Suspicion At Sea

by Nichols, Amie

  “Okay.” I'm not sure what the hell I'm supposed to say here.

  “They want to play it for Suzy, but she hasn't answered her phone and has not been at home. Do you know where she is?” he asks. I know he loves his daughter, but their relationship has also been strained. My sister looks just like our mother, and it is hard for my dad to deal with.

  “She's been staying with a friend in Augusta. I'll see if I can get her to come back.” I mainly say this to get my father to leave. She's been staying there for the last few nights after the news of their disappearance. Tammy Coons, Jade's girlfriend, has been wailing all over town about the loss of the love of her life.

  “Thanks, son,” my father says before leaving, stepping off the boat and onto the dock. I swear my father is clueless. Either he ignores the gossip in town about his son-in-law and Tammy, or he is really just that dense. I watch as he walks down the dock to his patrol car parked in the lot in front of the row of docks. I just shake my head, going in to take a shower.

  That evening I walk to The Gull. I haven't talked to Jim in a few days and am wondering what the new gossip is. When I step into the tavern my eyes go directly to the woman sitting at the bar. It's the same woman I saw watching me today; the drop-dead-gorgeous tourist who is staying at Esther's B&B. I can't help but smile, because I think my night has gotten a whole lot better.

  Chapter 4

  Ellie

  I've been sitting in the little local bar for about fifteen minutes when the running man walks in wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt that shows off his great upper body. I notice him, but look away fast when our eyes meet. I don't know if he recognizes me as the woman who was ogling him today.

  “Hey, Jim.” He sits across the bar on a stool that is a few seats away, but on the curve of the bar so I can see him.

  “Justin,” the bartender greets him, setting down a small glass with some golden liquid in it. The running man, I now know as Justin, smiles in thanks showing off perfect white teeth and sexy-as-hell dimples. I can't help but watch him. He is very attractive; rugged with a firm jaw line, and very muscular arms and broad shoulders. His dark hair is stick straight but short, the front spiked up a bit. I think this is probably the best looking man I've ever seen.

  He notices me watching him and shoots me a panty-wetting smile. I smile back and turn my head to look down at my glass of wine. There's that damn heart flutter again.

  After my small nap, I showered then changed into a short jean skirt and a halter top and decided to take a walk. I found this local tavern, and the name and atmosphere drew me in. The Gull is decked out in a nautical theme, but in a cheesy way. Everything that has to do with boating or water is in this bar. Its walls cluttered with fishing nets, oars, stuffed swordfish, and ship steering wheels among other nautical themed decorations. A captain's bell is above the door that alerts everyone when the door is opened.

  I twirl my wine glass in my fingers as I try to look anywhere but at Justin. Like a prairie dog, my head pops up when I hear Jim, the bartender, start talking about aliens.

  “So the newest is that they were abducted by aliens, but were returned as mermen, because even the aliens thought they were assholes.” Jim is leaning on the bar in front of Justin, telling him the new gossip.

  “Fuck. Mermen, really?” Justin laughs a deep throaty laugh that makes something low in my belly twitter. I'm staring again, and I don't realize it until Justin is watching me back.

  “Oh, sorry,” I apologize for my rude eavesdropping. “It's just that the innkeeper where I'm staying was rambling about some abduction and I was convinced she was crazy,” I try to explain.

  “Esther is crazy, but on this she was just repeating what she's heard,” Justin says, and I realize I just ousted myself as the woman who was staring at him.

  “Ah,” I feel my cheeks get hot, feeling embarrassed. Another emotion I'm not used to feeling. He gets up and moves over to the seat next to me. The tugging in my lower belly gets stronger and I sit up straighter as he turns his stool toward me. I get a waft of his cologne, and goddamn does he smell good.

  “So, here's the story,” Justin says, his voice deep. I can't help but watch his lips as he speaks. “Three brothers leave one morning. They go out to check their cages like they do every morning. A small squall of no significance that lasts less than twenty minutes comes upon them. A mayday message is received by the coast guard from The Sweet Suzy, and by the time the coast guard makes it to the fishing boat, all three brothers are gone. Just vanished without a trace,” Justin enlightens me. I watch his face as he tells the story, and it's like he is talking about a fable, not something that has just happened.

  “Well, if there was a storm maybe they went overboard?” I add, completely enthralled in him and the story.

  “No way. These boys have been fishing these waters since they were in diapers. One, maybe, could have gone over, but all three?” He holds up three fingers, wiggling them for emphasis. He cocks his head like he has made his point and I laugh. It's a nervous laugh, because I am extremely in awe right now of this gorgeous, charismatic man sitting beside me.

  “So what happened to them then?” I ask, taking a sip of my wine. My mouth is dry and my heart is palpitating.

  “You tell me. That's the question on everyone's lips.” He shrugs, finishing his drink. Jim is watching us with amusement on his face as he pours more liquid into Justin's glass. McCallen. I'm impressed at the expensive Scotch he is drinking. “Jim, get this lovely woman a drink,” he says, pushing my now empty wine glass toward Jim's side of the bar.

  “Thank you,” I fold my hands in front of me and turn my body a little so that my legs are closer to Justin. I notice at once that his eyes go down, checking me out. This was not my intention, but the look in his eyes when they make their way back up to mine makes my body hum. I'm pretty sure he was just picturing me naked, and I was just picturing me naked under him.

  “Well, what do you think? It obviously wasn't aliens.” I take a sip of my wine, and then another, trying to calm my very fast beating heart. At the same time I'm thinking I should get the heck out of here before the running man makes me even more of a gooey hot mess.

  “I have no idea, and really, honestly...” He stops mid-sentence and I lean in, waiting for his response. I don't even realize I'm doing it until he looks down between us. Seeing that I'm much closer to him now, he turns his head straight, putting his hand up to his mouth. It is almost a look of disgust. Did I read the signals wrong? Maybe I was being too forward leaning in to him.

  I sit straight again, mortified. What, does he think I'm desperate? Did my lean-in turn him off?

  The look he gives me actually pisses me off, and I want to yell, “You came and sat by me. Sorry if I invaded your personal space, asshole.” My range of emotions right now is scaring me. I finish my wine in one gulp then reach in my bag and grab a twenty.

  “Are you leaving?” He seems shocked by this. Did I just imagine the look he gave me? The man is still hotter than hot to me, which makes me even more pissed off at myself.

  “Yeah, just remembered I have somewhere to be.” I uncross my legs to stand up. Again, his eyes go down for a look. What is your deal? I want to shout at him. One minute he looks at me like he wants to eat me alive, the next he looks at me like I'm the alien.

  “Can I know your name?” he asks with desperation, turning on his stool toward me. I don't answer and push the twenty toward Jim.

  “Let me,” Justin says, pushing my twenty dollar bill back toward me.

  “I wouldn't dream of it,” I purse my lips together to force a smile. I try my hardest to be cool, although I'm sure I look like an idiot as I stumble to get out between the stools with touching him. I try with as much grace as I can muster, and make it through without disturbing his precious space. Walking away I feel their eyes on me, and I can't get to the door fast enough.

  The loud ding of the captain's bell rings as I walk through the doors. Stupid fucking bell.

&nb
sp; Chapter 5

  Justin

  “Smooth, asshole,” Jim blurts as we both watch the fine ass walk out the door. I didn't mean to offend her, but I was just about to admit something to a total stranger that I shouldn't admit to my best friend. That I couldn’t care less what happened to the McGill boys. And, in fact, I was hoping they were all dead. It scared me that I was about to say that in front of a tourist, and I guess the look on my face wasn't a good one.

  “Shit.” I put my head in my hands, thinking about the impression I just made on the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Not only that, but she obviously was liking me too. Well, she was, not so much anymore.

  “Yeah, she was into you, man. You probably could have scored with that one,” Jim says, swinging his hips back and forth, acting like he is fucking someone. Luckily the bar is near empty and no one else sees Jim, because it's not pretty.

  “Must be off my game tonight.” I could have definitely gone for her in my bed. I can't help but laugh at my skinny friend who looks ridiculous making an orgasm face.

  “If I looked like you I'd be fucking every hot smoke bomb that looked my way,” Jim says. He's my age and I guess he's good looking in his own way. He's tall and skinny, and I'm not quite sure he has a single muscle on him.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I wave him off. “I'm out of here. This place is dead.”

  “Well, it was busier until my asshole friend scared off my hot-ass customer. If you didn't want her, at least you could have left her for me.” He holds up his middle finger to me.

  “Over my dead body,” I say without thinking, the thought of anyone with her making my gut twist. Why would I say that? I don't even know her fucking name. Jim gives me a strange look at my comment. Never been the possessive type and he knows it. I ignore him and shake my head of my thoughts as I walk out the door. The captain's bell rings marking my departure. God, I hate that stupid fucking bell.

  Chapter 6

  Ellie

  The next morning, I wake up and decide to go for a walk on the beach. I'm in wonderment of the breathtaking view of the sunrise and don't even realize how far I've gone until I look back and realize that I've been slowly following a bend in the island. I can't see my beach anymore, now walking on a rocky shoreline. In no hurry, I turn around, leisurely walking back.

  Once I reach the sand I remove my sandals, and when hooked onto my fingers, I swing them at my side. I'm wearing white capris and an off-the-shoulder light sweater. I didn't even put a bra on because I thought I would be back before anyone would be out. Luckily I'm still perky so it's not obvious I'm not wearing one.

  Once I'm back on the beach, I see a group of girls who look to be in their early twenties, all in bikinis, giggling. It's not until I get a little closer that I see what they are giggling at. Justin is there with a wakeboard in hand and the four girls are oohing and ahhing over him. I hope to God that is not what I sounded like when I laughed at him last night. He does a double take when he sees me and I try my best to disregard him as he watches me walk by.

  “Ladies, I've got to go,” I hear him say after I've passed the group, and also hear groans of disappointment from the gaggle. I roll my eyes as I hear one of them shout, “But I wanted a lesson,” in the most aggravating whinny voice that makes me want to retch. “Maybe next time,” I hear him reply.

  “Hey,” Justin says, jogging up next to me. When I don't stop he turns so he is jogging backward in front of me. That's when I see it, the tattoo on his shoulder and upper arm. I gasp so loud Justin stops in his tracks.

  A memory flashes before my eyes that I have never thought of until now. I must have been six or seven, sitting at my grandparents' kitchen table. I was coloring in my princess book and was busy trying to find the perfect shade of pink when my grandfather came in. Kissing the top of my head, he whispered, “Hey, they put you in the book.” He chuckled, pointing to the princess on the page. I remember giggling and feeling so happy.

  My grandfather sauntered around the counter to where my grandmother was cooking. Taking a hold of her wrist, he twirled her around placing his hand on her waist. They slow danced cheek to cheek to no music. With another twirl, he let her go after a kiss. I remember laughing at their silliness. After my grandfather danced out of the room, I recall Grandma fanning herself.

  “Sweet girl, I have one wish for you and that is for you to marry a man just like your grandfather,” she said, staring at me with flushed cheeks. “And if he's a frogman, all the better.”

  “Hey, are you okay?” I'm brought out of my memory staring at Justin who is now walking slowly backward, facing me. My eyes fixed on the exact same tattoo my grandfather had. A frog skeleton holding a trident.

  “Umm, yeah.” I stop to collect my thoughts. He notices me staring at his arm, and he looks down for a moment.

  “Most women think it's gross, a frog skeleton, but it does have a meaning—” he starts to explain, but I interrupt him.

  “A frogman.” I must sound whimsical by the way I say it, still remembering my grandmother’s words.

  “Yeah,” he says, watching me, my fingers itching to reach up and touch his arm. “Have you known a SEAL?” His eyes are full of amusement, as I am in a trance.

  “Yes,” I whisper, and finally am able to rip my gaze away from him.

  I can feel my cheeks flush as he turns to walk beside me, barely moving, we continue on at a very slow saunter.

  “Who?”

  “My grandfather was a frogman. I grew up idolizing that same tattoo,” I answer, knowing that this guy is even more bad news now.

  “Oh yeah, not many people know what it means,” he says, stunned.

  “I don't want to keep you from your...whatever you were doing.” I motion to the wakeboard tucked under his arm. Every second I spend in his presence is too long. He just keeps getting more attractive, and the way he is watching me is making my knees weak.

  “You're not, I saw you and I wanted to apologize for last night. I think I gave you the wrong impression,” he says as I slow in front of the B&B.

  “What impression were you trying to give me?” We come to a stop and I don't know if it is really hot all of the sudden or if it is just being so close to him, but my skin feels on fire as he takes a step closer to me.

  “Not the one I gave you,” he says awkwardly. Watching his lips move, I wonder what it would be like to kiss those soft lips. My fingers still longing to touch him, I take a step back before I do. He notices and doesn't appear to like it. The muscles in his jaw twitch and his hand goes through his hair.

  “Okay, well thanks for clearing that up.” I do a half roll of my eyes at his explanation. I don't know why I'm being so icy cold right now. Maybe the urges I am having for him scare me. Maybe I'm afraid to show interest only to get another response like I did last night. I don't wait for an answer and take the steps up the deck two at a time as I hurry away. Sorry, frogman, but I'm not a toy for you to play with.

  Chapter 7

  Justin

  Fuck, why do I get so tongue-tied around her? I watch her climb the deck stairs and go into her room on the second floor. I've never had this problem. Women are attracted to me like flies to honey. I certainly haven't had trouble like this. She's just so beautiful, and she stared at my tattoo like it was a beacon in a storm, there to save her life.

  I turn around after standing in front of the B&B for almost a stalkerish amount of time. I guess I was hoping she would come running out and jump into my arms. Jesus, Justin, get a grip.

  I head back to my boat hoping to get my mind off this woman that hasn't left my thoughts since she walked out of the bar last night. It was no accident that I was on the beach this morning outside where she is staying. It was, however, not my plan to be surrounded by girls when she saw me. That did not do anything to help me out, and like an idiot, I played into their hands. Who doesn't love attention from cute girls after all?

  I call my sister, Suzy, when I get back on my boat.

  “Hey,” she answers, h
er voice soft and sad like it's been for weeks.

  “Sis, how are you doing?” I don't know why I ask such a stupid question, of course she is not doing well. It breaks my heart and I wish I knew what I could do for her.

  “Fine,” she says and I can tell she is not wanting to talk.

  “Did Dad get ahold of you?”

  “Yeah, I'll be back in the morning. I was planning on coming back anyway.” My sister is beautiful, smart, kind, and to hear her down makes me so mad at that son of bitch, Jade McGill. That's why I can't bring myself to feel bad about his disappearance and hopefully his death. I will probably burn in hell for my thoughts, but I don't give a rat's ass. He stole, belittled, and cheated on his wife. He deserved whatever happened to him. After a few more minutes of conversation she tells me she has to go.

  I slam my fist into the sofa. At this moment I wish the bastard was in front of me so I could beat the shit out of him.

  As I sit there stewing it doesn't take long for my mind to wander back to B&B girl. I wish I knew her fucking name. I wish I knew anything about her.

  I've already decided that I will be at The Gull tonight and hope to hell she is there too. One way or another I'm going to find out more about her, even if I have to camp out on the beach in front of the B&B.

  Chapter 8

  Ellie

  I wander about the small room feeling bored out of my mind. I've finished the one book I brought with me. Haven't read a whole book in years, never thought it would only me take me two days to finish one.

  I head downstairs looking for Esther, but don't see her. She has a small rack of things to do on Bailey Island. There are boat rentals, fishing trips, and wakeboard lessons on the neighboring Orr's Island. I open that pamphlet and there's a picture of Justin with a wakeboard in one hand and his arm around a young, skinny blonde. I'm disgusted at the cheesy look on his face, but also in awe at just how handsome he is.