Page 24 of Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid

“Anything?” Miguel called.

“Nothing,” Wolfgang said flatly.

Frustration surged in Sam. “Even a hint would be nice at this point.”

They swam to the boat. Miguel helped them aboard. Sam threw off his gear in irritation.

At that moment, a speedboat tore past too close. The wake slammed into their vessel, throwing Sam off balance. He hit the deck hard.

Wolfgang lost his footing. His head struck the outboard motor before he fell overboard.

For a second, everything froze. Then Sam reacted and dove in without hesitation.

The water swallowed him as he descended rapidly. Wolfgang was sinking fast, still wearing his tank, dropping toward the wreck below.

Sam kicked hard, arms straining as he reached him. He grabbed Wolfgang’s hands and fought against the pull of the sea, dragging him upward. His lungs burned. His vision blurred. He didn’t let go.

They broke the surface.

Miguel had already jumped in and helped haul Wolfgang onto the boat. Sam followed, collapsing onto the deck, gasping.

Wolfgang lay motionless, blood spreading into the seawater around him. A deep cut marked his head.

“First aid kit!” Sam shouted.

Miguel threw it to him. Sam pressed a dressing against the wound, but it quickly soaked through.

“Get us to shore!” Sam yelled. “I can’t stop the bleeding.”

Miguel tried the engine.

Nothing.

“Wolfgang damaged it when he fell,” he said, stunned.

“Then use the radio!” Sam snapped.

Miguel scrambled and called for help in Spanish. Sam kept pressure on the wound, refusing to move his hand.

“Don’t worry,” he said urgently to Wolfgang. “I’ve got you.”

Wolfgang’s eyes flickered open. He squeezed Sam’s hand weakly. “My hero,” he murmured before slipping unconscious again.

Ten agonising minutes passed before a coastguard vessel appeared on the horizon.

Sam wrapped Wolfgang’s head in a towel and held him close while medics boarded the boat. Orders were exchanged quickly in Spanish as they assessed Wolfgang’s condition.

Sam refused to leave his side.

They lifted Wolfgang onto a stretcher. When they moved him, he stirred. “Sam,” he mumbled. “I need Sam.”

“I’m here,” Sam said immediately, gripping his hand. “I’m right here.”

“Don’t leave me.”

Sam shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

As the boat sped toward shore, Wolfgang winced with every movement.