choice do I have?" Chase’s rhetorical question hung in the air. In reality, his “bail out” would cost him closer to fifty thousand dollars. No one, including Blaine, was going to fork-up that amount. He remained silent as he eased his boat into the first empty slip.
While Ian secured the lines to the dock, Blaine delved out six crisp one hundred dollar bills. "That takes care of today. See you tomorrow."
Chase stared at the cash in his palm. He was amazed how the kid had pulled the rolled stash out of his backpack like it was chump change before walking away. With a long look at the now closed dive shop, Chase regretted not coming back sooner.
"You can always change yer mind, ya know," Ian offered.
Chase knew that wasn’t the case. Without financial backers and a steady flow of greenbacks, they were only postponing the inevitable. And time was quickly becoming their greatest enemy. In two more weeks, if he didn’t find something worthwhile, he might as well take up residence on the ocean floor.
“ Hey, fish bait.” Ian called out, just as Blaine cornered the last dock. “Where’s yer plane?”
“ Oh, that,” he returned. “It was a charter. The pilot should be back in Bremerton by now.”
* * *
Chase was in the midst of stowing his gear when he noticed Dr. Ying rapidly approaching along the dock. "Doc," he called out. "What are you doing here?"
The professor slowed, apparently searching for a clear path around yellow-bibbed fishermen battening down their hatches. He dodged plastic bait buckets, piled nets, and rope lines strewed across the walkway. Chase was about to commend his sure-footedness, when his visitor stumbled and nearly fell on the dock’s uneven planking.
"Mr. Cohen, I’m so glad I found you," he said. "I wanted to give this to you before it got too late."
Chase accepted the white envelope from the professor’s wrinkled hand. He tore it open and read the contents. "I don’t understand. Why are you giving this invitation to me?"
"I know you had no initial interest in the cocktail reception this evening, but under the circumstances, I think it’s vital you attend."
"Circumstances?"
"Miss Lyons will be there. She’s in the process of lending her support."
Chase widened his eyes. "She’s giving us the grant money?"
"Not officially, but that can change after this evening. I need you to assure her that you’re an honorable man."
In another lifetime, maybe. "Doc, if her decision to hand over free cash hinges on her impression of my honor, then you need to find a printing press… and fast."
"Are you telling me you can’t be trusted?"
Under present conditions, the insinuation seemed to fit. Honesty had become a matter of degree.
"I’m telling you that no matter what I say to Rachel Lyons, she’ll never believe me."
"Well, perhaps you need to find another voice. I’ll expect to see you tonight, Mr. Cohen. That is, if you’re still interested in finding the Wanli II before its whereabouts are disclosed to another salvage company."
Chase’s jaw tightened. For a brief moment, he chewed on an unsavory thought. Had the professor already placed a call to the Legend’s wheelhouse, providing the treasure ship’s coordinates? The little bit of common sense he had left suddenly returned. After exchanging information with Doc for more than five years, he knew a handshake with the Asian businessman was a binding contract. Still, he had no idea how the guy was going to take news of a third party being added to their agreement. Especially one with hands plunged deep into both of their pockets.
"Hog tied or not, he’ll be there." Ian’s voice came from behind. "I’ll even loan him a clean shirt."
No way. The last person in the world he wanted to see tonight was Rachel. He didn’t appreciate Ian’s contribution – not in the least. Chase huffed a sign of frustration and scanned the invitation, seeking a justified out. "You have a monkey suit to go with that? ‘Cause I sure as
While Ian secured the lines to the dock, Blaine delved out six crisp one hundred dollar bills. "That takes care of today. See you tomorrow."
Chase stared at the cash in his palm. He was amazed how the kid had pulled the rolled stash out of his backpack like it was chump change before walking away. With a long look at the now closed dive shop, Chase regretted not coming back sooner.
"You can always change yer mind, ya know," Ian offered.
Chase knew that wasn’t the case. Without financial backers and a steady flow of greenbacks, they were only postponing the inevitable. And time was quickly becoming their greatest enemy. In two more weeks, if he didn’t find something worthwhile, he might as well take up residence on the ocean floor.
“ Hey, fish bait.” Ian called out, just as Blaine cornered the last dock. “Where’s yer plane?”
“ Oh, that,” he returned. “It was a charter. The pilot should be back in Bremerton by now.”
* * *
Chase was in the midst of stowing his gear when he noticed Dr. Ying rapidly approaching along the dock. "Doc," he called out. "What are you doing here?"
The professor slowed, apparently searching for a clear path around yellow-bibbed fishermen battening down their hatches. He dodged plastic bait buckets, piled nets, and rope lines strewed across the walkway. Chase was about to commend his sure-footedness, when his visitor stumbled and nearly fell on the dock’s uneven planking.
"Mr. Cohen, I’m so glad I found you," he said. "I wanted to give this to you before it got too late."
Chase accepted the white envelope from the professor’s wrinkled hand. He tore it open and read the contents. "I don’t understand. Why are you giving this invitation to me?"
"I know you had no initial interest in the cocktail reception this evening, but under the circumstances, I think it’s vital you attend."
"Circumstances?"
"Miss Lyons will be there. She’s in the process of lending her support."
Chase widened his eyes. "She’s giving us the grant money?"
"Not officially, but that can change after this evening. I need you to assure her that you’re an honorable man."
In another lifetime, maybe. "Doc, if her decision to hand over free cash hinges on her impression of my honor, then you need to find a printing press… and fast."
"Are you telling me you can’t be trusted?"
Under present conditions, the insinuation seemed to fit. Honesty had become a matter of degree.
"I’m telling you that no matter what I say to Rachel Lyons, she’ll never believe me."
"Well, perhaps you need to find another voice. I’ll expect to see you tonight, Mr. Cohen. That is, if you’re still interested in finding the Wanli II before its whereabouts are disclosed to another salvage company."
Chase’s jaw tightened. For a brief moment, he chewed on an unsavory thought. Had the professor already placed a call to the Legend’s wheelhouse, providing the treasure ship’s coordinates? The little bit of common sense he had left suddenly returned. After exchanging information with Doc for more than five years, he knew a handshake with the Asian businessman was a binding contract. Still, he had no idea how the guy was going to take news of a third party being added to their agreement. Especially one with hands plunged deep into both of their pockets.
"Hog tied or not, he’ll be there." Ian’s voice came from behind. "I’ll even loan him a clean shirt."
No way. The last person in the world he wanted to see tonight was Rachel. He didn’t appreciate Ian’s contribution – not in the least. Chase huffed a sign of frustration and scanned the invitation, seeking a justified out. "You have a monkey suit to go with that? ‘Cause I sure as
Similar Books
