This time, when I stick my arm into the crevice, I come out with another hidden treasure inside a waterproof plastic bag.

This one isn’t a bag of diamonds.

It’s a .45-caliber pistol.

CHAPTER 19

THE GUN IS a lightweight, titanium-framed pocket pistol, built for people with conceal-and-carry permits. Only five inches long, it fits inside the sandwich bag easily. The brand name of the gun is DoubleTap because it holds only two bullets. I’ll need to make them count.

I tuck the gun into the other pocket of my shorts and climb up onto the island.

Claire is standing on the shore, with Marco and Jasper flanking her. I take a moment to catch my breath and dive back into the water.

I climb up onto the Volkswagen island twenty yards off shore to rest for a moment. My cargo shorts cling to my body and sag from the weight of the water and the contents of the pockets. I don’t think the gun is visible. The diamonds make a bigger bulge. The pain in my ribs is gone now, smothered by the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I jump into the water and swim for shore. When I can touch the sand under my feet again, I take my time walking forward, trying to slow my breathing. Marco and Jasper hold their guns in their hands. Claire’s hands are clutched in front of her chest, like she is praying.

When I’m in two feet of water, I pull the package of diamonds out, open the bag’s zipper, and then hold out my arm as if I’m going to pour the diamonds in the water.

“If I dump these,” I say, “you’ll still be able to find some of them. But it will be a giant pain in the ass in this cold water.”

“Don’t try to be clever,” Marco says.

“Let Claire go.”

Jasper takes her by the arm and raises his revolver and presses it to her head. She is breathing fast, almost to the point of hyperventilating. Tears stream down her cheeks.

“Come on,” Marco says, “do we really have to do this?”

“Let her go,” I say. “When I feel like she’s a safe distance away, I’ll turn over the diamonds.”

“What, so she can run down to that pay phone and call the cops?” Marco says. “I’ve got another idea. I shoot you. We make Claire wade out into the water and gather up the diamonds from around your dead body. Then we beat the shit out of her until she begs us to kill her. Then, and only then, do we put her out of her misery.” His voice rises as he speaks. “How’s that sound to you?”