Page 259 of Hidden Tide

I take my first step toward the ferry landing.

Marquez stops behind the concrete barrier. From here, I’m alone in the open.

At least, that is what Simon sees.

The wind pushes smoke across the dock. Water slaps against the pilings beneath me. Every step sounds too loud against the wet concrete.

I reach the yellow line and stop.

“Simon.”

The radio crackles.

“You’re late.”

“I still have three minutes.”

“Continue to the end of the landing.”

“Let me see Naomi.”

“You are in no position to make demands.”

“Then I’m in no position to give you the compass.”

Silence follows.

Behind the dark windows of the Argent Star’s bridge, something moves.

“I can throw it into the bay,” I say. “You’ll never find it in this current.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“You killed Ben.”

My voice breaks when I say his name.

The grief isn’t an act.

For those minutes when his camera went dark, I felt the future disappear.

I use that pain now.

“You killed all five of them,” I continue. “You took Naomi. You helped cover up my father’s murder. I have nothing left to give you.”

“You have your family.”

My hand tightens around the compass.

“Threaten them again, and I’ll drop it.”

The radio remains silent.

Then a door opens on the starboard side of the bridge.

Donald Cross drags Naomi onto the outer walkway.

Her hands are still bound. Blood marks the side of her face where he struck her, but she is standing.