Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

62

I'm not really surprised when Pope's uncle says no. Plan B is JJ, John B, and I going to find Boogie.

"All right. Let's go do this," JJ tells us.

"Ah. Rockfish," John B remarks.

"You think Boogie's here?" I ask.

JJ nods. "Yeah, it's where all the coast guards hang."

"Dude," John B says.

JJ walks right up to Boogie at the pool table. "There he is. That's my boy, Boogie!"

Boogie doesn't look happy to be interrupted.

"I told him," John B says.

"That's my bad," JJ admits. "You know. Look, that was a tough shot, all right? Good to see you."

"Don't drop in on me like that, man," Boogie says as he bro hugs JJ.

"Won't happen again," JJ tells him. "Maybe."

The four of us sit at a table with some beers.

"So, you're technically saying you do know where it is though," JJ says. "That's what you're saying."

"Of course I know where it is," Boogie tells him. "I'm pulling rope on the cutters three days out of the week but, what, y'all the famous treasure hunting bros now?"

JJ laughs. "Yeah."

"Oh, hell no." Boogie shakes his head. "Nuh-uh. No, that shit's a state secret. They do not want every yahoo coming in, tearing up the wreck."

"Boog, we can keep a secret," JJ assures. "I've always kept them. They're up there. Locked away."

"Yeah, and I'll be locked away if people find out," Boogie tells us. "Plus, they'll take away my pension."

"Hey. We'll be in and out, all right?" John B insists.

"We only need like, what, uh, 60 minutes," I say.

"Max, like, 30 minutes," JJ says.

"Forty minutes," John B says as JJ says, "Thirty."

"Forty-five minutes," JJ and I say at the same time.

"In and out. Easy," John B assures.

" At night? 'Cause you'd have to do it at night," Boogie tells us.

"Why at night?" I ask.

"'Cause of the location. It's by the base," Boogie states. "Did y'all do any research?"

"It's by the Coast Guard base?" JJ asks.

"Nah, the other base. Yes, the Coast Guard base," Boogie remarks. "They'll spot you easy during the day."

"All right. We do it at night, then," JJ agrees.

"Good luck with that," Boogie remarks as he starts to leave.

"No, no, no, Boogie. Forty-five minutes, at the wreck, at night. Come on, man, all we need are the exact coordinates. What's your price for that?" JJ asks.

Boogie laughs. "Price? I can't be bought, man. I ain't got no price."

John B goes after Boggie. "Hey, Boog, hear me out. Look, hey, listen. Um... You always got a price."

"No, I don't," Boogie insists.

"Nuh-uh. Maybe you do," John B says.

Boogie nods his head slightly. "Oh, okay. How about that gray racer right there?"

"Gray racer?" JJ asks. "What?"

"I like that motorbike," Boogie states. "That thing's badass, bro."

"I know it's badass," JJ assures him. "It's not for sale though, all right? We're not trading that. Nuh-uh. He's just joking around."