"Fire on the water"

Chapter 1

As Julia sat by the window looking out over the water, she found herself smiling. She had always loved the water and after an accident that caused her aunt and uncle to swim for their lives she became a coast guard investigator.

But she hadn’t been on a boat since she was a teenager staying with her aunt and uncle. The longer she stood there the more the memory of that event replayed in her mind, For reasons still unknown, after the boat left the shore there was an accident

and without warning the boat’s engine caught fire and the whole family was in the water trying to get away from the fiery structure… Fire on the water was what the papers called it.

As her family swam for their lives and were now safely on shore, her uncle Jason was going to make an inquiry as to what had happened and why. The man he bought the boat from said it was in perfectly good running order. If that were the case, why the blow up? Why the accident? Since she was a child, she never learned the cause just that it had been settled.

Up until that moment she had never had a reason to fear boats or water. Now she was. Not that she was afraid of water in general, just a fear of getting so far away from the shore and not being able to get back to safety.

Over the years of looking out at the water something deep inside longed to be back on the water. And it was at that moment she decided to be a coast guard so she could investigate boating accidents like my her Aunt and Uncles. She didn’t want another family to suffer as her family had.

After that her dad made it a rule to get back in the water. He did not want anyone in his family to let fear rule them. That’s why she actually bought the little house on the lake, because she loved water and wanted to surround herself with it as much as possible.

Up until then I she hadn’t had to be on a boat to investigate anything yet, but as a grown woman and now able to swim, knew if the opportunity arose, she’d be ready.

Now taking a deep breath, she finished her coffee and got ready to head to the station.

Chapter 2

When she got to the station her, partner Greg was already there at his desk hard at work.

“Morning Greg,” she I said, setting her my bag on her my desk and heading to the coffee pot.

“Morning.” He looked up from his paperwork.

“What are you working on?”

“There was a boat accident early this morning.” He said, as he sat back in his chair. “ I didn’t call you because I knew you were getting ready to come in anyway. Didn’t you say your aunt and uncle had a boating accident when you were a kid? where you were from?”

“Yes. “ She simply said. but that was years ago when I was a teen. And in another state”

“Are you going to be okay investigating this? another?”

“Yep. Absolutely. That’s why I became an investigator.

“Then let’s see if we can find answers for this family.

“Deal, so what do we you have so far? You have clearly been at it for a while.”

“I have the victim and seller of the boat.” He said, handing her the slip of paper.” The victims are in serious condition. And after checking the DMV the address that the seller gave is incorrect. So now we have a seller in the wind.”

“Great,” she handed the paper back.

“So where do we start?”

“Well I think we should head to the hospital and see how the victims Mr. and Mrs Miller are.”

And within minutes the two were on the way to the hospital.

Chapter 3

After leaving the hospital, they headed to Cedar Cove boat dock to speak with potential witnesses. When we arrived at the boat dock, there were already officers there investigating taking down information from those who were on scene just before when the accident happened.

“What have we been able to find so far?” do we have?” Greg asked as we walked up to the officer.

“”We have several people who were here just before the Millers set sail. This is Mrs. Parson, one of the witnesses.

“Hello, Mrs. Parson, Can you take us through the events of this morning?”

“Yes, my family and I were here just as the Millers drove in. They were excited to head out on the lake today.”

“Do you know when they bought the boat and from whom?

They bought the boat a few months ago.”

“And who from?

“Bruce Tarson. He worked with our husbands.”

“How long had they worked together?

“Years.”

“Were there any problems between the men?”

“Not at all.”

Just then a man walked up to the small group talking.

“Who are you speaking with Millie?” he asked the woman.

“Oh Mark. This detective was asking about Bruce.”

“Than man has a lot to answer for,”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s his fault that the boat caught fire.”

“Why do you say that?” Greg asked.

“Because he assured the Millers that said the boat was in working order. I heard it. There were no problems whatsoever.” The man said, looking from us to his wife and back.

“Did Mr. Miller have the you have the boat checked by another mechanic?”

“I He had no reason to. Up until this incident we I trusted him.”

“Do you know the whereabouts of Mr. Tarson?”

“Not at this moment. Before he sold the boat to me he sold another one, to someone and took personal time off. Said he had to go back home to his parents house. Haven’t seen him since.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

“Not really. He mentioned something about a home off the shore of California though. Said his family had a big place just off the water.”

“Thank you. Do you know where he might hang out? Where he went on his off days.”

“No, but there are a few at the local tavern we always went to that might know.”

“Thank you, I’ll let ya go.”

He had just turned when he saw Julia coming his way. She had been speaking with those in the boat rental building.

“Any luck?”

“There were a few in there who said that he made them offers for their boats and they turned him down.”

“Did they say why ?”

“They didn’t know. He would never tell them.”

“Well I’ll tell you why? He was trying to drum up business for himself..” A man said walking up beside them. “Todd Masters, the dock master for the marina.”

“Just what do you know?”

“He worked for us part time as a mechanic fixing and repairing boats. Asked for a raise. I told him I couldn’t afford it, the business was barely keeping me afloat. He then said I would rue the day as he stormed off. Said I would be sorry one day.”

“When was that?”

“Oh about 6 months or so.” He then snapped his fingers “ Come to think of it that was about the time my customers started reporting problems with their boats.”

“Do you have any other employees working for you ?”

“Yea a few, all part time.” And he gave their names to be checked out later.

“We were told there was a tavern where everyone goes have you ever gone there?”

No,I don’t drink.”

“One last thing right now, has Bruce been in any trouble or had any complains brought against him?”

“Not that anyone has told me.”

“Okay thanks.”

Chapter 4

“Well its about lunch. I say we go to the tavern and see if we have any luck speaking to others. What do you say?”

“I could use a refreshment,”

“Then let’s go.”

Moments later they were pulling into the parking lot and got out of the car just in time to catch the tale of a discussion between two men.

“I am not changing boat mechanics. I have no reason to.

“You’ll be sorry.” the other man said.

“Wonder what that was about?”

“Maybe someone inside knows.” Greg said as we headed inside.

The light from outside made the interior dark as night, and it took them us a moment for their our eyes to adjust.

“What can I get you two?”

“Two club sodas with twists of lime and two club sandwiches please.”

“Coming right up.” the man behind the bar said, turning to fill the orders.

As they we waited they we looked around to see who was in there. “For it being lunchtime it was a little slow.” Julia commented when the man came back with their drinks.

“I’m sure they will start tricking in soon, those at the dock yard are just not now getting their lunch break.”

“How many usually show up.”

Usually a handful. You just missed two of them. Bruce and Toni.”

“Well we saw two men arguing if that was them.

“That would be them. They started in here and I told them to take it outside. I don’t need trouble or damage in here.”

“What were they arguing about, do you know?”

“Same thing where Bruce is involved. He is trying to get a mechanic business started and drumming up business for himself. But its and taking customers from Cedar Dock yard.” He said wiping off the bar. “He has been doing it for several months. And to be honest it is driving business away from the bar. People are getting tired of being approached when they come in for a good time.”

“Have you asked him to stop?”

“Several times and he does stop for a bit . But then starts all over again when he thinks enough time has passed.”

There was a pause in conversation

“Now let me get those sandwiches.” he turned to leave.

“I hear you two are asking about Bruce?” A man said as he sat on the stool next to them.

“Yes, do you know him?” Greg asked.

“Unfortunately.” the man said. “ We work at the dock together.”

“Really, the dock master said he only had two working for him, Bruce and himself.”

“I don’t get paid, but I do work. I have another job that pays the bills.”

“Do you know who he was talking to earlier?”

“Rick Larson. “

“Do you know what about.”

“Same thing he talks to anyone about lately. Getting them to leave Cedar dockyard.”

“And what is your name?”

“Chris Furguson.”

“Do you have a boat there.”

“No, nothing against Todd but I keep mine off sight.”

“Fair enough, have you witnessed arguments between him and others?”

“Almost every day, that’s why Todd busted him to part time.”

“Do you know where he hangs out?”

“Other than work, his home and here, no sorry.”

“No problem, thank you for your time.”

“I hope you catch him and stop him before he really hurts someone.”

After they were left alone again Greg looked at Julia me. “I think we need to head back to the lab and see what if anything they found with the boat.”

“I agree.”

Just then their lunch arrived. “Can we get these to go please?” Greg asked.

“Of course hold on.

Once the sandwiches were wrapped the two headed back to the station.

Chapter 5

Even though CSI was still at the dock and crash sight Greg and Julia headed to the lab hoping Steve had some news with what they were able to recover so far.

“So what have you found so far Steve?”

“After checking the engine I found saw dust in the engine.” He said.

“Any prints?”

“ There were two separate prints I , sent them to the lab.”

“Thanks. If you find anything else, let us know.”

“Of course.”

We had just reached our desks when Greg’s phone rang. “ Yea?”

“Its the lab where we have the results for the prints. One is Bruce Tarson and the other is the owner of the boat.

“Okay thanks.” After hanging up he looked at Julia me. “I suggest we get a warrant and go take a look at the home that Mr. Tarson claims he’s renting.

An hour later they were driving to the lake house that was being rented by Bruce Tarson. When they arrived the owner was there looking for him and gave us permission to enter the home the owner stayed outside as we entered the home and began investigating. After an hour they found not only saw dust but bomb making material and a detonator. He was clearly planning on more destruction. Now to track Bruce down and place him in cuffs.

Looking through the mail that was just on the other side of the door, Greg saw that Bruce hadn’t been there for a little over a month. Yet for some reason he was paying rent.

The question now was where was he and how was he paying rent?

After closing the home and putting crime scene tape up, they called CSI.

As the CSI team was there a car came by and pulled over. A tall man got out and approached Greg and Julia

“What’s going on?”

“We’re doing a welfare check. Have you seen the man who rents this place?”

The man slowly turned this way and that, not knowing what to do. As silently as he could, he whispered. “He’s in my basement.”

“Is there anyone else in your house.”

“No.”

Within minutes swat was surrounding the house in question and after a few hours Bruce Tarson was in custody.

The end