Page 72 of Hidden Tide

Beyond the Golden Gate lies the open Pacific.

If the boat reaches it, the person aboard could turn north, travel down the coast or rendezvous with a larger vessel waiting offshore.

Keating points toward the evidence room. “Everyone goes back in there.”

Storm stops. “My sisters are still waiting to be moved.”

“The deputies are keeping them at the beach house until we know the route is secure.”

“That tracker means someone knows where we are,” Mom says.

“It means someone knew which vehicle was carrying evidence from Sea Whisper,” Keating corrects. “We don’t know whether they followed it here or attached the device at the marina.”

“That’s supposed to make us feel better?” Storm asks.

“No. It’s supposed to keep us from making assumptions before we have facts.”

Keating’s voice is calm, but I can see the anger in his eyes.

Someone got close enough to a Coast Guard vehicle to attach a tracker.

He takes that personally.

So does Ben.

“Who knew which vehicle would collect the evidence?” Ben asks.

“The boarding team, the evidence technicians and the officers here.”

“Anyone monitoring radio traffic?”

“The sensitive details weren’t transmitted over an open channel.”

Ben glances toward the hallway. “Then either someone watched the team leave Sea Whisper or your operation has a leak.”

Every officer in the room stiffens.

Keating doesn’t.

“I’m aware of both possibilities.”

Thomas lowers himself into a chair. “James used to say the easiest way into a locked room was to convince the person holding the key to invite you inside.”

“Did he suspect someone in law enforcement?” Keating asks.

“He suspected everyone by the end.”

Mom stands behind Thomas. “Dad wasn’t always like that.”

“No,” Thomas says. “Blackwater changed him.”

Keating closes the evidence-room door.

“Then this is the time to tell us everything you know about it.”

“I’ve already told you.”

“You told us James hid records aboard Sea Whisper and gave you a key. You haven’t told us why he was investigating Blackwater.”