Melissa Good - Winds of Change

To both of their surprise, the coast guard officer nodded again. “That’s why I’m glad we ran into you, because I’ve got some intel on that guy and it’s not good. You should watch out. The cops ran everyone’s records and the guy who was talking to me told me that guy’s bad news.”

“What kind of bad news?” Dar asked. “Criminal background?”

Davis shrugged. “That I don’t know. He didn’t say.”

“What a bastard.” Kerry exhaled. “What happened was, Billy, the guy, was threatening Kristie the cashier in the island market. She’s Jim’s daughter. Dar happened to be there, and got in his face, and he left.”

The officer frowned. “Okay, well..but why is that guy Jim sending the cops off after you then? Sounds to me like you did him a favor.”

Dar sighed. “Long story.” She said. “But thanks for the warning.” She said. “I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open. Do the cops want to talk to us?”

Davis shrugged “Not my area. It was just coffee machine convo, you know? At the base, because anything that happens on that island gets chewed over. I listened because I heard your name and we’d just met.”

“I appreciate that.” Dar said. “Jim has a problem with us, and so I guess he thought this was a good opportunity to get us in some hot water.”

“Is it possible the guy just actually drowned?” Kerry asked. “He seemed like a guy who liked to party.”

“Yeah, that’s what the cops said.” Davis agreed. “Who knows? Anyway, just be careful, okay? Especially out here like this in the middle of nowhere.” He lifted his hand in a wave and got back in his pontoon boat, making a gesture to the seaman who was driving it.

Dar and Kerry watched them putter off, and then they both sighed. “Well, poo.” Kerry said. “I didn’t need to hear that.”

“Me either.” Dar put her arm around Kerry’s shoulders. “Let’s go have our lobster.”

They walked down the dock back to the beach, where Chino and Mocha were waiting, both animals not fond of the floating dock and wary of walking on it. Kerry went over to the pot and took it’s top off, releasing a cloud of bay leaf and spice scented steam into the air.

As she worked she thought about Billy. To hear something had happened to him seemed sad, in an impersonal kind of way, because as much of a jerk as he had been, jerkiness didn’t often deserve death.

To hear that they’d been blamed didn’t surprise her at all. From the time the security guards had asked her and Dar if they had seen him that time, in the back of her mind she’d suspected something was in the works.

Sucks. Kerry got their dinner plated, then glanced up to see Dar standing on the shore, hands in pockets, staring off at the dark horizon. She put the plates down and covered them, and walked over, nudging Chino aside as she put her arm around Dar’s back. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

Kerry looked up, spotting tears rolling down her partner’s face. “Oh, hon.”

Dar shook her head and lifted one hand to wipe her eyes. “Last time I do someone a favor.” She said, clearing her throat. “Bastard.”

Kerry put her other arm around her and gave her a hug.

“What’s the point in doing the right thing if all it gets you is kicked in the ass?”

“Ah, Dar.” Kerry felt the ache in her heart for her. “It’s not always like that.” She rocked them both a little. “A lot of people love you for your doing the right thing. I sure do.”

Dar sighed.

“Your mom picked the right name for you, honey. You are a Paladin.” Kerry said. “You have such a polished, white soul.”

Dar blew a raspberry at her. “I tried to do right by ILS, and it gets me lawsuits. I do a favor for some kid, and I get thrown under the bus when some guy croaks. What’s the damn point?”

Kerry patted her on the stomach and hugged her again. “The point is, it’s who you are.”

“Ugh.”

“You told me not to talk smack at you.” Kerry said. “So I’m not. Dar, you are who you are. Don’t even contemplate changing that.”

“Growf.” Chino added commentary.

“Ahh. Screw it.” Dar wiped her eyes again. “Let’s go have dinner. “ She walked arm in arm with Kerry back up the beach, circling the fire and dropping into the chairs dug into the sand on either side of the table.

Kerry uncovered the plates and handed her one, then pulled her own over, and they ate in companionable silence for a few minutes. “I’ve got apples baking over there when we’re done.”

A faint smile appeared on Dar’s face as she concentrated on divesting her lobster from its’ shell. “I can smell them.” She said. “Thanks, Ker.”

“Anytime. I can make them in the oven but theres something about a campfire that makes them extra good” Kerry replied. “Not sure what it is.”

“Everything tastes better over a campfire.”

“Well, that’s probably true but I have to admit I’m glad I don’t have to gather wood every time we make coffee.”

Dar chuckled softly.

“Feel better?”

Dar shrugged. “I just decided to hell with it. Let them come talk to us. By the time we’re done with Jim and that island they’ll be sorry they messed with us.”

“You mean because we’re giving the condo to your folks?” Kerry chuckled.

“My mom’ll run for condo association president, and my father’ll use that golf course for target practice. They’re screwed. All we did was bring our dog in the gym.”

“And love each other.” Kerry reminded her. “That’s our biggest offense.”

Dar picked up the cup of apple juice and toasted her with it. “That, I plead guilty to.” She waited for Kerry to lift her own cup and touch it to hers. “For all time.”

“Likewise.” Kerry smiled. “To hell with what anyone thinks about it.”

**

The End. (for now)