Page 131 of Hidden Depths

For one breathtaking second...

The black boat hung suspended against the blue Pacific.

Then crashed back down with a thunderous explosion of spray.

One man was thrown overboard.

Another barely held on.

The driver fought to regain control.

Nathan never took his eyes off them.

He quietly spoke to his helmsman.

"Again."

The trawler turned.

Not to ram.

To herd.

To push.

Like an old sheepdog refusing to let wolves reach the flock.

Ward watched in amazement.

"He knows exactly what he's doing."

Ben nodded.

"So did James Sinclair."

Storm looked toward the old captain.

For just a heartbeat...

Their eyes met across the water.

Neither smiled.

Neither waved.

Neither spoke.

They didn't need to.

In that single moment...

Storm understood one thing with absolute certainty.

Nathan Hale hadn't come to chase Sea Whisper.

He had come to stand between her family...

...and whatever nightmare had finally caught up to them.