Free Dangerous Reunion (Love Inspired Suspense) by Sandra Robbins

open up this morning. When I got there, Mike called on my cell phone and said he was running a little late and would be there as soon as he could.”
    “Were you there by yourself?”
    “Yes, and before I knew it I had people waiting everywhere, and all of them wanting to leave right away. I saw this guy standing over to the side like he was waiting for a boat. But by the time I’d taken care of everybody, he was gone. I figured he gave up and left. But I guess he must have gotten the keys off the Peg-Board when I wasn’t looking. There were so many people getting in boats, I didn’t notice him leave.”
    “This man you saw waiting, can you tell me what he looked like?”
    Kyle’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and sympathy for the boy’s situation filled Brock. The kid looked scared to death. Kyle took a deep breath. “He had his back turned. All I saw was the hooded sweatshirt he was wearing.”
    Kate’s eyes widened. “So you never saw his face. Can you give me an idea about his size? Was he short, tall, thin, heavy?”
    “He was an average-size person.” The boy’s face crumpled, and he turned toward Bob. “I’m sorry that I messed up, Bob, and I promise I’ll be more careful in the future if you’ll give me another chance. I really need this summer job.” Brock thought Kyle would burst into tears any second.
    Bob’s gruff manner melted, and he took a deep breath. “It’s okay, Kyle. We’ve got the boat back.” He turned to glare at Mike. “No thanks to Mike. If he’d been at work on time, we wouldn’t have had this problem.”
    Kate glanced over her shoulder at Mike. “How about joining us, Mike? I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
    The boy sighed, pushed away from leaning on the car, and swaggered toward them. “I called my dad to come out here,” he mumbled.
    Brock tensed for Kate’s response, but if she heard, she gave no indication. She glanced at Bob. “We’re glad your boat is recovered.” She turned to Mike. “Can you add anything that might help us find out who took the boat?”
    Mike shrugged. “How should I know? I wasn’t even there.”
    Bob’s face turned red, and he gritted his teeth. “You should have been. I ought to fire you.”
    Anger flashed across Mike’s face, and he clenched his fists. He took a step toward Bob but stopped as a car skidded to a stop in the parking lot. A man jumped from inside and strode across the parking lot. His hair was a shade lighter than the red that colored his cheeks, and his muscular body reminded Brock of a bulldozer plowing ahead determined to mow down everything in its path. He doubled his fist and shook it in Kate’s direction as he approached.
    “Okay, Kate, what are you accusing my son of this time?”
    Kate waited until the man reached her before she spoke. “Hello, Ean. I wondered if you’d show up. Nobody’s accusing Mike of anything. We’re trying to get some information about a boat that was taken from the marina this morning.”
    Ean shook his finger at Bob. “I don’t know why you don’t lose one every day. I’ve told you that you’re no kind of a businessman. You should give up and go to the mainland and get a job.”
    Bob took a step toward Ean, but Calvin put a restraining hand on his arm. Bob relaxed and took a deep breath. “Look, Ean, I gave your son a job for the summer as a favor to you, but it’s not working out. I spend half my time covering up his mistakes. This time he came to work late and left us shorthanded.”
    Ean’s face grew redder. “He wasn’t feeling well this morning. He needed some extra rest.”
    Kate held up her hand. “We don’t have time for you two to argue.” She glanced at Mike. “Why don’t you go on home with your dad? I’ll call you if I need anything else.”
    Ean glared at her. “You call me if you need to talk to my son, Kate. You got that straight?”
    Ean clamped his hand down on Mike’s shoulder and turned him toward the car. They strode across the parking lot