Chapter 7
“This one looks nice”, Leah said, looking at a new sportfishing boat. She was at a marina a few hours drive from Ella’s workshop.
“It’s a Bertram, the finest fishing boat in its class”, the broker beamed. “Twin engines with 600 horse power, outriggers, live well, twin bench coolers, state of the art electronics - this thing pretty much sells itself", he said, admiring the boat. "I even filled up the tank this morning”, he smiled, then looked at Leah, who had her hair pulled back into a ponytail and was wearing a pair of jeans, dock shoes, a Pelagic sportfishing hoodie, polarized fishing sunglasses and a baseball cap. “You fish a lot?”
“Not as much as I’d like to”, Leah said. “My father was a fisherman. We used to fish all the time when I was younger. It was our favourite pastime together.” She paused and then said, “He sold our boat about ten years ago when I left for uni, and then he passed away last year.” She smiled sadly and then said, “I don’t have a lot of free time these days, with work and all, but my father left me some money, and I can’t think of a better way to honour his memory than to buy a boat and keep fishing as much as I can.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your father”, the broker said. “But I agree - buying a boat and continuing the past time you two enjoyed so much together is a perfect way to honour his memory.”
Leah stared at the boat for a moment and then turned to the broker and smiled. “I’ll take it.”
********
A slight shift in motion woke Caitlin from her sleep. She opened her eyes and saw Katie slipping out of bed. “Ghosting me already?” she joked.
“No”, Katie smiled. “I need to shower, didn’t want to wake you.”
“You forgot something”, Caitlin said as Katie got off the bed. She grabbed Katie's hand and then smiled at her. Katie smiled back and then bent down and gave Caitlin a gentle kiss on the lips.
“How’d you sleep?” Katie asked.
“Okay. It’s been a while since I slept in a bed with someone.”
“Me too.”
“But worth it”, Caitlin said. She smiled and then pulled Katie back into the bed and gave her another kiss.
“We should get moving”, Katie said. “We need to touch base with the office, and then it's a half day's drive back.”
“I know”, Caitlin said. She paused and then raised an eyebrow. “Wanna shower together? It will save time”, she said with a smile.
Katie smiled back and said, “Tempting, but on second thought I guess we should get moving. I can live without a shower for today.” She gave Caitlin a kiss and then called the office. “It’s McCabe, I’m with Caitlin - Agent Foord.”
“Where are you guys?” Kim asked.
“Still up north, we stayed the night”, Katie said.
“Same room? One queen size bed?” Hayley asked with a smile.
“Focus, Raso”, Kim said. “What do you have?” Kim asked.
“It was carnage up here”, Caitlin said, as she got dressed. “But we know we are looking for a minivan that is carrying a gun large enough that it needs to be mounted.”
“We saw the plans at Toone’s workshop”, Katie said. “One meter base. Would fit perfectly in a minivan.”
“Okay”, Kim said. We need to set up checkpoints for all roads coming into the city.”
“She could have changed plates, maybe even changed the color of the van”, Katie said.
“Well, we don’t have much other choice”, Kim said. “Also - how else would she transport a gun that large?”
Caitlin thought for a moment and then said, “Water.” Katie looked at her, so Caitlin said, “By boat. The sound runs from North County east and then heads south, all the way to the harbor near town centre.”
“It’s a possibility”, KIm said. “Check with the harbor master and see if there are any checks we can put in place.”
“We don’t really know what we’re looking for”, Katie said.
“I know”, Kim said, “But we don’t have much to go on, so we need to explore all possibilities. Call the harbor master ASAP, and also - find out if anyone up north recently bought a boat with the ID Lisa Casper.”
“Got it”, Caitlin said, then hung up.
********
Leah drove to a sporting goods store near the marina and bought two fishing rods, two tackle boxes, two nets, a large sturdy fishing rod carrying case, and a large rollable fishing cooler. She got a sandwich from a gas station, filled up the minivan tank, and then drove back to the marina after the brokerage had closed, just before dusk. She pulled her minivan into the parking lot, put the gun in the large fishing rod carrying case, put the mount in the large fishing cooler, and then loaded them onto the boat. She loaded one of the rods, one of the nets and one of the tackle boxes onto the boat as well, then started driving back to town centre.
********
“What do you have?” Kim asked into the phone.
“We spoke with the harbor master”, Caitlin said. “They don't have much in the way of checks. Boats pretty much come and go as they please. Also - the largest fishing tournament in the area is tomorrow. Boats will be coming from all around.”
“The harbor is gonna be crowded”, Katie said.
“Good cover if you want to get in unnoticed”, Kim said.
“Also, we checked out the marina here in North County. No Lisa Casper bought a boat, but the broker did say he sold a boat to an Anne Thompson. The description he gave us of the woman who bought the boat could have been Leah”, Katie said.
“She could have used another ID”, Caitlin said.
“I’m sure she has multiple”, Kim said. “Okay - you two head back here. I want everyone down at the harbor tomorrow.”
“Yes, Ma’am”, Caitlin said. She hung up and then she and Katie started driving back to town centre.
********
Leah was thirty minutes outside of town centre when she hit a check point.
“Good evening”, she said to the officer.
“Evening Ma’am”, the officer said. “Driver’s license, please.”
“Of course”, Leah said. She reached into her purse and handed the officer her license.
“Anne Thompson”, the officer read.
“That’s me”, Leah said with a smile.
The officer smiled slightly back, then looked at the clipboard in his hand. The make and model matched what the NDA had given the metro police, but the color and license plate were different. “We need to search your vehicle, Ms. Thompson.”
“Sure thing”, Leah said. She unlocked the doors and opened the gate. The officer looked around. It was clean except for a backpack and some fishing gear.
“Fishing up north?” the officer asked. Fishing in North County was a popular activity, and many people from the city went up there to cast a line.
“Yes”, Leah said. “Went up early this morning.”
“Catch anything?” The officer was also a fisherman.
“Just a few. Nothing worth keeping”, Leah said. She paused for a moment and then asked. “Is something happening?” Leah asked, feigning harmless curiosity. “Looks like you're searching a lot of minivans.”
“Just routine, Ma'am", the officer said, returning to business. He finished his search and then handed Leah back her license. “You may proceed. Drive safe. Hopefully you’ll catch a keeper next time”, he said with a friendly smile.
“Thank you, have a good night”, Leah said with a smile. She drove off and an hour later found a spot in the parking lot of the harbor near town centre. She parked the minivan and then headed on foot for the train station nearby. An hour later she was on an overnight train back to North County, headed to a station near the marina. As the train departed, she pulled out a pamphlet she had taken from the marina where she had bought the boat.
“Largest fishing tournament of the year”
She smiled, then put the pamphlet back in her pocket and closed her eyes.
********
“It’s getting late”, Katie said as they neared town centre.
“It’s been a long day”, Caitlin said. “You hungry?”
“Yeah I could eat.”
“Wanna just do dinner at my place?” Caitlin asked. “I can make us a shepherd's pie.”
“Works for me”, Katie nodded. She and Caitlin drove for a few more minutes and then reached Caitlin’s flat.
“Nice place”, Katie said, as they entered.
“Thanks”, Caitlin said. “Want a beer?”
“Sure”, Katie said. Caitlin opened the fridge and took out two beers, cracked them both, and handed one to Katie.
“Alright, gimme fifteen minutes”, she said, then started pulling out ingredients.
“Need a hand?” Katie asked.
“Um…sure, if you’re offering?” Caitlin smiled.
“I am”, Katie said. “Here - I’ll start with the veggies if you want to start prepping meat.” Katie grabbed a cutting board and started slicing the tomatoes and onions.
“I haven’t cooked with anyone in a while”, Caitlin said. “My ex and I used to cook a lot.” She sighed and then said, “It’s been six months.”
“Sorry”, Katie said. She paused for a moment and then said, “I’ve never really cooked with anyone.”
“Not with any of your exes?” Caitlin jested.
“No”, Katie said flatly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“It’s alright”, Katie said. “I actually don’t mind cooking alone. It helps me relax.”
“But it’s more fun with someone else”, Caitlin smiled.
Katie looked at her for a moment. “I suppose so”, she said and smiled back. “Here”, she said, handing Caitlin the chopped tomatoes and onions.
“Thanks”, Caitlin said. She dumped them into the pan with the meat and stirred. “Teamwork makes the dream work, right?” she quipped, and Katie laughed. “You have a nice laugh”, she said.
“Thanks”, Katie said.
“I bet not many people see it”, Caitlin said. “You’re so serious at work.”
“I suppose so”, Katie said. “Work is serious business.”
“That it is”, Caitlin said. “Well, I’m glad I got to see you laugh”, she said and smiled.
Katie gazed at Caitlin for a moment and then said, “Um… do you need help with the crust?”
“No thanks, it’s one of those pre-made ones. Just gotta put it in the oven for a few minutes.”
“Cheater”, Katie jabbed.
Caitlin opened her mouth in mock offense and Katie laughed again.
“I can finish the rest”, Caitlin said. “You can have a seat, we’ll be ready soon.”
“Thanks”, Katie said, and then sat at the kitchen counter and watched Caitlin cook. She smiled as she watched Caitlin gracefully move around the kitchen. She’s sweet, Katie thought. And beautiful. For a moment, she had a vision of this moment in the future, her and Caitlin together, Caitlin cooking them dinner, Katie admiring her from the counter.
“You okay?” Caitlin asked.
“Huh?” Katie said, snapping out of her daydream.
“You looked like you were somewhere else”, Caitlin said, tapping her own head with her finger. “And you were smiling.”
“No, it’s nothing…it’s just…nice to be here”, Katie said.
Caitlin smiled and then said, “We’re just about ready”, then took the pie out of the oven. “And dinner is served”, she said with a flourish, and Katie laughed again.
********
“That was wonderful”, Katie said.
“I’m glad you liked it”, Caitlin said. They had finished dinner and were now on Caitlin’s couch, finishing a bottle of wine. Caitlin had dimmed the lights and lit a few candles. Soft jazz music was playing in the background. “How are you feeling about tomorrow?”
“Nervous, to be honest”, Katie said. She gazed at Caitlin and then said, “Tomorrow - you need to promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I always am”, Caitlin said. “You too? Be careful?”
“Hayley told me you don’t like to fire your weapon.”
“Well, I don't want to have to shoot anyone, if I don’t have to.”
“Leah’s not going to stop just because you yell “Freeze”, Katie said. “And if we corner her, she’s gonna come out firing.”
“I know, but still - we want to take her alive if we can, right?” Caitlin said. Katie didn’t say anything, so Caitlin said, “Right?”
“Right, but if she fires-”
“I’ll duck”, Caitlin jested. She stared at Katie, who didn’t say anything, so Caitlin moved a bit closer. “I’ll be fine”, she said, then took Katie’s hands. “Look - let’s not worry about tomorrow, alright?”
Katie gazed at Caitlin and then exhaled. “Okay”, she said. “But you have to promise me that tomorro-”
Caitlin cut her off with a kiss. “I said I’ll be fine.” She smiled at Katie and then said, “We’re here now, let’s just enjoy tonight, and tomorrow will be tomorrow. Okay?” She gently squeezed Katie’s hands and smiled reassuringly.
“Okay”, Katie exhaled and then smiled a bit back.
“There’s that winning smile”, Caitlin said. At that Katie laughed, and Caitlin leaned in for another kiss.
********
Hours later, Katie looked over at the clock on the nightstand. It was just after 3am. She was in Caitlin's bed, with Caitlin curled up into her. Where are you? Katie wondered about Leah. She figured Leah was going to boat in, but she couldn't be sure. Then she looked over at Caitlin, who was purring softly in her sleep. I’m falling for her, Katie thought. I can scarcely believe it. It’s been three years since Ruesha, and I thought I would never love again. And now, out of pure circumstance, I meet this amazing woman, and we’re about to go up against the most dangerous person I've ever encountered, and this beautiful woman beside me has no idea what she is up against, but I know. Katie exhaled and then thought - I'm worried. I’m falling for Caitlin, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. I don't want to go through that again. She leaned down and kissed the top of Caitlin’s head as she slept, then closed her eyes and tried to sleep.