Against the Tide by Melody Carlson Page A

message with the director that I’d stop by today.” She let out a tired sigh, leaning back into the seat.
    â€œYou’re probably exhausted.”
    â€œI kind of am.”
    â€œMaybe you can have some downtime after lunch.”
    She sat up straighter now. “I don’t expect any downtime until this whole thing is wrapped up.”
    â€œWrapped up?” He eyed her curiously. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
    â€œI want to know how Dad died—and if it’s related to all this other stuff. I want to get to the bottom of it.”
    â€œI think that’s what Rory had been trying to do, too,” he said glumly. “But, as he found out, it wasn’t that easy.”
    â€œSo you do know what he was working on?” She looked intently at him. “And you never even told me?”
    â€œIf you remember correctly, I started to tell you a number of times. But it seems like we’re always getting interrupted by things like stray bullets, killers and such.”
    â€œEven so.” She sounded aggravated, and he felt a bit guilty.
    â€œIt’s not like I really know anything specifically. Rory didn’t exactly spill the beans. But I’ve been putting some things together—my hunch has been growing.”
    â€œSo you’re going to tell Michael and me about your hunch?”
    He nodded as he turned next to the bridge, pulling up in front of the rustic building that housed the old café. “That’s my plan. Unless someone attempts to blow this place up while we’re talking.”
    â€œThat’s so not funny.”
    â€œI wasn’t joking.” He looked cautiously around as he led her into the funky old restaurant. “I’m watching my back pretty carefully now. You should be, too.”
    â€œI know.” She looked at the low wooden building. “I haven’t been here in years. Dad used to bring me a lot. But as a teenager, I started turning my nose up at it.” She sighed as they went inside. “What a little fool I was.”
    He chuckled. “Chalk it up to adolescence.”
    Relieved that nothing seemed changed, Megan paused by the big bulletin board by the door. The Bragging Board was where fishermen tacked their trophy photos up. “Look.” She pointed to one of her dad with a gigantic fish and a huge grin. “That lingcod was nearly sixty pounds,” she told Garret.
    He chuckled. “Too bad Rory didn’t like lingcod.”
    â€œI know. He donated it to the soup kitchen. Only reason he didn’t throw it back was because it was photo worthy.”
    Garret pointed to a booth in the corner. “That okay?”
    â€œYeah.” She nodded to the door. “Here comes Michael.”
    After they were settled and orders placed, Garret was just starting to explain what Rory had been working on when Michael suddenly stood. Pointing out the window that looked out to the bridge and river, he asked, “Does that look like this morning’s boat?”
    Megan and Garret both turned to see. “Yes!” Megan exclaimed. Then, suddenly afraid, she asked, “Are we in danger?”
    â€œI don’t know, but I plan to find out.” Michael was reaching for his phone. “But you kids stay away from the windows.”
    â€œNeed help?” Garret offered.
    â€œI don’t think so.” Michael was heading for the door. “I just want to tip off the coast guard. Maybe they’ve got a cutter nearby.”
    As Michael went outside, Megan and Garret hovered behind a shelf filled with tourist trinkets. It worked as a divider to block them from the window.
    â€œWhat’s up?” the waitress asked with curiosity.
    Garret quickly explained, urging her and the other restaurant workers to remain in the kitchen until they got the all-clear. But as Garret was peeking around the side of the trinket shelf, Megan felt herself trembling uncontrollably. She tried to