Hey, I believe you saw something. And maybe cutie isnt the right word. How about, hey there, gorgeous? And, as to the other, theres nothing else anyone can do right now, huh?
She nodded.
He slipped a fatherly arm around her shoulders. Maybe well hear something soon about someone going missing.
I hope not. Id much rather it have been my imagination, Genevieve said.
Rightwell, this is a pretty kooky place. Well probably discover that some prankster did sink a mannequin in the water.
Yeah, well, Ive got to get past it right now, she murmured.
You will. It will be fine.
Really? She swung around, leaning on the wooden railing as she surveyed him. Id swear youve been sitting there with your hotshot friend, trying not to agree I should be taken off the project.
Me? Never. Id dive with you any day, Genny.
She risked a quick glance at the man remaining at Jacks table. Thor. Who the hell had a name like Thor? Yeah, yeah, he had a reputation. And in another place and time, he might have fit the name well, having the height and build and rugged features of some ancient thunder god. But this was Key West, and they were living in the real world, and down here they didnt care how many times someone had managed to make it into the newspapers. She didnt know whymaybe it was because he had been so ready to rescue her that afternoonshe felt an instant dislike for the man. Pretentious. Arrogant. Those adjectives definitely applied. And it wasnt because she had a thing about working with other groups. She just didnt like him.
Come meet him. Hes really not such a bad guy.
Could have fooled me, she murmured.
Hey, Jack said lightly. Your buddies are doing a pretty good job of ribbing you right now, too, arent they?
Genevieve shrugged. Yes, this one was going to take a very long time to live down. Notheyd never let her live it down.
Come on, come meet Thor.
She rolled her eyes but followed Jack back to the table.
To his credit, the man stood. She could see little of his face because he wore a pair of Ray-Bans, but he had the kind of high-set cheekbones and strong jaw that certainly defined his personality. No-nonsense, rugged, probably fearless. Totally confident and determined. She decided that even without what had happened today, she probably wouldnt have cared much for him. He didnt appear to be the kind of man who worked and played well with others.
Thor, meet Genevieve Wallace. Gen, Thor Thompson.
He offered her a hand. He didnt smile, however. He wasnt treating her experience with the same amusement as the others. Apparently he found it dangerously annoying.
Thor, she murmured, shaking his hand but extracting her own quickly. Interesting name. She couldnt help the bit of disdain in her tone.
The hint of a smile curved his lips at that. Sorrymy grandparents were Norwegian. They started out in Minnesota. Its common enough in those circles. Genevieve, huh?
Family name, as well. St. Genevieve. My antecedents were old-school Catholics, I suppose, she murmured.
Gen. Its easier, Jack said cheerfully. Sit. Ill get you a beer. Ah, you already have one. Wellsit.
Um She hesitated. She should have been quicker with an excuse. Anything. Actually, Im already sitting with friends over there. Excuse me, but I think Im wiped out, Im going to my room. Theres a cat in a tree I have to rescueAnything!
But she hadnt thought fast enough. Jack already had a chair pulled out for her.
Strange you two havent met yet, Jack said.
Genevieve saw a tawny brow shoot up over the Ray-Bans. Jack, its a big world.
Yeah, but youve worked the Keys before, Jack said.
Thor nodded. I havent been down this far south that often, though.
Well, Jack said cheerfully, its a great project to be working.
Right. Working, Thor murmured.
Genevieve stiffened instantly. Despite the Ray-Bans hiding his eyes, it was more than apparent that he thought of her as a liability. I am working, and I take my work seriously, Mr. Thompson, she informed him coolly.
Mr. Thompson? Jack said. Gen, were all working together. Hes just Thor.
Interesting work method, Thor said, as if Jack had never spoken.
His voice let her know he was staring at her as if she were a total flake.
I would be willing to bet, Mr. Thompson, that I know these reefs far better than you ever will.
Really? he replied, leaning forward. Just what is it that you think you know about these reefs, Miss Wallace? That you mysteriously see the past? People floating down there? Strange, if that were the case, one would think youd know exactly where to look for all the sunken ships. Wouldnt that be great?
Come on, guys, Jack demanded. Whats with this Mr. and Miss stuff?
It was her turn to ignore Jack.
My reputation as a diver is absolutely spotless, Mr. Thompson.
Hey, why dont I go over and say hello to your buddies, Gen? Jack murmured.
His chair scraped back. He was definitely in a hurry to quit their company and the wave of tension that had seemed to materialize around them.
Thor Thompson was still staring at her. Then he leaned forward suddenly and removed the sunglasses so he could stare into her eyes. Spotless? he asked softly. Maybe until today. We might as well get this right out into the open. I dont give a rats ass about your reputation. Even though were not working at great depth, every man has to pull his weight. Ive seen too many experienced divers pop up dead. If you see dead bodies that open their eyes and try to communicate with you, Miss Wallace, weve got serious problems ahead. You might want to get some help before you go down again.
For several long moments Genevieve stared at him, so shocked by the hardball vehemence of the attack that she didnt even blink.
The man had blue eyes sharper than jagged ice and a jaw that seemed set in concrete. Her heart pounded. He didnt know her; didnt know anything about her.
Hed simply judged her.
She sat forward, as well, met him eye to eye, and smiled.
Im a better diver than you could ever hope to work with again. And Im known to find what Im looking for, so if you dont like me, well, then excuse me for being crude, but I really have nothing to say other than Fuck you, asshole. Still smiling pleasantly, she stood and walked away.
Jay Gonzalez drove down Roosevelt, wondering why the situation had left him so perplexed.
Nothing. There had been nothing down there.
Hell, hed been in and around the water long enough. Vision was distorted beneath the waves.
The crime rate was low, just as hed told Gen. Most of it had to do with petty theft. Some grand larceny, and of course there were the drugs. But murder didnt happen often.
There couldnt be anything to it. Genevieve thought shed seen a body. The body had been gone. A prank, perhaps? According to Marshall, there hadnt been any other boats in the immediate area. But, hell, he knew kids, and they were willing to go to great lengths to play a trick.
Still, it disturbed him. He liked Genevieve, really liked her, and always had. He hated to see her upset like that.
Still, it disturbed him. He liked Genevieve, really liked her, and always had. He hated to see her upset like that.
Ghosts were big business in Key West, as they were in many places. Hemingway was said to walk around town, and sometimes it seemed as if every house on Duval Street claimed to have a ghost, thanks to the Indian bones and the wreckers and plain old human frailty. But Genevieve wasnt the type to make up a story for the fun of it.
What the hell had she seen?
Murder wasnt common in Key West.
But it did happen. Had happened.
Hell, yes, it had happened. He knew damned well it had happened.
He gritted his teeth; he was already reaching US1. His siren blaring, he wove through the stopped cars. There was an accident just ahead. He looked at the cars as he approached and prayed he wouldnt be seeing any bodies himself. Not that night.
2
The following day, Thor was one of the first divers up and about. The plan was to meet early every morning at the tiki bar to grab coffee and a light meal. Just fifty feet from the little hut, the resort offered a small dive shop, where their tanks were filled and any damaged piece of equipment repaired. He stood on the dock for a few moments, enjoying the sunrise. It promised to be a beautiful day, or at least a beautiful morning. They planned to spend the next couple of weeks taking the boats out early and calling it quits by about three, when the late summer rains traditionally rolled in. Those afternoon storms often came on with ferocity, but generally they raged for half an hour or so, then were gone.
He sipped his coffee, aware that others were beginning to emerge from their cottages. Marshall Miros crew was impressive. They were all in excellent shape, and comfortable in the water no matter what the circumstances. They had the proper respect for the oceans power. Which was goodhe didnt intend to lose any divers. Even Genevieve Wallace had sounded sane enough when shed snapped back at him. He liked her air of determination, in fact.
He saw her walking from her cottage, meeting up with Bethany, the second woman on Marshalls crew. She was the opposite of Genevieve, probably a respectable five-five or five-six, but next to her friend, she appeared short. She was attractive, compact but nicely muscled. She also seemed to be far more cheerful and easygoing than her long-legged counterpart and was waving to Lizzie and Zach even as she met up with Genevieve. Lizzie made even Genevieve look short, and when Zach moved up, he dwarfed them all. Jack was already over by the tiki hut, and Clintlong and lanky at twenty-two, bronzed, his hair flopping in his facewas setting out platters of doughnuts and fruit. Rounding out the group, Vic and Alex came running up along the beach, heavy packs of equipment over their shoulders. They were of an age, and, like the others, physically fit and mentally sharp.
Hey! Thought you were lolling around in bed. Didnt see you down here, Marshall called to Thor, walking down the dock.
Were in search of the find of the century, Thor said dryly. I wouldnt want to oversleep and miss all the excitement.
You dont think were going to find anything? Marshall asked, rubbing a hand over his bald head and squinting against the sun.
I didnt say that. I wouldnt be here if I didnt believe there was something to find. Im just curious what the state guys have planned if nothing shows up here. People have been diving this area for years. Admittedly, weve been finding signs of metal down there, but hell, that could mean just about anything.
All we need is proof that shes there, and then its up to the ecologists and historians to start arguing about the next steps, Marshall said with a shrug. He stared at Thor. To be honest, Id just like to go down in the books as having been in on a real find. If determination means anything, well find something for sure.
Determination is always an asset, Thor murmured. He was looking back at the others. Victor Damon gave Genevieve a teasing bump as they walked along the path. She turned and pointed a finger at him, saying something. They were probably still ribbing her. He said something else, and she stole his baseball cap, then slammed it back on his head. Still, they were all laughing. That cop, Jay Gonzalez, seemed to hold her in regard. If shed been a fruitcake, it was doubtful the man would have listened to her so attentively or sent divers out in search of a body.
Youve got a tight-knit crew, Thor commented.
Those two, Marshall said with a nod toward Genevieve and Victor, and Bethany all went to school together. Best friends. Poor Alex is the new guy. Hes only been around for about three years. All the way from Key Largo, he added dryly. What about your people?
The best, Thor assured him. Lizzie and Jack have worked it allrescue, recovery, salvage. Theyre a great team. And you must know Jack. Probably better than I do. The invitation to join this search came kind of suddenly, and several of my people were already committed to other projects. Im missing some of my regulars, but Ive known Jack forever and Im glad to have him on my team.
Jack has more experience than all of us put together, Marshall said.
We should get going, Thor said, checking his watch.
Id like to be down before nine to take advantage of the visibility before the storms roil up the sand. He let out a whistle, drawing the attention of his crew, who hurried for their coffee.
Genevieve Wallace walked by, her eyes like sharp crystals as she assessed him without a word.
Nice morning, wouldnt you say, Miss Wallace.
Yes, a perfect morning, she replied politely, and hurried on by.
It was a perfect morning, and the day passed uneventfully. Three different dives, hours under water. Just before three, with the regularity of a factory whistle, the storms started rolling in.
Thor had seen the sky change on the horizon, seen the rain when it had begun farther out at sea. When the divers came up for the third time, he motioned to Marshall that it was time to call it quits. With the boats lashed together, he could hear Marshalls people talking as he waited for his own crew to stow their gear.
I think we were closer yesterday, Genevieve said.
Why? Because of that woman you saw? Alex teased her.
She slapped him on the arm. Because I have a hunch. I think we need to back it up a bit, Marshall. We didnt give yesterdays location a thorough search. I mean, a relic isnt going to just jump out of the sand into our hands.
Well talk about it, Marshall assured her.
By then the motors were purring, they had cast off their ropes and weighed anchor, and were moving away.
Think Genevieve might be right? Should we move back? Lizzie asked.
He shrugged, though privately he admitted that they should retrace the area. There had been too much excitement yesterdaytoo much time spent looking for a womans body are not enough for signs of a wreck.
Well see, he said. Ill talk to Marshall about it tonight.
He was startled when his cell phone started to ring. Excuse me, guys, he told them. When he moved forward and answered, he shook his head when he recognized Sheridans voice. Yep, that will be fine. He hung up and swore. The preliminaries had been done. But nowwell, hell. It wasnt his nickel. If Sheridan wanted to come down and talk again, so be it. Meeting at the tiki bar tomorrow morningseven-thirty sharp! he called to the others.