Page 76 of Down Knot Out
I tilt my head toward the trailer where we viewed the security footage, not wanting to discuss the theft out in the open.
She lifts her chin in understanding. “I’ll handle things here.”
I place my hand on the small of Chloe’s back, guiding her up the path from the dock. Dominic falls into step beside us, his larger frame a windbreak that shields Chloe from the sharpest gusts coming off the water.
“The golf cart is parked at the top of the path.” I point up the small incline. “We can head straight to the cabin.”
“Nathaniel.”
Kyle calls for my attention, and I turn to find him jogging toward us, clutching his scally cap to his bald head to stop it from flying off.
“Go ahead,” I tell Chloe and Dominic, gesturing toward the golf cart visible at the end of the path. “I’ll be right there.”
Concern flickers across Chloe’s face, but Dominic places a hand on her shoulder, guiding her forward. As they continue up the path, Kyle reaches me, slightly out of breath.
“What is it?” I ask.
Kyle glances around, ensuring no workers are within earshot before leaning closer. “The mechanic found something when he did the repairs on the water taxi.”
Despite the warmth of the late afternoon sun, a shiver goes through me. “What did he find?”
Kyle’s hand rises to adjust his cap in a nervous gesture. “The engine issues weren’t normal wear and tear. The mechanic says it was tampered with. Not enough to fail right away, but enough to fail under strain.”
My mind races, calculating possibilities. “Could it have been from vibration? Poor maintenance?”
Kyle shakes his head. “The mechanic says no way. The part had a thread-locking compound onit. Someone deliberately backed it off just enough that the vibration would do the rest.”
The knowledge settles in my gut like ice water. First the equipment theft, now this.
“Did he find anything else?” I scan the site as if the culprit might be watching us at this very moment.
“He’s still checking, but wanted to inform me right away.” Kyle shifts his weight, gravel crunching beneath his boots. “Said we’re lucky we made it to the Mosswood docks yesterday before the engine started acting up. Could have been dead in the water instead.”
My gaze drifts to where Chloe and Dominic are waiting by the golf cart. Wind tugs at loose strands of her hair, creating a halo effect around her face. So vulnerable. So precious.
Was this another attempt to delay construction? Or had it been intended to strand Chloe on the mainland long enough for Simon to make another attempt?
The timing is too perfect to be a coincidence.
I turn to Emily. “Add the water taxi to the security rotation.” I turn back to Kyle. “And I want a full inspection of the water taxi before each crossing. No exceptions.”
He sucks on his cheeks. “I can do basicinspection as usual, but if you want the engine looked at, we’ll need to hire another dockhand.”
“We’ll find someone.”
It’s worth the cost if it means keeping my people safe.
As he heads back to the boat, I nod to Emily, then turn to join Chloe and Dominic at the golf cart. I keep my face impassive, but beneath my composed exterior, every instinct screams to gather my pack, to build walls around them, and to eliminate any threat that dares approach.
Someone tried to harm what’s mine. They won’t get a second chance.
Chapter Twenty-One
Chloe
Nathaniel’s jacket slips partway off my shoulders as I hop out of the golf cart, and my ankles wobble in the unfamiliar high heels.
Dominic leaps from the back seat to catch my elbow and takes the leather folder I stole from Sinclair & Associates Law Firm. “Careful.”
