Salt Kiss novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Tide Line

Nolan had seen that man's friend an hour before, face down on the floor of Brine.

"Get behind the stove," he said.

"No," said Skye.

She was already at the door, pulling a flare gun off its hook.

"This is my island."

"There are three of them."

"Then you'll have to be quick."

She went out into the wind with the flare gun in one hand, and Nolan followed because the alternative was losing her.

The tide had reached the lower dock.

Sea slapped at the pilings and ran silver over the sand, and the three men came down the lane with flashlights and a tire iron.

The one with the ponytail was grinning.

"Miss Pickett," he said.

"Mr. Brantley sends his regards.

"He'd like his book."

"Tell Cliff," Skye called, "he can come and ask me himself."

"He sent me to ask."

The man swung the tire iron lazily.

"Nicer than he'd do it."

"Dutch," said the man on his left, too nervous.

"Cliff said gentle."

"Cliff isn't here."

Nolan stepped down off the dock into water up to his ankles.

"That's enough," he said.

The three men stopped.

The big one looked him over.

"Who's the sailor?"

"Head of security at a club you got your friend thrown out of."

Dutch's face changed.

"Oh," he said.

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