Page 34 of Wild Oblivion

I chuckled. “Yes.”

She gave me the number. “Stay out of trouble.”

Giselle was 28 and lived in the Seabreeze Flats.

I dialed her number, and it went straight to voicemail. “Giselle, this is Deputy Wild. I’m here with your grandfather. Everything is okay, but I need you to call me at your earliest convenience.”

Paris Delaney and her crew arrived. They captured footage of the circling chopper and patrol cars with flashing lights.

With Henrik secure in the van, I drove him back to the marina at Diver Down. Might as well make use of the vehicle. I wore gloves and tried not to contaminate anything. I pulled around to the dock.

Jack followed, and we unloaded him.

“I don’t need a wheelchair,” he grumbled.

“Are you sure?”

He waved me off and attempted to stand. Henrik was a little shaky, but he stood up and collected his balance.

I stood by, ready to catch him if he teetered.

Henrik wobbled a little as he took a few steps, then steadied himself.

I took cautious steps beside him. “Do you need a cane?”

“No, I don’t need a cane,” he said, annoyed.

Watching him walk was a little nerve-racking.

We made it to theAvventura,eventually.

Henrik grabbed the railing and started the march across the passerelle to the aft deck of the superyacht.

Buddy waited, his nose against the glass of the salon door, barking with excitement.

After some labored steps, we made it aboard. I helped Henrik across the aft deck.

"You doing okay?"

"I'm not an invalid," he barked.

I opened the door and held Buddy back to keep him from knocking Henrik over. After introductions were made, I escorted Henrik across the salon to the sofa and helped him take a seat. Buddy nuzzled up to him. Henrik had a new friend, whether he wanted one or not.

"Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" I asked.

"You got a beer?”

"I think maybe we should hold off on the beer for a moment.”

"I was drinking beer before you were born, son."

I laughed. "I'm sure you were. Let's talk to Giselle first.”

Henrik scowled at me. "What does she know? She's no fun either.”

“Keep an eye on him,” I said to Jack. “Don’t get in any trouble.”

Jack stayed with Henrik while I hustled back down the dock to the van. I loaded the wheelchair in, hopped inside, and drove to the property department, where I logged it in as evidence. Forensic investigators would go over the van, looking for trace DNA, fingerprints, and anything else that might lead us to the perpetrators.