Tortugas Rising Read Free

waitstaff as they shuffled about, making sure not to step between any guests engaged in conversation. Most of the guests on deck looked at him with a smile, but he could sense the puzzled thoughts behind each one.
    Despite his own tailored suit, Steve Bennett stood out as an impostor.
    Every glance sized him up and placed an impression in the observer’s mind. They all knew his name and his story. His name had been featured on agendas in countless board meetings; his story had been told at cocktail parties. These people had suddenly become aware of him. He was now related to them all through investments and holdings, endowments and proxies. But they were all strangers to him.
    Steve Bennett pulled back his shoulders and quickened his pace. He made it through the crowd and turned toward the back of the yacht.
     
    # # #
     
    Wake folded over wake behind the ship’s powerful, water-jet engines. Katherine stared at the turbulent waters and watched the waves roll into one another. Fear had given way to anger and she stood without moving. Even the rocking of the boat beneath her feet did not affect her sheer force of will.
    “Excuse me, Miss?”
    “Get bent,” the words were soft. “I liked this job.”
    “Pardon?”
    “I slap your friend. I get fired. That’s how it works.”
    Steve approached and leaned with his back against the rail next to her. He crossed his arms. The waves of the wake churned faithfully in time to the thumping of the engines.
    “That’s how it works?”
    “My boss is in the salon. Go. Get it over with.” She fought back a tear. After all the glad-handing she had done it was unfair that a latecomer would be the undoing of her career.
    “I’ve heard the limerick, Miss. I’m surprised you only slapped him. He’s limped home from several bars for that one.”
    She lost interest in the waves and turned to Bennett. He wasn’t tall. He wasn’t slim. He looked uncomfortable in his Armani, even though the fit suited him perfectly. There was a reassurance coming from his pale blue eyes that comforted her.
    “You’re not going to have me fired?”
    “I think you’re doing a fine job.”
    She wanted to smile but turned back to the wake “It doesn’t matter. Once my boss hears, he’ll let me go anyway.”
    “No. He won’t.” Steve stood from the rail. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll tell him the limerick.”
    This time she did smile. “You’re not serious?”
    “Who’s your boss?”
    “Warren Baxter.”
    “Which one is he?”
    “You are new here.”
    He shrugged and looked away.
    The ferry slowed and sank deeper into the water as the twin hulls settled into the Gulf. Steve was caught off guard and had to grab the rail to maintain his balance.
    She giggled to herself. “Does your friend really have a shirt that says ‘Hooray for Boobies?’”
    “Yes. But he also has one that says ‘No Fat Chicks.’ So it’s a toss-up as to which one he is actually wearing.”
    Katherine smiled. “I’ll take you to Mr. Baxter myself, Mr. Bennett.”
    “Call me Steve.”
    “This way, Steve.” She offered her arm.
    Steve smiled and moved to take her arm, when a movement caught his eye. A wall of water rose from the Gulf. The wash crested the railing of the ferry and found its way deep into the fibers of his new suit.
    Katherine was caught in the deluge as well. Dripping, she rushed back to the railing and shouted after the smaller craft that had caused the splash.
    “What was that?” Steve tried to shake the wetness from his fingertips.
    “Pacifists.” She spat the sarcastic comment from her lips.
    “Are you sure?”
    “It’s an environmental group. They’ve been protesting the site since before there was even a site.” She pointed and Steve’s gaze followed.
    The boat sped away, but not before Steve caught the middle finger being thrown his way. Two of the men stood on the rear deck. The shorter of the two looked frail and overeducated. He had thrown the finger as he laughed and mocked