Page 81 of Terminal Voyage

The bandits followed us until we neared the marina. Then they turned off.

We pulled into the parking lot, and I returned the bike at one of the kiosks. I thanked Pedro and Francisco.“You saved my life. Literally.”

They both smiled.

Francisco said, “It is a life worth saving. I hope you find your friend.”

We said our goodbyes, and they waited until I walked down the dock toward the Vesper. I know Tyson had demanded I return to Coconut Key, but I couldn’t let this go now. I was too close.

Sportfishing boats, superyachts, and catamarans floated in slips. I turned and waved goodbye to Francisco and Pedro. They waved back, then zipped away. As I turned around, heading for the Vesper, a guy ripped my tote from my grasp.

His sneakers slapped against the dock as he sprinted toward the lot.

“Hey, asshole!” I shouted.

Another guy pulled up on a scooter, and the thief hopped onto the back. They zipped away and disappeared.

I clenched my jaw and growled. My phone was in the tote, along with my wallet and keys.

I had some reserve cash and a spare credit card back in the cabin, but this was not good.

I limped back to the Vesper and crossed the passerelle, feeling deflated.

When I hit the aft deck, Vanessa greeted me with wide eyes. “What happened!? Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Little accident. I rented a scooter?—“

“You need to be careful on those things.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” I said, glancing around. There were a few deckhands disconnecting shore power and water. Then they cast off the lines.

“And this asshole just ripped me off.”

She lifted a surprised brow. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Declan’s ready to leave. He wants to get to Mar Azul by morning. A pretty massive storm is coming in, and Declan wants to get ahead of it, if possible.”

I bit my bottom lip, trying to decide what to tell her. “I was attacked.”

“Just now?”

“Before my tote was stolen.”

“What!?”

I told her the details.

Her jaw went slack.

“It wasn’t long after I went to the police.”

“You went to the police?”

I nodded. “I wanted to find out more about Kate.”

“What did they say?”

I shook my head. “They didn’t care.” Then I added. “I talked to Kate’s agent.”

Her brow lifted with surprise. “You did? What did he say?”