Venom: A Thriller in Paradise (The Thriller in Paradise Series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

issue stupid orders. There will be a terrible muddle. Now with Lieutenant Commander Whipple, everything would be fine. Whoever takes responsibility is okay in his book as long as it is not himself. Whipple, whose feet are large, enjoys surf fishing. He and I have passed many pleasant hours up at Hanalei casting our hooks into the sea, not caring what, if anything, might bite. Lieutenant Commander Whipple would let me get on with my job and would not interfere. For that I would give him a phone call from time to time and let him know how things were going so he could write his report back to headquarters or base or wherever he writes his reports to, and he would get a pat on the back for judicious and speedy action without doing much of anything. Which is the way I would have preferred it.”
    The telephone rang. Takamura gave Handel a sour look, reached for it, changed his mind and let it ring again, then gestured to Handel to pick it up.
    “Lieutenant Takamura’s office, Sergeant Handel speaking… Oh, yes, sir. Certainly, sir. He’s right here.” Handel held out the receiver. Takamura’s frown returned. “Commander Shafton,” Handel said both loudly and unnecessarily. “He’d like to speak to you, Lieutenant.”
    Takamura took the phone. “Commander,” he spoke with patently false cheer. “What a pleasant surprise… Yes, so you got the message. Why, of course, I had Sergeant Handel phone you immediately… Yes, yes, it is true the ship was discovered last night, but there was no need to disturb you last evening. Everyone aboard was dead, so aside from taking the bodies to the hospital and so on there really was nothing to do. The ship itself is anchored in Kalalono Bay.”
    Apparently Commander Shafton said something unpleasant, because Cobb’s brow turned interstellar dark and interstellar cold. He said nothing for almost a minute, holding the receiver an inch or so from his ear. Then, very politely, he said, “Of course, Commander, I understand perfectly. Happy to cooperate. I’ll see you at three-thirty. Thank you. Good-bye.” He replaced the receiver so slowly it made no sound whatsoever.
    Handel was surprised at the speed with which a broad smile replaced the grim look. “Moron,” Takamura said. “Perhaps there will not be as many ways we can cooperate with the Coast Guard as Commander Shafton may think. Perhaps he’ll still go on his leave. I heard he was going to Paris for a month. That would be fitting. It seems this whole case could fall under the jurisdiction of the Rescue Center in Oahu, and not the Nawiliwili Harbor Station, although there is no one to be rescued since they are all dead, and there is no known menace to traffic in American waters. It is possible that this particular problem will go away by itself. On the other hand, Commander Shafton has taken it upon himself to take charge. He’s put
Ocean Mother
under tow into Nawiliwili Harbor. They’ll tramp all over the ship and destroy evidence.”
    “If there is a crime?” Handel asked drily.
    “Certainly,” Cobb agreed. “If there is a crime.” He rubbed his hands together, as if to rub away some roughness, some irritation. “Now, what about Chazz?”
    “He’ll be here within the hour.” Handel found himself looking out the window at the hot, empty streets.
    “Excellent.” Cobb sat down and leaned back in his chair. The afternoon sun was streaming into his office, touching everything with tropical cheer. Even the faded ink lettering on the brittle, curled masking tape attached to his IN and OUT baskets held a honey-golden glow. Both baskets were empty. “Look at that,” Cobb said. “Nothing IN, and nothing OUT. Very unusual. Almost a perfect day. Except it will be hot, and there are seven bodies in the morgue, and my wife’s in the hospital.”
    Handel recognized the signs in his boss. The anger had been worry. “She’ll be fine, Lieutenant,” he said softly.
    “Certainly,” Cobb answered. “But she was very