Page 3 of Wet and Welder

Whether he likes it or not, I’m leading this expedition. I may have had to sell my soul to

get the investors, but I did it myself, and at the end of the day, every man on this boat is under

my command.

Reluctantly, he nods his chin to his men, who have readied the sub to go back in, then

turns, pulling out his phone. I have no doubt the snot is tattling on me, but that’s something I’ll

have to deal with later.

Every person involved with this mission bursts into motion, rejuvenated by the discovery.

They have no idea the hardest part of this mission is still to come, and with the Ocean Stallion

currently taking in water, it just added weeks, if not months, onto this trip.

Running up to the captain’s quarters, I check in with a much kinder, Donald Hook.

Captain Hook, as we like to call him, is more relaxed than I expected as he listens to the change

of plans.

“I’ll make sure that everything is pulled back up for you within the hour. How are the

men?” I assure him.

He nods, showing me more respect and faith in my abilities than anyone else here.

“I have no doubt, Montgomery. Everyone’s accounted for, so get off this boat already.”

I smile, the excitement breaking through the anxiety, and he gives me a knowing nod.

Excitement fills me instantly at his assurance, and I nod in agreement.

“Okay, sir, if that’s all, I will take a small dive team in within the hour.”

“Good luck out there, Montgomery,” he says, scratching his white scruffy beard. “And

congratulations.”

Laughter bursts through my lips, and I turn and hurry through the corridors of the boat

like a kid on Christmas morning, excited to finally explore the ghost ship I’ve dedicated so much

of my life to finding.

Forty-five minutes later, I am in my wetsuit and finishing my stale coffee when the call

comes in. I groan at the name on the screen.

“Ms. Montgomery, I don’t have to tell you how important it is to save every artifact in

the Ocean Stallion. The board and I have invested an unbelievable amount of trust and money in

your cause, but we want that ship intact.” Arnold’s voice hisses through the phone.

“The plan has always been to retrieve the valuables, sir. I don’t know why the ship itself

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