Gale Force

24

McKenna gathered the crew in the Gale Force’s galley. Matt and Stacey, Nelson Ridley, Court Harrington, and the Parents. The only crew missing was Spike, and McKenna figured the ship’s cat wouldn’t exactly have any sympathy to contribute, anyway.

“Commodore’s at the Lion,” McKenna told them. “According to the local gossip, they had a line on the wreck as of yesterday.”

From his corner of the galley, Al Parent muttered a curse. Matt and Stacey swapped pained looks. Jason Parent stared at the floor.

“Commodore?” Ridley scratched his head. “I thought the Titan was laid up in California.”

“It is,” McKenna replied. “That’s the funny thing. I thought we knew all the salvage outfits on the coast, but Commodore chartered a boat from in town. I guess the locals have a tug that can do the job.”

“Be kind of crazy to go all the way out there if they didn’t,” Ridley agreed.

“What does this mean for us?” Court Harrington asked. “They can’t really expect to right that list, can they?”

“What this means—” McKenna sighed. “What this means is that Commodore has a claim on the Lion. It means we’re too late.”

“So what are we going to do?”

McKenna looked around at her crew. The guy at the fuel dock had disappeared into his office about halfway through the Gale Force’s refueling. Came back with a story about a processing ship needing a tow, Kodiak to Seattle, ten thousand dollars a day.

“Probably a ten-day trip,” the guy had said. “Hundred grand in your pocket, right there.”

A hundred grand. It would keep the lights on, anyway. Get the Gale Force back down to the lower forty-eight on a paying run. Maybe they could pick up another job, quick and easy, in Seattle.

Maybe.

“There’s a tow job available, Kodiak to Seattle,” McKenna told her crew. “I’ll need Al and Jason and Ridley aboard. Matt and Stacey and Court, I’ll pay you for your time, fly you anywhere you want to go.” She shrugged. “I wish I could do better, guys.”

“Kodiak to Seattle.” Ridley rubbed his chin. “How much are they paying?”

“Ten grand. Day rate.”

“Cripes. That barely covers our expenses. And what about the engine overhauls? We were counting on this score to fix up the tug.”

“I know, Nelson,” McKenna told him. “I wish I had better news. We’re just too late. That’s all there is to it.”

Ridley stared at her, his brow furrowed, his eyes dark, the rest of the crew’s expressions a match. McKenna figured she could read what they were thinking, every one of them.

This never would have happened if your dad was still around.