Chapter 28
The Stranger
Jamie is alive.
By the time Finn and I reached the Adeline, they had Jamie, and the SEAL pulled out.
The SEAL was trapped in a pinch point in one of the offshoot tunnels, and Jamie couldn’t get him out by himself.
They’d used a couple of the staging bottles to breathe while they waited to be found.
They’re physically fine, just shaken up.
Instead of going home, we’re on our way to an emergency briefing on Finn’s ship.
After a grim-faced Commander Nicolaus enters the ship’s conference room, he gives Finn a short nod to begin.
“Today’s tragedy underscores the danger of the Drop,” Finn says. “We must use trained cave divers.”
The DARPA liaison seated to the side of the commander asks to speak. Nicolaus inclines his head once.
The liaison looks around the table, making eye contact with each person before he speaks. “First, I want to acknowledge the work this team has done. Seeing the DS100 prototype operate in real conditions is exactly why we’re here. The people on this mission are the best at what they do.”
He waits for his compliments to land, then goes in for the kill.
“That said, I think we all recognize the dominant risk factor isn’t mechanical. It’s human.”
Scott shifts in his chair. I don’t care for this guy either.
“Before we make any decisions on the dives, and potentially risk more human life, I want to ensure we have a full set of options on the table. We’ve got tools and contingencies we can employ to triage this. Right now.”
Finn’s face drops, and he swallows. We all know what that means. Plan B.
“I think it’s too soon to—” Finn starts.
The liaison snaps his gaze to Nicolaus.
“Dr. Clark. Let him finish.”
The DARPA liaison continues. Sure enough, he lays out alternatives. Freezing agents and a targeted seal of the caves. Methods that would be disastrous to the reef and the blue hole.
I’m grateful Crystal’s not with us. Hearing the liaison’s cold, clinical tone as he explains how he could make our problems go away with a click of a button would crush her. And piss her off.
When he finishes, he turns back to Commander Nicolaus and waits.
“Thank you,” the commander says at last. “Those are all valid alternatives. If they become necessary.” He pauses. “But I don’t believe we’re there yet. My men can properly train for cave diving. They’ll do it fast. That’s the next step.”
“Respectfully, that’s not going to work,” Scott jumps in. “Your men can learn fast, but our priority is execution. We’re already trained on the Shields. Let’s get this done.”
The commander studies Scott for a moment, then leans toward the DARPA liaison. They exchange some words privately. Commander Nicolaus gives a small shake of his head. “Fine. If you’re confident in your readiness, we’ll put your team in the Shields—with our oversight. Are you confident, Rickter?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” The commander straightens. “Given how quickly this is escalating, I agree we need to move. I don’t want our next conversation to be about those alternatives we just discussed.
” He gives the liaison a hard look. “And I, for one, would consider it a tragedy to lose a geographical treasure like Carter’s Drop.
” His attention returns to Finn. “Let’s brief after each thermal dive. ”
The DARPA liaison, commander, and his staff leave.
As soon as the door shuts, Scott turns to Garrett, dropping his fist on the table. “We need every skilled cave diver who has experience in the Drop.”
“Isn’t that what we have?” Garret asks sarcastically.
“Garrett, we need Wes. Get over whatever grudge you have with him—NOW.”
“Wes Harrington isn’t an option,” Garrett says.
“Why not?”
“I have my reasons. Anyway, he’s off the table.”
Scott looks like he’s about to tear into him until Sid stands up.
“Daddy Dearest.” She smiles sweetly at Garrett.
He looks at the table, unable to meet her eyes.
“Scott’s right. You need to let this go and stop meddling in people’s lives. This is too important, and it’s not about you.”
He gives her a long stare.
What is going on with those two? Why doesn’t he just chill? She’s his daughter, for God’s sake.
Natalie’s little face pops into my head. I promise you I’ll always be on your side, Sugar Muffin. You’ll never feel less than around me.
“What exactly are you expecting me to change, Sidney?” his voice goes dark. “I can’t take back what Harrington has done. Or fix the lives he’s ruined.” His expression is pure venom.
She doesn’t break her stare.
“The tape,” Scott says. “You need to give us the tape, and we’ll destroy it.”
“No—”
“Dad…”
Completely flustered, he relents. “Ah, very well. I have conditions. Conditions I’ll go over with Harrington himself. In private.”
“I want to talk to him first,” Scott says.
“Fine,” Garrett says. Turning his angry eyes away from Sid, he stares at the wall.
“He’s going to be so thrilled to see you.
” Mads, Scott, and I are back at the Inn in the dining room.
Scott has his laptop on the table getting it ready for the Zoom call.
Crystal told me about Wes and our shared adventures in Belize.
Apparently, we became close friends during our time exploring the Great Blue Hole.
Last year, after he learned about Crystal and Natalie, he stepped up and maintained contact with Crystal to help her with bills and to be someone she could rely on.
For that alone, I owe him more than I can repay. Not to mention what he did for Mads.
I’ve seen a few of his videos since I’ve been back, and as with everything else in my life. Nothing. No recollection of the relationship he and I had.
Scott starts the call and squeezes in beside Mads, who stares at the screen, beaming. The image of a blonde man with intense green-gray eyes flashes on the screen. I’m standing off to the side, out of the camera’s range.
“Harrington.” Scott gives him a stern look.
“Rickter.” He tilts his head, looking past Scott’s shoulder. “Hi there, Maddie. Always a pleasure to see you, rookie.”
“Apprentice, remember?” She laughs.
“That’s right. Where’s the little guy?”
“He’s at the house with Ms. Connor. You’ll meet him when you get here.”
“When hell freezes over or when Garrett finds a soul, right?”
“All right, you two, enough of the banter.” Scott tries to hide his smile and look serious. “Harrington, not sure if anyone’s told you yet, but Maverick Key’s in a situation.”
“Surprising.”
“There’s something in the Drop that’s heating the rocks, and it’s created an environmental nightmare. Coral and marine life are dying. People exposed are getting sick, and worst of all, we’ve got DARPA and the Navy down here calling the shots.”
“How hot are the rocks?”
“Changes every day, but some have been measured at over four hundred plus.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. We need every skilled cave diver familiar with the Drop down here, and we’ve finally convinced Garrett to use some common sense. He’s agreed to drop the blackmail.”
“Well, I didn’t expect it would take an environmental crisis to get me out of hiding, but I guess I’ll take it. When do you need me?”
“As soon as you can get here. Where are you anyway?”
“I could tell you, but I’d have to…” He uses the gun hand gesture. “I should be able to get there in four days.”
“Try to get here sooner if you can,” Scott says. Mads pulls on his shoulder and raises her brows. “Oh yeah. As you’d expect, Garrett has terms and conditions before he hands over the tape. Says he wants to speak to you about it privately.”
Wes’s face freezes for a moment. He knows exactly what Garrett’s conditions are. “I’ll call him. And I’ll see you guys in a few days. Can’t wait.”
“Before you hang up, we’ve got another surprise for you,” Maddie teases him. She’s so excited she’s bouncing.
Wes’s eyes light up with Mads’s attention. “Two surprises in one day, and it’s not even Christmas yet.”
Mads takes her hand and motions me over. I swallow. When I step into view, Wes’s eyes open wide, and his jaw drops.
“What in the…” He grins.
“He came home, Wes. He’s been alive this whole time with amnesia.”
“Hi, Wes,” I say.
“Nathan Carter.”
Mads and Scott excuse themselves, leaving Wes and me to chat.
He laughs. “We’re hard to kill.”
“Crystal and Mads have told me stories about you.”
“I bet they have. It’s good to see you, brother. Any memories?”
“None. Except for a few dreams. I’ve been warned I may never get them back.”
“You’ve got no idea how you made it out?”
“None.”
“I wonder…When we were exploring The Great Blue Hole in Belize, you essentially took it upon yourself to train me in cave diving. I was one of those jerks who thought they could teach themselves. So, you stepped in. A good thing since I got into some major trouble the first time down. One thing you said always stuck with me.”
Wes is an interesting guy. He’s on show, even with his friends.
“As long as you’re still breathing, don’t quit.” He gives me a long look. “You’re diving?”
“With Scott’s crew. I can remember how to do everything, but I have no context. Crystal has about a million photos of our lives. We’ve been getting through them one by one.”
“Hmmm. By the time you’re through, you’ll probably remember more about your life than I do about mine. There’s so much in our lives we forget anyway. What we remember are the chapter summaries and maybe a few drop quotes… It’s the present and the people in it that matter the most.”
“What about the future?”
“That’s always a gift. You never expect it but appreciate it when it comes.”
“But then it’s…”
“The present.” He winks.
I clear my throat. “I want to thank you personally for saving my sister. I owe you my life.”
“She saved herself. I was just there to help… and return the favor.”