Part 57 (2/2)
”Sleeping.” Kerry sat down and nibbled her m.u.f.fin. ”She was so tired last night, I thought it would be better if I let her get some rest while I scrounged breakfast for us.”
Andy nodded in agreement. ”She done things to be tired from,”
he said. ”She okay?”
”I think so.”
”Took them fellers up to the hospital. Looks like them b.a.s.t.a.r.ds put a few cracks in Bud's head, but the docs took a few x-rays and let them go on after that. Then Ah came back down here and bunked out with some of the marina folk,” Andrew volunteered.
”You could have come up to our room,” Kerry scolded. ”We had plenty of s.p.a.ce up there.”
”Nah.” Andrew took a swallow of whatever was in his mug.
”You two young ladies deserve your privacy.”
Kerry propped her chin up on her fist. ”Dad, we were just sleeping.” She grinned at him. ”I'm glad Bud's going to be okay.”
”Yeap, me too.”
”Does he know it was you who pulled him out of the boat?”
”Yeap.”
Kerry studied his profile. ”Not really happy about that, was he?”
”No, ma'am, he was not.” Andrew turned and looked at her.
”But how would you be knowing that all?” He set his cup down and studied his tablemate. ”They say something to you?”
Kerry nodded. ”Yes, and Dar told me a little,” she said. ”I almost kicked Bud in the nuts a few times until he finally calmed down and stopped saying mean things.” Her fingers played with*341 the edge of the table. ”What was up with that?”
A server came up to them with a pitcher and offered them a drink. Andrew held out his mug and they refilled it, then the server handed Kerry a cup as well.
”Thanks.” Kerry took a cautious sip, relieved to find somewhat tepid fruit juice. She sensed Andrew wasn't comfortable discussing Bud with her, and decided not to push the subject. ”I thought I saw cereal in there. Did you eat yet?”
”Ah did,” he told her. ”Went down and checked out the boat.
Hull got banged up a bit, but nothing big. Should be fine to head back with.”
”Thank you,” Kerry said. ”Did anyone say if DeSalliers' boat was brought in?”
”No, ma'am.”
Kerry gazed quietly at him. After a moment, Andrew met her eyes. ”Sorry if I b.u.t.ted in where I didn't belong,” she told him.
Andrew's expression softened and he blinked a few times.
”Wasn't that, Kerry,” he answered. ”Just somethin' that burns my shorts, and Ah don't like chatting about it.”
”Okay.” Kerry nodded. ”Are you flying back home?”
”Yeap,” Andy said. ”Ah figure you two got things all squared away now. Got a flight back out tonight. They ain't reopened the airport yet,” he informed her. ”Still cleaning up. Storm wracked up some fuss, but not a whole lot outside the marina.”
Kerry studied the horizon, which was clear and cloud free. ”It's funny. I almost feel like last night was a dream,” she mused. ”But I know it wasn't.”
Andrew c.o.c.ked his head in a listening att.i.tude.
”I'm glad you came out here after us,” Kerry said. ”Thanks.”
A smile tugged at the scarred face across from her. ”S'what a father's for, ain't it?”
Kerry stared off past him, her eyes distant. ”Only if you're very lucky.” She exhaled, dusting the m.u.f.fin crumbs off her fingers. ”I'm going to grab something for me and Dar.” Pus.h.i.+ng against the table, she stood up, suddenly wanting to be out of the sun and back with her partner. ”Maybe we can find you for lunch?”
Andy got up and patted her on the shoulder. ”Lemme give you a hand with your grub, k.u.mquat,” he said. ”We maybe need a chit chat, and Ah want to see mah kid.”
Kerry smiled, feeling the tension between them ease a little.
”Okay, Dad. It's a deal.”
They went inside to the table, which didn't have much in the way of plates. Andrew improvised by appropriating a basket of flowers, dumping the flowers, and standing helpfully behind Kerry as she filled it. They were halfway down the table when Kerry's path was intercepted, and she looked up to see the police captain 342*
politely blocking her. ”Oh. Good morning,” she greeted with wary cordiality. ”Guess you had a busy night.”
”Most certainly, yes, Ms. Stuart. That we did,” he replied with courtesy. ”I am glad to see that you are safe. Is Ms. Roberts safe, as well?”
”Very much so, yes,” Kerry told him, noticing his eyes flicking over her shoulder. ”Oh, I'm sorry. This is my father-in-law, Andrew Roberts. Dad, this is Captain Alalau, of the St. Thomas police.”
Andrew issued a moderately cordial greeting. ”'Lo.”
Alalau gave him a brief nod. ”Sir.” He turned his attention back to Kerry. ”Might I ask, Ms. Stuart, if you and your friend Ms.
Roberts could find a moment to chat with me later on today?
Perhaps over lunch?”
Uh oh. Kerry didn't think they were in trouble. She figured criminals weren't invited to lunch, even in the Virgin Islands but given all that had happened so far, one never knew. ”Um...sure,”
she agreed cautiously. ”I'm sure that would be no problem at all.”
”Excellent.” The captain smiled and bobbed his head at her.
”Please, enjoy your breakfast. Unfortunately, the power will most likely be out for the rest of the day, but we are working on restoring it.” ”Thanks.” Kerry watched him walk off. ”Hm.”
”Nice feller,” Andrew drawled.
”Very nice.” Kerry sighed, dumping a last few items into their basket and snagging a Thermos of juice. ”C'mon. Let's go wake Dar up and tell her the social agenda's changed.”
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