Page 398 of Hidden Depths

He stepped back.

“Stay with Nathan.”

Then he turned toward the Coast Guard boat.

Ben followed him.

I caught Ben’s hand as he passed.

“Bring them home.”

His fingers closed around mine.

For one second, the control slipped.

“Calle too,” he said.

“I meant all of them.”

“So did I.”

But his face told me Calle’s name was the one he had heard.

Ward, Ben, John, and Lieutenant Akana boarded the response boat.

Scott and Mark approached Sea Whisper from the opposite side.

Nathan remained with Mom and me near the marina command post.

I watched the response boat disappear into the rain.

Mom wrapped a blanket around my shoulders.

“I’m sorry.”

I looked at her.

“For what?”

“For bringing this here.”

“You didn’t.”

“If I hadn’t come to Hawaii⁠—”

“They would have followed us anyway.”

“I should have told you about the key.”

“Yes.”

My answer surprised her.

I was too tired to soften it.

“You should have told us about Blackwater. Grandpa should have told us. Dad should have told us what he found.”

Pain crossed her face.