The safety line around his waist tugged gently—Catherine was holding steady. Her presence felt like a second heartbeat through the rope. Half the net came free, floating off in blue coils. The orca twitched, its tail moved slightly.
John tensed, expecting a violent reaction, but none came. Almost there, he thought. He shifted lower toward the tail, lungs burning. The last knot was tight, jammed under rough skin. He made a few quick cuts—two strands gave way, but the third snagged.