Against the Tide by Melody Carlson Page B

make herself believe it was low blood sugar, something that happened occasionally when she skipped a meal. But she knew what it really was.
    Plain old ordinary fear.

TEN
    M ichael returned after a few minutes, explaining that he’d called the Coast Guard and that a cutter was on the way.
    â€œDo you think that’s the same boat that took a shot at you this morning?” he asked Megan.
    She shrugged. “Hard to tell. So many of these fishing boats look alike.”
    â€œAnd there are plenty out there,” Garret added.
    â€œWe’ll let the coast guard check it out.” Michael shrugged. “Chances are it was nothing. I think we’re all just on high alert. Probably a good thing. Meanwhile...” He turned to the waitress with a wry grin. “Our order up yet?”
    â€œHave it out to you in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” She hurried back to the kitchen.
    After they returned to the table, Michael reminded Garret that he was about to tell them his theory about Rory.
    â€œRight.” Garret waited as the waitress set down their order then jumped in. “I probably won’t tell this chronologically, but then you already know some of the background, Michael.” He glanced at Megan. “Although you might not. So, anyway, Rory had been part of the opposition against the opening of the casino.”
    Michael nodded. “Everyone in town knew that.”
    â€œSo did I,” Megan told them.
    â€œHe did a lot of investigating of it—back during the planning stages. His first concern had been that the casino would lure in people who couldn’t afford to gamble.”
    â€œYes,” she said eagerly. “I remember the headline he used— Casinos are Weapons of Cash Deduction .”
    Garret continued. “The more Rory looked into the whole thing, the more concerned he was for a number of other issues, too, He wrote a number of exposés about other casinos. He followed the money trail in an attempt to inform readers of how most of the casino profits went straight back to Las Vegas, by way of the developers, ending up primarily in the pockets of organized crime.”
    â€œRight,” she said. “Dad told me about that, too. But the way I understood it, he worked with the members of the tribe to ensure that they didn’t get taken advantage of like that. And when they finally settled on a developer, they negotiated for a fairer portion of the profits.”
    â€œThat’s the way I understood it,” Michael told her. “And to be fair, after they got used to the idea, most of the town has been positive about the casino. Not only has it provided jobs, it’s stimulated the tourist economy, as well. Most folks feel like it’s a win-win.”
    â€œExcept for when you lose,” Garret said wryly.
    â€œWell, I think Dad was right to help the tribe,” Megan said quietly.
    â€œYeah, it seemed that way in the beginning,” Garret said. “But things aren’t always what they seem. About a year ago, after a conversation with the tribal council, Rory started helping them track what was going on. There were suspicions that they were being taken advantage of. Rory confided to me that he was convinced the developers weren’t divvying up the money fairly.” He frowned. “To be honest, I didn’t quite buy it. But lately, with all that’s gone on, I’ve been giving it some thought. What if Rory was right? With all those computerized games and all that money flying around, wouldn’t it be easy for some of the money to slip through the cracks?” His brow creased. “For all we know, it could’ve been millions.”
    â€œSo Rory believed millions of dollars were going to the developers?” Michael frowned doubtfully.
    â€œWhere else?” Garret asked him.
    â€œWho are the developers?” Megan asked.
    â€œThe Marco brothers,” Michael told her. “Tony and Vince