“It’s a bad plan,” Mironov said, lifting his head. He met Regina’s eyes. “But it’s the only plan we have.”

There was silence for several moments, before Jack sighed, breaking it. “We’ll have Alexi manning the harpoon cannon. But we’ll also need a diversion.” He turned to Olander. “And that, mister, is where you can help. Your pilot will use his helicopter to drag the whale corpse we have in the hold. Hopefully, it’ll lure the Megalodon shark away long enough for Vincent to untangle the ropes.”

Milo snorted. “No fucking way.”

Vincent stared from under lowered brows. Everyone turned to the young pilot.

He licked his lips. “Um, I, I’m not dragging any whale corpse.” His words came out in a rush. “I’m not desecrating the dead.”

“Listen, I know you’re scared...” Vincent growled. “…but if you don’t drag that whale, then the next dead things you see being dragged will be your friends right there, by the shark.” Vincent pointed gun-like to the huddled youths behind him. He turned to Olander. “Talk to him.”

Olander shook his head slowly. “We can’t make him do anything he’s opposed to.”

“Oh, good grief.” Cate placed her hands to her head. “This is an insane asylum.”

Olander turned momentarily to look at the faces of his crewmembers. He eased back, smiling sadly. “Sorry, but actually, we don’t condone murdering this animal.” He ignored the widening eyes of his crew. “Maybe if your man just tries to scare it off, we can agree to all work together.”

Jack chuckled. “Yeah, scare it off.” He looked to Alexi, who grinned. “Just scare it off, right?”

Alexi saluted and winked.

“You may mock, but when this is all over and the eyes of public opinion are upon us, then you’ll be sorry.” Olander folded his arms.

Sonya whispered something to Drago, who nodded, and edged quietly around behind the group. He pulled Milo aside, and spoke into his ear, holding him by the arm so tight; the skin bunched either side of his huge fist. Drago motioned to the water, and the color drained from the young man’s face. He gulped and nodded, his head jerking rapidly. The huge Russian let him go, but remained at his shoulder.

“I’ve had a rethink – I should at least try,” Milo said. He licked his lips, looking from Jupiter to Olander. “I mean, for Annabel, right?”

“Good man,” Jack said. “Any questions?” He waited for only a few seconds. “Then let’s do this.”

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 41

Vincent stood on deck, tugging into place an oversized and old-fashioned rubber wetsuit. Even though the water here was around seventy degrees, he even pulled on a hood, boots and gloves. Swim fins lay beside him, ready.

Cate and Jack dipped their hands into a bucket filled with thick viscous oil and smeared it all over his suit.