Chapter 9 - The Steel Trap
Absolute panic consumed the deck as the relentless countdown blared through the speakers.
Caroline suddenly realized the heavy steel doors had trapped her alongside her intended victims.
She desperately typed override codes into the control panel, but the system was completely and irrevocably locked.
Grant knew he only had a few precious seconds left to save his reunited family.
He remembered the intricate blueprints of this exact yacht model from his early smuggling days on the waterfront.
He ran to the center console and ripped the heavy metal grating entirely off the floorboards.
There was a manual emergency release hatch specifically designed for dropping illegal cargo.
He used his bare, bleeding hands to pry the rusted iron wheel, his muscles screaming in pure agony.
The hatch groaned loudly and finally gave way, revealing the dark, churning water directly below.
"Hannah, take Lucy and Emma and jump right now!" Grant commanded with absolute authority.
Hannah grabbed the two terrified girls and leaped bravely through the open hatch without hesitation.
Grant turned quickly to follow them, but Caroline grabbed his leg with a desperate, clawing grip.
"If I die tonight, you die with me!" Caroline screamed, aiming her empty derringer at his back.
Grant spun around gracefully and kicked the useless weapon completely out of her hand.
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"You died to me five long years ago," Grant said with a voice as cold as ice.
He dove headfirst through the emergency hatch just as the robotic voice announced ten seconds remaining.
