Drex forced himself to calm down, push personal considerations aside, and think pragmatically. “Pack up. Leave your car—”
“Sammy’s car.”
“Sammy’s car. We’ll square up with him later.” He checked the clock on the dashboard. It was going on nine o’clock. “I think the last flight from Atlanta to Charleston is at—”
“Ten twenty-nine. I already booked a seat.”
“Good man.”
“Figured you’d want me there. Where should I go when I arrive?”
“Hell if I know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“I’ll text when I’m on the ground.”
“Any sign that Rudkowski is on your tail?”
“None.”
“Do you have another phone?”
“Charged and ready.”
“I’m gonna switch, too. You and Gif trade numbers.”
Gif clicked off the speaker while he and Mike sorted out the new phone numbers.
Drex concentrated on driving. He wove in and out of traffic, cursing motorists who went too slow. Gif held onto the strap above the passenger window but had the discretion not to comment on Drex’s speed and chancy maneuvering.
As they neared the general vicinity of the marina, it became apparent that access to it had already been restricted. Some streets had been cordoned off. On those remaining open, traffic was being redirected by officers with flashlights and reflective vests. Seeing that one was about to signal him to make an unwanted turn, Drex whipped into the parking lot of a strip center where the shops were closed for the night and announced they would go the rest of the way on foot.
“There may be barricades,” Gif said.
“Keep your badge handy.”
“Do you intend to muscle your way in?”
“Only if I have to.”
“If you do, Rudkowski will—”
“Keep your badge handy.” Drex put a lid on Gif’s arguments. They would be reasonable. He would encourage prudence. He would advise that they tread carefully.
Drex didn’t want to hear it.
They made it to the base of the pier without being challenged. Drex indicated a roped-off area where the media had been shepherded. “Go mingle with the news crews. See if you can learn anything beyond what Mike has told us.”
“Where will you be?”
“Up there.” He motioned toward the elevated pier. “Look for me at the ra
iling.”
He climbed the steps. The pier was crowded with spectators, but they were unexpectedly subdued. Drex made his way through them until he reached the wood railing and saw what they were looking at on the beach below.
EMTs were lifting a body bag from the packed sand onto a gurney. Once transferred, it was strapped down. The gurney was carried to an ambulance and placed inside. The doors were shut with a sound that had a finality to it. The ambulance drove away down the beach.
As though watching the last scene of a sad movie, the crowd remained still and hushed before gradually beginning to disperse, talking quietly among themselves, posing questions of each other, speculating, philosophizing about the fragility of life.