Deep Waters

least I don't think—" Newlin broke off in relief when Yappy skidded to a halt in the doorway. "Hey, Yap. What's up?"
    "Trouble," Yappy said loudly.
    Charity glanced at him. "What's wrong?"
    "It's Winters." Yappy drew a deep breath and prepared to rush off down the pier. "Looks like he's got another problem on his hands. Some dude in a suit just drove up in a Jaguar, got out, and demanded to know where Elias Winters's shop was. Bea pointed it out, and the guy went charging over to Charms & Virtues. Bea said it looked like he was gonna clobber Elias."
    "Not again." Charity locked the register with a twist of her key and scurried around the edge of the counter. "How on earth did Elias collect so many enemies? This sort of thing has simply got to stop."

18

    To understand the waterfall, one must view the world from behind it.

    —"On the Way of Water," from the journal of Hayden Stone

    Elias studied the tall, grim-faced man who had planted himself on the opposite side of the sales counter. Davis Truitt's expensive, summer-weight silk-and-linen sport coat looked as if it had been made for him, which was probably the case. The same was true of the pale gray shirt and the slacks he wore with it. He had the height and the patrician features that characterized his sister, Meredith. He looked ready to do serious damage.
    "If you're thinking about taking a swing at me, you might want to reconsider," Elias said mildly. "Charity tends to get upset when people assault me, and we both know she's supposed to avoid stressful situations."
    "Damn it, Winters, don't give me lectures on my stepsister's health." Davis narrowed his eyes. "I know a lot more about the subject than you do. What the hell are you up to?"
    "I was just about to straighten out that counter back there." Elias gestured briefly toward the table piled high with plastic burgers, fake ice cubes, and other assorted items. "Something about it doesn't look quite right."
    "This whole damn situation doesn't look right. I know about you, Winters. I've done some research. It wasn't easy digging up the information. I couldn't get all the details I wanted." Elias nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
    "But I got enough to be certain that whatever you've got in the works here in Whispering Waters Cove, it probably involves a lot of cash and an offshore client."
    "I hate to tell you this, Truitt, but your information is out of date. Take my advice and don't rely too heavily on it."
    Davis jerked at his dark gray silk tie, loosening it. "Don't try to bullshit me. According to Meredith, you've seduced Charity. I want to know what you're doing here on this pier, and I want to know why you've dragged my stepsister into it."
    Otis stalked back and forth on his perch and hissed softly.
    Elias absently stretched out a hand to scratch the bird's head. "It's not complicated, Truitt. I inherited the pier and this shop. I retired from the active pursuit of my former career and came here to learn the fine art of running a small business."
    "You don't do anything small, from what I can tell. Not unless it's part of a much bigger scheme." Davis scowled. "Look, we're both businessmen. I don't give a damn what you've got going on here in the cove. But I don't want you using Charity to accomplish your goals. Is that clear?"
    "My relationship with Charity has nothing to do with business."
    "You think I believe that?" Davis took a menacing step closer to the counter. "You've got a reputation, Winters. And nothing in that reputation makes me think that you'd chuck everything you've built up as the owner of Far Seas to come up here to run a junky little curio shop." Otis grumbled loudly.
    "Better not call it a junky little shop," Elias advised. "Otis tends to take that kind of remark personally."
    "Who the hell is Otis?"
    "This is Otis." Elias stroked the bird. "And he's temperamental. Just ask Charity. She's the one who nursed him through a fit of depression. He's over it now, but he's still inclined to be surly when he's irritated."
    "Forget the damn bird." Davis shoved aside the wings of his coat, spread his legs aggressively, and planted his fists on his hips. "I want answers. And I want them now."
    "Davis." Charity raced through the door of the shop. Newlin, Yappy, and Ted followed close on her heels. Elias surveyed the rescue team with satisfaction.
    "What took you so long?"
    Charity ignored him. "Davis, what on earth are you doing here? Don't you dare hit Elias. Do you hear me? I swear I'll