Page 32 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
“For you? I’ll even break out the fancy toaster.”
The smile she gave him didn’t fix anything. But it was a start.
And Fletcher would take that win—because they were going to need each other more than ever.
Chapter 9
Baily stood at the first dock of the marina and took the line Silas tossed her, tying off the bow. “Good day out there?” she asked.
“Mostly floated, staring at the mangroves.” Silas finished with the stern cleat and jumped to the dock. “I think the committee might have found the next trimmer for this place, which we sorely need. All we need is for Dawson to finish that in-depth background check. He promised he’d pull out the stops. Use all his connections. Even mentioned back-channel ones.”
“He’s tired of big cases. He wants to go back to stolen bikes and kids doing dumb things. He wanted small town life, not big city problems.” She leaned in and hugged Silas. He looked like he needed one, and she kind of did, too.
“Here.” Silas stuffed some cash in her hand. He squeezed. “Don’t insult me by trying to shove it back at me.” He lowered his chin. “I have a stake in what happens to this place, and I know the kind of trouble you’re in. The whole town does.”
“Wonderful. Just what I need. Gossip.”
He touched her cheek softly. “It’s not like that. The good people of this town care about you. We don’t like what’s happening. Honestly, some people fear what’s next. Of what’s lurking around the next corner. We want to prevent whatever’s brewing, not simply prepare for what’s coming. Let us help. It’s not much. It certainly won’t solve anything. But every little bit helps.”
“Thank you.” She stuffed the money in her pocket. She didn’t have any fight left. Only rage and the desire to defend what was her legacy.
“Glad you’re finally seeing things my way.” He smiled. “Because some of us have taken up a fund if that loan ever gets called in.”
“Jesus, Silas. How do you know about that?”
“The Everglades has ears.”
“That sounds like speak for, ‘Silas has been eavesdropping on conversations and decided to wander through town, chatting with everyone, making my business, the town’s business.’” She folded her arms. “So, everyone knows about that loan?”
“No one knows about that. It’s all about the fact that this place is struggling, when everyone already knew your dad left you in debt. That was no secret, especially when you sold the family home. But the ‘Save the Marina Fund’ took on a life of its own when the gas was stolen and your apartment was broken into.” He squeezed her forearm. “Take the help, Baily. Everyone in this town wants this marina, and you, to stay exactly the way it is.”
“That’s funny. The place is falling down. It needs so much work.”
“You’ve been doing some renovations when you can. The rest will come when Dawson and the rest of those boys’ figure this all out.” Silas smiled. “I have no doubt that they will. I know I gave them a hard time when they all rolled into town. But they’re good men. Solid. And Fletcher, he loves you. He’d do anything for you. Remember that, because someone like him is hard to come by. I should know. I got that with my wife,” he said. “Speaking of her, I need to get home. She worries about me these days.”
“You haven’t been yourself…since Dewey.”
“I feel betrayed.”
“I know that feeling well,” she said. All these years, she’d believed her dad had simply made poor decisions in the wake of grief. Or just dropped the ball while trying to raise two kids by himself and holding onto a struggling business. But that’s not what happened. Not at all. No. Her brother had betrayed her and her dad in the worst way, and she hadn’t a clue as to why. “Come on. I’ll walk up to the parking lot with you.” She turned, resting her hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Has Dawson found any clues as to who broke into your place yet?” Silas asked.
“Nothing yet.” She sighed. “Both he and Fletcher believe whoever did it was looking for something. They just don’t know what, and I can’t figure out what I’d have of value anyone would go rummaging through my apartment for.”
“Dawson…he’s a smart one. If he thinks they were there for something specific, then I’m sure he’s seeing something in some way the rest of us can’t. Let him do his job.”
“I am, but it still sucks.”
They walked the rest of the way in silence, and just as they reached the lot, Keaton’s fancy pick-up rolled in with Hayes and Audra.
“Have a nice evening, Silas” she said.
“You as well.” Silas waved to the Keaton and the gang before jumping into his dilapidated old Jeep and firing up the engine.
“Hey there.” Audra raced across the parking lot and wrapped her arms around Baily. “How ya holding up?”
“I’m between wanting to wrestle a python or bring Ken back from the dead and hold him to the fire.”
