Fatal Tide (12 page)

“I never said I was sure. I just think the chances are good.” She glanced sideways at him. “You’ve kept your word. You’ve done everything I’ve asked. I know how much you want this. I’ll try not to disappoint you.”

“I won’t be disappointed. If we get Archer, I’ll consider it a win. Sometimes I think I want Archer almost as much as I do Marinth.”

“
Almost
is the key word.” The
Trina
was just ahead and it was as beautiful as she remembered it. “Nothing is as important as Marinth. I understand. It’s like a fever.”

“There are fevers and then there are fevers.” He helped her up the gangplank. “I don’t think it’s wise to discuss fever at the moment.”

“Why not? It was always Phil’s dream to—” She forgot what she was saying.
Heat
. She looked away and drew a deep breath. “Okay, we won’t talk about fever.”

“Coward,” he taunted softly. “I thought you’d meet the challenge.”

“Then say what you mean.” She forced herself to look back at him. “Don’t play with words. I’m not good at games.”

His smile faded. “Neither am I. You caught me off guard. I didn’t expect you to feel it too.”

She hadn’t expected it either. It had come like a lightning strike—hot, searing, intensely sexual. She was still in shock.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I’m not going to take advantage of a weak moment.” He nodded at the stairs leading to the cabins. “I told Cal to put your suitcase in the first cabin on the right. I think you’ll have everything you need.”

She didn’t want to leave him, she realized in astonishment. “Thank you.” She moved slowly toward the stairs. Jesus, what the devil was happening?

She was neither stupid nor innocent. She knew what was happening. It was just that it had never happened to her before.

She looked back over her shoulder as she reached the steps. He was still standing there watching her. Strong, vital, and powerfully, sensually male.

Heat.

She hurried down the steps.

She drew a deep breath and opened the door of Kelby’s cabin.

“Look, I’m sorry to intrude, but I—”

He wasn’t there. Yet it had to be over two hours since she’d left him on deck.

She walked down the hall and slowly climbed the steps to the upper deck. He was standing at the rail looking out at the sea.

“Kelby.”

He turned to look at her. “A problem?”

“Yes.” Her voice was shaking. “And I don’t know what to do about it. I can’t sleep and I feel—” She moved to stand in front of him. “But I don’t think it’s going to go away, so I have to deal with it.” She put her hand on his chest. She felt his heart jump and his muscles stiffen beneath her touch. “Carolyn would say it’s a healthy development.”

“And you respect her opinion. I don’t care why or how, just so it happens.” He put his hand on her throat. “You’re so damn delicate. I’m not the gentlest man in the world. I’ll get caught up and I’ll go too fast— I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

“Bullshit. I’m not delicate. I’m strong, and don’t you forget it.”

He chuckled. “I promise I won’t forget.” His hand moved down to her breast.

She inhaled sharply.

He glanced up swiftly. “No?”

“I wasn’t rejecting you, dammit. We’re not going to get anywhere if you keep treating me like a cripple. It just felt . . . exciting. It’s all connected, isn’t it? You touch me there and I feel it . . . everywhere.”

“That’s the way it works.” His voice was thick. “And sometimes it works very fast. So I think we’d better get downstairs to my cabin.”

He tried to get his breath. “Did I hurt you?”

“I don’t remember.” Kelby had been passionate in the extreme and there might have been roughness. She had no right to complain. After the first few minutes they had both been almost animalistic. She vaguely remembered her nails digging into his shoulders. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, but you surprised the hell out of me.”

“It surprised me too. It wasn’t like that with the men Carolyn chose. She did her best, but that was . . . clinical.”

“I bet she was disappointed.”

“Yes, she said we’d try again later. I shied away from it, but if I’d known it was this good, I might have gone along with her.”

“I think you should stay with me. I’m a proven product.” He drew her closer. “No bad vibes?”

“A few, at first. But then they went away. I guess it was because we were like a couple of bears trying to get at each other. It seemed very . . . natural. If there was a victim in this bed, it was you, Kelby.”

“And I’ll gladly sacrifice my body again. I’m happy I could please.”

She didn’t speak for a moment. “It was interesting.”

Kelby chuckled. “Not the most enthusiastic comment on my sexual expertise.” He brushed his lips on her temple. “And it was more than interesting to you. You were damn hot.”

“And that was interesting too.” Melis moved closer to him. “It went on and on. I believe you must be like Pete.”

“What?”

“You once said you were highly sexed, like Pete. I think you’re right.”

“Is that a hint? I’m ready.”

Oh, yes, he was ready. And so was she. It was incredible that she could want it again so soon. The years and Carolyn must have brought healing. She would have been so pleased. . . .

Kelby raised himself on one elbow. “Where the devil are you going?”

“To my cabin to shower and dress.” She hesitated. “I want you to know that I realize this didn’t mean anything to you. I meant to tell you before, but I got distracted.”

“I was a little distracted myself, and it did mean something.”

She smiled. “A damn good time. But I know you don’t have any reason to trust women, and I never realized until tonight that a man can be vulnerable too. I just wanted to tell you that I’m not going to sue you or cry buckets when you go sailing away. No commitments. That’s what’s so good about what happened tonight.”

“Is it?” He was silent a moment. “Then why don’t you come back and we’ll indulge in some more uncommitted sex.”

She shook her head. “I have to check on Pete and Susie.”

He threw the sheet aside. “I’ll go with you.”

“Why? You must have things to do here.” She grimaced. “Like sleep. We didn’t get much.”

“Nicholas is still in town and I don’t want you to go anywhere alone.”

Archer. How could she have forgotten him? “He hasn’t called me yet.”

“Thank God. I don’t think I could handle that at the moment.”

“You can’t have someone trailing behind me all the time.” She moistened her lips. “Get me a gun, Kelby.”

“Okay, but a gun isn’t the solution to every problem. You need a bodyguard, and you’ll get it. Either me or someone I trust.” He headed for the shower. “Archer would love to get his hands on you, and you’re not as protected as you were on the island. I’m not going to have to visit a morgue and identify your body because you’re being stubborn.” The bathroom door closed behind him.

Carolyn lying dead and savaged on that cold metal table.

She shivered as she opened the door to the hall. That memory was like plunging into the depths of icy water. She would take the bodyguard. These last hours had reinforced again how much she owed Carolyn. She wasn’t entirely healed, but she was on the way. Debts had to be paid.

And she had to stay alive to pay them.

Archer didn’t call her until she’d been at the tank for over an hour. “It’s been too long, Melis. Did you miss me?”

“I hoped someone had stepped on you and killed you like the cockroach you are.”

“Did you know that cockroaches are supposed to inherit the earth? How did the dolphins tolerate the trip?”

“They’re fine. And very well protected.”

“I know. I’ve had the situation checked out. But that doesn’t mean I couldn’t get to them if I wanted to do it.”

“You’re here in Las Palmas?”

“Where you are, I’ll be. Don’t you realize that by now?” He paused. “Until you give me what I want. It shouldn’t be hard for you. You’re so experienced in giving men what they want. They say children absorb knowledge more quickly and permanently than grown-ups. Isn’t it wonderful that that skill and memory will be with you forever? I envy Kelby. You must be showing him a very good time. But perhaps I won’t stop at envy. Maybe I’ll decide to taste you myself. I’ll put you in a little white dress and—”

“Shut up.”

He was silent a moment. “Another break in the armor. It’s gradually crumbling, isn’t it? Give me Lontana’s research, Melis.”

“Damn you.”

“If you don’t, I’ll be here for the rest of your life. It’s no problem for me. I’m quite enjoying it.” His voice softened. “But women don’t live long in places like
Kafas,
and if I get impatient, I may have to find a way to send you to one. I think you’d tell me what I want to know fairly quickly if I did.”

Don’t speak. Don’t lash out at him. Make him believe he’s terrified you into silence.

“Poor Melis. You’re struggling so hard. It’s not worth it.”

“I can’t tell— You killed—”

“What difference does it make? They’re dead. They wouldn’t want you to suffer like this. Give it to me.”

“No.”

“But that no is beginning to sound more like yes. I hear a hint of desperation.”

“I can’t help what you hear.” She deliberately made her voice break. “I can’t . . . help it. Go away.”

“Oh, I will. Because you need to think about what I’ve said. I’ll call you back this evening. I believe we’ll go over tape one. That was the first day they put you in the harem. You were very bewildered. You didn’t understand what was happening to you. It was all fresh and full of pain. Remember?” He hung up.

She remembered all the pain. But for some reason she was less shaken than she’d been when Archer first started calling her. She had claimed she wasn’t that little girl any longer, but perhaps she hadn’t really believed it. Maybe by inundating her in that long-ago ugliness, Archer had calloused her to the sharpness of those memories. How disappointed he’d be if that was true.

“They’re getting along splendidly.” Rosa Valdez had come up beside her. “The female let me pet her this morning.”

“She’s very approachable.” Melis tried to block the thought of Archer as she thrust her phone back in her jacket pocket. She couldn’t let that bastard disturb her any more than necessary. She had work to do. “Has anyone come around the tank since we put the dolphins in it?”

“No one but the other students on the team.” Rosa frowned. “I told everyone that those were the instructions. Is something wrong?”

“No, I just wondered.” She turned and headed for the tank. “Did you give the dolphins their toys?”

“Yes. They seemed to feel better after that. Does Susie always wear that plastic boa around her body? She looks very flirtatious.”

“She’s very feminine. I saw her do the same thing with a length of kelp and decided she needed something more permanent.” But evidently Pete hadn’t been playing with his plastic buoy in his customary manner or Rosa would have definitely remarked on it. “I thought the toys would help. They don’t have enough roaming territory in the tank to combat boredom. It’s a temp—”

“Mother of God.” Rosa’s eyes widened as she stared at Pete. “What’s he doing?”

“Just what you think he’s doing. He likes to swim around with the buoy.”

“But it’s on his penis.”

“Yes, he sometimes does it for hours.” Melis’s lips twitched as she added, “He must think it feels pretty good.”

“I imagine he does,” Rosa said weakly, her fascinated gaze never leaving Pete. “I can’t wait to document this in the journal.”

“The ship is fast, has a crew of six and a heavy weapon stock,” Pennig said. “So it might be difficult to hijack once they’re on the high seas.”

“Difficult is not impossible. How close are they to having the
Trina
ready?” Archer asked.

“A day or two. They’re waiting for some machine or something.”

“A day or two,” Archer repeated. It wouldn’t give him much time to work on Melis. But it might be enough. The last time he’d talked to her she’d shown signs of crumbling. He didn’t like the idea of having to call her after she was at sea with Kelby. She might feel freer, safer, isolated on the ship with him.

Should he put pressure by increasing the number of calls?

Maybe.

But he almost hated to disrupt the tempo. He could imagine her waiting, dreading the moment when the phone rang.

“Al Hakim called you last night, didn’t he?” Pennig’s voice was tentative. “Is he getting impatient?”

“Do you have the audacity to suggest that I’m not handling this right?”

“No, of course not,” Pennig said quickly. “I only wondered.”

Al Hakim
was
getting impatient. And the last thing Archer wanted was for him to send some of his terrorist partners to scope out the situation and risk them taking over. “Then wonder silently, Pennig. I know what I’m doing.”

Going slowly and patiently with Melis was an exquisite pleasure. But patience might be becoming perilous.

He would have to consider the possibility of raising the stakes.

Chapter Eleven

“How are they doing?” Kelby asked as he strolled down the pier toward her. “Is Pete still mad?”

“Not very.” Melis handed the bucket of fish to Manuel and turned back to Kelby. “He’s quieted down since we gave him his toys.”

“Yeah, I saw him playing with one of those toys when I came by here this morning. Interesting.”

“I didn’t know you were here.”

“You were at the market picking out fish for Pete and Susie.”

“And Nicholas was right beside me. He didn’t appreciate having to carry pounds of smelly fish back to the tank. He said he didn’t mind being a bodyguard, but being a beast of burden for Pete and Susie offended his dignity.”

“It’s good for him.” He handed her the canvas tote bag he was carrying. “One thirty-eight revolver, as requested. Do you know how to use it?”

She nodded. “Kemal showed me. He said knowing how to protect myself was the best therapy he could offer me.”

“I’m beginning to think better of your Kemal.”

“You should. He’s a wonderful man.”

“Well, maybe I’m not that fond of him. I’m beginning to feel a faint prickling of jealousy.”

She gazed at him in disbelief.

“I know. It’s surprising me too.” He looked down at Pete in the tank. “I need reassurance. Want to come back to the ship and give it to me?”

Their bodies twined, arching, moving.

She felt a surge of heat move through her at the memory. “You don’t need reassurance. The first time I saw you I thought you had more confidence than anyone I’d ever met.”

“You’re right.” He grinned. “Just thought I’d play on your sympathy and try to get you in the sack like the unscrupulous guy I am.”

“Then you struck out. I don’t feel at all sorry for you, and I need to stay with the dolphins. There are two new students arriving this afternoon and I want to meet them.”

“Okay.” He smiled slightly. “God forbid I compete with Pete and Susie.” He turned and started up the pier. “If you change your mind, I’ll be at the
Trina
.”

She watched him walk away from her. Lord, he was beautiful. As beautiful as the dolphins. And how he’d hate her telling him that. He was all lean, compact muscularity, as firmly rooted to the earth as the dolphins were to the sea. Faded jeans outlined muscular thighs and calves and buttocks that were rock hard. Another surge of heat went through her, stronger, more intense.

Oh, shit.

Screw staying to meet those kids. She’d come back later. She started up the pier after Kelby.

She’d come back afterward.

“Just screw me and then get up and walk out the door.” Kelby watched lazily from the bed as she dressed. “I feel so used.”

“You were.” She smiled. “Several times. You asked for it and you got it.”

“And I couldn’t be more grateful. Unless you came back to bed and did it again.”

She glanced out the window. It wasn’t twilight yet, but it was close. “I have to get back to the dolphins. Don’t you have something important to do?”

“I just did it.” His smile faded. “You do know you’re something of a miracle, don’t you?”

“Of course. I’m smart and I’m healthy and I know how to speak dolphinese—sometimes.”

“And you’re more giving than any woman I’ve ever met, and that’s a miracle in itself.”

“Because of my background”—she finished buttoning her shirt—“I’m finding it pretty much of a miracle too. I never expected to be this lusty. I never expected any of this.”

“Do you suppose it could have anything to do with the fact that I’m the best lover in this hemisphere?”

“No, it definitely doesn’t have anything to do with that.”

“I’m crushed.” He paused. “Then why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s that everything Carolyn taught me suddenly sank in. Maybe it’s that I’ve become so accustomed to sex in nature that I realize that dirtiness isn’t in the act but the intent.” She tilted her head to gaze at him appraisingly. “And maybe it’s because you’re not the
worst
lover in this hemisphere.” She opened the door. “I’ll see you later, Kelby.”

He nodded as he reached for his phone. “I’m calling Gary St. George. He’ll meet you at the gangplank. I’d go myself, but I’m expecting delivery of the imager.”

“Good. That means I can get the dolphins out of that tank tomorrow.”

“Or the next day. I have to make sure the imager is in good working order.” He raised a brow. “But you know red tape: The machine may not be delivered for an hour or so. Why don’t you come back to bed and keep me from being bored?”

Good God, she was actually tempted.

The dolphins.

She shook her head. “I don’t want to wear you out, Kelby. I may have use for you later.”

“You’re looking good, Melis,” Gary said as she came down the gangplank. “More relaxed.”

She felt the warmth flood her face. Were he and the other crew members aware how she had become that relaxed? She had the weird feeling everyone must know, that she still wore the imprint of Kelby’s body.

“I was worried about you when I put you on that plane in Athens. I’ve never seen you that tense.”

She was jumping to conclusions. Gary hadn’t seen her since that awful day in Athens. Naturally he’d comment. “I’m better. How have you been, Gary?”

“Good.” He smiled. “It’s a fine crew. Kelby hired Terry, and Charlie Collins, the first mate, is top-notch. Karl Brecht doesn’t talk much, but that’s not bad. I’d rather have quiet than a chatterbox. And I’m going to like working for Kelby. Everyone says he’s a hell-raiser but a straight shooter.”

“I’m sure he’s both.”

“I’m glad you gave in about the search.” He strolled beside her down the dock. “I never did understand why you were so set against it. Phil really wanted to find Marinth.”

“I never stood in his way. I just refused to help him.”

“It made him hot as a firecracker. Particularly those last months before he died.”

“You’re not going to make me feel guilty, Gary. I made the right choice for me and the dolphins.”

“I didn’t mean you were wrong, Melis. You had to do what you had to do. I’m just glad that you’re going ahead with it now. It’ll mean a fat bonus for the crew if we find it. Kelby’s very generous.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. There are a lot of variables.”

“Phil thought you could find it if you tried. He talked about it all the time. Toward the last it was all he could think about.”

“I know, Gary.” A sudden thought occurred to her. “Phil was trying to get funding for an expedition. Did you meet the man who was negotiating with him?”

He shook his head. “I knew there was someone. He went ashore five or six nights in a row to meet with him. The first few times he came back higher than a kite. But then I could tell it had fizzled out. The last time he came back in a hurry, weighed anchor, and we took off right away.”

“And he started getting rid of the crew.” That must have been the point when Archer had started in pursuit. When he had failed with Phil, he eliminated the only man who knew about Marinth and that blasted sonic apparatus. Phil’s death would have had a double benefit because it would have drawn her to Athens and made her vulnerable. “Why couldn’t he have just forgotten about that damn city?”

“He never really hit a big bonanza.” His brow furrowed in thought as he gazed at the tank on the pier just ahead. “Just that one galleon. He would have been famous and rich. Maybe it was something no one else had done. No one could take that away from—” He stiffened beside her. “Where’s Cal? It was his turn for sentry duty at the tank.”

She stopped. “What?”

“He was complaining because he was always having to watch the dolphins. It was his turn to—”

His knees buckled and he was falling to the ground.

“Gary!”

A round hole had appeared in the center of his forehead. Blood . . .

A black sedan was barreling down the dock toward her. The back door swung open as it neared where she stood, frozen.

“No!” She started to run, her hand reaching into the tote. The gun. Get the gun.

The sedan was almost even with her. Someone was leaning out the back door.

Oh, my God. Cox.

Melis lifted the gun. She heard a curse and the back door slammed shut as she got off a shot. It ricocheted off the side of the door.

The driver. She tried to aim, but there was no way while she was running. She shot anyway.

The glass shattered and the car suddenly swerved toward a warehouse on the right. Then it swerved back and was coming directly toward her.

No time to run away. No time to think.

She dived off the dock into the water.

Kelby was angry. Every muscle in his body was breathing fury as he strode into the warehouse toward her. He handed her a canvas bag. “I brought you dry clothes.”

“Thank you.” She drew the blanket the police lieutenant had given her closer around her. “But I need to shower before I get into clean clothes. I feel like I’m coated in salt. I believe they’re almost through with me. Lieutenant Lorenzo said he’d be back in a few minutes.”

“Are you okay?” he asked jerkily.

She nodded. “I’m not hurt. They didn’t want to hurt me. They just wanted to get their hands on me.” She shivered. “They killed Gary.”

“I know.”

“And one of the students was struck on the head and has a concussion. It’s Manuel.” She rubbed her forehead. “I think that’s what they told me. Poor kid.”

“It’s Manuel Jurez. He’ll be okay.”

“Cal was shot too. But he’s going to live. Archer and his men must have tried to hedge their bets by making sure I was vulnerable at the tanks if he couldn’t get me while I was on my way there.” She moistened her lips. “Cal was shot in the shoulder, and Archer had him thrown into the dolphin tank to get rid of the body. He should have drowned, but Pete and Susie wedged him between them and kept him above water.”

“Hooray for Pete and Susie.”

She met his gaze. “Cal thinks so.”

He was silent a moment. “So do I.”

“Then why are you being sarcastic?”

“Because I came in this drafty warehouse and saw you sitting there looking like a drowned rat. Because all hell broke loose and I wasn’t here to stop it. Because I had to have the police call me and tell me what happened. Why the hell didn’t you do it?”

“I was busy, dammit.”

“Didn’t it occur to you that I might want to help?”

“No.” Her voice was uneven. “I wasn’t thinking very clearly.”

He stared at her for a moment and then muttered an oath. He fell to his knees beside her and took the edge of the blanket and dabbed at her cheek. “Why didn’t you dry your hair? Water’s running down your face. . . .”

“I have to wash it anyway. I stink from the seawater.” She tried to stop trembling. “You were right. The gun didn’t do the job, Kelby. I tried to shoot them, but it didn’t work out. After I jumped into the water and swam under the pier, they took off. The car was abandoned six blocks from the docks. Lieutenant Lorenzo thinks I wounded the driver. There was blood on the seat.”

“Good. I hope it was Archer.”

“No, Archer was in the backseat. He was the one who opened the door and was ready to pull me into the car.”

“How do you know? We don’t have a photo yet.”

“Cox.”

“What?”

“Carolyn said that name on the phone. I think she was trying to help me identify Archer. She was a big fan of late-night TV and classic sitcoms. She even had tapes of her favorite shows that never went into reruns. We used to stay up until all hours eating popcorn and talking and watching Nick at Nite.”

“And?”

“She had a tape of a show called
Mr. Peepers
with Wally Cox. He played the quintessential meek, scrawny, milquetoast character. Archer looks like Wally Cox.”

“
Milquetoast
doesn’t jibe with Archer’s reputation.”

“But an appearance of weakness might have fueled that sadistic streak. When we get the photo, I’ll bet it looks like Wally Cox.”

“No bet. It makes sense.” He got to his feet. “We’re not waiting any longer on your lieutenant. You need a hot shower and a change of clothes. He can just come to the
Trina
if he has any more questions.”

She nodded. “Right after I go check Pete and Susie. The lieutenant said they were okay, but I need to see for myself.”

“I knew you’d be concerned, so I sent Terry and Karl to the tank to stand guard. Nothing is going to—” He stopped. “I’m wasting my breath. Come on. We’ll see your lieutenant and then go to the tank.”

Susie clicked excitedly the minute she saw Melis. It was as if she was trying to tell her what had happened. Pete was silent, but his tail switched nervously as he swam around the tank.

“See, I told you they were fine,” Kelby said. “Maybe a little upset, but what else can you expect?”

“Yes, they’re fine,” she said softly. “More than fine.”

“They really saved Cal’s life?”

“No doubt about it. He was unconscious when the medics went into the tank after him. It’s not that unusual. There are stories through history about dolphins saving swimmers.” She called softly to the dolphins, “You did good, guys. I’m proud of you.”

Pete suddenly rose to the surface in a high jump that splashed water out of the tank.

“Is that a reply?” Kelby asked.

“It could be.” She nodded. “Yes, I think he’s proud of himself too.”

“Then can we go back to the
Trina
? You haven’t stopped shaking since we left the warehouse.”

She didn’t want to go. Danger had come too close. She had lost Gary and had come close to losing Cal. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing the dolphins.

“Archer’s not about to come back tonight,” Kelby said. “Besides the guards I put on the dolphins, the entire dock is crawling with police. He’d be nuts to come back.”

“He is nuts. You saw what he did to Carolyn.” She waved her hand as he opened his mouth. “I know. I know. There’s a difference. I don’t believe he’d come back tonight either.” She turned and started up the pier. “We’ll go back to the ship.”