The Raft
Page 14
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“I wouldn't worry, dear,” a voice came from behind Rachael. “Boys and their business, you know?”
“I'm sorry?” Rachael said, turning to meet a middle-aged woman carrying a tray of drinks. She had an aged but well-dressed quality about her. She was wearing full makeup and a number of large accessories. Her clothes were perhaps a few years too young for her – a little too tight – but she was able to pull off the look.
“Iced tea?” she asked, offering Rachael a drink from the tray.
“Oh, no, thank you,” Rachael said.
“Are you with Arrowsoft, dear?” the woman asked.
“Arrowsoft?” Rachael couldn't contain her surprise. She looked back to the putting green and the three clean-cut men. “No, no, I'm here with Maggie.” Rachael said, her reporter senses tingling.
“Oh, Maggie,” the woman smiled softly. “We all love Maggie so much. After that terrible business with the Shane boy. She's so wonderful. A real hero.”
“Shane?” Rachael didn't follow.
“I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Tiger Print,” the woman said. “I'm Gandalf's wife.”
Tiger Print, it made sense. She wasn't wearing a pair of tiger print spandex pants, but Rachael was sure that the woman would have a pair of the titular trousers in her closet.
“Hello, I'm Rachael Bigallo.” Tiger Print held out a little finger from the tray, all she could spare, and Rachael shook it.
“Nice to meet you. You're a friend of Maggie's, you say? We get so few dryfoots out here, and today we have so many. What a wonderful surprise. Are you sure you wouldn't like some iced tea?”
“Yes, thanks, I'm sure.”
Maggie was returning from her private discussion with Gandalf. She seemed content. Behind her, Gandalf seemed frazzled. Maggie crossed the car deck and stepped up to the woman with the tray.
“Tiger Print, dear,” she said and kissed Tiger Print on the cheek.
“Maggie, what a surprise!” Tiger Print said with honest joy. “What brings you aboard?”
Maggie gestured at Chemical. “Can you watch him for a while? Make him feel at home.”
“Of course, dear, anything for you. What has he done this time?”
“Nothing. Yet. Can you keep him out of trouble?”
“Of course.”
Then Maggie's tone turned serious. “I'm afraid I have some horrible news, Tiger.”
“What's wrong?”
“It's Meerkat. She fell overboard. She's dead.”
Tiger Print paused, but she didn't seem to waver. The tray before her remained totally motionless. “Oh, no. How sad. Poor girl... Chemical didn't-”
“No, but if you can still keep an eye on him.”
“We will, we will,” Tiger Print swallowed. “And to think, I just saw her last night, alive and happy, dancing aboard the Geoduck... how horrible...”
“The Geoduck you say?”
“Yes, dear. I can only guess that you're going to go look for Horus?”
“I am.”
“Good girl. You be careful, you understand? Anyone who could do such a thing to Meerkat... he might be capable of anything. Well, this iced tea isn't improving with age. You'll excuse me, dears.” And Tiger Print started towards the golf course, shimmying in her bare feet.
“Chemical?” Rachael asked.
“It's taken care of,” Maggie replied.
“So. What do we do now?” Rachael watched Tiger Print hand out iced tea to the Gray Beards and Arrowsoft employees.
“Now?” Maggie said. “We get some breakfast.”