Page 290 of Hidden Depths

Another round struck the railing.

The sharp metallic crack echoed across the deck.

Ward pushed me behind the helm.

“Stay here.”

“No.”

His head snapped toward me.

“No?”

“This is my yacht.”

“And those are bullets.”

“I know what bullets are.”

“Then you know they can kill you.”

“Calle needs help.”

“She needs you alive.”

Calle glanced down at us.

“I hate to interrupt this touching argument, but I need someone to check the engine gauges.”

I pointed toward the instrument panel.

“See?”

Ward muttered something I couldn’t hear.

I had a feeling it wasn’t polite.

I crawled toward the helm.

Broken glass covered the deck.

Ward moved with me, placing his body between mine and the fishing boat.

Another bullet struck the bulkhead.

He didn’t flinch.

“Port engine temperature is climbing,” Calle said.

I checked the gauges.

“How high?”

“Two hundred and fifteen.”

“That’s too hot.”

“I know.”