Wreck Bay by Barbara Fradkin

Author:Barbara Fradkin [Fradkin, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
ISBN: 9781459743892
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Published: 2022-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Amanda had just checked out of the Silver Surf B&B and was driving down Campbell Street on her way out of town when she spotted Pim striding across the street, waving at her. He was backlit by the early afternoon sun, so she couldn’t make out his expression, but his step was hurried. Pim almost never hurried.

Concerned, she pulled over and rolled down the window. Kaylee wagged her tail and danced excitedly in greeting, but for once, Pim ignored her. His dark, coarse features were tense with worry as he approached. She thought of the angry woman who had headed up to Flores Island earlier.

“What’s happened? Is it about that woman? Richie’s sister?”

Pim betrayed no surprise at her identity. He glanced nervously around and leaned through the window. “Luke sent a message.”

Her pulse leaped. “Is he all right?”

“He wants to see you.”

“Me? Why?”

“He didn’t say why. He just asked me to bring you to him.”

“Where is he?”

“I’ll bring you to him. My boat’s gassed up and ready to go.”

She was dressed for Victoria, hardly for a trek through the wilderness. “Wait!” she cried, but he was already striding down toward his boat. Hastily, she pulled into a parking spot and jammed a few warm items of clothing from her suitcase into her daypack before grabbing Kaylee’s leash and locking the car. She could change clothes in the boat or on shore once they arrived. Her mind was swirling with questions, and her heart pounded, part apprehension and part excitement.

Pim opened the throttle and said nothing as they threaded past Meares Island and raced up the inside channel of Flores. The sky was blue and the breeze seemed soft, but the boat rocked and pounded on the ocean swell. She dug her hiking boots, sweater, and weatherproof jacket out of the daypack and tried to change while clinging to the gunwales. Kaylee perched at the bow, her ears flattened and her tongue lolling with excitement.

Instead of continuing toward Luke’s beach, Pim pulled into the small, protected cove halfway up the inner shore where Richie and his friends had first stopped to play. When she shot him a questioning look, he shrugged.

“It’s close to where he’s staying.”

They floated the boat up into a crevice and anchored it at both ends before Pim led the way across the stony beach toward what looked like impenetrable forest. Up close, however, he lifted an overhanging branch to reveal a narrow, partially overgrown path that plunged into the thick, tangled green. He signalled to her.

“This is very rough. Stay close and watch the dog. She’ll warn us if there’s trouble. Dogs can hear and smell many times better than humans.”

Amanda kept a tight lead and a close eye on Kaylee, tensing every time the dog’s nose twitched or her ears swivelled. For about half an hour, they tromped single file along the path, clambering up hills and down gullies, floundering across streams, and detouring around fallen trees, slipping, panting, sweating despite the cool, damp forest air.

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