Page 20 of On the Beat

“Maybe you should listen to her.” I do have some experience with children–my last job before high school ended and I left Kentucky was lifeguarding at a local pool – And if needed, I could probably just drag this kid back to the shore, but his mom probably wouldn’t appreciate him being manhandled by a stranger. “Sometimes, our moms are right about things.”

“What about when she tells you to eat vegetables? Is your mom right then?”

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I haven’t figured that one out yet, but I’m sure your mom just doesn’t want you to drown.”

“I won’t drown!” Eddie says with a chuckle, even as the waves are lapping at his chin. “You know why?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m Aquaman!” He gestures toward his suit, which is indeed imprinted with an image of the latest Aquaman movie poster.

“Well, maybeI’mworried about drowning,” I say, steadily inching toward the shore. A wave hits the back of my neck. “And I need Aquaman to bring me safely to the beach.”

“Aquaman isn’t a lifeguard,” Eddie says. “He’s way cooler than that.”

I wince a little. Maybe my “gently encouraging children to do the right thing” skills are rusty. “Well, Aquaman had to keep his superpowers a secret. Your mom doesn’t know that you’re Aquaman, so she’s probably scared that you’ll drown.”

“Eddie!” His mother calls again. “Come back here or we’re having lunch without you!”

I check my waterproof watch. “It looks like it’s lunchtime. If you see any fish, go talk to them and tell them to look out for me, OK?”

Eddie laughs and I realize that during our conversation, we’ve reached the shore. Well, almost the shore, meaning when I stand upright, the water barely grazes my waist. “I would, mister, but I don’t even know your name.”

“It’s Ryder. Ryder Black.”

He taps his chin. “A superhero sidekick should have a better name.”

I chuckle. This kid is bold. “Well, how about you think of one for me, and you can tell me next time, okay? Looks like you’re going to miss lunch.”

“Okay, Tito Ryder!” He runs through the low tide, back toward his family.

I laugh at the way he addresses me as his ‘uncle’ before I return to the deep end, no longer feeling so alone.

Chapter 11: Isla Romero

The beach houseshouldbe an oasis.

Waves crashing against the shore, the sounds of seagulls cawing, the smell of salt stinging the air… Palm trees and small cabanas shade tourists in their shadows, while delicious food and fresh fruit are available almost ubiquitously. It ought to be some kind of eden.

Instead, it might be my own personal ring of hell. And the person who sent me here is calling for an update.

“Jane!” I move into the one area of the house with somewhat decent cell service as I wince at the long-distance fees from my editor calling me while I’m here. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”

Well, more like,hearing your voice is reminding me that I might soon fail at my job, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“Isla,” she says, her tone as friendly as ever. “How are things going?”

“Great,” I say. “I mean, I found him, I’m in El Nido.”

“Yes, the driver told me you wanted to stay with a relative? I appreciate your trying to save money, Isla, but–”

“No, it’s because…” I lower my voice, half out of fear of being heard, and partially from the fear that ensues from interrupting my editor. “Ryder Black is actually friends with my cousin.”

“Wow, really.” Jane sounds impressed, like she thinks I have illustrious connections now. At least, that’s what I hope she’s thinking. “That’s so great to hear, Isla. I’m glad things are going better than expected. I thought you’d have to follow the paparazzi to tail this guy, when it turns out he’s actually staying right under your nose. Anyway, Isla, have you talked to him?”

“Oh, we’ve… We’ve exchanged words.”

“Good, good. I want you to get me that story, okay? I don’t care how long it takes or what you have to do to get it, Isla, but our readers would love to hear about Ryder Black’s sudden drop off the face of the earth.” She laughs again at her own remark. “I have to run. I’ll talk to you later!”

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