Page 83 of Hidden Depths

"Should I stop eating?"

Willow looked horrified.

"Absolutely not."

Scott sighed with relief.

"I was worried."

The entire table laughed.

Exactly what Ben wanted.

No panic.

No worried passengers.

Just breakfast.

Later...

Storm stood on the bridge while Ward joined her.

Neither spoke for several minutes.

Finally...

Ward asked quietly,

"What are you thinking?"

Storm never took her eyes off the sea.

"I'm thinking somebody out there is making decisions based on what we do."

Ward looked toward the horizon.

"And?"

"I don't like giving strangers that much control."

Below them...

Frank and Rose sat beneath the shade canopy sharing a photo album.

Old black-and-white pictures.

Wedding photographs.

Children.

Grandchildren.

Scott wandered over.

"Mind if I look?"

Frank smiled.