Page 58 of Stone Coast (Tyson Wild Thriller)

SAVANNAH

I pushed open the skylight hatch in the forward V berth. The air wasn’t much better as the smoke drifted across the boat, but it wasn't as thick as it was below deck. Every second, it grew thicker and harder to breathe.

I climbed through the hatch and onto the foredeck.

I looked back, but Tyson wasn’t behind me. I peered back through the hatch into the stateroom. "What are you doing?”

Tyson grabbed something, then followed. He had a harder time fitting through the narrow space. He was a big guy, with no shortage of muscles. He managed to squeeze his shoulders through the opening and pull himself onto the deck.

The flames consumed the boat, moving forward at a blistering pace.

We dove into the water as the propane tank at the stern grill exploded .

By the time we surfaced, an amber ball rolled into the sky, lighting up the bay like the sun. Black smoke filled the night, obscuring the moon.

Wearing nothing but a T-shirt and panties, I swam to shore and trudged through the surf.

We looked back across the bay as flames flickered high into the sky, the city and water reflecting the hellish glow.

"I really, really liked that boat," I said.

We watched it burn to nothingness, black smoke roiling into the sky.

The deck buckled and groaned. Nylon rigging melted, dropping blobs of fiery goo.

With a tortured screech, the mast collapsed, splashing into the water.

When there was barely anything left, waves doused the flames, hissing against the heat.

The carcass sank into oblivion with a gurgle.

We were stranded on Blackfin Key. There was nothing out here but mosquitoes, weeds, and trees.

"Look at the bright side," Tyson said. "If there were any surveillance devices left on the boat, they're gone now.”

He had the presence of mind to grab his gun and his phone before disembarking. We were pretty far out, but he managed to get a signal.

Tyson called the county, and they sent a patrol boat to pick us up.

We sat in the wet sand and watched the waves crash against the shore as we waited.

We both coughed from time to time, spitting up black soot.

My lungs were raw and irritated. I’m sure his were, too.

All things considered, we had gotten pretty lucky .

“Are you okay?” Tyson asked after I had a coughing fit.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. You?”

He gave a nod.

"Is it just me, or is it suspicious that someone tried to kill us after we talked to Dirk Langston?” I said.

“I have this thing about coincidences,” Tyson said. “I think we need to have a talk to Dirk’s boss. Alec Stratton is the one pulling the strings. Dirk’s just a pawn.”

“What are you going to do? Storm into the CEO’s office and accuse him of fraud, corruption, and murder?”

“Something like that.”

“Without evidence?”

He gave me a flat look. “Something will give. I’m good about being a thorn in people’s side.”

“I have no doubt.” Tyson was not a guy you wanted to piss off. Now it was personal for him. It was in his eyes.

“Can I borrow your phone?”

His brow wrinkled. “Who are you going to call?”

“Someone who can help us.”