Part 13 (1/2)
While the media had initially reported the explosion as an ”accident,” both Drew and Seth suspected differently. They believed the explosion was more than likely perpetrated by dictator Bruno DeBruzkya, in an effort to get his hands on the architectural plans for the prototype of the radical new Stingray submarine Evans Yachts had been contracted by the U.S. Navy to design and build. Unfortunately neither they nor Navy Intel could prove it.
Laura didn't know anything about DeBruzkya; she believed the explosion was simply an accident.
Watching Laura stow her equipment, Drew wondered if she still held to that belief. Probably, considering Seth was working under the a.s.sumption that the less Laura knew, the safer she would be.
”It looks like you've already been diving this morning,” he said easily, stopping at the edge of the pier.
”All night, actually,” Laura replied. ”I've been tracking some of the coral. It's been slowly dying off in the last couple of years. Nothing serious, but with the population boom in South Florida I'm taking it upon myself to try to save what's left.”
”If anyone can do it, you can.” Drew looked around. ”Where's Holt?” he asked, referring to her playboy brother.
”He's out with his crew getting ready for the big regatta.”
Drew always looked forward to the Emerald Cove Regatta. It was a huge event, drawing people from all over the world. He couldn't believe he'd forgotten about it this year. Then again, he'd had an awful lot on his mind lately.
”Speaking of Holt, did he tell you the good news?” she asked.
”What news?”
”Next month, I'm being interviewed in Land, Sea & Sky magazine.”
”Hey, that's terrific. Congratulations.”
Laura grinned and then her eyes flicked to Kevin. ”Who's your partner?”
”This is Kevin Myers.” He set his hand atop the boy's head. ”Kevin, this is my cousin Laura.”
Drew didn't miss the questioning look as she extended her hand to the little boy. Because he knew an explanation to Laura would only cause more questions later, he didn't elaborate on why he was taking the little boy fis.h.i.+ng.
”Nice to meet you, Kevin.” She eyed the fis.h.i.+ng poles Drew carried as she shook the boy's little hand. ”You guys going to kill some fish today?”
Kevin opened his mouth as if to protest.
Drew scowled at her, shaking his head. ”It's called fis.h.i.+ng.”
She chuckled good-naturedly. ”Well, the Flamingo is all fueled up and ready to go. Seth's below deck.”
”He went with you, huh?” But Drew wasn't surprised Seth had tagged along. Since the explosion, he'd been very overprotective of his sister. Considering the seriousness of the explosion and the sensitive nature of the contract Evans Yachts was working on, Drew couldn't blame him.
She rolled her eyes. ”I don't know why he bothered. He slept most of the time.”
Remembering the four shady characters who'd shown up at Water Flight Tours the day before, he figured now would be a good time to give Seth a heads-up.
Laura stuck out her hand and Drew helped her onto the pier. ”I'm off to the lab to have some of this stuff a.n.a.lyzed. Have fun, guys.”
”We will.” Drew turned to Kevin. ”Okay, kiddo, up and at 'em.”
”Wow, what a big boat!” Kevin exclaimed as Drew lowered him onto the deck.
”Where's that crazy sister of mine?”
Drew looked up to see his cousin Seth Evans step out of the cabin and onto the deck. He looked from Kevin to Drew and then a slow smile spread across his face. ”I'll be d.a.m.ned, Drew. Since when did you take up baby-sitting?”
”I'm not a baby,” Kevin said petulantly.
Both men laughed, and then as if to make amends for this slip of the tongue, Seth extended his hand to the boy. ”I'm Seth Evans.”
Kevin forgave him with a grin. ”I'm Kevin, and I'm four.”
”Four, huh?”
The boy nodded. ”I'm almost a man.”
Drew turned his head so Kevin wouldn't see his smile.
”Nice to meet you,” Seth said.
”Me and Drew are going to go fis.h.i.+ng.”
Seth glanced at Drew, then back to Kevin with his brows raised high. ”Hey, you want to check out the captain's seat, Kevin?” He motioned toward the recliner-size chair replete with straps, pole holder and a foot brace. ”It's pretty cool.”
”Wowee! Look at that!” Kevin rushed over to the chair, then glanced back at Seth. ”Can I sit in it?”
”Sure.”
The two men watched the starry-eyed boy, and then Seth tossed a questioning look at Drew. ”Rick's kid?”
”I'm taking him fis.h.i.+ng,” Drew said, not liking the amused glint in his cousin's eye. ”That's all.”
”Hey, I didn't ask.”
”Don't read anything into it.”
”Wouldn't dream of it.” Seth paused. ”I saw Alison yesterday.”
Drew didn't bite.
”She looks great.”
Drew cut him a hard look. ”Hiring her wasn't very smart.”
”She needed a job.”
”She's got enough on her plate. d.a.m.n it, she doesn't need to be looking over her shoulder, too.”
”I've got plenty of security. Besides she's only working a couple of days a week. She'll be fine.”
Feeling surly and annoyed and off kilter as h.e.l.l, Drew reached for his tackle box and hefted it onto the deck. ”She's thinking about moving down here.”
”I thought she was living with Rick's parents.”