Chapter 56 - The Rising Surge
A deafening metallic groan reverberated through the granite floor.
At the far end of the chamber, the heavy sluice gates shuddered under an immense impact. Dark, frothing seawater began to spout violently from the pressure valves around the ceiling. The ocean was reclaiming the bay five minutes earlier than the charts predicted.
"The tide!" Victoria yelled over the rising roar of rushing water. "Arthur’s men triggered the manual intake release before they retreated!"
Arthur was already being dragged up the spiral ladder by his remaining bodyguard, coughing through the smoke, shouting frantic orders that were swallowed by the cacophony of the sea.
Water was pouring into the room in thick, roaring cascades, quickly submerging our boots and rising past our ankles within seconds.
"The dial!" I screamed, lunging toward the safe's combination lock. "Julian’s letter! What was the date of the cadastre?"
"*1954!*" Victoria yelled, splashing through the freezing current to shield my back. "Project Veritas: October 14, 1954!"
I spun the wheel: 10... 14... 54.
The brass ring stopped with a sharp click. I inserted the master key into the central keyhole, threw my entire body weight against the lever, and pulled.
The six-inch steel door groaned, its heavy hinges fighting the pressure, and swung open.
Inside, protected within airtight rubber seals, lay the true treasure of Julian Vance: three thick bound ledgers with the official seal of the state architectural board, a bank of reel-to-reel audio recordings labeled *Arthur Sterling: Harbor Pylon Kickbacks*, and the original municipal survey declaring Pier 12 a condemned zone prior to construction.
"Grab the dry bags!" Richard shouted, plunging his arms into the freezing water that was now lapping at our knees. He shoved the ledgers into a waterproof tactical pack and strapped it to my chest. "Ava, we have to climb now! The chamber will be completely submerged in sixty seconds!"
"Victoria, go!" I pushed her toward the rusted iron ladder.
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The water reached our waists. The freezing temperature hit my chest like a sledgehammer, knocking the breath from my lungs. Above us, the roaring helicopter spotlight beamed straight down the open shaft, illuminating the torrential waterfall cascading down the ladder rungs.
***
