into
account while plotting our coordinates. When the ship sank, remember, half of what is
land today wasn’t then. The area has been dredged, filled in, blown away and literally
remade by the army, the navy—and Henry Flagler. When he was building his railroad,
they didn’t have a place for a depot, so he told them to make one. All that has been taken
into account, along with weather charts and the tidal phenomena over the years. One of
the main points we need to remember is that our ship’s probably broken into many
pieces, most of them entirely unrecognizable without careful scrutiny. And she’s
probably spread out over a wide expanse of ocean floor.”
He was pleased to see that he’d captured their full attention. And they remained riveted
when Sheridan spoke again.
“And the state will take full possession of the find, with each of you receiving a
percentage,” he reminded them.
Marshall rose suddenly, arching a brow to Thor. He nodded, knowing what Marshall was
about to say. Sheridan had advised them both of the plan. For some reason the man
seemed very wary of the divers he had chosen. He wanted the two crews mixed up, so
there wouldn’t be any chance of one group hiding anything from the other. Sheridan was
not a trusting soul. The names had been mixed in an old bait bucket last night, to be
drawn at random this morning, before the meeting.
“We’re mixing up the crews today. We’ve done it by lot, so there’s no complaining—
there shouldn’t be complaining, anyway. We’re all in this together. So forget your old
buddy system, because you’re getting new buddies. Here’s the roster for today. Bethany,
you’re with Zach. Vic, you’re with Lizzie, and I’ll be the man on deck. Alex, you’re
teaming up with Jack Payne, and, Gen, you’re with Thor. Preston will be staying
topside.”
He was going to be working with Genevieve?
That was something Thor hadn’t known. Great. Just great.
Well, at least he could quickly dispel the notion that she was seeing dead people smiling
at her in the water.
“We’re retracing ground we’ve been over where the sonar has indicated there is metal
somewhere beneath the water. We may find a lost diving watch from last weekend, but
hey, we’re looking for a needle in a haystack, so…everyone ready?” Marshall asked.
If he was unhappy, it certainly didn’t seem Genevieve Wallace was thrilled with the
arrangements for the day, either, Thor noticed.
But as they walked, heading out for the boats, Jack Payne slipped an arm around her
shoulders. “Should I grab that equipment bag for you?” he offered.
“Jack, I’ve been hauling my own gear forever, you know that,” she said, but she smiled at
him as she picked up her own bag and they all made their way down to the docks.
So he was partnered up with her, Thor thought.
He still felt the uneasy sensation of waking to the strange noises, then seeing her, soaked, salty and wearing seaweed in her hair.
She was a wild card, no doubt about it.
So why the hell was he so damned fascinated with her?
On shore, fine.
In the water?
He shook his head.
It was going to be one hell of a day.
4
N either Genevieve nor Alex had been on The Seeker before, and Thor couldn’t help a
moment’s pride when he watched them survey his boat. She was nice, with a great cabin,
powerful motors and a large dive platform, allowing for easy exits and access.
He took the helm himself as they headed out. Lieutenant Preston was at his side.
“Sheridan’s a jerk,” he said above the roar of the motor.
Thor shrugged. “He’s all right. He’s just really passionate about history, I guess.”
Preston snorted. “Yeah, but did you see his face when Genevieve knew something he
didn’t? Thought he was about to have a stroke. I guarantee you he’s on the phone right
now to some grad student, reaming them out for missing a cross-reference.”
Thor shrugged. “Hey, finding the ship is the
account while plotting our coordinates. When the ship sank, remember, half of what is
land today wasn’t then. The area has been dredged, filled in, blown away and literally
remade by the army, the navy—and Henry Flagler. When he was building his railroad,
they didn’t have a place for a depot, so he told them to make one. All that has been taken
into account, along with weather charts and the tidal phenomena over the years. One of
the main points we need to remember is that our ship’s probably broken into many
pieces, most of them entirely unrecognizable without careful scrutiny. And she’s
probably spread out over a wide expanse of ocean floor.”
He was pleased to see that he’d captured their full attention. And they remained riveted
when Sheridan spoke again.
“And the state will take full possession of the find, with each of you receiving a
percentage,” he reminded them.
Marshall rose suddenly, arching a brow to Thor. He nodded, knowing what Marshall was
about to say. Sheridan had advised them both of the plan. For some reason the man
seemed very wary of the divers he had chosen. He wanted the two crews mixed up, so
there wouldn’t be any chance of one group hiding anything from the other. Sheridan was
not a trusting soul. The names had been mixed in an old bait bucket last night, to be
drawn at random this morning, before the meeting.
“We’re mixing up the crews today. We’ve done it by lot, so there’s no complaining—
there shouldn’t be complaining, anyway. We’re all in this together. So forget your old
buddy system, because you’re getting new buddies. Here’s the roster for today. Bethany,
you’re with Zach. Vic, you’re with Lizzie, and I’ll be the man on deck. Alex, you’re
teaming up with Jack Payne, and, Gen, you’re with Thor. Preston will be staying
topside.”
He was going to be working with Genevieve?
That was something Thor hadn’t known. Great. Just great.
Well, at least he could quickly dispel the notion that she was seeing dead people smiling
at her in the water.
“We’re retracing ground we’ve been over where the sonar has indicated there is metal
somewhere beneath the water. We may find a lost diving watch from last weekend, but
hey, we’re looking for a needle in a haystack, so…everyone ready?” Marshall asked.
If he was unhappy, it certainly didn’t seem Genevieve Wallace was thrilled with the
arrangements for the day, either, Thor noticed.
But as they walked, heading out for the boats, Jack Payne slipped an arm around her
shoulders. “Should I grab that equipment bag for you?” he offered.
“Jack, I’ve been hauling my own gear forever, you know that,” she said, but she smiled at
him as she picked up her own bag and they all made their way down to the docks.
So he was partnered up with her, Thor thought.
He still felt the uneasy sensation of waking to the strange noises, then seeing her, soaked, salty and wearing seaweed in her hair.
She was a wild card, no doubt about it.
So why the hell was he so damned fascinated with her?
On shore, fine.
In the water?
He shook his head.
It was going to be one hell of a day.
4
N either Genevieve nor Alex had been on The Seeker before, and Thor couldn’t help a
moment’s pride when he watched them survey his boat. She was nice, with a great cabin,
powerful motors and a large dive platform, allowing for easy exits and access.
He took the helm himself as they headed out. Lieutenant Preston was at his side.
“Sheridan’s a jerk,” he said above the roar of the motor.
Thor shrugged. “He’s all right. He’s just really passionate about history, I guess.”
Preston snorted. “Yeah, but did you see his face when Genevieve knew something he
didn’t? Thought he was about to have a stroke. I guarantee you he’s on the phone right
now to some grad student, reaming them out for missing a cross-reference.”
Thor shrugged. “Hey, finding the ship is the
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