Treasures Lost, Treasures Found

reason for us to go back when we’re just getting started.”
    “Your first dive took most of the strength you’ve built up. If you want to dive tomorrow, you’ve got to take it slow today.”
    Her anger erupted so quickly, it left them both astonished. “The hell with that!” she exploded. “I’m sick to death of being treated as if I don’t know my own limitations or my own mind and body.”
    Ky walked into the galley and picked up a can of beer. With a flick of his wrist, air hissed out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “I lay in bed for the better part of a week because of pressure from you and Linda and anyone else who came around me. I’m not tolerating this any longer.”
    With one hand, he pushed dripping hair from his forehead as he lifted the can. “You’re tolerating exactly what’s necessary until I say differently.”
    “You say?” she tossed back. Cheeks flaming, she strode over to him. “I don’t have to do what you say, or what anyone says. Not anymore. It’s about time you remember just who’s in charge of this salvage operation.”
    His eyes narrowed. “In charge?”
    “I hired you. Seventy-five a day and twenty-five percent. Those were the terms. There was nothing in there about you running my life.”
    He abruptly went still. For a moment, all that could be heard over the engines was her angry breathing. Dollars and percents, he thought with a deadly sort of calm. Just dollars and percents. “So that’s what it comes down to?”
    Too overwrought to see beyond her own anger, she continued to lash out. “We made an agreement. I fully intend to see that you get everything we arranged, but I won’t have you telling me when I can go down. I won’t have you judging when I’m well and when I’m not. I’m sick to death of being dictated to. And I won’t be—not by you, not by anyone. Not any longer.”
    The metal of the can gave under his fingers. “Fine. You do exactly what you want, professor. But while you’re about it, get yourself another diver. I’ll send you a bill.” Ky went up the cabin steps the way he came down. Quickly and without a sound.
    With her hands gripped together, Kate sat down on the bunk and waited until she heard the engines stop again. She refused to think. Thinking hurt. She refused to feel. There was too much to feel. When she was certain she was in control, she stood up and went up on deck.
    Everything was exactly as she’d left it—the wire basket filled with bits of porcelain and tableware, her nearly depleted tanks. Ky was gone. Marsh walked over from the stern where he’d been waiting for her.
    “You’re going to need a hand with these.”
    Kate nodded and pulled a thigh length T-shirt over her tank suit. “Yes. I want to take everything back to my room at the hotel. I have to arrange for shipping.”
    “Okay.” But instead of reaching down for the basket, he took her arm. “Kate, I don’t like to give advice.”
    “Good.” Then she swore at her own rudeness. “I’m sorry, Marsh. I’m feeling a little rough at the moment.”
    “I can see that, and I know things aren’t always smooth for you and Ky. Look, he has a habit of closing himself up, of not saying everything that’s on his mind. Or worse,” Marsh added. “Of saying the first thing that comes to mind.”
    “He’s perfectly free to do so. I came here for the specific purpose of finding and excavating the Liberty. If Ky and I can’t deal together on a business level, I have to do without his help.”
    “Listen, he has a few blind spots.”
    “Marsh, you’re his brother. Your allegiance is with him as it should be.”
    “I care about both of you.”
    She took a deep breath, refusing to let the emotion surface and carry her with it. “I appreciate that. The best thing you can do for me now, perhaps for both of us, isto tell me where I can rent a boat and some equipment. I’m going back out this afternoon.”
    “Kate.”
    “I’m going back out this afternoon,” she repeated. “With or without your help.”
    Resigned, Marsh picked up the mesh basket. “All right, you can use mine.”
     
    It took the rest of the morning for Kate to arrange everything, including the resolution of a lengthy argument with Marsh. She refused to let him come with her, ending by saying she’d simply rent a boat and do without his assistance altogether. In the end, she stood at the helm of his boat alone and headed out to sea.
    She craved the solitude.