Page 125 of The SEAL and the Sheriff

Then she cleared left.

The final gunman stood at the far end, silhouetted against the silver water, his back to her. The wood changed underfoot, the boards flexing far more than she liked, but there was no time to choose a different approach.

He turned.

“Sheriff’s Department.” Her voice was steady. “Drop your weapon and get on your knees.”

His face was young, eyes wild.

“It’s done,” she said. “Your team’s in custody. The Coast Guard has the water. There’s nowhere left to go.”

His hand shifted on his weapon, but his eyes remained on her.

“Don’t—”

He fired.

Sarah fired with him.

Her round caught him and spun him sideways into the rail. At the same instant, his round struck her chest with the force of a sledgehammer. Sarah staggered backward. Her boot punched through pulpy timber.

Then the floor was gone.

The boards vanished beneath her. For one suspended beat, there was only freezing air. Then she hit the water.

Black closed over her head.

The cold hit like a physical blow. Her chest seized. Reflex ripped a gasp from her, gritty salt water flooding her mouth.

It was impossible to tell which way was up.

She lashed out, searching for something to hold on to, but the water churned with the wreckage of her fall. Something bit her ankle. She reached down with clumsy fingers. It was wire, looped and tightening with every kick as she fought toward the surface.

The wire sliced her palm.

The cut barely registered. Her need for air had become everything.

A pale glimmer wavered somewhere above her. Her legs moved in slow, heavy strokes that gave her less with every kick as the cold stole strength faster than she could replace it. Her body armor dragged. Her arms were leaden.

The light faded.

Her lungs convulsed, her mouth opening on reflex⁠—

49

Hudson burst onto the covered walkway just as muzzle flash split the gloom.

Sarah jerked backward as the round slammed into her vest.

One step.

Two.

Her boot punched through rotten timber.

NO.

The walkway gave way beneath her. Wood exploded downward. Nails screamed free. Black water took her whole.