All Dressed in White

74

Officer Jackson saw the lights of the Coast Guard boats approaching. Just as he heard the sound of a gunshot, a figure jumped from the side of the yacht. He immediately turned on the handheld spotlight he had ready and pointed it into the water.

He saw someone leaning over the side and firing into the water.

Nick spotted the glare of a light from a nearby boat, and heard the sound of a voice through a megaphone, but all he could think about was killing Meghan.

He saw ripples in the dark waves. He fired a shot, then another, then another.

Meghan felt the dark, cold water wash over her, as she tried to stay submerged as long as her breath would allow. Everything now felt absolutely surreal. She hoped she would have enough strength in her arms and legs to paddle back to the surface. She could hear the dull echo of muffled bangs above her. Gunshots.

Nick was ready to fire again when a blinding light washed over the yacht’s deck.

“Nick Young, you’re under arrest. Drop the gun and put your hands over your head or you’re a dead man.”

Fearing her lungs would explode, Meghan flailed her arms and legs until her head was able to break the surface of the water. She gulped in a breath and saw Nick bathed in light with his head bowed and his hands raised. Another bright glare then covered her. She heard a voice yell, “Stay where you are. We’re coming for you.” I did it, she thought, placing a hand on her stomach in the water. We’re okay. Me, you, and Jeff, we’re all going to be okay.