Page 58 of Hidden Depths

"The captain noticed us."

"What about the soldiers?"

The first man smiled.

"They noticed us yesterday."

Silence settled over the deck.

Finally...

The older man spoke.

"Good."

The younger man frowned.

"Good?"

"I'd be disappointed if they hadn't."

He looked toward the faint white glow on the horizon where Sea Whisper sailed peacefully through the night.

"Never underestimate professionals."

He smiled without warmth.

"Especially the ones who think they're protecting something."

11

Ivy

Most people took pictures.

I collected moments.

Grandpa used to tell me that cameras didn't just capture what you looked at.

They captured what you noticed.

There was a difference.

I'd been chasing dolphins for almost an hour.

Harold had disappeared.

Typical.

He always showed off until I grabbed my camera.

Then he vanished.

I adjusted my telephoto lens and slowly swept the horizon.

Nothing.

Just endless blue water.