Page 36 of The Tides of March

“Stay away?” Tony yelled as he jogged to keep up. “Don’t worry. Hell will freeze over before you see me again,” he vowed, his voice shaking with anger at Ronan’s betrayal.

Ronan offered him one last salute. “That’s how I’d have it. Stay far, far away from me lad.”

“Fine! Kiss my ass and enjoy the rest of your lonely, shitty life, you oversized asshole!” Tony roared back and hurled the copy of theOdysseyoff the end of the dock, sending it spinning into the boat’s wake.

That was for the best as well, Ronan decided. He’d rather the book rested at the bottom of the marina than imagine Tony holding it and missing him. A memento would act as an invisible cord between them and it was better if that was severed too. He didn’t want Tony dwelling on the good times and wondering if Ronan ever did or if they deserved another chance. Tony’s hopes belonged at the bottom of the sea, along with that book.

Ronan’s heart sank along with it as he turned toward Pooles Island, leaving Tony behind. He couldn’t remember the last timeit had happened, but Ronan cried. He let out loud, heaving sobs that swelled like waves in his chest, bellowing Tony’s name and wishing the sea would swallow his ship. He dared the kraken to come and take him, feeling like he had nothing left to lose.

When he returned to the cottage, the pack whined for Tony, and Fergus and Flynn scratched at the door, desperate to get out and find him.

“He’s gone. Lay down and be quiet or I’ll put ye out,” Ronan had threatened but they were restless all day and Myrtle wanted nothing to do with him. She curled up on her blanket with her back to Ronan and wouldn’t eat the rest of his eggs when he put his plate down for her. “Suppose I deserve that,” Ronan accepted with a heavy sigh and closed his eyes to rest.

The tide would be high that evening and Ronan would need every bit of his strength when the kraken returned.

Fifteen

Tony’s change of heart came courtesy of a surprise visit from Captain Winslow. She appeared at the townhouse on Saturday morning, to Nelson’s delight.

“Tony, you have company,” he called from the foyer and was holding a puppy when Tony came down the stairs.

“Captain Winslow?” he asked and offered his hand. “And who’s this?” he said as Nelson allowed the squirming ball of fluff to lick his face.

Winslow chuckled as she watched them. “He was meant to be a delivery for Ronan O’Sullivan but he wasn’t around when I stopped by Pooles yesterday.”

“He wasn’t there?” Tony winced, not liking the pit growing in his stomach. Just about theonlything guaranteed to bring Ronan out of hiding would be another dog. “Did you see his boat?”

“It was docked and the pack was in the cottage but he didn’t answer the door.”

“And Ronan wasn’t around?”

“I knocked several times and peeked as well as I could in the windows but I couldn’t see him. I waited around in case he was in his orchard or on a walk, but he never showed up.”

“He wouldn’t go without his dogs,” Tony said but Winslow wasn’t paying attention, she had noticed the rolling board. It had been turned so the photos weren’t showing but something had caught her eye.

“I didn’t think so either… I got your name and address from your statement about the kid Ronan found. Your mom told me you were here. Why is the victim’s name there?” she asked as she pointed at it.

Nelson raised his free hand. “Let me,” he told Nox and Tony. “I’m Agent Grady Nelson, of the FBI. Nox and I have been investigating a string of murders, similar to the victim Ronan found.” He turned the board around and Winston whispered a swear, moving in for a closer look.

“Do you think there’s a chance that whatever did this could have gotten to Ronan?” she asked, grimacing at Nelson.

“We are concerned that that’s a possibility,” he admitted and she nodded, casting a nervous glance at Tony.

“I came here hoping to hear that Ronan was recovering in a hospital somewhere.”

“A hospital? Why?” Tony asked, his heart dropping through his stomach.

“There was blood on his doorstep and there were large handprints smeared on the knob and the jamb. I was hoping he had an accident and you rushed him to the mainland.”

Tony looked at Nox, suddenly frantic as he saw Ronan stumbling into his cottage, beaten and bloody. “Okay, you might have been right about the oracle thing and I think we need to gonow.”

“I’ll call it in,” Winston said but Nelson stopped her.

“Could you extend me a little professional courtesy and let us take this one? I can give you the number for the attorney general’s office, if you have any concerns,” he said as he guided her to the door.

She was hesitant but followed. “If you’re sure you have this under control… I have a feeling this might be above my pay grade.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Nelson replied, returning the puppy to her care. “But thanks for stopping by and giving us the benefit of the doubt.” He closed the door behind Winston and shook his head. “Let’s hope her trust isn’t misplaced. What do you want to do?” he asked Nox.

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