Page 60 of Deep Waters

Dominic raised his eyebrows. “Darling, you have a short memory. You know better than anyone what certain people are capable of. There has to be something in it if the cops are hunting for him. They were down by the marina earlier, checking over Stew’s boat. I saw them myself, straight across the river from the station.”

Christian stiffened. “So, he’s not in custody? He’s still out there?”

“Yeah.”

Christian leapt to his feet. “I have to warn Harry. If he came for Tom, he could go after him, too.” He dialled the number, pacing the floor while he waited for an answer.

When Harry picked up, Christian couldn’t hear anything but static and roaring wind.

“…ello,” Harry said.

“Hey. Can you hear me?”

“…eally hard…what…aying?”

“Harry, where are you?”

The reply was garbled. Harry’s voice was lost in the wind and the terrible connection.

Christian’s pulse pounded in his temples. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but you need to be careful. Stay away from Reece Wallace. Did you get that? Reece Wallace. He’s wanted by the police.”

The line went dead.

“Fuck!”

“What is it?” Dominic asked.

“Shitty connection. It sounded like he was in a wind tunnel. I don’t think he could hear me, either.”

Arnie was on his feet. “Send a text. He should get that wherever he is.”

Christian hurriedly composed the message.

Reece Wallace is trouble. Police want him for murder. If you see him, stay away.

His hands shook as he hit Send. “Damn, this isn’t good enough. What if he doesn’t get it?”

“We don’t know for sure that Reece will go after Harry,” Arnie said.

“Yes,” Dominic added. “And if he knows the police are after him, there’s a good chance he’s left town. He’s probably miles away from here.”

Their words could not quell the terror that gnawed at his insides. Harry was in danger. He was certain of it.

Christian wouldn’t relax until he knew Harry was safe.

He had to take action.

Chapter Twenty-One

“I can’t really hear what you’re saying,” Harry shouted. He turned his back to the wind, and his head away from it, but it was no good. All he could make out was static. “I’m out by the south pier. The reception is terrible. I’ll call you back in twenty minutes or so.” He hung up and shoved the phone into his coat pocket.

Christian was probably calling to find out where he was and arrange a time for them to meet. As soon as he was finished with Antoni, Harry would track him down.

Antoni was about halfway out on the pier. He didn’t appear to have noticed Harry’s arrival. His camera was pointed towards North Point, no doubt capturing some strong images as the waves smashed against the jagged rocks beneath the cliff. Harry shoved his hands in his pockets for warmth and headed towards him.

Waves pounded the base of piers and washed over the lower tier. In an hour from now, he reckoned it would not be safe to walk on. At least the rain had held off. He hoped it continued until he was in the warmth of Quay House or The Fisherman’s Arms.

“Antoni,” he shouted as he got nearer, but his words were carried away on the wind blowing in the wrong direction. Harry strengthened his stance and battled on.