Page 39 of Vanishing Legacy
Yep, she still wasn’t a morning person. Alana rubbed her tired eyes and checked the time on her phone.
At the crack of dawn, Alana had relieved Noelle from her post so that the other bodyguard could catch some sleep. While everyone else was sound asleep, Alana had taken the opportunity to brew a pot of coffee and delve into studying maps of currents and tides around the area where Sonia’s car had plunged into the water. After what Cash had said last night, she couldn’t get it out of her head that maybe…just maybe Sonia was still alive and behind the attempts to kidnap Penny.
She sipped her coffee as her thoughts lingered on Sonia’s fate. If she had died, her last moments would’ve been terrifying. Trapped in a sinking car with no one to help her. Alana didn’t have to imagine the fear and panic that would have consumed Sonia, because she had firsthand experience. During a SWAT underwater training exercise, she’d been trapped in a sinking car and had to escape.
With a deep sigh, Alana pushed the memories aside. She needed to confirm her theory about where Sonia’s car could be, and that meant going on a dive. It was a risky move, but she was determined to find answers. She couldn’t let Sonia’s death go unresolved. Not when there was a chance she could give Penny and Cash closure. And not when there was a chance that something was off.
Alana poured herself a cup of coffee and glanced up when she heard footsteps. Cash padded down the stairs barefoot in his blue scrub pants and fitted white T-shirt. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and her heart fluttered. She couldn’t believe how much she wanted to be near him. His presence alone made her feel alive.
When he saw her, he grinned. Somehow he managed to make sleep-tousled hair look good. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She took a sip of her coffee and tried not to stare. “Did you sleep okay?”
He nodded, walking to the coffee maker and pouring himself a cup. “Yeah, I slept great. I must’ve been exhausted. Are they still asleep in the fort?”
“Yep. Noelle said they barely stirred all night.”
“Amazing. Kids can sleep anywhere.” Cash gestured to Alana’s laptop and notes on the table. “What’s all that?”
“The current maps I mentioned. I got up early to do some research.”
Cash leaned back and folded his arms. “Really? You did that?”
“I hope it’s okay. We don’t have to pursue this?—”
He reached out and took her hand. “No, you’re amazing, Alana. I didn’t expect you to go to such lengths.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, because I think I know where the car could be.” Alana said. “But I want to dive to confirm it.”
He released her hand and sipped his coffee. “Show me.”
“Based on the maps of ocean currents during Hurricane Irma, I think we should start searching in the areas with strong eastward currents.” Alana pointed to the map on her laptop screen.
“Why eastward currents?” Cash leaned in to get a closer look, and her heart rate quickened.
She tried to focus on the maps and notes on the screen, but her mind kept wandering to the man beside her and the way he made her feel when he was close.
“Well, during the storm, the winds were pushing water toward the shore from the east. As the water moves toward the shore, it accumulates and creates a current that moves parallel to the coastline. That means the car, if it was swept out to sea, would likely have been carried eastward by the current.”
Cash nodded. “Makes sense. So where do we start diving?”
She drew back and looked at him. “We? Are you saying you want to come with me?”
“Of course I do. It’s always been unsettling, the way she disappeared.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know it’s not logical, but some small part of me thought she could be alive. Like that old movie where the woman falls overboard and everyone thinks she’s dead, but really, she’s living a new life wholly unaware. I know it doesn’t make sense. She’d never leave Penny on purpose. I didn’t realize it until we talked last night, but I need closure.”
“It could be dangerous.”
“Right, because deep-sea diving with you is way more dangerous than traveling with the SEAL team as a combat surgeon.” His mouth twitched into a smile.
Alana rolled her eyes and smirked. “Okay, fine. Smarty pants.”
She pulled up another map that showed the ocean currents in the area after the storm and traced her finger along the lines on the map. “This is where the strongest eastward currents were during the height of the storm. It’s possible the car could have been carried in this direction and eventually washed up on shore somewhere in this area here.”
Cash studied the map and nodded. “All right, how soon can we go?”
“I’ve checked the weather and the currents. We’ll need to dive today because conditions won’t be as favorable tomorrow. My friend will take us out. He’s got all the gear and everything we’ll need.”
“Perfect,” he said.