Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

seen, well, he could just be some strange-looking tourist. Other than the one call that Courtney took warning Max to be careful, there really isn’t much.”
    “I know,” agreed Jack. “But I can’t help but be concerned.”
    “Unless something more concrete happens, I wouldn’t worry too much. If it really is Daniel, why hasn’t he made contact? You’d think he would.”
    “I suppose.”
    “Jack, what you have is a bunch of coincidences, probably not related, and fueled by several overactive imaginations.”
    “I guess, but if it is him and he hasn’t made contact, then there has to be a reason why. Maybe it has to do with the creepy guy Courtney and I have seen.”
    “Maybe, but that’s still a stretch.
    Before Tom could respond to Jack’s story, Jack said, “It’s time to head back.”
    Moments later, Irrepressible was pointed back toward Rye Harbor. The wind, now at her back changed everything. Going out she had been close hauled, which despite the angle of heel, had felt steady as she powerfully shouldered her way through the ocean. Now, with the wind blowing from behind and the boat moving with the swells, that all changed. She felt slower, sluggish, less graceful, as if by her wallowing motion she was expressing her reluctance to return.
    This change in motion also changed the mood. Both men became quiet, lost in their own thoughts, and little else was said about Daniel or the creepy stranger. It wasn’t until they passed through the breakwaters and into Rye Harbor that there was another mood change. The engine purred as they glided down the center channel as if on parade, proudly returning from some grand adventure. The sails were furled and lines coiled, all hung neatly, ready for the next time they would be used.
    “Thanks, Tom. Great sail.”
    “Anytime.”
    “Let’s make it look good coming in to the floats. You never know who’s watching, and we want them to think we know what we’re doing.”
    As they began making the final turn to the floats, Jack quickly glanced up at Ben’s. There were people out on the deck, and he saw heads turning to watch. He smiled to himself. Even if the journey was not so grand, the romance and mystery associated with going to sea always sparked the imaginations of those on land watching their return. The fact that they had only gone for a short sail, lasting a couple of hours, was of no matter.
    What he didn’t see was that they were also being watched from the other side of the harbor. A tall, thin man with dark eyes was studying them through powerful binoculars. It wasn’t until the boat was secure and Jack and Tom had gone ashore that he lowered his binoculars. “Soon,” he murmured under his breath. Then he turned and walked back to his car.

CHAPTER 24
    AFTER A QUICK BEER AT BEN’S , Tom headed home. Jack finished his burger and prepared to do the same. “Max, I’ll see you in about an hour.” He needed a shower and Cat needed supper.
    “Okay. But you know you don’t need to come back before my shift ends.”
    “I know, but I will. See you in a bit.
    * * *
    Cat was waiting for Jack outside the door.
    “Mwrowh.”
    She was obviously put out that he had returned so late. All the way up the stairs she kept up a nonstop barrage of comments. Jack didn’t need Dr. Dolittle to translate what she was saying, and clearly she wasn’t interested in hearing his excuses. She wanted supper. Now! As he dished it out she kept up her running commentary, dancing around his feet. “There. Bon appetite.” He placed the dish on the floor and headed for the shower.
    Cat had finished eating by the time Jack returned, clean and refreshed. He found her lying on the couch looking every bit the contented queen while she gave herself a bath. Jack rubbed her head and she looked up, her eyes slightly crossed as she began purring loudly. She had obviously forgiven him for serving dinner so late.
    “Well, Cat, I have to go get Max,” he said just as the phone rang. Assuming it was her, he answered, “Hey babe.”
    As soon as those words were out of his mouth, he realized from the silence on the line that it wasn’t Max. He froze in embarrassment, saying nothing further. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, a man’s voice on the other end of the line said, “I need to see you. I’ll be in touch.”
    Before Jack could respond, the line went dead. Jack stared at the phone in his hand, too stunned to move, while his conscious mind raced to catch up with