Page 49 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“No. I haven’t always believed that about Ken,” Silas said over the hum of the engine. “As time has ticked by, and strange things have happened in our quiet little town, I’ve started thinking about every little thing. Every tiny detail. Especially after reading those things written in Tripp’s journal. I started remembering things about Ken. Things that just don’t add up. I’ve told all of this to Dawson and Fletcher.”
“Why not me?” She stared straight ahead, focusing on the horizon. On the approach to the marina.
“I didn’t want to add to your stress, but also, it’s all things you already know. Things about how he treated you, or the way his wife just changed him. Or maybe he was already different before he left.”
“I’m starting to think I didn’t know my brother at all.”
“I hate to agree with that statement,” Silas said. “But think about how Fletcher and the boys feel about that. I know he was your brother. Your flesh and blood. But you didn’t go into battle with him. It’s a mind-fuck for sure.”
“It sucks.” She leaned her head against Silas’s shoulder. But it didn’t stay there long. “Hey. That’s my boat and the couple that rented it are nowhere in sight.” She pointed her finger wildly.
“I see that.” Silas navigated his boat toward the docks. He pulled into his slip.
She tied off the stern and jumped. “Bingo? Bingo, where are you?”
“He’s over here,” Keaton called, waving by the gravel path.
She took off running down the dock and up the path. “What the hell…” She skidded to a stop. “What on earth happened?” She stared at Bingo, who sat on his ass, an ice pack pressed to the back of his head.
“I’m so sorry,” Bingo said. “That couple? They pulled in, and I was confused, so I started asking questions. I guess they didn’t like them because next thing I knew, Keaton here was smacking my face and waving something under my nose.”
Keaton knelt beside Bingo. “Dude. You’ve got a bump on the back of your head the size of a golf ball, and when I got here, you were face down in the dirt.” He helped Bingo to a standing position. “I think this guy should get checked out.”
“I’m fine,” Bingo said.
“You were knocked unconscious, and we don’t know for how long.” Keaton held him as the poor boy wobbled.
Baily raced to his other side, wrapping her arm around his waist. “At least go to the station house and let one of the EMTs take a look at you.”
“That’s what I was going to suggest.” Keaton nodded. “Silas? Do you mind taking him?”
“Not at all.” Silas stepped around them, heading toward the parking lot.
“You can take my truck. You both will be more comfortable.” Keaton opened the passenger door and helped Bingo up and inside the cab.
Baily took a step back and wrapped her arms around her middle. The day’s events soaked into her bones. It was no longer about the boat. She could eventually replace that. It was just a hunk of metal. A thing.
But she could have died out there.
And Bingo had been attacked.
This wasn’t about money. It was about control—power—and ultimately, she was in the way. She was collateral damage.
Keaton’s truck engine roared to life. Silas waved as he backed out, turned, and maneuvered onto the main drag.
“You okay?” Keaton rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Bingo’s lucky you came when you did,” she whispered, blinking. “Why did you come back? Trinity collected the things you left on the boat.”
“Bingo sent all of us a text message.” Keaton arched a brow. “He was concerned about the fact you’d gone out to rescue a boat that came in less than ten minutes after you left, and the couple swore they never made an SOS. It just felt off to him, and he didn’t know what to do.”
“He’s a good kid, that one. Smart, too.”
Keaton pressed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her back toward the docks. “Did you know he’s going into the ROTC program when he goes to college?”
“I did.” She nodded. “He’s become very enamored by all of you and wants to be a SEAL.”
