Sharky and several other crew members stood nearby operating the lift. Slowly…slowly…the boat disappeared from sight.
Millie crept closer and peered over the side. The rescue boat with a small crew on board loosened the ropes and sped off. She held her breath, offering a prayer for whoever they might find.
Sharky caught her eye and made his way over. “Hey, guys.”
“What’s going on?”
“We’re searching for a vessel in distress. I would’ve taken my PRV but figured the Zodiac will work better if the crew needs to make a rescue.”
Millie cast an anxious glance toward the open door. “How far out is it?”
“Not far, although the signal was starting to grow faint. Hopefully, it didn’t sink.”
The group grew quiet, waiting for word. Long moments passed. Ten. Fifteen. Twenty minutes. Half an hour.
The whirring sound of a helicopter grew louder, so loud Millie had to cover her ears.
“The Coast Guard!” Annette hollered.
The whirring continued, growing louder and fainter until finally fading away.
“I’ll check to see if there’s an update.” Sharky started toward the watch group when their radios blared loudly.
From her vantage point, Millie could see the crew working the lift levers. The rescue team reappeared. Working seamlessly, the safety crew secured the Zodiac.
Nic and Donovan Sweeney arrived. The crowd parted, making way for the captain. Talking in low voices, the men motioned to the water.
Although Millie, Amit and Annette were only a few feet away, their voices were too low for them to hear what was being said.
Nic spun around, finally noticing his wife and her friends.
Millie waited for him to walk over. “I felt the ship shudder and heard the mayday call. What happened?”
“We found a vessel on radar and received a mayday call. The safety team promptly dispatched a rescue crew. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard as well as our rescue team weren’t able to find anything. The search has been called off.”
A sick feeling settled in the pit of Millie’s stomach. “The vessel in distress sank?”
“Sank or somehow vanished into thin air.”
Chapter 4
“Vanished into thin air,” Millie repeated.
“The rescue crew and Coast Guard located the exact spot where the distress signal came from but couldn’t find anything.”
“It’s dark. They may have drifted,” she theorized. “Or their transponder stopped working.”
“Our team did the best they could given the circumstances.” Nic’s radio went off. He excused himself to return to the bridge.
Annette consulted her watch. “I suppose I should head back to the galley to prep for breakfast.”
“And I must finish my batch of chocolate croissants, the ones for this week’s Diamond Platinum party.” Amit pressed his fingertips to his lips. “So exquisite.”
Millie perked up. “Chocolate croissants? I don’t remember ever having seen them on board.”
Annette proudly patted her former protégé’s shoulder. “Amit is rocking his new position. He’s been hard at work perfecting the recipe.”
“If you have time, I will show you. Not only are they delicious, but they’re easy to make.”
