Page 308 of Hidden Depths

The helicopter continued searching for the gray extraction vessel, but it had disappeared.

A second Coast Guard boat escorted Sea Whisper toward a nearby repair marina.

Frank and Rose sat together on the rear deck.

Their hotel luggage remained stacked beside them.

They looked exhausted.

And strangely happy.

I sat across from them.

“I’m refunding everything you paid for the charter.”

Frank immediately straightened.

“All of it?”

Rose turned toward him.

“We were shot at.”

“I remember.”

“Our hotel car was tracked.”

“I remember that too.”

“We’re being escorted by the Coast Guard.”

Frank looked toward the cutter beside us.

“That part is actually impressive.”

I laughed.

“You’ll receive a full refund, including the hotel costs and every expense caused by the change in plans.”

Frank took my hand.

“My dear Storm, you are an exceptional businesswoman.”

Rose shook her head.

“You’ve been trying to get a free vacation since we left the harbor.”

“I did not ask anyone to shoot at us.”

“No. But you’re certainly making the best of it.”

“We can arrange flights home,” I said. “The Coast Guard can help you reach the airport safely.”

Frank and Rose exchanged a look.

Rose spoke first.

“We don’t want to go home.”