Page 72 of Cops and Robbers

A hand on her shoulder roused Kate to consciousness hours later. Raz sat beside her in a booth on the tugboat’s mess deck. She lifted her head from her backpack on the table, swaying slightly from the rocking vessel.

“Boat coffee isn’t the best”—he slid a white mug across the counter—“but it’s something.”

The roast wafted to her nose, drowning out the boat’s fresh paint smell and igniting her awareness. “You’re a sweetheart.”

He dug in his pockets and pulled out a handful of sugar packets. Needing the calories, she tore them all open at once and dumped them into the steaming darkness. She eyed Caige, who sat at another booth with blue leather seats, a pile of cards sitting before him as if he were playing solitaire. She took a drink of the syrupy brew.

“You all right?” he asked, concern thrumming the link.

She didn’t blame him for asking. The power drain from using her Influence to alter memories had wiped her out, and she’d fallen asleep in the middle of a dangerous mission. Energy was still being sapped from her as she continued to cast Sajani’s image over herself.

“I’m good.” Except for the nerves that shook her confidence. “How close are we?”

“We stopped a while ago,” he said. “They warned us it’d be fifteen minutes before they were ready. They brought coveralls.” He nudged his chin toward the blue clothing at the table closest to the door.

“I guess we suit up.” She chugged the coffee, the heat pooling in her empty stomach. Soon they’d travel down to the submarine in the rescue sub, where the mission would continue. Kate swallowed.

As Raz and Kate slipped the outfit over their clothes, Caige joined them. She tapped her finger over her tragus to unmute the Mircron Ear.

“Everything set?” she asked.

Caige and Raz nodded.

She zipped up the coveralls that swamped her.

The door clanged open behind them. “We’re ready,” Larry said. “Equipment’s all loaded.”

“All good here,” she said, grabbing the backpack.

They followed Larry through the small halls, out into the briny sea air. On the starboard side, the setting sun shone from the middle of the horizon, warming Kate’s skin. The waves chopped at the boat, rocking it beneath her. The non-skid grated against her shoes as they traveled to the aft of the ship. Metal brackets caged a yellow submarine—their next mode of transportation. Two men stood beside it, wearing similar coveralls.

“This is Cory and Steve,” Larry said. “They will be the ones assisting with this exercise.”

Right. The deep-sea rescue exercise helped train new personnel each time.

Kate held out her hand, shaking each of theirs. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sajani. Let’s go save some”—she air-quoted—“stranded sailors.”

Larry laughed. “Remember, we have the controls here. Just enjoy the ride.”

Cory and Steve headed for the submarine. Kate followed. From a raised platform, they had to dive horizontally into the vessel. The interior was tight and short, making her kneel as she moved forward to let the others in. Two long benches sat along both sides, with straps overlapping each other. Metal pipes and tubes painted the walls. The strapped-in, coffin-like container dominated nearly one bench.

Her heart throbbed steadily, threatening to hurtle into a race. She took deep breaths to settle herself to not upset her Influence powers. Steve and Cory headed up front. They put on their headsets while Kate took a seat on the hard metal, holding the straps of her backpack tight. Caige sat four seats from her, an acceptable social distance as Raz rested back, sitting across from her next to the coffin.

She strapped in. Mimi, I’m almost there…

“Everyone ready?” Steve called, glancing back at them.

Kate gave him a thumbs up.

The exercise was a go.

The crane outside the vessel moved with a whine, lifting them into the air. Weightlessness took over, and she grabbed onto the seat. Raz met her gaze and grinned reassuringly. Regret stilled the smile from rising to her lips. Even if he had rejected me, I should have told him what I’m really going after. But she reminded herself, he might not have helped her if she had.

He tilted his head in question as if he had read her thoughts through their link. He couldn’t access the truth along the link, only her emotions, but her stomach rolled with unease. Kate jolted as the crane stopped and lowered the mini sub. She stared straight ahead, unwilling to look at him. Soon enough, her dirt would be exposed. Nothing she’d say now would matter.

Steve and Cory worked with the boat crew to lower them, and they plopped into the water. After a few checks, the submarine dove. With no windows, Kate could only imagine the murky depths swallowing them. She tried to keep her mind distracted, picturing Naomi and imagining saving her from Matsuda’s clutches.

Time ticked by until they jerked around a bit and the words ‘mated and pressurizing’ floated to her from Steve and Cory. She opened her eyes and met Raz’s stare.