Chapter 32
Icalled Jack again. He finally picked up the phone and answered in a hushed tone. "What's going on?"
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm more than okay. You remember those two redheads…"
I laughed. "Two assholes just tried to kill me.”
I gave him the details.
"Well, I'm definitely having a better night than you are.”
"That's an understatement,” I said. “You need to keep an eye on your six.”
“I say we pay Shane Phillips a visit tomorrow.”
We talked for a bit, then I let him get back to the redheads.
I made my way below deck and checked on Ariel. I woke her as instructed. She peeled open a sleepy eye and looked annoyed by the disturbance.
"You doing okay?”
"Yeah. I totally forgot where I was for a second."
I smiled. "It happens.”
"Alright, go back to sleep," I said.
"What time is it?”
"A little after 3:00 AM."
"Have you been to sleep yet?”
I shook my head.
"What have you been doing?"
"You didn't hear the gunshots?"
Her eyes rounded. "Gunshots?"
"Go back to sleep. I'll explain tomorrow."
"I'm not sure I want to go back to sleep now."
"Everything is fine. Call me if you need anything.”
“Aye-aye, captain,” she said with a mock salute. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Thanks again.”
"My pleasure."
I left Ariel, then climbed up to the bridge deck and settled in for bed.
It had been a full day, and I was ready for some shut-eye.
I didn’t think Shane would try anything again tonight, considering the fact that his friend had been killed.
Their ambush had been an utter fiasco. Still, I slept with my pistol at the ready and never fully dozed off.
It was that half-ass, thin sleep. My mind raced, flooded with adrenaline.
I woke with the sunrise, pulled myself out of bed, and went through my morning routine. After a shower and shave, I headed down to the galley and started grilling up breakfast. It wasn't long before Ariel joined me.
"You're looking better than you were last night," I said, even though the bruise was looking worse.
"Are you saying I didn't look good?"
"You puked twice in Jack's car,” I said dryly.
She cringed. "I guess there's no forgetting that, is there?”
"No harm, no foul.”
"What a way to make a first impression," she said.
"There's still time to redeem yourself. It hasn't been 24 hours yet.”
"Is that the rule now? 24 hours to make an impression."
"I don't know if it's a rule, but I'm willing to roll with it if you are.”
She smiled. "Deal.”
"What do you want for breakfast?" I asked.
"Whatever you're fixing.”
"Ham and cheese omelettes okay?"
Ariel nodded.
The smell of coffee swirled, and bacon sizzled in the pan. We dished plates and chowed down on the sky deck, soaking up the amber rays of morning.
I told her all about my misadventures last night.
Her jaw dropped. "I can't believe I slept through that."
"Well, you were medicated.”
“True.”
“What are your plans for the day?” I asked.
“I figured I would run back to my apartment and gather some things. I need to run a few errands. I’d like to stay another night here, if that’s okay. You know, doctor’s orders.”
I chuckled. “That’s okay.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not imposing. How’s that feeling?” I asked, wincing as I motioned to the bruise.
“Sore, but I’ll live.”
My phone buzzed with a call from the sheriff. I swiped the screen and held the device to my ear. “What is it now?”
“Get over to Salt Point Harbor.”
“I’m on leave, remember?”
“Not anymore, you’re not.”