Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“They’re telling the man on the boat to signal the divers to surface,” the chatty man related.
Sure enough, in a few minutes, she could see heads pop up. Hawking continued to talk to them as he maintained partial cover under the awning. From the waving arms, the interlopers were excusing their trespassing.
“Idiots. They know there’s no scuba diving here. That’s a hired boat from the next town over. They must’ve paid that boat owner a ton to get him to risk arrest to come here.”
“It looks like they’re leaving,” Isla said.
“I’d think so. Jerks. Those types will get the rest of us banned from this beautiful place,” the woman jumped in again. She signaled for the server. “We might as well have another cup of coffee. I’m not going out there until all the commotion is finished.”
“Coffee?” the server asked as he set a cup in front of Isla.
“Yes, please.”
Isla’s phone buzzed with a message, and she peeked at the screen. Caesar.
“Where are you?”
Quickly, she typed.
“I’m at breakfast watching Hawking be all badass as he chases people away.”
“I am not telling him that. He’ll have a T-shirt made with that emblazoned on it. I’m glad you’re at the resort. Stay close to the main building today.”
“I was going to visit Magnus.”
“Good girl.”
Setting her phone down with a click, she picked up her coffee cup and took a sip to disguise the grin that last bit of praise had brought to her lips. She remembered hearing that last night.
“I see that smile,” Juniper’s voice came from beside her. “Can I join you?”
“Please,” Isla waved her into a seat. “Are you out taking photos today?”
“Yes. It’s a beautiful day. Here, look through the lens,” Juniper said, passing over her camera.
Isla lifted it to her eye, and instantly, the action on the two boats came into focus as if she were swimming in the water in front of them. She looked first for Hawking to ensure he was okay before glancing over at the rogue boat. Her gaze landed on a familiar icon painted on the hull. That had to be the same boat. How many would have a treasure chest logo?
She dropped the camera slightly to stare at Juniper, who nodded and then nodded slightly at the couple next to them as if warning her not to react.
“Smile,” Isla called and took a picture of Juniper before handing the camera back to her. She might have happened to capture an image of the boat in the background as well. “I bet you never get any pictures taken of you. You’re always behind the camera.”
Juniper laughed and nodded. “You’ve got that right.”
“They’re out of here. Good riddance,” the man announced and stood. “Looks like we can get out of here now, too.”
“Enjoy your day,” Isla said, wishing them well and waiting for them to walk away. “What’s going on?”
“Magnus was watching for them. They showed up super early and played it cool for a while to see if they’d get chased away. Hawking’s been waiting at the dock to swoop in. Get it? Hawking…swoops?”
“You,” Isla said, smiling back as she shook her head at the bad joke. “What will happen now?”
“Hawking will pay a visit to that boat owner to explain the fine that will be levied on him for any future diving excursions. I would bet he’ll suggest highly that their boats don’t visit this bay for a while.”
“Here’s your food, ladies,” the server announced as he placed two plates and another cup of coffee in front of them.
“How did they get your order?” Isla asked after he disappeared.
“Some sweetheart at the computers sent it in for me.”
“That’s convenient.”
“You have no idea what skills that man has,” Juniper whispered.
Slapping her hands over her ears, Isla shook her head to fend off that thought. She’d never be able to look at Magnus again.
Juniper simply buttered her toast.
The conversation that night over dinner was interesting. Isla finally understood the importance of the talking spoon. As each person spoke, she learned more information. By the time the spoon made its way around the table, everyone knew all the important events of the day.
“Sadie, I want you to send me the names of people signing up for Caesar’s excursions,” Magnus said. “I’ll run them through a preliminary search to screen who’s headed out into the bay.”
“What’s to keep people from just swimming in? Or coming in at night?” Isla asked.
“There are some sensors, and the distance is daunting. Someone could try it, but I think we’d pick up some clue that unwanted visitors had arrived,” Magnus said, partially reassuring her.
“When’s your next day off to dive with Isla?” Phoenix asked.
“I’ve got tours scheduled tomorrow. We can go out the following day.”
“I did some work on the map that Isla let me scan. After dinner, let’s look at what I played around with,” Magnus said.