CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
May arrived at the Lake Adventures marina feeling breathless and resolute. She could not stand the thought of anyone else going through the agony that she had suffered for ten years, after her sister’s case had grown cold. These parents deserved closure. And with politics – both work and family – being what they were, her sister was refusing to listen to her, or include her.
Even though it was wrong professionally, she felt compelled to continue from a personal perspective. She had to know more about this creepy guy who had been checking out teenage girls, at a time when a series of murders had occurred.
Jack had been clear that May would get into trouble if she continued on her path of defiance. But even that risk didn't stop May from hurrying across the parking lot, and toward the marina.
She saw the twins immediately. The two red-headed boys were working hard, cleaning one of the sailboats at the far end of the marina. She headed over to them.
"I was wondering if you could help me out," she called, as she approached. "I'm the deputy sheriff. I'm investigating a series of crimes, and I'm trying to find out about a man that one of your clients mentioned."
The boys stared at her, surprised.
"Apparently you had a complaint a while back, from one of your clients. Did anyone complain to you about being watched by a creepy guy?"
"I think I remember a couple of the girls mentioning that," the closer twin said.
"They did say something about a creepy guy who was out on the lake,” the other twin said.
“I think they mentioned he was in a houseboat," the closer twin added. "And that he seemed drunk and was shouting insults at them. But they didn’t say anything else."
May nodded, pleased that she was getting some information.
“It was a green boat,” the other twin then remembered. “Because they asked us if it was one of ours. They were worried he might come back here. I told them we only have two houseboats for hire, and they are both blue and white.”
“Have you noticed a green houseboat out on the lake at all?” May asked.
"There's definitely one green houseboat around," the closer twin said. "I see it quite often. I’ve never seen a creepy guy in it, but then, I haven’t really looked too hard."
May made her decision. She took out her wallet.
"I'd like to rent a motorboat for an hour," she said.
"You would? Okay. Sure. Let me get the form." The twin rushed off.
May spent the next few minutes regretting her life choices. Was crazy mad? Why had she decided to do such a thing?
She knew she wasn't crazy. She was just desperate to solve this case. She didn't want anyone else to die.
“Here’s the form. Can you sign it, please? And how will you be paying?” the twin asked, hurrying back with the book.
“I’ll pay cash,” May said, handing over the money.
After she'd signed the rental agreement, the red-headed boy led her to the motorboat.
"Please take it easy on the controls. Don't push them too far," he said.
"Thank you," she said.
She didn't want to waste any time, so she climbed into the boat, started the engine, and pushed the throttle forward. The boat lurched out onto the lake. The water was choppy, and although the sun was trying to peek from beyond the moody clouds, the air felt cold. The wind was tugging at her hair.
Where could this houseboat be? She decided to scope the area by heading in a wide semi-circle. That would allow her the maximum reach. She steered the speedboat, water splashing in its wake, arcing out further from shore.
Would she find it in time?
Narrowing her eyes against the moody glare, May sped on.
*
As the time ticked inexorably on, May started to worry that she wasn't going to find the green houseboat within her one hour rental period. She’d seen a few boats out on the lake, but not the one she needed. It might be elsewhere, and she really couldn’t afford to spend more than an hour following this hunch. Even an hour was too long, and she knew there would be consequences to face.
Now, feeling defeated, she realized she had no choice but to speed back to the marina.
What she'd done was irresponsible and had been nothing more than a waste of time and money. At least she’d used her own money.
She was racing back to shore, when suddenly, she saw it. It was near the shore, a few hundred yards from the marina. Although it was nothing more than a dark blot on the water, something about its shape caught her eye.
She throttled back and looked harder, shielding her eyes against the glare.
It was a houseboat for sure. And it looked to be painted a dark olive green.
This must be it, she thought.
May decided that she was going to check it out. She roared closer, the boat bouncing over the lapping waves. When she was about thirty yards out, not wanting to give anyone on board too much warning, she cut the motor, and let the boat glide slower.
She stood up and took a look. But there was no sign of anyone on board.
"Hello?" May called, her stomach twisting uneasily.
No reply.
"Police!" she tried again. “Is anyone in there?”
Still nothing.
May took a deep breath. She had no legal right to enter the houseboat. She had no right to detain anyone. She had no idea what to do now. She grabbed a floating anchor from under the deck, and tossed it into the water, because she didn't want the speedboat to drift away while she considered her options.
As she stared at the houseboat, May saw something that chilled her.
There was a rusty-red stain on the upper deck of the houseboat. It splashed on the deck and then, she saw the spatters leading to the stairway.
Without a doubt, this was blood.