Page 268 of Hidden Depths

Behind the boathouse.

50

Storm

"Awise captain never mistakes silence for safety. Sometimes the quiet sea hides the deepest danger."

— James Sinclair

The engine behind the boathouse went silent.

That frightened me more than if it had kept coming.

Ward stood perfectly still beside the open doorway.

Listening.

Every muscle in his body seemed to harden.

He wasn't looking for movement anymore.

He was waiting for someone else to make the first mistake.

Beside him, Ben slowly drew his pistol.

Nathan disappeared through the back of the boathouse without making a sound.

One second he was there.

The next...

He was simply gone.

Five Navy SEALs.

Moving exactly the way SEALs move.

"Like shadows with a purpose."

Thomas stepped beside me.

His weathered hand rested gently on my shoulder.

"Stay behind them."

"I can help."

"I know you can."

His eyes never left the doorway.

"But today..."

"...let them do what they were trained to do."

I nodded.

Even though every instinct told me to run outside.