Against the Tide

Against the Tide Read Free

Book: Against the Tide Read Free
Author: Melody Carlson
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was too late.
    As Garret entered Beulah’s Café, he was still thinking about Megan. Wishing he’d stuck around long enough to walk her through the deserted building. He knew she needed someone to talk to. She had so many questions. Many of the same ones he’d been wrestling with since yesterday. But he also knew that she needed this time alone. She had to process Rory’s death in her own way, on her own terms. Just like Garret had done last night down at the docks where Rory used to keep his boat. It made sense that Megan would tell her father goodbye in the newspaper office. And yet the idea of her alone over there made him uneasy. As he looked around the crowded café, he had to admit there was a lot in this town that was making him uneasy.
    Going toward an unoccupied stool at the counter, Garret waved to Jeanie as she emerged from the kitchen with a burger basket in each hand.
    â€œHey, handsome,” the middle-aged waitress called out to him as she set the baskets in front of two teen girls. “How ya doing?”
    â€œI’m okay,” he said as he took a seat.
    â€œWhat can I get you?”
    â€œJust a bowl of chowder,” he told her. “When you’re not too busy, that is.”
    â€œYou got it, honey.” Jeanie waved toward the door. “Hey, Barry,” she called out warmly to a newcomer. “How’s the crabbing today?”
    â€œNot bad.” Barry took the stool next to Garret. “Hey, man.” He slapped him on the back. “What’s up?”
    â€œNot much.” Garret smiled at the burly fisherman.
    â€œSo...who was that pretty gal I saw you yapping with across the street?” Barry had a twinkle in his eye. “A real looker, that one.” He playfully elbowed Garret. “You got yourself a woman we don’t know about?”
    â€œThat’s Rory’s daughter,” Garret said somberly. “Megan McCallister.”
    â€œOh.” Barry’s smile faded. “So how’s she doing?”
    â€œNot so good.”
    â€œHard losing a parent.” Barry picked up a plastic-encased menu, wiping it with his sleeve. “Lost my old man last year. But he was in bad shape with his diabetes. And a lot older than Rory, too.”
    â€œYeah.” Garret nodded. “Megan wasn’t ready to see her dad go yet.”
    â€œI was surprised to see the newspaper office open tonight.” Barry tipped his head toward the front window.
    â€œIt’s not open,” Garret corrected him. “Megan just wanted to go inside and look around some. No one else is there.”
    Barry looked slightly perplexed. “Wonder why she left the back open if she’s there by herself.”
    â€œWhat’re you talking about?” Garret felt uneasy.
    â€œWell, town’s so busy that I parked behind the newspaper. That’s when I noticed the back door ajar. Figured someone was working late. But it seemed kinda odd, this being a Friday, and with Rory just passing away.”
    Garret frowned. “You saying the back door was open?”
    â€œYep.” Barry nodded. “Propped with a trash can.”
    Maybe it was nothing. Or maybe it wasn’t. But as Garret slowly stood, he knew he needed to find out. “Hey, Jeanie, hold off on that chowder for now. I need to go check on something.” And without saying another word, he hurried outside. It was possible he was just overreacting. Or looking for an excuse to talk to Megan again. But it didn’t really matter. As he jogged across the street, he knew, even if he was being melodramatic, there was no way he wasn’t going to find out why that back door was open.
    * * *
    With her attacker’s knee still painfully pressed into the middle of her back, Megan could barely breathe, let alone speak. Not that she knew what to say, besides plead for her life. With the side of her head flattened against the gritty floor, she could see, just barely,

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