Beneath the Surface

Chapter 3

"But we need to talk. It's about that day, Jeremy. The shipwreck."Jeremy's stomach knotted when he spoke of the tragedy.

"You think I want to relive that? You're the one who should be explaining. You were there, Jake! You were supposed to keep everyone safe!

"I didn't know," Jake said, his voice rising. "I didn't know what was going to happen.

But I want you to listen-there is more to the story than you think." The wind began to pick up, swirling around them, heightening the tension.

Jeremy took a step backward as he was pushed by a wave of emotion: the urge to protect the memories of those lost, betrayal, and anger.

"What do you mean more to the story?

Are you telling me there was something you knew? Something that you didn't tell me?

I had no other choice!" Jake's voice broke, all despair in his eyes. "You don't understand. I thought I was saving the day.

I didn't know what was going on." Jeremy felt a surge of anger. "What do you mean you thought you were doing good?

You were my best friend, Jake! You were supposed to protect me! Please," Jake pleaded, taking a step forward.

"Let me explain. I found out something after the wreck-something about the ship, the cargo.

There were people involved who didn't want the truth to come out." "Spit it out! " Jeremy demanded as his heart raced on.

"What are you talking about? " "There were drugs, Jeremy. Onboard the ship.

A cargo that shouldn't have been. Jake's voice was no louder than a whisper, but the words hit Jeremy like a blow.

"I didn't know until it was too late. They made us take the cargo, and then the storm hit."Jeremy's mind whirled.

"Drugs? Are you saying that was the cause of the wreck? Someone sabotaged the ship? ""I am not certain," he said,

stepping closer, the fear dancing across his eyes.

"But I heard people talking about it. When the storm hit, I thought it was just an accident, then I started putting the pieces together.

I didn't want to believe it, but… I think someone set us up." Jeremy's blood ran cold. "Set us up? Who? "

"I don't know," Jake said, with a shake of his head. "But they're still out there. They know you're back in town, and they're not going to let anyone find out what really happened.

" Tension mounted, and Jeremy could feel the air around them crackling with danger.

"And you thought coming here tonight would help? You think I trust you after everything? ""I don't expect you to," Jake replied, raw emotion etched into his voice.

But I'm not asking for your trust. I'm asking for your help. We need to figure this out together."

A hard, bitter laugh escaped Jeremy's lips into the stillness. "Together? You really think we can just forget everything?

You're the reason my family is gone!" "I know!" Jake shouted, frustration pouring from him. "I am sorry! I didn't think it'd end like this! I was trying to protect you! ""Protect me?

" Jeremy's voice shook with anger."You think sending me a note in the middle of the night is protecting me?

You're a coward, Jake!You ran from the truth!"Just then, a rustling at the edge of the pier made them both freeze in place.The wind howled around them, carrying with it an ominous air. The darkness seemed to scan along with Jeremy, his body taut.

"Did you hear that?" Jake nodded, wide-eyed. "We should get out of here. Now."

Before any move could be made, however, a shadow stepped into the moonlight-tall and menacing. Jeremy's heart raced as he struck a defensive stance, instinctively ready for battle.

The figure came closer and was now a man in dark clothes, his face hidden under a baseball cap. "Nice to see you two together," the stranger said as malevolent seemed to pour from his voice.

"I was just wondering when you finally put two and two together." "Who the hell are you?"

Jeremy asked, the sudden rush of adrenaline pumping through his veins. "I'm the one who has kept an eye on you, Jeremy,

" he returned, stepping further. "And I know all about your little meeting tonight." "What do you want?" Jeremy's voice was low, filled with scarcely contained rage. "You think you can intimidate us?

" Because you're wrong." The man chuckled-a low, menacing sound that sent chills down Jeremy's spine.

"Intimidation? No, I'm just here to remind you that digging into the past isn't a game.

There are people who won't take kindly to you stirring things up. You wouldn't want anything to happen to the new CEO of Caldwell Enterprises, would you?" Jake took a step backward, his face filled with anger

The wind whipped through the pier, drowning out the ocean sounds and amping the tension between Jeremy and Jake against the stranger. It all acted upon Jeremy's instincts, screaming to take some action, yet he held his position, fists clenched, muscles coiled like an old spring ready either to fight or flee.

The man took another step forward. In the moonlight something metallic glinted from his hand. Jeremy's heart hitched in his throat. Then, fixed on the bright sliver of steel that could only belong to a knife, his gaze refused to budge.

A malignant smile twisted the stranger's lips; his eyes gleamed with a predator's hunger.

The man's voice was low, a near purr. "Let's make this simple," he said. "You're not going to find any truths tonight. I cannot have you digging around. Not when there's those that want the past to stay buried."

"Who sent you?" Jeremy asked, adrenaline racing through him. "What about the shipwreck do you know?

The man laughed low, cold, and mirthless. "Oh, I know plenty. I know you're a soldier, Jeremy-a man who fancies himself capable of taking care of himself. But this isn't a battlefield, and you aren't ready for what's lurking in the shadows."

"Try me," Jeremy shot back, refusing to yield an inch. "I'm not afraid of you.

It isn't a question of fear," the man replied, elevating the knife somewhat so that the moon shone upon it. "It is one of survival. Truly, you should consider who it is you're trying to save. You think you're doing this for your parents? For some sense of justice? You're just a pawn in a game that's been set in motion.

Jake shifted uncomfortably beside Jeremy, his eyes darting between the man and Jeremy. "Perhaps we should hear him out, Jeremy," he said. "We don't know what we are dealing with."

"No!" Jeremy cut in harshly, his gaze riveted on the intruder. "We cannot let him bully us into silence."

The man's face clouded over, and he took another step forward. "You're making a big mistake, Jeremy. I'm here to give you an opportunity. Walk away from this, and you won't have to concern yourself over what happened that day. Keep digging, and you just might find yourself at the bottom of the ocean, just like your parents.".

The words hit Jeremy with the force of a blow, and his mind was filled with images of the wreck.