Page 54 of Wild Tempest

At the aft deck, I deployed the life raft from the helicopter. It inflated with a hiss.

I hurried back up to Level 02 and wrestled with Paul, trying to get a life vest on him. Like a stubborn child, he fought back, cursing at me. “I don’t need a damn life vest.”

“I think you might change your mind pretty soon. The boat is sinking. We need to evacuate.”

“I ain’t going anywhere.”

“I can leave you here to drown. Would you like that?”

He grumbled.

With caution, I released Paul's handcuff from the grab rail.

He took the opportunity to swing at me.

I dodged out of the way.

He scampered to his feet and took off running down the hallway.

I chased after him.

Paul rounded the corner, heading aft.

I followed after him and tackled him to the deck. We wrestled around for a minute.

I finally got hold of his arm, wrenched it behind his back, and slapped the cuffs around his wrist.

Paul grumbled and groaned, cursing more obscenities at me.

I yanked him to his feet and dragged him through the corridors, out to the side deck, and down to the stern.

The research vessel slumped low in the water. It wouldn't be long before she went under.

The aft deck was just above the waterline now. Through a side shell door, I shoved Paul into the life raft. JD transferred next, then I climbed aboard and helped Dale transfer.

Tempest remained on the deck. A look of torment twisted her face. "Hang on. I'll be right back."

She scampered away.

"Tempest, what are you doing?"

She climbed a ladder to Level 01. Then she climbed the ladder to Level 02 and raced forward on the side deck. By the time she entered the superstructure, water had rushed over the aft deck. The ship slumped farther into the swells, and the bow nosed up slightly.

Slowly, slowly, then all of a sudden. That's how these things happen. In the blink of an eye, the main deck was fully submerged.

I released the painter from the life raft as it started to pull us down. It would have snapped eventually from the tension, but I didn’t want to take the risk of toppling the life raft and having to fish everyone else out of the water.

With each breath, the superstructure sank deeper. There was nothing I could do to save Tempest.

33

The Almaz Morya plunged below just as Tempest stepped out of the superstructure, clutching a gold bar to her chest. Slung under her arm like a football, it glimmered in the haze. The deck disappeared under her feet, causing a swirl of eddies and suction that pulled her under.

I dove into the water and swam for her as the ship plummeted toward the depths. It would be the last time anyone ever saw the Almaz Morya on the right side of the waves.

I wondered if it would be the last time anyone ever saw Tempest Stockton.

I swam to her last position, then plunged my head underwater. I looked through the stinging saltwater, watching the blurry vision of the ship plunge into the abyss. It was all I could do to stay afloat, even with the vest.