Buddy and Diamond were helping Cormack down into the salon, where it was warm. Diamond stripped off his gloves and worked to untie his boots. They were caked with ice, and it took a few minutes to make progress. Cicero went down the stairs toward the staterooms. He found the hatch and pulled it up. He switched the flashlight on and aimed it around the hold below the hatch. He could see the interior of the hull and couldn’t see any water in there.

He pulled his head out, closed the hatch and headed back up to the salon. “Doesn’t look like we’re going to sink,” he said to Cormack. “You should get out of these clothes.”

“In a minute,” Cormack said. “Go back up and tell Skip to head south as fast as he can.”

“South?”

“Soh’s got a boat on the northwest side of Long Island. If we come around the tip and head back north toward the city, he may be able to cut us off. If we head south to Weymouth, we can make it there before Soh could find us on the water. The harbormaster there can give us a covered slip. He’ll get us a car, too. It’s the safest way.”

Cicero nodded. “I’ll let him know. You need to get out of that suit, though. Hypothermia will set in, if it hasn’t already.”

Cormack nodded. “I’ll go down and get changed.”

“There’s a mirror,” Cicero said. “Make sure you haven’t been shot.”

“I think I’d feel it by now,” Cormack said.

“Maybe. Just make sure.”

Cormack struggled to his feet and made his way to the stairs that led down to the staterooms. He took hold of the railing, but turned before he headed down. He looked at his daughter and gave her a weak smile. “The next time I tell you to stay at home, you better goddamned listen.”

She nodded as a tear ran down her cheek. “I had to go to the doctor.”

She looked hesitantly at Buddy. Cormack understood, and said, “You two have some things to discuss. I’ll be downstairs.” He nodded at his daughter. “When you’re ready, we’ve got a fresh change of clothes for you, too, down here.” He went down the stairs, leaving Buddy and Diamond alone.

“I have something I need to tell you,” Diamond started, hesitantly.

“I know,” Buddy said. “Your father already told me.”

Diamond just looked at him, as though frightened to say anything. She was sitting on a chair, her arms pulled around her, still fighting off the cold. Buddy went over and knelt in front of her. He put his arms around her.

“I’m not asking for anything from you,” Diamond said. The tears were flowing freely now. “This is my decision. So it’s my responsibility. You’re not on the hook.”