Page 24 of Beneath Still Waters

Duke swung over the side a few paces behind her, clearly at ease with everything about the boat, the water, and the people. Ferd took a deep breath and leaned against the wall as she headed for the cabin to collect her life vest, as she’d been told to do back on solid ground.

Duke came up behind her. “You good?”

Was he rushing her or worried? “Yeah, fine. Why?”

“You’re shaking. I thought the bigger boat would even out the waves and help.”

His low voice forced her to notice. Why had he considered her in this? They needed the bigger boat to pull the box out of the water.

“I don’t know why you’d care. This is a case. I’ll suck it up and get the job done. Not like I haven’t dealt with discomfort before.” Thinking about her gunshot wound made her leg tense involuntarily and she held in a wince. Yesterday, she’d pushed too hard. Today, she’d taken more pain meds than she had in weeks.

His face hardened slightly. “Noted. Let’s get suited up and get that box.” He passed her and ducked into the cabin just ahead.

Inside, the captain stood at a set of controls that looked like a cross between a car's dashboard and an airplane cockpit. A man she didn’t recognize handed her a life vest and efficiently told her how to put it on and use it. She belted it in place and met back up with Duke by the chartered captain.

“We’re heading out in two minutes. Everyone is accounted for. We have four men and a winch to bring the box onboard, the owner of the vessel has said he’s the only one to touch the winch. It shouldn’t take long. Duke, are the forensic techs on the way?”

Duke nodded. “They’re coming from Cheyenne. Since they had to put a team together and drive this morning, they likely won’t get here until we’re back on shore.”

A man approached her from behind, his hot breath blasting her ear. “Who are you, young lady?”

Her spine tightened and she stepped forward to avoid his touch, then turned to face him. “Ferd Kincade, Cody PD.” She held out her hand. “And you are?”

He waved her hand away. “Just a nosy old fisherman. You don’t look like a cop.”

Ferd squared her shoulders. Shouldn’t have worn the running shoes. Duke appeared at her side. “Hey, Carl. Thanks for the use of your boat and winch.”

The old fisherman’s eyes blinked between the two of them. “After hauling nets for twenty years in the Bering Strait, this should be easy.”

“Crab fishing?” she asked. His look made prickles run up her arms.

“Yeah, not much fun, but it pays the bills until you can’t do it anymore. Then you fish whatever you can get a job to fish for.” He turned and walked away.

He’d gone out of the enclosed cabin and his footfalls disappeared before she felt comfortable enough to ask about him. “Who is he? Besides disturbing?”

Duke snorted. “He’s lived here for as long as I have. He used to own Ahab’s when it was a place to get fish, not steaks, because he knew so many guys in the industry. I remember when I was young going there for fish sticks that were crispy on the outside and tender inside. I never ordered anything else.”

“So, he’s a staple in Piper’s Ridge? Got it.” That didn’t mean she had to like him.

“Everyone knows Carl.”

The engine made a low grinding hum as it reversed out of the slip. She hadn’t expected a boat to back out like a car. It was different, but similar. “Where can I sit on this thing?” She looked to Duke for answers since she didn’t want to distract the captain.

“There are benches built into the bow. I’ll show you.” He led her to the front of the boat where narrow wooden planks that flipped up acted as both storage and seating, right in front of the window the captain looked through to steer.

“I’m not blocking his view. What if we hit something and it’s my fault?” Not that she could see a single other vessel on the water in the pelting rain.

Duke gripped her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “You won’t. Go ahead and have a seat. I promise I won’t take you on the water anymore.”

She glanced at her watch and took a deep breath. She’d been on anxiety meds since the shootout, but had weaned herself off them the week Bailey was killed because she was fine. Everything was fine. A woman her age shouldn’t need to be taking all those pills.

Maybe she’d chosen to get off them too soon. She lowered herself onto the bench and closed her eyes, blocking out the visual of the water, even if she could still hear the waves splashing against the hull.

Lord, I’m scared. You’ve given me strength to deal with a lot, but I guess I’m not healed from what happened. Help me to feel steady on my feet and at ease to get the job done.

She wanted the instant fix that some people talked about, but that didn’t happen. Instead, the boat slowed and came to a stop. Carl called for the other men to the starboard side. Ferd swallowed hard and followed the sound of his voice all the way to the stern of the boat.

There, in the water, was the box as they’d left it, appearing to bob on the surface like it wasn’t held down with something . . . Weight. It had to be held down, or an empty box like that would float vertically. Why hadn’t she thought of that?