Nash stared into the black water. Legitimate reservations notwithstanding, was he manufacturing excuses? The Hoosenbeck had been looming larger in his imagination, and he’d had another nightmare about Natalie. Had Frank heard him crying out? Singkepe certainly had, for he had asked him about it.

Douglas chuckled humourlessly. ‘This gig was like winning the quinella with your last hundred bucks. A way of getting back to Aussie, chucking in a line, and putting my feet up for the last chapter. Ah well, I suppose it was too good to last.’

Nash thought of Jacquie, his parents, and the mortgage. About the disappointment of returning home empty-handed with doubt in his heart. Putting an arm around Douglas, he patted him on the shoulder.

‘Now you’re laying it on with a trowel. Don’t worry, Uncle Frank, I’ll pull my head in. Believe me, I need this as much as you do. Maybe even more.’

Nash was making his way back along the starboard side of the Albany when he heard Boerman’s unpleasant booming laugh coming from the other side of the ship.

‘Hey, stop that, leave me alone!’

It was Mia, and she sounded scared. Nash ran around the port side to find Boerman had backed her up near the ladder to the quarterdeck. The Afrikaner was shining a flashlight in her face.

‘What are you sneaking around in the dark for, hey? Come on, answer me.’

‘What’s going on?’ Nash demanded.

The powerful beam of light swung in his direction.

‘Nash, this is none of your business.’

Nash shielded his eyes. ‘Get that out of my face. Mia, come here.’

As she squeezed past the big man, Nash could feel his skin crawling. He didn’t like her proximity to Boerman, or the dark water below.

‘Go below,’ he told her. ‘I’ll join you in a minute.’

‘No. I think you should come with me.’ Mia placed a warning hand on his arm.

‘Looks like she doesn’t need a hero after all,’ Boerman sneered. ‘Smart move, Doctor Carter. You might get to live a little longer.’

‘Come on, Rob,’ urged Mia. ‘He’s just an asshole.’

‘You’re right.’

As Nash turned to go, the big man seized his left forearm in a crushing pincer grip and pulled his face close.

‘You didn’t fool me today,’ he hissed. ‘You’re gutless. And when we dive that cave, everybody will find out, too.’

Nash had to concede that Boerman had an uncanny instinct for sniffing out fear, for such an insensitive turd.

‘Let go, Boerman. I won’t ask you again.’

‘Do it. Give me a reason to fucking erase you.’