Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense June 2016, Box Set 2 of 2 by Shirlee McCoy

Author:Shirlee McCoy
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460398302
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

As the storm rolled off shore, Zach headed to the docks. He wanted to question the regulars there and see if anyone had seen someone messing with Ernie’s boat. He knew that those who fished for their livelihood would be back on the water as soon as the danger passed. He bypassed going back to his place to change or get a cup of coffee. Time was of the essence right now.

There was no doubt in Zach’s mind that the boat had been sabotaged.

Ernie and Rod were already back at the docks, telling everyone their tale like it was a feather in their cap. The two men stood by the fish-cleaning station, and a group of fishermen had gathered around them.

Zach cleared his throat, and the men stopped talking long enough to turn toward him. “Ernie, can I have a word?”

The old fisherman nodded and reluctantly left his audience. They stood a way from the crowd to talk. Zach was glad to see that Ernie seemed to be holding up well after all of the excitement from earlier. The man had a fresh mug of coffee in his hands and clean clothes on.

“I need to get an official statement from you,” Zach started. “Can you walk through what happened on the boat again?”

Ernie nodded his head, sitting on a crude wooden bench overlooking the water. “It was the craziest thing. We were cruising along the water, enjoying the day, when all of the sudden the engine died. When I checked on it, a crack appeared in the hull of the boat right near the engine. Then, of all things, my radio wouldn’t work. Makes no sense. No sense at all.”

“I’m assuming you checked out the boat before you left?”

Ernie looked halfway offended as his eyes narrowed and his lips parted. “Just like I always do. This is my livelihood. I’m too old to keep fishing, so I’ve got to do something to make ends meet. I take my business seriously, Chief.”

“I know you do. I just have to ask these questions. I’m trying to get to the bottom of what happened.”

“Someone tampered with my boat. That’s what happened.”

Zach shifted, his notepad in hand. “Any idea who?”

Ernie rubbed his chin and sighed. “Not a one. I do my best to live at peace with people. No idea why someone might want to hurt me. Didn’t do anything to anyone else.”

“Anyone been messing with your boat lately? Have you let anyone borrow it?”

“No. That boat is my baby. No one else touches her.”

“I’ll write up a report—you’ll need it to file a claim with your insurance company. I sent the marine police out to pick up the boat. We’re going to send it to a mechanic to be evaluated.”

“I appreciate it. Without my boat, I’m out of a job.”

“I understand.”

After Ernie walked away, Zach continued to question people who were regulars down at the docks. No one had seen anything. Ernie’s boat was docked at the marina all the time.

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