Page 56 of The Bone Hacker

“You got pen and paper?”

“I prefer to record notes on my phone.” I scrolled to the appropriate app.

“Suit yourself. I’m going to give you a quick verbal. If Musgrove has questions, she knows where to find me. Otherwise, everything will be in my report.”

I gestured with a twirled finger that she should proceed.

“The boat was in perfect working order, but out of gas. The captain—”

“Martin Patrick Doyle,” I supplied while trying to process what Flores had just said.

“Doyle had an onboard management system that connected to his mobile device. VesselView.”

“VesselView is a program that transfers data to a phone.” I wanted to be sure I understood.

“Yes. The captain uses Bluetooth to display gauge informationon his or her iPhone or Android. The system allows him or her to monitor all engines and customize data points across screens. Got it?”

I nodded, not totally clear but figuring I could google a full explanation later.

“The captain receives alerts if something isn’t right with the engine. The program assists with troubleshooting. I’m really abbreviating here.”

“It would troubleshoot a problem like low fuel?”

“Yes.”

“Doyle was an experienced captain.”

“So I’m told.”

“How could he have run out of gas?” I began spitting out issues as they came to me. “Wouldn’t he have known the tank was low? Why didn’t he radio for help or head back to the marina?”

“Excellent questions. Which I can’t answer.”

“And where the hell is Musgrove?”

“And another.”

More tense silence.

As minutes ticked by, I felt my gut clench. Musgrove was anxious to clarify these boater deaths. She’d been planning to visit her sister after this meeting.

There are cells in my subconscious that nag when something smells off. I suspect everyone has them. But mine can be quite bullish. Right then they were clamorously sounding alarms.

“This isn’t right,” I said.

“What’s not right is this bitch wasting my time.”

“I’ve gotten to know Detective Musgrove over the past week. I’m certain she wouldn’t just blow us off.”

Flores studied me, blue eyes hard.

“She could be sick,” I said. “We should check on her.”

“Hell no. Colossal hell no.”

“Let’s swing by her home.”

“Chica, my time here is limited. I—”

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