Page 227 of Hidden Tide
I turn toward Marquez.
“Tell Simon I won’t bring the compass while Donald has a gun against her head. I want Naomi placed inside the bridge where I can see her through the windows.”
“Simon will recognize that we’re trying to separate her from Donald.”
“Not if I tell him I’m afraid Donald will shoot her before I arrive.”
Marquez thinks for a moment.
“Simon believes fear is driving you.”
“Then let him.”
“And once Naomi is inside the bridge?” Keating asks.
I look toward the other monitor.
John and Mark are climbing out of the flooded maintenance shaft. Piers stands beside Ben.
Four SEALs.
Scott is still with Elliot, keeping him safe.
Our five SEALs have already rescued two hostages tonight.
Now they need to rescue the others.
“The ship was repaired inside that dry dock,” I say. “Marcus knows every modification Simon made.”
Marcus looks up.
“I know most of them.”
“Is there another way onto the Argent Star?”
He hesitates.
Ben sees it.
“What aren’t you telling us?”
Marcus looks toward his father and brother on the monitor.
Then toward Naomi.
“Simon added a diving chamber beneath the stern.”
Keating enlarges the ship’s plans.
“It isn’t listed.”
“It wouldn’t be. He uses it to move cargo underwater between the ship and Blackwater.”
“What kind of cargo?” Marquez asks.
“Whatever Donald didn’t want anyone to see.”
Weapons.
