Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
“Atticus? What the hell are you doing here?”
Zain scanned the horizon, again, that voice in his head already screaming at him. That this was more than just a derelict vessel. How nothing good would come from their search.
Atticus limped a bit closer. “The same damn thing you are, only you four took your sweet time getting here.” He waved toward the rest of the vessel.
“Saylor’s already scouring the ship for survivors.
Thought she heard voices, though, I have a bad feeling it was more her conscience messing with her than anything else.
Might be nice if she wasn’t checking the bowels of this thing all alone. ”
Zain gave Atticus a once-over, stopping at his ankle. “You get that here?”
“No, I climbed up the ladder with it. Of course, I got it here. Damn drum let loose while we were making our way across. The line holding it had been cut partway so any kind of tension snapped it. I wanted Saylor to wait for backup, but that girl’s got more grit than most. Couldn’t leave anyone behind if they needed help. So, get your asses moving.”
Zain stepped back when Chase darted over, placing his medic bag on the ground. “We’ll go find Saylor. Chase can tend to that ankle before your whole damn leg turns blue.”
“I’m fine. Been hurt worse than this.”
Chase grunted. “Which is just additional proof that you’re as reckless as ever.” He held up his hand. “Just, sit your ass down and let me have a look. Zain and Kash’ll find Saylor. And I’ll back them up if needed.”
Zain clapped Chase on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy. Fire off a shot if you need us back.”
Zain headed toward Kash when Atticus called his name. He glanced back at the man, arching a brow.
Atticus sighed. “It’s not my place to share stories. Just, be careful. Saylor might be more apt to shoot first, ask questions, later. Especially now that she’s below deck. Noises get amplified and distorted. And with the power off, she’ll have to rely on her mag light.”
“I expect everyone I encounter to shoot first. Sounds as if there’s more to this than her worrying about her safety, though.”
“Just, watch out. I don’t want to have to replace you.”
“I’d hate for my death to inconvenience you.”
“Then, see that it doesn’t.”
Zain shook his head, then joined Kash. Normally, they’d search the bridge and upper floors, first, but seeing how Saylor had already cleared them, they headed straight for the lower decks.
It seemed reasonable and had absolutely nothing to do with the shiver running down Zain’s spine.
How Atticus’ warning weighed heavy on Zain’s shoulders.
He hadn’t been joking. He really did expect everyone to draw down on him. All those years of running maneuvers still dictating his actions. But this had sounded different. As if she might be affected by the circumstances. Which, of course, she was. But the way Atticus had spoken…
Zain couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been in a similar situation that had ended poorly. One that might reflect how she responded, now.
Fifteen years with the Coast Guard. Surely, she’d boarded a hundred vessels, especially since she’d undergone multiple tours with their TACLET units.
The Coast Guard’s Tactical Law Enforcement teams didn’t perform routine patrols.
They hunted contraband ships with heavily armed crews.
The kind of situations that took courage and a healthy dose of training.
Usually cartel or weapons traffickers. Scouring what might be an empty vessel should be a walk in the park.
Except where there could be armed mercenaries hiding in the shadows. Or human traffickers just waiting to eliminate anyone who stumbled upon their operation. The reason behind that bloody handprint on the hull.
Kash stopped next to the stairs, showing the countdown on his fingers before opening the hatch and darting through.
He cleared the immediate area, waving Zain ahead as they descended the stairs, pausing at the bottom.
Zain took a moment to listen for any signs of life before shoving the hatch aside and clearing the corridor.
Creaks and groans echoed through the narrow hallway, the eerie sounds amplified by all the metal.
Zain moved out and quickstepped to the first doorway, sweeping the immediate area with his mag light before waving Kash through.
His buddy darted inside, reappearing a minute later.
He mouthed, “Clear,” then hurried to the next.
They repeated the process, taking turns scouring each room as they continued down the hall.
They moved quietly, only the occasional scuff marking their progress.
The metal flooring made it difficult to muffle every footfall.
The ship rocked with each wave, remaining slightly tilted as they reached the end of the corridor.
Only one door remained, the hatch angled inward at a forty-five with a bloody handprint smeared across the front.
Zain motioned to the hatch, easing it open as Kash guarded his six.
A series of instrument panels occupied the right side, another narrow hallway leading toward the stern.
Zain stepped inside, gun at the ready as he bounced the small beam along the gauges, then onto the floor, pausing at a splattering of blood.
What looked like arterial spray from a semi-automatic.
He cursed, inching forward as he aimed the flashlight toward the back.
“One more step, asshole, and I’ll drop you.”
Zain froze, the familiar voice booming through the space. Calm. Detached. And he had no doubts she’d cap him if he so much as twitched .
He remained still, shifting his gaze to where he thought she was standing. “Easy, Saylor. It’s just me and Kash.”
He waited, breath held, muscles primed in case she fired, regardless. She grunted, followed by a couple heavy footsteps, then she appeared in the dim circle of light — long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, blue eyes a bit wild with her gun out but not directed at them.
She closed the distance, then gave him a swat. “Seriously, Zain? I damn near fired. Make more noise, next time.”
“Pretty sure you got the jump on us because of the few sounds we did make.”
“Then, call out. You obviously had a chat with Atticus before venturing down here. Why didn’t you just shout my name?”
“Because there’re bloody handprints on the door and the hull.” He pointed to the floor. “More on the floor. What if you’d stumbled upon drug dealers or human traffickers? Calling out could have gotten you killed.”
“You’re just lucky I didn’t put a round in your ass, first.”
“It wasn’t my ass you were aiming at.”
She huffed and glanced past him to Kash. “Have you checked the other rooms?”
“All except this one.” Zain inched closer. “Are you okay?”
Her chin quivered. Not much, and not something Kash might have noticed, but it had Zain stepping into her personal space .
He leaned down a bit, getting his head level with hers. “Saylor? Did something happen?”
“I…” She swallowed, paled, then drew herself up. “I thought I heard something. Voices, maybe. And some dull pops reminiscent of an AR-15, but it was probably just the ship. Noises get messed up below deck.”
“Those are pretty specific sounds. Ones I doubt you’d confuse with the hull groaning.”
“Well, I haven’t come across anyone, and no one’s opened fire, so…”
Zain frowned. “Still, we’ll assume there’s a threat and proceed accordingly. Are you taking point, or…”
She scoffed. “And have you crawling out of your skin? I’ll follow.”
“I can adapt.”
“Right, just like I was able to wait for the Coast Guard before venturing below deck.”
He shook his head. At least, she still had her sense of humor. “Stay close.”
He moved ahead, smiling to himself when she fell in behind him, shadowing his movements like they’d been working together for years.
An easy rhythm that usually came from shared missions and absolute trust. But there was something about her that put him at ease, and he knew she’d have his back regardless of the circumstances.
Zain inched down the corridor, senses on high alert, muscles primed. If she really had heard voices and gunshots, the perps were close. Because he had no doubts Chase would have fired off a round or three if some armed assholes had suddenly appeared topside .
The hull groaned, again, though this sounded different.
More like a hum that seemed to linger in the air — like singing only creepier.
Saylor inhaled behind him, and he stopped, then glanced back.
Eyes wide, skin overly pale, she looked as if she’d either seen a ghost or was about to pass out.
He waited until she met his gaze, then arched a brow.
She pursed her lips, her chin quivering, again, before she nodded, and motioned him on.
There was definitely something off about her.
And more than just the obvious. She seemed edgy.
Almost distracted, constantly glancing behind them as if she expected someone to pop out of the shadows, despite Kash bringing up the rear.
Looking as if she was the one who wanted to crawl out of her own skin.
He pushed away the thoughts. They could talk later, when it was safe. For now, she needed him completely focused.
The corridor ended up ahead, opening into what looked like a small utility area with more gauges and bulkheads.
He stopped at the edge of the wall, showing the countdown on his hand before popping out — sweeping the room with his weapon.
More blood dotted the walls, a single body slumped against the floor.
He cleared the rest of the space, trusting Kash to have their six before doubling back and going to one knee. Blood pooled beneath the guy’s chest, the sheer amount suggesting he was already dead.
Zain checked for a pulse, regardless, then rolled the man over. Blood trickled from his ears and mouth, multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. What looked like those semi-automatic rounds she’d heard.