16. Maya

Chapter sixteen

Maya

T he sun is just beginning to rise as we gather on the dock. The air is already warm, and the water is still, reflecting the vibrant hues of dawn. It's the perfect day to check on the remaining turtle nests, and I feel a surge of determination as I join the team.

"All set?" Jim asks, securing the last of the equipment.

"Ready as we'll ever be," Lori responds, adjusting her hat to shield her eyes from the rising sun.

Levi nods. "Let's make the most of it. We need all the data we can get."

Hank finishes tying up his boots and stands. "We've got a lot of ground to cover today. Let's get to it."

We split into two groups to maximize our coverage. Levi and I pair up, while Jim, Hank, and Lori form the other team. Each group takes one of the small boats, and we set off toward the islands.

"Keep your radios on," Levi reminds everyone. "If anyone finds something, let the others know immediately."

The first island we reach is quiet. Birds call out, and the gentle waves lap against the shore. We fan out, each of us taking a section of the beach. I start near the waterline, looking for any signs of disturbance in the sand.

"There's one!" I call out, spotting a nest that looks recently tampered with. The sand is uneven, and there are fresh tracks leading away from it.

Levi comes over, examining the nest closely. "Looks like it was raided last night. You can tell it was recent because the tide hasn't disturbed the tracks around the nest yet.

I note the details in my logbook, feeling a pang of frustration. "If we can just figure out how often they hit each island…"

Levi nods. "Let's keep moving. We have a lot more to check."

We move methodically along the beach, examining each nest we come across. Some are undisturbed, but many show signs of poaching. Each new discovery is another data point in our quest to understand the poachers' patterns.

Around midday, we take a break. The sun is high now, and the heat is intense. We sit in the shade of some palm trees, drinking water and sharing a light lunch.

"Any luck on your end?" Lori asks over the radio.

"A few disturbed nests," I reply. "But we're getting a clearer picture of their movements."

"Same here," Jim responds. "We've found several nests that have been raided in the last few days judging by how the sand still shows the tracks."

Hank chimes in, "It looks like they're hitting these islands in a regular cycle. If we can pin down the timing, we might be able to catch them in the act."

"Noted," Levi responds. "We'll finish lunch and check a few more spots and then head back."

The afternoon passes quickly as we check the nests on most of the remaining islands. By late afternoon, we've documented so many raided nests it makes me want to cry.

"Time to head back," Levi says, looking at the sky. "We've got enough for today."

As we start packing up, Levi notices a boat approaching the island. He squints, then recognizes it as Joe's, the local who had given us the tip about the suspicious boat.

"Hey, it's Joe," Levi says, waving him over. "Wonder what he's doing out here."

Joe pulls up to the shore and hops out of his boat, looking around cautiously. "Levi, Maya, good to see you both. I've got some news."

Levi and I meet him at the shoreline, curiosity piqued. "What's up, Joe?" Levi asks.

Joe lowers his voice, glancing around to make sure no one else can hear, even though it's obvious it's just us there. "Last night I was at Grady's Tavern, the locals hangout in town, and I was approached by what I suspect was one of the poachers. They were trying to hire some independent boat owners for a ‘sensitive' job."

My eyes widen. "Did they say what the job was?"

Joe shakes his head. "No, they were pretty discreet. But they seemed to be in a big hurry to get it done. I declined their offer, said I was too busy, but I thought you'd want to know right away."

Levi's expression turns serious. "Thanks for telling us, Joe. This sounds like they may be afraid that the authorities are on to them. This could work in our favor. Maybe they will get sloppy."

Joe nods. "I think you could be right. You guys better watch your backs."

"We will," I assure him. "Thanks again."

As Joe heads back to his boat, I turn to Levi. "We need to report this to Sarah and the authorities."

"Absolutely," Levi agrees. "Let's finish up here and get back to the center."

On the ride back to the center, the weight of Joe's information hangs over us. It's clear the poachers are getting desperate, and we need to stay vigilant.

I turn to Levi. "I'm going to head back to my condo after we drop everything off at the center. I need to work on some reports pertaining to the project that I'm required to turn in. I've been a little distracted by someone the last couple of days, and I'm behind on my paperwork," I say with a big grin.

Levi nods, smiling with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure we can't have dinner first?"

"Not tonight, handsome." I tease.

Back at the center, we unload our gear and report to Sarah the condition of the nest and the info from Joe. She arranges to have the authorities meet us at the center in the morning to discuss our findings and hopefully they will have something to share with us.

"Good work today, everyone," Maya says. "Let's regroup tomorrow and see what we've got."

"Agreed," Lori adds. "We're making progress, even if it's slow."

Hank gives a thumbs-up. "We'll get these guys. We just have to keep at it."

I say my goodbyes to everyone and head off to my condo, anxious to get my reports finished.

Before I'm barely out the door, Levi catches up to me. "You sure you don't want to grab dinner before diving into those reports?"

I smile, appreciating the offer. "Thanks, but I need to get started on this while it's fresh in my mind. We'll do it another time?"

He nods, understanding. "Alright. See you tomorrow, then."

"See you tomorrow," I reply.

I think about the day's discoveries and what they mean for our project. The poachers are organized, but so are we. With the data we've collected, we're one step closer to stopping them.

Back at my condo, I spread out my notes and samples on the kitchen table. The methodical process of transferring my handwritten notes into the digital report is usually soothing, but tonight, I can't shake the uneasy feeling from Joe's encounter with a possible poacher. The idea that they are now actively seeking help from local boat owners is unsettling. I push through my work, but the conversation with Joe keeps replaying in my mind.

After a few hours, I lean back in my chair and rub my eyes. My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't eaten since lunch. I try to focus on the task at hand, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Joe's warning.

What were the poachers planning? And why would they risk trying to recruit outsiders?

I glance at the clock. It's almost nine, but Grady's Tavern is still open. The more I think about it, the more I convince myself that I need to get out of here, have dinner, and maybe, just maybe, pick up on something useful at the tavern. After all, I am genuinely hungry. I tell myself that this is a perfectly rational decision.

I grab my purse and head out.

Grady's Tavern is bustling with the usual evening crowd. The dim lighting, combined with the hum of conversations and clinking glasses, creates a cozy yet lively atmosphere. I find a small table in the corner, giving me a good view of the room. After placing an order for a BLT and fries, I scan the crowd, looking for anything—or anyone—suspicious.

As I wait, my eyes land on a dark corner of the room where Levi is sitting with a rough-looking man I've never seen before. They're huddled close, deep in conversation. This isn't the kind of casual chat Levi would have with a friend. There's an intensity to it that makes my stomach churn.

What is Levi doing with that man? What could they be talking about?

My mind races with possibilities. Maybe he's just trying to get information from him, but I have a bad feeling about this.

Could Levi be joining forces with the poachers for a big payoff? Was this his plan all along? I thought I knew him. How could he betray our team—and me—like this?

Maya, get a grip, I tell myself. This is Levi! He would never betray us this way. But then, it's been a long time since we have seen each other. Maybe he has changed, maybe he's not the man I thought he was. I don't know what to believe at this point. Could this be the same man I once loved?

My heart pounds as I struggle with what to do. Confronting him here would be a mistake. I decide to get my food and leave before Levi sees me.

I wave down the waitress, asking to get my order to go. My mind races as I wait, trying to make sense of what I'm seeing. I can't shake the feeling of betrayal.

I pay for my meal and wait anxiously for my order. As soon as it's ready, I grab the bag and make a beeline for the door, avoiding Levi's line of sight. Outside, the cool night air hits me, but it does little to calm my nerves. My thoughts are a whirlwind of confusion and hurt.

Once I'm in the safety of my condo, I sit at the kitchen table, the untouched food in front of me. My mind is a mass of confusion and betrayal. Tears well up in my eyes, and I don't bother holding them back. This isn't just about the turtles anymore; it's about Levi. The man I thought I knew, the man I was beginning to have deep feelings for again.

I lay my head on the table, the weight of the day's events finally crashing down on me. What should I do? I decide that the best course of action is to wait until tomorrow. See if Levi mentions the meeting. Maybe it's nothing, but something doesn't feel right.

The tears come freely now. If Levi is involved with the poachers, it would mean not just the betrayal of our team, but a personal betrayal to me that cuts deeply. The thought of it is almost too much to bear.

Exhausted and emotionally drained, I eventually drag myself to bed. But sleep doesn't come easily. My mind is too full of questions and fears. My thoughts keep returning to Levi and I pray he can explain what I saw.