Read From the Deep for Free Online Page B

visit.”
    “Look, Val,” he said sharply, his anger taking over, “you’re grieving, I get it. I am too. Even if taking it out on me makes you feel better it’s not right. I lost them too. I appreciate how hard it is for you, I really, really do, but it’s no picnic for me either. I keep replaying it in my head, and wishing I had died instead of them. I screwed up by not forcing them onto the boat, but you know what they were like. They would never leave with someone still on board. They were trying to do the right thing.”
    “And now I’m alone.”
    “We both are.” He said quietly.
    Another silence followed, as the two stood and sipped their drinks.
    “So, what was it?” Valerie asked.
    “What was what?”
    “The favour you wanted to ask me. The reason for coming out of wherever you have been hiding.”
    He sighed and lowered his head, wondering if he had picked the wrong time to visit.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, running her hands through her hair. “I didn’t mean to snap. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
    He saw it happen, the slump of her shoulders as all the fight went out of her.
    “Look, I think this is probably a bad time,” he said, setting his cup down. “Why don’t I come back later?”
    “No, no it’s okay. Just ask me whatever it was you came here to ask.”
    Henry hesitated, and looked Valerie in the eye.
    “It’s about the Lisa Marie. I want to use it.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s just something I have to do. Please, don’t ask me anymore. Just let me take the boat.”
    She smiled and tried to make eye contact, but he lowered his gaze.
    “It’s true isn’t it? You think you saw something out there?”
    “No. That’s not what this is about.”
    “What did you see? What’s out there that has you so scared?”
    “I’m not scared, and there is nothing to tell.”
    “You’re lying. I can see it in your face.”
    “Valerie, please, don’t ask me anymore. Let me take the boat, no more questions, okay?”
    “No, not until you tell me what you need it for.”
    “I can’t. Not yet.”
    “Fine. Then no boat.”
    “Valerie—”
    “No, Henry. If you want to take the Lisa Marie, you are going to tell me why, and what actually happened.”
    “You don’t understand, I’m doing this for you. You don’t need the stress.”
    “Who the hell are you to tell me what I do and don’t need? I want the truth, is that too much to ask?”
    “Look, calm down, I’ll come back later, I—”
    She slapped him hard across the face and recoiled instantly, drawing breath and lifting her hand to her mouth as the room fell silent.
    “Henry, I’m sorry.”
    “I guess I deserved that.” He said as he rubbed his cheek.
    Valerie sat heavily at the kitchen table and put her head in her hands.
    “I don’t hate you, Henry, and I don’t blame you. I just want to know what happened to my husband so I can start to get over his death.”
    Rainwater hesitated, torn between getting it off his chest and how ridiculous what he saw would sound. “The night the Red Gold sank wasn’t an accident.” He said, choosing his words carefully.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Something hit us. Something big.”
    He watched for her reaction as she processed the information. 
    “Tell me what you know.”
    Despite his every intention of telling her what had happened when he had arrived, he had been caught off guard and unprepared for how badly she was coping. He didn’t want to put her through any more pain.
    “No, this isn’t fair. I’ll hire a different boat. Forget I asked.”
    “What gives you the right to keep it from me? Tell me what you’re hiding.”
    “Look, all I know is the people we love are dead. I know you probably think I’m the biggest prick in the world right now, believe me, I’m only doing this to protect you.”
    “It’s not your job. It’s not your right. I can tell something is bothering you. Spit it out. Be a man for once.”
    “I’m sorry I couldn’t save them.” He