He was going to be working with Genevieve?
That was something Thor hadnt 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.
Were retracing ground weve 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, were looking for a needle in a haystack, soeveryone ready? Marshall asked.
If he was unhappy, it certainly didnt 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, Ive 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
Neither Genevieve nor Alex had been on The Seeker before, and Thor couldnt help a moments 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. Sheridans a jerk, he said above the roar of the motor.
Thor shrugged. Hes all right. Hes just really passionate about history, I guess.
Preston snorted. Yeah, but did you see his face when Genevieve knew something he didnt? Thought he was about to have a stroke. I guarantee you hes 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 important thing, right?
Man, shes nice, Preston murmured then, studying the console. There a second helm in the cabin?
Yep.
Radar, sonar, GPSshe all but drives herself, huh?
Thor turned, aware they were no longer alone. Genevieve was standing behind him, wearing her wet suit. Beyond her, the other divers had already attached their buoyancy control vests to their tanks, and tested their regulators and air, ready for the water when they reached the reef.
Gen had a touch of challenge in her manner. Great boat, she told him seriously. Im really going to enjoy it.
He had to smile, then glanced down at his instruments to hide his pride. Marshall was leading at the moment, and in fifteen minutes, they would be dropping anchor and tossing out their dive flags.
Youre point man, Thor said to Preston, who nodded. Thor headed back to don his own gear. One of his fellow divers had already taken care of his BCV and his tank. Nevertheless, he checked out his regulator and air, along with the security of his tank.
Dont trust me, eh? she said softly, next to him, sliding down on the seat to secure her vest.
Never trust anyone when youre getting into the water, he said.
Dont worry. I dont. But if youre with any of us, thats all you have to do. Final checks. We take care of each other.
He felt his teeth grate. Was she suggesting that hed never dived with anyone trustworthy before?
She stood, balancing perfectly with the weight of her tank. Preston hurried up behind her, but she was already moving. Hey, were partners! Thor called after her.
She waved. Ill be hanging at the surface. Waiting. Take your time, she added sweetly.
Sweet? Like hell.
He was quickly ready, stepping off the dive platform to land beside her in the water before sinking slowly.
Ten feet away, Jack and Alex gestured, indicating their parallel paths.
Thor believed strongly in the methods theyd used to determine the location for this search, but down here now, their depth a little over fifty feet, he wasnt at all certain they would make a discovery. They were a little west and south of the customary beaten dive areas, but they might as well have been pleasure divers off any tour boat. The reefs were majestic here, dangerous for anyone who didnt know the path to navigate through themor forced onto them in the midst of a roaring storm. There were areas where the coral outcropwith its rich abundance of lifegave way suddenly to greater depths, and then fan coral would suddenly shoot sharply toward the surface. The colors seemed brilliant today. Purple fans, then a riot of fire coral. Blue-and-yellow tangs. Clown fish. A huge groupera lone barracuda. Something seemed to glisten in the sand deep below, and he propelled himself past the coral and downward.
The object was covered in sand. He dug, adrenaline racing through him. His fingers curled around the object, and disappointment washed through him. There was nowhere near enough sea growth on the object for it to have been in the water any length of time.
He had found someones lost dive knife. A nice one, actually. But definitely new.
He looked back, ready to let his dive buddy know it was nothing. She was right behind him, as ever, perfectly still and buoyant. She nodded her understanding.
He swam on.
No! Good God, no.
She was there. Thor was just ahead, but she was there. The woman with the long blond hair.
I dont see you! Genevieve raged inwardly.
The womans head rose. The woman smiled with poignant, aching sweetness.
She was a ghost, Gen told herself. She wasnt there. But she was. She reached outbut didnt touch Genevieve. Then it seemed that a ghost of a ghost, an image of the woman but even paler still, rose from the creature weighted to the bottom. Roseand pointed.
Thor looked back. Genevieve tried to stare back with perfect calm. She pointed.
Apparently he saw nothing. He frowned and looked in the direction of the woman, then swam toward the area bordering the coral where Gen indicated. He stopped just to the side of the ghost and gently began to sift through the sand.
So she was insane.
But the ghosts specter or aura or whatever was pointing, as well. Genevieve forced herself to breathe, listening to the lulling sound of her regulator. Okay, she was crazy. But the ghost wanted her to go in a certain direction.
She went.
Nothing. Nothing at all. Sand, without a hint that something might be lying beneath it. He looked back again. His partner was moving. She looked back at him and indicated that he should follow her.
She had the strangest expression on her face.
Shit! The woman was seeing things again. He was sure of it.
He waved, determined to get her attention, to snap her out of whatever strange hallucination had seized her. He had no idea where she was going, or why.
She nodded to acknowledge him but ignored his signal, indicating that they should circle around the coral outcrop rather than move on.
She didnt appear to be distressed; maybe he was jumping to conclusions. But neither did she seem willing to allow him to take the lead. With a controlled motion of her fins, she went shooting on farther to the southwest.
She didnt appear to be distressed; maybe he was jumping to conclusions. But neither did she seem willing to allow him to take the lead. With a controlled motion of her fins, she went shooting on farther to the southwest.
He followed her. She had stopped again, as if following some unseen guidance.
She dove deeper, past a strip of high fan coral, down to the seabed, another fifteen feet or so. He followed. It was as if she knew exactly where she was going. There was no hesitation in her movements.
At the bottom, she stopped and stared at the sand, then began searching.
She had lost it, he decided. Completely.
It was just sand. No different from the sand she had pointed to moments ago.
All right. He would give it a go. They were searching for a pack of needles in a pile of very large haystacks, so what the hell.
He began to search, as well, carefully, trying not to roil the sand. He unearthed a small ray. Disgruntled, the creature shot away.
She was sifting the sand, as well. She dug calmly, at first, but then she began to search frantically.
He watched her, ready to haul her up and, once they reached the surface, explode. Hell. He wasnt diving with her anymore, and that was that.
He reached out for her. She was strong; he hadnt planned on that. She wrenched her arm away from him. When she did, her hand hit the sand, hard. The granules danced up into the water, darkening it. He was about to go for her with a more powerful grip when he noticed something that didnt quite belong. Something that looked like a black, crusty blob.
He reached for it instead of for her.
When the object was in his hand, he felt the familiarand pleasurableadrenalin rush. He wasnt sure, but
He reached for the dive knife in the sheath at his ankle, snapped it out and scraped carefully at the piece. He looked up as the black coat of time, oxidation and sea growth slowly gave way.
She was staring at him, waiting. Dead calm, perfectly buoyant, as if she were floating in air. Those eyes of hers, behind the mask.
She knew.
He looked at her and nodded slowly.
Gold.
I dont understand, Bethany said, seriously confused. She untangled a length of her freshly washed hair with her fingers. You should be on cloud nine. That was a Spanish gold piece you found. Minted in Cuba, Marshall thinks, though he admits he isnt sure yet. But if sothen it has to have come from the Marie Josephine.
Genevieve nodded, brushing her own hair out before the mirror. I am delighted. Delighted? Did she dare tell the truth, even to Bethany?
Well, Thor picked it up, right?
What?
Hes the one who actually found the piece.
Like hell!
Dont bite my head off. You two were together. The first discovery goes to you as a team. That will teach them to rib you! As if you could possibly be crazy in any way. Theyll be sorry. She giggled. Ill bet you Victor is sorry right now. I mean, you are his diving partner, really. Ill bet hes kicking himself right now for what he said.
Genevieves brush paused halfway through the length of her hair. She turned and studied Bethany. What if I told you I saw her again?
Bethany laughed, flinging herself back on the bed. Then she realized Genevieve wasnt laughing and sat up soberly. Youre kidding. Please tell me youre kidding.
If you repeat this, I will call you the worst liar in the world, Genevieve said forcefully, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. Bethany was staring at her with worry in her eyes.
Oh, Genevieveyou are teasing me, right?
No.
Bethany closed her eyes. I dont think I want to hear this.
Thenthen I wont say any more.
No! You have to talk to me. I just dont think I want to hear it. She hesitated. Please, Gen, go ahead.
Genevieve sighed. I was down there with Thor. He was moving a little ahead. I felt as if I were being called, so I looked back, andthere she was. Exactly where I saw her before.
Bethany frowned. Iwow. I dont even know what to say.
Heres the thing. Have you ever seen one of those movies withastral projection, except that it wouldnt be exactly thator heard about people who died on the operating table and were floating above themselves, looking down at their own bodies?
Now youre seriously scaring me. What are you talking about?
It seemed as if herher ghost left her where she was weighted down. And led mepointing exactly to the place where I should look.
Bethany just stared at her.
Did Thor see her?
No.
Gen
Its the honest to God truth.
You saw the woman again? A dead woman. Then herghost pointed out the exact spot where you found the coin.
Exactly.
Bethany just stared at her again.
Say something.
Oh, God, what do you want me to say?
That you believe me!
Uh
Oh, never mind. Just dont repeat anything Ive said. Hed have me locked up.
Who?
You know who. Thor Thompson.
Oh, Gen, I dont think
Hed manage to get me thrown off the dive, I guarantee you.
Bethany walked over to her, setting a hand on her arm. I think youre right. I thinkI think youd better not talk about any of this.
I swear to you, everything Im saying is true.
True in your own mind, Bethany whispered gently.
I saw her. I promise you, what I saw was real.
But Thor?
No, youre right. Thor didnt see her.
And today you werentscared? Bethany asked.
No. Yes. I was terrified at first. And then I had to pretend I wasnt seeing anything.
Im confused. The first day you nearly choked and drowned, it shook you up so much. And thentodayits become your friend?
I dont exactly know. Maybe today I gave her a chance because I was more afraid of Thor than I was of seeing a ghost. Bethany, I know this will sound strange, but I think she wants us to find the ship.
Great, Bethany murmured. I want us to find the ship, too. She stared at Genevieve anxiously. So this is
I guess.
Genevieve hesitated. She was still afraid. And not just of what had happened in the water.
She was afraid of what had happened this morning.
Waking up soaking wet, wearing seaweed.
Im going to slip out during dinner and see Jay Gonzalez.
Bethany sighed. Oh, good move. Like Jay doesnt think youre crazy, too. You talked to him, remember? He wanted to help. He couldnt find anything.
He can try again. Some poor woman is snatched somewhere every week, maybe every day. And there are always runaways who end up dead and unidentified, Genevieve reminded Bethany.
Genevieveif youre seeing a body, aghost who seems to want to help you find a lost ship, dont you think the ghost should be someone from that era? I dont believe this. Were talking about a ghost. As if itsreal.
She is real, Genevieve said, wincing. I swear, Bethany. I dont think Thor Thompson would admit to seeing a ghosteven to himselfif one smacked him in the head. I dont understand whats going on, and why I should be seeing thisher, but I am. And itit has to mean something.