The Surf Slayer

[NOTE: This story is a sequel of sorts to several other Cape May stories that I did during the summer of 2022 which included "Beach Girl", "Kissed by an Angel" and "Kara and the Surfer Girl "]

Cape May NJ

Sheriff Kara Brolin made her way into the small marina that sat on the northern edge of the central island of Cape May. The marina wasn't the largest in the world, but the owners were able to boast about them having 210 slips that could house yachts up to 75 feet in length, but they in no way could clam to be the only marina in the region, but rather one of over dozens of others. Skipping the central docks, she pulled her squad car towards the drydock area, where a couple of men were working on a 21 foot cabin cruiser.

After being involved in recently solved crime involving a botched kidnapping tied in with a jewelry store robery, the cruiser had been wrecked off the coast of Wildwood 9 miles up the New Jersey coast from where they stood. The jewelry was recovered, but it couldn't be proven that there actually was a kidnapping victim. As for the two main robbers themselves, the main perpetrators were apprehended, but the operator of the getaway boat got away and was never identified. At least that was what they were letting be known about the case.

While there was some minor structural damage, it wasn't such that it could not be repaired. Buffy, her wife that was 10 years her junior had her 19th birthday coming up. She had begun to work at the local surf shop on Beach Avenue earlier in the year and had begun to discover other interests that played along the lines of her being a professional surfer, which included scuba diving.

Buffy had explored various areas along the coast of Cape May, which included the Atlantus, an experimental cement ship that was launched on December 5, 1918, and was decommissioned two years later. In 1926, it was purchased for the creation of a ferry dock out of her and her two sister ships would be put in a Y formation, creating a slip for the Cape May-Lewes ferry to dock. In March of 1926, the Atlantus was repaired and towed to Cape May. However, on June 8 of that same year, a major storm hit and the ship broke free of its moorings and ran aground 150 feet off the coast of Sunset Beach.

But the Atlantu was the tip of the iceberg, and there were so many other places along the Atlantic seacoast that her wife could explore with her newfound interest. So, she secretly bought the 21 foot cabin cruiser for a song from the Wildwood police, after its part in the investigation was reported to beover . The structural damage was nominal at best, nothing that a good boat repair crew couldn't fix.

Kara quickly adjusted her blue polo shirt, which served as a part of her casual dress in the sheriff's department as she approached the crew that was working on the boat.

Joss, one of the men working on the boat looked up as he saw Kara approached the boat. The baby cigar he was casually smoking dangled precariously from his lips. "Quick, here comes the cops!"

"Oh no," came the response, "what do we do?"

"You guys could look busy," Kara belted out, "because this particular cop is the owner of the boat you guys are supposed to be working on!"

Joss looked up at the boat, where the yet to be painted name of the boat was sketched out; "Buffy's Boat"

"Uh," Kara winced, as she looked at name that was still only stamped out on the decail that was going to be placed onto the sides of the boat, "you do realize that that is not the actual name I wanted to put on the boat. "Buffy's Boat" was only a reference."

"Oh," Joss said as he nervously took a drag from his baby cigar, "what was the actual name again?"

"The Surf Slayer", Kara responded.

"I told you that wasn't the name!" Joss barked out to the guy who had so proudly printed out the words "Buffy's Boat" on the decal.

"You didn’t tell me that!" A guy in long beaded dreads sat along the side, still attempting to paste on the wrong name.

"Sush!" Joss hissed out.

"You didn't!"

"It's an easy fix my young friend," Joss crumbled up the decail and tossed it aside clearing the slate as it were. "Now start over."

"So," Kara found some amusement in the little show, "was all of this for my amusement or is Van Gogh over there being serious?"

"Trust me, he's no Van Gogh, but he'll get the job done."

"You sure about that?" Kara glanced at the guy who was mumbling something about the name of the boat. "It's going to be ready by the first?"

"Yes," Joss responded, "all of the structural changes and repairs are done and out of the way, all is left is the cosmetic stuff."

"Oh," Kara looked out over the small bridge that went over the center of the marina, she could see Buffy riding her dirt bike over it towards where they were standing, "fuck!"

"No worries," Joss looked at the stern of the boat, the name was washed away, "just another boat we're working on, and you're just making a social visit."

"Still,"

"Hey Van Gogh, make sure you scrub all of the old name up, then you can wait until morning to put the proper name up!"

"I am no Van Gogh," the guy blurted out, "just plain old Vance."

"Yeah," Joss mumbled, "so I noticed, just a plain old Vance!"

Buffy was about to drive past the drydock section of the marina, when she noticed Kara standing in the area between her squad car and a cabin cruiser. She pulled to a stop just short of where her wife stood and pulled off her helmet.

Vance looked at Buffy like a deer in headlights as Buffy took off her helmet and waved her hair.

"Don't stare!" Came a comment from another member of the crew.

"I--." Vance felt at a stab wound he got to the gut a few weeks back in a scuffle he couldn't even vaguely remember, but why was it bothering him now?

"Hey hon," Kara met Buffy with a kiss, "what brings you here?"

"Oh, was just...out for a ride to Wildwood and back."

"What for?"

"Oh, I just wanted to see what the top speed for this bike is," Buffy smiled.

"You already know that model tops out at 75mph. Besides, dirtbiking isn't one of your new interests, is it?"

"Of course not," Buffy tapped at the handlebars to her dirtbike, "just a means getting around."

"Good, then you don't have to worry about it getting over 65mph," Kara pressed her face into her young wife's, "ever!"

Buffy let out a nervous laugh. "Right,"

"Now that we nipped that in the bud."

Buffy couldn't help but staring at the boat, she moved in closer, as if inspecting it. "Not thinking about buying that thing, are you?"

"Of course..." Kara let out a gentle sigh, "... not."

"Good, because I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing." Buffy turned away from the boat, as if that simple action put the boat out of sight, and thus out of mind.

"Uh," Kara groaned, "right, what's wrong with this boat?"

"Nothing really, I guess. Just wasn't planning on buying a boat."

"It would beat you always having to rent one,"

Vance sashayed his way towards Buffy as if dancing to the beat of some unheard mamba in such a manner that his long dreadlocks moved with his movements, he looked into Buffy's eyes seductively. "I know you from somewhere,"

"Sure you do," Buffy said coldly as as she backed up one step towards Kara protective reach. She had a vague memory of seeing the guy, but she was uncertain as to where and when she saw him, but it would come to her. "After all, I live and work on the island, so I'm sure you've seen me around town."

"That's not what I'm talking about," Vance motioned towards the boat he was supposed to be working on the detailing of, "you know... a few months back we spent some time together on this boat."

Buffy frowned, during her stay in Cape May, she had been on a few rental boats like this one, and it's possible this was one of those boats, but she had no memory of spending any quality time on any boat with the guy with the dreadlocks. "I think you must be mistaken, "

"Right," Vance didn't want to press things, "well, then, we can spend some time together later,"

"Ah, I don't think my wife will understand,"

"Wife, right. I'm willing to bet my whole week's pay that your wife is out on one of these boats with some boy toy of the day having a good old time."

Kara's hand squeezed onto Buffy's shoulder, as she wanted to say something, but Buffy's words came out rather quickly.

"I'll take you up on that bet," Buffy said.

"I've put in a lot of hours, which makes it well over $1,000 on the line."

"That's fine," Buffy smiled, "wanna go double or nothing on that bet, if I can prove without a doubt where my wife is right this very second? "

"Wanna talk about easy money," Vance looked at Sheriff Brolin, " you're a witness to all of this."

"It's all fair and legal," Kara sighed, the guy was so willing to throw his money away it was ridiculous.

"I win, she hands over $2,000. It'll be like taking candy from a baby. "

"I don't think--." Joss began, then decided that the guy need to learn his lesson. "Fine. Do what you want."

"It's settled then," Buffy held out her hand to shake on it.

"Easy money, as long as you can pay up." Vance shook on it.

"Now the question is, where is the girl's wife, right?" Joss placed his hand on Vance's shoulder. "It’s all on you, my friend."

"You can go first!" Kara waved her hand out. "Where is she?"

"I can't say exactly...--." Vance sighed.

"But I can," Buffy said, "she is here now."

"The only woman here besides you is--." Vance looked up at the female officer that slipped her hand into Buffy's. "Oh, fuck. You guys set me up!"

"How?"

"You two are married?"

"Going on a year." Buffy held out her hand. "Now pay up!"

Vance placed $2,000 into Buffy's waiting hand. "I'm being robbed."

Buffy turned to the boat and the discarded decail she could see the name "Buffy's Boat", then turned to her wife, "So, what's the story with the boat?"

Kara began to go into the brief history of the boat and how it was used in a crime, but found herself being cut off.

"What I mean is this," Buffy held the decail in the air.

"They printed out the wrong name," Kara quickly said.

"Stupid name for a boat,"

"Was supposed to be "Surf Slayer",

"Better name," Buffy climbed into the boat.

"I though you said you wouldn't be caught dead in that thing,"

"Just because I say something doesn't mean that I...you know, actually mean it."

"I noticed,"

Buffy got behind the wheel of the tiny boat. "Buffy and her newfound Surf Slayer go out on new surfing and scuba diving adventures, breaking speed records over the water..."

"Just so you know," Kara sighed, "the top speed of this boat is 40mph, so save the speeding for your video games."

"Ok," Buffy began to look other parts of the boat over. "So, when were you going to tell me about this?"

"It was meant to be your birthday gift, "

"Oh," Buffy sighed, "didn't mean to spoil the surprise."

"It’s ok, but I got it your name, so you would be the skipper of the boat."

"By the way, does the dreaded Gilligan come with the boat?"

"Dreaded Gilligan?" Kara's eyes glanced around, until they landed on the guy with the dreads, "You must mean Vance, and the answer is no."

Joss coughed suggesvily. "He does seem to have some attachment to the boat, and may I remind you that the driver of the boat when it was used in the crime in Wildwood was never found."

"Vance isn't the original owner of the boat is he?" Buffy had to ask.

"No, besides the boat is legally in your name now, so that part wouldn't matter."

"When will she be seaworthy?" Buffy asked.

"She is seaworthy now, and I'll be able to put her in the water on Thursday, by the way there are a few things you should know about the boat...."

_______

Kara lay her naked body back on the bed, her skin was pale which was typical of someone with pure Irish blood. Her long wavy blonde hair spread out on the pillow, her breasts peaked out from under the thin sheet that barely covered them. She looked up at her wife who was celebrating her 19th birthday who was dressed, and the very fact that Buffy was dressed in anything surprised her.

"Happy birthday," Kara let out a smile, "I'm all yours, even if you want to pull out the hard-core toys."

"Maybe a bit later," Buffy sighed, "Besides, I need to be in the shop in a few minutes."

"Ok,"

"But maybe we can play a quick game,"

"Ok,"

"I mean a secrets game, I'll tell you something that I've been keeping from you, if you tell me something you've been keeping secret from me. And it doesn't have to be anything that will change the course of our lives together either," Buffy stopped and thought what she said over, "at least I hope mine won't."

"Now I'm worried," Kara sat up wondering what Buffy's big secret was, and why she had to reveal it as part of a game.

" You go first," Buffy sighed.

"Ok," Kara said, "you already know that I have it in my power to marry people in most situations."

"Uh, yeah I know that."

"Well I also have it in my power to make people deputies," Kara watched as Buffy's eyes widened, "not full blown full service deputies, but rather more of a need of the moment situation. "

"That's good to know, I guess, " Buffy sighed, " now it's my turn."

"Uh, yeah,"

"You know the case that is tied in with the boat, you know, the jewel robery from Wildwood with the...uh...kidnapping victim you couldn't prove even existed?"

"Yes, except that we already know that it was you,"

"You what?" Buffy's eyes widened.

"We live in the age of Big Brother, and I know you were in Wildwood on one of your scuba diving expeditions on the boat that is now called the "Surf Slayer". So, we already know you were the kidnapee, and that Vance was the driver of the boat. "

"So if you know all that, then why don't you have Vance arrested in connection to the case you solved?"

"Because the case was not actually solved; the jewelry was never recovered. We simply let that story out, and the case is still active. I think only you know where the jewelry was stashed."

"I only hid it away temporarily for safekeeping, but Vance attacked me shortly after, I stabbed him in the gut with my knife, and I thought I killed him."

"I see,"

"I tried going back the other day to recover it and turn it over to you, but your purchasing the boat belayed that idea. "

"You can get to it," Kara wondered, "today. Now?"

"Yes."

"Then I have an idea," as they were talking, Kara was getting her casual dress uniform on, and now she was in full uniform. "Raise your right hand." As Buffy compiled, Kara swore Buffy in as a deputy for the duration of the rest of the case.

_______

It took Buffy only a few moments to get down to the marina, where they had just gotten the boat into the water, she got the keys to the boat, and was talking with Joss.

"You know Vance is going to try to follow you,"

"I hope he does, because I want him to," Buffy sighed, "well, after I get about a 30 second head start."

"Great, because here he comes!" Joss said as Vance ran to the edge of the dock.

Buffy pushed on the speed control, as the boat pushed up past 40, and approached 75mph, "thank you Vance for upgrading the boats engine for me."

"Fuck!" Vance cursed as he quickly secured another cabin cruiser, only this one without the engine upgrade.

________

"So where exactly in Wildwood did you stash the jewelry?" Kara asked as she peered at her through the cellphone.

"Actually, it's under the George Redding bridge on Wildwood Boulevard near Shawcrest marina on the Eastern bank."

"I know the place, but do you remember how to get there?"

"Yes, and still be able to keep exactly one step ahead of Vance,"

"I'll notify the harbor patrol to meet you there, and remember, they must see Vance holding the jewelry when they get there, not you.

_______

Vance could see the small bridge coming up as he followed "The Surf Slayer" through the small islands that weaved their way through the backwaters that made up the western side of Wildwood Island. As he did, he could now remember the exact details of their entire encounter, of how he made the Iitial attack, but the girl had gotten the upper hand despite him being twice her size, and there were two other people with him.

He remembered that the fight took place at that exact spot where the harbor patrol found the boat the next morning, under the bridge, but the jewelry disappeared from the boat, so the jewelery had to be somewhere on the base of the bridge.

"Of course," he mumbled, "I could have made my own way back here at any time I wanted if I knew exactly where to go.

_______

Kara pressed her foot on the accelerator of her car as she made her way to the George Redding bridge by car, thankful that she was doing this while it was considered to be the off season for mainline traffic. She actually made it there just in time to see Buffy approaching the bridge and had located a tiny parking lot where she could actually see everything that was about to take place without she herself being seen.

"Ok," Kara spoke into the phone, "I'm in position behind some houses on the water, and I can see you pulling up to the bank now with Vance coming up behind. The harbor patrol have you in sight, so make it a quick move.

______

Buffy leaped off the boat, the small satchel that the jewelry was in just looked like it was a discarded bit of refuse, but it was still where she stashed it two weeks beforehand under the bridge. Her hand reached out for it. But Vance was just a little bit quicker and he leaped at Buffy with a tackle.

"The jewelry in that satchel is mine, not yours nor anyone else's!" He could still do this, take the satchel and "The Surf Slayer" and leave Buffy stranded, and the higher horsepower engine could have him out in the main Atlantic in less than a minutes.

"These jewels are being turned over to the police!"

"Let him have the bag..." Kara said as she watched the shore patrol boat come up up to where they were, "...NOW!"

Buffy left Vance holding the bag, both figuratively and literally as she pulled away.

Vance waved the satchel triumphantly, as he turned to get to "the Surf Slayer", even with the shore patrol on his tail, he would still have the upper hand. His hand reached out to start the engine, but the starter key was gone.

"Looking for this?" Buffy held the starter key in her hand.

"Fuck!" Vance cried out as officers from the patrol boat boarded "The Surf Slayer", officer Brolin revealed her presence and officers from the Wildwood police filled in the gaps.

"Well that's over," Buffy sighed ah she found herself in Kara's arms, "what happens next?"

"Oh, he'll join his two friends after a quick trial, for which the judge is already prepared. "

"What about my part in this? After all, I knew where the jewelry was and could have produced it at any given time in the past two months,"

"You were cooperating in an ongoing investigation into which you've become a deputy, so no charges will be brought against you. "

"And "The Surf Slayer", is she really mine?"

"Yes,"

"With the upgraded engine that allows it to reach 100mph?"

"Under one condition, "

"Which is?"

"Certain official deputies of the Cape May police may be required to use the boat at any given time."

"Only if it's you,"

"Deal, because, only you can float my boat,"

While they were talking, Buffy and Kara were managing their way through the tiny islands that made up the western side of Wildwood until they made their way to the Cape May Inlet that lead to the main Atlantic.

"Ok Buffy, let's see what "The Surf Slayer" can do,"

With no more prodding Buffy pushed at the speed control mechanism to "The Surf Slayer" and the small cabin cruiser sped it's way out the Cape May Inlet at 100mph.