Page 42 of Hurting Hunter
Ethan nodded. "I have to wait for the results. No one is allowed to leave the ship until your health is confirmed. Also, you're not allowed to leave the dock."
The captain glanced at his watch and scowled. "We're scheduled to leave at five. I'm not willing to pay extra for the delay."
“I’m sorry about the delay.” Ethan shrugged. "I don't know about extra payment, captain. You'll have to discuss that with the higher-ups."
The captain muttered something under his breath. "All right, all right. Wait here while we distribute the tests."
One of the crew members took the box and they began to move away. He kept his stance relaxed but ready, his eyes subtly scanning the area for any signs of trouble. The captain stayed with Ethan and folded his arms.
Ethan's phone buzzed in his pocket. “Must be my wife. She’s texting me nonstop today. Excuse me.” He pulled the device out and read the text from Dani.
We're in position. Waiting for your signal.
He typed back.
Stand by. They're distributing the tests now.
Ethan slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Sorry again. Can’t keep the missus waiting or I’ll be in the doghouse for days.”
“Yeah.” The captain didn’t lose his sour expression.
A few minutes later, the two crew members returned with an almost empty box. "We've handed out the tests. Now what?"
Ethan met his gaze steadily. "You three will have to do a test as well. After that, we wait for the results. Shouldn't take long."
The captain's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Fine. I'll be in my office." Turning to the crew member holding the box, he snapped, “Give me one of those.”
As the captain walked away, Ethan's gaze followed him. Relief coursed through his body as the man disappeared into the ship's interior. He turned his attention to the other two. “Please perform the test as well. I’ll wait.”
“Don’t go roaming the ship,” one of them warned.
Ethan held up a hand in surrender. “Do I look stupid? I don’t want no nasty virus infection.”
“Fine,” the man huffed before they both walked away, each holding a test kit.
Ethan glanced around, making sure no one was watching too closely, then discreetly sent another text to Dani.
Go time.
Roger that. Moving in.
Ethan leaned against the railing, settling in for the wait. His heart raced. The tension was almost unbearable. He had to keep his cool, to keep the crew from suspecting anything until it was too late.
Minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. A few crew members passed by, casting suspicious glances his way but saying nothing. Ethan maintained his posture, doing his best to look bored.
Ethan’s pulse quickened as he noticed the arrest team moving in with precision. The scene erupted in a sudden flurry of activity. The men in tactical gear emerged from the shadows. Shouts pierced the air, cutting through the early morning calm like a knife.
The crew's faces twisted from confusion to panic.
Some froze, wide-eyed and unsure of what to do, while others darted frantically, looking for an escape route.
Seizing the moment, Ethan slipped through the commotion. He weaved past a crew member who stumbled back, hands raised in surrender.
Inside the ship's narrow corridors, Ethan’s heart pounded louder than the cacophony outside. He reached the captain's office and went inside without bothering to knock.
The captain jumped to his feet with a look of shock and anger on his face.
"What the hell is going on?" the captain demanded.
