Page 59 of Off the Hook

Spencer glanced back at me peering in the doorway and waved me away.

The pea gravel crunched under my flip flops as I pranced back to the dock as fast as I could. I crouched down in the skiff beside the picnic basket.

“What the hell is going on? Did you sink the skiff?” I heard Coulter say.

“Give me your keys. The skiff is down on the dock,” his dad replied.

“Where are you going?” Coulter asked.

“Home. Have fun,” his dad said, which made me snicker under my breath.

“What do you mean ‘have fun’? I thought you needed help?” Coulter called after him.

“Quit arguing and go to the damn dock, son,” his father demanded.

“Oh, so byhelpyou meant you need me to fix it on my own? Thanks, Dad.”

“I can’t fix everything for you. Now it’s on you. Just remember, go West, young man.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Coulter yelled but Spencer didn’t answer. A moment later, I heard the engine of Coulter’s truck start. “I didn’t break the damn thing. Least you can do is help fix it.” Coulter’s grumbling became clearer as he got closer. “You could’ve left it on the dock and not make me climb across the flats boat, for fuck’s sake.” When Iheard his feet land on the deck of the flats boat, I popped up in the skiff tied alongside.

Coulter startled, his eyes as big as saucers, and he stumbled, nearly falling into the canal. “Jesus fucking Christ. You scared the shit out of me.” He blinked, catching his breath. “Faith, what are you doing here?”

“Trying to apologize,” I said, a nervous smile on my lips.

“What’s changed?” he asked, hopping down into the skiff.

“Everything’s changed, Coulter.” I took a deep breath, standing so I could look him in the eye. “It's over. We finally caught Kylie’s killer. The feds have him in custody.”

He blinked in disbelief. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Who is it?” His eyes darted, like he’d go after them if they were close enough.

“They won’t release his name because he’s part of another investigation. But the suspect confessed and he’s going away for a very long time.”

He stared at me, dumbfounded for a few seconds, then finally said, “Wow. That’s amazing. Did you tell Doreen?”

“Oscar is giving her the news right now.”

He crumpled onto the small seat at the helm of the skiff. “She will be so relieved.”

“Are you?” It was hard to tell. He seemed stunned.

“Yes, of course. It’s just…I don’t know… too good to be true?”

“It’s true. And it’s really good. We got justice for Kylie, and you’re free.”

He looked up into my eyes, and a glimmer of hope flickered. “So that means…”

“We can be together now,” I said cautiously. “If you’ll have me.”

“Losing you was the worst part of the nightmare I’ve been living,” he said with a trembling voice.

“I’m sorry, babe.” I stepped closer, reaching my hands around his neck.

“I’m confused…why exactly did my dad bring the skiff here?”

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