Free Magic Moment by Angela Adams

gripped tightly, her fingers slim and delicate, as he helped her step onto the boat. He surprised himself by not being ready to let go. He liked her touch and entwined their fingers as they descended the stairs.
    “Chase, thank you. You were right.”
    “Right?”
    “I was hungry.” She smiled again. “And I had a nice time.”
    With their hands still clasped, he led her into the galley. “I did too.”
    She had smiled a lot tonight, which made him happy.
    “I didn’t want to bring this up at the restaurant and ruin the evening,” he said. “You and I need to talk some more about last night. Do you feel up to it?”
    As she nodded her head, she sat down on a round brown-cushioned stool.
    Chase let go of her hand, hating to do so. He walked behind the bar. The near-empty whiskey bottle was waiting with several glasses.
    “I’ve been sorting in my mind what you told me.” He poured the amber liquid into a glass. “Can I get you a drink?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t like whiskey.”
    “Some water?”
    She smiled, shaking her head again.
    “I’ve been thinking about Oliver Daniels.” He raised the glass as if toasting. “He isn’t a very nice man.” That was an understatement if ever there was one.
    “I don’t know him. I’ve seen him walking through the Food Mall, but we’ve never spoken.”
    Having gone through elementary, high school, and college together, Dick Donovan and Oliver Daniels had remained tight friends, although they were as different as a polar bear and a cheetah. Dick with his expensive one-of-a-kind suits and silk ties, Daniels always dressed in food-stained overalls that looked as if he had slept in them. Dick was earnest where his longtime friend was concerned, but Chase was certain his father had better sense than to protect anyone from anything criminal.
    “My father doesn’t see the man’s faults because they’re friends,” Chase said. “I can’t stomach the bastard. He’s had two sexual harassment suits filed against him by ex-secretaries.”
    “He doesn’t think much of women, does he?”
    “Human or otherwise.” Chase took a mouthful from his glass. “I once saw him beat a thoroughbred that had lost a race. Nice little filly. She had to be put down.”
    “Oh, my.”
    “Some days the ponies got it. Some, they don’t. Daniels had lost a bundle and was drunk and pissed.” Chase gulped the remaining liquid. “His story was she reared up in the stall.”
    “Don’t they investigate? For insurance purposes at least?”
    “Only if a claim is filed,” he said. “Daniels knew better. Said he could use the tax loss. I wrestled with my conscience. Wanting to go to the authorities. Slimy folks don’t see animal abuse as a crime.” His tone was wistful. “Only, it was my word against the two other people in the barn.”
    “Neither would go against Daniels.”
    Chase had been in high school. Even after so many years, guilt still plagued him for having pushed aside the abuse. “It was a long time ago. I dreaded a confrontation with my father,” he smirked. It was a pitiful excuse. “Dad and I were having a lot of those back then. He gets on me for being too sensitive. Complains I take after my mother.” He poured another drink.
    Laura was silent for a minute. “Chase, what you’re telling me is terrible, but I can’t see where Daniels’ shenanigans with a horse would interest the FBI. Or has anything to do with what happened to me.”
    “Daniels owns Leisure Limo.”
    Her eyes widened. “I didn’t know. I pay those invoices. The address isn’t the same address as his produce business.” She paused. “Come to think of it, both businesses are post office boxes. Different post office box numbers.”
    “Daniels owns several businesses. Ron works for Daniels. I think the FBI, what happened to you last night, is all about Oliver Daniels.”
    “Chase, have you called your father today?”
    “No. Why?” He drained his glass.
    “You told your father