Page 80 of Lost Truth
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Sawyer’s boat raced into place behind Mina’s official county patrol boat, and Hayden braced his feet for a quick stop. Sawyer clicked into autopilot, and the boat slowed. The ocean was too deep to use an anchor, but the automated GPS would use bow and stern thrusters to keep their position so they didn’t drift off course.
Hayden turned on his searchlight and rolled it over the area to illuminate the scene.
He swallowed and took a step back.
Chaos. Pure chaos.
Flailing victims and their luggage dotted the water. The people screamed for help. Some treaded water. Others dipped up and down like fishing bobbers in the rough waters, seeming as if they might go down for the count soon. They wouldn’t make it until the Coast Guard arrived.
The threatening skies opened up and heavy rain pelted down on them. Conditions were bad enough, now this.Off the Hookand Collins were long gone, and the large ship that had carried the people was moving at a snail’s pace. It ran parallel to the passengers in the water, not threatening them, thank goodness. But at this angle, Hayden couldn’t make out any identifying information on the side.
Thankfully, Mina’s deputies were in the water, swimming to flailing victims who either didn’t know how to swim or were too cold to do so. Reaching them, the victims nearly took the deputies underwater in their attempt to get to safety. But the deputies wore life preservers, likely the only way they remained afloat.
How could one man cause such turmoil?
Heart creasing, Hayden looked at his team to shout out instructions, but Gabe had shot to his feet, ripped off his Kevlar vest, and was kicking off his boots.
“I’ve got the woman to the right.” He dove over the side of the boat without waiting for anyone to comment.
Jude stood on the bow. He’d also discarded his vest and shoes. “There’s someone close ahead. I think it’s a kid. Going in.”
Reece looked back at Hayden, swiped wet hair out of her face. “I’m going in too unless you stop me.”
He shook his head. “I need you on overwatch.”
She muttered something, but returned to her stand.
Hayden understood. He wanted to go in to help, too, but his entire team counted on him to keep them alive and that meant directing the rescue. Still, it was nearly impossible to stand by while others could die when he could step in to help.
Reece was doing her part too. Neutralizing the threat from the gunmen on the ship, protecting both her teammates and the vulnerable people crying out for help.
Already drenched, Abby made her way to them. “But I can go, right?”
He nodded.
She rushed to the bow of the boat, discarding her vest as well and untying her boots before kicking them off.
“I’ve got plenty of emergency blankets and a first aid kit under the seats up front,” Sawyer said, standing behind the wheel, fisting his hands as if he wanted in on the rescue too. “If you want to grab them, they’re starboard side.”
Hayden scrambled up to the side opposite Reece, flung off the cushion, and opened the bench seat. He found an entire bag of silver emergency blankets. Thank goodness they’d chosen to use the boat of a Coast Guard commander who planned for emergencies.
“See anyone on the ship?” Hayden asked Reece.
She kept her eye on her viewfinder. “The rain is causing problems with visibility, but I can make out a couple of people. No one pointing weapons at us or others.”
“Can you identify anyone?”
“No, but they’re all of Asian descent, and before you ask, I don’t see Kai.”
Hayden had hoped she would’ve located him. “Keep them in your sight until they move out of range.”
“I could use some help here.” Gabe’s strained, slightly breathless voice came from the side of the boat.
Hayden set down the blankets and leaned over the edge. Gabe raised a shivering woman up toward him, and he grabbed her arms to pull her up to safety. He settled her on a bench seat and immediately shook out an emergency blanket to wrap around her.
“You’re safe now.” He glanced back at Gabe. “You need a hand?”
