Dead Asleep by Jamie Freveletti Page A

the mangrove side, where no one could see them land a boat,” Moore said.
    Randiger pursed his lips while he thought. “Only way to access the mangrove by boat is to pass over the blue holes first. No one I know would willingly take that route.”
    â€œWhy not?” Emma said.
    Randiger looked surprised. “I presume you’ve heard the stories.”
    â€œThat they’re loaded with phosphorescent minerals that glow blue?”
    â€œThat they’re guarded by a giant sea monster that will suck you down into the depths, never to be seen again.”
    Emma wasn’t sure if Randiger was kidding. “Sea monster? Are you serious? First I’m attacked by a voodoo priestess and next you tell me there are monsters in the water? Just what is going on here?”
    â€œHey, you’re on an ancient island that was uninhabited for most of its existence. Stories are to be expected.”
    â€œShe’s going to dive them,” Moore said. Emma paused. She hadn’t yet told anyone on the island of her plans to dive the holes. She wondered where Moore had gotten that information.
    Randiger looked alarmed. “I don’t advise that. Why do you need to go there?”
    â€œI’m collecting plants indigenous to the island. My lab, Pure Chemistry, is always searching for new plants that we can utilize in high-end cosmetic products. The mangrove has unique forms of algae and seaweed that contain ten times the normal levels of vitamins A and D as well as some indigenous mud composed of minerals in an unusual concentration. We’re assuming the minerals wash in from the blue holes. I’m not too concerned about monsters.”
    â€œIt’s folklore, granted,” Randiger said, “but I can’t help but think it derived from an actual event and the story just got more fantastical over the years. We did have a boat go missing a year ago.”
    â€œBut that could be completely unrelated.”
    â€œMaybe. But others have spoken about a creature that lives in the holes. It’s been described as similar to a kraken from old sailor lore.”
    â€œSomething that pulls boats into the deep, never to be seen again?” Emma said.
    Randiger nodded. “I know. Crazy, right? But those stories have been handed down for years through our ancestors. I know these people. Salt of the earth fisherman not given to hallucinations. If they tell the story, there must be some truth there. At the very least I suggest that you not go alone, and I can guarantee that you will have a difficult time getting anyone from the island to accompany you.”
    â€œPlease don’t worry, I’m not so foolish as to dive alone. As for company, what about Mr. Marwell?” Elliott Marwell was the head of Seahook Tours, a fishing company that specialized in deep-sea fishing.
    Randiger looked skeptical. “Doubtful. He’s never agreed before when other tourists have asked him.”
    â€œHe’s never agreed before because he’s one of the tale-tellers,” Moore said. Randiger looked surprised.
    â€œElliott? Really?” Randiger said.
    Moore nodded. “He went out one day and got too close. Swears that his boat almost got taken in. He never went near that area again.”
    â€œThat’s what I need,” Emma said. “Someone who’s been there.”
    Moore shook his head. “Won’t be Elliott.”
    â€œStill, I’ll ask.”
    Moore shrugged. “Can’t hurt.” He indicated the skull. “We’ll look into this as best we can.” That’s it? Emma thought. She probed a bit deeper.
    â€œWill you inform the police in the neighboring islands about the two of them?” Randiger glanced at Moore out of the corner of his eye. Moore frowned.
    â€œI’d hate to wind everyone up. I thought I’d interview the staff of the various houses first. See if anyone knows or has seen them. The one with the dreadlocks in