her in trouble.
Sinking onto a metal bench, she tugged off her fins one by one. “Something’s wrong with it. My primary cylinder, too. I checked both before I went in, and they were fine.”
The brunette interjected. “She’s right. We inspected our equipment at the same time.”
“The gauges showed they were full,” she said, straightening. “Down there, it was a different story. My large cylinder was nearly empty and the pony bottle was completely out.”
James planted his hands on his hips. “It would be unusual for one to malfunction, but not both.”
Silence reigned. Brady voiced what no one else seemed willing to. “Did you leave your equipment unsupervised between the time of your inspection and the time you entered the water?”
Olivia let her fins clatter to the floor. “What are you suggesting?”
“Is it possible that someone wanted to sabotage your dive?”
Sabotage? The word wasn’t part of her everyday life. Olivia understood why a military man like Brady would consider it. He was conditioned to combat evil in the world.
“There isn’t a single person on the aquarium payroll whom I’d consider capable of such an act.”
He held her gaze. “Capable in knowledge or intent?”
“There are plenty of certified divers here, but no one who’d willingly damage scuba equipment.”
“Not even for a joke?” Brady said.
“That’s not my idea of a joke.”
Erin sat beside her. “You were called away for an urgent phone call, remember?”
Olivia had forgotten about the summons. She’d been told that an American Zoo Association representative was requesting information about the upcoming fund-raiser, but when she’d gotten to the phone, the line was dead. She dismissed any thoughts of foul play. This was her second home. Her coworkers were her substitute family. The aquarium had kept her in the Jacksonville area after Derek’s death. If she didn’t adore her job, she would’ve returned to Cherokee in the western part of the state or even sought employment at a different aquarium.
“True,” she said, “but you were here.”
Worry lines dug into Erin’s forehead. “Actually, I dashed to the restroom.”
Brady bent and retrieved his jacket. The long-sleeved gray shirt he wore, wet from his foray into the tank, adhered to his muscular shoulders and biceps like glue. He straightened and regarded them with his arctic blue-gray gaze. His customary air of authority—gleaned from flight school and his subsequent climb through the ranks—was in place. He was accustomed to being respected and admired, not befriended or loved. She believed he preferred it that way. Why else would he work so hard at keeping others at arm’s length?
A shame, because he had a lot to offer. She’d witnessed his tireless commitment to community service. Each Christmas season, he was instrumental in local gift collection for Toys for Tots. He gave his time and energy each week to kids who lacked positive role models. She’d seen evidence of his compassion and selflessness, his patriotism and work ethic. She’d even seen him let go and have fun. He and Derek had played together on a church basketball team. On the court, he’d forgotten his childhood wounds, forgotten the drive to prove his worth and simply enjoyed himself.
Olivia wanted to get to know that Brady, but she doubted she’d ever have the chance.
“So there was a window of opportunity?” he said, scattering her thoughts.
Standing to her feet, she unzipped the wet suit. “It was a fluke. A one-off.”
James, who’d been looking over the equipment, joined them. “I’m inclined to agree. We’ll have these serviced before using them again.”
Brady pushed his damp hair off his forehead. “You aren’t going to do an in-house investigation?”
“I’ll discuss it with the director. For now, it’s enough to know that Olivia is unharmed,” James said. He gestured to the guard, who left his spot at the railing.
“It’s time for you to go, Captain Johnson.”
Olivia glanced between the men, realizing they intended to evict him from the aquarium. That meant he wouldn’t be able to stay for the program. She considered seizing the chance to avoid spending time with Brady but quickly dismissed it. He’d entered the shark tank to try to help her.
“Let him stay.”
Everyone stared at her.
“Please, James. He won’t be jumping into any more tanks, I promise.”
Relenting, James lectured Brady about safety protocols and sent the guard on his way.
“The kids get here in an hour. Olivia, may I speak to you alone before they arrive?”
She masked her reluctance with a nod. “I’ll meet you in Stingray Bay.”
When he’d left with Leon, Erin shot her a confess-all look. “Who is that?”
How to define their non-relationship? Someone she’d hoped could be a friend?
Regret pinched her heart. “He was important to my husband.”
Brady didn’t have to wait long. Olivia met him in the humid glass enclosure that housed an interactive stingray exhibit, lemurs and a butterfly garden. She’d changed into the standard uniform of khaki pants and a soft blue polo. Her fine black hair was woven into an intricate braid that accentuated her striking features. If Olivia was aware of her appeal, she didn’t show it.
Shoving the unwanted appreciation aside, he thought of the secret Derek had entrusted him with months before his death. He still couldn’t quite believe that the man he’d known for years had been using a fake identity. Sometimes, when Brady wondered if he’d dreamed the conversation, he dug out the newspaper clippings about the missing mafia heir and reread them.
He considered what Olivia’s reaction to the news might be. Would she feel betrayed? Angry? Disillusioned? After all, her perfect pilot hadn’t been what he’d presented himself to be.
Brady wouldn’t tell her, of course. He couldn’t bring himself to deliberately wound her.
He continued to observe the stingrays in their shallow touch tank. “Feeling any lingering effects from your ordeal?”
“A mild headache and hefty dose of embarrassment. Scaring the guests is not in my job description.”
He could’ve told her that it wasn’t her fault, but the words stuck in his throat. His conscience pinched him. Derek was gone. It no
