Page 65 of Raven's Nest
Zain stiffened, all those voices in his head suddenly rousing — reminding him how he’d nearly lost hermultiple times on his watch. That if he pushed the limits too far, they’d end up biting him in the ass.
He swallowed, barely getting all the salvia down without choking. “While I understand you want to end this, we don’t even know if theNexusis still in one piece, let alone venturing out tonight.”
Saylor clenched her jaw, then stood, crossing over to the board. “It’s definitely in one piece.”
“You said it yourself. They likely scuttled it to avoid detection.”
“That was before I knew it was Watson’s boat, and before we got our hands on Buck’s pictures. And this last photo he took this morning before he got the roll developed,” she tapped a foggy photo of a hint of a ship amidst the gray, “is theNexus.”
Zain joined her at the board, squinting in an effort to see what she did.
Kash moved in beside him, giving Zain an arch of his brow before focusing on Saylor. “At the risk of not only sounding like an ass but having you hand me, mine, all I see is a shadow. How can you be sure that’s theNexus.”
She gave the photo another scan, then sighed. “All you guys can tell what kind of weapon a tango has just by hearing the report. You know a threat the second they walk through the door. And Foster can tell you what kind of helicopter is overhead simply by the sound.” She glanced at the photo, again. “I spent fifteen years searching for ships in the rain and the fog. Hunting camouflaged drug boats in the dead of night by the hum of their engines. Learned how to pick out aspeck of color in a sea of waves when there were people in the water.”
She drew her finger along the shaded silhouette, tracing the outline. “And I know, without a doubt, this is theNexus. The shape of the bow, the shadow of the crane… It might look like just a blob, but I see it.”
Kash chuckled. “Point noted. But if Buck saw it this morning, how do we know it didn’t bugger off, already?”
“I don’t think Buck recognized the ship, either, but he marked down its location. And this inlet…” She circled the narrow point on Buck’s map. “Has a giant-ass shoal that only allows a ship that size to come and go during high tide. The Coast Guard’s been lingering since that first night, and Watson’s not stupid enough to try and sneak past a cutter with his phony registration. But tonight’s shaping up to be one hell of a storm. The Coast Guard’ll head for home so they’re ready if they get a call. And Watson knows he’s out of time. Either he needs to recover any remaining pieces or move his prize. Either way, I guarantee he’ll be somewhere along that route.”
Zain studied the maps, glancing at the weather report before gazing at his buddies. Stoic, with lethal determination shadowing their faces, he knew they’d back up whatever plan he and Saylor agreed to. That they’d gladly risk their lives if it meant ending the threat.
Which was part of the problem.
It should behisrisk.Hisduty.
But he’d never pull this off and walk away without backup.
Instead, he met Saylor’s expectant gaze. “I’m not questioning your logic or your ability to get us there, it’s just… damn, sweetheart. You already survived this kind of event once. Twice might be pushing it.”
“If it means those assholes might pay? It’s worth any risk.” She sighed. “I realize we could go out there and come up empty handed. But if there’s even a sliver of a chance we can end this — secure the sonar weapon and finally get justice for everyone who became collateral damage that night…”
“And if we do find them? You got shot last time. I don’t like putting you in that position, again.”
“I won’t be, because I have something I didn’t before.” She slipped her hand over his and squeezed. “All of you backing me up. No way I can fail, this time.”
“You didn’t fail before.” Zain looked over at his teammates. “Foster? Think you’ll be able to fly in this shit in case we end up in the water?”
Foster coughed, pounding on his chest a few times in mock indignation. “After all these years, are you still questioning my skill set? That’s just cold, brother.”
Zain rolled his eyes. “I’m glad you’re not overly dramatic about the whole thing. Kash? Chase?”
They groaned in unison.
“I’ll come with you.” Chase pointed at Kash. “Jackass can go in the chopper with whoever else wants to get in on the fun.”
Kash scoffed. “You know the rules. You stay safe in case one of us goes down.”
“With how Zain and Saylor seem to get themselves into trouble, that’s a given.” Chase cut Kash off. “Not this time.”
Greer stepped in beside Chase. “Guess it’ll be a party for four on that Zodiac, because if we’re going to keep this all above board, I’m coming.”
Saylor winced. “Are you sure? It’s going to be ugly. Between the swells and the breakers… Rough doesn’t begin to describe it.”
“Ugly or not, I’m coming.”
“Then, let’s map this out. It’s about time I brought the whole damn thing full circle.”
