Page 47 of Hidden Tide

Ivy—marina office.

Calle—south dock.

Hazel—university apartment.

Elanore—beach house.

Thomas—boathouse.

Someone hasn’t merely looked up our names. They’ve studied us. Watched our habits. Learned where we feel safe.

Ben moves closer until his arm brushes mine.

The contact is small, but it steadies me.

Keating turns to one of the Coast Guard officers standing near the door. “Call the sheriff’s department. I want units sent to the beach house, the marina, Thomas’s boathouse and the Sinclair residence. No lights or sirens unless they encounter someone.”

The officer reaches for his radio and steps into the hallway.

Nathan looks down at the list again. His face has gone hard in a way I’ve never seen before.

“They knew where Elanore was staying,” he says. “That information wasn’t public.”

“They knew where all of you were staying,” Keating replies. “Which means we have to assume you’ve been under surveillance since before the attack on Sea Whisper.”

Mom wraps her arms around herself.

I cross the room and take her hand. “We’re together now.”

Her fingers tighten around mine. “But Hazel isn’t here.”

“She’s with Willow and Ivy,” Storm says. “Ward called them before we left the beach house. They were waiting for the sheriff’s deputies to arrive.”

“That was before we found this.” Mom points toward the note. “What if the person watching them is already there?”

Ward takes out his phone. “I’m calling them again.”

Keating looks at him. “Put it on speaker.”

Ward taps Willow’s name.

She answers on the first ring.

“Please tell me you found something.”

“Are the deputies there?” Ward asks.

“They arrived about three minutes ago. Two are checking the outside of the house. Another one is inside with us.”

All the air rushes out of my lungs.

“Keep the doors locked,” Keating says. “Don’t leave with anyone unless the deputy inside confirms it directly with me.”

There’s a pause.

“Who is this?” Willow asks.

“Commander Daniel Keating. United States Coast Guard.”