Backwater Tide

by Steven Becker

  The crew of the Contender worked with surprising efficiency. They hauled Slipstream over the gunwales and quickly had both him and DeWitt secured.

  Mac and Ray had immediately assessed the situation and after climbing aboard were quickly in the engine room repairing whatever had been done to allow the boat to take on water. Slipstream had taken the sabotage one step further than I’d thought in his attempt to scuttle the Reale and keep the site of the Sumter a secret. Mac and Ray, having stemmed the incoming water, were now working on rewiring the pumps. Her engines would need an overhaul, but Mac and Ray had saved the boat.

  I could barely hear Grace reading Slipstream and DeWitt their Miranda rights as the pumps finally started to remove the water from the Reale.

  I was another story. After moving me to the Contender, Grace and Justine both fussed over my head wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

  “Y’all need to get him to the hospital.” Ray rose from the engine compartment and called to the captain of the police boat. “Me and Mac got this. Just send a tow.”

  I tried to get up and thank them, but Justine held me down. I looked up at her and Grace, working together to help me, and noticed something had changed between them. It would probably never be said out loud, but I sensed that a new bond had been forged—I could only hope so.

  The captain started the engines and Justine rose and moved toward him. “Can you hold on for a second?”

  I strained to see what she was up to as she climbed back aboard the Reale. Grace relaxed her grip on me enough for her to see as well, but not enough to let me stand. Justine went for her bag and pulled out a small dry box. She reached down into the hold and handed it to Mac. They exchanged a few words and she was back aboard the Contender.

  “What was that about?” I asked her over the whine of the Contender’s twin engines.

  “It came from Gross’s office. Some files he was working on. Figured Mac might be the one to figure them out.”

  I was coherent enough to know she had broken the chain of evidence. “You going to get in trouble for that?” I asked, glancing at Grace at the same time to see if things really had changed, and saw the two women exchange a conspiratorial look.

  “Let’s call him an expert witness,” Grace said.

  I tried to smile, but it hurt. Before I could thank her, the captain swung the bow of the boat toward Miami. The momentum of the boat caused me to fall back into Justine’s arms. Not that I had any fight left in me, but if there was anyplace I wanted to be, it was right there.

  About the Author

  Always looking for a new location or adventure to write about, Steven Becker can usually be found on or near the water. He splits his time between Tampa and the Florida Keys - paddling, sailing, diving, fishing or exploring.

  Find out more by visiting www.stevenbeckerauthor.com or contact me directly at

  booksbybecker@gmail.com.

  Get my starter library First Bite for Free!

  when you sign up for my newsletter

  http://eepurl.com/-obDj

  First Bite contains the first book in each of Steven Becker's series:

  Wood’s Reef

  Pirate

  Bonefish Blues

  By joining you will receive one or two emails a month about what I’m doing and special offers.

  Your contact information and privacy are important to me. I will not spam or share your email with anyone.

  Wood’s Reef

  "A riveting tale of intrigue and terrorism, Key West characters in their full glory! Fast paced and continually changing direction Mr Becker has me hooked on his skillful and adventurous tales from the Conch Republic!"

  Pirate

  "A gripping tale of pirate adventure off the coast of 19th Century Florida!"

  Bonefish Blues"I just couldn't put this book down. A great plot filled with action. Steven Becker brings each character to life, allowing the reader to become immersed in the plot."

  Get them now (http://eepurl.com/-obDj)

  Also By Steven Becker

  Kurt Hunter Mysteries

  Backwater Bay

  Backwater Channel

  Backwater Cove

  Backwater Key

  Backwater Pass

  Mac Travis Adventures

  Wood’s Relic

  Wood’s Reef

  Wood’s Wall

  Wood’s Wreck

  Wood’s Harbor

  Wood’s Reach

  Wood’s Revenge

  Wood’s Betrayal

  Wood’s Tempest (October 2018)

  Tides of Fortune

  Pirate

  The Wreck of the Ten Sail

  Haitian Gold

  Will Service Adventure Thrillers

  Bonefish Blues

  Tuna Tango

  Dorado Duet

  Storm Series

  Storm Rising

  Storm Force