Page 59 of Stone Coast (Tyson Wild Thriller)
W e climbed aboard a patrol boat in the shallows. EMTs evaluated us as we headed back to Pineapple Bay. Our oxygen saturation was good, and no signs of respiratory distress. They cleared us both and told us to follow up with primary care.
A trip to the doctor was not on the agenda.
The twin outboards growled, and the aluminum patrol boat split the inky sea. I was still flush with adrenaline, and my head swirled.
“That was everything,” I said to Tyson. “Everything I had in the world was on that boat. Everything that connected me to my past.”
“Not everything,” he replied with a grin.
We returned to a substation of the Coconut County Sheriff's Office in Pineapple Bay. It was a hive of activity, even at this hour. The AC blasted, shivering my skin. Goosebumps sprouted. A deputy handed us some blankets to wrap up in while we filled out a report.
Tyson’s phone buzzed with a call. He answered it. After a brief exchange, he handed the device to me. "It's for you.”
Xzavier’s voice filtered through the line. "TJ told me you got yourself in a bit of a predicament.”
"I've been in worse situations.”
"I have something that might brighten your day.”
"I'm all ears," I said.
"I'm sending Piper to pick you up. She'll take you to the warehouse.”
"I'm with Tyson."
"I’m aware. He might want to sit this one out.”
I scoffed. "That's not going to happen.”
"I'm not sure he wants to get involved in this.”
"He's already involved.”
"I understand, but there are certain lines he might not want to cross.”
"What kind of lines are we talking about?”
Xzavier told me, and my eyes rounded. “You did what?”
"I did what was necessary. I’m providing an opportunity for you to get the answers you seek. Your deputy friend is either on board or he isn’t. If he isn't, he needs to steer clear. He can stay on his side of the law, and I can stay on mine. ”
"Hang on a second," I said, then muted the phone. I addressed Tyson in a hushed tone. "How flexible are you?"
Tyson's eyes narrowed at me. "We’re not talking about yoga, are we?"
I glanced around to make sure no one was listening to our conversation. We were in a police station, after all. “I have an opportunity to get all the answers we need. But it may create a conflict for you."
I had definitely piqued his curiosity. "What kind of opportunity?”
I bit my bottom lip, sizing him up. "How about you get us a hotel room? I can meet you back there after I take care of my business."
Tyson scoffed. "I'm not letting you out of my sight.”
"Then you have to make me a promise."
He regarded me with suspicion. "I can’t make a promise until I know what it is."
"I need you to forget about the badge for the next few hours.”
His steely eyes narrowed at me. "What are you about to get yourself into?”
"I'm about to get us both what we want." I paused. "Piper's going to pick us up and take us to a warehouse. How about you wait outside? You can still keep an eye on me, but it will give you plausible deniability.”
We stared at each other for a long moment. I knew he wasn't going to let me go anywhere by myself. I unmuted the call and said to Xzavier, "We’ve come to an understanding,” I said, knowing that we had done no such thing.
“Good. I’ll see you shortly.”
"We’re having wardrobe issues,” I added.
"Give me your sizes, and I'll see what I can do."
I gave Xzavier our info. "We both need a place to stay tonight."
"I'll get us a hotel," Tyson whispered.
"I figured as much,” Xzavier replied. "TJ says there's ample room aboard his boat. You both are more than welcome.”
"I'll run it by Tyson and see what he says."
Xzavier ended the call, and I handed the phone back to Tyson.
Tyson gave me that cautious look.
"Don't look at me like that. You knew damn good and well what you were getting into with me.”
“You always were trouble,” he said.