Page 12 of Raven's Nest
“I’d hate for my death to inconvenience you.”
“Then, see that it doesn’t.”
Zain shook his head, then joined Kash. Normally, they’d search the bridge and upper floors, first, but seeing how Saylor had already cleared them, theyheaded straight for the lower decks. It seemed reasonable and had absolutely nothing to do with the shiver running down Zain’s spine. How Atticus’ warning weighed heavy on Zain’s shoulders.
He hadn’t been joking. He really did expect everyone to draw down on him. All those years of running maneuvers still dictating his actions. But this had sounded different. As if she might be affected by the circumstances. Which, of course, she was. But the way Atticus had spoken…
Zain couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been in a similar situation that had ended poorly. One that might reflect how she responded, now.
Fifteen years with the Coast Guard. Surely, she’d boarded a hundred vessels, especially since she’d undergone multiple tours with their TACLET units. The Coast Guard’s Tactical Law Enforcement teams didn’t perform routine patrols. They hunted contraband ships with heavily armed crews. The kind of situations that took courage and a healthy dose of training. Usually cartel or weapons traffickers. Scouring what might be an empty vessel should be a walk in the park.
Except where there could be armed mercenaries hiding in the shadows. Or human traffickers just waiting to eliminate anyone who stumbled upon their operation. The reason behind that bloody handprint on the hull.
Kash stopped next to the stairs, showing the countdown on his fingers before opening the hatch and darting through. He cleared the immediate area, waving Zain ahead as they descended the stairs, pausing at thebottom. Zain took a moment to listen for any signs of life before shoving the hatch aside and clearing the corridor.
Creaks and groans echoed through the narrow hallway, the eerie sounds amplified by all the metal. Zain moved out and quickstepped to the first doorway, sweeping the immediate area with his mag light before waving Kash through. His buddy darted inside, reappearing a minute later. He mouthed, “Clear,” then hurried to the next.
They repeated the process, taking turns scouring each room as they continued down the hall. They moved quietly, only the occasional scuff marking their progress. The metal flooring made it difficult to muffle every footfall. The ship rocked with each wave, remaining slightly tilted as they reached the end of the corridor. Only one door remained, the hatch angled inward at a forty-five with a bloody handprint smeared across the front.
Zain motioned to the hatch, easing it open as Kash guarded his six. A series of instrument panels occupied the right side, another narrow hallway leading toward the stern. Zain stepped inside, gun at the ready as he bounced the small beam along the gauges, then onto the floor, pausing at a splattering of blood. What looked like arterial spray from a semi-automatic. He cursed, inching forward as he aimed the flashlight toward the back.
“One more step, asshole, and I’ll drop you.”
Zain froze, the familiar voice booming through the space. Calm. Detached. And he had no doubts she’d cap him if he so much as twitched.
He remained still, shifting his gaze to where he thought she was standing. “Easy, Saylor. It’s just me and Kash.”
He waited, breath held, muscles primed in case she fired, regardless. She grunted, followed by a couple heavy footsteps, then she appeared in the dim circle of light — long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, blue eyes a bit wild with her gun out but not directed at them.
She closed the distance, then gave him a swat. “Seriously, Zain? I damn near fired. Make more noise, next time.”
“Pretty sure you got the jump on us because of the few sounds we did make.”
“Then, call out. You obviously had a chat with Atticus before venturing down here. Why didn’t you just shout my name?”
“Because there’re bloody handprints on the door and the hull.” He pointed to the floor. “More on the floor. What if you’d stumbled upon drug dealers or human traffickers? Calling out could have gotten you killed.”
“You’re just lucky I didn’t put a round in your ass, first.”
“It wasn’t my ass you were aiming at.”
She huffed and glanced past him to Kash. “Have you checked the other rooms?”
“All except this one.” Zain inched closer. “Are you okay?”
Her chin quivered. Not much, and not something Kash might have noticed, but it had Zain stepping into her personal space.
He leaned down a bit, getting his head level with hers. “Saylor? Did something happen?”
“I…” She swallowed, paled, then drew herself up. “I thought I heard something. Voices, maybe. And some dull pops reminiscent of an AR-15, but it was probably just the ship. Noises get messed up below deck.”
“Those are pretty specific sounds. Ones I doubt you’d confuse with the hull groaning.”
“Well, I haven’t come across anyone, and no one’s opened fire, so…”
Zain frowned. “Still, we’ll assume there’s a threat and proceed accordingly. Are you taking point, or…”
She scoffed. “And have you crawling out of your skin? I’ll follow.”
