He could have jumped out and attacked the little shit then and there, but he didn’t, not where Jen might see. No, he would wait and bide his time.
Jack was going to get what was coming to him when he least expected it. Rocky was going to make sure of that.
Chapter 18
The sky looked overcast, but the sea was calm as Zander piloted his vessel out of the harbour. McKenzie had paid him promptly for yesterday’s drug delivery, but then he had telephoned in the middle of the night to tell Zander there was another pickup. Zander had been half asleep and slightly hung over at the time after spending some of his pay in the Sheet and Anchor, but even he knew things were getting out of hand. But he was in too deep to pull out now, besides which, he didn’t think McKenzie would just let him walk away. Zander wasn’t weak, but he wasn’t stupid. Like it or not, he was in for the duration.
He made a quick call to Brad and met him at the boat before setting sail. He didn’t like involving the engineer, but the boat was too big to pilot by himself, and the engines were temperamental at the best of times, and only Brad seemed able to soothe the savage beast.
The rhythmic slap of the boat as it ploughed through the waves was a relaxing sound. A smudge of light illuminated the clouds where the sun peeked over the horizon.
Zander felt as though saltwater flowed through his veins. Almost mystical at times, the sea had an allure unlike any other.
In the distance, Zander spotted the red buoy that marked the lobster pot and he eased back on the throttle. Just then, something banged against the hull. Unable to see anything from the wheelhouse, Zander cut the engine, stepped out onto the deck, and peered over the side. He couldn’t spot anything in the murky water, but the sea was good at hiding its secrets. Assuming it was flotsam and jetsam, he proceeded to the starboard side to haul in the pot
He couldn’t remember the last time they had brought home a decent haul. He had been through rough patches before, but never one that lasted this long–if it was a shark scaring the fish away, then he needed to track the bastard down, but so far after a thorough search, he hadn’t spotted anything that lead him to believe one had taken up residence on their doorstep.
But if things didn’t improve soon, he was going to have no choice but to lay his men off. Word had gotten back to him that people were already starting to talk, asking how he could make a living and pay his workers when they never caught anything. He could live off the drug money himself, and he could pay his men with it, but he couldn’t risk further suspicion.
He grabbed the pole and hooked the line to the pot, instantly aware something was wrong as the rope came up too easily. A deep frown marred his brow as he eventually pulled the last of the rope aboard to find what remained of the lobster pot. Someone had smashed it to pieces. It took him a couple of seconds to remember the drugs. How could he explain to McKenzie that someone had stolen the drugs?
Back at the harbour, Brad jumped down onto the quay to moor the boat up. When the boat was secure, Zander cut the engine, stepped out on deck, waved and watched Brad saunter home.
“Hey Zander.”
Zander turned and looked at the figure leaning against the harbour wall.
“Rocky. You can tell your mum she’s out of luck. I haven’t caught anything.” That kid always made him a little nervous. There was something about him that wasn’t right. If he hadn’t been fucking the kid’s mum, he wouldn’t speak to him. Jean wasn’t too hot in the looks department, but she certainly made up for it in bed, which is why he usually kept her sweet with the odd fish. Since her husband had left her over eight years ago, Jean had turned to alcohol and a need to feel loved. Not that Zander loved her. As far as he was concerned, it was purely physical.
“I’m not here for fish,” Rocky said.
“Okay, so what are you here for?” He turned and started walking away before Rocky could answer. He had too many things on his mind to listen to whatever the kid wanted, and he only asked out of a grudging politeness.
“You wouldn’t happen to be missing some drugs, would you?”
Zander stopped dead in his tracks. He clenched his jaw and spun around, grabbing Rocky by the scruff of his neck. “Something you want to tell me?”
Rocky’s eyes went wide and he stood up straight and gestured towards the boat. “That new kid in the village. He was bragging yesterday how he’d stolen some.”
New kid? Zander released his hold and scratched his chin, feeling the coarse brush of stubble.
Rocky rubbed his throat. “You know, moved into the old Johnson place with his old man.”
Alarm bells went off in Zander’s head. He remembered showing the kid’s dad up the other day. He didn’t know how, but they were probably in on it together. The bastards would end up getting him killed. “Come here kid, you and me have got a job to do.”
Chapter 19
“So what are you up to today?” Bruce asked.
Jack shrugged. “You know.” He continued to wolf down his breakfast of Cornflakes.
“Actually I don’t, that’s why I’m asking.”
“What’s with the Spanish Inquisition?” He wondered if his old man was being so curious because he knew that he had snuck out last night, but then instantly rejected the idea. If his dad knew about last night, he wouldn’t be so calm.
“Can’t I take an interest in what my son’s up to?”
“You tell me what there is to do in this dump, and I’ll let you know.”
Bruce rolled his eyes. “Well if you’re short of something to do, you can help me decorate.”
“I’m bored, not desperate.”
“Well it wouldn’t hurt you to help anyway.”
“Seriously, dad, I’ll find something to keep me occupied.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Jack and Bruce stared at each other for a moment. Jack didn’t know if there was a hidden subtext to his dad’s comment or whether he was just trying to be funny. After a moment, Jack looked away and continued eating.
Despite what he had just said, Jack knew exactly where he was going today. To see Jen. He couldn’t get her out of his head. After yesterday, he knew there was at least a glimmer of a chance that she and Rocky wouldn’t be together for much longer. If she was going to need a shoulder to cry on, his was ready, willing, and able.
When he had finished eating, Jack stood and headed towards the door. “I’m going out,” he said as he picked up his baseball cap.
“Keep out of trouble. And Jack, don’t go anywhere near the sea. Okay?”
“Yeah, whatever. See you later.”
Once outside, Jack hurried towards the harbour. The overcast sky looked leaden this morning. Out to sea, he noticed a bank of fog rolling in.
When he was out of sight of the house, Jack lit a cigarette. As he slid the lighter back into his pocket, he became aware of the sensation of being watched. He gazed around surreptitiously, but couldn’t see anyone.
In the village, Jack noticed the cafe was open, so he headed across. Although he had only just eaten breakfast, he was hungry. The ruddy faced girl stood behind the counter, wiping the surfaces down. She smiled at Jack as he entered.
“Glad to see you’re still around,” she said.
Jack wondered whether there was more to her words than she was letting on. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
The girl grinned. “So what can I get you?”
“Can I have a can of Coke and one of those chocolate éclairs?”
“Looks like we’re in for a bad one,” she said as she walked across to the fridge to get the can of Coke.