He took his knife, his candles, and the copper bowl with poisoned blood and clean mixed to his room, then went back for the herbs and plants.
A day to cure, he reminded himself when he considered putting off making the salve.
So he cleansed his knife, sealed the blood. And got to work on the housewifery.
CHAPTER TEN
Riley mixed margaritas on the terrace, and considered playing bartender her kitchen contribution for the day.
Along with the full pitcher and glasses, she brought out her maps.
She poured the first glass, held up a finger while she sampled, then smiled. “Definitely. More where this came from,” she said, and sat. “I got us an RIB,” she began.
“What is that?” Sasha asked.
“Rigid-hulled inflatable boat,” Doyle told her. “How big?” he demanded as Sasha murmured, “Inflatable?”
“Twenty-eight feet, with a wheelhouse. My contact says she’ll do seventy knots.”
Bran considered the pitcher, decided why the hell not, and poured out glasses. “The fri
end of a friend of an uncle?”
“Not this time. Cousin of a friend’s husband.”
“Outboard?” Doyle asked.
“Yeah. Can you handle an RIB?”
“I can, and have.”
“Good, that makes two of us.”
“When you say inflatable . . . ” Sasha began.
“Fast, open—stable. It’s a good dive boat,” Riley assured her. “I can score us diving equipment, but we’re going to have to shell out some.”
“I can get shells, all you need,” Annika said.
“Pay,” Riley explained. “I’ve worked us a deal, but it’s not free.”
“I don’t know how to dive.”
“You’ll stick with me when the time comes. I figure we start with the easier-accessed caves, work our way up—or down. Can you snorkel?”
“I haven’t in years.”
“It’ll come back to you.”
As they spoke Sawyer studied Riley’s maps. “I’ve done some research on some of these caves. The easier accessed won’t be a problem, which strikes me as the problem. I don’t think we’re going to find what we’re after somewhere anybody can get into.”
“That’s a good point. But we should eliminate in any case.” Bran glanced around the table for agreement. “And practice as well.”
“What about your compass?” Sasha tried a sip of the margarita and thought Riley was right. Definitely. “Would it help with location or direction?”
Obligingly, Sawyer took it out, laid it on the map. Where it sat, still and quiet.
“Battery low?” Riley suggested.