Page 108 of Casualties of War
Parris pressed herlips together. “I wasnice,” she said, her voice dry.
Locke stayed silent.
“Spill it, David.”
He glanced over his shoulder, checking his direction. “It takes time to figure out how to be both kinds of human,” he said. “You’ve never had to, before.”
Parris shook her head. “I was, once. I was a failure at it.”
“Probably because you didn’t try. It takes work.”
“Great,” she said dryly. “Swingport two degrees,” she added, as the bow veered.
“It’s fucking hard work,” Locke added. “Which means, it’s only worth it for the right people.”
“Shut up now, Lieutenant.”
“Yes sir.”
Fifty minutes later, after turning the dinghy and heading back to the south spit, Ramirez cut through the water in a splashy overarm. He gripped the side of the boat and wiped his face clear of water. He pointedwith his flashlight beam. “About fifteen feet down, there’s a float holding up a rope. There’s a glowtube on the float. It’s dead. It was a deliberate marker.” He blew out his breath. “I followed it down as far as I could go and didn’t reach the end.”
Parris considered, her heart pattering.
“It might be nothing,” Ramirez said. “Some old fishing boat that sunk and the float is hanging off a crayfishtrap.”
“Or it might not be,” Parris said.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Locke said. He glanced toward the shore, and Adán’s small black shadow, sitting right where she had left him.
“Fuck…” Parris breathed.
* * * * *
Parris took over the oars, ordered two of the men into the dinghy for a soft ride home, and told Ramirez and the rest to cluster and stay on top of the marker. She rowed,working off the fear and the adrenaline spiking through her.
Could she do this? Could she let Adán risk himself?
Sharks. Black darkness. Free diving into what could be a toxic grave?
When the dinghy grounded on the wet sand, Donaldson stood up and waved to Adán.
Adán got to his feet and moved over to the boat.
“You’re up,” Donaldson said and jumped out.
Adán looked at her.
It takes workto figure out how to be both types of human.
She cleared her throat. “You can really free dive a hundred meters?”
“I really can,” he said, his voice even.
“If anyone on my team could do it, I would have asked them,” she said.
“If anyone on your team could it, I’d be stunned,” Adán replied. “It takes years to learn how.”
The last of the team got out and headed up the beach to where they hadleft the gear. They would guard the gear and keep watch.
