Shucked Up

Mandatory processing of raw oysters is being considered in Florida to prevent the spread of a deadly virus. Mack has been asked to “visit” local seafood processors to see how they may be affected by pending legislation. Drew is not enthusiastic about the road trip, but he knows Mack may need help staying out of trouble in the “Forgotten Coast” towns of North Florida.

The local seafood industry is a close-knit group and all of them are invested in its continued existence. The oystermen, the middleman, the processors, and the consumers all have a stake in what transpires and most of them just want to be left alone. Drew and Mack are in the eye of the storm when Mack is poisoned... and Drew finds out that he was a target too.

Nobody wants oyster harvesting to be stopped for any period of time but short-term and long-term solutions are seldom equitable and lead to conflict at every level. Unexpectedly, the intricate web of family appears to be part of the problem and equally part of the solution.

After considerable investigation and fruitless worry, Drew finds someone he can trust but it’s complicated. Drew recognizes that he is out of his element and distracted… there must be something he missed. This is not the time to be counting on a hunch. The Forgotten Coast is mesmerizing and its secrets are held close by family and friends… which makes it more dangerous.