Against the Tide by Melody Carlson

He’d probably been after something else—something that Rory had left behind. And Megan had simply gotten in his way. That was Garret’s theory. Something he’d tried to share with Michael earlier, but it had sounded so far-fetched that Garret even had a problem believing it. Maybe when the coroner finished his autopsy on Rory’s body they would know more.
    With his revolver in his right hand, Garret patted the chest pocket of his flannel shirt with his left hand, making sure his phone was still there. Then he pressed his back against the side of the shop, attempting to peek inside the cracked door. It was too dark inside to see a thing, but he could see that the lock had been forced. Someone had definitely broken in. Probably what Rocky had been barking about.
    Garret’s heart was pounding hard as he reached inside the opening, feeling the interior wall for the light switch that he knew was next to the door. His plan was to turn it on, slide open the door and jump inside—all at the same time. The surprise effect.
    Taking in a deep breath, he did it, leaping into the shop just as the overhead fluorescent lights flickered on. With his gun drawn and ready, he braced himself for whatever came next. But he saw and heard no one. Still, he ducked behind a cabin cruiser that was in for repairs. Hunkered down by the trailer wheels, he just listened. Still nothing.
    Knowing someone had been there, was maybe still in there, he decided to work his way around the perimeter of the shop—no small task since there were tools and cans and all sorts of nautical stuff strewn about. Note to self, he thought ironically, tell his newest and not most reliable employee to clean this place up. If Kent was even coming back.
    By the time he’d crept around the perimeter of the shop, he felt certain that whoever had broken in was gone. Probably on that stealth boat that he’d spotted heading out to sea. He went over to where he’d parked Rory’s dark green Jeep Wrangler yesterday. Just seeing the vehicle sent a wave of sadness through him. Megan was right. Rory had been too young to die. He’d been in great health and had been looking forward to decades more of fishing. Such a shame.
    Garret ran his hand over the cloth roof of the Jeep but stopped when he reached what felt like a slit on the driver’s side. He looked more closely and, sure enough, someone had cut through the roof. And the door on the driver’s side was unlocked. Someone had gotten into Rory’s Jeep.
    Garret opened the driver’s-side door, looking inside. The compartments were both opened and their contents were strewn around. Someone had obviously been looking for something.
    â€œHello?”
    Garret jumped, hitting his head on the roofline bar. He recognized her voice and felt embarrassed for being so jumpy. “Megan?” he called back, rubbing his head.
    â€œIs everything okay? We were getting worried.”
    Rocky came bounding over to him, and Garret leaned down to stroke his smooth coat. “Hey, there, buddy. Did you keep Megan safe?”
    â€œHe was an excellent guard,” Megan said as she joined him. She frowned at the Jeep. “Is this my dad’s?”
    â€œYeah.” He pointed to the slit in the roof. “Someone broke into my shop...and they broke into Rory’s Jeep, too.” He pulled out his phone. “I was just about to call someone about it.”
    â€œ911 again?”
    â€œNah, I’ll just call Michael this time. Put it on his radar.”
    As he explained to the lieutenant about the break-in, Megan bent down to look inside the Jeep. She gathered up the scattered papers, stacking the vehicle manual, insurance information and registration together. With a deep sigh, she held them to her chest and then, almost reverently, she slid them back into the glove compartment. Garret knew she was in pain over the loss of her dad, but it would be hard for her to deal