Page 302 of Hidden Depths

“What did Grandpa say?”

Calle’s voice dropped.

“He said if Dad went anywhere near Blackwater, they would kill him too.”

No one moved.

Dad had died first.

Years later...

So had our grandpa.

Two deaths we had been told were accidents.

Two men who knew about the Blackwater Trench.

Ward’s jaw tightened.

“You’re certain those were his words?”

“I’m certain.”

“Why didn’t you remember before?”

“I was sixteen. Dad died days later, and everything from that time became...” Calle swallowed. “Pieces. I remember pieces.”

I understood.

Grief did that.

It shattered memories and left the sharpest ones buried where they could no longer cut you.

Until something forced them back to the surface.

Ben pointed toward the fishing boat.

“Movement.”

Ward turned immediately.

Piers raised the binoculars.

“Where?”

“Starboard side. Near the water.”

I searched the disabled vessel.

At first, I saw nothing.

Then a dark shape slipped over the far side of the hull.

One of the men.

He entered the water without making a splash.

“They’re abandoning the boat,” Ben said.