Page 112 of Lost Truth
29
Five days later, beneath the golden warmth of the late afternoon sun, Hayden clutched Cady’s hand as they walked together toward the public boat launch. In the rush of ocean wind, he escorted her along the path from her father’s cottage to the beach, which lay still and nearly empty. The rhythmic lapping of water was the only sound breaking the silence.
Ahead at the launch, Sawyer sat behind the skipper’s wheel of his boat, anchored to the dock.
Hayden paused and looked at Cady. “Are you sure you don’t want to do this alone?”
She clutched the polished wooden urn holding her father’s ashes to her chest. “I’m positive. Having you by my side as I spread Dad’s ashes will make it easier for me.”
He glanced at the waiting boat. Federal law prohibited scattering ashes on beaches or in tide pools, only allowing dispersal at least three nautical miles from shore. He wished the law hadn’t made saying goodbye to her father more complicated and more exhausting, but thankfully, Sawyer had come through for them once again.
Hayden squeezed her hand. “Then let’s get aboard and to our destination.”
She clutched tightly to his hand, and he led her to the boat.
Sawyer made his way to the stern and gave them a genuine smile. “Nice to see you again, Cady. You too, Hayden.”
She returned his smile with an earnest one of her own. “Thank you for sharing your boat again.”
“Glad to.”
“Ditto that,” Hayden said. “Permission to board?”
“Permission granted.” Sawyer stepped closer. “What can I do to help?”
“Would you mind holding this while I board?” Cady lifted the urn.
“Not at all.” Sawyer reached out to take the precious cargo and moved back.
Hayden helped her aboard, and Sawyer picked up a lifejacket from the bench for her. “You’ll probably want to put this on before you take back the urn.”
Without a word, she slipped the flotation device over her head, then took the urn from him, holding it with the same tender care Hayden would expect from her.
“Do you have a particular destination in mind?” Sawyer asked.
She shook her head. “Just as long as we obey the three-mile law.”
“Then have a seat wherever you want, and we’ll get underway.”
“I’ve got the ropes.” Hayden jumped to the dock to free the restraints from the cleats.
Back on board, he slipped into a life jacket and moved to the front of the boat where Cady sat near the bow. She smiled up at him and patted the seat next to her. As he dropped onto the hard bench seat, she reached out for his hand, then stared ahead.
Memories of his last trip in the boat with Sawyer came rushing back, and Hayden battled with the emotions until he remembered all of the forensics Sierra had located to cinch the DA’s charges against Ivers, Palmer, Collins, and Abe, which pretty much guaranteed them years behind bars. Ivers had pulled through but wasn’t talking about his Chinese buddies. He was, however, paralyzed from the waist down, his own personal punishment beyond what a judge would impose on him.
And, on a positive note, they’d worked with Mina to locate Emei’s relatives and those of the women and children so callously tossed into the water by Collins, and reunited the families. Such a time of celebration for all of them. Also, it had been bittersweet to learn that Adam had done some digging and found out Mayor Sutton had reported the trafficking to a rookie agent who’d dropped the ball.
The only negatives were that Kai was potentially facing money laundering charges and that ICE had still not gathered sufficient evidence against the Chinese ship owner to charge him.
The motor rumbled, grabbing Hayden’s attention. The boat trembled under the power until Sawyer released it to move slowly away from the dock. Once clear of the beach, he pushed the throttle forward, and they picked up speed. Cady freed Hayden’s hand to put both of hers on the urn. The wind whipped her hair around, but she continued to clutch the urn.
She’d told Hayden her father had always wished to have his ashes scattered over the ocean, but she’d struggled with releasing him. That changed when Hayden gave her a decorative keepsake bird to hold just enough of his ashes for her to remember him and his love of birdwatching.
Still, today had been hard on her, and he was thinking the surprise he planned for the afternoon should cheer her up. At least he hoped so.
Sawyer slowed the boat and turned on the reverse thruster, bringing down the motor noise to be replaced with the sound of gentle waves lapping against the side of the boat. The waters were unusually calm, and though the wind was sharp, it was warmer than it had been earlier in the day. All in all, a beautiful day to be on a boat in the Pacific Ocean in the middle of summer. Their task of honoring Percy’s last wishes was heartbreaking, but beautiful too.
“We’ve reached our destination,” Sawyer called out. “Go ahead whenever you’re ready, but please take your time. I’m in no hurry.”
