Free A CRY FROM THE DEEP by Unknown Page A

sun. “I think what I miss most is the quiet. It’s only broken by birds singing, and when they do, it’s like they’re serenading you.”
    “Sounds peaceful. Like the ocean.”
    “Yeah. Quiet like that.”
    They drove without talking for a few minutes and then Daniel said, “Frank told me a little about your background, and from what he’s said, we’re not too far apart in our philosophies, when it comes to diving.”
    “Checking up on me, huh?”
    He laughed. “And you didn’t do the same?” His eyes sparkled as if they’d shared a secret.
    “Busted,” she said, smiling. “I did look you up.” She closed her eyes, allowing her mind to drift for a few minutes. She wondered what his fiancée was like, as he was quite the catch. She also wondered if he was happy with her. Opening her eyes, she read the Pennsylvania Welcomes You sign on I-78 West.
    She cleared her throat. “Thanks again for doing this. Frank told me you had to bow out of a meeting at the museum in order to accommodate me. I didn’t expect you to disrupt your schedule.”
    “Don’t worry about it. The chair of the group said she’d fill me in later.”
    “Well, it’s very sweet of you.” Sweet. That sounded inane, something someone less confident might say. She’d need to find her footing if she was going to hold her own with Daniel and Hennesey. She’d been in situations before where she’d given up control to men on her team, and during one of those times, she’d almost lost her life. Maybe if she’d had the courage to insist on another safety check, she wouldn’t have had the accident or left her career. Maybe her marriage would still be intact. Those were the things she hated: all those regrets, all those maybes.
     
    ~~~
     
    The former limestone quarry had been converted into one of the largest fresh-water scuba diving facilities in the country. With twenty to thirty feet of visibility—and an abundance of fish and sunken attractions, like replica airplanes, a fire truck, a school bus, and even a pier—Dutch Springs was an ideal place for Catherine to test her nerves and her gear. It was one thing to play around the pool, in ten feet of water; it was another to dive so deep she could get disoriented and lose her way back.
    The artificial dive site wasn’t crowded, despite the clear skies and warm temperature. That was a bonus. Catherine didn’t have to worry about dodging a bunch of novice divers while she struggled to regain her form. But that worry was minor compared to how much her nerves were affected when she put on her scuba gear and faced the lake. She stood on the beach vacillating, unable to go any further. Even a family frolicking in the water nearby did nothing to ease her mind.
    Daniel must have sensed her turmoil, because he came over and patted her on the shoulder. “Ready?”
    She couldn’t help but knit her brow.
    “You’ll be fine. Let’s check the seals on your suit first.”
    She’d bought a new dry suit, one she’d use for her assignment. It was the latest in dry-core technology and loose enough for more layers underneath to ward off the cold. She wouldn’t need that assurance now, but in the north Atlantic, it could keep her from getting hypothermia.
    “You want to make sure it’s tight enough at the neck and wrists and ankles to keep out the water but not too tight for circulation.”
    “Daniel,” she snapped. “I’m not a beginner. I’ve worn dry suits before.”
    “Hey!” His nose wrinkled as if he was the injured party. “You did say you wanted a review.”
    She was immediately sorry. “You’re right. I’m just jumpy.”
    “Fair enough.”
    She fastened her camera and checked her buoyancy control device and rebreather. Daniel walked backward into the water with his flippers. She followed him slowly. The cool water lapped against her legs, and when it embraced her chest, she took long, slow breaths, the kind she’d learned in yoga. She fought the instinct to turn back, and