The Dead Series (Book 3): Dead Weight Read Free

I can see four people in the cockpit. I can’t make out if they have weapons though.”
    Knowing the accuracy of the .50 would be hindered by the rocking of the sailboat, Steve said, “Let me know when they’re about a hundred yards out. Draw them in as close as you can.”
    Heather turned and made a show of motioning for Sheila to go faster. It wasn’t an Academy Award performance but it would do. Turning back, she looked through the binoculars for a few seconds before saying, “I can see weapons now. They’re all armed with rifles.”
    A small, nagging thought came to Steve. What if the cigarette boat was some kind of coastal patrol set up by the survivors in Galveston? But then why are they chasing us? Maybe just chasing us off?
    His worries were dispelled when the radio crackled to life and a voice said, “Hey little chickies, I see you. Big daddy’s got something for you. If you stop the boat, I won’t put it where it hurts.”
    This was followed by crude laughter , so Sheila cut it short by reaching over and hitting the off switch. With a scowl she said, “But what I have for you will definitely hurt, no matter where I put it.”
    “ They’re about five hundred yards out and still coming fast,” Heather called.
    “Good deal,” Steve replied. “Even if they see our guns right away, they’ll be moving so fast that they’ll have to make a wide turn or flip her.”
    Tick-Tock gave an evil grin and said, “Just like the dumbass tourists who used to rent boats and go flying up and down the Intracoastal Waterway. They forget that boats don’t have brakes.”
    Steve and Brain duck walked to position themselves on either side of the .50 while Tick-Tock readied the Hilti. Hefting it in his hand, he said, “I used to use one of these when I did construction. They’re nice.”
    “You’ll love that one,” Brain told him. “Ten shots almost as fast as you can pull the trigger.” Gauging the size of the boltholes in the mounting bracket at the base of the .50, he added, “Use two nails in each hole.”
    “And then duct tape it,” Heather put in.
    All three men smiled at this. The Hilti utilized a blank powder cartridge to drive a nail into wood or concrete. It would be more than enough to hold the .50 in place.
    Seeing th eir reaction, she added, “Laugh all you want, but duct tape will save the world.”
    Holding up his hands in surrender, Steve crawled back across the deck and retrieved the tape from the storage cubby under the steering station. While he was crouched beneath Sheila, she looked down at the back of his head only inches from her crotch and said in a voice just loud enough for him to hear, “While you’re down there…”
    Steve could only smile and shake his head as he made his way back into position. He would have to say something to her later. While she might be kidding, if Heather had heard her, it wouldn’t have been funny.
    “ Kill the engine,” Tick-Tock told Sheila. “I want them coming at us as fast as possible.”
    The little motor at the back of the sailboat cut off. In the silence they could all hear the roar of the cigarette boat as it drew near. Steve wanted to risk taking a peek but restrained himself. If he were spotted, it would ruin the illusion of three females all alone and helpless at sea.
    From below, Mary’s voice called out, “Are we there yet?”
    Everyone replied at the same time, “Shut up, Mary.”
    Tick-Tock found this hilarious.
    “They’re just about in range,” Heather called out. “On the count of three, pop up and tear them a new one.”
    She started counting, “One…Two…THREE!”
    Steve and Brain hefted the .50 caliber and positioned it so its mounting bracket lay on the flat top of the transom. They had barely gotten it in place when Tick-Tock fired the first nail from the Hilti. The sharp crack of the .22 blank cartridge rang through the air as he cocked it to fire again. Setting the nails at an angle for maximum holding power, in