Free Follow the Evidence (A Mac Everett Mystery Book 2) by Nick Vellis Page A

Senior Chief Fox
says,” he replied.
    “He’s a good man, knows what he’s
talking about too. You’d be smart to listen to him. Let me ask you about one
more thing.”
    “About the phantom? Yeah I saw it
too,” he said.
    “Is that what you call it, the
phantom?”
    “What else can I call it? I took a
good blow to the head on the flight out there. It cracked my helmet. The ride
that day was sporty. I wasn’t sure if I saw anything.”
    “What did you see, Marty?”
    Webber dropped his head and closed
his eyes. He was trying to see it again, trying to remember.
    “Senior was checking out the Wind
Dancer with his binocs and said something, probably a curse. I looked up
and saw it out the starboard window.” He raised his head and looked me straight
in the eye. I knew he believed what he was saying.
    “What did you see? Was it another
boat?”
    “I didn’t actually see a boat. All
I saw was a rooster tail, but a boat was making it. It was a go-fast hauling
ass away from the sloop in fifteen foot plus seas.”
    We went over and over Webber’s
recollection, but he couldn’t dredge up any other memory of the fleeting glance
he’d had. I thanked him for the risks he took that day and for being so honest
with me. I promised to keep him in the loop too.
    I headed back to Commander Swift’s
office to let him know I was through and thank him. Yeoman Winters smiled when
I came through the door. She did know how to do it and it made her even more
attractive.
    “Mr. Everett, are you finished
already?” Winters said. “Commander Swift is gone for the day. Is there anything I can do for you?” She was surprisingly warm. Her boss being out of the
office had quite an effect on her demeanor.
    “Yeah, there are two things you
could do.” I could think of several more, but they were all X rated. “Could you
leave a message for the commander? I want a copy of the video tape made during
the Wind Dancer sortie and the Investigative Activity Report on the Danny-L operation.”
    “I’ll put that request in for you
Mr. Everett. It shouldn’t take long. Do you want to pick it up or shall I send
it to you? She batted her eyelashes at me. This was getting weird.
    “Call me Mac.”
    “Mac,” she said, “that’s an
interesting name.”
    “Ah, thanks. Send the tape to this
address and if you can, Fax me the report. The Fax number is here,” I said as I
handed her my card. She wrote down the address then slipped my card inside her
blouse.
    “I’ll keep this in case I need to
reach you,” she said. “I get over to Orlando all the time.”
    “That’s nice, you should call me,”
I said.
    “Is there anything else? Maybe I
could show you some good places to eat tonight,” she leaned forward with
anticipation. Her smile showed a set of lovely white teeth.
    “Thanks, Ms. Winter…say, what’s
your first name.”
    “Shannon,” she said without
hesitation in a slightly husky voice.
    “Thanks, Shannon. I have someplace
I need to be tonight. Can I have a rain check? Call me when you’re going to be
in Orlando. Maybe we can get together.”
    “I’d like that very much,” she
said. “You sure you can’t change your plans for tonight?”
    “Yeah, I’m sure. Sorry. Don’t
forget to call me.”
    I wasn’t sure what triggered
Shannon Winter’s transformation. Whatever it was, Shannon was unleashed. I
slipped out the door before the new woman jumped me on her immaculate desk.
     
    It was less than an hour’s drive
from Cape Canaveral back to Orlando. My new Camaro ZL1 made the ride pure
exhilaration, but I was preoccupied. The case was a loser. It wasn’t going to
go anywhere, but I’d accepted a retainer. I still didn’t want to go to the
Sheriff’s award program, but Lia was right. Getting my name and maybe a picture
in the newspaper couldn’t be bad for business. I’d had to turn down a sure bet
I’d sail with the Coast Guard, so I hoped the evening wouldn’t be a total loss.
    I swung into the Sheriff’s