“Move,” he barked, stepping closer. “I’ll have you removed.”
She stepped back slightly—but held her ground, arms stretched out.
“Please don’t get on the boat!” she cried. “Don’t start it!”
Richard frowned, annoyed. He assumed it was some kind of trick. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and tossed it at her feet.
“Take it and go.”
She didn’t even glance at it.
“I don’t want your money,” she said, shaking. “I want you to live!”
For a second, he paused. The words felt strange, almost absurd. Then his patience snapped.
“That’s enough!”
He grabbed her arm roughly. She cried out—but instead of running, she clung to his sleeve.
“Look!” she pleaded, pointing toward the back of the yacht. “There’s something there. A bad man put it there!”
He pushed her aside, and she fell hard onto the dock. He was about to ignore her completely—but something in her voice made him hesitate.
Reluctantly, he stepped to the edge and looked down into the water.
At first, nothing.
Then—
A metallic glint.
His breath caught.
Attached near the propeller was a small gray device, wires wrapped tightly around the mechanism near the fuel line.
His blood ran cold.
He knew exactly what it was.