Page 213 of Hidden Tide

The vessel is larger than I expected.

Its black hull cuts through the water while the altered upper decks make it look like an industrial salvage ship.

But Thomas recognizes it.

Mom recognizes it too.

“That’s where Daniel spent his final night,” she whispers.

A figure stands on the bridge.

Simon.

He raises a radio.

Marcus grabs Ben’s arm.

“He has the detonator.”

“John, Mark,” Ben orders. “Get out of the shaft.”

“We’re almost through.”

“The explosives are armed.”

“Thirty seconds.”

“You don’t have thirty seconds.”

The Argent Star clears the hidden channel.

Simon looks back toward the salvage yard.

His thumb moves over the radio.

Ben runs toward the steel door.

“Everyone down!”

The screen turns white.

An explosion tears through the eastern pier.

The entire conference room shakes with the sound coming through the tactical feed.

For several seconds, there is only smoke.

Static.

Mom screams Ben’s name, but I can’t speak.

I grip the table until pain shoots through my fingers.

The screens flicker.

One body camera comes back online.

Ben is on the concrete floor.