Phantom Prospect. Alex Archer

clapped her hands. “No use dwelling on it. Just that my work has exposed me to a lot of potential risks is all.”

      “And here I thought you were just a mild-mannered scientist with an outdoor streak,” Cole said.

      Annja grinned. “And I used to think you had some common sense rattling around in that skull of yours.”

      Hunter frowned. “Oh, no, don’t you tell me he’s swimming with great whites again.”

      “He is.”

      “Jeez.” Hunter shook his head. “Dude, how many times have I told you that’s not a good idea?”

      “It’s fine,” Cole said. “I’ve done it a few times now and there’s nothing to worry about.”

      “Famous last words.”

      “Annja was there on my most recent swim,” Cole said.

      Hunter glanced at her. “You were? You let him go and do it?”

      “Hey, I had no clue anything of the sort was going on. We were in the cage, he motioned for me to get back on to the boat so I did. Next thing I know Jacques Cousteau there is off trying to catch a ride on a giant dorsal fin.”

      Hunter looked at Cole. “You’re trying to ride them now?”

      “It was a thought.”

      “Yeah, a bad one. How in the world can you think that grabbing a dorsal fin on a shark is a good idea? One wrong move and you’ll end up down their gullet as a noontime snack.”

      Cole shook his head. “Not going to happen, Hunter. I’ve researched this. There’s no danger provided I keep my wits about me.”

      “Did you chum the waters this time?”

      “I need a way to attract the fish.”

      Annja looked at Hunter. “Sounds like you’ve been witness to his swimming with sharks before.”

      “Yeah, I saw him do it. Damn near scared me to death. He didn’t tell me he was going to do it until he was actually in the water with them without a cage. I’d had no time to prepare or be ready in case he needed help.”

      “If I needed help,” Cole said. “There would have been nothing you could have done. It would be too late.”

      “Yeah, well, forgive a brother for wanting to help out in case of emergency. It’s not like I love you or anything.”

      Cole smiled. “You’re a pal, really. And I know your heart is in the right place, but it’s not necessary to get all worked up over this.”

      “Not necessary?” Hunter sighed. “Look, dude, I’ve already lost one man to some type of giant shark swimming around in waters where it’s extremely rare. I don’t want to have to bury my own flesh and blood because of some foolish act.”

      “You think it’s foolish?”

      “I think we might both have some unaddressed issues that makes us do reckless things,” Hunter said.

      “You with money,” Cole said.

      “And you with your life,” Hunter replied. “Tough knowing which is worse, huh?”

      “At least you two aren’t beating the crap out of each other like some other brothers I know,” Annja said. “The fact is, it’s risky stuff swimming with apex predators. I think we all know that. And hopefully, Cole will keep his focus when he does and we won’t need to figure out how to put all the chewed-up bits of him into a trash bag for the funeral.”

      Cole laughed. “Colorful.”

      “I like her,” Hunter said. “She’s not afraid to give it back to you, huh?”

      “Or anyone else,” Cole said. “You’d do well to remember that.”

      “I will.” He looked around the cabin. “All right, you guys want to rest? Catch a nap or something? I can arrange for lunch in about an hour if you want. Just let me know.”

      “I’m ready to go, actually,” Cole said. “Let’s get to it.”

      Annja took a breath. She could have used a nap. Plane travel sometimes made her weary. But since Cole had jumped the gun, she wouldn’t miss the chance to get started.

      “I’m good,” she said.

      They exited the cabin and Hunter led them back topside. “I’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew.”

      “How are they handling the death?” Annja asked.

      “As well as can be expected,” Hunter said. “Given that Jock was a bit tough to get along with due to his work ethic and the fact he used to clean them all out with his poker face, there’s a lot more sympathy than I might have reasonably expected.”

      “Anyone quit the project?” Cole asked.

      “Nope. The promise of fortune is too great to scare anyone away just yet.”

      “And competitors?”

      Hunter shook his head. “So far, so good. We’ve kept the search pretty well buttoned up and haven’t seen another ship in days.”

      Cole nodded. “Good.”

      Bright sunlight greeted them as they emerged from below-decks. Annja looked up into the clear blue sky and smiled. Being on the ocean was always invigorating.

      “Hunter!”

      They turned as a young girl came rushing up to them. Hunter frowned. “What’s up, Holly?”

      “Got a blip on the screen again.”

      “Blip?”

      “That thing—the shark? The captain thinks it’s back again.”

      6

      Hunter led them up to the wheelhouse where Annja was surprised to find a young woman studying the bridge console. She looked up as Hunter entered and jabbed a finger at the scope.

      “Can’t be sure. At least, not yet,” the captain said.

      Annja couldn’t see past Hunter’s shoulder. “How come?” she asked.

      The captain glanced at Annja. “Who’s she?”

      Hunter pointed at Annja. “That’s Annja Creed. Annja, meet Jax, our captain.”

      Captain Jax nodded. “Hey.”

      “You said you couldn’t tell if it was the shark. How come?” Annja asked again.

      “Too far out right now. I’ll know more if it comes closer.”

      “Will it?”

      Jax shrugged. “Who knows? It might just be cruising around looking for lunch. As long as none of us are in the water, I don’t care. Let it eat something other than humans and I think we’ll all be better off.”

      Cole pushed his way onto the bridge. “If the actual shark expert could maybe manage to get a look at the scope, that would probably be helpful for all involved.”

      Hunter stepped back. “Sorry, bro.”

      Cole studied the instrument. Annja moved forward and she could make out the slow line circling around the scope. As it passed the lower left section, it grazed what appeared to be a very substantial shape in the water. Cole frowned and leaned back. “You weren’t kidding.”

      “About what?” Hunter asked.

      “It’s big.”

      Annja looked at Cole. “You think it’s a shark?”

      Cole shrugged. “Kinda tough to tell from here.”

      She looked out of the wheelhouse at the back