The boat was a wide-decked thirty-footer, with twin two-hundred horsepower engines. The width was critical because he planned to parachute onto the deck. Because he intended to return the boat, there should have been nothing worrisome about renting it. Nevertheless, if the police checked on rentals in the harbor and showed his picture around, it was possible he could be identified, even with his disguise. Then people might wonder. For that reason, he wanted to get out of the harbor fast.

It was not a wish he was granted.

There were three unusual items he needed to bring aboard: an inflatable dinghy, signal lights, and an extra anchor. His dinghy was not small, nor was the motor he planned to attach to it to drive him back to shore. A man from Harry’s Ocean Rentals came over to give him a hand. Matt waved him away but the guy was probably anxious for a tip. He followed him back to his car after Matt had obtained the keys to the boat. When Matt opened his trunk, the man saw the deflated dinghy, and looked puzzled.

“Are you going diving or what?” the guy asked.

That would be one reason to bring along a dinghy. But Matt could not hide the fact that he had no diving equipment. Then he had an idea.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I’m picking up friends on Catalina. We’re going to rent our equipment there, then check out the caves on the backside of the island.”

“You need diving equipment? We rent that as well. I bet you could get a deal from Chuck since you’ve already paid for the boat.”

“No thanks. My pals have already got their stuff reserved.”

“Hey, the name’s Timmy.” He offered his hand and Matt had to take it. “You sure? Chuck will give you a deal.”

“I’m sure.”

Timmy was straw-blond with a crooked mouth and sloppy feet. He had bumped Matt twice on the short walk to the car. Now he gave him a peculiar look. “I thought you told Chuck you were heading south to fish?” he asked.

Timmy must have been in the back when Matt had spoken to Chuck.

“Later I’ll head that way. I have the boat for two days,” Matt said.

He nodded as Matt bent over the trunk. “Let me help you with that motor.”

“It’s not necessary.”

Timmy touched the lights and the supporting car battery. “What are these for?”

“Oh. They’re stage lights. Leave them.”

“You’re not taking them aboard?”

Matt shrugged. “No. What would I need them for?”