Maddie said, leaning forward toward the younger officer.

  "Corporal," the older officer said, but as soon as he made to turn his head the younger man saw both Maddie and Sam lean forward and grab their towels as if they would take them off. "Corporal!"

  "Oh. Uh. Yes, sir," the young man said, his face crimson.

  "Disembark!"

  "Yes, sir," the young man said, but he sneaked one last glance, and despite the other officer watching, Sam and Maddie both gave him a little show.

  "Sweet dreams, officer cutie!" Maddie said.

  The young man looked like he wanted to say something, but one glance from his superior stifled the notion, instead he just looked back at Maddie and Sam with forlorn eyes. Before the older officer disembarked, the boat that had been lingering nearby drew closer.

  "What's up, Bill?
" came a shout from one of the young men aboard. "These folks aren't bothering anyone. Why are you giving them a hard time? Don't you know we need tourists around here?"

  "Just because your father is the Mayor doesn't give you the authority to interfere with police operations," the older officer responded.

  "Oh. I'm sorry. It looked to me like you were all done being a pain in the ass."

  The older man did not respond. Instead, he just climbed back onto the police boat.

  "Ahoy there lovely ladies, and to you, good sir," the young man said. "We were hoping to do some knee-boarding, but this hunk of junk will barely pull itself through the water. You ever pull anyone with that thing?"

  The older officer looked like he would have something to say, but a glance at the young man seemed to change his mind. Greg looked to the officer, a question in his eyes.

  "Keep it to the deep water, and if another boats needs to pass, you shut it down. Do you understand me?"

  "Yes, sir," Greg said. The young men on the other boat just grinned and pulled a pair of kneeboards from the back of the boat. A coil of white and blue rope got tossed to Greg, and Sam noticed that it had two handles attached to it. Each handle had its own length of rope that joined with the other some twenty feet away. It took Greg no time at all to hook the rope to the cleats on the back of the boat, which had been made for just such a purpose.

  "Are you any good with those things?" Greg asked the young men. In answer, they donned their foam rubber life jackets, pulled their boards to their chests, and leaped from the side of their boat, flipping in air, and both were soon paddling toward the floating handles.

  Greg eased the boat over next to the young men's smaller boat and, showing some skill, he got close enough to offer the young lady remaining in the boat his hand. She looked to be in her mid twenties and didn't have an ounce of fat on her. Her tanned skin glowed, and her eyes shone with excitement. Greg flexed and pulled her aboard in a single motion. She seemed in no hurry to get out of his arms, but then she looked over her shoulder to Sam, Shells and Maddie.

  "Hi y'all. I'm Kim."

  This girl reminded Sam of everything she used to be and what she was no more.

  "Can I join you?"

  "It'll cost you," Shells said. Before anyone else could say anything, the girl just nodded, smiled, and reached up behind her back. Both Shells' eyebrows shot up, as the girl's bikini top fell to the floor of the boat.

  After giving Greg a good view and a shake for good measure, the girl turned to Sam, Shells and Maddie. "How's that?" she asked, her arms raised in the air, pissing off Sam again since gravity seemed to affect this girl in no way. How could anyone look that good and ever get out of the house, Sam wondered, but then she slid closer to Maddie and held out the corner of the towel. Kim then smiled mischievously. "Eat your hearts out, boys!" she shouted, giving them a good show. Both boys cheered with hearty enthusiasm. Sam guessed this was not an every day event, and she smiled even as Kim pressed herself in close.

  Shells walked to the front of the boat and leaned in to talk to Greg, "It's like they're trying to kill me," she said, and Greg chuckled.

  "You and me both, sister."

  The two young men now floated with the handles in hand and were giving the thumbs up.

  "Everyone good and secure?" Greg asked, and the girls huddled closer to Sam, who was doing her best not to get aroused and failing miserably. "OK. Here we go."

  Sliding forward only a little at first, Greg slowly pulled away from the slack rope until it was taut. Both boys now had their elbows on the boards, both hands on the handles and looked ready. The canyon roared to life as the boat responded to Greg's request. Sam thought at first that he might send the boys flying with such an abrupt start, but both were shouting in delight as they quickly were able to push down with their arms and bring their knees to their chests, which allowed them to kneel on the boards. Each pulled a velcro strap across their legs and that's when the show began.

  "Faster!" one of the young men shouted, his muscular body glistening in the late afternoon light. Sam looked at the other who was smoother, but no less fun to look at. This day was turning out far better than she had expected. Maybe this vacationing thing wasn't so bad.

  Greg squeezed the throttle forward and the twin V8's sang a glorious song that was amplified by the mountains. A curling wake sped away from the hull and became a playground for the boys. At first they moved one at a time, curling out wide and then racing back toward the wake. Like a moving ramp, the wake sent the young man into the air, and he did a full flip before landing back in the water. He nearly missed the landing, but it drew applause from those onboard, and a more distant roar from a crowd of boats that had gathered to watch the spectacle. The other young man did his best to outdo whatever trick the first threw down, and after a mid-air 360 degree turn, he landed sideways, the side of his board digging into water and sending him face first in to the turbulent wash. The rope snapped from his hands and went flying through the air, but a moment later he was bobbing and waving in the waters behind them. His friend bailed out moments later.

  Water seemed to rush up behind them as they slowed, and Sam saw the black helicopter as it made the turn to enter the main valley. Greg made a slow sweeping turn to pick the boys up. Both looked ready to go again and Greg skillfully brought the ropes back to them. The boys grabbed on, and Greg wasted no time in bringing them back up to speed. The pair seemed to spring from the water and were on their knees faster than the last time. Sam wasn't sure if Greg had seen the helicopter, but when it came in for a close pass, a man with a camera and zoom lens hanging out the side and the massive weighted tarp hanging below it, Greg couldn't help but notice. Making an almost complete circle around the boat, which was racing through a canyon pulling two knee-boarders who were now both flipping in the air at the same time, it made for a memorable experience.

  "Are we in their way?" Greg asked after slowing.

  "You're fine," one of the young men shouted, and Sam was pretty certain it was the Mayor's son. "They've been filling up over there for days. I think they were just having some fun with us or taking some pictures for T and T."

  "What the hell is T and T?" Shells asked. "That's not like T and A is it?"

  "Uh, no. Sorry. I've been hanging around local government for too long. It's Travel and Tourism."

  "Ah, right. I dig it," Shells said. "Still, it seems to me that T and T might be looking for some T and A."

  "Looks like they found it," Greg said with a sideways glance at the topless girls, who, though covered by an expansive beach towel, managed to still look naked. The cool air was also having an effect, and Sam was certain the little sailor was no longer below decks.

  A pair of wave runners roared toward them, and a number of the gathered boats drifted closer.

  "Can we have a go?" asked the younger boys on the wave runners.

  "Sure thing," the Mayor's son said with a grin. "Mind if we watch from the wave runners?"

  "Deal," the first boy said, and within minutes, the younger boys were on the kneeboards and the older on wave runners.

  "You ever do this before?" Greg asked, and the younger boys gave him the thumbs up. "Alrighty then. Hold on!" Despite the thumbs up, Greg took off a bit more slowly than he had been, and it took the boys longer to get up on their boards, but they did an admirable job; soon they were slicing through the water. Though there were less acrobatics, the boys still showed some skill. One raced out wide, away from the boat's wake and glided along smooth water that looked like glass. With a heave, he pulled the handle to his chest and then spun around three times, his hands deftly passing the handle from front to back each time.

  The older boys, not to be outdone, raced alongside, albeit a little farther back than the knee-boarders. After a few experimental passes across the wake, they began jumping it, and it wasn't long before the smoother of the two caught enough air to throw the wave runner into a barrel roll. The landing was awkward, but he managed to stay o
n. The boys on the kneeboards saw this and cheered them on.

  Greg swung the boat into a wide turn that would give them a long, straight path back through the canyon. A fiberglass fishing boat, all glitter and engine pulled up alongside and the passenger shot footage from a handheld camcorder. Soon both boats, the wave runners, and the knee-boarders were rushing through the valley in a spectacle unlike any that had been seen there before. The black helicopter joined the chase, and Sam was quite certain this footage would end up on the news.

  The sun cast deepening hues of orange and blue across the rippling waters, and Greg eased the boat back to where the Mayor's son's boat was anchored.

  "I wish we could do this all night," Greg said, "but I should probably get this beast out of the water. Thanks for helping me blow the cobwebs off of her though."

  "How dare you talk about Sam that way!" Shells said with a sly grin. "Oh. Wait. You meant the boat. Sorry."

  Sam just threw a life vest at her.

  "Thanks for the fun, y'all," Kim said, and when she bent down to retrieve her top, she put her ass on display. Even Maddie cocked her head to the side and gave it a once over. "Not bad at all," the look on her face said.

  Chapter 12

  Shadows deepened as Sam, Shells, Greg, and Maddie pulled into the parking lot of a sizable restaurant perched on a hillside that overlooked the beach and much of the lake. The Mayor's son, Nick, and his friend Wayne had suggested the place, and they pulled in moments later.

  Kim jumped out first and trotted over to where the group stood. "Let's get a table out on the balcony," she said with a broad and irresistible smile. Sam wasn't certain if she was dating Nick or Wayne, but by the way they both watched her, she guessed it was neither; yet. She wondered if the friendship would survive competing for the same girl. Kim didn't seem to mind the looks that followed her, but also didn't give any indication that she felt any attraction in return.

  Walking past the bar, they made their way to the balcony and pushed two tables together. "Hi y'all," a cute waitress with curly red hair and just enough freckles said after they seated themselves, "my name's Trish, and I'll be serving you this evening." Greg, Nick and Wayne tried to hide the fact that they were undressing her with their eyes, but none of the girls were fooled for an instant. Kim looked as if she would kick one of them under the table, but that would mean revealing that she cared; for the moment she resisted, but it was clear that she would have preferred a waiter, or at least someone warted and homely. This girl looked like she could bring cold food and still get tips.