Page 108 of Wild Oblivion

It seemed like a million miles away.

I kept pulling and kicking toward the surface with Mike in tow. My lungs burned, and lactic acid built up in my muscles. My pulse throbbed my ears.

I finally broke through and gasped for breath.

I did my makeshift CPR maneuver until Mike hacked and coughed again.

JD and the others reached us and helped keep him afloat.

Mike was still disoriented and probably had a mild concussion. Maybe not so mild. He’d live—if the sharks didn’t get to us first.

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The distant thump of rotor blades drew near. Soon, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk circled overhead.

It was a sight for sore eyes.

Not long after that, Defender-class patrol boats closed in.

The Coast Guard fished us out of the water, and crewmen triaged Mike. They took us back to the station where EMTs waited, along with the sheriff and Emily.

When I stepped ashore, she gave me a hug and squeezed tight. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was worried sick.”

I was still pretty damp from my dip in the ocean, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Mike was transferred to an ambulance and taken to the hospital for treatment. We were all pretty banged up, but I had no desire to spend the rest of the evening in the emergency room. If anything still hurt beyond reason in the morning, I’d go see about it.

Paris Delaney and her crew were on the scene, and I gave a brief interview.

“You’re a hero. You successfully diffused the bomb at the stadium.”

“Only with the help of a lot of people. Dr. Foster should really take all the credit.”

The lens focused on her.

Emily did not want to get on camera.

“What can you tell us about the nature of these devices?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s classified,” Emily said.

“What about the explosion at sea?”

I intervened. “I can safely say the threat has been neutralized. The residents of this fine island have nothing to fear from that particular perpetrator.”

“Are you saying the bomber is dead?”

I smiled. “He got everything that was coming to him.”

I answered a few more questions, then we filled out after-action reports. By that time, I was ready to unwind and put this all behind me.

Emily drove JD and me back to theAvventura. I invited her aboard for a celebratory cocktail, and she accepted.

We all made our way up to the sky deck, and Jack slipped behind the bar. He poured whiskey for us and made a cosmopolitan for the lady. We found a seat at a table and sipped the fine beverages under the stars and the glowing moon.

"What's going to happen to Ashton?" Emily asked.

"He's facing numerous state and federal charges, including conspiracy and terrorism,” I said. “He'll get some consideration because he assisted, but he's going to be an old man before he gets out.”