Trawling for Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page A

I wish these folks would use the big marina,” Manny said, getting off the
Seaworthy
. “I don’t have space for them to dock. They don’t buy licenses or nothing, just load the thing up with beer and go sit out on the lake till they’re fall-down drunk, then come back.”
    â€œI imagine that’s why they don’t use the big marina. Call the shore patrol on them.”
    â€œMan, I’m not going to squeal on anybody. Not even them. But they don’t even offer me a tip or nothing.”
    He turned and was making his way toward the newcomers, when Chaz called out, “I’m leaving the
Truth
here for another night maybe, that okay?”
    Manny waved yes.
    â€œWhere do you usually keep it?” Liv asked.
    â€œI have a berth over at Cove Marina. This is convenient, close to the best fishing, easy access to the water, never a wait . . . but not secure.” He was watching Manny talking to the driver of the SUV. Manny finally motioned to him to get out of the car, which he did, then followed Manny into the office.
    As soon as they were out of sight, Chaz bent down to look at something on the wooden planks.
    â€œWhat are you looking at?” Liv peered down to the wood. It just looked old and none too clean to her.
    He frowned at her. “Do you remember what Gus and Seamus were carrying when we saw them this morning?”
    Liv shook her head. Thought back. “A big fish.”
    â€œAnything else?”
    â€œNot that I recall, though I wasn’t really looking at them. The fish kind of had my attention.” Gus had been holding it like a baby, up against his chest, and Liv had been fervently hoping she wouldn’t have to touch one at all and certainly not hug it like Gus was doing. She’d never get the smell out of her clothes. She was such a wuss.
    â€œWas Seamus carrying anything?”
    â€œThe other guy? His hat. Like Gus, except Gus also had the fish.” She frowned conjuring up the scene. “No rods, no cooler. Is that unusual?”
    â€œThey might leave their equipment on the boat. But if they were out fishing all night, they would have brought something to keep the catch in.”
    â€œMaybe they only caught the one fish.”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œKeep lookout, will you?” He eased himself down onto the
Seaworthy.
    â€œWhat are you looking for?” Liv asked, looking around to make sure no one was coming.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    He moved around the deck, peered into corners, lifted ropes and put them back. Once he stopped and scrutinized the back of one of the molded benches that ran down each side of the boat. He bent over, scratched at something, then brought his fingers to his nose and sniffed.
    â€œBlood,” he said, and disappeared into the cabin.
    Liv peered at the place he’d been, but all she could see from the pier was a slight discoloration among the many other discolorations on the old fishing boat.
    The SUV driver came out of the office and headed for his car.
    â€œChaz,” Liv hissed urgently.
    Chaz reappeared immediately and leapt back on the pier, looking innocent as he watched the man get in his SUV and back his trailer into the water.
    â€œFind anything?” Liv asked.
    â€œNope. I thought they might have been out on a run, but if they were, they didn’t pick up any cargo for the return. But that was definitely blood on the back of the bench. Blood isn’t uncommon when you’re cleaning fish on board, but not on the back of the seat. And considering that they came back with only one fish, not gutted, my guess is that the body was on this boat at some point after he was shot. The next question is why.”
    Liv frowned while her mind made the connection. “You mean one of them might really have killed him?”
    Chaz shrugged. “Let’s go. With all this activity going on, I doubt if Gus and Seamus will come back anytime soon.”
    They