Deceit and Conflict: The J.R. Finn Sailing Mystery Series by Charles Dougherty

Author:Charles Dougherty [Dougherty, Charles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Aaron and I were making sandwiches when Mary joined us.

"All done?" I asked.

She shrugged. "I think so."

"How did it go?"

"Okay, I guess." She grimaced. "Jill didn't say where she came out. She's calling Mike and Bob right now to discuss her findings with them."

"Make yourself a sandwich," Aaron said. "Think we should wait for Jill to eat with us?"

"She said not to; she's got a flight out of Miami to catch. She said I'd hear from Mike or Bob yet this afternoon with their decision." Mary was chewing on the inside of her cheek as she picked up a plate and began making a sandwich.

"Hang in there," I said. "You're going to be okay."

"I hope so. Jill was really hard to read. She seemed more guarded with me than usual."

"No surprise in that," Aaron said. "This situation is pretty far removed from her usual encounters with you."

"How did she seem to you, Finn?" Mary asked.

"She's been through this kind of thing with me so many times we've probably both lost count," I said. "I wouldn't be surprised if she was a little more guarded with you; you don't have as much history with her as I do. Not even close."

"If you played straight with her, I'm sure you'll be fine, Mary," Aaron said.

"Thanks, Aaron." Mary forced a smile and finished putting her sandwich together. "I'm starved."

"You didn't eat any breakfast," Aaron said.

"I was too wound up, worrying about what she'd think. Did she give you any hint as to how she felt about me?" Mary looked me in the eye.

"No. Jill's a consummate professional. She wouldn't share preliminary thoughts with anybody, let alone with me."

Mary nodded and took a bite of her sandwich, looking down at her plate as she chewed. Just as she swallowed, the conference telephone set rang. Aaron got up to answer it, lifting the phone from the sideboard and planting it in the center of the dining table. Mary choked down her bite of the sandwich.

Aaron tapped a button and said, "Yes?" as he sat down again.

"It's me," Bob said. "Are Finn and Mary with you?"

"I'm here," Mary said.

"Me, too."

"All clear from Jill on both of you. Get to work; we've lost too much time already."

"Thanks, Bob," Mary sighed.

I could see the tension melt from her face.

"I'm the one who should thank you. You saved my life at least once, probably twice. Now let's put this behind us. Aaron?"

"Yes?"

"Read them in on the Molot project. I need to run. Mike and I are meeting with the client shortly. Mike had another stop on the way, so he left me to welcome you two back aboard. We're both happy to have you up and running again. Mary?"

"Yes?"

"You and I need to talk after this is over," Bob said. There was a click as he disconnected the call.

"Well," Aaron said, "That seems to call for a celebration. There's cold beer in the fridge. Shall I get us each one?"

"Please," Mary said.

"Sure. The sun's over the yardarm somewhere," I said.

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