Page 36 of Knot a Thief

“They must have spotted us when we were scouting the island earlier. But why wait until now to target us?” She hesitates. “Do you think they know what we’re up to?”

“I hope they’re assessing whether we’re a threat,” I suggest, running a hand through my hair. “We did just look like tourists. Nobody would’ve seen you.”

“Yeah.”

We share a look. The job suddenly seems a lot more complicated, more dangerous, than we initially thought.

“We need to move to another port,” Ava says, her voice steady despite the tension I can see on her shoulders.

I nod in agreement, already moving towards the cockpit. “We’ll move, find an alternative approach. I’ll contact Silas and ask how much he knows about the island. He’s not telling us something, and it’s probably the reason he doesn’t want to do the job himself.”

Ava follows, her mind clearly racing. “And your underground contact? Any word back yet?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. Which is unusual. He’s always quick to respond.”

She bites her lip, a habit I know means she’s weighing our options. “This doesn’t feel right, Seb. The Dupont’s, the advanced security, your contact going dark. We’re missing something big here.”

“Or they are extra careful because the museum on the island has the most expensive jewel in the world,” I say, firing up the boat’s engines. “We can either be extra cautious or we can walk away from it now and return Silas his money.”

Ava’s expression hardens with determination. “I’m not backing out, but don’t contact Silas again. We’re doing it tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?”

Chapter 11

Ava

We’ve watched two boats and one helicopter land on the island. According to Seb, one boat caters for the upcoming tourist to the museum, the other is the changeover staff for the island.

We’re only concerned with our boat being seen, and we think our boat is now flagged by the island security. So, we hired a private boat. It’s a smaller but faster motorboat, with enough space inside it for Seb to talk me through the laser lights around the ‘Circle of Life.’

Though, truthfully, I have the route mapped in my mind.

“Did your contact get back to you?” I ask Seb as he tests my watch to make sure my heart rate, my respiratory rate, and my oxygen levels are in sync with what his laptop shows him.

“Not yet.” He looks worried. I’m not.

“Does it matter? We’re still going to get the jewel. The commission is too big to turn down.”

Seb smiles. “I just like to know everything before I send you anywhere. You know that.”

I smile. “You’re too good to me, Seb.”

“Always remember that.”

“I promise.”

He smiles before pressing a tender kiss on my lips. “Your vitals are good,” he says. “You can get ready.”

I knew I was. I feel calmer than he looks.

I pull my wetsuit up my legs, over my hips and push my arms through, and zip it up. Seb checks all around me for any gaps. The wetsuit needs to feel like a second skin. I don’t want any water to seep through and freeze me when I’m mid-escape.

“Do you remember the code?”

“I do.” Taking a breath, I take the snorkel and mask from the table. “I’m ready.”

As I approach the island, the cool water rushes past my face, my heart pounding and I’m sure it’s excitement and not anxiety.

---