Page 252 of Hidden Tide

“I can cover the bow.”

“You’re going to a medical facility.”

“I can do that after Simon is in custody.”

Piers looks toward me through the camera.

“Would you like to convince him?”

“I’m trying.”

“Try louder.”

“I can hear you,” Ben says.

“That hasn’t helped.”

Marquez raises her radio.

“No one approaches until we know what’s happening inside the bridge.”

As if Simon hears her, his voice suddenly fills the marine frequency.

“Calle.”

I look toward the Argent Star.

The bridge windows are dark.

“I’m here.”

“The compass on the dock is a forgery.”

“You didn’t expect me to hand you the real one.”

“I expected you to care whether Naomi lived.”

“I do.”

“Then bring me the compass.”

“Let her go.”

Simon laughs.

“You are no longer in a position to bargain. Your SEALs are dead.”

Ben holds my gaze through the body camera.

He places one finger against his lips.

Simon doesn’t know.

I force grief into my voice.

It isn’t difficult.

For several terrible minutes, I believed Ben was gone.