Eyes of Fire by Heather Graham Page B

the last year. Hank disappeared just over a year ago. So that’s four disappearances. I have an older gentleman here right now who can quote you statistics regarding all the disappearances here. Even some scientific experts believe that there might be magnetic poles or something like that in the waters around here. Why should your missing divers have anything to do with my island?”
    His silver eyes were sharp, and he groaned in exasperation. “Pay attention, Sam. They were all heading for waters just north of Seafire Isle.”
    â€œI head for waters just north of Seafire Isle almost every day.”
    â€œYes, I know.”
    â€œI haven’t seen or heard a single thing that was the least bit strange.”
    â€œI’d say your father did.”
    â€œMy father has been gone for years.”
    â€œA long time, yes. But we’ve just agreed that Hank and the other divers all disappeared within the past year.”
    â€œSo what the hell do you know about Hank?”
    â€œHe was looking for the Beldona, wasn’t he?” Adam demanded.
    â€œHe—he…”
    â€œWell?”
    â€œI don’t know exactly what he was doing. I had already gone the day he disappeared. He took one of the little motorboats and his diving equipment, and he never came back. Neither did the boat.”
    â€œAre you trying to tell me that Hank Jennings just decided to motor away?”
    She stared at him, folding her arms over her chest. “No, I don’t believe that he just motored away.”
    â€œWas he looking for the Beldona? ”
    â€œI just told you—”
    â€œWhat was he doing on the island?”
    â€œHe—he was a researcher. He studied the Steps and everything beneath the sea.”
    â€œThe wrecks?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œThe Beldona? ”
    Samantha let out a frustrated cry. “Yes, yes! He was as fascinated by the stories of that stupid ghost ship as my father was! She’s sunk beneath the sea, hidden, exactly where she belongs, and I wish to hell that people—especially people around me—would leave her alone where she lies!”
    â€œYou probably know more about that ship than anyone else on earth. You know that, don’t you?”
    â€œI’m not a researcher or a marine biologist. I run a resort, and I don’t know everything there is to know about that ship, and I don’t want to know anything more than I do about her.”
    â€œNo one knows everything. But I imagine a lot of people consider you to be the current expert on her. You are your father’s daughter, after all.”
    Sam sighed in complete exasperation. “When did this conversation start being about me? I want to know what you’re doing here, and you’re switching everything around so that you’re questioning me! It’s not going to happen. If you’d just tell me—”
    He stood up suddenly, impatiently. Almost violently. She took a step back, but he didn’t even seem to notice. His empty beer bottle clinked on the top of the coffee table as he set it down. He dragged his fingers through his dark hair, staring at her. For a moment, just for a moment, she saw a flash of passion within him, yet she couldn’t begin to pinpoint exactly what that passion was for.
    â€œAll right, Sam. Someone on the island has been corresponding with SeaLink for several days now.”
    â€œSeaLink?” Sam murmured, confused. She knew the name, but she couldn’t place it right away. “The marine supply company?”
    â€œMarine supply company!” Adam muttered.
    â€œThey are a marine supply company, aren’t they? A big one. They sell boats, scuba equipment, maps, electronics.”
    â€œYes, yes. It was founded in 1970 by James Jay Astin. He’s also a treasure hunter. He and his employees have managed to dig up a fair amount of salvage from at least a dozen of the ships that have gone down off the