Page 5 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)

Maddie

We all pitch in to clear the breakfast dishes. The lively chatter from earlier fades into a quieter, more focused tempo as the dive team shifts into work mode.

Scott stands at the foot of the table. There are maps and notes spread across its polished wood.

Neatly combed dark brown hair, broad shoulders, and poised demeanor reveal a military background even before he speaks.

His sun-kissed skin and muscular build suggest he’s no stranger to hard work.

Focused hazel eyes miss nothing as he surveys the group.

I stare at the black dog tags resting against his chest and the deep, jagged scar running along his neck.

I shiver and close the collar point of my shirt, pulling the fabric closer to my skin.

He commands the attention of those in the room with a voice of authority as he outlines the tactical plan for their next excursion.

Jamie lounges in his chair, twirling his pen.

Margaret sits in a corner by herself, taking notes, while Liam is the closest to Scott, pointing to lines on a laminated map of Carter’s Drop’s caverns.

Liam’s a gentle giant with dark brown hair, eyes, and skin.

I get the sense he and Scott have known each other the longest.

“Garrett agreed to another reconnaissance dive before we push deeper into the cave tunnels.” Scott taps the map with his knuckles.

“We need to confirm which tunnels are worth focusing on before committing to an exploration route. He wants us in there as soon as possible, and I’ve assured him the last thing we want to do is waste time on the dead ends. ”

Jamie tips his chair back onto two legs. “The guy’s been out of town for days and still wants his signature of approval on everything.”

Margaret crosses her arms. “His university grant is funding this.” Her soft voice is matter-of-fact. “It’s not shocking he wants to know where his money’s going.” Even though she’s a petite, unassuming brunette, her words carry a punch.

“Is it true Garrett is bringing another university bigwig with him when he gets back to the inn?” Jamie asks, and scoffs. “Another Egghead. How stuffy is this place going to get?”

“Elaine Fischer is well respected.” Scott levels Jamie with a flat, no-nonsense stare. “The grant’s investors are insisting she join the project.” The corners of his mouth twitch. “Not sure Garrett is too pleased about that.”

Obviously, he doesn’t like this Garrett guy either.

I think of the guest list. The doctors will both be staying here at the inn.

“Anyway, back to it.” Scott gestures to the map.

Liam leans forward and taps on a shaded section near the bottom corner. “These sections we analyzed last week don’t look too promising. If we want to stick to Garrett’s timeline, we’re better off focusing here. The conduits are wider, and it’ll be easier to navigate.”

Scott pulls out a chair and sits, the wood creaking under his weight.

“I was thinking about that, too. But if we take this path …” He traces a finger along another route.

“It might save us time in the long run. There are a few more siphons and restrictions this way, which bring more risks and take more time, but the passages open up to larger rooms that may bear more fruit.”

I lean closer, drawn in by the intricate lines of the overlay map. A network of tunnels branch out like veins under the skin, a maze impossible to navigate.

Which tunnels did Nathan go into? What drove him to explore the depths of those caves alone, knowing how dangerous they were?

Denver pads into the room, his black coat shining.

He settles in beside Scott’s chair. His presence is as commanding as his handlers.

Scott reaches down to scratch behind his ears, and the brief softening of his expression tempers the hard edges of his appearance.

I find myself staring at the muscles in his shoulder as they move against his shirt. Oh, my.

Denver’s ears perk up when Ding trots into the room. He sniffs the air as he approaches. The two dogs circle each other, tails wagging, before agreeing to an unspoken truce. Ding flops down beside Denver, resting his head on his paws.

Jamie’s bright blue eyes twinkle when he spots the two dogs. “Ahh, look at that—fast friends. Ding, I think you’ve met a buddy who’s going to whip your ass into shape.”

Ding gives him a blank stare and huffs.

Scott glances down at the two dogs, his expression warming even more. “He’s smart. Knows Denver’s the real deal.”

“Is he part of the team?”

Scott regards me, his hand still on Denver’s head. “He’s more reliable than most people I’ve worked with.” He glances at Liam and Margaret. “Present company excluded. He’s been with me since I left the Navy. A goodbye gift from my unit.”

“Is he military-trained?”

“He was young back then, only about a year old, but already one of the best. He’s saved lives. My SEAL team pitched in to match us at my Hail and Farewell. They thought he’d be good company for the civilian life. They were right.”

Jamie chimes in, a teasing lilt in his voice. “Denver’s the real alpha of this operation. Scott just follows his lead.”

Scott rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. He picks up where he left off.

“If we start here and move along this shaft, we’ll avoid the stronger currents and get a better read on these deeper collapse zones,” he breaks off, turning to me.

“Do you have a question?” His voice is softer, his expression open.

I hesitate. I don’t want to interrupt the flow of their work. It’s serious—life and death. But I’m intrigued by the technical details of their plan and just how much is involved in it. I’m getting a tangible sense of the dangers of cave diving.

The faint scratch of Margaret’s pen breaks the silence. “Recon tomorrow morning?”

“Early. The current’s been stronger later in the day. I want to be in the water by sunrise.”

He turns his gaze back to me. “On a recon dive, we’re assessing the tunnel entry points. We’ll lay lines, set markers, and do some preliminary exploration of the tunnels to ensure flow and stability.”

Heat rises up my neck. He’s taking the time to explain for my benefit. I soak in every word.

“Do you enter the caves diving open circuit, or do you use rebreathers?”

He stands and moves to the chair beside me, smiling as he glances over the notes I’ve been adding into my phone.

His nearness makes it hard to breathe. And those dimples.

It shouldn’t be legal for Scott to smile.

The heat from my neck blooms and spreads to my chest and face. “Have you done much diving?”

Eagerness zips through me. “I used to, in Sarasota. I was really into it for a time, dive club and all. No closed circuit, though.” I’m excited to share a connection with the team—especially him.

“When’s the last time you’ve been under?”

“Five years ago.”

His expression changes, the light in his eyes dimming. I don’t mention how, after Nathan’s death, I struggled with aquaphobia for years. I’ve only recently been comfortable even approaching water, let alone diving beneath the ocean.

He gives me a moment, then continues. “We usually use our rebreathers, full-face masks and dry suits for all dives. This is more for routine than necessity. It’s more comfortable and makes communication relays topside easier.

From time to time, we go open circuit if we don’t have all our gear or are diving with buddies.

But we always use rebreathers for the penetration dives. They’re deeper and longer.”

“I don’t know much about cave diving, just what Nathan shared with me. I didn’t want him to do it, especially not alone.”

“Alone?” Scott raises his brows.

“Yes, he told me a few weeks before he disappeared that he’d be doing some diving into the blue hole alone.” I don’t mention he’d promised me he wouldn’t go. “I’m not sure why, but he wanted me to know.”

Scott’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t comment. Instead, he finishes explaining the recon dive procedure and logistics.

Jamie groans, tilting his chair even farther back. I worry that he’s going to fall over. “Before sunrise, really? Are you sure? You know, that’s still the middle of the night.”

Scott’s lips twitch. “This isn’t a spa retreat.”

“Hey, I’ve got an idea…” a familiar voice chimes in from the dining room doorway. “Bring some strong coffee to wake him up.” Hannah strolls into the room and sits next to me. “Or maybe a pillow so he can nap on the boat ride.”

Jamie points at her. “See? Now, that’s support. What brings you to the inn so early?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. “Or… should I ask, who brings you here so early?”

Hannah’s face turns bright red, her confidence faltering for a split second. “I thought you all might need a hand,” she shoots back, but she’s not fooling anyone.

Scott raises an eyebrow but stays out of it. I stare at my orange juice. I hope Wes Harrington lives up to the hype for Hannah once he gets here.

“Do you always plan your dives in this much detail?” I ask Scott.

“Yes. Every dive’s a risk.” He pauses. He seems unsure whether to continue. “Especially in overhead environments like Carter’s Drop.” His jaw tightens, and his gaze drops a beat. Is he thinking of Nathan’s solo dive or something else?

“Sonar shows Carter’s Drop is a complex system—an advanced technical cave dive once you get past the initial tunnel entrances.

” He’s attempting to avoid getting into too much detail, summing up the rest. “The more we plan, the better our chances of returning successful and, most importantly, safely.” He takes a sip of his coffee.

“You seem interested in the project.” He tilts his head forward.

“I am.”

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. Like he’s trying to figure me out.

Jamie jumps in. “You should come with us to the marina and see us in action. Watch us load the boat and prep for a dive. It’s pretty cool.”

I turn to Scott, my heart beating a little faster.

“Would that be okay with you? If I tag along?”