Page 68 of Riptide

“Jesus Christ. Is that a shark?” Marcus asked, his voice raised.

“Yeah, it is.” Seth smiled.

“‘Aumākua.” Kaimana nodded with a grin.

“It’s a damn shark, people. Why are you two looking at it like y’all just fell in love?”

“This is a sign,” she told him.

“From a shark?”

“Yes. ʻAumākua.” Her eyes lit with excitement.

Seth eased the boat up to the cliff. “We’re going to have to poke a hole in this ivy. We might be able to shove some of it out of the way, poke in the bow. Kaimana. Come take the wheel.”

She took control of the boat, and Seth, in his bare feet, wearing only his board shorts, climbed onto the bow. He slid his hands into the brush and pulled it apart. “That’s it now, ease us in. I’m just goin’ to help this stuff back a little so we can pop in here. Looks like there’s about fifteen feet of clearance so we’re good. Go slow. That’s it.”

Within seconds, the boat eased into the sanctuary of the cave. The stilled water glistened with the sunlight that pierced through the vines.

“Holy fucking shit.” Seth’s heart pounded in his chest as a small beach came into view. He reached for the radio. “This is Seth. We’re inside, Copy.”

We’ve got you, Roger

“I can’t believe this is happening. Where’s Evan? Do you see him anywhere?” Kaimana swiveled her head, searching.

“It’s a beach. Maybe there’s another way out?” Seth retrieved and quickly released the anchor. “I’m swimming over.”

“I’m not gonna stop ya, but you saw the shark, right?” Marcus asked.

“It’s fine. It’s not gonna hurt you.” Kaimana stripped off her clothes down to her bathing suit and stood on the bow. “You should probably stay with the boat in case something happens. Man the radio.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking that’s a good idea.” Marcus nodded.

Seth dug out a waterproof flashlight and wrapped its cord around his wrist. He joined Kaimana on the bow and looked down to her, his eyes locked on hers. “You ready?”

“You know it.”

“Let’s go get our boy.”

In unison, Seth and Kaimana jumped into the ocean, a loud splash sounding throughout the cave. The cool water sharpened Seth’s focus as he swam towards the beach. Within seconds, the bottom of his feet pressed into the coarse sand, and he headed for shore.

“Oh my God,” Kaimana said as she made her way onto the beach and caught sight of bloodied clothes tucked against the rock wall.

Seth snatched up the collar and inspected the tags. “It looks like a dress shirt. I guess it could belong to Evan. Stefano Ricci. Size 17. He had expensive tastes, that’s for sure.”

“But he’s not here.” Panic laced her voice. “I don’t see him anywhere. Jesus, where is he?”

Seth tapped on the flashlight. “This way.” He pointed to the far left of the cave. “I can see sunlight back there.”

Seth steeled his nerves as he slid sideways into a narrow crevice. He caught sight of light streaming into the darkness further into the cave. “Careful coming through here. It’s a little tight.”

“This is a way out,” Kaimana said as she followed.

Seth’s heart pounded as he stepped into the wide-open cave. Vines and foliage draped over its opening, allowing only random spears of sunlight to penetrate. As he scanned the darkness, he spied a form lying in the sand.

“No.” Seth’s feet barely hit the sand as he ran to the curled-up body. He dropped to his knees and shined the flashlight on him. “Evan? Is that you?”

Kaimana knelt by his side. “Oh my God. Does he have a pulse?”