Mac and the big fellow exchanged glances. I guess they were thinking hard.

I gave the big fellow a fin. He took it like it was a C note. He was excited.

“Maybe we’ll see you again,” Mac said hopefully. “Any friend of Tim’s my friend.”

“That’s good news,” I said, and meant it.

“I reckon Duval wouldn’t hire his boat to anyone but a right guy,” Mac went on.

“I guess not,” I said, thinking that Duval rated high around the island. I stepped down into the boat.

“A patrol noses around here every so often,” Mac said, sitting on his heels so he was near my ear.

“That so?” I said, looking up at him.

He closed one eye. “We don’t tell ’em much.”

“Fine,” I said.”