by Lexi Post
That got his attention. “Like what?”
“That mainly depends on you. You say they are bullying. What do you do when they do that? Do you give it right back or do you cower?”
He frowned. “I can never think of something to say fast enough. It’s only after they walk away that I think of something.”
That gave her an idea. “Let’s start with nicknames.” She rose and walked over to her desk then came back with a pad of paper in her hand. “Here, write down everyone’s name and then come up with a nickname for them. They call you ‘kid’ which is both affectionate and derogatory. Try to find the same balance with your names.”
Drew’s eyes lit with excitement. She handed him a pen and he started writing immediately.
She watched him as she sipped her tea. Could the “kid” really be the cause of the accidents? Sure, he resented the others, but it was more a self-pity then an actual anger. Similar to a teenager. Then again, teenagers had been known to do some pretty awful things to their peers, like shooting them. But they had serious mental issues. She didn’t see Drew in that category.
She watched the time as Drew wrote and scratched out and wrote more. When their session was over, she put down her tea cup. “I’m afraid that’s all our time for today. Why don’t you give me the paper and you can continue with this first thing when you come back next week.”
He nodded. “Yes. Maybe I’ll think of more names by then.” He smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Haskell. I think we’re finally making real progress now.”
What a perfect backward compliment. She smiled despite the dig and walked him out. She heard him start a conversation with the receptionist and sighed. She was pretty sure he just needed to grow up a bit more.
Dropping the pad of paper on her desk, she went back to her cabinet and started her electric kettle. Once it was ready, she poured water over an orange-cinnamon tea bag then moved to her desk to check her next appointment while it steeped. A phrase on the pad of paper next to her computer jumped out at her.
ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN
CHAPTER NINE
Meghan froze. What? She picked up the pad Drew had been writing on. He’d listed all the crew members on the left side and added names to the right of them. The first names were typical—Shorty, Bear, Diva, Bubba, Chica, Bro, Dude. But the next set were meaner—Jerk, Ho, Bitch face, Dickhead, Ass Wipe, Cocksucker, Pissant. It was the final set that he hadn’t finished that alarmed her. Border Hopper, Ghetto, Cunt, Deadman and the one that had sirens going off in her head—Accident Waiting to Happen.
Oh, God. Was it a coincidence? Or was it something that came to his mind because of what was happening at the station? Or had he caused the accidents?
The investigators think that only the Dolphin accidents were sabotage, but I know the hangar accidents were too. You have to help us or someone could get killed.
Tyler’s words reverberated in her brain for the second time that hour. Drew was a mechanic. He was also usually on Tyler’s crew. His list proved he wasn’t just pouting but seriously hated his fellow crew members, and it appeared it was escalating.
But Drew had been injured, too. She’d seen where in the hangar the accident happened and he’d started coming to her as soon as his arm had been operated on. He couldn’t have done that to himself unless he was truly psychotic.
Quickly, she opened her file on Drew Linden and skimmed over her notes. No red flags popped up that would indicate a psychotic break, but now that she looked for it, she could see a pattern of anger. He was so good, she would never have found it if she wasn’t looking for it.
She closed the file and collapsed on her chair. Half of her believed Drew was bent on a twisted revenge and half of her didn’t believe it at all. The problem was, with what she had, she couldn’t tell anyone anyway. She probably wouldn’t even think it possible if Tyler hadn’t put it in her head to begin with. Her objectivity had been corrupted. She would have to recommend Drew see someone else now. Crap.
You have to help us or someone could get killed.
“Oh, God.” Tyler went back to his regular duty today. All the crew members were in jeopardy, whether it was Drew or someone else. Her heart squeezed at the idea that the last time she saw him she was furious. What if she was wrong? What if he did like her and just got carried away. She understood now why he might have been overzealous. Lives were at stake, even his.
She should send him a text. Maybe tell him she hoped he stayed safe.
Her office door opened and the receptionist peeked her head in. “Excuse me, Dr. Haskell, but your next appointment is here.”
She clicked on her calendar and looked at the name and time. Crap, she was two minutes late. “Thank you, send him in.” She rose in preparation to greet her patient. Maybe she’d text Tyler at her next break.
* * * * *
Tyler left the chief’s office, frustrated that the chief wouldn’t ground them. He understood that there was someone causing the accidents, but the surveillance tape showed nothing with all the blind spots in the hangar.
His only hope now was that the Dolphin wouldn’t be needed. There were no patrols scheduled today, so if they could just get through two more hours, until after sunset, he could be sure he lived another day.
Running his hand through his hair, he strode toward his office. He couldn’t trust the very people he worked with. The only Air Station person he might be able to confide in was Alix, if she was up for it. He’d like to ask Meghan if it would be okay, but she hadn’t returned his call.
Walking into his office, he stopped. “What are you doing in here, Drew?”
The kid pulled out the top draw of Tyler’s desk. “I’m looking for some of that pink stuff. I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
“Shit kid, if you’re sick, get out of here. I’ll call in Steve.”
Drew moved to Kolbe’s desk and opened another draw. “I only have two hours. I just need some of that pink stuff.”
Tyler sighed. “No, go home. That’s an order. I don’t want the rest of the crew getting sick.”
“You’re pulling rank on me?” Drew’s tone made it clear he was pissed.
“Yeah, in this case I am. Go.”
“Fine. If you say so.” Drew gave him a mock salute and stormed out.
He wished there was a maturity test new recruits had to take because dealing with Drew was getting old. Maybe they could have the young guys work in bigger Air Stations or something so no one person would have to deal with them over an extended period of time.
Picking up the phone, he called Steve. The man wasn’t happy, but he was on his way. All part of working for Uncle Sam.
A horn outside the hangar announced a delivery the chief was expecting, so Tyler headed out. As he and Kolbe carried in the equipment parts, his cell phone buzzed. He’d have to get back to that. The chief would have his head if he stopped in the middle of a delivery.
When they were finally done, they headed for the break room. Grabbing an orange juice, two granola bars and a large bag of honey roasted peanuts, he dropped into a chair across from Kolbe. He really liked the man, but he was on his suspect list, so he wouldn’t relax his guard. “Do you think we’ll get through today without another accident?”
Kolbe shrugged. “Don’t know. Someone has cursed this place. I don’t think any of us will leave this duty station unscathed.”
“Really? Why would anyone want to curse us?”
Kolbe leaned forward. “You know the maritime enforcement specialist who just had a kid? The one on the Apalachee?”
“Yeah.”
“I think he’s in to voodoo. He’s born and bred in New Orleans.”
Tyler barely kept from rolling his eyes. To have the most mature person on the crews believing in curses was too crazy for him. “But why would he want to curse us?”
“I heard he wanted to be a pilot, but they failed him for being too dangerous. He wasn’t too good at safety checks.” Kolbe nodded like that was key.
&n
bsp; It was interesting information, and it was plausible, but he’d only met the man once. Was Meghan right? Was he so focused on the air crews that he was missing all the other possibilities?
His phone buzzed again, so he motioned to Kolbe that he had to take it before standing and walking out of the break room. “Hey.”
“Where’ve you been? I called you a half hour ago.” Ryan’s voice sounded stressed.
“Sorry, I’m on duty. What’s wrong. Everything okay on the farm?”
“Yeah, we’re fine, but you’re not.”
“What do you mean?” He strode toward his office where he could have some privacy.
“I mean, I’ve been doing some research on your air crew members. You’re going to owe me though because I’m Army and not Coast Guard and now I have to service a Mercedes for a year.”
“If there is any way it will save lives, I’m happy to owe you.”
“Good. The info I got isn’t classified or anything, but you’d have to put two and two together for it all to click. I was able to read up on the station reports about each member of your Air Station.”
Tyler closed the door to his shared office and sat. “You really don’t like construction, do you?”
“Yeah, well, this is more important. Anyway, I found a pattern of accidents followed one of your crew members. It may be a coincidence as he has only been at one other station.”
“Fuck. It’s Drew, isn’t it?” He ran his hand through his hair as he tried to put the puzzle pieces together.
“And I think he’s getting braver. The ones at the other station caused minor injuries, but always around him, so they started to call him bad luck. The last and worst injury was a broken arm.”
Tyler whistled through his teeth. “You think he broke his own arm to keep suspicion off him?”
“You tell me. I also discovered that his dad worked in a factory that produced nuts and bolts. He was hurt on the job and has been on disability ever since. He ended up with a brain injury.”
“Shit.” He could almost feel bad for the kid. Almost.
“Where is he now?”
“I just sent him home. He said he was sick. I caught him in my office looking for that pink crap that helps settle your stomach.”
“Do you believe he was sick or was he in your office to set you up? At the other station, two people were hurt twice.”
“Hell, how am I going to find that out? Maybe I should just stay out of my office until something falls.”
Ryan was quiet on the other end.
This sucked. He looked up at the ceiling which was also the floor of the training room. Would it come down on him today? Tomorrow?
“Hey Tyler, where was Drew when you walked in to your office?”
He thought back. “He was in front of my desk, opening my top drawer, right beneath my computer.”
“Start looking in that area for anything. This guy might even set it up for your computer to fall on your foot and break it. I’m on my way to help you look. Can you get me on base?”
He stood up and backed away from his desk. “Yeah, you’re in the system. Are you at the farm?”
Ryan chuckled on the other end. “No, I’m at your house using your home computer. I used your emergency key to get in.”
“My emerg—how the hell did you find that?”
“Hiding it beneath the sign that says “Coasties do it best” is not very imaginative. I’m heading out now.”
“Don’t forget to lock the fucking door.”
Ryan laughed as he hung up.
Tyler ran his hand through his hair and stared at his desk. What could the kid have done? First, he needed to get Ryan on base. Still standing, he grabbed the wireless keyboard and put it on a bookcase. As soon as he hit a key, the screen saver went off on his computer and his email list appeared.
He hadn’t checked his email since lunchtime. Why was it the open screen? He took a couple steps closer to his computer to look at the last message that came in. Nothing had changed. Glancing at his sent messages, he stopped. There was an unknown email address in there.
He clicked to view the sent message. “Fucking-A.”
HI MEGHAN, I’D LIKE TO TAKE YOU TO ROCK ISLAND TO WATCH THE SUNSET. MEET ME AT THE YARDARM DOCKS AT 16:30. SEE YOU THEN.
He felt like a rogue wave had just taken him down. He glanced at his watch. Fuck! It was 17:00. Pulling out his phone he dialed Ryan.
“Hello?”
“The fucker took Meghan! Do me a favor and go straight to Yardarm docks and see if they left yet. He told her to meet him there at 16:30. Shit, if he does anything to her, I’m going to kill him.”
“Got it. On my way. Call the police and tell them you think you there’s been an abduction. But first call Meghan and see if she went. You said she was mad at you, so maybe she ignored the message or didn’t get it.”
“Right.” Tyler hung up the phone and immediately dialed Meghan.
* * * * *
Meghan thanked the cashier at the dock store for the ice tea and walked outside. The weather was perfect for a boat ride. She’d even worn shorts and a t-shirt for the occasion.
She strolled to the picnic bench near the river and sat. She was early as usual. She almost didn’t come. Tyler didn’t ask. He just assumed she’d be here. Then again, maybe he was just hoping she would be. In turn, she hadn’t responded. As she had said, what was good for the goose was good for the gander.
If she hadn’t met with Drew, she probably wouldn’t have come at all, but the need to make sure Tyler wasn’t hurt was too much. She thought he got off shift at six, but maybe he had someone cover for him. She couldn’t deny the gesture.
She’d looked up Rock Island and it was a long way out, the last island before the Gulf and only accessible by boat. The view would be even more spectacular than at his house. She had yet to go out on any of the rivers and into the Gulf so that did entice her. She hoped it was calm.
She really didn’t believe Drew would cause his crewmates harm. If he really was that angry at them, she was fairly sure he’d want to be there when they were hurt because it would be very personal. But except for Tyler’s accident, Drew hadn’t been around. At least not from what he’d told her. Besides, he was hurt as well. It had to be an outside person.
“Dr. Haskell?”
Startled from her thoughts, she turned. “Drew? What are you doing here?”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “Tyler asked me to help him out. He wants me to bring you out to Rock Island. I think he’s setting up a surprise for you.”
She pasted on a smile. “But I thought you weren’t happy about me seeing Tyler.”
“I wasn’t because I thought you’d talk about me. I didn’t realize you can’t say anything. After I went to work, I searched on the internet. It says that you’ll go to jail if you divulge anything about our sessions, sort of like lawyer-client confidentiality. I know all about that. So, I’m fine with you dating Tyler.”
Relief washed through her. Her confidentiality rules were a little different from a lawyer’s, but if it made him feel better, then she was fine with it. “I have a question for you. Do you like Tyler?”
Drew shrugged. “Sure. Why?”
She couldn’t discuss his session in a public place like they were in, so she refrained, but there was more than one way to figure out if he really was okay with Tyler. “I guess it would make me feel better if I knew you liked him. I don’t know him that well. You’ve known him a lot longer than I have.”
He appeared to give the question serious consideration. “I guess if you’re going to date someone at the station, Tyler’s not a bad choice.”
Hmm, that wasn’t quite as revealing as she had hoped. “Well, before we go, I want to let Tyler know I’m here. I didn’t have time to reply to his email.” She pulled out her cell phone.
“That won’t work.”
She stilled. “Why?”
He gave her an apologetic smile. “There’s no cell service out by Rock I
sland. That’s why we rely on the radios when we are out that far.”
Oh, that made sense. “Okay, then I guess we better get going.”
Drew was the perfect gentleman as he helped her into the twenty-foot fiberglass boat with the word Bayliner down its side. It had a driver console at the front on the starboard side. There was seating directly behind that, but for conversation’s sake, she sat of the port side, across from Drew.
As they moved away from the docks and through the waterways, he was careful. As he explained, it was very shallow. “We’ll be able to go faster once we get out into the Gulf.”
She frowned. “But I thought the island is before the Gulf.”
“Oh, it is, but you can’t get to it from the river side because it’s swampy. The only approach is from the Gulf, but it has a really nice sandy beach. I bet Tyler will get a fire going.”
At the thought of her and Tyler on a secluded island, she started to get excited. It didn’t appear as if Drew was a threat, and now she felt bad for having her doubts.
As they meandered down the river, she pulled out her phone and texted Tyler. At least when he saw her, she could say she’d responded. She told him she was on her way with Drew.
“What are you doing?” Drew scowled.
“I was just texting Tyler so when we get back in, he will see I did respond.”
“Stupid.” Drew slapped her hand and her phone flew out of the boat.
“What are you doing? That’s my work phone.”
He put the boat in neutral and grabbed both her hands. “I’m sorry Dr. Haskell, but Tyler doesn’t deserve you.”
CHAPTER TEN
Meghan pulled away, falling half over the side as she did so.
“Oh no, not yet.” Drew grabbed one of her hands, and she reached her other into her purse for her pepper spray, but before she could get it, he kicked her legs out from under her and she fell to the deck.
Oh, God. She’d never been one for a lot of physical activity, but she kicked and scratched as well as she could, until he rolled her over onto her stomach.
She stared at the life jackets under the seats on the starboard side of the boat, wishing now that she had donned one. Whatever he planned for her, wasn’t going to end well.
