10. West
CHAPTER 10
WEST
I step off the boat to untie the knot. I’ve got the motor running, and it’s time for a little test drive. I still have lots of cosmetic things to fix, but I’d like to give it a whirl, and the tides and weather are favorable today.
Might as well see how this thing runs.
It’s been years since I’ve been sailing, so we’ll see just how much I remember.
A quick thump-thump-thump has me turning around to see who’s running down the dock toward me.
It’s Sydney.
No wonder her legs are so lean if she does this much running in a day as a normal thing.
I can’t deny the relief I feel at seeing her again. It’s not like I care about her specifically; it’s that I care about the loss of a life. And it’s damn good to see her running toward me with wide eyes.
“You were right.” She stops directly in front of me, standing there on the dock, breathing so heavily she’s practically rocking the boards beneath our feet.
“I usually am.” I fold my arms across my chest as I glance up at the parking lot. I can’t see her car from down here, but if she left it in plain sight, then it’s only a matter of time before they catch up with her. And she’s bringing them to my doorstep, so to speak.
She glances behind her shoulder then turns back to me. “They were waiting at the police station. I need to get out of here.”
“Yes, you do. I suggest you drive as far and as fast as you can. You find a police station in a big city, and you go in there at a dead run. They’ll have the resources to get you somewhere safe. Otherwise, you’re dead.”
It’s abrupt. Blunt. Maybe not the soft, encouraging words she’s looking for. But they are the ones she needs to hear.
“Why can’t you help me?” she asks as I bend down to loosen the line. Her face pops down next to me.
“Because I’m going sailing.”
Her hair dangles as she bends over next to me. “You’re a retired cop.”
I freeze briefly at her words but figure if I ignore her long enough, maybe she’ll go away.
“Aren’t you required to protect and serve?”
“Not anymore I’m not.”
“I just need somewhere to hide where they won’t find me. Just while I figure my way out of this mess.”
“They’re going to find you here,” I snap back as I point to the wide-open port parking lot.
“I parked my car at the RV park. Please help me.”
I straighten, turn around, and stare down into those glorious green eyes that are big enough to lose myself in and say, “No.”