Family Matters by Robert Ullrich

Author:Robert Ullrich [Ullrich, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 7159724321
Publisher: Phantom Scorpio Productions
Published: 2019-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

~19~

November 13

4:09 am – EST

Lazarus crossed under the overseas highway, just north of Deer Key. He spotted the Coast Guard patrol boat about the same time they spotted him. Lazarus was already reaching for his mic when they hailed him. He gave them a quick response, throttled back and angled toward the boat.

The patrol boat lit up Lazarus with a search-lite mounted on the port side. Lazarus continued, slowing his speed even more. He wasn’t concerned with being stopped, it was a matter of time; time he didn’t want to lose.

“This is Captain Wilkerson of the Coast Guard Roanoke Island. Stand by to be boarded.” The Captain stood near the search-lite, watching as Lazarus cut the speed and idled towards the cutter.

Lazarus keyed his mic, “Good morning Captain Wilkerson, Lazarus Solaris here.”

The Captain hesitated, “Solaris? What the hell are you doing out here at this hour?”

Lazarus idled up to the patrol boat. “I’m on the way to Key West, Captain. I’m flying out in the morning to Miami to pick up some friends.” He cut the engines twenty feet out, ending the need for radio communication.

The Captain knew Lazarus well. They’d met socially on several occasions since Wilkerson had taken command of the Roanoke in 2015. “Don’t you have someone to do that for you?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Come on, Tom. You know I wouldn’t trust just anyone with this baby. She’s a classic.”

“That she is, Lazarus,” said Captain Wilkerson. “I wasn’t going to stop you, but it’s been a slow week and I figured I might get lucky. I knew that wasn’t happening when you cut towards me. That, and you were running with lights on and your flag up.”

“I understand, Tom. I’m not usually on the water this time of the night, so I figured I’d better be visible,” said Lazarus.

“Good call, Lazarus,” said Wilkerson. “Are you putting on another big charity event for New Year?”

“Your invite is already in the mail, Tom,” Lazarus said with a grin. “Just be sure and bring that lovely wife of yours. I’ve got someone I want her to meet.”

“No shit?” Wilkerson asked. “Don’t tell me the famous Lazarus Solaris finally got caught by a good woman.”

“Ha-ha, Tom, very funny. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll be heading on.”

“Take care, Lazarus, and we’ll see you New Year’s Eve.”

Lazarus waved as he fired the engines up, cutting away from the patrol boat. He throttled back to 65mph glancing at his watch; 10 minutes had passed. “That could have been a lot worse,” he said to himself as he continued south.

He arrived at the Key West Marina at 4:35, ten minutes later than planned, but not so long it changed anything. Lazarus glided the Ducati into the slip and tied her off. He headed across the street to a row of storage buildings.

The section Lazarus rented was 16’ x 60’; long enough to pull the Ducati in if need be in the event of a hurricane. Lazarus went inside after checking the area. He was alone.

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