Against the Tide (30 page)

Chapter Thirty-Two

It was early evening by the time Rafe, Liv, and his crew were released from the Providence Medical Center, where they had been taken after the Coast Guard boat arrived in Valdez.

Liv's cell had gone missing, but Rafe and Zach kept theirs in waterproof cases, and Rafe's had been stuffed in the pocket of his jeans. He phoned Noah as soon as he got to the hospital. They were out at the airport, refueling Derek's plane. So far they hadn't found a damned thing.

“I've been calling,” Noah said. “No answer. I was starting to worry.”

“You weren't far off the mark. I'm at the hospital. Everyone's okay, but
Scorpion
's in a jillion pieces out in the middle of the Sound.”

“Jesus, Rafe. What happened?”

“Somebody blew us up. That's not the official version, but there it is.”

“But everyone's okay? No one got hurt?”

“One of the passengers damn near drowned. She's okay, but it was a close thing. Her husband's got a broken arm. One of the crew wound up with a concussion.”

“I don't like this. We're coming in. Take Liv and we'll meet up at your place. If you get there first, make sure no one's paid you a visit while we've been gone.”

“I've got to talk to the chief of police. He's due any minute.”

“You gonna tell him about our friends?”

“We could use his help. Maybe now that the boat's been blown sky-high, the police will believe we've got a credible threat.”

“You sure what happened out there wasn't about Olivia?”

He blew out a breath. There was no way to know for sure. “No,” was all he said.

Noah swore softly. “Good luck, then. We'll see you back at your place.”

Rafe hung up the phone. Liv borrowed it to phone Nell and tell her what had happened before news of the explosion spread all over town. Zach walked out just then, an arm draped over Jaimie's shoulder. Since their clothes had been wet, all of them were wearing the disposable green scrubs they'd been given by the Coast Guard crew.

“How are the Neidermans doing?” Zach asked as he and Jaimie walked up.

“Doc says they're both going to be fine. Jim's in a cast. Connie's got a concussion. They're keeping her overnight for observation.” Rafe turned to the redhead tucked beneath Zach's arm. “How about you, Jaimie? They letting you go home?”

“The concussion wasn't bad. My folks are on their way, so I'll be okay.” She flicked a glance at Liv, then looked back at Rafe. “I was pretty scared out there. I was nauseated and dizzy and I couldn't get my bearings. If Olivia hadn't come after me, I don't know what would have happened.”

“If Liv couldn't have made it, Zach would have come for you. I know he wanted to go as soon as he saw you hit the water. Instead, he did his job, maybe kept all of us alive.”

Rafe swung his attention to the dark-haired kid who had done as well as any man twice his age. “You were great out there, Zach. Smart and in control. You did exactly what needed to be done. I'd crew with you any time, any place.”

A smile broke over Zach's handsome face. “Thanks, Rafe.” The smile faded. “Do you really think the propane in the galley exploded?”

“You heard what I told Jim. Until they examine the wreckage—”

“I think it was a bomb,” Zach said. “I think one of those guys in the motel room killed Scotty. We were getting close, so they tried to kill us. That's what I think.”

“I'd appreciate it if you didn't speculate too much at this point.”

“Are you kidding?” Zach looked appalled. “We could get arrested for putting the GPS on that Jeep. I'm not saying a word.”

“Me either,” Jaimie vowed. “Whatever happened, I don't want any more trouble. The boat blew up. That's it. You can tell them whatever you want.”

Rafe nodded. “Thanks. You kids go on. Without a boat, we aren't working tomorrow or any day soon. Mo can take some of
Scorpion
's passengers. I'll arrange for another company to handle the rest. You two are on paid leave until I can find us a new vessel.”

“I really liked that boat,” Zach grumbled.

“So did I. But it's people who matter. And when the time came,
Scorpion
did her job. She stayed afloat long enough for you to get off that mayday and get the raft in the water. She'll be hard to replace. Now get going.”

Zach smiled. “After a day like today, I could use a little time off.”

“Me too,” Jaimie said, unconsciously moving closer to Zach.

Arms around each other's waists, the two of them walked away. Jaimie's parents were outside waiting to drive them home. Rafe watched them disappear through the door just as Chief Rosen walked in.

“I understand one of my officers has already taken an incident report,” the chief said, his eyes going over Rafe, who stood there in a pair of scrubs. “Looks like you came out unscathed aside from a few cuts and bruises. How about you, Ms. Chandler?”

“Cuts and bruises. Except for those and being a little shook up, I'm fine.”

“What about everyone else? No overnight hospital stays for anyone?”

“Mrs. Neiderman suffered a concussion. The hospital's keeping her for observation. Her husband has a broken arm.”

“What happened out there?”

He shook his head. “No way to know. Not at this point. Propane leak in the galley, maybe.”

“Or maybe it's something else. There's an empty office we can use down the hall. We can talk in there.”

Rafe flicked a glance at Olivia as they started in that direction. He could feel the tension in her body as they made their way along the corridor and went into the empty room. Rosen followed them in and closed the door.

The office was hospital sterile, with seasonal photos of Prince William Sound on the walls, a metal desk, and a couple of stacking metal chairs.

“I got a call a few hours ago from the FBI,” Rosen said, taking a seat behind the desk, motioning for them to sit down on the opposite side. “I don't know your brother Nick, but apparently he has a friend in the agency. Since his friend wasn't there, he spoke to Special Agent Brian Bunting. Your brother called in regard to possible suspicious activity that might or might not affect the pipeline terminal. I presume you know something about that.”

“Nick's a private investigator. I gave him a couple of names to run in regard to the Scott Ferris murder. One of them showed former connections to a terrorist group.”

“Special Agent Bunting checked out the information, but came up with nothing of any real consequence. That being said, as a precaution they called and alerted me, and also gave a heads-up to the security people out at the terminal.”

Rafe felt a wave of relief.

“Is there any chance this accident today could in any way be linked to the information the FBI received?” Chief Rosen asked.

How much should he say? The police department and the terminal were already on alert. At this time, there was no way to verify what had actually happened to the boat.

And anything he said might wind up getting Olivia arrested—or killed.

“The boat exploded, Chief. At this point, that's all I know.”

“Good. Because I'm not in the mood to go head-to-head with the FBI unless I'm in possession of hard evidence that proves there's a problem. Tips come in every day—Bunting's words, not mine. So unless you have something more to add, we'll leave things as they are, and you can both go home.”

“Thanks, Chief.”

“You need a ride?”

“One of the girls at the restaurant is picking us up,” Olivia told him. Liv had spoken to Nell, told her what had happened. Katie was picking them up and dropping them back at Rafe's truck, parked at the café.

The chief nodded, smiled as he walked out from behind the desk. “All right. One last thing. From now on, it'd be a good idea if you left the investigating to the police.”

“Good advice,” Rafe said as he and Liv stood up, too.

“I'd advise you to take it.” The chief walked out of the office.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Olivia went into Rafe's arms. He could feel her trembling. “They know there might be an attack,” she said. “We've done everything we can.”

Rafe's hold tightened. “We'll see,” was all he said.

 

 

It was late but still light outside when they arrived at Rafe's house. The Expedition, which Noah and Derek had driven to the airport that morning, was parked out front. Noah had used the house key Rafe had given him and the two men were already inside when Rafe guided Olivia up the stairs from the garage.

Seated on the couch, Noah eyed their baggy green scrubs with a hint of amusement. “A little old to be playing doctor, but at least you've got a pretty nurse.”

Derek grinned, and Rafe felt a smile tug at his lips. The humor faded as the men fixed worried eyes on Liv.

“When Brodie takes a woman on a date,” Derek drawled, “it's one she won't soon forget.”

“You okay, sweetheart?” Noah asked.

“You should have seen her,” Rafe said. “Swims like a fish, and that ice water didn't faze her. She brought Jaimie in, then swam back to rescue me.”

One of Derek's dark eyebrows went up. “That so?”

“He didn't need my help,” Olivia explained, flicking Rafe a glance. “He was busy saving Mrs. Neiderman's life. I was just . . . I was afraid he might have been hurt in the explosion.”

Noah smiled, deepening his dimples. “I want you on my next fishing trip, lady, just in case the boat sinks.”

“That's for sure,” Derek said.

Noah looked at Rafe, his features turning serious. “We checked the house. No sign of a break-in. No explosives.”

“Whoever blew up the boat is probably sure the explosion took you out,” Derek said.

“It's a miracle it didn't.”

“You talk to the police?” Noah asked.

Rafe nodded. “No way to determine the exact cause, at least not yet. I didn't press the issue, since we don't know any more than they do. The good news is, all the agencies have been alerted to the possibility of a terrorist attack—FBI, local cops, terminal security. The bad news is, they don't have enough info to view the threat as entirely credible. I was really hoping we could locate that Jeep.”

“I'm going up one more time before it gets dark,” Derek said. “We were working a grid. We cut the pattern short and came directly back here after Noah talked to you. We've got one more area left to search.”

“The Jeep could be parked in a garage somewhere,” Olivia said. “You wouldn't be able to see it from the air.”

“Could be, but it's worth another try,” Derek said.

Rafe nodded. “After what happened, I don't think we can afford to overlook anything.” He turned to Liv, spoke to her softly. “Why don't you go upstairs, darlin'? Maybe take a soak in the hot tub, yes?”

Her whole body seemed to sigh at the notion. “Okay.”

The three of them watched as she wearily climbed the stairs in her baggy, borrowed clothes and disappeared down the hall.

“I'm beginning to understand why you're determined to fight for her,” Noah said.

“She's worth it,” said Rafe.

“We'll do what we can to help,” Derek said, “but we need to solve this problem first.” He glanced out the window toward the still-light evening sky. “I'm heading back to the airport, take a look at that last search area.”

“I'm with you,” Noah said. “Four eyes are better than two, and I'm still convinced these guys are going after the pipeline.” He turned to Rafe. “That said, you need to stay alert. If we're wrong and Liv is the target, they may come after her here.”

Rafe nodded. He'd already considered that. “I've got the S&W .45 I carry when I'm hiking, a .38 revolver, and a couple of hunting rifles. I'll get them out of my gun safe.”

“Our gear's in the back of the Expedition,” Noah said.

Rafe walked them to the door. “You spot the Jeep, you call. I'll move in, keep an eye on them till you can get there.”

“You got it.” Derek and Noah headed out of the house.

 

 

Rafe went upstairs to retrieve his weapons: his semiautomatic pistol, two hunting rifles, and the .38 revolver his dad had given each of his sons for Christmas one year. He laid them out on the bed.

Shedding the scrubs, he grabbed the semiauto and padded naked down the hall to the hot tub. Olivia was floating on her back with her head against the rim, her eyes closed, dark hair drifting around her face.

He set the gun on the edge of the tub and quietly slid into the water, intending to let her doze. The warmth soaked into him, began to wipe away some of the tension. He swam often enough that today's adventure hadn't really tired him, but the hot tub thawed the chill that lingered deep in his bones.

On the opposite side of the tub, Olivia's eyes slowly opened and a soft smile curved her lips. “Feels good, doesn't it?”

“Amazing.”

She pushed away from the edge and drifted toward him. He could see her slender curves, naked and pretty beneath the water. If she came any closer, she would realize he was aroused and all his noble intentions would fly right out the window.

She pressed up against him, flicked a glance toward the rim of the tub where he'd set the pistol within easy reach. “I see you brought your gun.” She smiled, slid her hand down to his groin. “Both of them.”