Hocus Focus (A Return to Magic Cozy Mystery Book 7) by Lily Harper Hart

Author:Lily Harper Hart [Hart, Lily Harper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperHart Publications
Published: 2024-09-03T00:00:00+00:00

ONCE THE BOAT WAS BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE—it was a fairly smooth process from what those on the beach could ascertain—it was transported to the closest marina. There, the adults—sans Rowan, who opted to stay behind with the kids on the beach—finally got a look at the damage.

“That’s a big hole,” Craig said blankly. “I mean … that’s a big freaking hole. How did that even happen?”

Jerry Brent, the head of the salvage team, swiped his forearm over his forehead as he surveyed the damage. “I’ve honestly never seen anything like that. Not even close.”

“When I was diving, I didn’t see anything in the area that could explain that hole,” Quinn said. “There was nothing even remotely close that could’ve caused that.”

“We’ve been all throughout the cove,” Jerry confirmed. “We make it a point to look multiple times a year, just to be conscientious. There’s nothing out there that can cause this.”

“So, what happened?” Craig asked. “Did the hull just give for no reason?”

Jerry scratched his cheek, suddenly uncomfortable. “I don’t think so.”

“But you suspect something,” Craig pressed.

“I do suspect something,” Jerry agreed. He took a deep breath, glanced at Nick—something unsaid passing between them—then sighed. “I don’t know how this could be, but I swear it looks as if something from the inside of the boat broke through and exploded outward.”

Quinn worked overtime to keep his face expressionless. He’d said the same thing after his dive. “What could possibly do that?”

“Off the top of my head, not much.” Jerry held out his hands. “You didn’t … like … have tanks of nitrous or anything below deck, did you?”

Craig gave him a withering look. “I don’t generally carry nitrous.”

“What about scuba tanks?”

“No.” Craig shook his head. “I don’t know how to dive … and nobody in my family does either.”

“Well, then I don’t have an answer for you.” Jerry looked genuinely baffled. “I wish I did, but I don’t. We’re going to have to get inside once we get it dried out and go from there. Hopefully, we’ll be able to figure out what happened once we can take a good look at what’s underneath.”

“So … you can’t give me anything right now to report back to the insurance company,” Craig surmised. “That’s what you’re saying, right?”

“Pretty much,” Jerry confirmed. “I’m sorry. I wish we had answers, but we’re not there yet.”

Quinn left Craig to continue his conversation with Jerry and moved away with Nick and Paul.

“You said it looked as if something was inside the boat and busted loose,” Nick said in a low voice. “You were right.”

“It doesn’t help us if we don’t know what it was,” Quinn argued. “I mean … what in the hell could do that?”

“I don’t know,” Nick replied. “I’ve never seen anything like that before in my life … and I’ve seen a lot of weird stuff. I just don’t know.”

“How do we find out?” Quinn pressed.

“You’re supposed to be the expert,” Paul pointed out.

“In this?” Quinn was incredulous. “Who is an expert

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.