Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

heavy, but the relief in his voice that she was not going to be alone was crystal clear.

CHAPTER 58
    THAT NOSY OLD lady had really irritated Kurt, and his patience was wearing thin. He had searched the boat but hadn’t found what he wanted. He had no idea whether Daniel had given anything directly to Jack, although it definitely didn’t sound like it. Still, that damned cat kept interrupting their conversations. The bug he had planted was working fine, but each time the cat rubbed against the lamp, they would pause, scold the cat, and the conversation would end. He needed to place another bug.
    Frustration and impatience were beginning to dictate his moves. He watched as Jack returned from his run and talked to the girls in the parking lot. To his experienced eye it looked like plans were being made. If they went out, he could plant another bug. He didn’t need much time, just the opportunity.
    The sun was beginning to go down when he parked at the small beach across from Ben’s. He took his canoe off the roof of his car and placed it near the edge of the water. He set his canvas messenger bag inside it and then pushed the canoe into the water, jumping in at the last moment. With his binoculars slung around his neck he began to paddle across the harbor toward the marshes. He noted that the tide was beginning to go out and that meant he would have to paddle much harder to get to his destination.
    Paddle, paddle, swat, paddle, paddle, swat was the rhythm that he settled into as mosquitoes greeted him. He followed the channels through the marsh until he was behind Jack’s place. Then he stopped paddling and began drifting and swatting. To anyone who might have been watching, he was simply a lone nature lover trying to enjoy the quiet end of a summer’s day while nature enjoyed him at the same time. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a set of earphones, put them on, lifted his binoculars to his eyes, and scanned the shore. He no longer noticed the mosquitoes
    He heard the phone ring and Jack answered. “Hey Max … Yeah … You just caught me. I was about to leave … Sure I’ll meet you there. See you in a few, bye.”
    He couldn’t believe his good fortune. Kurt lowered his binoculars and smiled as he checked the contents of his bag again. Everything he needed was there. He removed a pair of thin leather gloves and slipped them on knowing that it would take him less than five minutes to place the second bug. As Kurt bobbed in the canoe waiting for Jack to leave, he closed his eyes and visualized the layout of Jack’s place. “Patience,” he told himself, “Soon it will be dark enough.” Finally Jack drove off.
    Courtney’s house was dark and still, as he knew it would be since she was the owner of Ben’s and worked every night. Before long it was time. He paddled toward the back of Jack’s place. A barrier of tall marsh grasses divided the edge of the marsh from terra firma creating a perfect cover for his canoe. He looked around before leaving the canoe, unaware that he was being watched.
    Cat had dashed out with Jack and was now hunting mice in the flower gardens behind Courtney’s house. She was crouched, deep in the garden, perfectly still as she waited for her prey to appear. Suddenly she sensed something. A shape emerged from the shadows by her house and disappeared inside. The mouse she was stalking got a sudden reprieve as she focused her attention on that other creature. It disappeared into her house, and she began a stop-and-go series of sprints as she moved rapidly across the yard to investigate. Nearing the door she stopped. The scent she was detecting was both familiar and terrifying at the same time. It was the smell of evil and it had visited before. She retreated to the garden and settled down to watch. Mice no longer interested her.
    Inside, Kurt moved through the apartment. He found what he was looking for. The light next to the bed was perfect for a bug.
    Job done, he remembered the last time he had stood in this spot. He smiled to himself as his heart rate quickened. He pulled out his flashlight, and with its little red beam providing just enough light, played it around the room. He didn’t see what he was looking for, so he moved across to the bathroom. Standing in the doorway he swept the room with his flashlight, then froze as he saw it. A small corner of lacy fabric peeking out from under a towel in the hamper. It had to be. Gingerly he reached out and touched it. He