Page 97 of Tide and Seek

“Why were you even in my house today?”I interrupted harshly.“I know you’re involved with drugs, but why were you in my house?”

“There were drugs stored there,” he said in a hushed voice.“In the attic.”

Shock rolled through me.“In my house?”

“Yes.”

“And you walked in on Royce when you went to get them.”It wasn’t a question.

He winced.“Yeah.”

“Why were the drugs in my house?”I growled.

He sighed, turning onto the main road.“Well, because your place was empty and Ocean Whisper Estates is private.”

“My God,” I muttered.

“I never meant—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” I said through gritted teeth.My finger rested on the trigger, and I was struggling to hold on to my control.Every time I thought about Royce hurt or dead, some dark part of me wondered how much pressure it would take to pull the trigger.“The only thing that matters to me is Royce.”

“I… I tried to get him out of the house before my boss saw him.You have to believe me.But he wouldn’t listen.He… he wouldn’t leave.”

“Don’t you dare try and blame Royce for what you did.”My voice broke.“You had a choice and you chose wrong.”

“I’m sorry.”Ethan’s voice was barely audible over the sound of the engine.“I’m so, so sorry.If I could take it back—”

“Yes, but you can’t, can you?”I hissed.“Drive faster.”

We were back on Pacific Coast Highway now, the ocean visible as a dark mass to our left.The sun had set completely, leaving only the faintest purple glow on the horizon.How long had Royce been in those caves?When exactly was high tide?I tugged my phone out and glanced at the time, 6:45 p.m.

“When is high tide right now?”I demanded, glancing over at Ethan.

He swallowed hard.“About 7:00 p.m.”

My heart dropped.“You need to go faster.”

Ethan swore under his breath, pressing the accelerator harder.“What are you going to do when we get there?”

“I’m going to go get Royce out of those rocks, and you’re going to help me.”

He bugged his eyes, the van swerving a little.“There’s no way.The caves are flooded by now.”

“I have to try.”I didn’t really have much hope.The only thing that kept me going was the certainty that if Royce was dead, I’d somehow feel that.And if there was even a one percent chance he was alive, I was willing to risk everything to get him out of that watery grave.

Ethan slowed the van as we neared the colony.He drove past the usual turnoff into Ocean Whisper Estates to a road a few miles up ahead.Then he turned onto the access road leading to the rock formations, bouncing over ruts and loose gravel.Ahead, I could see the dark shapes of the rocks against the slightly lighter sky, and hear the crash of waves much louder now.

“Which cave?”I demanded as Ethan parked.

“Between the two largest boulders, about fifty yards down the beach.”

I stared out at the rock formations, my heart sinking.In the dying light, they all looked massive, dark shapes rising from the sand like sleeping giants.Waves crashed against them with brutal force, sending spray twenty feet into the air, the white foam stark against the black stone.

“They all look like large boulders,” I said, my voice rising with panic.“Which ones exactly?Point them out.”

“I think it’s too late,” Ethan started.

“Show me,” I almost screamed, my control snapping.I shoved the gun against the side of his head hard enough to make him flinch.“Show me which cave you bastards put him in or I’ll shoot you right now.I swear to God, I’ll blow your brains all over this car, Ethan.”