Page 57 of Wild Tempest

Paris asked, "Did you kill Owen Callahan?"

A look of horror played on Paul's face as he contemplated the possibility.

I escorted him through the crowd and into the station. I left him with the deputies at processing, then logged his pistol into evidence.

The EMTs put Dale into the back of an ambulance and whisked him away to the hospital, lights flashing.

I told Jack he should get checked out, but he wouldn't have any of it.

"I'm fine," he said.

"You’ve been infected with an unknown viral bio-weapon. You should probably go in and have some blood work done,” I said in a patronizing voice.

“So have you!”

I frowned.

"What are they gonna tell me? That I'm still alive? That I'm dying? That I might die?” He shook his head. "No thanks. I’m not giving those clowns an opportunity to poke around. I'll be just fine." Then he added, "Thanks for saving my life, brother."

He gave me a bro hug.

"Anytime. I’m just glad you didn’t go totally crazy."

“I’m already totally crazy. Can’t get much worse.”

I was happy to have my friend back. Jack was too stubborn to die. We both were.

"First thing I want to do is take a shower, then have a nap," he said.

I didn't blame him. We'd been running on adrenaline for quite some time and had been deprived of coffee and good whiskey for too long.

After we'd done all the paperwork, we cast off the lines and took the salvage tug back to Demi De Luca. I called her along the way and told her we were en route. I mentioned we had found Paul, but left out the other details.

She greeted us on the dock as we pulled into the slip. Demi helped us tie off.

We gathered our things and disembarked.

Demi surveyed the tug and said, "I see you brought her back in one piece. I'm a little surprised.”

My face wrinkled at her like the notion was absurd. "Was there ever a doubt?"

She scoffed.

I introduced her to Tempest.

The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

Demi said, "I’ve known your father a long time. I’m glad you found him.”

"Thank you for letting us use the boat," she said.

"So, what else did you find out there?" Demi asked with eager eyes.

I told her about the gold and gave her the abridged version of events.

Surprise and wonder filled her face. “No shit?”

“No shit.”