He’d almost made it to the surface a second time, but with a much greater degree of difficulty. He was stressing against the weight of the load while understanding that if he didn’t get help soon, things weren’t going to go well.
He’d grunted with renewed determination, and for a few moments he’d thought he was okay, but it hadn’t taken long before he knew he’d have to lose progress once more before he tried again.
His only remaining option would be to tow the unwieldy object to shore beneath the surface, using the buoyancy of the water to help him mitigate its weight. But…
Buck knew that if he did that, the noise-maker inside might not make it. The air pocket within the suitcase had to be diminishing. He could see bubbles leaking out even now.
That wasn’t good.
“Buck,” Mason’s voice surprised him, blasting through the water.
Mase had came upon Buck so quickly, that Buck hadn’t even noticed. His brother had always been a strong and stealthy swimmer, and Buck had never been happier to see him.
“What can I do to help?” Mason immediately questioned via the sign language they’d used as youngsters.
That was…different. His older brother was leaving the decision-making to him?
Mason was normally the one taking charge, being the local SWAT team leader as well as the captain at the OPD.
It meant a lot that Mase was trusting him with this.
Buck signaled back.Help. Too heavy.
He started losing strength, but this time his brother’s capable hands came to his aid, and between them, they regained the surface.
“Thanks, man,” Buck gasped as he spit out his regulator and filled his lungs. “Can you…get underneath it?”
Mason already had his mouthpiece back in before Buck finished his sentence. He gave Buck a thumbs up and dove down, putting himself in the perfect position underneath the bulky encumbrance.
Immediately, all Buck’s physical distress was alleviated.
“What have you got?” Spencer’s voice rang out from a few feet away.
Buck must be more sluggish with cold than he thought. He hadn’t seen brother number two coming, either.
“I’m not sure what it is,” Buck answered. “But there’s something moving around inside, and it’s heavy as hell. Mason’s underneath, holding it up.”
Spencer positioned himself opposite to Buck and took the other side of the case, which allowed Mason to resurface where he also took a corner.
“We’ve got this now,” Mason exulted, jettisoning his mouthpiece.
“Damn right we do,” Buck agreed with a relieved grin.
That’s when they all heard the cheering from the riverbank.
“What the…?” Spencer snorted.
Mason grimaced. “I guess they think there’s a happy ending here, but they shouldn’t be celebrating. Not yet. Not until we find out who or what is inside, and whether or not they’re alright.”
“Agreed. Let’s get this thing to shore,” Buck nodded.
The three, having worked together so many times as kids, easily coordinated what they had to do, and within minutes they were only knee deep in the river. Bobbie, the chief, and many others were lending hands to help tow the baggage the last few feet onto dry land.
Once the case was settled on the bank, and fully out of harm’s way, the chief took over.
“Everyone stand back,” he ordered the encroaching crowd.
The officers on duty heard the edict loud and clear, immediately herding everyone not directly involved, a few yards away.
