Page 13 of Stone Coast

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Jack said after I ended the call.

“I think I just talked to one,” I replied.

“Who was that?”

I fumbled for a simple way to sum up who she was and what she meant to me. “Just somebody I used to know,” I said, downplaying it.

Jack knew better. “Oh, there’s more to the story than that.”

He stood behind the bar on the aft deck of the superyacht and poured a glass of whiskey. His long bottle-blond hair hung past his shoulders. Wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt, a t-shirt, and cargo shorts, Jack had perfected the casual rockstar, beach-bum vibe.

“We ran an op back in the day,” I said.

“And?”

“Things got complicated.”

“Don’t they always.”

I was still in a daze. It didn’t seem real. I had to see for myself that Savannah was still alive.

“You’re really going to drive up there now?”

I nodded. “She sounds like she’s in trouble.”

“Could be an act.”

“I don’t think so.”

“You’re going to miss a helluva party.”

The boat was about to be filled with a bevy of gorgeous women. Jack’s band had a magnetic quality.

“You’ll manage without me,” I said.

“Just make sure you get back to Coconut Key before we leave.”

“We’re 10 days out. I’m just going up and back. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

He gave me a skeptical look. “You haven’t heard from her in how long?”

“A long time.”

“Sounds like she’s a little more than someone you used to know.”

“Maybe a little.”

A hint of concern flickered in Jack’s eyes. “I know that look.”

“What look?” I said innocently.

“Stay out of trouble.”

I looked at him like he was crazy. “When do I ever get in trouble?”

He couldn’t keep a straight face. “Just get back in time for Europe. Someone’s gotta keep the show rolling.”

“I’ll be back in time. Don’t worry.”