Page 62 of Shielding Instinct

When the water came in, possibly because of the slope, these waves seemed more forceful than she would have expected.

Terry might well have tried to escape his cave only to be further battered and pushed back.

Beans stood silently by her side.

“Do you know how long it is to low tide?” Petra asked.

“A half hour maybe more.” He caught her eye. “Too long, right?”

“Too long.” Petra looked down at her helmet. She was thinking of all the ways she could try to get a line down to Terry, but all of them presupposed that Terry didn’t have broken arms, had the space to maneuver, and had strength left in his body.

But what if she affixed a rescue line to the top of the other helmet?

Petra tried to imagine what Terry’s experience might be like. She imagined being in the cave, grabbing the helmet.Surviving a tide. Gasping for air as shaking, waterlogged fingers trying to get the clasp attached.

Then what would happen?

The tide comes in, and the tide goes out. Terry feels a slight pull to show him the exit.

He realizes that he is right next to the chimney.

Tide comes in…

If he held the rope—no. If Petra tied knots in the rope and he gripped above each knot, then she could help him stand up in the chimney and hold him in place as the tide came in.

Would it bash him?

At least somewhat. Yes, of course.

Was it better to come in from the front by the sea and try to send something in with a wave? Maybe something on a flotation so she could guide him out to the surf instead of up into the chimney?

Petra hadn’t tested the way in. She didn’t know if it traveled in a straight line.

If she had time, she could run experiments. But time was at a premium.

Up the chimney, then.

And the helmet seemed the most doable. But the timing had to be impeccable.

Petra called the rope team over, and she explained her thoughts.

Everyone had a clear idea of how this was going to work.

She readied herself to go down again and was surprised that convincing herself to make the descent the second time around was harder. Well, now she knew how claustrophobic and violent it was down there.

Petra let her gaze run along the cliff's top, wishing Hawkeye would suddenly appear. His rescue expertise and steady nature would be very welcome right about now.

She probably didn’t make Melissa feel any better about the plan when she said, “Well, Terry, beggars can’t be choosers.”

Over she went.

Down. Down. Down.

“Terry, I’m here. We’re going to get you out. We have a plan.”

“Help.” His voice was almost inaudible.

“Lower the helmet!” Petra called.

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