Page 91 of The Sea Witch's Son

Chapter 33

MARLIN

I made a mistake.

Something that does not happen often.

The thought puts me in a foul mood as I watch Gus string up Finley in one of the shower stalls. His unconscious body slumps to the side, the coil locking his hands above the rusty knob the only thing keeping him from falling to the floor.

“How much did you give him?”

Agitation and exhaustion has me twisting my family ring round and round. Swim practice is in less than five hours, but this particular nuisance could not wait.

“The amount you told me.” Gus shrugs, “I thought he would be awake by now.”

The imbecile doesn’t know a teaspoon from a tablespoon. It would not surprise me in the slightest to learn he killed Finley by accident.

“Wake him up.”

He sighs, “Then can I go home? I’m fucking tired.”

“No.”

Gus mutters something under his breath before walking over and tapping Finley’s shoulder. When that doesn’t work, he slaps him across the face.

“I think he’s dead.” He offers me a shrug, “My vote is we call it a night. Reconvene in the morning.”

My eyes narrow, “If he’s dead, I will make sure you wake up tomorrow with five less toes and no thumbs.”

He grimaces, “Can you make sure it’s my left foot? The right one is a lot cuter.”

The only reason I don’t pull out my razor and start cutting is because Finley finally starts to stir.

“W-what?”

Part slur, part mumble, the sleeping drugs are not kind on the mind.

“Good evening, Finley.”

Drowsy eyes find mine and I wait for the panic to sink in.

“Captain.” He pulls at the shower head to no avail, “I didn’t think we were doing rookie initiations this year.”

“I’m afraid this isn’t an initiation. This is more of a personalsituation.”

“I’m afraid you lost me.” Glancing at Gus, Finley gives him a friendly smile, “Would you mind untying me?”

Gus smirks, crossing his inflated arms, “Hell no.”

“I’m curious. What were you going to do after Melody’s body was found?” Stepping over the shower drain, I wander closer, “Were you going to play dumb? Hoping I wouldn’t find out it was you?”

Finley blinks, “Melody is dead?”

“Not as dead as you’d like her to be.” I tilt my head, studying him, “We both made a mistake tonight, Finley, except yours was much worse.”

“Did she fall and hit her head?” His eyes widen, “Can she even swim?”

“The act is cute, but I’ve heard enough. Gus?”

---