Chapter 9 - THE LOW-TIDE DOOR
At four thirty in the morning, Celeste arrived at Pier Nine with Admiral Reed and a four-person federal tactical team.
Fog covered the abandoned terminal.
Rusting cranes rose above them like skeletons.
The water beneath the pier moved in slow black waves.
Celeste wore tactical clothing borrowed from one of the agents.
Reed had objected to her joining the entry team.
Celeste ignored him.
At exactly four forty-two, the tide pulled away from the stone foundation.
A narrow metal door appeared beneath the pier.
They climbed down a service ladder.
Celeste inserted Vivian’s brass key.
The lock opened.
The tunnel smelled of salt, oil, and old machinery.
Their flashlights revealed fresh footprints in the mud.
Someone had entered recently.
The team advanced in silence.
At the end of the passage, they discovered a steel chamber hidden inside the foundation.
Shelves lined the walls.
Most were empty.
One crate remained.
Celeste opened it.
Inside were navigation modules identical to the component used aboard the Valor.
Each unit carried a Warren serial number.
Each had been altered.
Reed examined the circuitry.
“These modules could redirect any vessel using them.”
Celeste noticed an old tape recorder beneath the crate.
A label had been placed across it.
FOR CELESTE.
She pressed play.
Static filled the chamber.
Then Amelia Warren’s voice emerged.
“If you are hearing this, I failed to bring the evidence forward.”
Celeste stopped breathing.
“Julian is not acting alone.”
“The person controlling him has access to naval deployments, classified routes, and internal investigations.”
Reed moved closer to the recorder.
“I believe the Graywater operation is only one part of a larger network.”
A metallic crash sounded in the tunnel behind them.
The tactical team turned.
The steel door slammed shut.
Gas began pouring from vents in the ceiling.
One agent rushed toward the control panel.
“It’s locked.”
Celeste covered her mouth.
Amelia’s recording continued through the spreading gas.
“Celeste, trust Admiral Reed.”
Reed looked at her.
Then Amelia spoke the next sentence.
“But never trust the man standing at his right hand.”
Everyone slowly turned toward Captain Daniel Mercer, Reed’s longtime aide.
May you like
Mercer raised his weapon.
“Your mother always did talk too much.”
