Page 27 of Secrets in Calusa Cove

And the eyes in the water were always watching.

He pushed the gas, turned on his spotlight, and headed west. As frightening as the landscape could be, it was also one of the most beautiful places in the world. He slapped his arm when a mosquito bit through his shirt. He headed up Snake River. It was only called that because it bent nine times. Gator Junction had gotten its name when one of the largest gators ever recorded in Florida’s history had been found there. For whatever reason, they named the thing a “junction”—weird-ass name.

The waterway narrowed, and the trees covered the sky. The sun had dipped completely behind the horizon, but her light wasn’t totally gone. However, the thick branches of the trees made it feel like midnight. He checked the time. Nearly an hour had passed since he’d spoken to his buddy.

Thankfully, this part was short, and he eased into a wider body of water. He took the west fork and found the island.

No Audra.

Well, damn.

He continued when his light flashed across something—no, someone. He released the gas lever.

“Hey. Over here.” Audra stood on the bow of her boat, waving her arms above her head. Her fiery hair was piled on top of her head in a sexy mess.

His fingers itched to wrap in the strands of that thick mane. Jesus, he had some serious issues.

He cut the engine and tossed her a line, helping her secure the boat so he could tow it back to the docks, which would be tricky through Snake River, but he’d manage. “What the hell happened?”

“Seems I’ve got a hole in the fuel pump.” She tied the line to her bow.

“Not a good way to start the challenge.”

“Nope, and someone cut it on purpose,” she mumbled.

“Excuse me? How do you know that?”

“I saw them do it. They also must’ve messed with my radio as well as left me these.” She handed him a small bundle of dynamite.

He stiffened. Well, that changed everything.

“You saw someone put this in your boat?” he asked.

“Well, no,” she said. “But I saw someone in a mask on my boat while I was on the island with no name. They untied my vessel, and when I got to it, I had no radio, no way to start the engine, and I found that. So, I’d say someone wants me to go away. And what’s interesting about this is my dad’s boat had a fuel line issue when he went missing,” she said. “Feels like a strange omen.”

“Yeah, I read that.” He nodded. “Trip put in his report that it most likely happened when you ran aground. However, my secretary believes it might not have been a malfunction.”

“Because it wasn’t—just like today.” She took his hand and boarded his vessel. “And it’s not the only mishap I had today.”

He cocked his head.

“Someone shot down my drone.”

“Excuse me? As in with a bullet and a gun?”

“No. With their finger and air.” She raised her hand and pretended to shoot him. She blew on her index finger and shoved it in her pocket before winking.

He’d seen her sarcasm firsthand earlier. “I’ll need to look at that drone when we get back to the docks. I’ll text the mechanic we use for Everglades Overwatch to come to look at your boat tonight. I also need to take that dynamite and check it into evidence.” This soured his mood even more. Things like fuel pumps failing on old airboats happened, but drones being shot from the sky didn’t. And dynamite didn’t magically appear—especially not right after he’d made an arrest.

“No, and not necessary, but thank you.”

“Are you always this stubborn?” He shoved the spotlight in her hand and eased the airboat forward. It would be dark by the time they got back. His stomach growled. He hated going without a meal, and eating late only made his heartburn kick up. “I’m honestly not asking, and as the chief of police, I can’t ignore a crime.” He pointed to the explosives. “Especially when I might know where that came from.”

“Seriously?”

He nodded. “I arrested two men earlier today who had it loaded on their boat.”

“That can’t be a coincidence.”

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