Page 31 of Island Protector

Despite the sunny afternoon, Miles flipped the switch for the overhead lights. He checked the camera in the closest corner. The red light glowed. Whatever had upset Bryce would be available on security footage when he got back to the office.

At first, everything looked okay, and then Miles saw the splatters of red paint on the concrete. He managed not to swear in front of Bryce.

He handed the boy to Sharon. “Got him?”

She nodded.

“You two wait right here,” he instructed.

“Should I call the police?”

His first instinct was to resist. He wasn’t sure he wanted any official help just yet. But it would keep her occupied and distracted. “Sure, go ahead. Can you call Jess too?”

“Yes.” She set Bryce on his feet, blocking the view of the workspace and holding his hand while she made the calls.

Focused, Miles moved closer to the paint spatter. Someone had splashed the red paint across the hull. He followed the drips to the scrawled threat near the stern and groaned. He was really grateful Bryce was concentrating on sight words these days. And that he hadn’t seen the nasty death threat painted in block letters. He looked closer and figured the vandal had dipped their gloved fingers in the paint. None of the markings had any obvious fingerprints.

Annoyed, Miles walked around to the other side of the boat.

“Do boats bleed?”

Miles would’ve laughed if it wasn’t so troubling. Sharon handled the question with her typical steady grace and Miles continued his search.

It did look like blood at first glance and he regretted that Bryce was first to see it. He’d bring him in here and reassure him as soon as he got things cleaned up.

“They’re on their way, Miles,” Sharon called out.

“Thanks,” he said, joining them once more.

“How bad is it?”

“It’s vandalism.” He rolled his shoulders. “Unpleasant, but nothing we can’t fix.” He crouched down to look Bryce in the eye. “I’m sorry you had to see the ugly stuff.”

“You can really fix it?

“Yup. It’ll take a little elbow grease but she’ll be just fine.”

“Boats are girls,” Bryce explained to Sharon.

“Thanks for reminding me.” She kept stroking his hair and shoulders, keeping him calm. “No other damage?”

Miles shook his head.

“Good.” Bryce sniffled and Miles realized he’d been crying. “I was scared for your boat,” he admitted.

“Probably scared we wouldn’t be able to go out in it, right?”

Bryce’s lower lip stuck out. “I want to sail with you.”

“I want that too.” Ruffling the boy’s hair, he stood.

“Who’s that?” Bryce whispered, pointing toward a car pulling up behind the workspace.

Miles turned to see Knox. “A friend of mine.” That gave Miles pause. He hadn’t known Knox was in town. Hadn’t seen him in a few months. “He’s good people.” Jess had told him there was protection close by. He should start trusting her more.

“And there’s the chief,” Sharon added as Caldwell arrived. He stopped his official SUV behind Knox’s vehicle.

“Jess said you have a problem.” He introduced himself to Sharon and Bryce. “Knox Moore. A friend of Miles.” He stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you both.”

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