Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

able to take a better look.”
    “It had to be Kurt,” said Jack, stating what neither had been willing to say moments before. “It makes sense. Think about it. Remember what Daniel told us about him. This sounds like something he’d do and he probably killed Daniel. I want him.”
    Tom replied, “We don’t know that for a fact. And besides, Daniel’s death is a matter for the York PD to sort out.”
    “I know that Tom. But I still think he did. And I don’t think he got what he wanted from Daniel. I found a disc on the boat. But it won’t play on anything I have.”
    “Go back. You found what?” said Tom, surprised at this revelation.
    “Earlier today, the CD player on the boat wouldn’t work. I took it apart and found a disc jammed inside.”
    Tom stopped him. “You found a disc jammed inside the player on the boat?”
    “Yes, and after getting it out I tried playing it, but it wouldn’t play.”
    “And you didn’t think this was important enough to call me?”
    “I didn’t give it a lot of thought. It was getting late and Max and I were going to have a cookout.”
    “Jack!” Tom barked.
    “I know, but …”
    Tom cut him off. “Jack, you were thinking with your dick. Do you still have it?”
    “Probably. I don’t know. I was too worried about Cat.”
    “I understand.”
    “I was going to bring it by in the morning.”
    “Can we go look?”
    As the two men went upstairs Tom considered his obligations and his options. For his own reasons he wanted Kurt as much as Jack did.

CHAPTER 75
    CAREFULLY STEPPING AROUND the blood on the floor, Jack walked over to the secretary. Next to his computer was the case with the CD still in it, just where he had left it. “Here it is.” Jack handed it to Tom.
    Tom turned the case over in his hand, opened it, shut it, and said nothing for what seemed like ages. “You have no idea how it got into the player?”
    “No.”
    “And it wouldn’t play.”
    “Correct.”
    Both men stood there, and a nervous silence filled the room. Then, they both spoke at the same time. “Do you suppose … ? Tom said, while Jack said, “What if … ?”
    “You first,” said Tom.
    “Okay, do you suppose that this CD has on it what Daniel had stolen from his employer?”
    “I had that same thought,” said Tom. “But, how did it get into the player?”
    “The only time we had any contact with him was that day on the boat several weeks back when Max and I went sailing and were out beyond the Isles of Shoals. He found us and told us his story, but he didn’t give us anything. He only said that he’d be in touch,” Jack paused.
    “You’re sure.”
    “Yes…no. Wait, I remember that Max and I left him alone for a few minutes while we went up forward to talk in private. I suppose he could have done it then.”
    “That would make sense. I guess we won’t know for sure until we can see what’s on the disk though,” said Tom.
    “Let’s say that it is Daniel’s disc and Kurt’s still looking for it. How worried should we be?” asked Jack.
    Tom didn’t answer immediately. To Jack he appeared to be mulling over his answer, but he was really considering his own options. “He won’t be back tonight,” Tom finally said, avoiding Jack’s question.
    “How can you be so certain?”
    “I just am. Don’t worry. There’s not much else we can do tonight.”
    Tom held up the disc. “Can I keep this?”
    “Of course.”
    Jack wasn’t completely sold on the idea that there wasn’t anything to worry about, but before he could say anything else they heard footsteps on the stairs.
    “You guys up here?” It was Courtney.
    “Yes,” Jack called back.
    Courtney came into view first with Max right behind. Courtney had two glasses of wine, one in each hand, and Max had two beers and a plate of sandwiches in hers. “We thought you might be hungry,” said Court.
    “You are the best,” said Jack.
    Tom waved his hand. “I’m all set. I have to get going.” He headed toward the stairs while the girls took their offerings to the kitchen table.
    “Hey, Tom,” Courtney called out as Tom began to go down the stars, “Is it okay to clean up this mess?” She was clearly taking charge.
    “Go for it. I have what I need.”
    * * *
    Jack didn’t realize just how hungry he was until he took his first bite. While he ate, Courtney began rummaging around the bathroom for cleaning stuff. “What are you doing?” he asked.
    “We’re going to clean this mess up. If we