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Chapters (54)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright
  3. Title Page
  4. Prologue
  5. Part 1
  6. Chapter 1
  7. Chapter 2
  8. Chapter 3
  9. Chapter 4
  10. Chapter 5
  11. Chapter 6
  12. Part 2
  13. Chapter 7
  14. Chapter 8
  15. Chapter 9
  16. Chapter 10
  17. Chapter 11
  18. Chapter 12
  19. Chapter 13
  20. Part 3
  21. Chapter 14
  22. Chapter 15
  23. Chapter 16
  24. Chapter 17
  25. Chapter 18
  26. Chapter 19
  27. Chapter 20
  28. Chapter 21
  29. Chapter 22
  30. Chapter 23
  31. Chapter 24
  32. Chapter 25
  33. Part 4
  34. Chapter 26
  35. Chapter 27
  36. Chapter 28
  37. Chapter 29
  38. Chapter 30
  39. Chapter 31
  40. Chapter 32
  41. Chapter 33
  42. Chapter 34
  43. Chapter 35
  44. Chapter 36
  45. Chapter 37
  46. Chapter 38
  47. Chapter 39
  48. Chapter 40
  49. Chapter 41
  50. Chapter 42
  51. Chapter 43
  52. Chapter 44
  53. Chapter 45
  54. Epilogue

“You just said it’s a ranger. If it is, we’ll tell him we saw the smoke and were concerned, that’s all. No harm, no foul.”

“It’s likely a ranger, Rad. But there’s a chance it’s not. It could be a criminal hiding out from the law. I’m sorry. You two aren’t going to the island.”

“I’m a grown woman, Marty! You can’t tell me what to—”

“And I’m the captain of this ship. I make the calls.”

“Have you forgotten that I’ve explored some extremely remote locations—”

“With an entire TV crew. That’s a little different than striking off with just Jacky—”

“We can more than handle ourselves. Stop being such a male chauvinist. Besides, who knows? We might even find some more evidence of your mermaids. Dr. Montero, would you like to join us?”

“Me? Oh no.” She shook her head. “My…exploration days…are behind me. I think I’ll be fine staying right here on the ship.”

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

ELSA

Elsa took her coffee to the foredeck to let Marty and Radhika continue their argument in private. The sun was higher above the horizon now, revealing a dreary morning sky scuffed with gray clouds. Demon Island was off starboard, a green and lonely chunk of land, untouched by man. Admittedly her first reaction to Radhika’s invitation to explore the island had been curiosity and interest. Exploration was in her blood. It was why cave diving had become an irresistible pastime of hers. Of course, she was no longer the person she used to be. Her selfish desire for exploration had not only gotten her husband killed but had also killed that very desire in the same fell swoop. She didn’t need to go traipsing around an uncharted island in the hopes of solving a silly mystery. She was in her forties now. She was a still-grieving widow.

Dr. Murdoch and Radhika started shouting at one another. Elsa glanced through the window to the kitchen in time to see Marty storm off into the salon.

A moment later Radhika emerged on the foredeck with her coffee.

“He can be such a man-baby sometimes,” she said, stopping next to Elsa at the railing and staring out to sea.

“He certainly seems protective of you.”

“He has a big heart, even if he’s not very good at showing it. I mean, I know he’s concerned for me. But I’m not a little girl. I can make my own decisions.”

“You’re still going to the island?”

“As soon as Jacky’s up.”

“And Marty’s okay with that?”

“Of course not.” She sipped her coffee. “Which, I guess, is why he’s decided to come with us.”

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

MARTY