Page 106 of Death of a Grill Master

“Good morning to you, too,” Hayley chirped. “I come in peace. And bearing caffeine.” She handed over a large iced latte. “No milk, half sugar, weird mushroom powder. Just like you take it.”

Hannah narrowed her eyes but accepted the drink. “So, what do you want, Hayley?”

“A guide,” Hayley said, stepping up to the counter. “I’ve already got a kayak strapped to my roof like a giant hood ornament. I just need someone who knows the tides—and doesn’t mind questionable company.”

“Last time you went kayaking, you nearly drowned, or so I heard. You had no business taking a kayak into the choppy Atlantic. You were bad enough on a smooth lake.”

“True. Which is why I need someone competent. Strong swimmer. Knows the water.”

“And you thought of me? Wow. Desperate times.”

“Look, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. You know what’s going on with Zane, right?”

Hannah stiffened. “Not really. I mean … I haven’t seen him.”

“But you used to, right? Kayaking together, maybe some diving? Maybe a little post-paddle flirtation?”

“Okay, sure. But that proved to be a dead end. He was way too into Kylie, and I wasn’t into being sloppy seconds.”

“I really need you, Hannah.”

Hannah crossed her arms. “So where do you want to go? Let me guess. This is about that sea cave everyone’s been whispering about at the marina?”

Hayley nodded. “You heard about that, too?”

“Hard not to. Bar Harbor’s been buzzing about it ever since the cops came up empty. So, what—now you want to poke around the scene they already cleared?”

Hayley smiled sweetly. “What can I say? I’m stubborn, and mildly obsessed. And you—have excellent core strength and a crush on Zane.”

Hannah colored slightly. “I teach people how to stay upright in a kayak. That’s it.”

“Uh-huh.” Hayley leaned on the counter. “You’re worried about him. I can tell.”

Hannah hesitated just long enough to give herself away.

“I think he’s in trouble,” Hayley said gently. “I think someone scared him. I also think you’re the kind of person who wants to help when she can.”

Hannah looked at her for a long moment. Then gave a sigh worthy of an Oscar.

“Fine, but just promise to follow my instructions to the letter this time, and if you hum the Jaws theme at any point, we’re done.”

“Cross my heart.”

The paddle out was brutal.

Wind whipped across the surface of the water, chopping the waves into shards that slapped against the kayaks. Hayley’s hands were already cramping, her thighs aching, her stomach doing slow backflips.

Hannah sliced through the water like a human motorboat, calm and in command.

Hayley, in contrast, gripped her paddle with white knuckles. Hannah, in the back, seemed to sense the tension.

“You okay?” Hannah called over.

“Define okay!”

But she kept paddling.

The last time she’d been out here, she’d almost died—and every gentle lap of water against the hull felt like a whispered warning.