The Shark Whisperer (14 page)

The boy shrugged and smiled at them while answering his phone. “Go ahead, the director's here. What's your status and report?”

Director Davis remained quiet while Flash listened. Tristan, Hugh, and Sam waited silently nearby.

“Roger that. Stand by and we'll call back in a few minutes with orders,” Flash said, signing off and turning to the director. “There are no large ships in the area now. But Rory discovered several big holes that were blasted in a nearby coral reef and two extensive sand pits in the sea grass. It looks like air jets were used. Jade and Rusty canvassed the locals. The most vocal were the sharks. They're totally furious, hopping mad, ready to do some damage, itching for a . . .”

“Okay, okay, we get it,” Director Davis interrupted.

Flash continued, “Men from the ship killed and finned ten lemon, two bull, and five nurse sharks. Took the fins and dumped the sharks. A few pilot whales were injured by the blasts; hurt their ears and they're having trouble navigating. Rusty got some of the local reef squids to open up as well. They reported that the
ship left a day or two ago. Looked like it was heading north. Dolphins in the area confirmed this. Word is that the ship may have gone to Nassau. Barnacles on a dock there sent word that a large fancy yacht came into a marina at about the right time.”

“Did they relay anything about any sort of identifying marks on the ship?” Director Davis asked.

“Seems there might be a large red letter on the side.”

Tristan, Sam, and Hugh looked at the director nodding and he smiled back.

“Sounds like they're doing some sort of bottom search,” Director Davis said.

“Yeah, the dolphins also reported that they were towing equipment with active sonar and some other gear.”

“Okay. Call them back, tell them great work, but we need them back here ASAP—problems with Washington. I'll call some folks in Nassau and have them look into the ship. We've done all we can, given the situation.”

Flash shook his head. “They're not going to like it. They'll want to stay to collect evidence and investigate further—especially Jade. You know how she is.”

“Tell them the mission is temporarily on hold. They need to get back here immediately. No
ifs, ands
, or
buts
. I'll let the pilot know they'll be meeting the helicopter for the flight back.”

“Roger that,” Flash said.

“What about the sharks? What about catching the people who killed them?” Tristan asked.

“I'll report it to the authorities in Nassau. Maybe I
can get them to search the ship. But without any hard evidence, I doubt they'll be able to do anything. Sorry, there's just not much more we can do right now. I need to think of the camp and its future.”

Tristan, Sam, and Hugh stared disappointedly at the director.

“Oh, by the way Tristan, your mother called and would like you to call her.”

“Figures,” Tristan said sarcastically. Then turning red he added, “I mean thanks, I'll do that.”

“You can use the phone over there if you want,” Director Davis said pointing to a phone on the table. “It's a landline so the connection should be good. Just remember, please don't say anything about the true nature of the camp or your newfound skills. We'd like to have a little time with your folks first, to prepare them for the shock. Later in the summer we'll explain everything to all of the new campers' parents.”

“Okay, sure. No problem,” Tristan said, walking over to the phone. If he didn't call now, his mom would hound the camp till he did—maybe even drive down.

“Mr. Haverford and Miss Marten, if you'd like to call your parents also, you're welcome to. Sam, I know it might be a bit uncomfortable with your father and all, but I'm sure he'd love to hear from you.”

Sam looked almost guilty. “Ah, that's okay. Maybe I'll call in a few days, if that's alright.”

“I guess I could try to get my mother,” Hugh said. “But she's out a lot. Sheila's probably there, she could give her a message.”

Tristan spoke to his mother, assuring her he was okay, had not gotten hurt, and was learning more than he ever expected about sea creatures—especially sharks. Hugh called home as well and talked to their housekeeper Sheila.

“Director Davis? When will
we
get to go on one of these investigations?” Tristan asked eagerly after the call.

“Oh not for a while yet, typically it's the most senior campers, from the Dolphins and Sharks bungalows, who go on missions. You still have a lot to learn and need to develop your skills. Any idea what they are yet, besides communicating with sharks?”

“I think I can echolocate!” Sam answered.

“Well now, that would be an exciting development. How about you Hugh?”

“Ms. Sanchez thinks I have communication and camouflage. I did turn my skin green a little while ago in the lagoon. Sir, do all the campers go on these missions?”

“Oh no, Hugh, only those who want to and have permission from their parents. We also have campers who work from here as shore support, like Flash. They are a very important part of the team.”

Tristan, Sam, and Hugh left the Situation Room and headed to the Conch Café for dinner. They sat by
themselves at one of the Seasquirts' tables and kept their voices low.

“My mom will never let me go on a mission. Jeez, she's probably gonna call everyday,” Tristan said. “Ever since the shark pool thing she's been kinda nuts about what I do.”

“What do you expect? You
did
fall into a pool of sharks,” Hugh jabbed.

“Yeah, guess it was sort of a shock. Kinda like us finding out we can grow webbed feet and this is a camp for secret undersea agents.”

“My dad would have loved this. He was the adventurous one in the family,” Hugh said wistfully.

“What happened to him?” Sam asked. “I mean only if you want to say.”

Hugh shook his head as tears welled up in his eyes. “He got really sick last year. Didn't make it.”

“I'm so sorry, Hugh,” Sam said.

“Me too,” Tristan added.

“Thanks. Wish I were more like him. Guess this is my chance. Sam, how come you didn't want to call home?”

Sam stared down at the table, tracing one of the conch shell carvings with her finger. “My dad is a lobster fisherman. He loves it. But he wasn't too happy about me coming to camp. Said it was a bunch of whale-hugging enviro-fanatics preaching that we shouldn't eat fish and that fishermen like him are evil. Fishing for lobster is what our family has always done, everyone does it up in Maine. I've always loved eating
lobster. Now I feel bad about killing them. I mean I love my dad and he's a good person. It's not like he has anything against lobsters. We have lobster stuff all over the house. We love lobsters, but it's his job to catch them. I don't think he wants to talk to me right now and I'm not sure what I'd say.”

“Yeah, now that we can sort of talk to sea creatures, it's kinda gross to think about eating them,” Tristan said.

“Know what you mean,” Hugh said looking down at his plate of pasta with Alfredo sauce. “Guess that's why they don't serve any seafood. Hard to charm the next fish you see into talking after you've just scarfed down a relative.”

“I'll call home in a few days,” Sam said. “My mom will want to hear about camp. After all, she convinced my dad to let me come.”

After dinner, the teens headed back to the bungalow. They were exhausted, but also excited about being at camp and learning more about what they could do in the ocean. Tristan decided that he'd try to find Jade in the morning to ask what else she and the others had learned in the Bahamas. That way, if he ran into the sharks in the lagoon again, at least he'd have something to tell them. Tristan didn't want the sharks to think he hadn't tried to get the camp to help. He figured it probably wouldn't be good to get on a shark's bad side.

9

TRAINING WAVES

T
HE NEXT MORNING BEFORE THE PARK OPENED
for visitors, the Seasquirts arrived at the Wave Pool for their first session of the day. It was early—obviously too early—for the group given their resemblance to a bunch of sleepwalking zombies. Coach Fred was apparently the only one up among the living at seven in the morning.

“Wake up campers, time to get cracking. It's a beautiful sunny day here in South Florida and a swim is an excellent way to start the day—really gets the juices flowing.”

A collective groan came from the new campers as one by one they dropped their backpacks and slumped onto the sand.

“Let's see,” Coach Fred said looking over the group. “Who are we missing?”

Through droopy lids, the teens silently glanced at one another. Then again, they may have just fallen back to sleep.

“Looks like the bright and cheery Rosina Gonzales is sleeping in this morning. One of you Hart girls, go back to the cabin and roust her out of bed.”

The twins looked like they'd just swallowed really awful cough medicine. Jillian looked pleadingly at Coach Fred. “Can we go together?”

“Fine, fine . . . just get the girl here and make it snappy.”

The two girls dragged themselves up and shuffled off miserably. Tristan didn't envy them; rousting Rosina out of bed would be like saying “Good morning sunshine” to a vampire.

“Now for the rest of you eager beavers, you've had a little swim in the lagoon, but the ocean is rarely that flat and calm. Here you will learn how to swim in waves and use them to your advantage for speed and jumping. Is everyone well hydrated?”

“It is
way
too early for this,” Tristan whispered to Sam and Hugh. “I should still be in bed.”

“Yeah, and we didn't even have time for breakfast,” Hugh said rubbing his stomach.

“Have something to add Hunt?” Coach asked. “Why don't you go first, a little water will wake you right up.”

“Me? No, that's okay. I can wait.” Tristan mumbled, tilting over toward the sand for a nap.

“Up and at 'em, Hunt” Coach ordered.

“There's another one of those weird sayings,” Hugh mumbled to Sam. “What does up and ‘adam' mean?”