Durant turned back, his gaze firm. “Nine men survived from that gun mount. Only one didn’t make it. I’m told he was already dead.”
Jim sagged back in relief. They made it. Whatever punishment he received was worth it. Even if only one man had survived, it would have been worth it. For that matter, even if he and every man in that gun mount had perished, it still would have been worth the effort.
“Mr. Avery. Mr. Hadley.” Durant lifted his chin and looked down his nose at them. “I have to write you up for disobeying my orders, but I’m also putting you in for medals. You were brave, bold, compassionate, and showed the strong independent thought I like to see in officers.”
Jim gathered his blanket tighter and nodded his chattering chin. “Thank you, sir.”
Durant walked away. “Fine officers, indeed.”
42
Boston
Mary’s heart jammed into her throat, choking off her breath and her hope. Above her, the dark scaffolding framed a figure on the wharf.
“Is that our Miss Stirling?” Mr. Fiske asked. “Didn’t I warn you to stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong? Didn’t I say I’d hate to see you hurt? It’s a shame you walked in on Winslow as he was committing sabotage. A shame he had to shoot you before he fell to his death.”
He stretched out his arm, his gun.
Mary pressed hard against the wall, pulling Bauer’s body with her.
A shot cracked the air. A bullet blasted past, pinged off the hull beside her.
She screamed and hunkered against the wet granite, sheltering beneath a beam, raising Mr. Bauer’s head out of the water. Next to her, Mr. Winslow’s eyes were white and wild.
“Go ahead and hide,” Mr. Fiske said. “I can wait. Eventually the water will bring you up to me. Or you’ll drown.”
“I can’t swim,” Mr. Winslow muttered.
Water soaked her to the chest, and fear and cold seized her muscles. Why had she stuck her neck out and come down here? Why? Not only had she failed to save Mr. Winslow or Mr. Bauer, but now she’d die too.
A savage sensation knifed through her. Why not just stick her neck out all the way and get it blown off? At least this nightmare would end.
No one was coming to save her. No one even knew she was here.
Except God.
The tremors slowed, the knifing dulled. God knew she was here. God was with her. God could send the FBI or the Marines or a legion of angels. And if he didn’t, she’d be home with him in heaven within the hour.
She closed her eyes.Lord, be with me.Help me. Show me whatto do. And if you’d like to send theFBI or the Marines, all three of us would appreciateit.
The Marines...
Mary’s eyes eased open. The gunshot. The Marines must have heard it, probably wondered what it was. But now in the silence, they’d return to their evening routine in the barracks, oblivious.
Another gunshot. Or two, or three. That might get their attention.
For once, Mary Stirling needed to put herself on display.
A sense of peace and certainty flooded her faster than the waters filling the dry dock. Waters that rose to her armpits.
“Mr. Winslow?” she said in her lowest voice. “Hold Mr. Bauer, keep his face above water. I’m going to draw his fire, alert the Marines.”
“What? No. It should be me.”
Mary shifted the unconscious man over. “No time for chivalry. Besides, I can swim.”
Mr. Fiske laughed, a hard, mocking sound. “What are you plotting? You can’t escape.”
