11. Levi

Chapter eleven

Levi

A s we speed away from the island, the sound of gunfire fading behind us, I feel the weight of our narrow escape settling in. My heart is still pounding, and every breath feels like it's catching in my throat. I glance at Maya and Hank, both looking shaken but determined.

Maya nods, her eyes wide but resolute. "You're right. We can't handle this on our own anymore. We need the authorities involved."

The journey back to the marina feels longer than usual, every sound making me jumpy. The adrenaline is still coursing through my veins, but I try to focus on steering us safely back. Hank keeps a lookout, his face tense and alert.

As we approach the dock, I see the familiar sight of the center's building, a beacon of safety amidst the chaos of the day. We tie up the boat quickly and head straight for the entrance, not wasting any time. I pull out my phone and call Sarah, my hands shaking slightly as I dial.

"Sarah, it's Levi. We need to meet now. It's urgent."

Within minutes, Sarah meets us in the main office, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What happened?" she asks, motioning for us to sit down.

We quickly relay the events of the day, each of us adding details as we go. When we get to the part about the gunfire, Sarah's eyes widen, and she shakes her head in disbelief.

"This is serious," she says, her voice grave. "We need to report this to the police and Fish and Wildlife immediately. This has gone way beyond just poaching."

I nod, already dialing the number for the local police.

"Did Lori and Jim finish compiling all the evidence we have gathered so far?". I ask.

Maya starts organizing todays notes and photos while Hank retrieves the samples and recordings we have stored on the boat.

Sarah is on another line, speaking with her contacts at Fish and Wildlife, explaining the urgency of the situation.

The police arrive first, their presence a welcome relief. Detective Goodwin, a tall, stern-looking man with a kind demeanor, takes our statements, listening intently as we recount the events of the day. He asks questions, probing for details that might help them identify the poachers.

"We'll need any evidence you have," Detective Goodwin says, glancing at the pile of notes and equipment Maya has assembled. "And I'll make sure Fish and Wildlife are looped in as soon as possible. This is a coordinated effort now."

Just as we finish with the police, Sarah finishes her call.

"Fish and Wildlife are sending a team over," she says.

"They'll be here in 20 minutes. They want to hear everything and see what we've got"

"As we wait for Fish and Wildlife to arrive, I can't help but think about the poachers and how close we came to getting caught—or worse. This isn't over, but at least now we have the authorities involved."

"We did the right thing," I say, mostly to myself but loud enough for the others to hear. "We'll stop these guys, one way or another."

Maya nods, her expression determined. "We have to."

When the Fish and Wildlife team finally arrives, we're ready to present everything we've gathered. This fight isn't just ours anymore. It's bigger than us, and we're not backing down.

The conference room feels even smaller now, with the added presence of two uniformed police officers and three representatives from Fish and Wildlife. The atmosphere is tense, charged with the gravity of what we're dealing with. Everyone's here—Sarah, Hank, Lori, Jim, Maya, and me. We're all waiting for the authorities to outline the next steps.

Sergeant Davidson, a tall woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, starts the meeting. "Alright, let's get to it. We've got poachers who are not just stealing wildlife but also willing to shoot at civilians. We need to act quickly."

The lead Fish and Wildlife officer, a grizzled man named Officer Moore, nods in agreement. "We've been trying to catch these guys for months. Your encounter last night gives us some solid leads. We need to discuss how to use this information effectively."

Sarah leans forward, her face determined. "What can we do to help?"

Officer Moore looks at her thoughtfully. "Your team has local knowledge and has already gotten closer to these poachers than we have. We could use your assistance in continuing surveillance and gathering more evidence. But you need to be careful."

Maya speaks up, her voice steady. "We're ready to help, but we don't want to put anyone in unnecessary danger. How can we assist without risking another confrontation?"

Sergeant Davidson responds, "First, we need to gather all the evidence you have—photos, notes, anything that can help build our case. Then, we'll set up a coordinated effort. We'll place officers undercover to monitor the known locations you've identified."

Hank, who's been quiet until now, asks, "Do you think the poachers will come back to the same places?"

Officer Moore shakes his head. "Unlikely. They'll probably lay low for a bit, but they'll strike again. They always do. That's why we need to be ready."

I chime in, "So, what's the plan? How do we catch them in the act without getting ourselves shot at again?"

Officer Moore pulls out a map, spreading it across the table. "We'll increase patrols around the islands where you encountered them. We'll also place trackers on any suspicious boats we find. We need eyes everywhere, which is where you come in. Your knowledge of the local terrain will be invaluable."

Detective Goodwin adds, "We also need you to be our eyes and ears. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, report it immediately. But no more solo investigations. Understood?"

We all nod, agreeing to the plan. It feels good to have a clear direction and the backing of the authorities.

Officer Moore turns to Sarah. "We'll also need your team to help with community outreach. Educate the locals about what to look for and how to report suspicious activity. The more people we have on alert, the better our chances."

Sarah smiles, her confidence evident. "We can do that. We've already started building relationships with the local community."

The meeting wraps up with everyone on the same page. As we're packing up to leave, Maya catches my eye and gives me a small smile. My heart skips a beat, and I feel a rush of warmth. I need to talk to her, away from the group.

"Maya," I say, trying to sound casual, "since the day is about over would you like to go for a drink? Maybe get an early dinner?"

She looks surprised but nods. "Sure, I'd like that."

We leave the center together, stepping into the late afternoon sun. The adrenaline from the meeting still pulses through me, but there's also a new feeling—something softer and more complicated.

We find a cozy little bar by the water, with outdoor seating that offers a perfect view of the setting sun. It's quiet, just a few locals enjoying the early evening.

We take a seat at a table near the edge, the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore providing a soothing backdrop.

"I can't believe how intense everything has been," Maya says, taking a sip of her drink. "It's nice to have a moment to just... breathe."

"Yeah, tell me about it," I reply, leaning back in my chair. "Feels like we haven't had a chance to just relax and have some fun."

Maya smiles, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Remember when we used to go to that little ice cream shop after school? The one with the crazy flavors?"

I laugh. "How could I forget? We tried every single flavor they had. I think you were the only one brave enough to try the jalape?o chocolate."

"Oh my God, I remember that!" She laughs, a genuine, carefree sound that makes my heart lift.

"That was a terrible idea."

"But you ate the whole thing," I point out.

"Well, I couldn't let it go to waste," she says, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Besides, it was a challenge."

"Speaking of challenges," I say, grinning, "do you still have that competitive streak?"

She raises an eyebrow. "Depends. What did you have in mind?"

"There's a little arcade down the street," I suggest. "I bet you I can still beat you at air hockey."

"You're on," she says, standing up with a playful glint in her eye. "But don't be too sure of yourself. I've been practicing."

We make our way to the arcade, and as soon as we walk in, it's like stepping back in time. The place is filled with the sounds of old-school games and the smell of popcorn. We head straight for the air hockey table, and I can't help but feel a surge of excitement.

"Alright," I say, picking up a mallet. "Let's see what you've got."

Maya smirks, taking her position. "Prepare to lose, Levi."

The game starts, and immediately we're both focused, our competitive sides taking over. The puck flies back and forth, and we're both laughing and shouting encouragements and taunts.

"Nice shot!" I say as she scores a point.

"Thanks," she replies, her face flushed with excitement. "But you're not getting off that easy."

The game continues, and for a while, it feels like we're teenagers again, with no worries other than who will win the next point. Finally, Maya scores the winning point, and she throws her arms up in victory.

"Yes! I told you I've been practicing!" she exclaims, laughing.

"Alright, alright, you win," I concede, grinning. "But I demand a rematch."

"You're on," she says, her eyes twinkling.

"Oh my gosh, Maya, I forgot all about dinner."

Maya gives me a mischievous grin, "Let's do burgers and fries here like we used to."

"That's perfect, I haven't had a burger here in years. They were definitely the best in town. What a great idea."

We locate a table in the corner where it's a little quieter… or at least as quiet as an arcade can be.

For the next hour we ate, laughed and reminisced about the hours we spent in this place as kids. Reliving all these stories makes me realize just how much I really miss her.

After we finish our burgers we play a few more games, each one bringing more laughter and lighthearted competition. By the time we leave the arcade, the stress of the past few days feels like a distant memory.

"Levi, I haven't laughed this much in years. I bet my face is going to hurt in the morning," she says with a slight giggle.

"This has been the most fun I can remember in a long time. I hope we can do it again while you're here."

"I'd like that," she says barely above a whisper.

As we walk back towards Maya's apartment, the sky now a deep, star-speckled blue, I realize just how much I've missed this—missed her. There's something so easy and right about being with her, something that makes me feel more alive.

"Thanks for tonight, Levi," she says, her voice soft. "It was nice to laugh and have some fun for a change."

"I agree," I reply, feeling a warmth spread through me. "It was just like old times."

She smiles, and for a moment, there's a silence that feels full of unspoken words.

When we reach her apartment, she turns to me, her expression thoughtful. "We've got a lot to deal with right now, but I'm glad we're doing it together."

"We make a pretty good team." I say, meaning it more than ever.

She nods, then surprises me by giving me a quick hug. "Good night, Levi."

"Good night, Maya," I reply, watching her disappear into her building.

As I walk back to my boat, I think about how much has changed since we reconnected. And yet, some things feel exactly the same. The warmth, the ease, the connection—it's all still there, stronger than ever.