Jack shook his head. “We’re not there yet.” He kissed Cate’s forehead. “Check on the Coast Guard chopper; see how far out they are.”

She nodded and headed up to the Bridge, taking Regina with her. Mironov looked out over the dark surface as the Slava settled another inch into the water. He turned to Sonya and Drago. “We best speak to our crew. When the time comes, we’ll all need to move quickly.”

Vincent watched them go for a moment and then came and stood in front of Jack, legs planted. “So, I’m guessing this is how every shark specialist in the world wants to end it.”

Jack grinned. “Not in a million years, my friend.” His smile fell away, and he held Vincent’s gaze. “Vince, we need to move this clunker closer to the oncoming chopper if we’re going to have any chance of surviving. That means, the propeller needs to be untangled.”

Vincent stared, waiting. Jack held his gaze. “Whalers always have diving gear; it’s standard kit.”

Vincent’s mouth slowly dropped open, and then he began to laugh. “That, sir, is a gold-plated suicide mission for anyone that goes over the side.”

“Maybe a fifty per cent chance of survival, but that’s better than what we have right now,” Jack said. “I’m going to risk it.”

Vincent shook his head. “More like a ten per cent chance… for you.” He started to grin. “Look, I can ask Sonya or Drago to shoot you right now if you’re in a hurry to get yourself killed.”

“Vince, when the boat’s deck drops low enough, it’ll surge right up onto us, just like it did to Olander’s boat. The alternatives are to go below deck in a sinking ship, and hope an air pocket will sustain us. Or we take to the life rafts.” Jack’s mouth turned down. “We might as well swim for it.” He smiled, trying to look more confident than he felt. “And by the way, I don’t intend to die today.”

“But you will die, Jack. Then we all will.” Vincent was slightly smaller than Jack, but he seemed to be made of something more durable than flesh and blood. He gripped Jack’s forearm in a vice-like grip. “You’re a good diver, Jack, but do you know how to work equipment under the water?”

Jack hadn’t thought about it, and stood thinking for a moment. He shook his head.