Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

doubt you, but I need more than just that. I mean, by your own admission, you only got a glimpse of him before he disappeared. Then the voice on Jack’s phone was muffled and the caller didn’t say who he was.”
    “So, are you telling me that you don’t believe us?” As Max got wound up, panic started to fill her voice.
    Tom glanced over at Jack for some support.
    The look on Jack’s face said, “Sorry, you’re on your own. Good Luck, I’ve already been there.”
    Tom took a breath and exhaled, “No. Max, I have no reason to doubt you or Jack or Courtney. But don’t get your hopes too high. I’ll do what I can. A presumably dead man and a guy who hasn’t done anything worse than looking creepy isn’t much to work with. Listen, if either of you sees one of these guys again, call me. I’ll pick him up and then we’ll try to get some answers.”
    Max sat back with a pout on her face. She was sure that Daniel was around and needed help.
    Jack finally spoke up. “You’re right, Tom. There is no hard proof, at least not this morning. But there will be. I’m sure he will contact me again and when he does, well …” He paused. Then he looked at Max. Abruptly he said, “Come on, let’s go. Tom’s busy. We’ve taken up enough of his time.”
    They all stood.
    “Jack, I do understand, and I’ll keep an eye out for both of them. Something probably is going on, and I don’t need any more dead bodies in town.” Then he looked over at Max. “It’s going to be all right.”
    They exchanged goodbyes, and Jack and Max walked out. Max was the first to speak as they got into Jack’s truck. “He doesn’t believe us, does he?”
    “He does. Tom’s cautious, but he listens and, well, we’ll just have to see what happens. You want some breakfast?”
    “Sure.”
    * * *
    For the next several days nothing happened. No phone calls. No sightings. Life returned to normal. Jack’s time was spent helping Courtney get Ben’s ready for the summer crowds or working on his boat while Max was busy behind the bar at Ben’s. Meanwhile, the watcher remained an invisible presence, listening and waiting for the next nugget that would take him closer to his goal. Cat continued to puzzle Jack with her behavior, which Jack took to be Spring fever.

CHAPTER 26
    ANOTHER WEEK PASSED . When there was no further contact from Daniel, Jack felt traces of doubt creep back in. He decided to push all thoughts of Daniel from his mind and spend some time on his boat.
    The air was warm and the sun was shining, He turned the tumblers on the combination lock and gave it a tug open. Removing the lock to the cabin he slid the hatch boards out and was met with a rush of hot, stale air. He climbed down into Irrepressible with but one thing on his mind: to open the forward hatch and get some air flowing through the boat. He didn’t notice the piece of paper in the sink.
    So much of Jack’s life was wrapped up in Irrepressible that she felt alive to him, and whenever he came aboard, after time away, he always felt like she was grateful for his return. The change was immediate as fresh air flowed through her cabin. He smiled and as he always did, gave her a quick inspection.
    That’s when he saw an envelope in the sink. “What the hell?” he murmured under his breath. He knew that it hadn’t been there the last time he had been on the boat. He looked up and realized that it probably had been pushed through one of the three thin ventilation slots in the hatch board that he had just removed, as if it had been a letter mailed at the post office.
    He turned and sat down at the nav table and continued to stare at it. Time slowed as he turned it over and over in his hands. A sense of foreboding washed over him. Then, deliberately, he slid his fingertip under one corner of the envelope’s flap and tore it open. Inside was a folded piece of paper. After reading it three times, he placed it on the table top, sat back, and exhaled as his brain began to catch up with what his eyes had seen.
    Jack. I need your help. I have information that will answer many questions. I am being followed and it’s only a matter of time before they get me. I realize that I’m putting you and Max at risk, but I have no choice. You must help me. I’ll be in touch. D.
    He picked it up and read it for a fourth time. The writing was tight and precise, and as his eyes followed the words across the paper, a chill washed over him.
    “Oh, my god,” he exhaled, his