Deadly Waters by Gloria Skurzynski

Author:Gloria Skurzynski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Published: 1999-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Staring though the glass, Jack followed the direction of Ashley’s finger. A boat, expensive and sleek, swayed gently in the sable waters. Instantly he recognized the craft. It belonged to the man who stole his camera.

“That’s it for sure!” Jack cried. He was halfway to his feet when Bridger grabbed him and pulled him back into his chair. “Don’t go getting all twisted into a knot. We’ve got to do this right,” he hissed. “The man could be in here, right now, watching us. You look behind me, and I’ll check out the tables behind you. But don’t make it seem like you’re looking.”

Bridger was right, Jack knew, so with half-closed eyelids, he made a sweep of the few patrons still occupying the near-empty restaurant. An older couple held hands in the back corner, deep in conversation; a busboy with fuzzy blond hair stacked dirty dishes into a tub; and behind him, to the rear of the restaurant, two women lost in conversation stabbed at their salads. No man with a beard was anywhere Jack could see. Or without a beard, if Ashley was right about that.

“Clear in my direction,” Bridger said. “How’s it lookin’ your way?”

“No sign of him. Look, my camera might still be in that powerboat. I want to get it back!”

“Then call the police,” Ashley insisted.

“No.” Bridger shook his head. “That boat could be gone before the cops made their way over here. Jack’s right. Him and me’ll check it out.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” Ashley flared.

Standing slowly, Bridger bent his tall frame across the table. Leaning on his knuckles and leaning on every word, he told her, “You—stay—right—here. Got it? No telling what’ll happen out there, Ashley, but one thing

I do know is it’s no place for a girl. I’d appreciate it if you’d sit here and be a lookout.”

“I don’t want to be a lookout—don’t you remember what Dad said about the shark?” Ashley almost squeaked out the last word. “He told you that you shouldn’t be stupid about doing dangerous stuff. This is dangerous. And stupid!” She turned to Jack, her eyes pleading, but Jack was too pumped to respond. The boat was there, less than 50 yards away. This might be his only chance to get his camera back. There was a time for words and a time for action.

Quickly he rose and stood next to Bridger. “Sorry, Ashley, but I gotta do this. We’ll be back,” Jack said. And they marched out of The Captain’s Table and into the night.

Directly in front of them was a small parking lot, guarded by a streetlight in one corner that illuminated the few cars parked there and lit a part of the pier at the water’s edge. To their right, steps led to the pier; it was flanked by wooden pillars spaced every ten feet. A pelican balanced one leg on the nearest piling, its yellow eyes watching Jack’s every move. As they approached, the bird spread huge wings as if to warn them off, but Jack hardly paid attention.

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