Read Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals for Free Online

She told me that as she was going into the Blue Iguana, she saw Daniel across the street. By the time she got Patti to turn around, he was gone.”
    The look on Courtney’s face said more than any words could offer. The silence was punctuated only by the cry of a gull, the rustling marsh grass, and the far-off measured cadence of surf pounding on the shore. Then Courtney asked, “She’s sure it was him? Did anyone else see him?”
    “She’s sure, and no, nobody else saw him,” confirmed Jack.
    “Do you think it was really him? What are you going to do?”
    “Do? I have no idea? What do you think?”
    “I don’t know what to think,” said Courtney.
    Jack decided not to tell her about the “unknown caller” that was on his phone’s caller ID. He just wasn’t ready to give the idea that Daniel was around any more life than it already had. He would need more hard evidence before he’d do that.
    Still, he wondered. “Court, you know Max as well as I do. She never talks to me about Daniel. If he did show up, is there any chance that she would go back to him?”
    “Of course not. There’s not a chance in hell. She loves you. You’ll see.”
    Before he could reply, he saw Max’s car coming up the road. “Here she comes.”
    He stared intently as the car came to a stop in front of the cottage. Max jumped out and rushed toward the porch. Was she excited because she was happy or was it because she was anxious and worried? Jack couldn’t be sure. She threw a kiss at him and said, “Hi Court. Did Jack tell you who I saw this morning?”
    “He just told me. Are you sure it was him?”
    “Positive.”
    “That’s not exactly what you told me,” interjected Jack.
    She turned toward him and without any hesitation said, “Yes it is.”
    Courtney broke in before Jack could push it further. “Max, how can you be so sure? I thought he had vanished down in Belize. Wasn’t there evidence that he had been killed by those men who were chasing him?”
    “That was never proven. And remember how sure Jack was that he had seen him leaving Belize.” Finally she looked toward Jack. “Right? As sure as I am that I saw him today!” Her mind was clearly made up.
    “Max,” said Jack. “At the time, yes I was sure. But we searched, the police searched, and a lot of effort was put into finding him with no success. Eventually, I accepted that those guys probably did kill him and I really saw someone else.”
    “But now I just saw him. He’s here,” she insisted.
    “Max, maybe you did, or maybe it was just someone who reminded you of him. Remember, you were dealing with the results of last night.”
    Max simply glared at Jack. Finally, he caved in.
    ”Okay Max, I give up,” said Jack. Then, in a soft, resigned voice, he found himself putting shadowy thoughts and feelings into words. “It’s possible.”
    “It’s possible! What’s possible? That I saw him or that you were wrong.”
    “Max …”
    “Don’t Max me. I did see him.”
    “Fine. You saw him.”
    “You’re saying that to shut me up, aren’t you?”
    “No. Actually, when Court and I were just talking, I was beginning to think that you might be right.” Courtney flashed him a look that said, “You what?” but remained silent.
    “What? Now, all of a sudden you agree with me?” Max was getting a little testy.
    “Sorta.” He hesitated. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the possibility that he is here, but I guess it’s possible. You might be right. When you called me, some things began to make some sense.”
    She was now completely focused on him. “What things? What are you talking about?”
    “I realize this is a real stretch, so bear with me. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Your call got me thinking about the letter Daniel left you in Belize. Specifically, what he said about his employer. Do you remember the guy who was after him?”
    “How could I forget?”
    “Remember how you described him: cold, lifeless eyes