Grant’s eyes widened, and he strode to the stern.
Penelope shifted into reverse and spotted a diver floating at the back, a gidgee in one hand and a bag full of crayfish in the other. Illegal fishing in a sanctuary zone. Some people had no respect.
The diver gaped at her and then brought the gidgee around to point at her.
Penelope stared down at the sharp spear, her heart racing. What was he thinking? It had to be a reflexive move. She swallowed. “Lower the gidgee.”
“You idiot,” Grant said. “Didn’t you see the other boat?”
“No one was out here today.”
An idiot if he thought no one could turn up while he was underwater. Penelope reached for the radio.
“Don’t,” the diver said, lifting the spear gun further out of the water.
Grant swore. “What are you doing, Murray?”
“We can’t afford to have this reported.”
“So what are you going to do, kill her?”
Penelope kept her eyes on Murray, her heart racing. If he shot, could she duck in time from this range? She wasn’t certain. In the distance a boat engine hummed, but she didn’t dare turn to see where it was.
“We can dump her on the island. Give us enough time to get away.”
“She’s seen us and the boat. We’re screwed.” Grant turned to her. “How much will it take for you to pretend you saw nothing?”
Penelope bristled but ignored the comment. She needed Murray to lower his spear. “Murray, are you aware you’re fishing in a sanctuary zone?” This was his way out, not that she would give it to him.
He hesitated. “No.”
Liar. Still, she could work with it. “You need to release the crayfish.”
“But they’re dead.” He shoved the bag of crayfish up on the marlin board.
From what she could see, he’d speared them all. Idiot. Penelope grabbed her radio. “Base, this is Victor Sierra Foxtrot. Do you copy?”
“Yes, Penelope. What have you got?”
“Put that down!” Murray cried, facing her again and lifting the gidgee from the water. His hand shook, his finger over the trigger.
She gasped. Grant was pulling the crayfish on board as if to hide it, not paying any attention to Murray. “If I don’t respond to the office, they’re going to know something is wrong.”
As if proving her point, the radio sounded. “Penelope, are you there?”
She reached for it.
“Don’t do it.” Murray swam closer.
Penelope looked at Grant. “Can you talk some sense into him?”
Grant sighed and then reached behind his back and pulled out a gun. “No. Do as he says.”
Penelope froze.
***
Sam surfaced from his dive and inflated his BCD, taking the regulator from his mouth. Bliss. A perfect dive. The coral and marine life was magnificent around the Muiron Islands. He’d have to thank Rob for the recommendation. It was just what he’d needed this morning. Sam checked the time and then hauled himself aboard the rubber tender.
