Inside the shop, the equipment rental counter is covered in souvenir trinkets, postcards, and dive training brochures. I grab a program advertising technical diving certification training. The Maverick Key Dive Club offers contract-based certification programs upon request, subject to availability. I read the instructors’ names: Scott and Margaret. Call for appointment. Didn’t Sid say she was working with Scott and his team? These might be the people she was referring to.
Shit. I’m going to need to fess up that I don’t have the cave certification yet and sell them on my skills.
After I rent the gear, I sit and wait on a bench near the charter docks. The smell of diesel mixes with the ocean’s brine. Another place that feels familiar, but I can’t reach any memories tied to it. I think of the woman, her little girl, and this potential diving job.
I’ll do this dive today and see the Drop up close. If there’s a chance to do so, I might sneak in for a glimpse inside the cavern. Only a few minutes, nothing crazy. Being able to describe the cavern interior might make my skills more believable to Scott and Sid.
Laughter rings out from the boat docked in the next slip over from the Charter.
TheAdeline.
On the boat’s deck, a young blonde man is talking to an older man with dark brown hair. The older man is about my age, give or take a few years. “Clint’s getting the hang of it, boss. I bet you we’ll have him diving with us in the Drop in less than a month.”
“I agree.” The dark-haired man nods toClint, another young guy standing at the helm, shaking his head.
“Not for me. I’ll stay topside. Thank you very much.”
“And we appreciate that,” a young, unassuming brunette says, waving a thumb between herself and a very large man with dark skin who stands beside her. “Scott always takes Jamie into the caves because he’s the skinniest. Now that you’re here, Liam and I don’t have to take turns.”
“Margaret, you know you’re my favorite, but I have to keep my eye on him. Make sure he’s working and doesn’t make excuses to get out of it,”Scottadds with a straight face.
“That’s bogus. You know his sweet talk doesn’t work on me,” she says.
“I’m right here,”Jamiesays, insulted. But the way everyone jumps in and laughs over him tells me this group is tight. He continues. “Garrett’s been telling everyone who’ll listen that mapping the Drop restarts this week.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not sure about that. But we’re ready.”
Oh no. This isthe ScottSid was talking about.
“I still can’t believe you’re going to let us swim with a freaking camera crew. Not to mention babysitting them while they work. What happened to your aversion to cameras and showboating celebrities?”
“As long as they’re not assholes and keep those things out of my face, I don’t give a fuck what they do,” Scott says.
Jamielaughs. “Being a family man is really softening you up, boss. When do Maddie and Christopher get home?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m heading over to the hospital right now to say goodnight.”Scott’sstern face loosens up. “I actually had to convince her to stay there last night, so wish me luck.”
“Tell her and the little guy I said hi. Uncle Jamie—I’m claiming the title.”
“I’ll do that,”Scottsays as he gets ready to get off the boat. “Oh, by the way. I’ve been meaning to ask you. Who’s the girl?”
“What?”Jamiefreezes, his voice getting stuck in his throat.
“The girl who’s been keeping you up at night for weeks.”
The blonde man coughs, all his easy humor replaced with a red face.
“We can measure the bags under your eyes with a ruler. Combine that with your above-average work performance and a suspiciously optimistic worldview. It’s a dead giveaway. We’re making wagers about her identity.”
“You don’t know her.”Jamierushes off and gets busy doing something at the back of the boat.
Scottlaughs and steps off the ladder. “Let me know when I get to meet her, Jamie… if I haven’t already.” The rest of the crew onboard laughs.
Scottheads in my direction, scrolling on his phone, walking past the skipper and dive guide who are preparing the charter boat for customers.
I stand and get ready to head over there for the dive.
When Scott gets right next to me, he glances my way. Then he stops, whirls around, and gapes.
