Page 11 of Crash Over Us
Josie shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a great idea either. How about I find some food? We can wait here. I told Jacob to text me as soon as he has news. No matter what it is.”
“No matter what?” I glared at her. “You mean if he’s d-dead? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
She didn’t answer.
“Fuck,” Ethan whispered.
I shouted at her. “Is that why you’re here? They think he’s already dead!”
Ethan jumped between us. It was a shock that he was here. Even more of a shock that he was intervening.
“Listen to her, Margot,” he pleaded. “She sounds like she knows what she’s talking about. Stay here and wait it out like she said.”
I glared at him. “You don’t even like Caleb,” I snarled. “Why do you care? Why would I take your advice?”
I barreled past them, headed toward the door.
“Margot! Wait.”
I was in the gravel driveway, hopping behind the wheel of my car. I didn’t care what the US Coast Guard said. I was going to be there when he got back. I would be there even if no one else were.
Josie’s hands landed on the passenger side door and yanked it open. She ducked her head inside. “At least let me drive.”
I considered it and then made an awkward climb across the console. Ethan tapped on the passenger side window.
“Should I stay here?” he asked. “You know in case… I don’t know. But would that help you?”
Help me. Ethan wanted to help. I couldn’t wrap my head around anything right now.
Josie nodded. “Yes. Thank you, Ethan. That would be great. Stay here and just stay. For now.”
“I will. Margot has my number if I can do something else.” He opened the door, letting muggy air into the car. “I hope they find him and he’s okay.” He pressed his thumb to my cheek, something he used to do before he left for work. I couldn’t look at him. He shut the door and stood back from the car.
I strapped on my seatbelt. “Hurry.” Was all I said.
Josie led us out of the marina drive and onto the main road on Marshoak Island.
“What else do you know?” I questioned. “How was there an accident? The weather is perfect.”
I thought about all the rescues Caleb had told me about. They always involved storms, nor’easters, and epic flooding. Boats trapped out on the ocean at night during high winds. Today had been beautiful. This morning I had finally spoken to John, the fisherman who knew my Uncle Walt. I had sipped coffee and tried to cast a line past the pelican on a nearby pier. The surface was so calm I could count the ripples the hook made when it hit the water. How did Caleb, the most elite swimmer in his squad, go missing on a perfect day?
Josie slowed as we neared some of the island shops. The speed limit took a quick dive to twenty-five in the most congested part of the island.
“Not much more than they have all boats on patrol looking for Caleb and Gabe. They responded to a call. Reported in. They haven’t been heard from since. That’s when someone at the base rode out to see the O’Connors. I don’t know if that’s standard or because Caleb’s dad was stationed there for so long.”
I tried to absorb the information and think through the possibilities. He was an excellent swimmer. Top of his class. He couldn’t have had an accident in the water. It wasn’t possible. No matter what I told myself, I felt the dread coat the underside of my skin.
“What did his dad say? What was his reaction?” I asked.
Josie took a left on the beach road that led to the Coast Guard base.
“I think he was trying to keep it together for Stella’s sake. Jacob saw me standing there, and we decided I should head to the Blue Heron to tell you what was going on. Why do you want to know about Adam?”
“Because, if he thought his son was in danger, he would react differently.”
“True.” She pressed her lips together.
“So, was he acting like this was serious?” I pushed her for more details.
