Page 147 of Hidden Depths

Painted across the transom...

In elegant gold letters...

MARINER'S CROWN.

Directly beneath the name...

Was a crest.

A silver compass...

Surrounded by seven stars.

Nathan sucked in a slow breath.

Storm frowned.

"What?"

Nathan pointed toward the crest.

"James drew that symbol."

Every eye turned toward him.

"He what?"

Nathan never looked away from the distant ship.

"That wasn't their emblem."

"It was his."

The words hit me harder than the threat in the floating case.

My grandfather's compass.

His design.

His symbol.

On a stranger's ship.

Someone hadn't simply stolen a boat.

They had stolen part of James Sinclair's life.

Ben's voice became calm.

Dangerously calm.

"They're sending us a message."

Nathan nodded once.

"No."

Ben looked at him.