Page 26 of Untamed Coast

He touched the screen of his own watch now. Still 10:10. Still smiling.

The old Signal Corps radio sat silent on the chart table, guarding its secrets.

The soft burble of SSB static filled the pilothouse.

Marco lifted the binoculars for one last look at the beach. No figure on the sand. No shimmer of movement. No signal fire.

Still nothing.

He nudged the throttle forward.

Radio Flyer pointed toward Juneau.

Time to go.

Chapter 20

.- ..- -.. .. -

Hirst-Chichagof Mine—Klag Bay, AK

1938—Joe Baxter

Joe’s watch showed quarter to five. Sam Worlson was late, and Joe didn’t like it. After the disaster in the dark with the killer whales, he didn’t want to be behind schedule. He sat in the mine office, drumming his fingers on the small wooden table, even turning down a whiskey offered by the clerk.

Joe gave the winding knob on his watch a couple of turns. Ten to five.

The clerk was unusually animated, pacing around the small room, tidying.

Something’s wrong.

“Sure I can’t fetch you somethin while you wait, Mr. Baxter?”

“Nah, I’m good. Just gotta catch up with Sam and hit the water. Don’t fancy rowin back in the dark again.”

“I’m sure he’ll be along shortly. Some Sitka folks are here today and he had to tend to them.”

The wooden floor creaked as the clerk paced.

The quiet gave a menacing gloom to the place, and every sound made Joe’s skin crawl. He had never been here without the persistent pounding of the stamp mill hammers as they crushed ore into gold dust and gravel.

“Any idea how long he’ll—”

The office door opened and a man Joe didn’t recognize stepped in. “You the radio guy? Mr. Baxter?”

“Yes, and—”

The man was carrying a clipboard, wore shiny black shoes, and had a sidearm in a belt holster. “Apologies, sir, but I’m gonna have to ask you to skedaddle. We’re running a security check here at the mine, and we need only on-site folks present. Sorry for the trouble.”

Joe was more than happy to leave. “I got several messages for—”

Clipboard man didn’t wait for Joe to finish. “I comprehend, sir, but those will have to wait. We’ve got a heap of ledger work ahead, and time’s short.”

Joe’s heartbeat pounded in his ears. He tried to keep his voice steady. “Sure thing. I’ll swing by in a couple of days.”

Joe put his journal back into his new book pouch, secured it, and walked to the door. Just as he stepped outside, Sam Worlson appeared, looking rattled. He extended his hand to shake.

Sam don’t never shake my hand.