It seemed a little strange to call the police in before the investigation, but maybe that was the bane of social media. “Sure, I’ll go now.”
The boat should be heading back so she could meet them at the marina. Her muscles tightened. This was the worst part about her job. She hated confrontation because no one was ever happy to be told they were doing the wrong thing and they could hardly help it if the whales approached them. Rob was a nice enough guy, and she’d have to make a decision which would affect his livelihood. A wrong decision might have horrible consequences.
Nausea swirled in her stomach as she neared the marina. She took long, slow breaths like her therapist had taught her while walking to where Sergeant Dot Campbell waited. Dot’s blue uniform was crinkled with a smear of red dirt on her shirt. Her pixie-cut black hair was further dishevelled as she ran her hand through it.
“Rough day?” Penelope asked.
Dot nodded. “Don’t get me started. What do you know about the situation?”
Penelope liked the way she got right to the point. She commanded attention whether she was in an interview room, or a bar, a feat which was particularly impressive because she was only about a hundred and fifty centimetres tall.
“Declan showed me the photo. That’s it.”
“OK, we’ll wait until the passengers disembark and then we’ll question Rob.”
They didn’t have long to wait. The boat motored into the marina and efficiently tied up. The passengers were off and on the way to the bus to take them home within minutes. Dot gestured to one of the crew members and said, “Gretchen, can I have a word?”
Gretchen paled. “Is it Jordan? Has something happened?”
Dot shook her head. “No, as far as I know he’s fine. It’s a different matter.”
The blonde exhaled and placed a hand against her chest. “Good. What do you need?”
So that was Gretchen. Georgie had mentioned Gretchen hadn’t come to the girls’ night because she’d been unable to find a babysitter.
“I need to know about the tour today.”
Gretchen glanced to the bus. “Can it wait until I’ve dropped off the passengers?”
Dot nodded. “We’ll be here when you get back.”
Penelope smiled at Gretchen and followed Dot along the dock to where the boat was tied up. A couple of crew members were already cleaning and two men stood on the deck.
One was Sam.
Damn it. She’d forgotten he’d bought Rob’s business. Her face heated as she remembered the weekend. She really didn’t want to deal with him. But maybe that’s why the incident had occurred. The new guy wanted to flaunt the rules, thought he knew better than everyone else. Anger replaced the nerves. Some people had no idea why the rules were in place and didn’t care enough to find out.
“Permission to come aboard,” Dot called.
Rob waved them forward, but Sam’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps he hadn’t suspected his flagrant rule breaking would come back and bite him so quickly.
“Dot, Penelope,” Rob greeted them. “How can we help you?”
So casual, so unconcerned. Her anger increased and she shook her head, taking a step forward. “You don’t think this is enough to warrant some attention?” She showed him the photo, which had now attracted hundreds of comments.
Rob sighed. “I can explain.”
“It was my fault,” Sam said, moving next to Rob. “I was behind the wheel.”
Penelope was slightly impressed that Sam took responsibility. “On your first day you decided to break one of the most important rules on your licence?” That took some nerve.
“It wasn’t like that.” He smiled, probably trying to be disarming and damn it, he had a charm about him. Penelope wouldn’t be sucked in by it.
Dot raised a hand. “How about we head into the cabin for a chat? It will be more comfortable there.”
“Sure,” Sam replied, but something in his tone made Penelope feel like he was placating her.
Probably thought they were making a big deal over nothing. She would show him he needed to take the conditions of his licence seriously.
