Free Return to The Deep (From The Deep Book 2) by Michael Bray

death on the other, it took both nerves and accuracy to navigate. Even so, every once in a while, something new and unexpected came up such as this most recent job. He had done a little animal transportation before, but that was mostly sheep or other livestock, certainly nothing of this scale. He was driving a customised flatbed rig with a 100 foot long trailer. With two extra axles to help drive the vehicle along, it boasted twenty six wheels and twelve foot side fences down the full length of the bed, which were covered by a hard plastic shell. Heavy and cumbersome even without cargo, it required a deft hand to pilot. Bolton reversed the trailer down the loading bay of the ocean world aquarium, guided in by men in high visibility jackets. Once inside, he shut off the engine, tied his long grey hair into a ponytail, slipped on his tattered green baseball cap, and climbed out of the cab, grateful to be able to stretch his legs.
    "Who's in charge here?" He grunted to one of the men who had guided him in.
    "I am," Andrews replied, striding to meet Bolton.
    Sam handed over the paperwork and looked at the immense bowl like aquarium. "So, what exactly is the cargo?"
    "Marine life. Whale to be precise. For transportation down to Tampa."
    "Whale huh," Bolton said, taking another look at the aquarium holding tank. "You know, I just drive the thing. I ain't responsible for makin' sure it survives the trip."
    "There will be a team riding along with the creature in the back, hence the side fences."
    "How many?"
    “Just four."
    "Same story with them. I drive the truck. If their ass falls out because they ain't paying attention, it ain’t my fault."
    "We understand that," Andrews snapped. "Just make sure you arrive safely in Tampa. This cargo is incredibly valuable."
    "Your fish will be safe enough. Pretty straight shot all the way from here to Tampa. Good thing too. Turning this rig is a bitch. If I were you, I'd be more worried about this heat."
    "The whale will be covered in a wet wrap. My team also have water tanks which will be loaded on to the truck. They'll keep the animal cool and moist."
    Bolton nodded. "How much does she weigh?"
    "She's big. Around two hundred and twenty thousand pounds."
    Bolton whistled through his teeth. "What’s that, a hundred tons or more?"
    "Around one-ten."
    "With all that weight, you sure this fish of yours will survive the trip?"
    "We have a harness. It’s supported and reinforced to take the weight off her in transit. We're confident she will survive the move."
    "That’s all up to you," Bolton said with a half-smile. "All I get paid to do is drive the truck. Is there somewhere I can grab a bite to eat till' you load her up?"
    "Staff restaurant. I'll show you where it is." Andrews replied, finally giving in to the nerves at what they were about to do. As he led the truck driver towards the public area of the aquarium, he gave a glance to the cranes, which had been shipped in overnight, already modified to handle the bulk of the creature. If there had been any doubt before, Andrews knew for certain that Tomlinson had been planning to move the animal, and was just waiting for the first chance to justify it. There was no other explanation as to how they had managed to deliver the required equipment so quickly. Not unlike his many dealings with Russo when they first captured the creature, Andrews couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut that something was going to happen. It was the same thing police officers called their sixth sense, an absolute knowledge that the shit was about to hit the fan, and when it did, it would lead to nothing but trouble for everyone.
     
    II
    Clara's apartment was lavish and decadent, which was something the version of herself from five years earlier, would have scoffed and shaken her head at. This Clara though, had buried the old version of herself in the past and had grown content to live in a world of polished marble and overpriced furniture. As far as masks went, she