He wades in the salty water, clutching her dying body to his chest. "It's all okay, Wiress, it's okay, I promise," he murmurs, stroking her wet hair. She opens her mouth, saying nothing.
The cannon does not ring out. Blood gushes from her slit neck. "Hickory. . .dickory. . .dock," she says, barely intelligible.
"Yes, yes, that's right. The mouse runs up the-"
"Clock," she interrupts, reaching for his shoulder.
"And when the clock struck one. . ." he urges, holding her tighter.
She does not answer, but still, there is no cannon. "Bee. . .tee. . ." she whispers. "I love. . .you."
Then the cannon rings out and Beetee's tears fall into the water. "251 million gallons and one quarter teaspoon," he says, letting Wiress's body drift into the lagoon.
