Chapter 1 - The Car Beneath the Flood
“Break now! The car is sinking!”
Lieutenant Commander Grace Donovan drove the emergency hammer into the SUV’s side window as hurricane rain slashed across her face.
The first strike cracked the glass.
Floodwater surged around her waist, dragging branches and broken road signs past her legs.
Inside the vehicle, a terrified mother pounded against the window while her seven-year-old son screamed behind her.
Grace swung again.
The glass burst inward.
Muddy water exploded through the opening and slammed Grace backward against the doorframe.
Lieutenant Ben Archer caught the rescue line attached to her harness.
“Grace!”
She regained her footing and reached both arms inside.
The mother shoved the boy toward her.
“Take my son! Please!”
Grace caught him beneath the arms and twisted against the current.
Petty Officer Nash reached from the other side.
Grace transferred the child into his grip.
Nash pulled him toward the secured rope.
The SUV shifted nose-first.
Its headlights disappeared beneath the brown water.
Ben grabbed Grace’s harness.
“Grace, fuel! Get out!”
She tore free and climbed halfway through the shattered window.
An older man lay trapped beneath the collapsing rear seat.
Grace hooked one arm beneath his soaked jacket.
“Not while he’s still breathing.”
The SUV dropped another foot.
Water surged over her shoulders.
The older man opened his eyes and gripped her sleeve.
Lightning flashed across the silver watch on his wrist.
“Tell Preston…” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”
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Then the vehicle lurched toward the flooded ditch.
👉 Grace had no idea who Preston was—but the name made Ben stop fighting the current for one dangerous second.
