The Gentlemen's Hour

135

Boone feels the water embrace him.

Not scary, not scary at all.

He doesn’t struggle but lets himself sink until he feels the bottom, then uses it to push off. Then he “seals” it, flaps his bound legs back and forth, propelling himself up until he breaks the surface and gets a breath of air.

He kicks gently to keep himself from sinking and listens.

The shore break is behind him.

If anyone could make it to shore blind, with his arms and legs tied, it’s Boone freaking Daniels.

Except . . .

There’s a boat right there where he comes up.

He hears the water hit the hull.

Then he feels a hand grab him by the hair, hold him, and push him back under. But not before he hears the guy say, “Let’s see how long you can hold your breath.”