Blue Moon Read Online Free Page B

the lodging was cheap.”
    A mix of apology and desperation lit her face. For all Jeanne’s savvy, she was not a poker player. And one needed a poker face in the dog-eat-dog treasure-hunting circles, lest a fellow enthusiast pick up on the heat and preempt one’s expedition. Gabe had learned that the hard way too.
    â€œYou see, Captain Avery—”
    â€œGabe,” Gabe insisted, adding with flirtatious wink, “After all, fair is fair.”
    â€œRight, um . . . Gabe .”
    He had the feeling a blush accompanied her stammer, even though he couldn’t see it in the dim lamplight.
    â€œThis is my first expedition,” she confessed, moving up another notch in Gabe’s estimation with a humility that was absent in her companion. “I put it together with funding from grants and pledges and formed a company called Genesis Corporation. It’s taken six months to get permission from the Mexican government to search for the wreck and work out the details of disbursement, if we find the treasure. Half goes to Mexico and the rest is to be divided among the participants in the dive. Which brings me to our reason for being here. We’d like to hire out you and the Fallen Angel .”
    Hire? Gabe would give his right arm to be a part of the Luna Azul expedition. He was on board already, but he maintained a poker face. Besides, they hadn’t seen the Angel . The old girl was sound enough, but needed some cosmetic maintenance—a paint job for one.
    â€œBut naturally, we’d like to see the ship first,” Remy put in, as though reading Gabe’s thought. “Safety regulations leave much to be desired south of the border, as it were.”
    â€œThe Angel will do the job. The biggest problem is going to be maneuvering around that reef.” Gabe highlighted the area with his penlight.
    â€œYes, that will be a problem,” Jeanne agreed. “But I have to tell you up front, we need you to furnish the boat for a share of the treasure, if we find it.”
    Gabe looked shocked. “Wait a minute. I don’t have the kind of money on hand to put out on the chance we might find this ship. The Angel doesn’t run on air.”
    â€œWe’ll provide the fuel or whatever expenses you incur for the job. All we ask is that you provide the boat and captain it. For that, you’ll receive a share for yourself and one for your ship.”
    â€œI don’t know, Jeanne.” He was bluffing. Truth was, for treasure, Gabe would go—even if the Angel wasn’t paid for.
    â€œI can speak for myself and my boat, but I can’t speak for my deckhand. He has a family to support.”
    â€œMaybe we could pay him a minimal fee, say ten dollars a day, and a share, of course.”
    Manolo would jump at the chance. His brother, who worked in a manufacturing plant in Matamoros earned little more and had no chance at becoming wealthy for life.
    â€œSounds fair,” Gabe said at last. “We’ll talk it over and get back with you in the morning, if that’s all right.”
    â€œYou’re not booked for charter?” Jeanne asked.
    â€œNo, as a matter of fact, we’re not. Interested?”
    She laughed. “I would love to go fishing, but I’m saving pennies wherever I can. Besides, Remy and I have a flight back to Texas tomorrow evening to tie up loose ends. This is our reconnaissance visit.”
    Gabe picked up her hand from the map and lifted it to his lips in a show of gallantry. “The Fallen Angel and I will be right here at the dock’s end.”
    â€œYou can count on it, Cap . . . Gabe,” she amended, a shy smile claiming her full lips. Concern vexed her brow as she withdrew her hand and propped her chin on it. “I’m just curious. Where did you come up with the name for your vessel?”
    Taken aback at the personal turn of the conversation, Gabe scuffed a well-worn Docksider on hard-packed sand beneath