Page 96 of Perfume Girl
With the dashboard lit up with our coordinates and a map of the shoreline, I pointed at it and said, “This is where she was last seen. I’ve tracked the currents. She’s possibly around this region.”
“That’s a lot of water to cover,” she said.
“It’s not an exact science.”
“Binoculars?”
I pointed at the glove compartment in front of her.
“You know this boat well?” She turned to face me. “How long have you volunteered here?”
“About ten years.”
She looked impressed. “So you’ve rescued someone before?”
“As part of a team. Never alone. It’s just us this time.”
Raquel found the binoculars and peered through them. “It’s pretty choppy out there.”
“So says the forecast.” I threw her a wary glance.
“This boat is—” Her gaze roamed over the dashboard. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I like to think so.”
“Did you buy it for them?”
“What does it matter?”
She shrugged as though hinting she was merely making conversation, but I could see she was impressed. I didn’t want accolades. I wanted that young woman safe on land again and her family and friends free of the worry they’d be going through.
We flew across the water at two hundred twenty-eight knots. I checked in with the coastguard for any updates and to share our location.
“I want you to stay.” I glanced at Raquel. “At my place.”
She looked away.
“I made you feel uncomfortable earlier,” I said. “You’re only my prisoner in the bedroom.”
She laughed. “Say that and you may never get rid of me.”
“Maybe I want that.” I surprised myself as much as her, apparently.
Raquel blushed and I found it disarming. “It’s a big thing you’re doing, Astor. Letting me stay at your home.”
I waved that off. “I just wanted to put that out there. That I like having you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“It’s cheaper than a maid,” I joked.
“Very funny. Though I’m not averse to playing a topless maid if that floats your boat.”
“Is there such a thing?”
“You know there is.”
“I’ve never given it any thought.”
