Page 22 of Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm

“Oh, thank goodness,” one of the men replied. Removing his sunglasses, he squinted up at Oliver and the others. “Yes, we could certainly use the help; we’ve been stuck out

here for nearly a day. Our engine stopped working for some reason.”

“Both of them?” Oliver sounded surprised. “This is a twin-engine cat; it’s unusual for both to go out at the same time.”

“We really don’t know anything about boats,” called the woman, stepping up beside the first man. “Are you the captain? Would you be able to come aboard and take a look at it?”

Oliver didn’t move. “Captain is on the bridge at the moment, in case he needs to radio for help. How did you guys get yourselves way out here?” he asked conversationally. “The nearest port is back in Pula. Where were you heading, if you don’t mind my asking?”

The two men exchanged a glance. “Nowhere,” said the first. “We…uh…we were just out here doing some fishing.”

“Marlin,” added the other man, a little too quickly, Shinji thought. “We wanted to try our luck fishing for marlin.”

“Marlin, huh,” Oliver mused. He leaned his elbows on the railing in a nonchalant manner. “Generally, fishing for marlin requires some pretty heavy-duty gear,” he continued. “You don’t have any fishing rigs from what I can see. Unless you’re leaping overboard and wrestling them with your bare hands.”

A ripple of movement from the corner of Shinji’s eye caught his attention. He turned his head, and all he saw was

glittering ocean and waves lapping against the side of the ship. But he was almost certain he’d seen a shadow moving beneath the water.

“We…um…lost our fishing gear.” The men on the boat were sounding more and more nervous. And more and more suspicious. Shinji’s heart rate ticked up. “But our engines are the real problem. You wouldn’t mind coming aboard and just checking them out, would you?”

“You seem awfully eager to get me down there,” Oliver said, still smiling in a genial manner. “Why don’t we just stop bluffing one another and playing dumb? How much did Hightower pay you to send that distress signal?”

The men’s faces hardened, losing the hapless-tourist look in an instant. “Self-righteous SEA scum,” the first one snapped. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Shinji’s stomach clenched, and he narrowed his eyes. “Youarefrom Hightower,” he said accusingly. “Your ship isn’t in trouble. That signal was completely bogus.”

The trio gave him cold smiles.

“And you followed the bait just like they said you would,” the woman said. “Still too idealistic for your own good. You should’ve ignored the distress signal and kept going.”

“That shipwreck is ours,” the second man announced, pointing at Oliver. “Everything in it belongs to Hightower. You Society meddlers can back off.”

Lucy leaned over the railing, her voice furious as she glared down at the Hightower agents. “That wreck contains

artifacts from a lost culture!” she shouted. “Hightower would just sell them off to get more money. Or they would sit in someone’s private collection doing nothing. At least the Society is trying to do something good.”

“Lucy Frost.” The woman’s voice didn’t sound surprised. “They said you might be aboard this ship. Your father sends his regards. He would still like you to return home…ifyou have come to see reason.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed. “See reason. You mean become ruthless and power-hungry like the rest of Hightower,” she said in disgust.

“Your workshop is still there.” The woman ignored Lucy’s comment. “Your father hasn’t shut it down or moved anyone else in. If you return to the corporation, you can have access to whatever you like. Magic, gizmos, new blueprints, the latest tech. Anything you need, as long as you agree to work for the company again.”

For just a moment, Lucy hesitated. Shinji saw the flash of longing in her eyes, and it made his heart pound. “Everything is still there?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“It is. And you can come back with us right now,” the Hightower agent went on. “The Society can’t stop you. Step down from that boat, come with us, and we’ll take you to your father. You can go home and be part of Hightower again. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Lucy glanced at Oliver, who was still leaning casually against the railings, though his expression was grim now.

Say something,Shinji thought at him.Tell her she’s with the Society now. Tell her she can’t go back.

Oliver sighed. “It’s your decision,” he told her in a low voice. “Your life. If you really want to go, we won’t try to stop you.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Shinji shouted. He glanced at Lucy again, seeing her hands clench on the railings. Would she leave them right now? Climb down the ladder to the Hightower boat and go belowdecks? His stomach twisted at the idea, and his thoughts swirled frantically.Don’t leave. You’re my friend. We’ve been through all this crazy stuff together, and you’re with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers now. You don’t belong at Hightower. You never did.

But, if she decided to return with the Hightower agents, maybe she did belong with them after all.

“Lucy,” he began. Not really knowing what to say, feeling he had to saysomething.

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