Jump!' Anawak shouted. 'Now!'

The Devilfish rose on the swell and sank back down. The people on the railings leaped after it, crashing one on top of another, amid screams of pain. Some landed in the water, but were soon fished out. Eventually everyone was aboard.

It was time to make their getaway.

But not everyone had jumped. Crouched behind the railings a boy was crying, face buried in his hands.

'Jump!' shouted Anawak. He held out his arms. 'There's no need to be afraid.'

Greywolf joined him. 'When the next wave comes, I'll fetch him.'

Anawak glanced over his shoulder. An enormous wall of water was heading straight for them. 'That might be sooner than you think,' he said.

The two grey whales sank below the surface. The sea around the Lady gurgled and foamed, then the bridge disappeared in a whirlpool of water. Her stern rose into the air and the Lady Wexham slid bow first into the depths.

'Get closer!' shouted Greywolf.

Somehow Shoemaker obliged. The Devilfish's bow struck the Lady's deck as she sank, with the boy still clutching the railings. Greywolf shoved his way to the stern, but a wave hit the Zodiac and a veil of frothy water billowed over the rails. As Greywolf leaned out to grab the boy, the Devilfish tipped, he lost his balance and crashed to the deck, but he didn't let go. His arms supported the boy like two firm tree-trunks. His bear-like hands were locked around his waist. Then the Lady Wexham vanished into the depths.

Shoemaker thrust the throttle forward. The waves rolling in from the Pacific were long and regular. They wouldn't pose a risk to the overcrowded Zodiac, providing that her skipper was careful. But Shoemaker had recovered his cool. The Zodiac shot over the crest of a wave, sank down the other side and headed for the coast.

Anawak glanced back at MS Arctic. The second motorboat was nowhere to be seen. A fluke plunged into the water, waving in what seemed to be a mocking farewell. A humpback… He would never see another whale's tail without a sense of foreboding.

A few minutes later they passed the narrow strip of land that separated the open water from the lagoon.

THE BOAT PULLED UP AT the jetty, crammed with people. In the moments following their return, the sight of the unscathed Devilfish was Davie's only comfort. They read out the names of the missing. People collapsed in shock. Then the crowd dispersed. The Zodiac's passengers nearly all had hypothermia. Most were taken away by friends or family to be treated at the nearest clinic. Some had sustained more serious injuries, but no one could say when the helicopter would arrive to take them to Victoria. The radio was still jammed with reports of new horrors.

Davie had been forced to endure hostile questioning, accusations and defamation. Physical violence was threatened if the passengers didn't return. Roddy Walker, Stringer's boyfriend, had put in an appearance, telling everyone in earshot that they'd be hearing from his lawyer. Yet no one was trying to establish who was really to blame. The idea that whales might attack unprovoked was rejected out of hand. They were placid creatures – like people, but nicer. The surviving tourists rounded on Davie and his skippers, as though they were responsible for first-degree murder. According to their accusers, they were irresponsible, took unnecessary risks and went to sea in battered old boats. It was true that the Lady had seen several seasons, but she didn't deserve to be posthumously maligned. No one was prepared to listen.

At least her crew and the majority of the passengers were escorted home safely. Most remembered to thank Shoemaker and Anawak, but Greywolf was hailed as the hero of the hour. He was everywhere at once, talking, listening, organising and offering to take people to the clinic. He was trying so hard to be a Samaritan that Anawak felt sick.

Greywolf had risked his life; there was no doubt about it. And, of course, they were right to thank him – on their knees, if he insisted. But Anawak didn't feel like it. This sudden burst of altruism seemed deeply suspect. He was sure that Greywolf's efforts to help the Lady Wexham hadn't been as selfless as they seemed. It had been a hugely successful day for Jack O'Bannon. He was the one they'd listened to and trusted. He'd always said that whale-watching would end in a disaster – well, if only they'd listened… And now this! Soon people would attest to his clear-sighted prescience. He couldn't have hoped for a better platform.

Furiously, Anawak paced up and down the empty office. They had to find out why the whales had behaved like that. Suddenly he remembered the Barrier Queen. Roberts had been going to send him that report. Now he needed it urgently. He went to the phone, dialled the operator and asked to be connected to the shipping line.

Roberts's secretary answered. Her boss was in a meeting and couldn't be disturbed. Anawak mentioned his involvement with the Barrier Queen, and intimated to her that his business was urgent. The meeting was even more so, she assured him. Yes, she'd heard about the catastrophic events of the past few hours. Full of motherly concern for his welfare, she commiserated sympathetically – but refused point-blank to put Roberts on the line. Would he like to leave a message?

Anawak hesitated. Roberts had said the report was confidential. He didn't want to get the MD into trouble. Maybe he shouldn't mention it. Then he had an idea. 'It's about the infestation on the Barrier Queen's bow,' he said. 'There were mussels and some other organic material stuck there. We sent some to the institute in Nanaimo. They need fresh stock.'

'Fresh stock?'

'Fresh samples. I suppose you've checked every inch of the vessel by now?'

'Of course,' she said, a strange undercurrent in her voice.

'And where is she now?'

'Still docked.' She paused. 'I'll tell Mr. Roberts it's urgent. Where should we send the samples?'

'To the institute in Nanaimo for the attention of Dr Sue Oliviera. Thanks for your help.'

'Mr. Roberts will be in touch directly.' The line went dead. He'd been fobbed off.

What was going on?

His knees started to tremble. He felt exhausted and despondent. He leaned against the counter and closed his eyes. When he opened them, Alicia Delaware was in front of him.

'What are you doing here?' he asked tersely.

She shrugged. 'I'm fine. There's no need for me to see a doctor.'

'Oh, yes, there is. You were in that water, and the water here is darned cold. Now, run along to the clinic before anyone decides to blame us for your frozen intestines too.'

'Hey!' She glared at him. 'None of this is my fault, OK?'

Anawak straightened up from the counter and walked to the window at the rear of the office. The Devilfish was moored outside as though nothing had happened. It was drizzling lightly.

'What was all that rubbish you told me about leaving the island?' he said. 'I broke the rules to take you with me. I only did it because you gave me that sob story.'

'I. . .' She faltered. 'I. . . Well, I really wanted to go. Are you mad at me?'

Anawak turned to her. 'I can't stand being lied to.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Well, why don't you go away and let me get on with my work, then? Run along to Greywolf He'll take care of you.'

'For God's sake, Leon.' She took a step forward, and he drew back. 'I wanted to go on your tour, that's all. I'm sorry I lied to you. The truth is, I'm here for another few weeks, and I don't come from Chicago. I'm at the University of British Columbia, studying biology. What's the big deal? I thought you'd find it funny-'

'So that's your idea of a joke? What's so funny about someone taking advantage of me?' He was losing control, but he couldn't stop shouting, even though he knew she was right. None of it was her fault.