Page 14 of Austen

Shoot.He simply didn’t have that many real friends.And sure, Stein couldn’t exactly be a friend—frankly, that was the problem.Anyone who got close enough to be a real friend was on his payroll.

Still.“Steinbeck!”He’d left the restaurant, walking out to the dock, and maybe it looked desperate, but—“Stein!”

The man turned, and it seemed Declan’s appearance shook him because he stopped and took in a breath as if bracing himself.What?The coincidence of meeting Steinbeck felt almost providential, but...well, maybe Stein had come to the Keys because of Austen.

Not unlike Declan, so...

Stein’s mouth tightened, his hands in his pockets, and the strangest sense that he wanted to run or maybe...hit him?...snaked through Declan.Because the narrow-eyed look on Steinbeck’s face, the fact that he didn’t extend his hand to Declan, felt off.

Which only put a burr in Declan.“What’s going on?I’ve called a dozen times, texted more.You okay?”

Steinbeck glanced at the man standing a little away from him.Looked back at Declan.“Yeah, I’m good.”

A beat.“I was worried after...after you were shot.”

“Thanks for your help getting me home.”

Declan nodded, frowned.Another beat.“Is...did I do something to offend?—”

“No.Listen, I gotta go.Austen’s...”He closed his mouth.

Something about the way Stein looked past him to the harbor, then sighed, made Declan’s gut clench.“What about Austen?Is she okay?”He looked to the other man.He wore an Ocean Adventure Divers T-shirt, so probably part of a local dive operation.Oh no.“Is she injured?”

“She’s missing,” said the man.He held out his hand.“You’re Declan Stone?”

Declan met his grip.

“People around here know you,” the man said.“Hawthorne Marshall.People call me Hawkeye.”

Right.“Yeah.What’s going on with Austen?”He looked back to Stein.

Stein blew out a breath, met Declan’s gaze.“She put out for the DR two days ago to do some diving.”

It took a second.“Alone?”

Stein nodded.“And...her PLB just went off.”

Personal Locator Beacon.“Is she in trouble?”

“Dunno.I can’t get ahold of her boat.It’s not responding, and no one seems to be able to locate it.”Stein swallowed, ran a hand across his mouth.Shook his head.“So, yeah.I think?—”

“The DR, you said?”

“Yeah.Lots of squalls down there right now, so maybe...could be her communication got knocked out.Maybe that’s why she turned on the PLB.”

Declan glanced at the yacht.Seemed they’d finished refueling.He turned back to Stein.“Did you alert the Coast Guard?”

“In the Dominican Republic?I was just on my way to do that.”He glanced at Hawkeye.“We’re taking out his boat, heading down there.”

“Come with me,” Declan said.“I can?—”

“No.”Stein blew out a breath.“But I guess two boats are better than one.I’ll send you her PLB signature.”And for the first time, Stein seemed to be the man Declan knew.“I’ll keep you informed.”

“I’ll find her, Stein.I will.”

Stein’s mouth tightened.He nodded.Then he held out his hand.

Huh.Declan shook it.

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