Page 93 of Murder in the Tea Leaves

A boat slipping in without any running lights. A silhouette, really. And the only reason she noticed it was because it passed in front of a channel marker that had a glowing red light on it.

Could this be something? Is it worth investigating?

Theodosia jabbed an elbow in Drayton’s ribs.

His eyes popped open. “What?”

Theodosia held a finger to her mouth, then pointed.

Drayton eased up from where he’d been hunkered and peered over the tires. He watched for a few moments, then nodded.

“Let’s go,” Theodosia whispered.

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Hunched over, moving as quietly as possible, they approached the boat as it pulled up to the dock. They could make out two men on deck, talking in low voices, moving things about.

“That has to be it,” Theodosia whispered.

“Catch them red-handed?” Drayton whispered back.

Theodosia nodded. Her breath caught in her throat. She was excited and knew they didn’t dare bungle this. They’d have to sneak up to the boat, make sure it was Lewin Usher, and check to see if he was carrying contraband marine artifacts. Then they could creep off to a safe distance and call the police.

Okay, this is it.

The smell of river and dead fish heavy in their noses, Theodosia and Drayton snuck closer to the boat where the two men were talking to each other in low whispers. Carefully, tentatively, they stepped out onto the creaky dock, still moving slowly, hoping to catch the name of the boat, trying to see if they recognized who was on board.

And just as Theodosia stood up, just as Drayton followed her lead, a bright light popped on. Hung from the mast of the boat, it flooded the boat and nearby dock in cold white light.

“Hey there!” one of the men on the boat shouted as he caught sight of them. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The other man on the boat rushed over to the railing and shook his fist. “It’s those darn kids again, isn’t it? You kids get out of here, this whole area’s private property!”

Theodosia and Drayton turned and ran. They’d caught sight of the nets, of two large tubs that probably held their fresh catch of the day. It had been a fishing boat and they’d made a colossal mistake.

They retreated back to the pile of tires.

Drayton was shaking his head. “We messed up.”

“Hard to tell what’s what in the dark,” Theodosia agreed.

They waited, hidden, watching as the two fishermen walked by them, got into a pickup truck, then backed their truck up to the dock. When they’d loaded their catch into the back, they drove off. Upon reaching the main gate, one man jumped out while the other drove the truck through. Then they locked the gate behind them.

“Looks like we’re locked in,” Drayton said. “I hope you don’t intend to stay here all night. I think we’ve pretty much…”

Theodosia held up a hand to quiet Drayton. Another boat was coming in.

“No,” Drayton whispered. “Not again.”

But Theodosia watched carefully as the boat slipped to the dock. And from its shadowy outline, it didn’t look like any fishing boat she’d ever seen before.

“Let’s get closer,” Theodosia whispered. Without waiting for Drayton to answer, she abandoned her hidey spot and sprinted for the dock again. Her head tucked low, she covered ten feet of ground, then hunkered down behind a rough wooden post. She could see a light shining on the deck of the boat and two figures moving around. One person was larger and bulkier and walked slightly bent forward just like Lewin Usher. The other man was taller and thinner and still wore his wet suit peeled down to his waist. They were talking, conferring about something. Their voices were pitched low, but Theodosia could detect a note of urgency and excitement.

Theodosia turned to wave at Drayton, wanting him to join her—and found he was already crouched directly behind her.

“Is it them?” he whispered.

Theodosia nodded. “I think so.”

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