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Hidden Tide

Page 268

by Susie McIver

Ben slams into the wall.

His injured leg buckles.

Captain Marquez catches him before he falls.

“Leave me,” the older man says.

Ben regains his footing.

“No.”

“You won’t make it carrying me.”

“Then stop talking and help.”

Forty-three seconds.

The Coast Guard has secured a line between the ship and the rescue vessel. Mark pushes Simon across first. John follows with Donald.

Naomi refuses to leave the deck.

“Ben!” she shouts.

“Get on the line!” John orders.

“I’m not leaving without them.”

Ward’s voice comes through the radio.

“Naomi, listen to me.”

She stops.

“We promised Ivy we’d bring you home,” he says. “Don’t make us break that promise.”

Naomi looks toward the command center.

Ivy is standing beside Ward, both hands pressed over her mouth.

Naomi clips onto the rescue line.

John sends her across.

Thirty-five seconds.

Ben and Piers reach the upper passage with Captain Marquez. Scott follows with the unconscious man.

The ship drops another foot.

Water crashes through the open bow hatch.

Twenty-eight seconds.

“Jump!” Marquez orders.

Scott and the tactical officer carry the unconscious hostage to the railing. Rescue swimmers wait below.

They jump together.