Page 94 of Fire and Rain
Eden laughed, deliberately steering close to a fishing trawler. “That’s true. We all did our best to comfort her. But her daughter and grandchildren are in protective custody, and she can’t see them. I’d say that’s a good reason to cry, wouldn’t you?”
“Shut up! And stay away from other boats!”
She ignored him. “I saw Nick and Lina at Crab Fest. I can’t believe how tall Nick is now. I feel terrible for them. They’re going to grow up without a father, just like Maverick. Everyone on the island knows what you did. Can you imagine how hard it will be for them at school, or are you too busy thinking only of your—”
“I saidshut up!”
“What’s the matter, Charlie? Actions have consequences. When we do stupid things, it hurts those who love us most—our families. I’m part of your family, Charlie.”
“Yeah? My wife never liked you. She thinks you’re stuck up.”
“Baba says Mila is just jealous.”
“Jealous—of you? You havenothing. You don’t even own your house.”
“No, but I don’t need money. I have Kodiak Island. It feeds and shelters me, just like it fed and sheltered my ancestors for thousands of years.”
“My wife likes the finer things.”
“Right now, your wife has nothing.”
Charlie lunged out of his seat, pressed the barrel of his pistol to her forehead. “If you don’t shut your damned mouth…”
She had to force herself to stand her ground and meet the rage in his eyes. “What? You’ll shoot me and pilot the boat to Homer yourself?”
“Fuck you, bitch. I never liked you, either.”
She willed herself to smile. “Iusedto like you. I never could have imagined that you’d sink so low.”
He glared into her eyes but backed off. “If you don’t watch your mouth, I’ll give you to my buddy when we reach Homer. He’ll slit your throat. I’ve seen him do it. Then Maverick will be an orphan.”
“What will you tell Mila? What will she say to Baba?”
“Look, they shouldn’t be coming after me. I told you to make the feds back off, but you didn’t. So, this is as much your fault as anyone’s.”
Eden laughed, a shrill, terrified sound. “I thought your texts were from some crazy person. I didn’t even know they were investigating you until they arrested all your cronies. It’s not like I control the Coast Guard or the DEA.”
Ahead of them, dark clouds filled the sky, the waves double the size they’d been twenty minutes ago. She was grateful for the boat’s windshield and hardtop because it sheltered her from most of the rain and sea spray. But nothing would save them if they went into the frigid water without survival suits.
“See those clouds? We’re supposed to get seventy-knot winds and heavy rain. We should pull into a cove somewhere and—”
“No! We keep going.”
“You’ve never piloted a boat. You know nothing about it. Do you know what kind of waves we’ll face out there? We’re talking hurricane-force winds. Look. The swells are already picking up. We’re far beyond the protection of Chiniak Bay now.”
He looked out over the water. “Do your job right, or we’ll both die.”
“If you’re okay with dying, why run? Why not commit suicide by cop or just shoot yourself? If you think freezing to death in the water is an easier way to go, you’re wrong.”
Then inspiration hit.
“At least let me stop and get you a life jacket.” Mind racing, she came up with a justification. “If a Coast Guard vessel sees you without one, they’ll pursue us.”
“Fine.”
“It’s going to get choppy without me at the helm.”
“Make it fast.”
