Page 27 of Tiki Hut Tragedy
Millie immediately recognized the voice on the other end. “Grand Turk Marine Rescue has requested us to search a specific area,” Patterson replied. “We think it’s possible the passengerdrifted away from the area where the incident occurred.”
“Drifted?”
“Our security team noticed something unusual not far from the rocks that protect the barrier reef. Unfortunately, the marine rescue’s jet ski is currently unavailable. They’re working on securing a second vessel to access the spot. In the meantime, they’ve asked if we could send someone over to check it out.”
“I’m on it.” Sharky promised Patterson he would head out shortly. He ended the call and held up his finger. “Hang tight. I got one more call to make.”
“Take your time.”
“Oscar, do you copy?”
“Go ahead, Sharky.”
“Patterson wants me to take the PRV out again.”
“I’m at the docking ramp now. Your guys can have it ready to roll in less than five.”
“10-4. I’ll meet you there.” Sharky set his radio on the desk. “Sorry about that, Millster.”
“We have a small favor to ask, but it can wait.”
“It’ll take a few minutes to get the rescue vehicle ready. What’s up?”
She introduced the pastor and explained how his coffee maker had quit working.
“Let me take a quick look.” Sharky removed it from the box and placed it on top of the filing cabinet. “This is a nice machine but on the temperamental side.”
He filled the reservoir with water and pressed the start button. Nothing happened.
He pressed it a second time. It made a loud grinding noise, but the water refused to percolate, leaving the pot empty. Sharky unplugged it from the wall. “I’ve had a couple of these come through my office in the last month. The heating element is fried.”
“Can you fix it?” the pastor asked.
“Yeah. As a matter of fact, I have a spare part around here somewhere. Give me a day or two and I’ll have it percolating to your heart’s content.”
“This is great news.” The pastor gave him his cell phone number, asking him to call when it was fixed so he could run down and pick it up.
Millie motioned to the radio. “Patterson is sending you back out to search for the missing woman.”
Sharky grimaced. “It ain’t lookin’ good. She’s part of a group on board.”
“The Belly Busters,” Millie said. “I was there when it happened. The tiki hut tipped, and the women fell into the water.”
“It was mass confusion. People screaming, trying to grab hold of the PRV. It’s nothing short of a miracle one of them didn’t get run over.”
“Do you think that’s what happened to the missing woman…that she may have gotten struck, hit her head and drowned?”
“Not by my Quadski. The poor guy who was in charge of the hut did his best, but those women were in full panic mode by the time I showed up.” Sharky slipped his helmet on and motioned to Millie. “I gotta get going. You wanna go with me?”
Millie grimaced. “Riding on the PRV?”
“Sure.”
“I dunno.”
“Let’s talk and walk.” Sharky hurried to the door and into the hall with Millie and Pastor Haakenson trailing behind. “I know what area Patterson wants me to check. It’s rocky and a little rough. I could use an extra set of eyes.”
A cluster of crewmembers gathered near the inflatable ramp. The Quadski sat near the top, gassed up and ready to roll.
