Angels of the Deep: A Tropical Christmas Novella (AJ Bailey Adventure) by Nicholas Harvey & Nick Sullivan

Author:Nicholas Harvey & Nick Sullivan [Harvey, Nicholas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harvey Books, LLC
Published: 2021-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

10

WESTWARD HO HO HO

December 23rd

Boone watched as the local driver carefully backed the flatbed lorry as close to the dock as the condo complex’s side driveway would allow, one of his compatriots directing from the sand.

“Mornin’ all,” Golden said as he stepped down from the passenger side of the lorry. “Love the tree.”

Emily looked up from where she was squatting beside Brixton. “Thank you! I’m quite fond of it myself.”

Golden brought his duffel carry-on to the dock and set it down, dipping a work glove into it to come up with an energy bar, which he tore into. He waggled it at Emily. “Sorry. Last one. My mates came by to pick up the rest.”

“And the coffee.”

“Yes, and the coffee. Speaking of, you got any?”

“I’ve got a full Thermos on the fly-bridge,” Boone said, overhearing.

“Bless ya! I’ll make use of that once we get things rolling.”

The sun was just suffusing the horizon with a pink-orange glow, and the palm tree still shone with her Christmas lights. Simon appeared from beside the condo and made his way to the dock.

“Are you bringing your dog across?” he asked Emily.

“Oh, goodness, no,” Em said. “Even without a bunch of precious crates to watch out for, the crossing’s too long and potentially rough to be taking a dog on a dive boat. Our friend and soon-to-be-co-worker Amelia is going to watch him over the holidays. She’s got a set of keys.”

“Morning, Simon,” Boone said, leading a curly-haired man over. “This is Fitzroy. He’s our island’s jack-of-all trades, master of most.”

“Fitz the Fixer!” Emily chimed in.

“Pleased to meet you,” Fitzroy said. He pointed toward the lorry. “Mind if I take a look at the crates?”

“Please do. Hey, Golden… why don’t you and Fitzroy come up with a plan.”

Golden nodded, waving Fitz over to the cargo.

“What time’s your flight?” Boone asked Simon.

“Just before nine.”

“Well, you might be able to see us!” Emily suggested. “We should be well on our way by then.”

Simon looked out across the lagoon, the waters still dark before the coming dawn. “That channel we went through… I’m concerned about the crates sliding around.”

“Don’t worry, Em’ll take it nice and easy,” Boone assured him. “And Fitz brought enough straps to tie down an elephant. We’ll secure everything between the benches and each crate will be attached to the other. They won’t budge, once we’re through with it.”

Simon nodded. “Thank you.”

Golden and Fitz walked past them to the boat, conferring as they took in the space they had to work with. Golden gestured, indicating several spots. Fitz nodded and turned toward the group. “I think we’re good to go.”

Golden headed back up the dock. “We’ll start with the turtle.”

“Shouldn’t you begin with the coral support?” Simon asked,

“That’s the biggest crate.”

Golden shook his head. “No, that’ll go in last, near the stern. Once we’ve got the three smaller crates secured, we’ll use the largest crate to lock the rest into place.”

Just then, the sun broke free of the horizon and the sky glowed with another glorious morning.

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