Against the Tide

by Melody Carlson

“Will you be at the marina?” Derrick asked.

  “Yeah.” Garret nodded. “No place else to go.”

  “I’ll ask Detective Greene to assign someone to keep watch over there for the rest of the night.” Derrick talked on his phone as he escorted them across the parking lot. By the time they reached Garret’s SUV, it was all set. “Officers Reynolds and Harter are on their way to the marina,” he told them as they got into the vehicle.

  Garret started the engine, turning up the heat as he headed out of the parking lot. “Well, that was unexpected.”

  * * *

  “You could’ve been killed.” Once again, Megan wondered what she’d do without him. Not just because of the dilemma they both seemed to be trapped in...but because of something more. Garret was unlike anyone she’d ever known. The previous guys in her life had never made her feel like this. Not just the attraction, either—although it was very real—but Garret made her feel secure. Despite knowing she was still in danger, she felt protected.

  “I’m just glad it wasn’t low tide.” He shook his head.

  Megan shuddered to think of Garret crashing headfirst onto the rocks that jutted out of the water at low tide.

  “But God’s watching out for us, Megan. I believe it.”

  “I do, too.”

  “And it was a small price to pay to catch a thug or two.”

  “Well, that’s a pretty good victory,” she declared. “I’m glad they went for the bait.”

  “And when Tony and Vince find out, it’ll sure give them something to think about. I’m guessing they’ll want to back off if they think the police have that envelope. So, yeah, I think we’re safer. Just the same, I’m still relieved to know the police will send someone to watch the marina.”

  “I wish it was the real envelope.” Megan sighed. “I won’t feel really safe until the whole Marco gang is rounded up. Although I do feel safer when I’m with you, Garret. I was so scared when you went over the railing. I don’t know what I’d do if you’d really been hurt...or worse.”

  He reached over to give her hand a squeeze. “Good thing I’m a tough nut, huh?”

  “Even a tough nut can crack.” She wrapped her fingers around his cold ones, trying to share some warmth. “Seriously, Garret, I don’t want to lose you.”

  He tightened his grasp on her hand. “I don’t want to lose you either, Megan. I’m determined not to.”

  She felt a surge of happiness—Garret was as much into her as she was into him. Now if only they could find the missing envelope and help the police put away the criminals.

  * * *

  As soon as they got back to the marina, Megan felt relieved to realize she wouldn’t be staying alone in the little cabin again tonight. Despite how Garret had fixed it up, she didn’t like the idea of being by herself.

  Garret unlocked the door to his house to the sound of Rocky’s barking. But it was reassuring to know the dog was keeping watch. He led Megan inside. “My apologies for my bachelor housekeeping,” he said as he closed and locked the door. “I think you should stay in the master suite. It’s the most secure part of the house.”

  “I don’t want to put you out of your room, Garret.”

  “You won’t be. I still use the same room I’ve had since I was a kid.” He grinned as he patted Rocky. “Until that master suite gets redecorated, which hasn’t made the top of my priority list yet, I’m in no hurry to use it.” He shivered with the now-damp blanket still over his shoulders.

  “Okay. Well, if it’s not putting you out, I accept.” She pointed to his soggy clothes. “But you need to get dried off and warmed up.”

  He pointed back at her. “You look damp, too. Make yourself at home.” He nodded to her bags in the living room then pointed to a nearby door. “The master suite.”

  She thanked him then gathered her things and opened the door to the mysterious master suite. But she immediately understood why Garret wasn’t eager to stay there. Everything in the spacious room was Victorian, with purple and pink cabbage roses and lace abounding. China knickknacks were everywhere, coated with dust. But Megan knew she wouldn’t complain as she set her bags on the flowery quilt of the king-size bed. She was grateful for a safe haven, even if it did look like a granny room.

  And when she saw the dead bolt on the solid bathroom door, she understood why Garret had described the suite as safe. With the heavy door and no window, this bathroom would not be easily broken into.

  She changed out of her damp clothes, due to the hug of relief she’d shared with Garret, then went back into the living room. Still hungry, she decided to take him up on his invitation to make herself at home. And going directly to the kitchen, she started to poke around. Before long she discovered packaged lasagna in the freezer, which she immediately put in the oven, as well as enough ingredients to make a green salad. And since the lasagna was going to take a while, she opened some tomato basil soup and it was fragrantly steaming on the stove by the time Garret joined her. With damp hair and fresh clothing, he looked so handsome that she had to divert her eyes to keep from staring.

  “Something smells good.” Garret pulled out a stool to sit at the breakfast bar.

  “You told me to make myself at home.” She tossed the last of the chopped cucumber into the greens. “And I must say, for a guy, you keep a pretty well-stocked fridge and pantry. I’m impressed.”

  He chuckled. “It’s just the result of frugality. Saves money to eat at home—and time, too.”

  She smiled. “I like that.”

  * * *

  Garret woke up early on Sunday morning. Partly because, exhausted after a long day, they’d both turned in early the night before. But as he showered and shaved, he couldn’t stop thinking about Megan. Their quiet dinner and easy conversation had felt so comfortable and natural last night. Not only like a much-needed respite, but as if they had a real connection, like they’d been friends for years...as if they could easily become something more. It had taken all his willpower not to kiss her good-night. And that was simply because he didn’t want to rush things. Megan had been on an emotional roller coaster these past few days. He instinctively knew that stepping into a romantic relationship could backfire on him. And due to his strong feelings toward Megan, he wasn’t sure he wanted to risk pushing her too far too quickly. What if she thought he was taking unfair advantage of her vulnerable situation? Besides, she had just lost her dad.

  As he dressed, her felt relieved that no more drama had interrupted a night of good rest. Having a manned patrol car parked in front of the marina, plus Rocky’s bed near the front door, had been reassuring. And he hoped the worst of this drama was behind him. However, one thing was seriously troubling him. That was seeing Kent at Marco’s on the Waterfront last night. And his involvement with that other waiter. Very suspicious.

  “Good morning,” Megan said cheerfully as Garret came into the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind that I started a pot of coffee.”

  “Not at all. Thank you. I wasn’t sure you were up. Couldn’t blame you for sleeping in. I’m sure you were exhausted.”

  “I slept so well that I was ready to get up.” She grinned as she poured a cup of coffee. “That Victorian boudoir is more comfortable than it looks.”

  He chuckled. “Well, my grandma sure loved it.” He went over to the fridge, opening it to see what he might fix them for breakfast. “I think it’s my turn to cook this morning. I thought I’d make something simpler than yesterday. Eggs and toast okay with you?”

  “Sounds perfect.” She took her coffee to the breakfast bar, watching and visiting as he cooked.

  “I woke up thinking about my ex-employee Kent Jones.”

  “The waiter at the restaurant last night?”

  “Yeah. For some reason the police didn’t take him into custody. So I’d like to go pay him a visit this morning, as
k him some questions.”

  “About what?”

  “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he worked for me, then disappeared right after your dad drowned.”

  Megan’s eyes grew wide. “You think he had something to do with my dad’s death?”

  “I don’t know. But he obviously had access to the boats here. Wade said he saw Kent working on Wednesday, but he never showed up on Thursday...or since.”

  “And you did seem suspicious of him last night.”

  “Yeah, I feel certain he’s the one who tipped off the kitchen about us and the envelope.”

  “Which sort of turned out to be a good thing.”

  “Yeah, except that Kent is still out there.”

  * * *

  After breakfast, while Garret went out to check on the marina and speak to his employees, Megan used the landline phone to call Arthur, the press operator at her father’s newspaper. “Sorry to bother you on a Sunday and so early, but I—”

  “You are not a bother, Megan. I don’t ever want you to think such a thing.”

  “Well, I know you were Dad’s right-hand man, Arthur. I know I can depend on you. And I didn’t really tell you what I was looking for yesterday. I know I probably should’ve.” She hadn’t told Arthur, not because she didn’t trust him, but because she didn’t want to put him in danger.

  “I think I know what you were looking for, Megan.” He made a loud sigh. “Did your dad tell you much about his research? I mean into them Marco boys and the casino and whatnot?”

  “Yes,” she said eagerly. “I know all about that.”

  “And you’re looking for the envelope?”

  “Yes! Do you have any idea where it might be?”

  “You don’t have it?”

  She explained all that they’d been through, all the way up to the faux envelope last night.

  “I had no idea about all that, Megan—that you’d been in any sort of danger. Rory wouldn’t like that. Not at all. How’re you holding up?”

  She told him about Garret’s help.

  “Garret Larsson is a good man,” Arthur said. “Your dad trusted him.”

  “So do I.”

  She explained her plan about returning to the newspaper office to clean up and look around some more. “And I don’t expect you to come,” she said quickly. “I can ask someone from the police force to join me. I wouldn’t expect you to miss church and—”

  “Don’t you worry about that, Megan. The good book says that when your ox falls in a ditch you can pull him out. Even on the Sabbath.” He chuckled. “Besides, I don’t go to church every Sunday. I’ll call Barb, too. She goes to early church. I’m sure she’ll want to help.”

  “Thanks, Arthur. I really appreciate it. And I’ll still call for police protection.”

  “Barb knew Rory’s habits better than anyone. She might have some ideas about his secret hiding places.”

  After she hung up, she and Garret went outside to talk to the policemen who’d been parked at the marina all night. Officer Harter assured them that he’d observed nothing. “And I have something for you,” he told Megan as he produced her oversize bag still containing the faux envelope. They were both still damp. “Detective Greene thinks you should hold on to it.”

  She looked dubiously at the familiar bag, unsure she really wanted to keep toting that fake envelope around. Except that the bait had worked last night.

  “Thanks.” She took the bag, nervously swinging it back and forth.

  “And he said to give you this, too.” He held out an inexpensive flip phone and a charging cord. “He doesn’t want you to be out of touch.”

  “Thank you!” She clutched the phone to her chest. “I wanted to get a new one, but the only cell phone store in town was closed.”

  “The number is taped inside, and Detective Greene’s number as well as the police department’s are already programmed.”

  She thanked him again.

  “So what are your plans now?” he asked.

  “First of all, we want to go to the hospital to check in on Lieutenant Conrad,” Garret told him.

  “I hear he’s making a good recovery,” the officer told them.

  Megan explained her plan for the newspaper office. “A couple of newspaper employees agreed to meet me there at ten.”

  “And I hope to look up an ex-employee and have a talk with him.” Garret gave the officer a slip of paper with Kent’s address on it. “I’m not sure why the police didn’t question him last night, but I think he’s got something to hide.”

  The policeman’s brows lifted. “You need backup?” he asked. “Our shift ends at eight o’clock, but I can get someone—”

  “That’d be good.”

  “I hope we’re not getting a false sense of security,” Megan said as they got into his SUV.

  “I know what you mean. We need to keep our guard up. I’m glad you’ll have Arthur and Barb with you at the paper—as well as police protection.”

  “Yeah, that’s reassuring. And my car should be at the paper, too. The tire store is closed today, but they had promised to park it back there when they were done.”

  “What about your keys? Got a spare set?”

  “I asked them to drop my keys in the mail slot on the front door, and Arthur said he found them last night.”

  “Hopefully, your new tires are still intact,” Garret said grimly.

  “Yeah, I hadn’t considered that.” She grimaced at the thought of explaining more slashed tires to her insurance company. She examined the cell phone, relieved to see it was fully charged, then as Garret drove, she programmed a few numbers including Garret’s, which she added to favorites for speed dialing. Feeling more secure, she tucked the phone into her zipped parka pocket, along with the other things she normally carried in her bag. Just to be safe.

  The hospital, though a picturesque location overlooking the river, was a bit out of the way, but it was nearly visiting hours by the time they arrived.

  “At least the cops are here.” Garret pointed to the patrol car parked near the entrance. “Not sure if that’s for us or someone visiting Michael. But reassuring.”

  Megan was tempted to leave her bait bag in the car, but knew that would be defeating its intended purpose, so instead she looped the strap over her shoulder and strolled toward the hospital.

  “This fog is getting heavier,” she said absently as Garret led the way between some parked cars. “Kind of puts a damper on the—” Her breath and words were wiped out as someone slammed her from behind. She let out a terrified scream as she smashed into a parked car, then tumbled down to the pavement.

  EIGHTEEN

  By the time Garret helped Megan to her feet, her bag and her attacker were gone. Along with the fake envelope. Garret ushered her over to the patrol car, relaying the information to the officers and pointing out the direction the attacker had gone. “I would’ve chased him,” he said breathlessly, “but I was worried about Megan—didn’t want to leave her alone.”

  The patrol car took off, and Garret turned his attention back to getting Megan safely inside the hospital. Once inside, he turned to stare intently into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? That was quite a fall you took.”

  She rubbed a sore elbow then tested the knee that had absorbed her tumble. “I think so.”

  “Want to get checked?” He pointed toward the ER with a half smile. “Lots of docs here.”

  “No, thank you.” She frowned. “But now that they got our bait they’ll know we were trying to trick them.”

  He nodded somberly. “I hope this doesn’t make them believe we don’t have the real papers. That was our safety net.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll get Michael’s room number.” He nodded as they walked into t
he hospital and toward the information desk.

  “I want to get that for Michael.” She pointed to a stuffed Curious George doll outfitted like a doctor that was in the gift shop window.

  Garret grinned. “Great idea.”

  She went into the gift shop and took the plush toy to the register, picking out a get well card too. As she waited for the cashier, she noticed some interesting quilted bags hanging nearby. They had an ethnic look to them and were actually rather attractive.

  “Those are made by a local woman who donates all the proceeds to Samaritan’s Purse,” the cashier informed her.

  “What a fabulous idea.” Megan fingered the sturdy fabric. “I support Samaritan’s Purse, too.” Suddenly, she remembered that her oversize bag had just been stolen and that her parka pockets were bulging with items in need of a handbag. She selected her favorite one and laid it on the counter just as Garret came into the shop. “I don’t need a sack,” she told the cashier, asking for scissors to remove the price tags.

  “Nice,” Garret said as he joined her.

  “Handy, too.” She gave him the monkey and card as she unloaded her pockets, putting the wallet and few other things into the bag. As they rode the elevator up, she noticed her disheveled image in the mirror, taking a moment to smooth her hair and even wipe some dirty smudges from one side of her face. “You didn’t tell me I was a mess,” she said teasingly to Garret.

  “You look beautiful to me,” he replied as the door slid open.

  Her sore elbow and knee instantly felt better. And as they exited the elevator, she tried to imagine what their relationship might be like under normal circumstances. She hoped his kindness wasn’t simply part of his chivalry and helpfulness.

  “How about we don’t mention that last assault to Michael,” she suggested, pausing at the nurses’ station to write in his card. “No need to worry him.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  To Megan’s relief, Michael looked much better than the last time she’d seen him. They visited with him for a while, telling him recent details of the unsolved case, but trying to paint a more positive picture than Megan felt was real. Still, it was good to see him smiling. And it was good to hear his prognosis for a full recovery. But he soon grew tired and they told him goodbye.