Trawling for Trouble by Shelley Freydont

expecting a long night. Liv’s eyes still felt gritty from lack of sleep, but her body was too revved up to want to return to that state. Liv shoved the bag of sandwiches in her Windbreaker pocket, reclaimed the second coffee cup, and followed Chaz and the metal cases down to the pier.
    He placed the cases on the pier and slipped down to the
Truth or Consequences
deck, slid the boxes onto the deck, and reached back to help Liv. He noticed she was holding two coffee cups and lifted her down by the waist.
    Normally a gesture like this would be followed by some flirtatious remark, but he just put her on her feet and cast off.
    While Liv was getting her sea legs, Chaz climbed to the captain’s deck. Liv had no choice but to ditch one of the coffees before she could climb up after him. She had no idea what was going on, but she didn’t plan to let Chaz out of her sight. She was getting an icky feeling about where they were going.
    Chaz was already seated, and he turned on the boat’s headlight and backed the boat out of the berth. Liv fell into the passenger seat.
    â€œWhy did you coast into camp in the dark and now turn on a light?” she asked over the
put-put
of the engine.
    â€œBecause I didn’t want to give Ruth ammunition. You may not think it, but I do care about your reputation.”
    Liv spurted coffee out of her nose. “Really?”
    â€œNo. But it’s none of her business, unless you want it spread all over town that she saw us up here in the dead of night.”
    â€œOh, the camp’s ‘other’ uses.”
    â€œNow she’ll just think I’ve taken a party out fishing.” He cut her a look. “Besides, I would never bring a woman here.”
    â€œWell, that’s good to know, I guess. Because of Ruth?”
    â€œNo. Because I have better taste.”
    Liv wasn’t at all sure about that statement, but she forgot about it when she realized they were headed straight out to the center of the lake.
    â€œWhere are we going?”
    â€œVermont, to see some people I know. So when we get there, if we find them, please, for once, don’t talk. Just keep a low profile.”
    He took the
Truth
into a sharp turn and pushed the throttle, and the motor roared to life. The nose lifted and Liv flailed to keep her balance.
    Chaz snatched the coffee cup from her hand and took a sip.
    â€œAre these guys crooks?” she yelled. Her hair slashed at her face. She reached up and quickly plaited it into a low braid.
    Chaz made a face and pushed the coffee toward her. “What did you do with my coffee?”
    â€œI had to leave something on deck. I couldn’t climb and carry everything. You didn’t answer me. Are these guys crooks?”
    â€œPretty much. Don’t say anything, don’t ask any questions. Just stand there looking hot.”
    â€œAs in . . . ?”
    â€œAs in sexy, not stolen. Maybe you can distract them enough for me to get some info out of them.”
    Liv swiveled the seat around. “Is that why you’re taking me? To be a sex object?”
    Chaz gave her a quick grin. “Pretty much.”
    Liv leaned back and drank her coffee, which, between the bouncing of the boat and the wind in her face, was not an easy feat.
    They appeared to be going north, though Liv didn’t bother to ask questions. She wouldn’t be able to hear the answer even if he deigned to say anything.
    Chaz finally pulled in closer to the Vermont shore. Liv peered out to see if anyone was waiting for them, but it just looked like dark, empty shore.
    They waited, idling for a while. Then Chaz put the boat back in gear and they were heading back west . . . maybe.
    â€œWhere are we going?”
    â€œSightseeing.”
    â€œIt’s pitch-black.”
    They rode around for a while longer, slowing as they neared another section of coastline. Chaz went through the same motions as before. Started up the engine and