Page 173 of Hidden Depths

Ward watched him carefully.

"What is it?"

Nathan looked up.

"The last thing he said before he hung up..."

He closed his eyes.

As though hearing James's voice all over again.

'If anything happens to me...'

Nathan's grip tightened around the coffee mug.

'Don't let them sell her.'

Storm frowned.

"Sell what?"

Nathan looked straight into her eyes.

His answer barely rose above a whisper.

"Sea Maiden."

Then another realization struck him.

His eyes widened.

"They already did."

The bridge fell silent.

Because suddenly...

They weren't looking for something hidden in the Pacific anymore.

They were looking for a ship...

That had disappeared twenty years ago.

31

Storm

Grandpa used to tell me...

"The sea keeps her secrets..."

"...until someone asks the right question."

Tonight...

I thought we were finally asking them.

No one spoke for several moments.