Page 12 of Buck (Diver Downeast #2)

Buck knew that if he’d asked, his folks would have found a way to take Bobbie in, but the lighthearted parents he’d looked up to all his life had grown increasingly glum and worried for their business, so Buck had decided not to burden them with any new crises.

He’d figured there’d be time to rescue Bobbie from her brothers when his parents’ financial stress had eased, but by that point, Buck was gone.

Off to the Coast Guard, with a promise to Chief Ildavorg that during leave time, he wouldn’t contact Bobbie in any way.

The entire situation had sucked.

Buck looked around the trashed yard and didn’t see a vehicle that looked like it could be Bobbie’s. There were no catering vans, no small, easy to maintain cars. Just a couple of very beat up old trucks with rubbish piled up in the back that didn’t bespeak of Bobbie in any way.

Well, she was either here or she wasn’t, and sitting in his car wasn’t doing him any good.

With a deep, fortifying breath, he opened his van and got out.

Before he’d even taken two steps toward the house, the front door creaked opened.

“Who the hell are you and what do you want?”

Drew.

Buck wouldn’t have been surprised if the asshole cradled a shotgun in the crook of his arm. Luckily, that wasn’t the case.

“Drew, it’s Buck. Buck Sothard.”

The man’s eyes widened from the slits they’d been before, and his demeanor changed from yapping dog to bristling bear. “What the fuck? You’ve got a lot of gall coming here, Sothard. Get your ass back in your car and leave, or I’ll call the cops. You’re trespassing.”

Buck wasn’t so easily discouraged, especially since he knew everyone on the police force, and they’d see Drew’s assertion for the bullshit it was.

“I just want to talk to Bobbie,” he told the man as calmly as he could. “I only need five minutes of her time.”

Yeah. See if Drew had an argument with that.

“She’s not here,” Drew snarled. “Now fucking leave.”

Buck shrugged, not quite believing the dick. He raised his voice and called out. “Bobbie? Bobbie, are you in there?”

Nothing.

So, either she was ignoring him, or Drew was telling the truth. There was a way, he hoped, to find out without breaking the law and forcing his way inside. He’d make a call from the safety of his own vehicle.

Buck tipped his imaginary cap to Drew. “Okay. Fine. She’s not here. But tell her I came by asking for her, okay?”

Drew spit in his direction. “Get lost, asshole.”

“Sure thing.” Buck actually gave him a feral smile, which he hoped showed Drew he wasn’t in the least bit cowed…which he wasn’t.

At forty-three, Drew looked rough; like he might as well have been eighty.

His skin was sallow and pasty, his hair thinning, and the belly he sported, hanging sloppily down over his belt, led Buck to believe that the man’s diet was still comprised mostly of beer, and that he ate more fast food than home-cooked meals.

Interesting.

Buck got back in his car and drove a half mile down the dirt road, where he stopped and dialed his sister-in-law. Everlee had been talking to Bobbie a lot at the wedding, and if Buck were lucky, she’d know where he could find her.

“Hi Buck,” Ever greeted brightly. “What can I do for you?”

Yeah. Everlee was sharp. She’d know this wasn’t just a shoot-the-shit call, and he wasn’t going to beat around the bush.

“Has Mason’s filled you in on what happened between me and Bobbie Follster fifteen years ago?”

“As a matter of fact, both he and your mother have been very forthcoming in that regard. But Buck, understand this. I’m not going to intercede on your behalf.

You have a huge support group behind you with all your family and friends.

Bobbie has no one, so I’ve already offered to be her ear if she needs to vent. ”

Man, did Buck appreciate Everlee. Even more than he had before. The woman was freaking brilliant.

“No. No. And that’s awesome, Ever. I don’t want you to get in the middle of anything, especially to advocate for me. I plan on doing that myself. So, yes. Be her sounding board. Please. She needs that. But…”

“Hah. Why is there always a but?” Everlee laughed.

“Well, it’s not a huge one.” Buck explained.

“I went to Bobbie’s shop this morning, and it was closed up tight.

Then I went to her house, but her brother said she wasn’t there.

Now I’m at a loss. I really need to talk to her, sooner, rather than later, and I can’t track her down.

I was wondering if you could help me on that score? ”

Everlee sighed. “Okay. I don’t feel like I’m breaking a confidence, because Bobbie didn’t tell me not to say anything.

First of all, I know she doesn’t live with her brothers any more, which from what Mason says, is a good thing.

She mentioned she has an apartment of her own, and before you ask… no. I have no idea where it is.”

“What do you know?” Buck asked astutely. Clearly, she was hanging onto some helpful information.

Everlee didn’t make him wait. “I know that every week Bobbie has a job in New Brunswick,” she revealed. “She sails out on Monday, cooks for her client on Tuesday, then sails home on Wednesday. So, you’re going to have to cool your jets until then, Buck. I’m sorry.”

“No. Don’t be. At least I have more answers now than I had before. And you can’t know how pleased I am that she no longer lives with those two assholes.”

“So, what’s next?” Everlee asked curiously.

“Next, I find out where she lives, and I wait for her to get home Wednesday night.”

Everlee sighed and tsked unhappily. “That’s, umm, kind of stalker-ish, Buck. I’m not sure I like that plan. I might have to sic your brothers on you if I find you’ve scared the crap out of her.”

Buck thought about what Everlee said for about a half second. “You’re right,” he agreed. “So… I have a better idea. I’ll find out where she normally docks, and I’ll be innocently fishing on the pier when she gets in.”

Everlee snorted. “Uh, huh. Sure. Bobbie’s a pretty smart cookie, Buck. She’s not going to buy it; the coincidence that you’re there. Still, I suppose it’s better than staking out her apartment.”

Buck laughed, taking that as a “go”.

“Good. It’s a plan, then. How about I see you on Thursday and let you know how it went?”

“Sure. I can get behind that,” Everlee agreed. “Dinner at our house?”

“Absolutely. I’ll bring the fish.”