In Deep Waters by Melissa McClone Page A

It was strange. ' T always figured I would do the exact opposite of my father and stick to one thing my entire life. Be career navy. Work hard, travel and retire with a pension." Ben shrugged. "Didn't happen."
    Kayla's interested gaze met his. "Why?"
    If only the answer was as simple as the question. "Some wet-behind-fhe-ears officer wanted glory at any cost. He forgot about the need to know policy. And in this case, it was info we needed to know."
    "Was that how you got hurt?"
    Ben nodded. "It was supposed to be a simple recovery operation, but we didn't have a clue what we were getting ourselves into. There was an explosion. The entire hull blew." Ben remembered getting trapped inside, trying to reach his buddies, being dragged out and reaching the surface when he was sure he would drown inside the twisted steel death trap. ' T decided if I was going to die, I'd be the one with the knowledge and making the life-or-death choices. So I left once my time was up."
    "And you ended up here?" she asked.
    "It took a few years. I worked with various salvage operators. Did some cargo recovery, demolition work-- you name it--anything underwater. Always wanted my own operation but couldn't afford it."
    "Until the Santa Theresa. "
    He raised a brow.
    "I did my research," she admitted. "Your design of the GOTCHA ROV made that expedition a success. Why do you think the museum was so happy to have you on the team?"
    He grinned. "My good looks."
    "You didn't send a picture with your resume."
    "Should I have?" Ben didn't expect an answer. Her smile was enough. "Once we settled the lawsuits and determined our ownership of the gold and artifacts from the St. T, I had enough to start my own salvage operation."
    "Xmarks Explorers?"
    "X marks the spot and we explore."
    "Very clever."
    "Goon."
    Her laughter bubbled over and surrounded his heart. He really had to put a stop to this. "I figured I'd be a salvor forever. And then Madison came along. Now only time will tell." Ben was doing all the talking. Kayla's turn to open up. "What about you?"
    "Me?"
    He rested his elbows on the railing. "What do you see in your future?"
    "Finding the Isabella. "
    "After that?"
    "I don't know." She stared at the water, a faraway look in her eyes. "I've got the museum and my research. I teach at a local university and would love to start a cooperative program between them."
    "What about a family?" Ben wasn't sure why he asked the question or why he wanted to know the answer so badly.
    "My only goal is to find the Isabella.''''
    "Seriously?"
    She nodded. "I need to find some answers."
    "Answers?"
    "It--it's nothing." She rubbed her fingers on her necklace. "Just some stuff."
    Stuff? Ben didn't buy it. He'd gotten good at reading people. Kayla was holding back, but he wouldn't push her. Not yet.
    "What's around your neck?" he asked.
    "A necklace. It belonged to my mother's family."
    He noticed strange writings on it. "What does it say?"
    "The markings can't be translated or identified. I've tried. Not one linguist or ancient-language expert has a clue."
    "Can I see it?" Ben asked.
    She nodded.
    As he reached for the necklace, his hand brushed her. The slight contact was enough to affect his heart rate. He ignored it. "Silver?"
    "I think so, but it doesn't tarnish."
    "Interesting." He turned the talisman over. Her warm breath caressed his hand. It felt much too good. He released the necklace. "Did your father tell you anything about it?"
    "From the time I was little, he told me how important it was. He said I'd learn a big secret on my sixteenth birthday, but..."
    "He never got the chance to tell you."
    "No." Her mouth tightened. "They told me about the accident in the submersible. They said he never knew what happened, never felt any pain. At that depth, the pressure...he didn't stand a chance. But I didn't believe them."
    "Submersible? Your father..." Ben remembered the accident but had never made the connection until now. He gazed into her eyes. "Your father was