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 — hed 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. Hed knocked on their door bright and early. He looked grim — not a good sign, since everyone hed met so far was determined to be cheerful.

"Did he say why?" Paul asked. Dace followed him out of their room, and he didnt stop her.

"What do you hear?" the officer asked.

"Nothing," Paul said, puzzled.

"Exactly," the officer said. "Were 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: Its my honeymoon. Im on vacation. Call headquarters. But he didnt figure anyone would be listening. Hed have to go see the captain.

He paused again, and listened, the ship officers 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.