The Fisherman & The Mermaid - S01 E04

2 weeks ago

The Fisherman & The Mermaid - S01 E04

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 4

We woke in the early morning-I had set the alarm. I let Marta use the toilet first and was going to wait until the room was free before using the toilet myself. However, Marta had other ideas. "Don't tell me you're shy, not after seeing me in the tub, and not after last night. Oh no, Mister-get in here and pee now."

So I did I peed while she watched. "Happy now?" I asked her. She shook her head "yes" as she brushed her teeth with my toothbrush. She was dressed quickly-I still had to shave, but we were done and ready to go in less than an hour. Once again we stopped at the deli for breakfast and lunch. This time I ordered a roast beef sub while Marta ordered chicken salad. still had the worms from yesterday kept fresh in the refrigerator so we launched the boat and I parked in the first stall I could find. Again the engine started right up and we headed out of the harbor.

"It's really beautiful," Marta commented. "It's much nicer on the water in this little old boat than it was on David's big yacht. Why is that do you think?"

"You obviously like me better," I joked, but one look from Marta told me I was right. I extended my hand to her while I accelerated through the inlet, following the GPS's directions to the sunken yacht. I found it easily using the combination of the GPS and sonar fish finder. I anchored and allowed the boat to drift back over the wreck. I tied off the anchor line and made ready, working my way into the wet suit, checking my regulator, mask, and fins. I also took my light. I expected visibility of ten to twelve feet, but having my own light source would be really helpful in dark areas. I hung two fishing lines into the water so anyone passing by would think we were fishing. In reality the hook-less lines hung just below the surface. I tied the thin nylon line to my belt, instructing Marta. Finally I loaded the Glock and clipped the holster to my weight belt. I wouldn't use a buoyancy compensator on this dive-too bulky to explore the interior of the yacht. I took my first breath from the tank and jumped over the side.

I finned down easily. The water was only thirty-five feet deep so the top of the yacht was less than twelve feet below the surface. It had sunk in a virtually upright position, making inspection of the hull challenging, but enabling an easy Inspection of the boat's interior. First, I checked the hull; it was exactly as I expected. So was the boat's interior. Next, I found Marta's purse, exactly where she told me it would be. Then I began my search; in less than ten minutes I had found exactly what I wanted to know, now to break the news to Marta.

I broke the surface right behind my boat. I called to Marta to help. I handed her the sodden purse, water dripping from the seams. I thought she might need her ID; almost everything else would be ruined, although it might be possible to dry out any cash. She took my fins and mask, placing them on the deck inside the boat. Next 1 removed the tanks and pushed them up into the engine well at the stern. Now I was able to climb up the ladder. I peeled off the wet suit and toweled myself dry. I placed the Glock in my bag. unloading it in the process. I secured the tanks and pulled in the anchor. We left the area in less than ten minutes. I anchored in a prime fishing area just off Crane's Neck and baited two hooks, lowering them to the bottom; I handed one to Marta.

"Sorry, Marta, I wanted to get away from the wreck so others wouldn't know it's there. I know you're curious so I'll tell you what I found-nothing...absolutely nothing. There wasn't a single bullet hole in the hull, deck, or anywhere, but the sea cocks had been opened. That's what flooded the boat. Also, there was no sign of your boyfriend. Last night I was thinking-how did this other boat find you at night in the middle of the Sound? Believe me this is much harder than you think unless you want to be found. I think your "boyfriend" faked the whole thing. I don't know for sure that you were supposed to die, but I do know he left that boat in good condition. Those guys were probably friends of his. I can prove it with a phone call."

I pulled out my cell. Now that we were only a few hundred feet from shore I knew I'd pick up a cell tower. I called my childhood buddy Jimmy. He was high up in the Long island mob through his father who was only a step or two below the Don, last time I'd heard. He answered on the second ring, "Hey, Pete, how's the teacher?

"Great, Jimmy, how's...what the hell is it that you do, anyway?" We both laughed at that until I got to the point. "Jimmy, I need to know something. Did anyone from the city take out a guy named..." I looked at Marta for the name before continuing, "David Cartwright. I hear he's a gambler who's in the hole...big time from what I'm told. No, I can't explain now, but I think I will be able to when you call me back."

"OK, Petey, give me an hour or so and how about calling sometime

when you don't need a favor. Bye." I explained who Jimmy was and

Marta cringed in fear. "Don't worry," I told her. "This whole thing

stinks. It's not a mob thing. They don't usually kill someone who

owes them money-they want it too badly. I think this could be

David's attempt to disappear. You're supposed to go to the police

and tell them about the mob hit and how David is lost forever in the water. Then he'll be in the clear to start over. I'll bet he has some money stashed somewhere. Either that or he's taken a big insurance policy on your life."

Marta looked really down as she realized what a loser her ex- boyfriend was. I was just about to pull her chin up with my finger when her rod bent in two. She jumped up screaming, "What do I do? What do I do?" much to the amusement of the fishermen in nearby boats. I gave her some quick lessons and slowly the fish approached the boat. I was able to net it when she finally brought It to the surface. When I weighed it the scale read just over a very respectable three pounds. I put it into the live well, congratulating Marta on a job well done. That's when she asked how big blackfish can get. "My biggest is a ten-pounder, the world record is twenty- five."

"Oh God, it was all I could do to pull that one in. What will I do if get a really big one?" I laughed at her expression before telling her she had to catch it first. That made her determined. She concentrated on fishing which was great-it took her mind off her asshole boyfriend.

We fished for about two hours, catching a few more fish, losing bait to a lot more. We kept four and threw three smaller ones back. They were big enough to keep, but we could afford to be generous. We were both startled when the phone rang. "Hi, Jimmy," I began.

"OK, Petey, here's the scoop. Some heavy guys are really looking for this guy...seems he owes more than a quarter mill, and that's not including the vig (interest). Wanna tell me what this is all about?" I explained everything including my two theories while Jimmy listened patiently. Then he interrupted. "Listen carefully, my good friend, I'm sending a couple guys over to keep an eye out. Most people would never see them-they're really good-but you probably will. I don't want to open the paper some day and see that you're a statistic. Don't tell me to mind my own business. That's exactly what I am doing. Bye."

"We're going to have some company-some of Jimmy's boys. We'll be able to sleep soundly. I have to go back to work on Tuesday, but I think you should stay. This way I'll be sure you're safe. You can stay as long as you want, and, to be honest, I'd like you to." Marta put her head on my shoulder and was about to kiss me when some damned stupid fish took her bait. She jumped to her feet, playing the fish as she slowly brought it to the boat. She was really struggling. "It must be a big one, I can barely move it," she managed to get out between gasps. It seemed that every time she made any progress the fish would pull line against the drag. I knew that, in time, she would wear the fish down, but I kept my mouth closed, allowing her to concentrate on the fish. It was almost twenty minutes later that I could see the fish about three feet below the water and it was big. I encouraged her by rubbing her shoulders and back. She had renewed energy and raised the rod, lifting the exhausted fish to the surface. I netted it immediately and brought it into the boat. I weighed it at just under eight pounds. Marta jumped up and down in excitement and threw her arms around my neck. She kissed me passionately as the other fishermen hooted and howled. However, Marta was not to be deterred; she patted my ass when she broke the kiss. The look in her eyes said it all. She'd be having her way with me as soon as we got home.

That was going to be sooner than I thought we were out of bait. I pulled the anchor and we left, taking our time as we enjoyed the mild weather on the glassy sea. We took a half hour to reach the dock. I tied off the boat and we walked hand in hand to the truck, I spotted two of Jimmy's boys lounging against a fence. I nodded as we passed. They ignored me, concentrating on Marta, they wanted to be able to identify her. I wasn't a potential target; she was. It was their job to make sure she didn't become one.

I was just about to winch the boat onto the trailer when some guy I never saw before asked if we'd sell him some fish. Marta was about agree when I said, "No, but I will give you one of the smaller ones." I climbed into the boat and gave him a two-pounder in a plastic bag from Wal-Mart. Once we were in the truck I explained that the fine for selling fish without a license was $500 and I had no idea who that guy was, besides this way I'd have one less fish to clean.

We were home in minutes and could see Jimmy's men in the rearview mirror. They parked just up the road where they could see anyone who drove near to the house. I put the fish into a big galvanized tub and added a bag of ice, explaining to Marta that a cold fish was easier to fillet than a warm one. I emptied the boat, removed my diving equipment and electronics, and hosed down the entire boat, trailer, and all the gear; I hooked up the motor to a hose and flushed the interior, something I had learned to do as a kid. Then I pulled up a folding chair and covered half of the fish tub with a piece of plywood. I sharpened the knife for a few minutes on a whetstone until it was again razor sharp. Marta brought out a fork and two plastic bags-one for the fillets and the other for the racks-the skeletons.

To Be Continued...