Dammit

By Jerry Baggett

Marine Capt. Dammit McGowin couldn't believe his luck-a one-night stand with the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. He soon discovered she'd recently become the sole heir to three generations of her family's wealth. Robbi, full of life and a brand new medical degree, felt burdened by the responsibility, she hadn't asked for, until she realized she'd been handpicked and carefully coached by her grandfather to preserve the integrity of the family's treasure. Terror, romantic adventure, and dire responsibility forced them closer together, fi ghting for survival against violent men holding Robbi for ransom in California's isolated Channel Islands. A modern-day sea story for those who venture beyond the breakers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781640033146

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Dammit

Adventure...Terror...Romance...

Jerry Baggett

ISBN 978-1-64003-313-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64003-314-6 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 Jerry Baggett

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

San Francisco Bay

Virginia Beach

Trust No One

Camp Pendleton

Lenny Marnik

San Francisco

Westrope–Ledman–Fein

Attack

Close the Deal

Kaila Meigs

Los Angeles

Catalina Island

Two Harbors

The Prisoner

Ransom Demand

Homeland Security

The Devil’s Due

The Devil Collects

Santa Rosa Island

Fight for Survival

The Devil Exposed

Found

Standing by

Twelve Fathoms Down

A Run for It

Anacapa Island

Forever Hooked

Wealth Management

The Journal

Tension and Anxiety

Closing in

Mischief Maker

Moonlight Run

Mouse Trap

The Fire

The Gathering

Exposed

Turtle Bay

Epilogue A Look into the Future

About the Author

Acknowledgments

My thanks to all the folks at Covenant Books who make a writer’s job so much easier.

A special thanks to the unknown photographer who captured Lisa Baggett facing off with the huge shark while wreck diving off Cape Hatteras.

Marine Captain Dammit McGowin couldn't believe his luck--- A one-night-stand with the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. He Soon discovered she'd recently become the sole heir to three generations of her family's wealth.

Robbi, full of life and a brand new medical degree, felt burdened by the responsibility, she hadn't asked for, until she realized she'd been hand-picked and carefully coached by her grandfather to preserve the integrity of the family's treasure.

Terror, romantic adventure, and dire responsibility forced them closer together, fighting for survival against violent men holding Robbi for ransom in California's isolated Channel Islands.

A Modern-Day sea story for those who venture beyond the breakers.

Chapter 1

San Francisco Bay

The morning sun sliced through scattered remnants of fog on San Francisco Bay, invigorating Harry Goodrich aboard his cigarette boat. He slammed his coffee cup into the cupholder and flipped on the blower switch, eager to speed over the flat water before the wind got up. Minutes later, he downed the last of his coffee and hit the starter. The big engine roared to life.

The explosion and fireball destroyed boats on either side and damaged other boats in the small marina. Windows in the marina coffee shop one hundred feet away were blown out. The bearded old man sitting in his car, watching with binoculars, backed out of the parking space and drove away.

Planning Harry’s death had been simple—a matter of entering the marina late at night and making simple adjustments to the engine. First, he removed the hose from the bilge blower, stuffed a wadded-up beach towel inside, reconnected the blower hose, and disabled the bilge pump. He then removed the fuel line from the fuel filter and allowed fuel to flow freely into the enclosed engine space for thirty minutes before reconnecting the hose. He knew sparks from the starter or alternator would ignite the rich fuel–air mixture. To be sure of success, he removed a plug wire from the plug and taped the bare end one half inch away from the manifold.

Pleased with his work here, he followed orders and waited for the inevitable telephone call, before planning his next move.

Mouse was proud of his talent for disguise. He often went unnoticed in a group of acquaintances. He had successfully posed as a worker at San Francisco General Hospital to gather information on a woman doctor. He had met her face-to-face and even had a brief conversation while posing as a janitor, cleaning the emergency room. He knew why she was important to the boss, but didn’t really care. He was a valued member of a secretive group and well paid for his loyalty.

Following the boat explosion, Mouse was told to go to Los Vegas, his old haunt, and wait for instructions. While there, he tracked down a small-time drug dealer hiding out and spending the boss’s money. Mouse smiled every time he thought about how the guy had begged. He no longer had the guts to steal from the boss, because they were spread all over the ground behind the small casino.

Mouse had respect and money to spend, for the first time in his forty-eight-year-old life. His favorite girl, provided by the off-strip casino, for a price, had stolen money from his pocket. He’d been so upset that he punished the desk clerk by slicing his tires.

He left Los Vegas with new instructions—purchase an unregistered car from a specific dealer in Phoenix and wait for the next call.

Chapter 2

Virginia Beach

May 2016

Marine Capt. Dammit McGowin laced his running shoes tight and picked up his coffee cup. So, you think you can make the run without passing out. He laughed. Last night’s beer won’t taste so good on the way up this morning.

Yeah, Bro. Just because you run five miles a day, that doesn’t rule me out of the game. Don’t forget I jog a mile every day. I’m not flying, all that’s required to keep superman in shape.

Dammit slapped Dick on the back, I didn’t forget, Bro. You’re eighteen months older than me. I’ll give you a break.

Beachside Bar, Virginia Beach, Virginia, was crowded with sun-bronzed bodies only steps away from the warm water of Chesapeake Bay.

Dammit stomped some of the beach sand off his running shoes before entering from the beach.

The floor inside had slightly less sand than the beach and slightly more than the tanned-up bodies in swimsuits, crowded around small tables in the open-air bar.

Dick wiped sweat from his brow and attempted to conceal his heavy breathing after the brief run down the beach.

Finding a place at the end of the bar, Dammit said, It looks like everybody brought the beach in with them this morning. I still say you were gassed on the run, Bro. I could hear you chugging for breath like a worn-out steam engine. The jog was only a mile.

Nah, didn’t want to embarrass a badass Jar Head by beating him to the finish, Dick said.

The beer bottle breaking caused the brothers to look around at four tatted-up men wearing motorcycle leather and leering at two women sitting nearby.

I told you that bunch would be trouble when they strutted in ahead of us.

No, Dick. Look at those two women at the table next to the bikers. Something doesn’t add up. They’re overdressed for this place.

Shit, you’re right. The older woman broke the beer bottle. Looks like she might cut the biker guy. Suppose she’ll do it?

She looks tough enough. Maybe looking after the young beauty? Dammit said.

Yeah, Bro. You being an officer and a gentleman by act of congress cramps your style and keeps you out of trouble.

Don’t know about that Dick, but my life will never be the same after laying eyes on that blue-eyed vamp. I hope they leave before we get involved in something.

Stay out of it, Bro. You gotta strap the captain’s bars on and fly back to Pendleton early tomorrow morning. You don’t need trouble following you at this late date.

Yeah, you squid flyboys have to keep your nose clean. I’ll be a dumbass civilian this time next month, not too worried about that. Dick, the big guy’s not going to back down. Cover my back.

Dammit moved toward the woman, grabbed the hand holding the bottleneck, twisted it free, and handed it back to Dick.

The troublemaker slammed the table hard and pinned the women to the wall. Dammit turned fast, wrapped the man in a choke hold, and raised his feet off the floor.

You fellows stay where you are now. He’ll be okay. Move my way, and I’ll put him out.

At six feet five inches tall, two hundred forty pounds of hard body, Dammit had their attention. I’m releasing your friend, so have a chair ready for him at your table. No harm, no fowl. You gents apologize to the ladies and quietly leave before the cops get here.

The man they called Biggy massaged his neck and opened his mouth to say something when the bartender tapped a short club against the bar.

The police are on speed dial, and it only takes minutes to get here. Your check has been settled gratuitously, so go and take your business back to the ‘Chain Gang Bar’ where you hang out, he said.

At the door, Biggy said, We got rights mister. We ain’t scared o’ you or the cops.

The bartender touched Dammit on the shoulder, Thank you, fellows. I missed the beginning of the fracas or would have stopped it. Those fellows come in here once in a while looking to start trouble with some of the military guys. The police get here fast and take them out before much can happen.

Dick pulled the table away and helped the women to their feet.

The bartender nodded at the ladies. Follow me, folks. There’s a quiet room for private parties through that door at the end of the bar. Your pleasures on the house.

The older woman said, I apologize for the disturbance, sir. It was obvious that trouble was building, and I thought to discourage it. Perhaps, I overreacted. I’m Tori Bitner, and this is my friend Robin.

Dammit stood back with his mouth open and let his brother Dick play the gentleman, holding chairs for the ladies. He looked at Robin and knew he was in trouble. Slim and lovely, she filled out the sun dress in ways that fired up his imagination—her hair, light blond with dark shadows, and blue-green eyes that penetrated Dammit’s soul and nearly buckled his knees.

Tori pulled her wallet out and tossed it onto the table. I’m a private investigator traveling with Robin. My twenty years of experience with the San Francisco Police Department taught me to act aggressively at the first sign of trouble.

Robin touched Tori’s hand. Let me explain, Tori. There’s no obvious threat other than those rude men.

Without taking eyes off Dammit, Robin continued. My mother owned property here, Sea Bridge Beach. We visited frequently until the last few years. Mom always stopped at the Beachside Bar, having spent much of her wayward youth in this place during her college years. Smiling, she said, Was a beach bunny and claimed the rest of her time in college was wasted.

The bartender interrupted with a large pitcher of beer. Drinks on the house, folks. The waiter will be by for anything else.

Dick tipped his head toward Dammit. The bulldozer in shorts and T-shirt is Marine Capt. Dammit McGowin. I’m the good-looking brother, Lt. Comm. Dick McGowin. Bro here has to leave early tomorrow for California. I, on the other hand, will be available to escort you ladies wherever you might wish to go. Have auto, will travel.

Robin laughed out loud. So, big brother here, with the deep tan and pearly white teeth, won’t be around to enjoy a few more good days on the beach.

Dammit wiped foam off his upper lip. Dick’s happy to see me go, been cramping his style all week. Dick has a rundown bachelor’s pad down the beach a ways. He grinned at Robin. I might just go AWOL and spend ten years in prison if you keep looking at me with those bedroom eyes.

Robin laughed again.

Dammit pulled on his beer. You both have been very careful not to mention your last name, Robin. Could that be deliberate evasion?

Robin only smiled this time and then looked at Tori before answering. We may have a family problem guys, forgive the slyness. It’s probably better if we leave it at that for now. You guys are astute enough to leave it there, I hope.

Robin stood, leaned over, removed her heels, and placed them in the chair. She looked at Tori. Entertain Dick for a while, would you? I’d like to take a walk on the beach with Tarzan here, won’t be long. We’ll treat them to a seafood dinner someplace. By the way, what is your name? Sounded like Dick was swearing at you.

The name’s Dammit. Yeah, just like it sounds.

What a strange name, a nickname I suppose.

Nah, my mother. Dammit this, Dammit that, my first words. I thought it was my name. I answered to Dammit so long my father had it added to my birth certificate.

Dammit and Robin strolled along the beach and waded along in the warm shallow water. Dammit playfully led her farther out until she realized the thin white sun dress left little for the imagination when wet.

Dammit said, Talk to me, Robin. Tell me something about yourself, your family, anything, but please don’t lie to me.

She stopped suddenly, looked at his eyes, his face, shaded her eyes with her hand, and studied the laugh creases around his mouth.

He knew she was troubled, unsure of this strange man she’d just met. He felt she wanted someone to lean on, someone to be there. She wanted to trust him. He picked her up slowly and carried her to the sand.

My friends call me Robbi. Robbi with an I, she said. I know you’re returning to California tomorrow. I may never see you again.

I’m sorry, Robbi. Much more than you know. My commitment at Pendleton can’t be delayed. I would like to be here for you. Perhaps, we’ll meet again. I’m sure we’d become very special to each other.

You’re not married are you, Dammit? Someone special in California?

No, never been in one place long enough since college. The future looks better though. A month from now, I’ll be a lazy civilian wasting away in Los Angeles. Now, would you like to tell me about yourself? I find you mysterious and fascinating.

She took his hand and led him back away from the water and pulled him down beside her. I would like nothing more than to share everything with you, Dammit, but it isn’t possible now. Maybe in the future.

She leaned against him and looked at his hazel eyes. Can we be friends the short time you’ll be here, accept what we have for one special evening, and become close without probing questions? I feel I can trust you and want to be with you. Would that be possible, Dam?

"You don’t know me, Robbi. I’m not afraid of the trouble you have, but are you sure about this?