Sea Creature by Victor Methos Read Free Book Online Page A

year, accusing him of embezzling funds from the city’s account.
    “But people need to know it is dangerous.”
    Ignacio leaned forward on his elbows. “Hector, you are a foreigner to this city, but I was raised here since I was born. I love this city. And this city cares for me. We are lovers that way; we need each other. I protect this city first, Hector, before even my own family, I protect the city.”
    “I know, Patrõn. No one is saying that—”
    “If anyone were to find out it is dangerous, the touristas would stop coming. They come for our beaches. No beaches, no touristas. Sí?”
    “Sí.”
    “Without touristas, our businesses suffer and go bankrupt and they move. When that happens, poverty comes. With poverty crime and corruption. You do not see it now, Hector, but this could destroy us. We must be very careful. Do you understand?”
    “I understand. I just do not like it.”
    “We must all do things we do not like, Hector. If you do not like it enough, you can always find other work. We could use good garbage men or people to work the gambling tables at the casino.”
    “No need, I will do as you ask.”
    “Magnifico. Go now and deal with the families of the missing touristas. Tell them to go home and stay by their telephones and you will call them with updates.”
    “Sí.” He rose and left without saying goodbye.

----
12

    Patrick picked up Jane at her bed and breakfast and they headed down to the beach. She had never been surfing before though she grew up fifteen minutes from one of the best beaches in the world. Patrick was intent on teaching her.
    They reached the shore and a strong wind was blowing, the waves choppy and large. He decided it wasn’t good weather to teach someone new to surf so he rented a boat instead and they took it out a quarter mile from shore and turned the engine off. They had bought brunch from one of the local food shacks on the beach and they began to eat and talk of their lives back home.
    Patrick would look into the water and then away almost every minute. Jane noticed and asked him about it.
    “It’s nothing.”
    When they finished they rode around, going up the coastline. The beaches varied from white sand to black rock to cliffs and they would stop and Jane would snap photos. They saw a colony of seals on some rocks and they rode closely by, listening to the barking and watching the little ones swim up and sniff the boat.
    “Let’s stop here,” she said as they passed near a secluded beach.
    They stopped and anchored close to shore. They laid out towels and took in the sun, Patrick rubbing suntan lotion on her back.
    “How come you’re scared of the ocean?”
    “I wouldn’t be on it if I was.”
    “You’re tough so you overcome it, but I can tell you’re scared of it.”
    Patrick was quiet but she didn’t change the subject. She just waited patiently until he was ready.
    “My brother was killed last week out here.”
    “Oh no, oh Patrick I’m so sorry. What happened?”
    “They told me he drowned, but then I heard that it was something else.”
    “What?”
    “An animal attack.”
    “Like a shark?”
    “We don’t know for sure. There’s just gossip right now.”
    “What was your brother like?”
    He began to speak and found he couldn’t stop. He talked of their childhood, of his father, of his mother’s death, and why he joined the military. He spoke of his father’s business and how he had recently been cut off.
    “You don’t have any money?” she asked.
    “Nope.”
    “What are you going to do?”
    “Get a job maybe, or live on the beach. It doesn’t really matter.”
    “But it does matter. You can’t stay in this town if you don’t have money. They hate foreigners coming to live here. They’ll run you out eventually.”
    “Then I’ll go to another town.”
    “And do what? I’ve spent a lot of time here, Patrick. I was in the Peace Corps here. They only want Americans visiting, not living here. You won’t find any work.