“You just said it’s a ranger. If it is, we’ll tell him we saw the smoke and were concerned, that’s all. No harm, no foul.”
“It’s likely a ranger, Rad. But there’s a chance it’s not. It could be a criminal hiding out from the law. I’m sorry. You two aren’t going to the island.”
“I’m a grown woman, Marty! You can’t tell me what to—”
“And I’m the captain of this ship. I make the calls.”
“Have you forgotten that I’ve explored some extremely remote locations—”
“With an entire TV crew. That’s a little different than striking off with just Jacky—”
“We can more than handle ourselves. Stop being such a male chauvinist. Besides, who knows? We might even find some more evidence of your mermaids. Dr. Montero, would you like to join us?”
“Me? Oh no.” She shook her head. “My…exploration days…are behind me. I think I’ll be fine staying right here on the ship.”
Chapter 18
ELSA
Elsa took her coffee to the foredeck to let Marty and Radhika continue their argument in private. The sun was higher above the horizon now, revealing a dreary morning sky scuffed with gray clouds. Demon Island was off starboard, a green and lonely chunk of land, untouched by man. Admittedly her first reaction to Radhika’s invitation to explore the island had been curiosity and interest. Exploration was in her blood. It was why cave diving had become an irresistible pastime of hers. Of course, she was no longer the person she used to be. Her selfish desire for exploration had not only gotten her husband killed but had also killed that very desire in the same fell swoop. She didn’t need to go traipsing around an uncharted island in the hopes of solving a silly mystery. She was in her forties now. She was a still-grieving widow.
Dr. Murdoch and Radhika started shouting at one another. Elsa glanced through the window to the kitchen in time to see Marty storm off into the salon.
A moment later Radhika emerged on the foredeck with her coffee.
“He can be such a man-baby sometimes,” she said, stopping next to Elsa at the railing and staring out to sea.
“He certainly seems protective of you.”
“He has a big heart, even if he’s not very good at showing it. I mean, I know he’s concerned for me. But I’m not a little girl. I can make my own decisions.”
“You’re still going to the island?”
“As soon as Jacky’s up.”
“And Marty’s okay with that?”
“Of course not.” She sipped her coffee. “Which, I guess, is why he’s decided to come with us.”
Chapter 19
MARTY
After his argument with Rad, Marty went to the davit on the starboard main deck. Stowed against the crane-like structure was a 4.8-meter rigid inflatable boat (RIB), which was essentially a pair of synthetic rubber pontoons connected to a laminate hull. He went about checking the davit’s tracks for debris, then removed the boat’s cover. He was in the process of detaching the grips that held the inflatable boat in place when Rad and Jacky joined him. They wore their new bikinis under shorts and singlets, as well as big straw hats. Once again, they reminded him of twins.