Tuesday Tales: From the Word RIDE

Welcome to the last post of March. One quarter of 2025 finished. It’s hard to believe. This week, I continue with And Justice for All. Our word prompt is RIDE.

Harry returned to the cabin where she sat, but didn’t say anything. Like her, he was probably trying to add up everything in his head and trying to get an answer that didn’t terrify him. Kelly started the engine. While thunder still rumbled in the distance and the rain continued to fall, there hadn’t been any other forks of lightning.

The ride back to Rockport was a slow solemn one. Instead of docking at Cornwall’s, Kelly drove them to the OPP docks at the shipyard at the eastern edge of the village and straight into a large boathouse where they were out of the rain but away from prying eyes as well.

Harry helped her onto the pier and grabbed the small gaff hanging inside the boat.

“Officer Grant is going to drive three of us to our vehicles in a few minutes. Why don’t you go inside with the others. I’m sure they have coffee. I want to have another look in the boat.”

“Coffee is the last thing I want right now. I’ll wait for you.” He’d thought of something, and she wanted to know what it was. “What are you looking for?”

“That boat was barely moving. I want to know why.”

“You think they slowed down for something.”

“Yeah, and I don’t think it was anyone on a jet ski. I noticed the gaff wasn’t attached to the side of the boat. I think they stopped to get something out of the water. Stay there. No sense in you ruining your shoes, too.”

Harry stepped into the boat and moved over to the port side. His shoes sloshed through the four inches of water in the boat. Using the short gaff, he ran the tip of it along the edges of the boat under the red water.

“I was right.”

“What have you got?” She leaned closer to get a better look.

He pulled the gaff up. Attached to it were the remnants of a few balloon with a long piece of string attached to them.

“Are those helium balloons? Those can be dangerous for waterfowl and other birds.” They had probably been trying to help the environment. “Some poor kid probably lost them.”

“A kid didn’t lose these, Maggie. They’re made of neoprene, not the kind of stuff you fill with helium. I’d say someone anchored them here purposely. Still think I’m wrong about it being our killer?”

She swallowed and shook her head.

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.