Dead Body in the Water

It was supposed to be their honeymoon

Captain Paul Kitka felt a little embarrassed to be taking a cruise through Southeast Alaska — he'd grown up there after all. But Dace wanted a cruise for their honeymoon, and why not? Ten days with nothing to do, but enjoy each other in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Until day three, it was going as planned — uninterrupted time with his wife. Even the word made him grin.

Until day three.

"Captain wants to see you," a uniformed ship officer said. He'd knocked on their door bright and early. He looked grim — not a good sign, since everyone he'd met so far was determined to be cheerful.

"Did he say why?" Paul asked. Dace followed him out of their room, and he didn't stop her.

"What do you hear?" the officer asked.

"Nothing," Paul said, puzzled.

"Exactly," the officer said. "We're dead in the water. And it gets worse. The captain will have to explain."

Paul grimaced. He thought of all the things he wanted to say: It's my honeymoon. I'm on vacation. Call headquarters. But he didn't figure anyone would be listening. He'd have to go see the captain.

He paused again, and listened, the ship officer's words sinking in. The engines were silent. And the reality of that sunk in. Dead in the water? Why? And then, because he really had grown up on these islands, his next question was where?

Book 8 in the Talkeetna series featuring Paul Kitka, a captain in the Alaska State Troopers, and Dace Marshall, office manager and pilot for Purdue Flight Service.