Master of the Deep Read Online Free Page B

she knew it was Ralph. There really weren’t that many people with dreads in the Caribbean, or at least not on Tureygua. And Ralph had a peculiar build, short and wide. Compact. As she thought about it, she decided he was built like a small mountain troll. An assessment to keep to herself.
    The last time she’d seen him was two days earlier, as he and Sosie left her with Koenraad. He’d been dressed casually for working the boat. Now he wore a white dress shirt. Short-sleeved, but she bet he considered it formal. He was talking to a couple in their late thirties.
    Monroe decided to go in. She moved the bike over so it would still be visible and entered the small shop. Ralph looked up, and his face creased into what had to be the most enthusiastic smile Monroe had ever received.
    “Monroe!” he said.
    She smiled, feeling a bit shy. “I thought I recognized you.”
    “Maybe you can help us reach a decision,” he said. “The Garcias are about to desert me for a kitesurfing lesson, but they’ve got a decision to make. What sounds better? A cramped time share”—he made a sour face—“or a spacious, sunny condo that they’ll own alone.” He smiled and threw out his arms expansively. “In your unbiased opinion, which do you think they should do?”
    The man and woman laughed.
    “Where are you from?” Monroe asked them.
    “Austin,” the woman said.
    “Texas?” Monroe asked. When the woman nodded, Monroe perched on the edge of a chair across from them, next to Ralph. “Do you have kids?”
    They shook their heads, but Monroe noted a brief pause before they did so.  
    “What about pets?”
    “A dog,” the man said, and she couldn’t help but notice the affection in his voice.
    “It’s a Pekinese we rescued. He’s blind in one eye and gets anxious when we leave,” the woman said.  
    “Small enough for carryon luggage,” Monroe said thoughtfully. She looked them in the eye. “I’d buy. If you can afford it. And I’m being completely unbiased. Time shares aren’t great for pets, and Texas is a short flight. Since you don’t have kids, you’ll be able to come down for a spontaneous weekend whenever you want. You can bring your dog…” She trailed off with a shrug, realizing she’d gone on way too long.
    “No problem to bring a pet back and forth? With quarantine?” the man asked Ralph.
    “Quarantine isn’t necessary so long as all the vaccinations are current,” Ralph said.
    “Really? I never would have guessed. That’s perfect,” the woman said. “Honestly, that changes everything.” She looked at her husband, and Monroe could see that the woman’s heart was stretched to breaking. She wondered what their story was.
    The man nodded at his wife. “I agree. Let’s see what our accountant says.” He rose and extended his hand to Ralph, then to Monroe. “Thank you. We’ll be in touch.”
    “Happy kitesurfing,” Ralph said. After the couple left, Ralph studied Monroe. He looked equal parts shocked and impressed. “Woman, you have a gift. I could kiss you,” he said.  
    “What are you doing working here, anyway?” Monroe asked.  
    “Money,” Ralph said. “I’m a hustler.”
    That made her laugh because Ralph was the exact opposite of how she imagined a hustler. He was too forthright, for starters.  
    “Want a job?” he asked suddenly.
    “While I’m on vacation? Uh, no, but thanks. Very temping.”  
    “Eh. It’s just as well. I don’t have the power to hire anyone.” Grinning impishly, he dipped into a drawer and pulled out a grimy business card, which he wiped on his pants before handing to Monroe. “Sorry. We’re waiting for more from the printer. But if you ever want to buy a place, give me a call.”
    “Let’s hope you’re still working here in thirty years, ’cause that’s about when I’ll be able to afford a place.”
    “Give that back,” he demanded. Monroe rolled her eyes in fake exasperation and relinquished the card. She was surprised when he