Chapter 51
The petty officers secured the crew and searched the entire boat. They looked in every nook and cranny, but didn't find Tonya anywhere.
One by one, I interviewed the scumbags.
They all kept their mouths shut.
All but one. The bunny shooter. "Rory tossed her overboard.”
My brow lifted with surprise. "When?”
"When the helicopter was inbound. He didn't want anything incriminating aboard the boat.”
Daniels groaned and notified Lieutenant Coleman. The Coast Guard began search and rescue operations.
"What condition was she in when she was tossed overboard?" I asked.
The bunny shooter said, "She was gagged and tied up. There's no way she survived. Not with swells like this.”
Paige’s eyes filled. Rage and sorrow twisted her face. The tears spilled over, and she wanted to punch the guy. I held her back.
"They’ll find her," I assured. “They're good at that kind of thing."
"Tonya can't swim," Paige sobbed.
She broke down, her chest heaving and jerking.
My heart went out to her. It wasn’t looking good for her sister.
We wrapped up on the boat. The prisoners were taken back to the station and transferred into the sheriff’s custody. The Echelon was impounded.
I took Paige back to the station in the Raptor. Paris was there with her crew to capture footage and get sound bites. I declined to comment.
A deputy took Paige back to the Coral Cottage to gather her things. With Rory off the streets, she was safe. But she didn’t want to spend the night there.
After I filled out paperwork and logged the evidence, I took the Raptor back to Diver Down.
Buddy was ready for a walk when I got back to the Avventura.
I grabbed his leash and took him out, then hopped on my bike and headed up to the hospital to check on JD.
He’d been admitted, and they were keeping him overnight.
“You get that son of a bitch?” he grumbled when I stepped into his room.
Two gorgeous blondes kept him company. He’d played the sympathy card, and they were going to nurse him back to health with some TLC.
I gave him an update, and a frown pulled his mouth when I told him about Tonya.
“I’m sorry to hear that. She seemed like a nice girl.”
“Don’t give up yet,” I said, trying to be optimistic.
Jack knew better. He shook his head.
“How are you?”
“Well, right now, they’ve got me dosed up, and I don’t feel a whole hell of a lot. No bones. No major arteries. Non-displaced fracture of the clavicle. 6-8 week recovery. Looks like you’re going to have to do the heavy lifting for a while.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“I’m too ornery to die,” he said with a grin.
“Well, it seems like you’re in good hands. Do you need anything?”
Jack smiled and looked at the ladies. “I think I’ve got everything I need.”
“We’ll take good care of him,” one of the blondes assured.
I chuckled. I had no doubt they would.
I said goodnight and left Jack in their capable hands.
The ride back to the Avventura was calm. At this time of night, there wasn’t much traffic. It was a moment to decompress and clear my head.
I returned to the boat and settled in for the evening. Still amped up on adrenaline, I tossed and turned all night. The things Rory had done to those girls still haunted me. A jail cell was too good for the guy.
Isabella called in the morning with interesting news.