Page 12 of Fast Currents
“Sure.” It would help work out the kinks from bending over chandelier pieces all morning.
We walked along the weathered dock. A breeze blew gently from the west, carrying the scents I associated with the sea and boats: kelp and diesel fuel. We passed the dock reserved for sea planes and the commercial dock.Tide Chaserwas in its slip. The tour boat had lost its captain, Jordan Dawkins, in the spring. Rae’s cousin hadn’t found someone else to take over the business yet. Jordan’s second mate, Brandon, had recently gone to jail for breaking into his former partner’s house.
Anya seemed to sense the direction of my thoughts. “Any news on Brandon Chen?”
“Still in jail, as far as I know.”
Anya shivered. “Do you think he did it?”
“Pushing Jordan Dawkins off a cliff or breaking into his house later?”
“The first one.”
I rolled my lower lip beneath my teeth. Brandon was a slippery bastard. He’d claimed to be off-island during Jordan’s accident. But was he really?
“I don’t know. But if he was involved in Jordan’s death, at least he’s getting a sliver of justice. Did the sheriff figure out what Brandon was searching for at Jordan and Jia’s house?”
Anya frowned, shaking her head. “The safe was empty. She let the sheriff take it as evidence though.”
We reached the end of the dock, watching as theYakimacame into the ferry terminal. The speed at which the big boats docked always impressed me. Only a few minutes later, walk-on passengers disembarked, scooting toward Front Street.
Reluctantly, I turned from watching the water, making a circuit of the other docks with Anya. By silent agreement, we approached Rae’s sailboat, berthed next to Zach’s. Our friend lived on her boat full-time. I was too high-maintenance for a liveaboard situation. The public showers at the marina on a winter morning were not my idea of a good time.
I shuddered.No, thank you. Not even for this view.
We reached the end of their dock and turned. A familiar head popped up from below deck as we approachedSailor Swift.
“Hey, Zach. Fancy meeting you here.” Anya’s tone was playful. Zach’s brown hair was mussed, and he’d misbuttoned his shirt.
He wrinkled his nose. “Is my brother not giving you enough noontime attention, Anya? I can talk to him about that if you like.” He puffed out his chest. “Make sure he’s treating you right.”
“I don’t need a nooner to know Drew loves me.”
Zach grinned, his dimples flashing. “But it doesn’t hurt.”
Rae popped up beside him, one hand on his shoulder. “You giving away all of our secrets, Fenwick?”
He captured her mouth in a quick smacking kiss. “Nope.”
“Liar.” Rae said it without heat. “Hey. Sorry I missed you for lunch today.”
I snorted. “No. You’re not.”
She lifted one shoulder. “True. I’m not.” She stretched on tiptoes, kissing Zach before slapping him on the ass. “Lunch is over.”
Zach danced away, laughing. “I know when I’m not wanted.” He stepped easily onto the dock. “Ladies.” He tipped an imaginary hat.
Rae watched as he strode away whistling a jaunty tune that might have been “Afternoon Delight,” her eyes soft and dreamy. The obvious affection between her and Zach made my heart clench. What would it be like to have that kind of connection? That kind of love?
“Is Clay driving you crazy yet?” Rae stepped onto the dock. Her coveralls sported streaks of grease at the knees. But at least she’d gotten the buttons right.
“Clay’s fine.”
“There’s that word again,” Anya teased, suppressing a smile.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Just for you, I’ll work on expanding my vocabulary.”
Rae giggled, the girlish sound too musical to let me hold on to my temper. Anya and Rae were still giddy, reveling in new love. I didn’t need to rain on their parade.
