Page 55 of Nightshade

The delay gave Stilwell time to leave the sub and go to the harbormaster’s tower. As he headed out, he told Mercy he’d be on the radio.

After he was buzzed through the door to the tower, he saw both Tash Dano and her boss, Dennis Lafferty, in the control room. Stilwell had only come by to see Tash and tell her he was back, but Lafferty’s presence made the moment awkward. Lafferty knew that Stilwell and Tash were a couple, but he wasn’t keen on seeing it displayed in the workplace. Stilwell kept a professional demeanor.

“Just checking in,” he said. “Wanted to see what the weekend looks like.”

“The season is underway,” Lafferty called from the control desk. “Another full house.”

Stilwell nodded. “Okay, we’ll be ready,” he said. “Anything else happening that I should know about?”

“Not here,” Tash said.

“They figure out who that was in the water last week?” Lafferty asked.

“Not as far as I know,” Stilwell said. “Overtown sheriffs are handling it.”

He gave Tash a surreptitious wink. She suppressed a smile.

“Figures,” Lafferty said. “Happens here, and they investigate from over there. No wonder shit never gets solved.”

“Not my call,” Stilwell said. “Anyway, let me know if you need me.” He said it looking at Tash.

“Will do,” Lafferty said.

“Dennis, I’m going to hit the restroom,” Tash said.

“Go with God,” Lafferty said.

On the stairs down to the lower level, where the restrooms and Lafferty’s office were located, Tash squeezed Stilwell’s arm and whispered, “Welcome back. How did it go over there?”

“Not bad. Got some stuff done. How’s everything here?”

“Same old, same old. Waiting for the weekend crush.”

When they got to the exit, she gripped his arm tighter and then swiveled him into a hard kiss. Stilwell went with it.

When she broke it off, she said, “Just remember, you belong out here.”

“I know,” he said. “Your place or mine tonight?”

“Yours. I’ll be by.”

“Okay, bring more of that.”

She smiled and he smiled back as he pushed open the door. He watched her duck into the restroom, and then, a grin still on his face, he turned to find Lionel McKey waiting for him.

“No comment,” he said before the reporter could speak.

“No comment on what?” McKey asked.

“Whatever you’re about to ask me.”

He started walking down the pier. McKey followed.

“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask you.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Anything new on the body in the water?”

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