Page 303 of Hidden Depths

Ward grabbed the radio.

“Any vessel this is motor yacht Sea Whisper. We have an emergency at our position. We have taken gunfire, and the attacking vessel is disabled on the reef.”

Static crackled.

Then a voice answered.

“Sea Whisper, this is United States Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. Confirm that you have taken gunfire.”

“Confirmed. Multiple rifle rounds struck our vessel. We have one damaged engine and no injuries aboard. Suspect vessel is grounded and taking on water. At least three men were aboard. One or more may be in the water.”

Ward gave them our coordinates.

The calm voice on the radio became our connection to a world where laws still mattered.

Where people could call for help.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that whoever we were facing existed beyond that world.

They had hidden for decades.

They had killed Grandpa and Dad.

They wouldn’t be frightened by one Coast Guard cutter.

“Response vessel is approximately twenty-three minutes from your location,” the Coast Guard operator said. “A helicopter is also being redirected. Maintain a safe distance from the suspect vessel. Do not attempt to approach.”

“Understood,” Ward answered.

He lowered the radio.

Frank looked toward the sinking boat.

“Twenty-three minutes is a long time.”

“It’s long enough for those men to swim to the far side of the reef,” Nathan said.

Rose stared at the water.

“Swim where? There’s nothing out there.”

Ben slowly scanned the horizon.

“That we can see.”

One of the other SEALs called from the bow.

“Boat approaching from the southeast.”

Every weapon came up.

A small gray vessel appeared between the swells.

Low in the water.

Powerful twin engines.

No flag.