Gray Ghost (The Bill Dix Detective Series Book 1) by C.L. Swinney Page A

usual. I need a favor.”
    “ Okay, but only if you promise to take me to the lodge you’re braggin’ about sometime.”
    “ Deal.” Dix quickly recapped for Snead, telling him about the murders aboard Gray Ghost , and the cargo lodged in it on the ocean floor.
    “ How’s your buddy Steve?”
    Dix was annoyed but guessed Snead needed time to process the information. “He’s as obstinate as ever. Now, can I continue?”
    “ I guess. Remember, you’re on your own dime. By the way, did you clue in the department on this?”
    Dix paused. He knows I didn’t. He’s joking, right? “Uh, not yet.”
    “ Good.”
    Dix sighed, and then filled in the remaining details. “So,” Snead said, “Why are you calling me about this?”
    “ The boat had Florida tags,” Dix replied.
    “ How is it you always end up under the dangdest dark cloud? You know I’ll help, but are you sure this is what you want to do? Before long, several agencies could be all over this. Not to mention exploring the boat and removing the coke. Hell, you’ve already broken about a dozen laws.”
    “ It feels like the right thing to do, Andy.”
    Snead chuckled. “Let me get some paper and a pen. You need the info for the registration ASAP?”
    “ The quicker, the better.”
    “ Message received. Go with the numbers.”
    “ This is what we have: BEX 571 space space, B6 06. Wilfred said the two spaces may be a four and a five. He also saw a red square decal on the port side of the boat that read, ‘Expires 02-08, Florida.’”
    “ I can tell you the boat was last registered in Florida in 2006. I’ll give you the rest when I run it out. I’ve got a friend working who might be able to check tonight. I’ll get a hold of him and call you back. Okay?”
    Dix was happy with the answer. “Absolutely, I’ll keep the cell phone close by. Thanks a bunch, Andy.”
    “ What are friends for?” The line went dead.
    Surprised to find himself still hungry and thirsty, Dix decided to rejoin his friends in the main lodge. Evening was settling in as he walked along, too absorbed in the Gray Ghost and its cargo to notice the bright moonlight.
    Back in the dining room, Dix slid into his seat. “Well, gentlemen, did I miss anything?” He helped himself to another cold beer and another lobster tail.
    * * * *
    Bubba stepped onto the deck from the kitchen and flipped his cell phone open. It made a chirping sound. His message tone. Bubba looked down at the screen. He didn’t have one message. There were seven, and he’d missed ten calls.
    He punched in the numbers and pressed the button to listen. All of messages were from his friend, Roger Fellows, a family friend who lived close to Bubba’s parents on the north end of the island. Each message said Roger needed to speak to him urgently. If it had been one message, Bubba would have called Roger back later, but because there were seven, he figured it must be very important.
    He’d started to dial the number when he saw Roger’s beat-up blue station wagon scream up the dirt road to the lodge.
    Hoping nothing was wrong with his parents, he grimaced at the vehicle. His mother had recently been diagnosed with cancer and had returned from the hospital after receiving chemotherapy treatments. She’d looked quite ill when Bubba last saw her. The doctors said they didn’t know how long she had to live.
    As the car got closer, it began to skid. Before it came to a complete stop, Roger was already out. He ran directly toward the main house. The dinner guests had heard the screech of brakes and came out to see what had happened.
    Martin chuckled. “Nothing to be concerned about, folks. Just an old friend with poor driving habits.”
    Everyone except Dix and Petersen went back inside. Bubba approached Roger. “Man, what is it? You drivin’ like a maniac.”
    Roger panted. “Well, mon, answer your damn cell phone and I wouldn’t need to drive like that.” Roger cautiously eyed Dix and Petersen.
    Bubba said,