Slipway Grey: A Deep Sea Thriller (3 page)

Chapter 6

The Present

Thursday seemed to drag on forever. Luke kept checking the clock on the walls of the various classrooms. There wasn’t much to talk about in any of the classes. He’d taken his exams a week prior, just like all the seniors had. The teachers spent their time mostly discussing college and some of the dos and don’ts of university living. Biology class was interesting due to some of the more obnoxious kids asking the blushing teacher sex questions. Lunch was also uneventful. He figured he’d eat with his new friends, but Chet told him to get lost. For the final hour, the seniors were required to attend a meeting in the gymnasium. Luke figured it would be the same news they’d heard all week: don’t be late, don’t show up drunk, don’t dye your hair, etc. He just had to sit through one more hour, and then he’d be free.

He entered the gymnasium and saw Glenn waving to get his attention. He took his seat. “Hey, man. The day’s almost over.”

“Can’t wait. I’m still shocked your parents are letting you go. It was hell for you to even get the okay to see a movie at night. It was a real drag going to matinées with bratty kids. I almost strangled that little boy next to me during the last Batman. He wouldn’t fucking shut up.”

“Mom said no at first. She brought up the same old excuses. My dad finally opened his mouth and took my side. Maybe he’s finally seeing me more as an adult.”

“Yeah, and one day when you get hair on your balls you’ll be a real man.” Glenn snickered.

“Real funny, asshole. Anyway, she did start on me this morning about the missing people. It is kinda weird, what, nine or ten people have disappeared over the last year? She made me promise not to leave the group when we go out. That’s no big deal.”

“Nope. Where Mandy will be, so will you—and Chet, too.”

“Don’t remind me. Hey, what do you think’s been happening? A serial killer? People getting drunk and swimming in the ocean? I know people runaway but even those that left notes have never been found.”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s aliens. You remember that guy in Gulf Breeze took pictures several years ago of UFOs around here? It’s probably little gray men snatching up humans so they can stick anal probes in their butts.”

“You can never be serious, can you?”

“Sure I can. I think getting a metal probe up the poop-chute is very serious.” Glenn smiled.

A pair of knees poked Luke in the back. He turned, and Chet’s smiling face made him see red.

“Why am I going on this trip, again?” Luke asked Glenn, who was trying to stare down the shirts of the girls in front of him.

“Because it’s going to be awesome, that’s why. An entire weekend of drinking and relaxing. Sounds like a perfect way to unwind before graduation.”

“I guess. I’ll make it to graduation if the big idiot behind me doesn’t drown me.”

“Or blow you.”

The pair erupted in laughter. Glenn snuck a look at Chet, who was busy flexing his biceps for another football player. They laughed again.

“What are you two girls laughing at?” Chet asked with a sneer.

“Nothing, man. We’re just excited about the weekend,” Luke said.

“You guys bringing one of those blow up sex dolls? That’s the only way you’ll score.”

“Why are you so obsessed with our sex lives, Chet? How about we compare math scores? I bet you mine is bigger than yours,” Luke said.

Glenn laughed and slapped Luke on the thigh.

“Hey! I don’t like the way you said that.” Chet leaned forward, wearing an angry scowl.

“Can we just call a truce or something? I’m going to head off to the West Coast in a few weeks to start summer school. Glenn and I are going to Mandy’s because she invited us, and we just want to get some sun and drink a little. Don’t worry, we won’t get in your way.”

“Well, see that you don’t.”

“Everyone, quiet, please,” Principal Hayes said. He held the microphone too close to his mouth, and a metallic shriek silenced the crowd.

Principal Hayes reminded Luke of what he thought a college professor would look like. Tall, thin, with a distinguished head of gray hair and a small pair of glasses on his pointy nose. Hayes had been in charge for a long time. He spoke with a slight accent Luke couldn’t place, but it made his long winded speeches all the more tolerable.

“First of all, congratulations to all of you on your upcoming graduation. This is a monumental achievement, and one you should hold dear for the rest of your days. I wanted to go over a few reminders to all of you on what will, and will not, be acceptable on graduation night.”

Luke zoned out as Hayes listed off the things one could do to prevent walking the stage. His eyes caught Mandy’s, who gave him a slight smile, and then turned back to Hayes. No way. She must have been looking at Chet. A grin widened on Luke’s face, and before he knew it, he beamed from ear to ear.

“You look like a fucking retard,” Glenn whispered.

The smile disappeared. He focused on what Hayes was rambling about.

“And lastly, there will be a memorial wreath and card for the family of Shane McCardell. I’d very much like all of you to sign it so we may present it to his parents before graduation.”

“Jesus, are they going to be there?” Glenn said.

“I guess so. That won’t make the night
too
weird.” Luke rolled his eyes and cringed at the thought of Shane’s grieving parents addressing the graduates. He didn’t know how someone could do it.

With that, Principal Hayes released them. A throng of whooping seniors exited the gymnasium into the school’s halls. Luke and Glenn stayed behind, and so did Chet. Mandy walked up to sit near him. Desmond, Serena, and Sarah stepped down from the bleachers and joined the group.

“So we really doing this?” Chet said.

“Of course we are. Why wouldn’t we?” Mandy said.

“Well, by my count, there are four guys and three chicks. Kind of uneven numbers.” Chet stared at Luke.

“I’m sorry, who am I dating again?” Sarah said.

“You’re right, sorry. Luke and Glenn are together. I forget sometimes.”

“I’m impressed, Chet,” Luke said. “I didn’t think you could count that high.”

Chet paused, and Desmond laughed loud. He clapped Chet on the back hard.

“He got you good, son.”

“Whatever,” Chet said.

“Well, if you ’tards are done, let’s talk details,” Mandy said. “I’m thinking we meet up after school and leave from here. Everyone can park their cars in the senior lot over the weekend. I’m taking one of our SUV’s. Our boat is in the slip as well, so all we need to do is get there. Don’t worry about food. I made sure the house was stocked a few days ago. We should have everything you guys need, except for clothes, obviously.”

“Sounds nicer than most hotels,” Glenn said.

“It is,” Sarah added. “I’ve been once before. Only once.” She glared at Mandy, playfully.

“Clothes? We need clothes for the weekend? I was going to go
au naturel
and let it all hang out,” Desmond said, dry and straight-faced.

“Des!” Serena slapped him on the shoulder. “Mandy doesn’t want your nasty ass sitting on the couch.”

“I’ll sit on a towel.”

“No. We can play nude beach in our room.”

“Besides, you wouldn’t want to scare the girls,” Chet said.

“I’ve seen big dicks before,” Mandy said.

“Who cares?” Sarah said.

“I was talking about Luke and Glenn—ouch!”

Mandy had poked Chet in the ribs with a fingernail. “Would you please stop ragging on those two? It’s getting old.”

“I thought there was a nude beach by your house,” Desmond said.

“There are some remote beaches closer to Fort Pickens where nudists have thrown a few parties. My house is the last residential property before the state property begins. There isn’t another house in sight, so if you want to roast your weenie by the beach, be my guest. No one will see you.”

“I’ll get Serena to rub some sunscreen on it. I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, that’s it. Make sure you get it all covered. Do the balls too. Oops, it’s growing. Get it all nice and greased up. Keep—’”

“Is that all you want me for? To be your personal sex slave this weekend? I swear, I don’t know what happened with guys who they think they just snap their fingers and girls will do whatever they want.”

“Hey, calm down. I was just joking.” Desmond wrapped his arm across her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“Guys.” Mandy addressed the group. I want to have a nice weekend. We’ve known each other for years, and we’ve been through a lot together. This is our last chance to be kids. After graduation, we’re entering a new phase in our life. Before you know it we’ll be adults raising families and driving minivans. Let’s just go and have some fun.”

“I’m for that. Parrrr-tay,” Chet said. The rest nodded or said “okay.”

“Great. Everyone knows the plan. I’ll pick you up around ten, and we can be at the restaurant around eleven.”

Chapter 7

One Year Earlier

The Gulf begins to swallow the sun on the horizon. Blues mix with orange and pinks in the warm glow before darkness descends. The young woman sits at a small table by the window of the bar, watching the sunset across the parking lot by the beach several yards away. She cherishes the bright Florida sunshine, but can’t wait to feel the dark seduction of night. Her heart races in excitement. She holds back a smile as she plucks the plastic sword impaling the olive from the martini and slowly crushes it between teeth. Brine oozes in her mouth followed by the sharpness of blue cheese as it blossoms its richness. She relishes the wonderful flavor. Finishing the drink is a sad conclusion. She wants another but has to keep her wits about. There is no room for error.

A young man driving alone in an Audi passes slowly by the window and turns up a row toward an empty parking spot. The car has a Georgia license plate and a University of Georgia bumper sticker. This one is far from home.

It is a few minutes before he leaves his vehicle. He looks to be of college age, tall, not too thin, but not too large to be cumbersome. His black polo shirt fits well and offers a nice contrast to his sandy blonde hair. The jeans snug tight to his hips. He is hesitant in his stride at first, looking about as if expecting someone hiding between the cars to leap out in surprise. Typical for a guy alone far away from home, she imagines.

His pace increases as he runs up the few steps leading to the bar entrance. He enters the door with chest poked forward and shoulders back. She brings the empty glass to her lips and hides her face as she watches him take a seat at the bar.

The bartender wears a halter top accentuating the handiwork of her plastic surgeon. Her face brownish orange from a bottle of faux tan and teeth bleached a shade of unnatural white. She serves a beer filled from a tap shaped like a baseball bat and approaches the new patron. After a broad smile and a quick wipe of the bar with a yellowed rag she asks for his order. The smile of her cleavage captures his gaze, and with obvious reluctance, he rips it away and makes his selection.

His drink arrives in an imperial pint glass. The liquid dark red and a thick head of small bubbled foam. He hands the bartender a few bills and holds the other up to indicate the excess is hers to keep.   

With the empty martini glass in hand, she rises from the chair—taking care to adjust the hem on the tight fitting black skirt. Her nails are colored dynamic candy red—only a shade brighter than her lips. Auburn hair, long and silky, frames high cheek bones and luscious mouth. She walks with the prowess of a jungle cat on the hunt. An innocent rabbit sits with eyes growing wider as his mouth drops open in the mesmerizing moment.

“Is this seat taken?” Her words are simple—the question stale. She does not wait for an answer, sliding onto the stool keeping her naked legs on display for his pleasure.

Finding his resolve through the haze of enchantment, he utters a soft, “No.”

She adjusts her skirt in a soft caress across thighs. She lifts her head and peers upward with green-gold eyes that sparkle.

He closes his mouth and swallows as if parched from a long desert journey. Then lifts the beer for a nervous sip.

She rests folded hands on a knee and waits patiently.

“Hi there. Can I offer you a drink?” Forced courage resonates in his voice.

“A drink would be delicious.”

He smiles sheepishly and raises a hand to attract the bartender.

“What’ll you have?” the bartender asks as the young man points to the new arrival. 

“I’ll have what my friend . . .”

“Adam.”

“I’ll have what Adam is having.”

The bartender leaves to fill the order.

“So you like Irish Red too. I see you have red hair. Are you Irish?”

“Only on St. Patrick’s Day.”

He laughs. “What’s your name? I told you mine.”

“Eve.”

“Eve? Your name is Eve? No way! Eve?”

“Yes. Eve.”

“So, I’m Adam and you’re Eve.”

The bartender sets the glass down, and Adam hands her more bills.

She wraps her hand around the chilled glass and brings it to her mouth. Her tongue wipes her lips before she speaks. “Yes.”

“Unbelievable. You’re not going to tempt me with an apple and make me sin, are you?”

“No . . . not with an apple.” A smile presenting teeth widens.

“Are you for real?”

She giggles. “The last time I checked.”

“Well, Eve. I’m down this way on a short business trip, and I thought I’d hit a local watering hole before calling it a night. This a regular hangout of yours?”

“I come here for martinis. I’ve had my quota for the night. What type of business are you in.”

“Ah, you know. Just a little something I’ve been doing for a couple years to earn some cash between semesters.”

“What’s a little something?”

“Do you like to party, Eve? Sit back and mellow out or dance all night to high energy music?”

“Sure. I always like to get up for a good time. You having a party tonight?” She leans over and rests a hand on his thigh.

He squirms uncomfortably on his stool and turns his head from side to side. In a low voice, he says, “I’ve got some really pure stuff that will make the Garden of Eden look like the city dump.”

“SSSSounds like
you’re
the snake enticing
me
to sin.” She smiles. “I’m sure it would be a heavenly experience. I can’t wait.”

“Great. This place is cramping my style anyway. Too many Rednecks. Let’s go to my hotel.”

“Let’s not take things too fast.”

“Huh? I thought—”

“Do you see that big ‘Redneck’ by the dart board? Shaved head with the arms cut off his shirt?”

“Yeah. So?”

“That’s my ex-boyfriend. He has a jealous streak, and if we leave together we won’t make it two steps out the bar before he’ll be on you.”

“I’m not scared of him,” he says unconvincingly.

“All I’m asking is that you give me a five minute head start. I’ll be in a black Corvette. My house isn’t far. You can leave your car here, and I’ll bring you back in the morning.”

“You want me to spend the night?”

“Baby, once I start to party, I don’t know when to stop.” She steps off the stool and walks out the door without looking back.

*

He approaches the sleek beast, and it roars to life. Once inside lights from the parking lot only shine across her eyes, the rest of her face shrouded in darkness. He is pinned to the back of the seat as tires squeal, and the backend of the vehicle sways until the tires fully grip asphalt. Minutes pass slowly along the winding road. Music blaring covers the silence, but her hand stoking his thigh keeps him enthralled in anticipation of better things to come. Soon enough she slows and turns down a driveway, and parks in a large garage. The music dies with the engine.

“Is anyone else here?”

“No, all these cars are mine.” She leaves without hesitation and waits as he struggles to exit the low riding vehicle. A click of the remote and the garage door closes. Once in the house she leads him to a plush couch overlooking the large patio door.

He sits down as she kicks off shoes and reaches behind her back. The dress falls to the ground and shortly a bra and panties land on top. She steps toward him and gets on her knees by his feet. The belt comes off and is thrown on the floor. The shoes are pulled off, and she works his pants and underwear out of the way.

“Hey. Don’t you want to—”

She brings a raised index finger to her lips and massages his cock until rigid. Her mouth takes it in, making it warm and wet. Soft moans play in the background. 

As she straddles him her breasts press against his face. He is kissing them now, teasing nipples with tongue. Thrusting his body to match the rhythm of her hips.

The room is on fire with yearning as pheromones stoke primordial lusts and animal passion builds to a frenzied crescendo.

She is the first to arrive. The caged sexual tension erupts in accelerated pants of euphoric cries. Her hand reaches between the couch cushions and comes out with an icepick. She clutches the back of his head with her left arm and jabs the icepick in his heart. She is riding the sweetness of orgasm as he bucks his body in protest. She savors the moment more. The physical union gains meaning. This is no chance encounter to be forgotten under layers of time.

His life force ebbs, and he is still inside while her body drinks the last bit out, grinding with hips that want to steal it all.

Waves of satisfaction warm her as she rolls off and rests on the couch. His vacant stare makes her clitoris throb, and she gently touches it for another orgasm. Her breathing is labored, and she rubs a finger across wet lips. She is comfortable and enjoys the sensations until they subside.

Once the moment is truly over, she trudges to the closet and puts on an apron. Just outside the patio door a wheelbarrow with four tires awaits.

His arms and legs hang over the edges, but it doesn’t hinder the trek as she wheels him outside. There is another hour of work to do before she can shower and go to bed. The cleaver and knives are of the finest steel and sharp. She will save every part of his body.