Page 327 of Hidden Depths

“You take the port side. Nathan, starboard with me.”

“I’m going with you,” Calle said.

“No.”

“You don’t know this yacht.”

“We know how to clear one.”

“And I know every hidden passage Grandpa built into her.”

Ben stared at her for half a second.

Then handed her a small flashlight.

“Stay behind me.”

She nodded.

For once...

She didn’t argue.

I started to rise.

Ward pushed me down.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“With Calle.”

“No.”

“You just let her go.”

“I didn’t let her do anything.”

“This is my yacht too.”

“And you have a sniper trying to put a bullet through your heart.”

His voice broke on the last word.

Only slightly.

But I heard it.

So did he.

Ward’s expression hardened as if he could erase the emotion by refusing to acknowledge it.

“Stay down.”

A scraping sound came from the rear deck.

Ward turned.

His entire body changed.