6 Terrors

Terrors of the High Seas
By:
Melissa Good
Terrors of the High Seas - Melissa Good Printed: 1/30/2014
Terrors of the High Seas
By Melissa Good
Part 1
The golf cart snaed its !ay do!n the side!al" startling se#eral $eacocs on it%s !ay to the docs& 't $(lled to a halt
ne)t to the !ater" alongside a *4-foot Bertra+ ,o,,ing in the light cho$ of the !a#es&
't !as s(nny" ,(t cool" a gorgeo(s cris$ day" and the cart%s occ($ant sto$$ed to ad+ire that fact as she got o(t and
stretched& -$$ro$riate to the !eather" she !as dressed in st(rdy cotton shorts and a one-$iece ,athing s(it" !ith a light
tan to$ o#er it& Her +edi(+ length ,lond hair !as $(lled ,ac in a tail" c(rrently $oed thro(gh the rear of a ,right
,l(e ,ase,all ca$ !ith a s+all" e+,roidered .og,ert on the front&
/0o!&1 2erry St(art stated" !ith a grin& /Perfect !eather&1 She t(rned and hoisted ($ a crate of s($$lies" h(gging it to
her as she +ade her !ay ($ the gang!ay $ro$$ed against the side of the Bertra+ and ,oarded the ,oat& 't roced (nder
her as she ste$$ed off onto the dec and she fo(nd herself rolling !ith the +otion&
/3o ho" 3o ho" - $irate%s life for +e&1 2erry !ar,led softly" n(dging the door to the ca,in o$en and ste$$ing do!n
inside& She !aled o#er to the s+all galley and $(t the s($$lies do!n" then ,(sied herself t(cing the fresh foods into
the little refrigerator&
Mil" of co(rse& 4rea+ for coffee" ,(tter and a nice $iece of S!iss cheese along !ith honey ha+ for sand!iches& Peach
and Tangerine yog(rt for snacs" and a do5en eggs for ,reafast - loaf of cinna+on raisin ,read follo!ed" and a ,o) of
frosted stra!,erry Po$ Tarts& 2erry regarded the Po$ Tarts ,e+(sedly" and then tossed a $acage of +iniat(re carrots
in ne)t to the+&
't !as the last of the things they had to load ,efore they set off" and she h(++ed as she !ored" hardly ,elie#ing it !as
finally the day they !ere lea#ing&
She%d +eant to tae off a fe! days ,efore they !ent on this tri$" ,(t one thing after another e$t ha$$ening at !or" and
finally it%d 6(st ,een easier for her to go and tae care of st(ff rather than let it sit and fester" or !orse&
B(t starting today" her office had strict orders that any call to her cell $hone had to refer to co+$lete catastro$he" and
she !as e)$ecting her staff to handle e#erything else !itho(t her $resence&
't !as" after all" the holidays" near the end of the year" and if there !as any ti+e she co(ld 6(st disa$$ear for a !ee" this
!as it&
2erry straightened and o$ened the ca,inet a,o#e the refrigerator" stocing so+e essential groceries in it& /4an%t sail
!itho(t those&1 She shoo the ,o) of frosted flaes gently& /7r those&1 4ans of so($ follo!ed" for 8(ic snacs after
night di#es& She tended to co+e ($ chilled" and the cold fr(it .ar !as $artial to didn%t 8(ite fit the ,ill for her&
The $o$ o$en cans of $inea$$le and oranges !ent ($ ne)t to the so($ along !ith a co($le of 6ars of 6a+ and one large
one of $ean(t ,(tter&
9inished" she rested her el,o!s on the co(nter and ga5ed aro(nd the ,oat in a$$reciation& To one side there !as a s+all
eating area" !ith sea green and na#y fa,ric seats aro(nd it in a se+i-circle& 7n the other side of the ca,in !as a
!oring/li#ing section !ith a tele#ision and :4;" and ,(ilt in storage for their ho,,y gear& Her ,oo ,ag !as already
nestled in one of the chairs < she%d decided to !or on so+e longhand $oetry on the tri$" and .ar had stashed a
$ainf(lly intricate shi$ +odel in a dra!er to occ($y idle +o+ents&
The ,oat roced gently" and another set of footste$s so(nded on dec" soft and +(ffled as tho(gh the ne!co+er !as
,arefoot&
0hich" of co(rse" they !ere& 2erry glanced ($ as .ar entered the ca,in" d(cing her head to clear the lo! entrance and
gi#ing her a raish grin as she tossed a d(ffel ,ag onto the ta,le on the other side of the galley
Her $artner !as dressed in a $air of deni+ c(toffs that !ere 6(st ,arely legal < there !ere +ore threads and ri$s than
fa,ric < !ith a ri,,ed" !hite tan to$ t(ced into the+&/ Hey there" gorgeo(s&1 She greeted .ar& /That the last of it=1
/>oc" stoc" ,arrel and ,ody !ash&1 .ar confir+ed& /0e%re ready to tae off on o(tta here&1
/7oo?1 2erry did a little ha$$y dance& /' a+ so ready for this&1
.ar !aled aro(nd the edge of the co(ch and encircled 2erry in her ar+s" $(lling her into a close h(g& /Me too&1 She
agreed& /Mo+ and .ad are !aiting for (s to $(ll o(t& They%re going to $(ll into o(r sli$ !hile !e%re gone&1
2
/4ool&1 2erry !as ,(sy s(cing in l(ngf(ls of delightf(lly cocoan(tty s+elling .ar& /'%+ glad they%re staying !ith
4hino& She lo#es .ad&1
/M+&1 .ar +(r+(red& /' thin he%s trying to s(cer +y +other into getting the+ one&1
2erry%s ,ro! crinled& /' tho(ght she !as allergic to dogs=1
.ar released her" ,(t slid an ar+ o#er her sho(lders as they !aled to!ards the ca,in door& /She clai+s to ha#e gro!n
o(t of it&1 They e+erged onto the dec&
/'%ll lea#e the cart for the+ there" then&1 2erry co++ented& /;eady for +e to cast off the lines=1
.ar trotted ($ the stairs to the ,ridge and $erched on the leather-co#ered seat& />et +e get the engines s$ooled ($" then
yeah" let @er loose&1
2erry !illingly !ent to !or" dra!ing ($ the gang!ay and lashing it into $lace" then ho$$ing off onto the doc as the
lo! thr(+ of the t!in diesels r(+,led to life& She !ent to the stern line and released it" then did the sa+e !ith the ,o!"
tossing the ro$es onto the dec ,efore she lea$ed after the+&
They !ere free& 2erry felt lie ,o(ncing and letting o(t a yell" ,(t it !as early yet and there !ere $eo$le !ho sle$t on
,oard their ,oats doced in the 'sland%s +arina so she regretf(lly stifled the i+$(lse& 'nstead" she d(tif(lly !aled
aro(nd the $eri+eter of the dec" checing o#er the side for de,ris or errant lines fro+ other ,oats& /4learA1 She called
($ to .ar&
.ar nodded" her $ale ,l(e eyes alert as she caref(lly ,aced the large ,oat o(t of its sli$& /;adio the doc+aster" !o(ld
yo(=1
/-ye" aye" ca$%n&1 2erry chortled" d(cing inside the ca,in to gra, the radio +ic& /.oc+aster" doc+aster&1
- soft cracling so(nd ca+e fro+ the s$eaer" then < /'sland doc+aster" go ahead&1
/This is .i)ieland 3anee" lea#ing the doc& 0e ha#e a float $lan filed for the -+erican :irgin 'slands&1 2erry had to
grin at the ne!ly re-christened ,oat na+e" the +ost dignified of the $ossi,le choices they%d co+e ($ !ith& .ar%s a(nt"
!ho+ she%d inherited the craft fro+" had declined to na+e the +otor yacht" +erely referring to it ,y it%s registration
n(+,er !hen needed&
The radio digested this for a +o+ent& /;oger that" .i)ieland 3anee" ha#e a good tri$&1
2erry cli$$ed the +ic onto its holder" then she sli$$ed ,ac o(tside and !atched the concrete and !ooden doc recede
as .ar sillf(lly handled the ,ig ,oat& They ,aced into the relati#ely narro! thro(gh!ay" then .ar n(dged the throttles
fro+ re#erse to for!ard and s!(ng the ,o! to!ards the doc entrance" ee$ing the s$eed 6(st a,o#e idle&
7nce they !ere clear of the $ylons" she cli+,ed ($ the ladder to the flying ,ridge and 6oined .ar& The ,oat !as +o#ing
slo!ly" ,(t there already !as a nice ,ree5e" and it !as +(ssing .ar%s dar hair and getting it into her eyes& /0ant +e to
,raid this=1 2erry t(gged at a loc&
/S(re&1 .ar set her ,are feet on the console ,ars and leaned ,ac& She felt 2erry%s fingers slide across her scal$ and
that" co+,ined !ith the gorgeo(s !eather" and the fact that they !ere headed o(t for a solid !ee of #acation together
+ade it 6(st a,o(t a $erfect +o+ent&
- !ee& Bo cell $hones" no la$to$s" no P.-%s" no $agers& .ar fle)ed her hands on the throttles" feeling the stainless
steel s+ooth (nder her fingerti$s&
C(st a !ee of s(n" sea" di#ing" and the t!o of the+&
/0hat%s that grin for=1 2erry ased" resting her chin on .ar%s sho(lder" ha#ing finished her tas&
.ar !iggled her toes& /'%+ trying to fig(re o(t !hat to do first&1 She ad+itted& /0e co(ld sto$ on the !ay do!n to the
ca,in for a 8(ic di#e" or $(ll into >argo for l(nch or?1
/Both&1 2erry ,roe in& /0e can sto$ at Pennea+$ and do a little reef" then to go that little docside cra, shac that
al!ays loos lie it !as +ade for a horror +o#ie&1
/So(nds lie a $lan&1 .ar agreed" notching the throttles ahead 6(st a ,it as they cleared the doc co+$le)& They $(lled
o(t into the +ain channel !arily" !atching for s$eed,oat traffic& -s they t(rned into the c(t" the !ind $iced ($ and
their s$eed increased" the sea%s soft cho$$ing r(stling against the ,o! of the ,oat&
2erry see+ed content to lean against her" one ar+ dra$ed o#er her sho(lders and her chin still resting on .ar%s sho(lder
as they $assed a co($le of s+all sailing ,oats& /.ar" is that !o+an naed=1
3
.ar%s eyes shifted& /3eah" and ,oy" is that gonna ,e a $ainf(l s(n,(rn&1 She shoo her head& /So+e $eo$le 6(st ha#e no
sense&1
2erry cl(ced her tong(e& /'%+ going to go $(t a!ay the last of o(r st(ff" see if !e need to $ic anything ($ in >argo&1
She ga#e .ar a iss on the chee then cli+,ed do!n the ladder" disa$$earing into the ca,in&
.ar $iced ($ the !ater ,ottle o(t of its s!inging holder and s(ced at it" then $(t it ,ac& Then she o$ened the s+all
ca,inet (nder the ,ridge console and selected a 4." allo!ing the $layer to s(c it in" then ad6(sting the #ol(+e as the
+(sic started&
-s the land receded ,ehind the+" she felt the tensions and $ress(res of their life doing the sa+e&
The !ind no! ,le! against her sin" feeling cool and !onderf(l& She cleared the inner ,(oy and o$ened ($ the engines
a little" sending the ,o! ($ as she h(++ed along to the +(sic&
.i#ing& ;(stic ,(t ro+antic dinner& -n o#ernight stay at their ne! ca,in" then the long tri$ o(t to the islands& .ar
e)haled in (tter satisfaction& >ife 6(st didn%t get any ,etter than this&
2erry !aled $ast the $ortholes" t(cing ,ac the dra$es to let the s(n into the ca,in& She (nloced the catches and
$ro$$ed the s+all" ro(nd !indo!s o$en" en6oying the nice ,ree5e their +otion created&
0ith a satisfied nod" she then retrie#ed .ar%s d(ffel and carried it into the ca,in%s co+$act ,edroo+" setting it onto the
,ed ,efore she (n5i$$ed it&
She too a +o+ent to o$en the hatch do!n here as !ellD grinning as a tiny ,it of s$ray hit her& The ,edroo+ had
dra!ers ,(ilt into the ,(lheads and (nder the ,ed to sa#e s$ace < e#ery s8(are inch of roo+ !as thriftily (sed for
so+ething&
2erry $atted the ,ed& 't !asn%t as co+forta,le as the !ater,ed in their condo" ,(t she s(s$ected after a long day of
di#ing" s!i++ing" and other acti#ities" that she%d ,e a,le to slee$ on the dec itself&
/-nd" ' ha#e&1 2erry re+inded herself& She re+o#ed .ar%s e)tra shirts and ,athing s(its" folding the+ neatly and
$(tting the+ in one of the dra!ers& /Hey&&& !onder if ' can tal .ar into getting a ha++oc for the dec&& !e can slee$
o(t there one night&1
2erry gathered their ,athroo+ s(ndries and carried the+ into the tiny head" finding s$ots for the #ario(s ,ottles and
6ars& They !o(ld" she reali5ed" ,e serio(sly ,(+$ing into each other in here < ,oth !ere (sed to the +(ch larger
confines of the condo !here they each had their o!n ,athroo+&
2erry cast an eye at the ,itty sho!er and !ondered if they co(ld ,oth fit into it&
-n eye,ro! 8(ired& Might ,e interesting to try&
Past the +aster s(ite there had ,een t!o +ore s+all ,edroo+s& 7ne theyEd left !ith its do(,le decer ,(n" ,(t the
third" ($ in the #ery ,o! of the ,oat" theyEd stri$$ed the ,eds o(t of and itted o(t for storage for their di#ing gear" and
2erryEs (nder!ater $hotogra$hy e8(i$+ent& She st(c her head inside and ga#e the B4Es and reg(lators a 8(ic once
o#er" then o(t of ha,it checed the #al#es on the stra$$ed do!n tans to +ae s(re they !ere closed tight&
The ,oat !as fitted o(t !ith a desalinator" !hich !o(ld tae in sea!ater and $rod(ce ,oth $ota,le drining !ater and
st(ff to clean things !ith&
2erry felt reass(red a,o(t that < r(nning o(t of !ater on the ocean !asn%t f(nny" and it !as #ery easy to ,eco+e
dehydrated o(t here" since the !ind !as al+ost as constant as the s(n&
'n addition" on the o(tside dec" .ar had installed a s+all air fill $ress(ri5er" so they co(ld do their o!n tan fills !hile
they !ere o(t on the !ater" and a rinse sin to toss their gear into& 't +ade the ,oat a #ery co+forta,le $lace to ,e and
2erry s(s$ected that e#en the e)tended length of ti+e theyEd s$end on it this tri$ !o(ldnEt ,e too +(ch of a hardshi$&
She too the d(ffel ,ag and folded it" then t(ced it a!ay in a dra!er (nder the ,ed& 0andering ,ac ($ the short flight
of ste$s into the +ain ca,in" she snagged a ,ottle of !ater and +ade her !ay ,ac o(t onto the dec& The city !as
falling a!ay ,ehind the+ < ,(ildings cris$ly defined in the clear air& She co(ld see the h(ge cranes of Port of Mia+i
loading freighters" and in the distance the o(tline of a +o#ing cr(ise shi$ +ade it%s stately !ay thro(gh Go#ern+ent
4(t&
't !as a $retty #ie!" ,(t 2erry ne! !here a $rettier one !as" and she ha(led herself ,ac ($ the ladder and too
$ossession of the second chair in ,ac of the engine console& Bo! all she co(ld see !as s(n" !ater" and .ar& She
!riggled into a co+forta,le $osition and rela)ed" content to let the salt air !ash o#er her as they headed o(t to sea& .ar
had a Ci++y B(ffett 4. $laying and she roced hr head ,ac and forth to the ($,eat t(ne& /Hey&F
4
.ar shifted in her seat and looed o#er& 7ne dar eye,ro! lifted in in8(iry&
F3o( ready for a totally rocing !ee=F
.ar $ro$$ed a ,are foot ($ against the console and leaned against her leg" s(r#eying the al+ost endless hori5on in front
of the+& F7h" yeah&F - grin s$lit her face& F' s(re a+?& Ho$e the co+$any is&F
2erry gr(nted in acno!ledg+ent& F'%+ s(re theyEll +anage to +(ddle thro(gh for a !ee" .ar& 0hat co(ld ha$$en in
se#en +easly days=F
F3eah&F .ar agreed& F'%+ s(re theyEll ,e fine&F
They ,oth listened to the +(sic for a fe! +o+ents" conte+$lating the clear ,l(e sy and the rich" green sea ,efore
the+& Then t!o heads t(rned and they regarded each other&
F>etEs not thin a,o(t it&F 2erry grinned& F0eEll 6(st 6in) the+&F
.ar +erely !aggled her eye,ro!s in ans!er" and ga#e the engines a little +ore gas&
GGG
't !as al+ost d(s ,y the ti+e .ar shifted the diesels into re#erse and idled the+ into the +(ch s+aller doc o(tside
their ca,in& She +ane(#ered the Bertra+ caref(lly" sliding into $lace and holding (ntil 2erry co(ld lea$ off onto the
!ood and sec(re the lines to the cleats onshore&
0hen she%d first co+e into -(nt May%s estate" she%d ,een a little !ary of dri#ing the large yacht& -fter all" other than
so+e clandestine #ent(res on go#ern+ent iss(e #essels +ost of her $iloting had ,een done on +(ch s+aller ,oats&
Ho!e#er" she%d ,een !oring on the !ater since she !as fo(r" and it hadn%t taen her long to +aster the ,ig ,oat%s
$o!erf(l engines and i+$osing si5e" and she sort of en6oyed taing the #essel o(t after that& P(lling ($ to so+e o(t of
the !ay shri+$ shac in the thing and sa(ntering off to get a coe in front of a legion of goggling g(ys ticled her
so+eti+es dar sense of h(+or& Bo!" she handled the throttles !ith a +aster%s to(ch as she held her gro(nd !hile they
!ere tied&
The ,oat ,(+$ed gently against the $ylons" ,(ffered ,y the large r(,,er ,(+$ers 2erry had tossed o#er the edge of the
doc and she sh(t the engines do!n" fle)ing her hands as she re+o#ed the+ fro+ the throttles&
-s the so(nd died" the $eacef(lness of the $lace s(rro(nded her" and .ar s$ent a +o+ent 6(st ga5ing at their little $iece
of $aradise ,efore she too her s(n,(rned self do!n the stairs& 't !asn%t a ,ig lot" 6(st large eno(gh for the ca,in" the
sandy gro(nd that lead do!n to the doc on one side and to a s+all ,each on the other" and on the far side of the ca,in a
!inding dri#e!ay ($ to the road&
't !as shaded tho(gh" !ith a thic stand of trees and s(rro(nded ,y $atches of foliage on either side so the effect !as of
sn(g isolation on this little $oint of the ey& 't !as cal+" al+ost slee$y" and .ar lied it& H8(ally as i+$ortant" she
tho(ght 2erry really lied it too&
-nd so far" it had ,een a great day& The 8(ic di#e sto$ had t(rned into a dee$ !rec e)c(rsion" follo!ed ,y l(nch
(nder a tii h(t" follo!ed ,y a #ery nice reef di#e in the late afternoon& They hadn%t ,een doing that +(ch di#ing lately"
and .ar felt $leasantly tired and a little e+,arrassed that she%d forgotten to $(t on eno(gh s(nscreen and +ildly toasted
herself&
-h !ell& She stretched" ho$$ing ($ onto the edge of the ,oat and ste$$ing off onto the doc& 2erry !as co+ing ,ac
fro+ o$ening ($ the ca,in" a s$lash of $in +aing her fair lashes stand o(t #i#idly& /H#erything oay=1
/>oos lie it&1 2erry !aited for her on the end of the doc" then fell into ste$ ,eside her as they !aled ($ the short
$ath& The ca,in had e#ol#ed greatly since they%d first $(rchased it < starting o(t as a ra+shacle old ,arn fro+ a larger
ho(se that had once stood near,y& They%d ri$$ed +ost of it do!n and re,(ilt (sing nati#e stone for its fo(ndation&
'n the front" facing the !ater" !as a s+all $orch& They !aled ($ the t!o ,road ste$s ($ to it and crossed to the door"
the ne! $lans s8(eaing a tiny ,it (nder their !eight& So+eday" .ar !anted +ay,e a $added ,ench" +ay,e one of the
s!ing chairs lie they had at the condo o(t here" ,(t right no! it !as 6(st an e+$ty s$ace&
2erry $(shed the door o$en and the entered" the strong scent of fresh !ood and #arnish !ashing against the+& 'nside"
they%d chosen to ee$ the !ooden !alls and stone floors nat(ral" and the large roo+ in front !o(ld ha#e co+forta,le
chairs to sit in and loo o(t the ,ig $ict(re !indo!s at the great #ie!&
Behind that" a s+all itchen !as t(ced into one corner" and a hall!ay lead ,ac to the +aster ,edroo+ in the other&
T!o +ore doors e)tended $ast that" an office for each of the+ co+$lete !ith high s$eed net!or access" $rinters" and
e#erything else they%d e#er need to r(n things fro+ here if they !anted to& .ar !as $artic(larly $ro(d of the giga,it
*
Hthernet h(, and ca,ling she%d s$ent one !eeend installing& 0eren%t too +any r(stic ca,ins" 2erry acno!ledged" that
co(ld clai+ their o!n 9ractional T1 and 4isco ro(ter&
They !ere still +issing the li#ing area f(rnit(re" so+e of the itchen a$$liances" and a lot of other tri++ings lie r(gs
and st(ff for the !alls" ,(t already the $lace !as taing on a certain $ersonality of it%s o!n" a reflection of ,oth of
theirs& />ooing good in here&1 2erry re+ared" as she closed the door ,ehind the+& The air !as cool and dry" e#idence
of the ne!ly installed air conditioning (nit&
/.efinitely&1 .ar grinned& The ceiling arced ($ to a sylight that let e#en +ore s(n into the li#ing roo+ and leant a
sense of lightness to the rich !ood interior& /' really lie it&1
2erry glanced ($ at her& /Me too&1 She ad+itted& /'ts?1 She t(rned aro(nd and s(r#eyed their little castle& /.on%t get
+e !rong" .ar& -n idiot !o(ld ha#e to co+$lain a,o(t !here !e li#e" ,(t this $lace is inda s$ecial&1
.ar nodded& /'t%s o(rs&1 She re$lied si+$ly& /0e designed it& 0e +ade it& Hell" !e hel$ed ,(ild it&1 - not 8(ite stifled
ya!n interr($ted her s$eech& /0hoa&1
/Teach yo( to chase flo(nder&1 2erry ch(cled" sli$$ing an ar+ aro(nd .ar%s !aist& /' got so+e great $ict(res of yo(
doing that" yo( no!&1
/7h great" +ore ,athroo+ !all fodder&1 .ar re$lied drolly&
/H++?1 2erry +(sed in +oc s$ec(lation& /3eah" that !o(ld !or !ith the sil#er and ,l(e fi)t(res in there&1 She
glanced into their ,edroo+" starly e+$ty sa#e a neatly folded inflata,le ,ed in the center& 't !as a large roo+" !ith t!o
$olari5ed floor to ceiling dor+er !indo!s on either side of !here the ,ed !as& - door in the rear led to a ,athroo+ that
had a stall sho!er and a large" co+$letely decadent s$a t(,& -ro(nd the to$ of the roo+ ran a !ooden ledge" co++on
thro(gho(t the ca,in" and .ar had already threatened to install a train set that +ade it%s !ay aro(nd the $lace on to$ of
it&
They !ere lie a co($le of ids" 2erry had to ad+it $ri#ately" f(rnishing their first tree ho(se& She half e)$ected to
co+e o(t and find a tire hanging fro+ one of the ,anyans o(tside one day&
7f co(rse it !o(ld ,e a high technological tire" !ith three hanging $oints and a c(sto+ +olded interior ring& 0hat !as
it that .ar had referred to their $lace as once= Microsoft ;(stic=
Tr(e& 2erry s+iled& B(t they ,oth lied their co+forts" !ere (sed to the gadgets" and they co(ld afford it& So !hy not=
/Ho! a,o(t so+ething cold for dinner" and a $ot of coffee=1 She s(ggested&
.ar considered& /Tell yo( !hat < yo( start the coffee" and '%ll !al do!n to the corner and get the so+ething cold&1 She
ni,,led 2erry%s nose& /0e need crea+ any!ay&1
/M+&1 2erry leaned into the iss" her fingers trailing o#er .ar%s ,are ar+& /Boy" yo(%re !ar+&1
.ar ch(cled softly (nder her ,reath& /Gi++e a +in(te and '%ll ,e e#en !ar+er&1 She c($$ed 2erry%s chin and issed
her again" catching lingering traces of the tangerine yog(rt they%d shared not long ,efore& /3o( got a little ,(rned" too&1
/7h&1 2erry +(r+(red& /'s that !hy ' ha#e chills=1 She felt .ar%s ar+s fold aro(nd her& /9(nny" they%re getting
!orse? +ay,e yo( sho(ld hold +e tighter&1
.ar ch(cled& /Hedonist&1
/M+h+&1 2erry let her hands slide o#er .ar%s ,ac as she contin(ed e)$loring !ith her li$s& Then she e)haled" and
n(55led .ar%s nec" re#eling in the $eace" the 8(iet" and the fact that it !as 6(st the t!o of the+&
/Thin yo(%d ,etter ,lo! the ,ed ($&1 .ar !his$ered in her ear&
/7h" yeah=1
/3eah&1 .ar re$lied& /4a(se ' need to tae care of those chills& .on%t !ant yo( catching cold&1
2erry rested a hand on .ar%s hi$& /S!eetie" yo(%re the one ca(sing the chills&1 She d(ced hr head and ni$$ed at .ar%s
,reast&
/-nd ,eca(se it%s the only f(rnit(re in the $lace&1 .ar teased& /' fig(re !e can ina(g(rate that s$a t(," then ha#e dinner
in ,ed&1
/7r dinner" and ,ed&1 2erry re$lied" her eyes t!inling& /So(nds great to +e either !ay&1 She issed .ar again" then
n(dged her ,elly& /3o( go" '%ll ,lo!&1
Both of .ar%s eye,ro!s hied ($&
I
/4aref(l" they%ll stic lie that&1 2erry reached ($ and yaned an eye,ro! do!n& /0on%t yo( loo silly=1
.ar st(c her tong(e o(t& /3o(%re in a +ood&1 She re+ared& /' lie it&1 She ga#e 2erry a ticle across her ri,s" then
headed do!n the hall!ay to !hat they tho(gh of as the ,ac door to the ca,in&
't !as" of co(rse" the front door" ,(t since they tended to arri#e ,y ,oat" they didn%t often enter that !ay& .ar $assed the
s+all (tility roo+ !ith ,are connections for the !asher and dryer that hadn%t ,een deli#ered yet and entered the $lain
o$en s$ace near the o(ter door to the ca,in& She t(rned the loc and let herself o(t" then closed the door ,ehind her&
They had $(t a $orch in front too" ,(t s+aller < a st(rdy !ooden flo!er ,o) that !as hi$ high on .ar s(rro(nded it"
!ith a gate flaned ,y t!o !ro(ght iron coach ty$e lights& .ar o$ened the gate and !aled thro(gh" heading do!n the
neat" roc defined $ath ($ to the road&
The yard !as +ore sand and scr(, than grass" ty$ical of the eys" and !as ,ordered ,y a 4hinese cherry hedge& .ar
,roe into a 6og as she cleared it" and ran lightly do!n the road to!ards the s+all" !hat 2erry called char+ingly r(stic
+aret 6(st on the ne)t crossroads&
She +ade the tri$ !itho(t ,(+$ing into another so(l (ntil she $(shed the door to the +aret o$en and !aled inside&
The sho$ had !ell stoced shel#es" a res$ecta,le collection of fresh fr(its and #egeta,les" and ,est of all" a #ery fresh
seafood co(nter in the ,ac& .ar headed for it" e)a+ining the choices laid o(t on ice in the cold case&
/0ell" hello there" yo(ng lady&1
The cheerf(l #oice al+ost +ade her 6(+$& .ar looed ($ to see the grocery o!ner standing ,ehind the fish case" !i$ing
his hands on a to!el& /H#ening&1
/Got so+e great looing cra,s today&1
.ar%s eyes t!inled& /Bot today" thans& Gi++e a $o(nd of the shri+$ and t!o of the tails&1 She !atched contentedly
as the +an !ra$$ed ($ the chilled" already cooed seafood& /Thans&1 She acce$ted the $acage and !ent to!ards the
dairy case" not really $aying attention !hen the +aret door o$ened&
/Hey" +ister&1
-ss(+ing the sal(tation didn%t incl(de her" .ar st(died her choices in +il" cocing half an ear ,ehind her +ostly
,eca(se the ro(gh #oice that had s$oen had set off her tro(,le instincts&
/0hat can ' do for yo(=1 The +aret o!ner re$lied&
/Got any shotg(n shells=1
-fter a +o+ent%s $a(se" the o!ner ans!ered" ch(cling& /Son" this is a grocery" not a 0al-Mart&1 He said& /0e don%t
sell no g(ns here&1
/-!" +an" yo( +ean ' gotta go ($ to the city= That s(csA 0hy don%t yo( get the+ st(ff here= 3o( got all inds of
other cra$A1
/0ell" yo( gotta get a license" for one thing?1
/So= Go get oneA1 The #oice !as getting ,elligerent& /3o(%re s($$osed to get !hat $eo$le need" right=1
.ar set her $acage do!n" and re$laced the +il she%d ,een conte+$lating& Then she circled the ro! of canned goods
and e)a+ined the noisy ne!co+er& 't !as" as she%d s(s$ected" a ,oy in his late teens" dressed in 6eans !ith $atches
consisting of 4onfederate flags and an B;- T-Shirt& /7h" loo&1 .ar +(ttered (nder her ,reath& /0aling stereoty$e&
0onder !here his $ic($%s $ared&1
/So get off yer ass and get (s so+e ser#ice hereA1 The ,oy de+anded&
/Bo!" loo" son?1
/.on%t yo( call +e that" yo( old 6acassA1
.ar !aled o#er& /H)c(se +e&1
The ,oy t(rned" irritation s!itching to lechery in the ,lin of a hor+one as his eyes too in .ar%s s(ntanned" +ostly
e)$osed ,ody& /Hey" ,a,yA 0hat c%n ' do for ya=1
.ar%s nose t!itched" detecting fer+ented +alt& /Sto$ ,reathing&1
He ,lined& /H(h=1
/3o( go to the hard!are store for ,read=1 .ar a,andoned that tac&
J
/Ba!&1
/So !hy co+e here for g(n s($$lies=1
The ,oy didn%t see+ to +ind the 8(estions" his eyes ,(sy taing in .ar%s athletic for+& /4a(se it%s closer%n ha(ling +y
ass ($ to 9lorida 4ity&1 He grinned s(ddenly& /3o( !anna ride in +y tr(c=1
/Bo&1 .ar re$lied& /0hat are yo( shooting=1
/H(h=1
/3o(%re ,(ying shotg(n shells&1
/3eah=1
/0hat are yo( going to shoot the+ at=1
/Signs&1 The ,oy re$lied a+ia,ly& /7r the+ little deers" or !hate#er&1
/9or !hat=1 .ar fro!ned&
/9er f(n&1 The ,oy said& /3o( !anna co+e= ' got +e a ,o) of shells" 6(st !anted so+e +ore in case ' find +e so+e
gators or so+ething& 3o( ($ for so+e f(n" ,a,y=1
.ar stared at hi+ for a +o+ent" then felt the !ash of adrenaline and anger s!ee$ thro(gh her& /S(re&1 She grinned& /'
lo#e f(n&1 She +o#ed in a ,l(r" dra!ing her right hand ,ac and cocing it" then letting loose and cracing the no!
really s+iring ,oy across the cho$s& He s$(n a!ay fro+ her and fell o#er a stac of ,eer cases" sla++ing his head
against the door $ost&
/That !as f(n&1 .ar staled after hi+ intently& /4%+ere" yo( little ,rainless $(n&1 She gra,,ed hi+ and yaned hi+ to
his feet" sho#ing hi+ against the !all& /3o( thin h(rting ani+als is f(nny= ' thin this is f(nny&1 She nailed hi+ in the
groin !ith her nee" then tossed hi+ against the door&
/HeyA HeyAAA1 The ,oy scra+,led to his feet& /7!A Son of a ,itchA 7!A1 He ,olted for the door" his nose dri$$ing
,lood ,ehind hi+ and got thro(gh it a +o+ent ,efore .ar latched onto hi+& He raced for the $ic($ $ared o(tside and
6(+$ed in" starting the engine and roaring off !hile .ar glared at hi+ fro+ the door!ay&
She !aited for the taillights to disa$$ear aro(nd the first ,end" then she ste$$ed ,ac inside the store and d(sted her
hands off" shaing her head in disg(st& /-nother e)a+$le !hy st($id h(+ans sho(ldn%t ,reed&1
The grocer !as la(ghing as .ar !aled ,ac o#er& /Ma%a+" ' thin yo( +ade an i+$ression on that id&1
.ar retrie#ed her $acage" and her +il" then added a fe! other things ,efore she $l(ned it all do!n on the co(nter
and d(g o(t her !allet& /3o( get +(ch of that here=1
/Bot a lot&1 The o!ner rang ($ her $(rchases& /3o( ne! in the area? / He glanced at the credit card .ar handed hi+&
/Ms ;o,erts= Tho(ght '%d seen yo( aro(nd once or t!ice&1
.ar leaned against the co(nter& /Bot e)actly&1 She allo!ed& /' gre! ($ on the Ba#y ,ase& B(t '%#e ,een li#ing ($ in
Mia+i for a !hile& Bo(ght the old Potter $lace last year&1
He looed ($ at her" honestly s(r$rised& /3o( did=1 'nterest indled& /Bo!" ' !as hearing so+e ,ig shot co+$(ter
e)ec(ti#e ,o(ght that $lace&1
.ar ti$$ed her s(nglasses do!n and regarded hi+ !ith so+e a+(se+ent& /That !o(ld ,e +e&1
The +an ga$ed a +o+ent" then ,(rst into la(ghter& /0ell" ic +ah ass&1 He +anaged to get o(t& /3o( s(re don%t loo
lie a Bill Gates" no! do yo(=1
>(cy +e& .ar grinned in !ry acno!ledg+ent&
/Been taling a,o(t all the !or going on ($ there" yo( $retty +(ch 6(st ,(ilt the !hole thing all o#er again" didn%t
cha=1
/Pretty +(ch&1 .ar agreed" signing the sli$ for her groceries& /C(st getting the last st(ff done&1
/0ell" then&1 The +an too the sli$ and t(ced it into the dra!er" then held a hand o(t& /0elco+e to the neigh,orhood"
Ms& ;o,erts& Ho$e to see +ore of ya&1
.ar ret(rned the clas$& /4aref(l !hat yo( as for&1 She dra!led" gi#ing hi+ a !ry !in ,efore she $iced ($ her ,ag
and sa(ntered o(t" content !ith her ,rief entrance on the slee$y to!n%s (ns(s$ecting stage&
K
GG
2erry s$ent a +o+ent !andering aro(nd the ca,in after .ar left& She !aled o#er to the !all and laid her hands flat on
its s(rface" ,asing in a sense of o!nershi$ she fo(nd al+ost into)icating&
7(rs&
2erry t(rned and leaned against the !all" letting her eyes roa+ aro(nd the roo+& 0hen she had $(t her na+e on the title
ne)t to .ar%s" this ca,in had ,eco+e the #ery first real thing she co(ld call her o!n" and she felt #ery differently a,o(t it
than she did a,o(t the condo&
She t(rned and $eeed into the itchen" at the slee" !ell fitted a$$liances she%d $iced herself" and the $retty +ar,le
co(nterto$ that $ro#ided a $lace to sit and ha#e ,reafast&
't !as c(te" and co5y& 2erry s+iled" and !aled o#er to the ,edroo+" r(,,ing her fingers against the !ooden door6a+,
as she entered& 't !as her fa#orite roo+ in the ca,in" and not 6(st ,eca(se of the o,#io(s& She nelt and started the
s+all +otor that !o(ld inflate the -ero,ed" then !aled o#er and ins$ected the ,athroo+" a$$ro#ing the neat !or
aro(nd the s(nen s$a t(,& 7ne corner of the s$ace !as a glassed in sho!er" the other !as the t(," and ,et!een lay a
large #anity flaned ,y not one" ,(t t!o toilets&
2erry lied that& She and .ar had $ondered o#er the notion for 8(ite a !hile ,efore they%d decided to ha#e it done& She
o$ened the ca,inet" idly looing at the ,are ,ones s($$lies they%d e$t here& This !o(ld only ,e the third night they%d
s$ent at the ca,in" and she fo(nd herself looing for!ard to the ti+e !hen all the f(rnit(re !o(ld ,e there" and the $lace
gained a sense of? ho+e&
She left the ,ed to inflate and !aled ,ac to their d(al offices" no! 6(st e+$ty s$aces !aiting for the c(sto+ +ade
dess they%d ordered to ,e deli#ered& Both roo+s had nice" ,ig !indo!s and sylights& 7nce the f(rnit(re !as in" they
co(ld easily $l(g into the co+$any net!or as if they !ere at the condo& 7r at the office&
She !as looing for!ard to s$ending ti+e here&
The $(+$ c(t off" and she ret(rned to the ,edroo+" $icing ($ the sheet set and shaing it o(t o#er the 8(een si5e"
do(,le height air +attress& She t(ced the fa,ric in" then (nfolded the co+forter she%d ,ro(ght !ith her fro+ Michigan
and settled it o#er the ,ed" tossing their $illo!s ($ to the head of it !hen she finished&
Then she !aled ,ac into the li#ing roo+ and retrie#ed the o#ernight ,ag they%d ,ro(ght in fro+ the ,oat& She 5i$$ed
it o$en" s+iling as fa+iliar scents !ere released fro+ the clothing and other s(ndries inside& T!o to!els !ere on to$D
she re+o#ed the+ and $(t the+ in the ,athroo+" then too o(t the shirts they ,oth lied to !ear ,efore ,ed&
't had taen her a little !hile to get (sed to slee$ing in the n(de" ,(t once she had" she%d ,eco+e al+ost addicted to the
$ri+al co+fort of sn(ggling (nder the co#ers !ith .ar" and she fo(nd she sle$t lie an a,sol(te roc once she%d t(ced
herself aro(nd her $artner%s ,ody&
Her ears $ered ($ as she heard the ,ac door to the ca,in o$en" and .ar%s rhyth+ic footste$s a$$roached&
/2er=1
/'n here&1 2erry re$lied" t(rning as a dar head $oed itself into the ,edroo+& /C(st getting st(ff o(t&1
.ar held ($ a ,ro!n $a$er !ra$$ed $acage in#itingly& /.inner=1
2erry held ($ her shirt& /Sho!er first=1
7ne of .ar%s eye,ro!s 8(ired& /'%ll stic this in the fridge&1 She re+ared" !ith a no!ing s+ir" disa$$earing in the
direction of the itchen&
2erry ch(cled softly to herself& /Heh&1 She dro$$ed the shirts onto the ,ed and eased the light cotton ,lo(se she had
on off her sho(lders" !incing slightly at the sting of a +ild s(n,(rn& /7(ch&1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar had ret(rned" ,earing a s+all ,l(e 6ar& /9ig(red !e ,oth co(ld (se this&1 She held ($ the cold crea+&
/0ith aloe&1
/3o( roc&1 2erry held a hand o(t and led her to the ,athroo+" o$ening the sho!er door and reaching in to start the
!ater r(nning& The first ti+e they%d stayed in the ca,in" the electricity hadn%t e#en ,een on yet" and after ,ra#ely
,earing the o$$ressi#e heat inside the half finished ,(ilding" they finally ad+itted defeat and c(rled ($ together o(t on
the ,each" ho$ing against ho$e they%d esca$e ,oth cra,s and fo(l !eather&
They had" ,(t 2erry had fo(nd tiny" s(s$icio(s red +ars on her nec that had !orried her a lot (ntil .ar rather
shee$ishly ad+itted to ha#ing +ade the+ !ith so+e o#erenth(siastic ni,,ling&
M
-h" lo#e& 2erry t(rned to see .ar !ith her disintegrating shorts (n,(ttoned and her tan to$ half o#er her head& She
reached o#er and ticled her ,elly ,(tton" !atching .ar%s a,do+inals contract as she ch(cled in reaction& Bl(e eyes
e+erged a +o+ent later as .ar got her shirt off" and shoo a finger at her in +oc re+onstrance&
2erry relented as she $(lled off her o!n shirt" feeling a light ticle as .ar (nhooed her ,ra& They finished getting
(ndressed and t(+,led into the sho!er together& /7oo&1 2erry hissed slightly" as her s(n,(rned sin $rotested the
$ress(re of the hot !ater& - +o+ent later" the $ress(re ceased as .ar ste$$ed ,et!een her and the s$ray&
/Hang on&1 .ar ad6(sted the !ater a little cooler and lessened the force& /There&1 She dro$$ed her ar+s aro(nd 2erry
and $(lled her closer" r(,,ing her ,ac gently& /Better=1
/M(ch&1 2erry n(55led .ar ,et!een her ,reasts& /That !rec today !as a!eso+e& The #isi,ility !as incredi,le&1
/3eah&1 .ar s8(ee5ed o(t so+e cocon(t ,ody !ash and started r(,,ing it o#er 2erry%s sin& /.id yo( get a shot of that
sand shar=1
/The one that !as fascinated ,y yo(r fli$$ers= 3o( ,et&1 2erry lathered ($ a handf(l of soa$ and started !ashing .ar&
/' tho(ght it !as going to start +(nching on yo( for a +in(te there&1
.ar s8(irted so+e sha+$oo on her $artner%s da+$ head and !ored it in !ith her fingers" +assaging 2erry%s scal$ as
she got the salt !ater and sand o(t of it& /' did too&1 She confessed& /.id yo( see +e gra, +y nife=1
2erry !as ,(sy scr(,,ing .ar%s thigh& /3e$& That !as the ,est $ict(re& That !rec in the ,acgro(nd" all that !hite
sand in front of it" and yo( and the shar facing off& Perfect&1
/Lh oh& ' sense +ore ,athroo+ art&1 .ar +oc sighed& /'f yo( $(t it ($ in the office" yo(%ll ha#e to ans!er @!hich
one%s the shar=% e#ery ten +in(tes&1
2erry snicered " her sho(lders shaing as she $atted .ar%s side& She ca(ght .ar%s right hand and r(,,ed her th(+,
o#er the to$ of it affectionately" then sto$$ed and e)a+ined the sin +ore closely& The n(cles !ere slightly s!ollen"
and a scra$e +arred the second one& Her eyes lifted to +eet .ar%s in 8(estion&
.ar contin(ed rinsing 2erry%s hair !ith her free hand& /' ran into a ,rain cell deficient organis+ at the +aret&1 She
grinned raishly& /So+e $(n !ho tho(ght ,(llying old +en and shooting ani+als !as a good ti+e&1
/-h&1 2erry ,ro(ght the n(cle ($ and issed it& /' lo#e !hen yo(r ;o,in Hood strea co+es o(t& .id yo( really h(rt
hi+=1
/Bah& ' hit hi+ in the head and the n(ts&1 .ar t(rned and got the+ ,oth (nder the s$ray" rinsing off the cocon(t ,ody
!ash& She started to lather sha+$oo in her hair" ,(t fo(nd 2erry t(gging her do!n" and gracef(lly lo!ered herself to
her nees" gi#ing her shorter $artner access to her head&
She slid her hands ($ 2erry%s strong thighs and $layf(lly ni,,led her na#el as 2erry !ashed her hair& She felt the
s(rface (nder her li$s +o#e a little +ore strongly as 2erry too a dee$er ,reath& Slo!ly" she !ored her !ay ($" $ast
the c(r#ing arch of 2erry%s ri,s to her ,reasts" feeling the fingers tangled in her hair +o#e !ith a s(ddenly insistent
rhyth+&
Teasingly" she ni$$ed at the (nderside of one ,reast" then heard 2erry%s ragged intae e#en o#er the !ater as she !ent a
little higher& 0ith a s+ile" she released 2erry%s ni$$le and eased to her feet" $lanting isses ($ the center of her
$artner%s ,reast,one (ntil she reached the li$s !aiting for her&
2erry%s ,ody slid against hers and she felt her hand slide ($ the inside of her thigh& The !ater !ashed the sha+$oo
fro+ her hair do!n ,oth of the+ as they issed and e)changed +ore inti+ate to(ches& .ar f(+,led ,ehind her and sh(t
the fa(cet off" then ,ooted the door o$en as they eased o(t of the sho!er and reached for to!els&
The slightly ro(gh s(rface of the terrycloth !as lie an e)$losion of sensation against her already tingling sin" and .ar
fo(nd her o!n ,reathing gro!ing short as 2erry dried her off and she did the sa+e to her& They +anaged to find their
!ay thro(gh the still (nfa+iliar confines of the ca,in%s ,ath and the short distance to the ,ed" falling into it and rolling
as the air +attress ,(ced !ith (ne)$ected +otion&
/Lsed to the !ater,ed&1 2erry ch(cled softly" as she reca$t(red .ar%s lo!er li$ in her teeth&
/Lngh&1 .ar stretched o(t" then !ra$$ed her ,ody aro(nd 2erry%s" clai+ing $ossession of e#ery inch of her& She slid a
leg ,et!een 2erry%s and felt her $artner%s ,ody lean against hers" a r(sh of !ar+th after the cool air of the roo+&
2erry%s hand c($$ed her ,reast and an al+ost $ri+al gro!l e+erged fro+ her&
Before tho(ght !asn%t credi,le" she did ,riefly ho$e they !o(ldn%t forget this ,ed had no retaining ,(+$ers& .a+n
floor didn%t ha#e any $adding and neither of the+ really ,o(nced !ell&
10
/;rr&&1 2erry ,(rred" as their li$s once again tasted each other& .ar stroed her delicately and the so(nd dee$ened to a
groan&
She sto$$ed !orrying a,o(t the floor&
GG
2erry $(lled to a sto$ at the corner and !aited" allo!ing a car to $ass ,efore she gently eased the throttle ($ a little and
t(rned onto the +ain and only street that !ent thro(gh the to!n& She settled her !eight on the +otorcycle and en6oyed
the ,ree5e as it ,le! against her" gaining a g(ilty $leas(re fro+ the fact that she%d sh(ced the long slee#e leather 6acet
t(ced into the ,ac of the ,ie for her short tri$ ($ the road&
't !as early" the s(n 6(st easing o#er the trees" and the !eather !as cris$ and cool and she%d taen the calc(lated ris
that her gro!ing +astery of the relati#ely sedate +otorcycle !o(ldn%t +ae her regret it& She !as" after all" !earing her
6eans and ,oots" and her hel+et" so lea#ing her ($$er ,ody e)$osed !as ho$ef(lly 6(st a li+ited e)$os(re&
So to s$ea&
.ar !as getting the ,oat ready" so she%d #ol(nteered to +ae the short r(n ($ to the nearest 0al- Mart for a fe! things
they%d reali5ed they%d forgotten ,efore they started off& .ar had la(ghed and acc(sed her of 6(st +aing an e)c(se to
tae the ,ie o(t" ,(t since she lied to ride it as +(ch as 2erry did" the acc(sation !as s$ecio(s at ,est&
/:roo+" #roo+&1 2erry glanced do!n at the Honda Shado! S$irit" then 8(icly $(t her eyes ,ac on the road& Since
there !asn%t +(ch traffic do!n here" they%d decided to $(rchase the ,ie for local errands" es$ecially since they (s(ally
did arri#e ,y !ater&
't had taen a fe! !ees $ractice" of co(rse" ,(t she !as really en6oying the ,ie& There !as a ,it of !ildness attached
to it that she fo(nd a$$ealing" and she al!ays felt a little re,ellio(s !hen she too the +otorcycle o(t&
She $assed thro(gh the 8(iet" e+$ty stretch of scr(, and trees" co+$letely alone on the road& The $eacef(lness a$$ealed
to her" and re+inded her 6(st a little of so+e of the areas !here she%d ,een ,orn" !here yo( co(ld dri#e for an ho(r or
so and not see any ha,itation aro(nd yo(&
-fter another fe! +in(tes" she !as entering ci#ili5ation again" a cl(ster of ,(ildings and crossroads that !ere fairly ne!
in a$$earance& She $(lled into a left t(rn lane" then s!e$t thro(gh the green light into the $aring lot of the t!enty fo(r
ho(r 0al-Mart&
There !ere se#eral cars already there" ,(t 2erry $(lled ($ to the #ery front and s+oothly sto$$ed" setting the ic stand
do!n and sec(ring the ,ie as she got off& She $(lled her hel+et off and ran her fingers thro(gh her hair" then stra$$ed
the hel+et to the ,ac seat& - ,rief glance at her reflection in the front store !indo!s +ade her grin& /2errison St(art"
,ier chic&1 She shoo her head& /Bo one in +y fa+ily !o(ld ,elie#e this.
-n ad#ertise+ent ca(ght her eye& The ,lond ,ro! o#er it 8(ired&
S8(aring her sho(lders" she confronted the door and $(shed her !ay thro(gh it&
GG
.ar !aled aro(nd the ,oat" +aing a last +in(te ins$ection ,efore they cast off& Today she !as !earing her s!i+s(it"
!ith a $air of cotton s(rfer shorts and a ,right ,l(e T-shirt o#er it& She t(ced her hair ($ (nder a ,ase,all ca$ and
$oed her head inside the diesel cha+,er" checing the engines !ith a no!ledgea,le eye& Satisfied" she $(lled herself
slo!ly ($ the ladder to the ,ridge" fa#oring the sho(lder she%d h(rt not that long ago&
't annoyed her that she !as still ,othered ,y it" ,(t not eno(gh for her to ,rea do!n and go ,ac to the thera$ist& She
!as slo!ly getting her nor+al range of +otion ,ac again" and she fig(red +ay,e this long !ee of s!i++ing and
rela)ing +ight do the tric so she co(ld $(t the in6(ry ,ehind her&
.ar recheced the glo,al $ositioning syste+ and the radio" then s$ent a +o+ent !ith her eyes closed going o#er the
safety e8(i$+ent she had on ,oard& She !asn%t $aranoid" ,(t this !as the first ti+e she !as taing the ,oat across !ide
!ater and if anyone ne! ho! +(ch res$ect the sea !as d(e" this sailor%s id s(rely ne! +ore&
7ay& .ar nodded" satisfied !ith her $re$arations& She cli+,ed ,ac do!n the ladder and d(sted her hands off" then
s$otted +otion near the ca,in and !aled to the side of the ,oat" $eering aro(nd the $ylon& - tall" h(sy +an in a $olice
(nifor+ !as !aling to!ards her" and for a chilling +o+ent" she tho(ght a,o(t 2erry heading o(t on the ,ie& She
lea$ed ashore as the +an ca+e closer" !atching his face intently&
/Hel$ yo( !ith so+ething=1 She ased" as he ca+e to a halt&
11
He had sandy hair" and a +oderately good looing face& /0ell" +ay,e&1 He glanced at a s+all note$ad& /0o(ld yo( ,e
a Ms& ;o,erts=1
/3es&1 .ar heard her o!n #oice co+e o(t cli$$ed and no nonsense&
Ho!e#er" it didn%t see+ to fa5e hi+& He nodded" and t(ced the note$ad a!ay& /7ld Bill :icerson told +e ' +ight
find yo( here& Had a little d(st ($ ,y his $lace last night" didncha=1
.ar rela)ed" confident at least that !hate#er this !as didn%t in#ol#ed 2erry& /So+ething lie that&1 She didn%t see +(ch
$oint in denying it and !ondered ,riefly if her te+$er hadn%t gotten her into so+ething #ery incon#eniently sticy this
ti+e& /0hat%s this all a,o(t" 7fficer? Bre!er=1
The $olice officer st(died her& /9ella yo( !h(+$ed ($ on !as +y little ,rother&1
7h ,oy& .ar $(t years of ,oardroo+ $ractice into effect" and +erely raised an eye,ro!& /-nd=1
7fficer Bre!er che!ed the tooth$ic he had in his +o(th for a +in(te" then ch(cled& /3o(%re a cool one" aren%t yo(=1
He ased& /4ity lady lie yo(" here ,y yo(rself in the ,oonies" faced !ith a co$ !ith a fa+ily reason to sla$ c(ffs on
ya&1
.ar snorted" ch(cling dryly&
Bo! his eye,ro!s lifted& /Bo dice" h(h=1 He ased" !aiting a +o+ent" then ch(cling as !ell& /4ool c(sto+er" that%s
for s(re&1 Lne)$ectedly" he held a hand o(t& /Ms& ;o,erts" yo( done +e a good deed" and ' !anted to say thans&1
2noced a little off ,alance" .ar ne#ertheless too the hand" and ret(rned the strong gri$ !ith one of her o!n& /'%+ not
really s(re ' (nderstand&1 She ad+itted& /B(t it ,eats handc(ffs&1
The $olice officer ga#e her a !ry grin& /My ,rother%s a 6acass&1 He told her straightfor!ardly& /.%yo( no! !hat
ind of a $ain in +y ,(tt it is to ha#e to arrest fa+ily= ' done it si) ti+es no!& 2id ne#er learns&1
/-h&1 .ar nodded a little&
/B(nch of his dead,eat friends !ent looing for tro(,le ($ near Big Pine last night" racing and shooting at each other&
They ran their asses off the road and !ra$$ed the+sel#es ro(nd a tree&1 The $olice+an said& /0e too fo(r ,ody ,ags
f(ll of ,(rnt $arts to the +org(e&1
.ar !inced&
/0o(lda ,een fi#e&1 7fficer Bre!er said& /B(t ,eca(se +y 6acass ,rother !as n(rsing a sore 6a! and a l(+$ on his
n(ts" his sorry ass li#ed to get +e in yet +ore tro(,le&1 The +an sighed& /So" thans" Ms& Big city slicer co+$(ter ,ig
shot& ' o!e yo( one&1
't too a +o+ent to sort o(t the #ario(s senti+ents" ,(t .ar e#ent(ally decided things had t(rned o(t !ell& /.on%t
+ention it&1
- r(+,le ca(ght their attention" and the $olice+an t(rned as a +otorcycle and rider ca+e right ($ the side $ath and
$ractically onto the doc ,efore it rolled to a halt and the rider 6(+$ed off& The cycle ca+e to rest on its icstand as
2erry $(lled her hel+et off and strode to!ards the+" her ,oots so(nding lo(d on the !ooden $lans&
/0ell no!&1 7fficer Bre!er st(died the onco+ing !o+an& /0hat do !e got here= 3o( tra#el !ith one of the+ radical
li,eral re#ol(tionary ty$es=1
/0hat=1 2erry sto$$ed" too off her s(nglasses" and regarded hi+& /'%+ a ;e$(,lican" than yo(&1 She snorted" t(rning
her attention to .ar& /0hat%s going on=1
.ar ga5ed fondly at her& /7fficer Bre!er 6(st sto$$ed ,y to !elco+e (s to the neigh,orhood&1
/7h&1 2erry rela)ed" gi#ing the officer one of her +ore char+ing s+iles& /That%s really nice of yo(& Thans&1
The officer ch(cled& /0ell" ' !on%t ee$ yo( ladies& Ha#e yo(rself a nice tri$" y%hear=1 He t(rned and !aled off the
doc" circling the +otorcycle and $a(sing to ad+ire it& Then he e$t going do!n the $ath and o(t of sight&
2erry !atched hi+ go" then t(rned& /0elco+e !agon at se#en a+=1
.ar $(t an ar+ aro(nd her sho(lders& />et%s get loaded ($ and get o(t of here ,efore the to!n +others sho! ($ !ith
cooies&1 She !aled 2erry o#er to the ,ie& /'%ll tell yo( the rest !hen !e get o(t of the doc&1
/Lh oh&1 2erry lifted the $acages she%d gotten off the #ehicle and hefted the+& /'%ll get this on ,oard if yo( !ant to
stash the ,ie&& then !e%re o(tta here&1
12
.ar $oed her finger at a ,ag& /-re those !hat ' thin they are=1
/G(ess yo(%ll ha#e to !ait and find o(t&1 2erry shooed her& /4%+on& ' hear stingrays calling +y na+e&1 She +ade her
!ay do!n the doc to the ,oat" ho$$ing on ,oard and disa$$earing&
.ar re#ie!ed the start of her day" and decided it a(g(red !ell for a far +ore $eacef(l end to it& Good thing" she
ch(cled to herself" as she $(shed the +otorcycle into the s+all garage and sec(rely loced it& Beca(se her $lans for
the e#ening definitely fro!ned on any interr($tion&
She checed the doors to the ca,in one +ore ti+e" then set the alar+ and !aled ,ac to the ,oat& She released the front
line" then the rear one and tossed the+ on,oard" 6(+$ing on herself as the ,oat started to drift slightly in the o(tgoing
tide&
The ,ree5e !as rising as .ar started ($ the engines and slo!ly re#ersed the+ a!ay fro+ the har,or" +aing s(re she
!as !ell o(t ,efore she n(dged the throttles into for!ard and s!(ng the ,o! aro(nd" $ointing it o(t to!ards the endless
,l(e hori5on& She settled her ,are feet against the console and ga#e the engines gas" feeling the s(rge of $o!er as they
headed o(t,o(nd&
GG
2erry let herself drift on the slight (nder!ater c(rrent" !atching the slanting rays of the s(n filter do!n and to(ch the
reef she !as s!i++ing o#er& - s+all school of ,right ,l(e and yello! fish !ent s!ee$ing ,y" !heeling and $a(sing
for so+e (nno!n fish reason ,(t gi#ing her an e)cellent $hoto o$$ort(nity" !hich she too i++ediate ad#antage of&
The $ale sand and darer coral o(tlined the colorf(l fish as they s!irled aro(nd her" finding another $atch of gro(nd to
e)$lore and lea#ing her ,ehind& 2erry !atched the+ s!i+ off" rolling o#er onto her ,ac and rela)ing in the light
green sea as she e)a+ined the reef for +ore !ildlife&
7ne thing that had al!ays s(r$rised her !as ho! noisy it !as (nder!ater& 'n a $ool" or in the laes of her ,irth$lace <
the so(nds !ere a,sent or +(ted& B(t here in the ocean nearly e#erything +ade a racet& >o,sters and other cr(staceans
cliced against the coral" shells t(+,led in the (nder!ater c(rrent" rattling along < e#en the sand +ade a s!ishing so(nd
as it !as +o#ed&
Their reg(lators !ere the lo(dest" tho(gh& The ,(,,les created a lo! r(+,ling so(nd and each intae of ,reath ,ro(ght
to +ind nothing less than .arth :ader&
2erry e)changed her reg(lator for the s+aller one cli$$ed to her #est and too a si$ of !ater" rinsing it aro(nd her
+o(th ,efore she s!allo!ed& - clo!n fish a$$roached her !arily" ins$ecting the edge of her fin ,efore it darted off&
Then a tiny c(ttlefish" al+ost trans$arent" floated in front of her +as" it%s fins al+ost ,r(shing her nose& Her eyes
foc(sed on it" on a str(ct(re so intricate it see+ed al+ost lie the finest ,lo!n glass&
The $erfection of the (ni#erse ,ro(ght it%s o!n a!e" 2erry had fo(nd" and it%s o!n $eace&
- soft nocing ca(ght her attention and she looed aro(nd" s$otting .ar near,y ho#ering o#er a coral o(tcro$$ing"
gest(ring her o#er& She fli$$ed la5ily to hori5ontal and fle)ed her thighs" !a#ing her fins to $ro$el her thro(gh the
!ater& .ar reached o(t and snagged a stra$ on her B4 as she neared and she drifted" looing !here her $artner !as
$ointing&
/7o+f$&1 The so(nd of s(r$rise ca+e o(t aro(nd a ,(rst of ,(,,les& - large sea t(rtle !as h(ddled ,ehind the roc"
!atching the+ !arily& - $iece of sea!eed h(ng o(t of its +o(th" drifting in the c(rrent" and 2erry 8(icly ,ro(ght her
ca+era ($ and foc(sed it&
C(st as she o$ened the sh(tter" the ani+al released the sea!eed" $oing its tong(e o(t at 2erry as it !as ca$t(red on
fil+& She heard the faint so(nd of .ar la(ghing as she drifted ,ac" and they !atched the t(rtle ret(rn to it%s feeding&
Then .ar checed her di#e co+$(ter" $ointing at the ti+e on it&
2erry nodded in (nderstanding& 't !as a shallo! di#eD if she looed ($ the ,oat !o(ld only ,e t!enty feet or so a,o#e
her head" ,(t it !as their second di#e of the day and she ne! .ar $referred to stay on the ca(tio(s side !hen it ca+e to
,otto+ ti+e& She co#ered the lens on her ca+era and cli$$ed it to its holders on her #est" then follo!ed .ar to!ards the
anchor line of the ,oat&
They $a(sed o(t of long ha,it at ten feet" !here the !a#e action o#erhead started to +ae itself felt& The seas !ere
fairly cal+" ,(t there !as eno(gh of a cho$ to ee$ the ,oat at a steady roc" and 2erry co(ld see the di#e ladder
+o#ing ($ and do!n at the ,ac of the stern&
>ie flying a $lane" !here the taeoffs and landings !ere the triciest" in di#ing it !as getting in and o(t of the !ater
that (s(ally $resented the +ost diffic(lty& 7nce yo( !ere in" and do!n" things !ere (s(ally a ,ree5e& 2erry !atched
.ar release the line and head for the ladder" her hands reaching do!n to detach her fins as she reached it& She !aited
13
for her $artner to gra, the +o#ing ladder and toss the fins o(t !ith her other hand ,efore she let go of the line herself
and follo!ed&
.ar !aited for the stern to di$ do!n to get her feet on the ,otto+ ste$ of the ladder" then she reached ($ to the ($$er
r(ng and h(ng on" letting the !a#e action $ic her right ($ o(t of the !ater and into the late afternoon s(nlight& She
ste$$ed ($ into the ,oat and sh(ced her tan and #est" cli$$ing the+ to holders ,efore she t(rned aro(nd and reached
o(t" gra,,ing the ,ac of 2erry%s air tan as she e+erged fro+ the sea&
2erry !as no !ealing" ,(t $(lling yo(rself and forty $o(nds of e8(i$+ent o(t of the !ater onto a $itching ,oat after a
long day%s di#ing !as a lot to as" and .ar sa! the 8(ic loo of a$$reciation she got as she $(lled her $artner on
,oard& /Here&& gi#e +e that&1 She reached o#er and (nsna$$ed the catches that held the #est across 2erry%s chest and
loosened the inner !aist stra$ as she re+o#ed the tan&
/Lgh& Thans&1 2erry $(lled her +as off and scr(,,ed her hand o#er her face& She co(ld taste salt and the r(,,er fro+
her reg(lator on her tong(e" and !hat she really !anted !as? -h& /' lo#e yo(&1 Her hand closed aro(nd the $lastic
,ottle of Gatorade as she loosened her !eight ,elt and let it dro$ to the dec&
/3o(r !elco+e&1 .ar ch(cled& She d(ned 2erry%s ca+era in the fresh !ater ,(cet ne)t to the ladder" and tossed
their +ass and snorels in as !ell& /4an yo( gra, +e so+e oranges=1
/3o( got it&1 2erry $atted her face dry !ith a to!el" then ran it 8(icly o#er her ,ody ,efore she !ent do!n the stairs
into the ,oat%s ca,in& She s(ced on the Gatorade as she o$ened the refrigerator" re+o#ing a $o$ to$ can of +andarin
oranges& She too it" a s$oon" and a $acet of cracers and $ean(t ,(tter and ret(rned to the dec&
.ar had (nhooed the tans and $(t the+ into the cradles ne)t to the co+$ressor" and hosed do!n the B4s that !ere
already hanging ne)t to it& She !as standing" rinsing 2erry%s reg(lator in caref(l hands !hen 2erry eased ($ ne)t to
her" ,(+$ing her lightly !ith one hi$& 0ith a 8(ic grin" she $(t the reg(lator do!n ne)t to hers on the co(nter and
too the can of fr(it&
They sat do!n in the t!o co+forta,le ca+$ chairs on the ,ac dec and rela)ed" $(tting their feet ($ in the attached
footrests as the ,oat roced gently in the !a#es& /That !as nice&1 .ar co++ented" re+o#ing the to$ on her can& /Bot
+(ch c(rrent do!n there either&1
/B+$f&1 2erry shoo her head" her +o(th f(ll of cracer and $ean(t ,(tter& /Gorf& Sorry&1 She s!allo!ed do!n the
+o(thf(l and chased it !ith so+e Gatorade& /3eah" it felt so great 6(st to ,e do!n there&1 Her eyes s!e$t the hori5on"
then she got ($ and looed aro(nd to the front of the ,oat& /Hs$ecially o(t here" !here it%s 6(st (s" the sy" and the
!ater&1
.ar nodded& /0e%re still in the straits < !e co(ld 6(st stay anchored here for tonight&1
2erry faced into the !ind" listening to the rhyth+ of the !a#es& /7r=1
/7r !e co(ld head so(th&1
/'s there a $rettier $lace do!n so(th=1
.ar s(ced on an orange& /Bot that ' no! of&1
/Here so(nds $erfect to +e" then&1 2erry !andered ,ac o#er and sat do!n again& /Ho! a,o(t !e ha#e a snac ($
front and !atch the s(n set=1
/So(nds $erfect to +e&1 .ar echoed her" !ith a grin& Then her head coced" and she glanced off into the distance&
/>oos lie !e ha#e co+$any&1 Her ears identified the so(nd of engines& They gre! lo(der and lo(der" (ntil a s$ec
resol#ed itself into a +assi#e yacht" half again as large as theirs" clea#ing the !ater at to$ s$eed as it headed so(th&
/0ell&1 2erry o,ser#ed the solid ,lac h(ll" !ith red and sil#er $i$ing& /Ho!%s that for $osh&1 The shi$ !as flying
se#eral colorf(l $ennants" and it%s ,rass fittings shone ,rightly in the s(n& /0ho do yo( thin it is" .ar=1 She !ondered&
/So+e really rich Borthern ty$e=1
/0ith no taste=1 .ar grinned !ryly& /9oreigner" +ay,e&1
The ,oat roared $ast" it%s !ae +aing their o!n roc ,ac and forth #igoro(sly for se#eral +o+ents& 't headed
to!ards the hori5on" se#eral fig(res #isi,le on it%s stern dec&
/Better !atch that draft& 0e%re in shallo!s&1 .ar fro!ned" getting ($ and reaching for the radio& She eyed it& /Blac
and red Giarenno" headed so(th thro(gh the straits" do yo( co$y=1
She released the +ic" and heard only static& Her ,ro! contracted& /Blac and red Giarenno" headed thro(gh the
straights so(th,o(nd" do yo( co$y=1
14
More static& Then a shar$ cracling& /This is 4ordon%s H+$ire& -re yo( calling this #essel=1 The #oice !as a,r($t and
i+$atient&
.ar eyed the +ic& /;oger that" 4ordon%s H+$ire& This is .i)ieland 3anee& 3o( 6(st $assed on +y $ort side& Be
ad#ised yo( ha#e less than ten to fifteen feet to ,otto+ in the area&1
There !as a +o+ent of silence& /0e do not need the ad#ice& Please do not contact this #essel again&1
The so(nd of the trans+ission c(tting off !as #ery close to ,eing an arrogant sla$" and .ar s$ent a fe! o(traged ,reaths
6(st glaring at the radio ,efore she t(rned and deli#ered a +(rdero(s loo at the retreating yacht& /3o(%re !elco+e and
iss +y ass" 4ordon%s H+$ire&1 She re$lied" hanging the +ic ($ and ret(rning to her co+forta,le chair !ith a snort of
disg(st& /Cacass&1
/M+&1 2erry liced a ,it of $ean(t ,(tter off her th(+,& /Bet he didn%t no! !ho he !as taling to&1
.ar ,it an orange slice in half and sna$$ed it ($" doing her ,est !ild ani+al snarl& /'%d say ' ho$e he ,otto+ed" ,(t it%s
not !orth the da+age to the reef&1
2erry finished her cracers& /3o(%re right&1 She agreed& /Tell yo( !hat < if yo( get the dec $ad" '%ll ,ring a ,ottle of
so+ething cold and !e can let Mother Bat(re do her thing& /
.ar dis+issed the r(de ,oater" and t(rned her +ind to +ore $leasant things !illingly& She got ($ and rinsed her can
o(t" then $(t it into the $lastic recycling container after s8(ashing it in her hands& Then she o$ened the storage ,enches
and $(lled o(t the large" do(,le $ad they lied to sit on ($ front and sl(ng it o#er her sho(lder !hile 2erry d(ced ,ac
into the ca,in&
There !ere layers of light clo(ds on the hori5on" and .ar i+agined it !o(ld ,e a gorgeo(s s(nset& She +(sed ha$$ily
on that as she +ade her !ay aro(nd to the front of the ,oat" settling the $ad do!n and going to the #ery front of the
,o!&
2erry too a ,ottle of chilled ;iesling o(t and ins$ected t!o glasses" setting the+ do!n !hile she $(t together a ,o!l
of finger foods" c(,es of cheese and $ieces of fr(it < tossing in a handf(l of chocolate isses and a fe! carrots 6(st for
color and ,alance& 0histling softly" she $iced e#erything ($ and carried it ($ the stairs" ,(+$ing the ,(tton on the
so(nd syste+ 6(st ,efore she ca+e ($ on dec&
Soft strains of +(sic e+erged as she ,alanced along the edge of the ,oat" cli+,ing ($ on the ,o! as .ar t(rned and
s$otted her& - s+ile a$$eared on 2erry%s face as she too in the sight of her lo#er o(tlined in ,(rnished golden s(nlight
and it only ,roadened as .ar ca+e to her side" dro$$ing do!n on the $ad and taing the ,o!l fro+ her&
2erry settled do!n cross-legged and o$ened the ,ottle" !hile .ar stretched o(t to f(ll length" resting on one el,o! and
crossing her long legs at the anles& - soft $o$ re!arded her efforts" and she $(t the cor !ith its $(ller do!n" $o(ring
.ar a glass of !ine !ith a cas(ally e)$ert +otion& She handed the glass o#er and $o(red her o!n" then acce$ted .ar%s
in#itation and sat in the circle of her ar+ as .ar rolled o#er onto her ,ac and they leaned against the slo$e of the ,oat%s
,o!&
The s(n ,egan to sli$ ,ehind the clo(ds" sending s$ears of r(sset thro(gh the+ and 2erry fo(nd herself #ery content to
6(st !atch" l(lled ,y the gentle +otion of the !a#es and a feeling of co+forta,le tiredness fro+ their di#ing& She si$$ed
her !ine" rolling the s!eet richness in her +o(th" and ni,,led on so+e cheese&
She !as starting to feel an e+otional !eight lift off her sho(lders& The stress of the $ast +onth see+ed to lose it%s gri$
on her" and she let her head rest against .ar" soaing in the $eace lie a ,it of sea s$onge&
/My +other once $ainted a sy lie this&1 .ar said& /' re+e+,er it? !hen ' !as still in grade school& She had it
hanging o#er the co(ch in the li#ing roo+&1
/M+&1 2erry tilted her head a little" a+a5ed at the #i#idness of the color& /'t%s so rich& 0hy is that" .ar=1
/-ngle of inclination&1 .ar e)haled& /-nd the +oist(re in the air&1
2erry too a si$ of her !ine as she ga5ed at the sy& /7r +ay,e God%s 6(st in a great +ood&1 She +(r+(red& /' no! '
s(re a+&1 Her eyes drifted fro+ the s(nset for a +o+ent& /Than yo(" for ha#ing this incredi,le idea&1
.ar lifted her glass and to(ched it%s ri+ against 2erry%s& /Here%s to (s&1 She too a +o(thf(l" and !aited for 2erry to
do the sa+e" then she gracef(lly inclined her head and they issed" e)changing a little !ine and a lot of affection&
The ,ree5e lifted a little and tangled their hair together as they settled do!n to !atch the day%s ending&
GG
1*
.ar !aited (ntil the sy !as co+$letely dar" and the cano$y of stars fit o#er the+ fro+ hori5on to hori5on& 't !as an
a+a5ing sensation < hearing the r(stle of the !a#es" and seeing nothing ,(t flat ,lacness that e)tended to a s$arling
,lanet see+ingly rising o(t of nothing&
2erry !as c(rled ($ ne)t to her" fast aslee$& -fter their long day of di#ing and s(n" that !asn%t s(r$rising really" ,(t .ar
!as glad to see her $artner getting so+e +(ch needed rest& Her father%s death" and the stress of the last +onth had taen
a lot o(t of her and .ar intended their little tri$ to ,e as rela)ing as $ossi,le& She lifted her hand and co+,ed her
fingers thro(gh 2erry%s hair" ,r(shing it ,ac fro+ her face&
2erry%s eyelids tre+,led" 6(st a little" and she stirred" sn(ggling closer to .ar and sliding an ar+ o#er her sto+ach& She
then rela)ed again" a $(ff of e)haled ,reath !ar+ing .ar%s sin&
/-tta girl&1 .ar +(r+(red" !atching the slo! rise and fall of her lo#er%s ri,cage& /3o( 6(st tae it easy& Bo getting
sic&1 2erry had an a$$oint+ent !ith their fa+ily doctor on their ret(rn" to redo tests that had sho!n a dangero(s rise
in her ,lood $ress(re a+ong other things not that long ago&
To hell !ith the co+$any& Both of the+ lea#ing at once !as thro!ing the $lace into chaos ,(t she co(ld care less&
.ar readily acno!ledged the hy$ocritical nat(re of her !anting 2erry to $(t herself ,efore !or" gi#en her o!n
,eha#ior ,(t it%s !hat she !anted nonetheless and she ref(sed to a$ologi5e for it& She idly t!irled a ,it of 2erry%s $ale
hair aro(nd her finger" ad+iring its softness& -lready t!o days in the s(n see+ed to ha#e lightened it" or +ay,e 2erry%s
dee$ening tan 6(st $ro#ided a greater contrast&
0hate#er& .ar !atched 2erry%s 6a! +(scles +o#e a little" then her eyes fl(ttered o$en and the ti$ of her $in tong(e
a$$eared& /Hey" slee$y&1 She ran the ti$s of her fingers o#er 2erry%s ,ac as the s+aller !o+an stretched&
/M+++?1 2erry rolled o#er and ga5ed ($ at the night sy& /7h" that%s gorgeo(s&1 She +(r+(red& />oo at those
stars? there +(st ,e a 5illion of the+&1
/M+h+&1 .ar agreed" easing onto her side and !ra$$ing her ar+s aro(nd 2erry& She $(t her head do!n and ga5ed at
2erry%s $rofile& /Bea(tif(l&1
2erry felt the attention" and t(rned to +eet .ar%s eyes& She still felt slee$y" and a little ,e+(sed at ha#ing do5ed off
o#er their little snac" and she had no real desire to do +(ch a,o(t it other than sn(ggle ,ac ($ against .ar%s !ar+
,ody and ret(rn to her drea+s& She lifted a hand and stifled a ya!n& /Thin ' o#erdid it today&1
Me" too& .ar added in !ry" silent agree+ent& /Ho! a,o(t a sho!er" and an early ,edti+e&1 She s(ggested&
/7oo&&1 2erry fo(nd the idea #ery a$$ealing& /3eah" ' lie that&1 She laced her fingers !ith .ar%s& /0e co(ld ha#e
so+e hot chocolate? it%s a little chilly o(t here&1
0ith a s+ile" .ar lifted herself to her feet and offered 2erry a hand ($& They !aled together single file aro(nd the side
of the ca,in and do!n into the stern& .ar t(rned on the o(tside lights and re#ie!ed their gear& /'%+ going to $(ll in the
,(oy& Meet yo( inside=1
2erry (ne)$ectedly circled her !ith ,oth ar+s" and ga#e her a ,ig h(g& /Me and so+e hot chocolate%ll ,e !aiting&1 She
released .ar and ga#e her a $at on the side" then eased thro(gh the ca,in door&
.ar ch(cled softly to herself as she !aled to the side of the ,oat and $(lled in the ,(oy line" sec(ring the orange ,(oy
to the side of the ,oat and re+o#ing the ($right" fle)i,le $ole that held their di#er%s flag& The flag indicated to anyone
$assing ,y that there !ere di#ers (nder the !ater" $ossi,ly near the s(rface" and theoretically the ,oaters sho(ld gi#e the
s$ot a !ide ,erth&
Ho!e#er" as in coastal areas !here +anatees li#ed" and signs !ere $osted" adherence to the r(les #aried fro+ shi$
ca$tain to shi$ ca$tain and if yo( !ere in an area that a lot of $leas(re ,oaters (sed" yo( too a ris& .ar herself had a
s+all scar on her ,ac fro+ a +iscast shar hoo !hen she !as yo(nger" that snagged her and al+ost $(lled her air
hose fro+ her first stage&
7(t here" there !asn%t +(ch chance of that ind of $ro,le+& .ar fastened the flag into its catches" and cast her eye
aro(nd the stern" checing to +ae s(re e#erything !as in its $lace& Then she nodded in satisfaction and entered the
ca,in" closing the door ,ehind her& 2erry !as in the s+all galley" ,(sy !ith the cocoa tin" her dar $(r$le s!i+s(it
o(tlining her ,ody nicely& They had the hatches o$en" so the night ,ree5e !as ,lo!ing thro(gh" cooling the $lace off
!itho(t the+ ha#ing to act(ally r(n the s+all air conditioning (nit the ,oat !as e8(i$$ed !ith&
/H#erything shi$sha$e" 4a$%n=1 2erry ased" looing ($ at her !ith a +ischie#o(s grin&
/-r&1 .ar +ade a 8(asi $irate noise& /'%ll d(c in the sho!er first&1
1I
2erry contin(ed her tas& /0e co(ld try getting in there together&1
/Bot e#en if !e !ere Bar,ie dolls&1 .ar snorted" shaing her head& She entered the head and fli$$ed the light on"
stri$$ing o(t of her s(it and hanging it on one of the hoos on the ,ac of the door& They had gotten t(,es of ,ody
soa$" con#eniently a,le to also hang on hoos and she s8(ee5ed a handf(l of a$ricot scented !ash as she t(rned the
!ater on and ste$$ed (nder it&
't felt #ery good to scr(, the salt s$ray off her sin& S!i++ing in the sea !as interesting" and often refreshing" ,(t the
+inerals the !ater held +ade a sho!er so+ething she al!ays looed for!ard to after!ards&
't also hel$ed $re#ent sea lice& .ar lo#ed +arine life in all its for+s" ,(t she dre! the line at $ro#iding a ho+e for it on
her $erson&
.ar rinsed her hair o(t" then ste$$ed o(t fro+ (nder the sho!er and to!eled herself off& She o$ened the tiny +edicine
ca,inet and re+o#ed a glass ,ottle" o$ening it and $(lling o(t the dro$$er and filling it& She tilted her head and let
se#eral dro$s fall into her right ear" then did the sa+e !ith her left& Har infections !eren%t so+ething she +(ch lied
either" and the dro$s !o(ld dry o(t her inner ear and hel$ $re#ent the+&
She t(ced the to!el aro(nd her ,ody and sa(ntered ,ac o(t into the ca,in& /Be)t&1 She traded $laces !ith 2erry" !ho
sli$$ed $ast !ith a grin& .ar rela)ed against the co(nter as she !aited for the !ater to ,oil" reaching ($ and t(rning on
the +arine radio to listen to the !eather re$orts&
9(nny" ho! the cracling of the radio and the so(nd of the sho!er !ere so si+ilar&
The !ater ettle hissed& .ar t(rned and $iced it ($" $o(ring it o#er the cocoa +i) in the c($s on the co(nter& The scent
of chocolate en#elo$ed her" and she grinned" stirring the foa+y li8(id !ith a s$oon to +ae s(re it all dissol#ed& Then
she retrie#ed the +il fro+ the refrigerator and $(t a little in each c($& She !as 6(st adding an artistic dollo$ of !hi$$ed
crea+ !hen 2erry e+erged and !andered o#er" the fresh scent of a$ricot rising fro+ her sin&
They changed into T-shirts and sat do!n together on the co(ch in the li#ing area" $(tting their feet ($ on the ,olted
do!n ta,le&
2erry si$$ed her chocolate as they listened to the !a#es for a ,it" then she t(rned to .ar& /3o( no!" ' !as 6(st
thining& 't%s really f(nny&1
.ar eyed her& /3eah=1 She !aited for the $(nchline&
/0e ne#er really tal to each other&1 2erry !atched the e)$ressi#e face across fro+ her& .ar ,lined" and $(t her c($
do!n" her eye,ro!s contracting& /See=1
Both eye,ro!s !ent ($& /H(h=1 .ar ga#e her an (nfeigned loo of ,e!ilder+ent& /-re yo( saying !e ha#e tro(,le
co++(nicating=1
/Bo&1 2erry shoo her head& /0e co++(nicate $erfectly& 0e 6(st ne#er tal&1 She stifled a grin& /0hat ' +ean is" lie
!hen ' 6(st said that& 3o( didn%t ha#e to say anything to +e" ' ne! !hat yo( !ere thining&1
/3o( did=1 .ar rela)ed&
/S(re& @0hat the hell is she taling a,o(t=%1 2erry dro$$ed her #oice a little lo!er in +i+icry& /' can tell ,y yo(r face"
,y ho! yo( +o#e" al+ost" !hat yo(%re feeling&1
.ar considered that tho(ghtf(lly& /0ell" !e do s$end a lot of ti+e !ith each other&1 She allo!ed&
/Tr(e& -nd it%s hard to ha#e good" #igoro(s de,ates !ith so+eone !ho yo( agree !ith +ost of the ti+e&1 2erry said&
/0e ha#en%t had a fight in a long ti+e&1
- dar eye,ro! cra!led ($ .ar%s forehead& /3o( !ant to ha#e a fight=1
/-ct(ally" ' !as listening to a radio $rogra+ the other day on the !ay to the 2endall office& They had this g(y on !ho
!as saying ho! it !as the sign of a healthy relationshi$ !hen yo( had fights" ,eca(se yo( didn%t re$ress anything&1
.ar%s other eye,ro! 6oined its +ate& /-re yo( re$ressing so+ething=1
2erry $ointed at her o!n chest& /Me=1
/3eah&1
/Bo& -re yo(=1
.ar fro!ned& /Bot that ' no! of&1 She a$$arently ca(ght the h(+or of the sit(ation& /0e co(ld in#ent so+ething to
re$ress" then ha#e a fight a,o(t it" tho(gh" if yo( really !ant to test the theory&1
1J
/0e co(ld do that&1 2erry leaned o#er and issed her& /7r !e co(ld 6(st do this" !hich is a hec of a lot +ore f(n&1
.ar ch(cled" c($$ing 2erry%s chee and re+o#ing the chocolate fro+ her li$s& Then she rested her forehead against
2erry%s" and her face gre! +ore tho(ghtf(l& /' thin $eo$le start fighting !hen they sto$ co++(nicating&1 She said&
/7r if they ne#er co(ld to ,egin !ith&1
/'s that !hat ha$$ened to yo( ,efore=1 2erry ased&
.ar nodded silently&
/' !as thining a,o(t that !hen ' !as listening to that g(y&1 2erry too a si$ of her cocoa" and offered her c($ to .ar&
/He said it%s easy to fall in lo#e !ith so+eone" ,(t it%s a lot harder to learn to lie and li#e !ith the+&1 She reached o#er
and +o#ed a ,it of .ar%s hair o(t of her face&
.ar liced her li$s& /' lie yo(&1 She s+iled& /' thin ' said that the first ti+e !e had dinner together&1
2erry s+iled ,ac& /3es" yo( did" and so did '&1 She st(died .ar%s face& /' really lied yo(" and ' !anted to ,e friends
!ith yo( ,efore ' fig(red o(t ' !as head o#er heels in lo#e&1
They looed into each other%s eyes for a long +o+ent& 9inally .ar too a ,reath& /2erry=1
/3es=1
- $(cer a$$eared ,et!een .ar%s eye,ro!s& /0hy are !e ha#ing this con#ersation=1
/0ell&1 2erry s8(iggled closer& /' didn%t !ant to sa#e it for a d(sty hos$ital stair!ell" and it%s late" and '%+ !asted" and
it ,eats +e reciting +y ,rother%s latest atte+$ted at $oetry&1 She issed .ar gently& /0e ha#e to ha#e these angsty"
so(lf(l" heart to heart tals so+eti+es" .ar < or else !e%ll get cootie $oints in >o#e 4o(rt or so+ething&1
.ar grinned& /0anna hear a secret=1
/S(re&1
/' ha#e ,een re$ressing so+ething&1
Green eyes o$ened !ider& /;eally=1
/3eah&1 .ar too the +ostly e+$ty c($ fro+ her and set it do!n& /The desire to tae yo( off to ,ed& 4%+on&1 She held
her hands o(t" and $(lled 2erry to her feet !hen the ,lond !o+an too the+& She $(lled 2erry into her ar+s and ga#e
her a h(g& /2er=1
/M+=1 2erry +(r+(red&
/'f yo( e#er thin !e%re not co++(nicating?1 .ar looed at her serio(sly& /Tal to +e&1
2erry ,lined" then nodded& /.itto&1 She re$lied&
.ar carried the c($s to the sin and ran !ater into the+" then acco+$anied 2erry to the ,edroo+& 2erry $(lled the
do!n co+forter ,ac and they cra!led into ,ed" sn(ggling together as .ar $(t o(t the ,edside la+$& 0ith the hatches
o$en" they co(ld hear the sea" and a nice ,ree5e $(ffed aro(nd the ca,in" lessening the enclosed feeling&
The so(nds !ere different" 2erry tho(ght& The ,oat creaed a little" and the rocing +otion soothed her& She felt her
eyes closing and let the !a#e of slee$iness in" already looing for!ard to the +orning& Stifling a ya!n" she dre! in a
,reath of !ar+" .ar scented air and dro$$ed off to slee$&
GG
.ar $ored o#er the chart cli$$ed to the console in front of her" +aring o(t a ro(te !ith a ,ig $(r$le +arer on the
$lastic sheet& She checed the GPS against the chart and gr(nted" satisfied !ith their $rogress and !ith her na#igating
sills&
She n(dged the throttles for!ard a little and rested her el,o!s on either side of the+" ga5ing o(t at the hori5on !ith a
slight grin& Hands on had al!ays ,een so+ething she%d en6oyed" right fro+ the #ery start of her career& 't !as one thing
to sit in so+e ,oardroo+ !ith a $ad of $a$er and arg(e a,o(t ho! to do things" ,(t a #ery different thing to ,e a,le to
$(t yo(r hands on the technology and act(ally do it yo(rself&
't%s !hat had set her a$art fro+ the rest of the +anage+ent at '>S& .ar had fo(ght #ery hard to ee$ her sills c(rrent
and she !as #ery" #ery $ro(d of the fact that she co(ld go into their state of the art o$s center and r(n e#ery $iece of
technology inside it& 't !asn%t al!ays easy < her $osition e$t her #ery ,(sy and the tech changed e#ery day" it see+ed&
B(t .ar had decided she ne#er !anted to ,e in a $lace !here her staff ne! +ore a,o(t !hat they !ere doing than she
1K
did" so she $(t in the long nights" ,o(ght the ne! +an(als" and occasionally e#en too things ho+e so she co(ld tae
the+ a$art and $lay !ith the+&
So ,eing a,le to ca$tain her shi$ across the sea had ,een 6(st another challenge" and again she%d $(t in the ti+e to ,r(sh
($ on her charting and diesel sills& Her $eri$heral #ision ca(ght a change in the de$th +eter and she st(died it" then
altered their co(rse 6(st a little" into a dee$er channel& Then she $iced ($ the $encil ne)t to the note$ad and started idly
setching&
-t first she doodled in the hori5on" and the ,oat%s ,o!" ,(t that got ,oring" so she started looing aro(nd for so+ething
else to dra!& She leaned ,ac and looed do!n" then grinned& -h& Her $encil +o#ed against the $a$er as she located a
ne! ins$iration&
GG
2erry $(t her $en do!n for the nth ti+e and let her head rest against the chair& She !as ostensi,ly !oring on $oetry"
,(t the s(n" the +ild drone of the engines" and the s!eet sea air !ere co+,ining to s(,#ert her creati#e intentions in
fa#or of so+e la5y daydrea+ing&
't !as +id afternoon already" and they%d ,een +aing good ti+e so far& -fter an early +orning ro+$ in the sea" .ar had
fired ($ the ,oat%s engines and headed so(theast" crossing the r(ffled ,l(e green 4ari,,ean sea as the s(n traced
steadily o#erhead&
2erry !iggled her ,are toes contentedly& .ar had $ro+ised a t!ilight di#e !hen they neared the :irgin 'slands" then
dinner at a s+all $lace she%d last #isited 6(st ,efore they%d +et& /9resh conch cho!der&1 2erry liced her li$s
tho(ghtf(lly& /So(nds great" 6(st so long as yo( don%t thin too +(ch a,o(t !hat a conch act(ally loos lie&1
/3o( say so+ething=1 .ar called do!n fro+ the ,ridge&
/Bo" s!eetie&1 2erry re$lied& /C(st +(+,ling to +yself&1 She !orried a gra$e off its ste+ fro+ the ,o!l ne)t to her
and $o$$ed it into her +o(th& /0hatcha doing=1
/.ri#ing the ,oat&1
/That all=1 2erry ased" ti$$ing her head ,ac and looing ($" one hand shading her eyes&
/.oodling&1
/3eah= 0hat this ti+e=1
@Bothing yo(%d !anna see&1 .ar re+ared" !ith an easy grin& /Ho!%s the !riting co+ing=1
'ntrig(ed" 2erry t(ced her ,oo into the side $ocet of the dec chair and $(t her fr(it ,o!l do!n& /'t%s not&1 She
ad+itted" getting ($ and !aling to the ladder" stretching o(t her ,ody as she did& /Sad to say" '%+ too la5y to e#en
!rite today&1 She cli+,ed ($ onto the ,ridge and circled .ar !ith her ar+s" ga5ing do!n at the $ad in front of her&
Then she ,lined& /3ies&1
.ar snicered& /Told6a&1
/That%s +e&1
/Sort of" yeah&1 .ar agreed&
2erry eyed the setch" !hich sho!ed a reasona,le rendering of the ,oat%s stern" !ith her s$ra!led in the chair& /3o(%re
getting $retty good at this" yo( no! that=1
- shr(g& /.e$ends on !hat '%+ dra!ing&1
2erry ga#e her a iss on the to$ of her head& /'%ll tae that as a co+$li+ent&1 She told her" as a +e+ory floated into her
+ind%s eye&
Another day, another meeting. Kerry carried her notes into the big conference room and paused, seeing most of the
table already full up. That left the end seat which was always Dars, and empty ones on either side of it. Hm. Kerry
walked around to the left hand side and sat down in the chair on that side of Dars. I should come late more often.
Then she had an ecuse to sit net to her boss, and not ha!e anyone think it was strange.
Dar entered, and as she circled the table she raised her eyebrows "ust a trifle at Kerrys choice of seats, but her lips
#uirked into a tiny grin at the same time, making Kerrys guts warm as their eyes met.
1M
$he felt herself blush, and studied her notes instead, trying not to show the unsteady confusion pulsing through her
body, reacting to Dars !ery near presence as the woman sat down and their forearms brushed each other.
Dar leaned back in her chair and balanced her pad on her denim clad knee as she asked for the weekly report. They
were in casual wear today and Kerry found herself wanting to reach o!er and touch the soft cotton Dar was wearing.
$he folded her hands together and sternly told her body to beha!e, hardly belie!ing how out of control she felt around
her new lo!er. %specially since the more eperienced Dar was seemingly #uite unaffected by it all, bree&ing through
their workday as though nothing at all had changed between them.
Kerry, on the other hand, felt like she had 'Im with her() tattooed on her forehead. $he sighed and picked up her
water glass, taking a long sip of it as the operations staff started their recitations. It didnt help much. $he was almost
hyper sensiti!ely aware of Dars e!ery motion, e!ery sound, from the faint shifts of her clothing on the leather chair
when she mo!ed, to the light scrape of the pencil lead she was doodling with.
*ucky Dar. Kerry snuck a look at her boss, who looked relaed as she glanced up from her doodling as each staff
member spoke. Dar seemed almost bored, or a least borderline inattenti!e, gi!ing the speakers a brief nod as she
accepted their reports.
'+et.) Dar kept her eyes on her pad. 'Did you get those ser!ers,)
-ark had to report in the negati!e. '+ot yet, boss. Two more days.)
Kerry looked at him, seeing the wince as he waited for Dars reaction, along with the rest of the staff.
'.kay.) Dar nodded. '/hat else,)
%!eryone around the table looked at each other in surprise.
'0m.) -ark wasnt one to look a gift horse in the mouth. '/e!e.. uh.. got some problems in 1anada.. two big pipes
down and theyre complaining.)
'And,) Dar continued her sketching, cocking her head to one side a little. '1an we fi them,)
'+ot without digging up some fiber.)
'2uess theyll ha!e to wait then.) Dar replied. 'Tell our fiber contractor up there to call me with an estimate when he
gets a chance.)
Another round of looks circled the table.
'0h.. okay.) -ark said. 'Thats all for me.)
'Anyone else,) Dars ga&e sharpened, and she scoured the group with her ice blue eyes. '+o, 2ood.) $he stood up,
casually ripping off the top sheet of her pad and tossing it o!er to Kerry before she picked up her coffee cup and headed
for the door. '3udgets are due net week. Dont be late.)
The door closed behind her, and e!eryone relaed. '/hoo.) -ark mock wiped his brow. '2ot of lucky this week()
'4eah, I thought she was going to roast your butt.. howd you do that, -ark,)
'5ight time, right place. 2ot her in a good mood.)
'The one time this year. 2o figure.) 1harlene rolled her eyes. '/hat cause that, I wonder, $he get to fire someone this
week,)
Kerry didnt hear any of it. Her eyes were on the casually tossed sheet in her hands as she stared at the neatly shaded
sketch in the center of it. Her own image looked back at her, a !ery creditable rendering outlined in a roughly shaped
heart, with Dars initials on the bottom.
'-aybe it was because she got to cancel that planning contract6 shes always hated that guys guts.
'+ah, I bet she denied that $ales re#uest again.)
Kerry !ery carefully opened her folder and put the loose sheet inside.
'Hey, Kerry6 '
Kerry looked up. '4es,)
'/hats the deal, 4ou know whats got big D in such a mellow mood,)
20
'4es. -atter of fact, I do.) Kerry ehaled, biting off a grin as she stood up and pushed her chair in. '$ee you guys
tomorrow.) $he walked out with a "aunty step, closing the door behind her.
/-ll this $retty scenery" and yo( ha#e to dra! +e=1 2erry r(ffled .ar%s hair&
/-ll those $retty fish" and yo( ha#e to tae my $ict(re=1 .ar co(ntered drolly" circling 2erry%s leg !ith one ar+&
/0e%ll ,e at the di#e site in an ho(r& 3o( ($ for that" or yo( !ant to gi#e it a +iss and 6(st go to dinner=1
2erry leaned against the ca$tain%s chair and let her head rest on .ar%s sho(lder& /.oes +y (tter la5iness sho! that
,adly=1 She co+$lained& /' fell aslee$ t!ice do!n there& ' don%t no! !hat%s !rong !ith +e&1
/0e%re on #acation& 3o(%re s($$osed to ,e la5y&1 .ar stated" her eyes scanning the hori5on again& /0e can go straight
in&1
2erry che!ed her lo!er li$" then shoo her head& /Bo" '%+ going to go +ae so+e coffee& ' really !ant to see that old
!rec" .ar& 3o( +ade it so(nd really cool&1 She straightened ($ and $(t her hands on .ar%s sho(lders" +assaging the+
lightly& />et%s go for it&1
/3o( s(re=1 .ar rela)ed" en6oying the strong neading&
/Positi#e&1 2erry ga#e her a iss on the ,ac of the nec& /Tae +e to the galleon" 4a$%n .ar&1
/-ye" aye" +atey&1 .ar re$lied $ro+$tly& /0ho no!s= May,e !e%ll find (s so+e $ieces of eight&1
2erry ch(cled" res(+ing her $osition dra$ed o#er .ar%s sho(lders& /0ith o(r l(c" all !e%ll find is so+e 6ellyfish or a
crany +oray eel&1
/7r a $ile of tin cans&1
They ,oth la(ghed" a so(nd +(ffled ,y the s$ray of the ,oat%s !ae on either side of the+&
GG
2erry ad6(sted her +as" holding her hand o#er it and her reg(lator as she ste$$ed to the ,ac of the ,oat and $a(sed"
then too a ,ig ste$ off and $l(nged into the !ater&
't !as al!ays a ,it of a shoc" going fro+ the light and ,ree5y air into the dense" ,l(e !ater& She s(ced in her first
,reath off her tan" feeling her ,ody ad6(st as the fa+iliar a,o#e !ater !eight of herself" and her e8(i$+ent +oderated
in the !ater%s ,(oyancy&
2erry held onto the anchor ro$e !ith one hand" and tightened the stra$s on her B4 !ith the other !hile she !aited for
.ar& Her ears $o$$ed a little" and she gently $inched her nose closed and ,le! o(t a little" clearing her +iddle ears&
C(st then" the !ater !as disr($ted ,y .ar%s entrance into it" her tall fig(re in a !hirl of ,(,,les that cleared as she +ade
her !ay o#er to !here 2erry !as !aiting&
.ar%s eyes fliced o#er her" 2erry noticed" checing her gear o(t of endearing ha,it& She end(red the scr(tiny" and in
ret(rn she sn(gged .ar%s tan a little tighter and $(lled her hair o(t fro+ (nder her B4& .ar !ined at her" and $ointed
do!n" and she nodded&
They started do!n the anchor ro$e" descending slo!ly thro(gh the !ater to!ards the ocean floor si)ty feet ,elo!&
.i#ing dee$ !as different than reef di#ing" 2erry had disco#ered& 3o( enco(ntered a lot of sensations yo( didn%t get in
the shallo!s < lie ther+oclines&
>ayers of colder !ater that cre$t ($ and en#elo$ed yo( (ne)$ectedly as yo( descended < and the a!areness of the sea
$ress(re slo!ly gro!ing against yo(& Breathing !as 6(st a little to(gher" and the sense of ,eing a $art of the ocean !as
greater do!n here since yo( tended to loo do!n +ore than ($" and the s(rface !as +(ch f(rther a!ay&
They reached the ,otto+" a $atch of soft" crea+y !hite sand that had a fe!" odd stals of sea!eed $oing ($ thro(gh it&
.ar checed her di#e co+$(ter" then +otioned 2erry to follo! her" and started off&
2erry o,liged" staying to one side o(t of the draft of .ar%s fins& Her $artner%s leg ics !ere a little slo!er than her
o!n" ,(t +ore $o!erf(l and she $(t so+e effort into ee$ing ($ against the light c(rrent& They a$$roached a roc
escar$+ent" and as they did" .ar half t(rned and +ade a +otion near her +as" as tho(gh she !ere sna$$ing a $ict(re&
7,ligingly" 2erry (ncli$$ed her ca+era and ad6(sted it" then s!a+ after .ar as they crested the escar$+ent and co(ld
loo o#er it&
0o!& 2erry%s eyes !idened" and she 8(icly foc(sed on the scene& 9orty feet ,elo! the+ !as a #alley of !hite sand"
and half ,(ried in the sand !as the reef encr(sted re+ains of an old" !ooden shi$& The #isi,ility !as incredi,le" e#en at
this distance" and she e$t sna$$ing as they descended to!ards it&
21
Schools of fish darted a+ong !hat !as left of half ,roen s$ars" and one !hole side of the front of the shi$ !as gone" a
h(ge hole ,ig eno(gh to ad+it the largest of the fish s!i++ing aro(nd it& 2erry cli$$ed her ca+era to her #est and 6(st
en6oyed the +o+ent" stretching her ar+s o(t and releasing so+e of her ,(oyancy& She fell thro(gh the !ater in a glide
#ery +(ch lie slo! +otion flying" t!isting her ,ody to change angles as she a$$roached the !rec&
Bits of the shi$ !ere s$read o(t across the ,otto+" !here they%d scattered !hen she !ent do!n or in the stor+s
after!ard& 2erry s$otted l(+$s of +etal and she s!a+ o#er to in#estigate" reaching o(t !ith a glo#ed hand to to(ch
+etal lins half the length of her ar+& -nchor chain" she reali5ed&
She left the chain and headed to!ards the tilted" coral encr(sted dec" s(r$rising a school of gro($er that scattered !hen
she drifted o#er the+& - gr(+$y looing ,arrac(da re+ained" ho!e#er" glaring at her fro+ ,et!een a hatch and a
$iece of colla$sed s$ar& 2erry slo!ly lifted her ca+era and drifted do!n to eye le#el !ith it" foc(sing on the fish%s
inti+idating 6a!& She sna$$ed the sh(tter" then +o#ed a!ay" !atching the c(da !atch her as she entered a school of
angel fish&
They $o(red o#er her and she rotated onto her ,ac" looing ($ at the+ o(tlined against the s(rface lie a far off +irror
a,o#e her& Then she inhaled in s(r$rise as a s+all s8(id 6etted ,y" al+ost !ithin her gras$" its tentacles trailing ,ehind
it and ,r(shing her ar+&
't !as still so a+a5ing to her" e#en after a year" this sensation of floating in an alien !orld& She t!isted and looed
aro(nd" finding .ar floating near,y" her hands clas$ed on her sto+ach and her fins crossed as she !atched& 2erry
grinned" and ga#e her a th(+,s ($& .ar grinned ,ac" then $ointed to!ards the hole in the side of the shi$ and raised
her ,ro!s in 8(estion" #isi,le e#en o#er her +as&
-hA - ne! ad#ent(re& 2erry nodded" follo!ing readily as .ar lead the !ay to!ards the interior of the ,oat" her
(nder!ater la+$ clas$ed in one hand& -s they reached it" she t(rned it on and edged inside" caref(lly e)a+ining the
s$ace ,efore she contin(ed" +otioning 2erry after her&
2erry did a 8(ic chec of her B4" +aing s(re all her hoses !ere t(ced in their holders and nothing !as dangling
,efore she follo!ed .ar inside the shi$& She $(lled o(t her o!n light and t(rned it on" ill(+inating a ghostly !orld of
algae incr(sted !ood& The str(ct(re inside !as hea#ily da+aged" ,(t not eno(gh so that her i+agination !as (na,le to
fill in the $ieces&
>ong ago" this shi$ had held drea+s& She co(ld i+agine the sailors !ho li#ed here" and the cargo they carried across the
!ar+ ,asin of the 4ari,,ean& Bo! all that re+ained !here ghosts" and the flash of odd eyes as her flashlight si++ed
o#er the interior&
9or a ,are +o+ent" the tho(ght crossed her +ind that the eyes ,elonged to those lost so(ls !ho !ent do!n !ith the
shi$" still here after all these years&
Then a lo,ster sc(ttled ,y her" !a#ing its cla!s +enacingly" and 2erry 6(+$ed" al+ost cracing her head against the
!ood a,o#e her& 7ay& She told her i+agination sternly& Sa#e it for to$side& 0ith a shae of her head" she drifted
do!n to!ards the ,otto+ of the hold& Tiny fish s!irled aro(nd her c(rio(sly and she $eered closer" as her light flashed
off so+ething (nidentifia,le&
.ar a$$roached" lifting her di#e co+$(ter and dis$laying the ti+e they had re+aining& 2erry nodded" then $ointed !ith
her light" catching the flash again& They ,oth s!a+ closer" $eering (nder the colla$sed ri,s and ti+e encr(sted cases
$iled on the ,otto+" resting against !hat had once ,een the side of the shi$&
.ar tried to edge closer on one side" ,(t her ,(l e$t her fro+ getting any closer& 9ro!ning" she +otioned 2erry o#er"
,(t e#en 2erry%s s+aller for+ !as too !ide to fit thro(gh !ith her tan on& .ar considered a +o+ent" then she t(rned
2erry aro(nd and (nclas$ed her tan fro+ her B4" holding it in one hand and +o#ing it to one side&
2erry gras$ed the s$ar and $(lled herself do!n" no! 6(st a,le to get ,et!een the !ood and the side of the shi$& She
co(ld see the shining so+ething" and as she s8(iggled closer and her +otion ,r(shed a collection of algae off it" it
resol#ed itself into a flat s(rface& She felt .ar%s hand on her hi$ in a reass(ring $at" and she edged a little f(rther" no!
a,le to $(t her hand on !hate#er it !as&
Then she 6(st a,o(t died !hen an eel s(ddenly er($ted fro+ aro(nd the o,6ect" s8(ir+ing right $ast her nec to!ards
.ar and gi#ing her a lash !ith it%s tail on the !ay o(t& - +(ffled ,(rst of noise ca+e fro+ 2erry%s throat" sending a
strea+ of ,(,,les ($!ard" ,(t after a 6er ,ehind her as .ar got o(t of the eel%s !ay" the co+forting $at ret(rned&
Ces(s& 2erry fle)ed her hand and reached a little f(rther" getting her fingers aro(nd the s(rface and t(gging& 't resisted
her $(ll" ,(t she $ersisted" and !ith the faintest cracling as she freed it fro+ the gro!ing coral it ca+e loose and she
,ro(ght it closer to her +as&
22
't !as a ,o)" and the shine had ,een ha++ered +etal" !hich co#ered it tho(gh corrosion had +ostly o,sc(red the
design& 2erry started ,ac!ards" glad of the gri$ on her ,elt g(iding her o(t of the tight s$ot& .ar $eered o#er her
sho(lder as she reattached her tan and they ,oth ga5ed at her find c(rio(sly&
- ,(ried treas(re& 2erry ,lined delightedly& H#en if it !as" as it a$$eared to ,e" 6(st an old ,o)" still < the ,o) held
history and it fascinated her& She cl(tched it as they +ade their !ay o(t of the hold and into the o$en sea" !hich see+ed
,rilliantly lit ,y s(nlight no! that they !ere o(t of the darness of the shi$&
.ar ga#e her a ,ig th(+,s ($" and 2erry grinned aro(nd her reg(lator" ret(rning it& They +ade their leis(rely !ay ,ac
to the anchor line" carried no! ,y the drift c(rrent going in the o$$osite direction& 2erry t(ced her treas(re a!ay in
her B4 $ocet as she gri$$ed the line" ready to 6(st !atch the sho! aro(nd her as they slo!ly +ade their !ay o(t of one
!orld" and ,ac to their o!n&
GG
Part 2
/0hoo&1 2erry r(ffled her hair dry !ith a to!el" and $added across the dec& /.ar" that !as a!eso+e&1
.ar looed ($ fro+ the ,asin she !as standing o#er" at the ,otto+ of !hich rested their little $ri5e& She st(died 2erry%s
face" finding a s+ile on her o!n res$onding the honest delight she sa! there& /3eah" it !as" !asn%t it=1
2erry a$$lied the to!el to her lo#er%s ,ody" drying the dro$lets of sea !ater off it& /That eel scared the $oo o(t of +e"
tho(gh& .id it hit yo( on the !ay o(t=1
/;ight in the +as" yeah&1 .ar ch(cled& /Bo(nced off +e and 6(st e$t going& He !as a ,ig one&1 She glanced ($ as
the so(nd of far off engines dist(r,ed the other!ise $eacef(l air" and !atched as a relati#ely s+all tender a$$roached
the+" slo!ing !hen they ca+e e#en" #ery o,#io(sly gi#ing the+ the once o#er&
2erry $eered o#er .ar%s sho(lder& /0hat%s that all a,o(t=1 She !ondered& /0e%#e got the di#e flag o(t& 's there a
$ro,le+ !ith that here=1
/Bah&1 .ar fro!ned& /There%s a tho(sand old !recs lie this aro(nd these islands? that%s 6(st an old island freighter&
So+e of the historical !recs ha#e no di#e 5ones" ,(t not this area&1
/So !hat%s their $ro,le+=1 The s+all ,oat circled the+ la5ily" then after a +o+ent" roared off&
.ar !atched the s+all ,oat retreat into the distance& /Beats +e&1 She shr(gged& /May,e they%re not (sed to $eo$le
(sing *I foot Bertra+%s as di#e $latfor+s&1 She finished co#ering the !ater !ell" f(ll of sea!ater" that held the ,o)
they%d ,ro(ght ($& />et%s lea#e that in there (ntil ' fig(re o(t ho! to tae it o(t" and not ha#e it fall to ,its on (s&1
/;ats&1 2erry circled fro+ ,ehind !ith her ar+s and ga#e her a s8(ee5e& /' !anted to o$en it ($ and see inside&1 She
ins$ected the ,asin& /' no! it%s nothing +(ch" 6(st an old cigar ,o) or so+ething" ,(t?1
.ar t(rned aro(nd and ret(rned the h(g" gi#ing 2erry%s nec a friendly scratch& /' thin !e +ight need so+e oil first?
to ee$ the !ood fro+ drying o(t& To+orro!" oay=1
/M+&1 2erry liced a fe! re+aining dro$s of !ater off .ar%s throat& /7ay&1 She released her lo#er" ,(t too her hand
and led her o#er to the cooler& /Share an ice tea !ith +e=1
/S(re&1 .ar !aited !hile 2erry o$ened the ,ottle and too a s!ig" then acce$ted it and s(ced do!n a +o(thf(l herself&
She s!ished the tea aro(nd ,efore she s!allo!ed it" clearing the last taste of salt !ater and r(,,er fro+ the di#e& /-ll
right& Ho! a,o(t !e $(ll ($ anchor" and go get (s so+e conch&1
2erry stifled her +ild a+(se+ent o#er the cas(al s$eech" !ondering if .ar ne! ho! +(ch she so(nded lie her father
so+eti+es& 'n the office" it al+ost ne#er sho!ed& There" .ar%s #ocali5ations" !hen they !eren%t !all rattling yells"
!ere cris$ and shar$ly $rofessional& 7nly !hen they !ere alone" and her lo#er !as rela)ed did her so(thern ($,ringing
tend to sli$ in& /So(nds great to +e" .i)iec($&1 She teased& /'%ll go $(ll in the ,(oy&1
.ar ca$t(red her !ith one long ar+ and $inned her ($ against the ,(lhead& /3o( +aing f(n of +y accent" yo( little
3anee=1
/Bo$e&1 2erry ran her hands o#er .ar%s still da+$ ,ody& /' lo#e yo(r accent& ' !ish yo(%d let it o(t +ore&1
7ne of .ar%s eye,ro!s lifted e)$ressi#ely&
/' so !ant to hear yo( tell Cose to @get yer da+n ass o(t +ah office&%1 2erry giggled& /3ah da+n little $ansy assed
$issant&1
.ar ,(rst into la(ghter& /He%d $iss in his $ants&1
23
2erry nodded cheerf(lly& /H)actlyA1
.ar%s ch(cles !o(nd do!n" and she 8(ieted& /'t%s f(nny&& yo( liing +y rednec side&1
/0hy=1
- shr(g& /'t 6(st is& To +e any!ay& '&& !ored so hard to co#er that all ($&1 .ar said& /' re+e+,er sitting in a
+anage+ent +eeting once" after '%d +ade regional director and listening to three of the other $eo$le there trash one of
the so(thern $ro6ect +anagers&1 She e)haled& /4alling hi+ a hic and a lo!life rednec&1
2erry sighed& /They +ae f(n of e#eryone" .ar&1
.ar nodded& /' no!& B(t this !as different" ,eca(se it +ight as !ell ha#e ,een +e they !ere taling a,o(t" only the
other g(y !asn%t ,othering to $retend&1 She ga5ed tho(ghtf(lly o#er 2erry%s sho(lder&
/M+&1 2erry !as slo!ly r(,,ing .ar%s ,ac" easing the tension she felt there& /0hat did yo( do=1 She ased softly&
/4alled the+ 6acasses and told the+ to go find so+e class ,efore the co+$any had to ,(y it for the+&1 .ar ad+itted&
/That%s +y .ar&1 2erry leaned her head against .ar%s collar,one" soft ch(cles e+erging fro+ her throat&
/3eah" !ell&1 .ar had to s+ile herself& /They ne#er did say anything a,o(t rednecs after that in any +eeting I !as in&1
Bo& 2erry h(gged her often c(r+(dgeonly ,oss& /' ,et they didn%t&1 7ust like no one says anything about you6 in any
meeting Im in.)
.a+n right&
GG
The s+all island they $(lled into !as definitely laid ,ac& 2erry $eered o#er the railing !ith interest as they
a$$roached" noting the gorgeo(s !hite ,each and the cl(ster of s+all" s(n ,leached ,(ildings ,ehind the s$are" $atched
together docs& /Bo!" 2errison&1 She +(r+(red to herself& /0e%re not doing the 0aldorf here&1
7f co(rse" she !asn%t dressed for the 0aldorf& 2erry glanced do!n at her stone!ashed !hite short o#eralls and sandals"
her li$s t!itching as she i+agined her fa+ily%s reaction to the !orn fa,ric and the c(toff" slee#eless gray s!eatshirt she
!ore (nder it& /'%+ 6(st a $ro$er +arine #aga,ond" ' a+&1
.ar sillf(lly na#igated the Bertra+ into a slot at the end of the doc& 2erry tossed the ,o! ro$e to the yo(ng ,oy !ho
ran ($ to greet the+" then too the stern ro$e and 6(+$ed onto the !ooden s(rface" $(lling the line ta(t aro(nd the
r(sted cleat and tying it off& /Thans&1 She s+iled at the ,oy" !ho s+iled shyly ,ac at her& He had dar sin" and
shaggy ,ro!n hair and eyes" and he !as dressed in a $air of deni+ shorts and nothing else&
His eyes !ent $ast her and !idened a little& 2erry t(rned her head to see .ar lea$ing off the ,oat" a ,road grin on her
face& /Hey" ;(f(s&1 She said" $a(sing and sticing her hands into her $ocets& /0hat do yo( thin=1
/0o!&1 The ,oy re$lied& /2iller ,oat" .arA1 His eyes ro#ed o#er the #essel& /4%n ' ride it=1
.ar ch(cled& />ater" yeah&1 She $(t a hand on 2erry%s sho(lder& /This is +y friend 2erry& 2erry" this is ;(f(s&1
/Hi&1 ;(f(s st(died 2erry !arily&
2erry held a hand o(t& /Hi" ;(f(s& Bice to +eet yo(&1 She !aited for the ,oy%s hesitant hand clas$" then ret(rned it
gently&
;(f(s ,aced off a ste$& /'%ll go tell dada yo(%re here" .ar&1 He told her" and then he t(rned and ran off" ,are feet
al+ost so(ndless on the !ood&
.ar e)haled a little as she !atched hi+ go& /'%+ looing for!ard to seeing his father&1 She said" g(iding 2erry ($ the
doc& /He !as in the ser#ice !ith .ad&1
/-hA1 2erry s+iled& /His friends are al!ays interesting $eo$le&1
/M+&1 .ar agreed& /He doesn%t no!&1 Her eyes fliced to 2erry%s face& /-,o(t +y father ,eing ali#e& There%s no
$hones o(t here? ' thin he ee$s it that !ay on $(r$ose& .ad !as going to +ae a r(n o(t here" ,(t ' told hi+ !e
!ere sto$$ing" and that '%d $ass the ne!s&1
2erry read se#eral le#els of +eaning to her lo#er%s !ords& /H+&1 She st(died the s+all cl(ster of !eather!orn
,(ildings& />ooing for!ard to +eeting hi+" then& He li#es here=1
/He r(ns the 6oint !e%re ha#ing dinner at&1 .ar said& /-fter he got discharged on a +edical" he ca+e o(t here and set ($
this $lace& Hi+ and his $artner < they do all the cooing" and ,re! their o!n ,eer&1
24
2erry%s ears $riced& /Partner=1 She 8(eried&
.ar nodded&
/H++&1
/They ado$ted ;(f(s& He sho!ed ($ one day on a little raft" and 6(st ref(sed to lea#e&1
2erry a,sor,ed all that as they !aled off the doc and onto a shell stre!n $ath& -s they a$$roached the ,(ildings" a
fig(re ca+e o(t onto the $orch of the ,iggest one" $lacing hands on the $orch railing and leaning on it&
/>oo at !hat that da+n !ind ,le! in" !o(ld6a=1
The +an ,ehind the railing !as tall and had a ch(ny ,(ild" ,(t that%s not !hat 2erry noticed&
He !as also +issing a leg& Belo! his right nee" s!athed in a o#erlarge $air of dar green hai shorts" e)tended a
+etal fra+e& 7n the end of the fra+e !as a !ell !orn shoe& He had thic" sil#ered ,ro!n c(rly hair and a ,(shy ,eard"
and his sin !as crossed !ith thin" ,(t noticea,le scars&
/Ho!dy" 4harlie&1 .ar greeted hi+" lifting a hand
The +an li+$ed do!n the !ide" !ooden ste$s and ca+e to +eet the+" $(lling .ar into an enth(siastic h(g& /.a+n" it%s
,een o#er a year" .ar& 0here%#e ya ,een=1
.ar released hi+& /Here and there&1 She re$lied& /4harlie" this is 2errison St(art&1 Her ar+ dra$ed o#er 2erry%s
sho(lders& /My chosen one&1
The +an t(rned to st(dy 2erry" !ho !as hard $ressed to hide her ,e+(sed s(r$rise at .ar%s ne! ter+ for her& /-hhh&&
so that%s !here yo( ,een" h(h=1 He held a hand o(t& /Ms& St(art" it%s an honor and a $leas(re&1
/Mine too&1 2erry rose to the occasion" clas$ing his hand fir+ly& /' hear yo( +ae so+e +ean conch cho!der&1
4harlie la(ghed" cla$$ing .ar on the sho(lder and gest(ring to!ards the larger ,(ilding& /4%+on& >et%s go siddo!n and
let +e $ro#e o(t +y re$(tation& 0e got so+e catching ($ to do&1 He li+$ed ahead of the+" o,#io(sly (sed to his
disa,ility to the $oint !here it didn%t a$$recia,ly ha+$er hi+&
2erry and .ar follo!ed after hi+" .ar !ith her ar+ still dra$ed o#er 2erry%s nec&
/4hosen one=1 2erry in8(ired softly" gi#ing her lo#er a c(rio(s loo&
.ar%s 6a! ,(nched" and she glanced do!n at the gro(nd ,efore she sn(c a loo at 2erry%s face& /'%ll e)$lain later&1 She
+(r+(red as they reached the ste$s& /'t%s a co+$li+ent&1
/.(h&1 2erry ,(+$ed her hi$ !ith her o!n as they !aled ($ the stairs& />oos lie !e%ll ha#e lots of interesting
things to tal a,o(t tonight&1
/H+&1 .ar held the door o$en" and they !ent inside&
GG
2erry glanced aro(nd c(rio(sly at the inside of the little shac& They !ere seated at one of si) ta,les" all +ade of hand
!ored drift!ood& The roo+ !asn%t +(ch ,igger than her ,edroo+ at the condo" tho(gh at the rear a door led into a
itchen& The $lace !as lit ,y oil la+$s" ,oth hanging on the !alls and on their ta,le" tho(gh the large" s8(are !indo!s
on three sides of the roo+ let in the glo! of s(nset and a cool ,ree5e&
T!o other ta,les !ere occ($ied" one ,y t!o scr(ffy looing +en in ,each co+,ers o(tfits" and the other ,y a handso+e
islander and his fe+ale co+$anion" !ho to all a$$earances !ere on their honey+oon&
/S+ells great in here&1 2erry co++ented" sniffing a$$reciati#ely at the s$icy" delicio(s scents co+ing fro+ the itchen&
- 8(iry grin t!isted .ar%s li$s& /Bot too r(stic for yo(=1
/.ar&1 2erry fro!ned" glancing do!n at herself& /.id ' forget to ri$ the alligator off +y shirt $ocet or so+ething
today=1
/C(st idding&1 .ar fingered the !o#en ro$e salt and $e$$er holder&
/Bo" that%s the second ti+e yo( ,ro(ght this ($&1 2erry shoo her head& /-re yo( really that sensiti#e a,o(t dragging a
Mid!estern !as$ aro(nd !ith yo(=1 She t(rned her head and regarded .ar serio(sly" finding soft" ro(nd ,l(e eyes
ga5ing ,ac at her& /Honey=1 She $(t a hand on .ar%s in $(re refle)&
2*
-fter a +o+ent" .ar cleared her throat !ith a to(ch of shee$ishness" and $ro$$ed her chin on her fist& /3eah" ' really
a+ that sensiti#e&1 She ad+itted 8(ietly& /Sorry&1
/0ell&1 2erry rela)ed a little" stroing .ar%s fingers !ith her o!n& /'%ll 6(st ha#e to !or on that" then&1 She glanced
($ as 4harlie li+$ed o#er" al+ost 6(+$ing ($ to hel$ hi+ as he na#igated a tray to!ards the+&
/Ba!&& 6(st siddo!n" there" little lady&1 4harlie +anaged to get the tray on the ta,le in one $iece& /Go fig(re B(d%s o#er
on the ,ig island right !hen ' need e+&1 He set a large ,o!l of stea+ing" s$icy scented al+ost ste! lie so($ in front
of each of the+& /There ya go&1
/0o!&1 2erry ,lined at the +ass of rich ,roth and seafood& /This loos great&1
4harlie grinned at her& /3a got good taste" ,(t ' ne! that seeing as yo( $iced old .ar here& Get yo( anything else for
no!=1
2erry looed ($ at hi+& /The ,iggest +(g of ,eer yo( ha#e& ' thin '%ll need it&1
-n e#en ,igger grin s$lit his face& /3o( got it& .ar" sa+e for yo(=1
.ar nodded #igoro(sly&
/-ll right& '%ll get these here fols taen care of" then !e can sit do!n and catch ($? ho!%s that=1 4harlie $iced ($
his tray&
/So(nds great&1 .ar re$lied& /Thans" 4harlie&1
He !ined at the+" and then li+$ed ,ac to!ards the itchen" disa$$earing ,ehind t!o s!inging doors&
2erry !aited a fe! +o+ents" !atching .ar o(t of the corner of her eye& The dar haired !o+an !as fiddling !ith her
s$oon" a $(cer #isi,le a,o#e her eye,ro!s& /.ar=1
/H+=1
- t(+,le of !ords s(ddenly filled 2erry%s +o(th" and she let the+ o(t" al+ost !itho(t thining& /3o( !ant to tal
a,o(t it=1
.ar coced her head" ga5ing at 2erry c(rio(sly for se#eral heart,eats& Then she $(t her s$oon into her cho!der and
stirred it& /'t%s? (+&&& / She $a(sed as 4harlie ret(rned" $(tting do!n t!o h(ge tanards in front of the+" !ith nice"
foa+y heads& /Thans&1
/.itto&1 2erry grinned in a$$reciation&
4harlie ch(cled" and then headed off to!ards the ne)t c(sto+ers&
2erry too a si$ of her ,eer& 't !as rich" !ith a n(tty taste" s+ooth" and #ery" #ery $otent& /7o&1 She liced her li$s&
/This co(ld ,e dangero(s&1
/'t is&1 .ar too a si$ of her o!n ,re!" then a second" longer one ,efore she set the +(g do!n& /The last ti+e ' !as
here" ' got in tro(,le !ith it&1 She st(died the tanard& /4harlie and +y father !ere good friends&1
2erry acce$ted the s(dden change of s(,6ect !ith grace& /M+&1 She +ade an enco(raging noise&
/B(t dad and B(d ne#er got along&1 .ar contin(ed" !ith a sigh& /B(t hated hi+" and it too +e a long ti+e to fig(re o(t
!hy&1 She glanced at 2erry& /He told +e the last ti+e ' !as here he !as glad dad !as gone&1
2erry sto$$ed dead in +id +otion& Then she $(t her +(g do!n and looed aro(nd the $lace& /0hat the hell are !e
doing here then=1 She ased" !ith a s$l(tter& /That g(y%s l(cy he%s not aro(nd& '%d ic his ass& 9or that +atter" !hy
didn%t yo(=1
.ar grinned !ryly& /He !as dr(n" ' !as half!ay there" and he ended ($ a$ologi5ing for ,eing a 6acass&1 She said&
/He told +e then that he%d al!ays ,een con#inced that .ad !as after 4harlie&1
/0ait&1 2erry co#ered her eyes& /0ait? !ait?&!ait& He tho(ght yo(r father? / She $eeed ,et!een her fingers&
/3o(r father" -ndre! ;o,erts" the sailor +an" the +ost hetero +ale ' thin '%#e e#er no!n !as chasing his $artner=1
.ar nodded& /3eah&1
- cl(e !addled inside the door and $eced 2erry on the foot& /So yo(%re ner#o(s a,o(t telling the+ he%s ali#e&1
.ar nodded again& /3eah&1 She e)haled" scr(,,ing her face !ith one hand& /'sn%t that $athetic= ' can tell the $resident
of H))on to ta$-dance on his ,oardroo+ ta,le ,(t ' get ner#es doing this&1
2I
/;ela)&1 2erry felt a sense of relief at (nnotting .ar%s +ood& /0e%ll get thro(gh it? after !e get thro(gh this really
great s+elling so($ and this a!eso+e ,eer&1 She $atted .ar%s nee (nder the ta,le& /'%+ s(re it%ll ,e oay&1
/3eah&1 .ar #isi,ly (n!o(nd" taing a s$oonf(l of the cho!der& She che!ed it" s!allo!ed" then reached o#er and
,r(shed her n(cles against 2erry%s chee& /Thans&&& ' no! '%+ acting a little off tonight&1
/3o(%re ne#er off&1 2erry reass(red her" sa+$ling so+e of the cho!der& /7h" !o!? this is a!eso+e&1 The cho!der
!as f(ll of seafood" fro+ shri+$ to scallo$s" to its na+esae conch& 't !as s$icy" and it had lots of other things in it too&
/3o( ,etter eat yo(rs" ,efore ' do&1
.ar stifled a grin" resting her chin against her fist as she cons(+ed her so($&
GG
't !as f(ll dar o(t ,efore 4harlie finished taing care of the fi#e other gro($s of $atrons !ho ca+e in& He d(sted his
hands off on his shirt and li+$ed o#er to their ta,le" settling do!n in a chair across fro+ .ar& /0ell" .ar" ho!%#e yo(
,een=1 He ased&
/-ll right&1 .ar dra!led softly& /3o(=1
The gri55led +an nodded& />ife%s ,een good&1 He said& /N(iet o(t here" ,(t the $lace has a good re$" !e +ae o(t all
right&1 His eyes fliced aro(nd the roo+& /B(d%s doin oay& He%s $(tting on so+e !eight" ,(t he%s finally chilled o(t
and decided he lies the life o(t here&1
/Glad to hear that&1 .ar co(ld feel a light ,(55 fro+ the ,eer" and the +eal" a large $late of fresh fish after the cho!der
!ith a !hole loaf of fragrant her, ,read !as +aing her slee$y&
2erry !as finishing off her tanard" the oil la+$%s light casting her light green eyes in shades of a+,er& She !as
!atching the+ 8(ietly" her !eight shifting slightly to ,ring her nee into contact !ith .ar%s as she listened to the
con#ersation&
/0hat a,o(t yo(=1 4harlie ased& /-side fro+ the o,#io(s&1 He t(rned a grin on 2erry& /Tell +e a,o(t yo(r chosen
one here&1
/0hat !o(ld yo( lie to no!=1 2erry ased" !ith a char+ing s+ile& /' !or in the sa+e ,(siness as .ar does&&& '%+
fro+ Michigan? ' lo#e yo(r cooing and yo(r ,eer?1
4harlie ch(cled delightedly& /4an%t as for ,etter than that&1 He said& /So yo( do that co+$(ter st(ff" h(h= That !here
yo( t!o +et=1
/More or less" yes&1 2erry agreed& /0e%#e ,een together o#er a year&1
/' ne! yo(%d find a good one&1 The +an t(rned his eyes to .ar& /' said yo( !o(ld" didn%t '=1
/3o( did&1 .ar ad+itted& /Tho(gh&&& / She !aggled her hand& /'%+ not s(re !hich one of (s fo(nd the other&1 She too
a dee$ ,reath" and decided to 6(st get it o#er !ith& 't !as late" and she !as tired& /- lot of things changed for +e this
last year&1
4harlie leaned on his el,o!s" !atching her& /3eah=1
.ar nodded" then lifted her head and +et his ga5e s8(arely& /My father%s ali#e&1 She stated softly& /He ca+e ho+e&1
She felt !ar+th close aro(nd her nee as 2erry%s fingers tightened co+fortingly aro(nd it&
The +an across fro+ her si+$ly stared ,lanly at the+ for the longest ti+e& Then he slo!ly let o(t a ,reath and looed
a!ay& /0ell" da+n&1 He !his$ered& /-in%t that so+ething&1 His hands !ere #isi,ly shaing as he $iced ($ the glass
he%d ,ro(ght !ith hi+&
/'t !as&1 .ar agreed& /He? 6(st contacted +e one day? and" (+? / She shoo her head& /He%d ,een h(rt $retty
,adly" ,(t they $atched hi+ ($" and there he !as&1
4harlie nodded faintly& /He oay=1
2erry%s ears $riced&
/3eah&&& / .ar s+iled& /He retired fro+ the ser#ice? he and +y +other got a ,oat" if yo( can ,elie#e that" and they%re
li#ing on it& Ha#ing the ti+e of their li#es&1 She si$$ed at the re+ainder of her ,eer& /He !as $lanning a tri$ o(t here in
a co($le +onths < ,(t ' told hi+ ' !as s!inging ,y" so ' told hi+ '%d let yo( no!&1
2J
4harlie a,sor,ed all that" a sh(ffle of e+otions flicering across his face& /.a+n" .ar& / He finally said& /0hat a
icass thing to ha$$en& That%s great&1 - s+ile a$$eared" only tre+,ling at the edges& /3o( +(st ha#e ,een so+e ind
of stoed&1
.ar%s face rela)ed into a rare" ,road grin& /Stoed&1 She la(ghed softly& /3eah&1
/0o!&1 4harlie collected hi+self& /' hardly no! !hat to say&1 His eyes !ent to 2erry& /.ar%s dad is a hec of a g(y&1
2erry dra$ed an ar+ o#er .ar%s sho(lders& /' no!& He ado$ted +e&1 She said& /' lo#e ,oth of +y $arents in la! #ery
+(ch&1
The itchen doors creaed o$en& 4harlie t(rned" as ;(f(s $oed his head shyly inside& /Hey" ;(fie& 4%+on o#er here&1
The ,oy o,eyed" co+ing o#er and resting his hands on the ta,le& 4harlie $(t his ar+ aro(nd hi+& /0e ado$ted ;(fie
here&1 He said& /He%s learning ho! to r(n the itchen" right ;(fie=1
/3e$&1 ;(f(s grinned& /.ar%s gonna gi+e a ride on her ,oat" dada&1
/'s she no!=1 4harlie ased& /Thin she%d gi#e +e one too=1 He glanced at .ar& /3o( in a r(sh o(t of here=1
/Bah&1 .ar re$lied easily& /0e%re 6(st $lanning on ,(++ing aro(nd" doing so+e di#ing& 2erry and ' 6(st needed so+e
ti+e off&1
/Great&% 4harlie see+ed to ha#e reco#ered his s$irits co+$letely& /B(d%s d(e ,ac to+orro! < ' no! he%d lo#e to see
yo(&1 He said& /3o( need a ,(n for the night=1
.ar shoo her head& /0e%re fine on the ,oat& 3o(%ll ha#e to let +e no! !hat doc $o!er cost < no ,s" 4harlie& ' can
afford it&1
He ch(cled& /So yo( said the last ti+e&1 He stood ($& /Great& 0e%ll see ya to+orro!" then& ' gotta get cleaning ($ this
$lace" and get this little $($ to ,ed&1
/Bye&1 ;(f(s !a#ed his hand at 2erry& /Bice t%+eet yo(&1
/Bice to +eet yo( too" ;(f(s&1 2erry re$lied& /See yo( to+orro!&1
/Bye" .ar&1
/Bight" ;(f(s&1 .ar said" !atching as the t!o disa$$eared into the itchen" lea#ing her and 2erry in solitary s$lendor in
the roo+& 0ith a sigh" .ar leaned her head against 2erry%s& /'%+ trashed&1
/Me too&1 2erry +(r+(red& /3o( interested in a nice" soft ,ed=1 She decided to $(t off disc(ssing the odd e#ening
(ntil after a good night%s slee$&
/That +eans ' ha#e to get ($ and !al" h(h=1
/' co(ld try carrying yo(&1
.ar stood ($ and $(lled 2erry ($ !ith her& They left the tiny resta(rant and !aled do!n the $ath" no! lit only ,y
+oonlight that $o(red ($ fro+ the ,each& 't !as incredi,ly 8(iet" only the s(rf so(nds ,reaing the night" and the faint
!his$ers of the lea#es aro(nd the+ r(stling in the ,ree5e&
2erry $(t her ar+ aro(nd .ar%s !aist and leaned her head against her sho(lder as they !aled& She tried to thin a,o(t
!hat she%d heard" ,(t the t!o tanards of #ery good ,eer defeated her ,est efforts" and she finally had to ,e contented to
si+$ly concentrate on getting ,ac to the ,oat& /Lr+$h&1 She stifled a ya!n as they ste$$ed off the doc and onto their
dec&
.ar o$ened the door to the ca,in and they !ent inside& 2erry !as already sh(cing her o#eralls as she tr(dged into the
,edroo+" $(lling off her c(toff s!eats and standing for a +o+ent" s!aying gently&
.ar ca+e ($ ,ehind her and too her ,y the sho(lders" g(iding her to the ,ed and $(lling the light ,lanets do!n&
2erry cra!led gratef(lly into its soft confines" and !aited (ntil .ar slid in ,ehind her" the !ar+th of her ,are sin
,r(shing against 2erry%s in a #ery $leasant !ay&
Tho(ghts ,(55ed lie ,ees thro(gh her +ind" ,(t she shooed the+ a!ay as she tangled her ar+s and legs !ith .ar%s"
and sn(ggled close to her" lea#ing the $ro,le+s for another day&
GG
2K
.ar let her eyes drift o$en as the s(nlight $oed itEs !ay inside the hatch" d(sting the ,ed !ith a s8(are of ,(ttery
!ar+th& She re+ained still for a !hile" !atching 2erry slee$ c(rled ($ against her" the ,lond !o+anEs ar+ !ra$$ed
aro(nd .arEs !aist&
2erry had al!ays ,een that !ay" .ar reflected idly& H#en !hen theyEd ,arely no!n each other sheEd noticed 2erryEs
al+ost (nconscio(s instinct for close contact - a hand on the ,ac" or the sho(lder" +aing a connection !ith her that
see+ed as nat(ral to her as ,reathing&
.ar had at first ,een ,e+(sed at that& She ne#er co(ld stand anyone $(tting their $a!s on her& Then sheEd reali5ed one
day" after 2erry had $(t ,oth hands on her sho(lders as sheEd ste$$ed aro(nd ,ehind her in a +eeting" that far fro+
o,6ecting to it" her ,ody !as s(ddenly cra#ing the to(ch&
Sho(lda ,een yo(r first cl(e" ,(cet head& .ar ga5ed !ryly at the roof of the ca,in&
2erry shifted" rolling onto her other side" and releasing .ar for the +o+ent& Since she !as a!ae any!ay" .ar decided
to get ($ and shae the co,!e,s o(t" and +ay,e s(r$rise her lo#er !ith ,reafast& She caref(lly slid o(t of ,ed and
t(ced the co#ers in aro(nd the ,londEs slee$ing ,ody" then a+,led into the corridor and do!n to the head&
- 8(ic scr(, of her face !ith cold !ater" and an e)$eri+ent !ith 2erry%s ne! s$arly tooth$aste later" .ar e+erged
fro+ the ,athroo+ in her s!i+s(it" $(lling her hair ,ac and fastening it !ith a ,it of elastic as she !aled&
The ,oat !as +o#ing gently and she roced !ith it" +aing her !ay o(t onto the ,ac dec and into the s(n& 't !as
#ery 8(iet on the doc" and they !ere still the only ,oat there& The ,each !as e+$ty of e#erything e)ce$t for a fe!
g(lls" and the !ater aro(nd her !as still" !ith only a fe! ri$$les and $o$s to indicate the +arine life aro(nd the+&
Bea(tif(l +orning& .ar hitched herself ($ on the stern railing and hooed her feet (nder the ,otto+ r(ng& Then she
leaned ,ac and stretched her ,ody o(t o#er the !ater" holding it (ntil she felt her s$ine $o$ gently into $lace& Then she
e)tended her ar+s o(t and did a fe! slo! rotations" gi#ing her entire ,ody a good !ar+ ($&
Satisfied" she $(lled herself ($right" then 6(st for f(n did a co($le of sets of sit ($s ,efore she (nhooed her legs and
ho$$ed off the railing& 4a(tio(sly" she e)tended her ar+s and checed her range of +otion" $leased !hen her in6(red
sho(lder res$onded !ith only a +ild gr(+$iness" allo!ing her to s!ing her ar+ in al+ost a co+$lete circle&
-h& .ar ch(cled to herself ha$$ily& The di#ing and rela)ing see+ed to ,e doing the tric& 0ith a contented gr(nt" she
checed the ,oat%s lines and rigging" then !ent ,ac inside and +ade her !ay to the galley&
She filled the !ater $ot and $(t it on the ,(rner" then e)a+ined her choices for ,reafast& -h& She $l(ced a ,o) fro+
the ca,inet and set it do!n" then t(rned to get a ,o!l&
Half!ay aro(nd she sto$$edD feeling a s(dden $ricle ($ her s$ine" and then a hoarse cry sent her ,olting for the
,edroo+& She sho(ldered the door o$en to find 2erry thrashing in an e#ident night+are" her hands clenching into fists
in the sheets&
/2erA1 .ar 8(icly ca(ght hold of her and shoo her gently& /2erryA1
/B?noA BoAAA B77AAA1 2erry a,r($tly !oe ($ !ith a gas$" her eyes sna$$ing !ide o$en& She looed aro(nd !ildly"
sto$$ing !hen her eyes +et .ar%s& /7h&1 She e)haled" still ,reathing hard& /.ar&1
/Hasy&1 .ar r(,,ed her sho(lder&
2erry lifted a shaing hand to her head& /Shit&1
/3o( oay=1 .ar ased 8(ietly&
/3eah& '%+ fine&1 2erry re$lied" #isi,ly trying to collect herself& /'%+ oay&1
2erry !as" .ar had long ago decided" really good at a lot of things& >ying !asn%t one of the+& She slid (nder the co#ers
and folded 2erry into her ar+s" $(lling her close in an atte+$t at co+forting her&
9or a +o+ent" she tho(ght the atte+$t !as going to fail" then 2erry%s ,ody rela)ed and sl(+$ed against hers as 2erry
,(ried her face in .ar%s sho(lder& /Shh&1 .ar stroed her disordered hair& /'t%s oay& '%#e got yo(&1
/' hate night+ares&1 2erry !his$ered&
/' don%t thin anyone lies the+" s!eetheart&1 .ar said& /' no! ' don%t&1 She roced 2erry a little" (nsettled ,y her
recent s$ate of ,ad drea+s" e#er since they%d gotten ,ac fro+ Michigan& /0as it the sa+e drea+=1 The !orst of the
rec(rrent night+ares !as of her !atching her father die in the hos$ital" and no! .ar fo(nd herself !ondering ho! long
it !o(ld tae for that horror to fade&
2M
/3eah&1 2erry $iced her head ($ and rested her chee against .ar%s ar+& /Bah&1 Her #oice had lost its hoarseness"
tho(gh" and see+ed +ore nor+al in tone& /0hat a !ay to !ae ($&1
.ar stroed her chee& She co(ld see the s$arling re+ains of tears ca(ght in 2erry%s lashes" ,(t her e)$ression had
rela)ed and she a$$eared +(ch cal+er& /-nd here ' tho(ght '%d let yo( get a little e)tra slee$& Sho(lda !oe yo( ($ and
+ade yo( go do calisthenics !ith +e&1
/M+& 3eah&1 2erry agreed" !ith a !ry s+ile& /7r at least let +e !atch&1 She $oed .ar in the ,elly" a reass(ringly
$layf(l +otion& /' don%t !ae ($ lie this !hen !e !ae ($ together&1
Bo& .ar reali5ed& That%s tr(e& /'%ll ee$ it in +ind ne)t ti+e&1 She ga#e 2erry a h(g& /'nterest yo( in so+e ,reafast=1
- green eye,all $eeed ($ at her& /3o( cooing=1
/3e$&1 .ar said& /Lnless yo( thin that +ight see+ lie too +(ch of another night+are&1
2erry s+iled !anly& /-s long as it co+es !ith so+e -s$irin& '%#e got a headache that !o(ld noc do!n an -S400 at a
h(ndred $aces&1
.ar slid her hands ($ and clas$ed the ,ac of 2erry%s nec" neading it gently& 2erry sl(+$ed against her again and her
eyes closed as she caref(lly $ro,ed the tense +(scles she fo(nd (nder her fingerti$s& /Hang on&1 She eased a not at the
,ase of her lo#er%s s(ll and felt her #erte,ra shift& /H+&1
/0hat%s the #erdict" .r& .ar=1 2erry ased&
.ar issed her on the head& /.r& .ar says yo( get to s$end the entire day la5ing aro(nd !ith +e and rela)ing&1
/7o&1 2erry e)haled& /That so(nds lie great +edicine&1
.ar ga#e her a last r(," and then got ($ fro+ the ,ed& /'%#e got so+e !ater on& 4%+on&1
2erry !illingly scra+,led o(t fro+ (nder the co#ers and follo!ed her lie a $($$y" one finger hooed in the ,ac of
.ar%s s!i+s(it& />et +e 6(st $(t so+ething on&1 She released her $artner as they ca+e e#en !ith the ,athroo+& /-nd
!ash the slee$ o(t of +y eyes&1
.ar e$t going" d(cing ,ehind the co(nter and reaching for the rattling !ater $ot& /H(sh&1 She sco!led at it" $icing it
($ and $o(ring the ,oiling !ater o#er the c($s she had ready& She left the gro(nds to stee$ !hile she got o(t t!o
,o!ls" filling one fro+ the ,o) she%d gotten do!n earlier&
She then re+o#ed so+e stra!,erries fro+ the s+all refrigerator and set to !or c(tting the+ into slices" !hich she let
fall onto the to$ of the cereal& She had finished se#eral !hen 2erry a$$eared" her hair da+$ and her ,ody co#ered !ith
a T-shirt&
2erry ca+e o#er and leaned on the co(nter" resting her chee against .ar%s ($$er ar+& /Than yo( for cooing +y
0heaties" honey&1
.ar la(ghed silently&
/3o( +ade the+ 6(st the !ay ' lie the+&1 2erry $l(ced a flae fro+ the ,o!l and $(t it into her +o(th" che!ing it&
/C(st right&1
/3o(%re !elco+e&1 .ar dra!led& /0ant to go o(tside=1
/S(re&1 2erry t(rned and o$ened the refrigerator" re+o#ing a yog(rt and adding it to the tray .ar had sitting on the
co(nter& She $(t the t!o c($s of coffee on it as !ell" then ste$$ed ,ac as .ar finished $o(ring her o!n ,reafast into
it%s ,o!l and $iced ($ the tray&
She follo!ed .ar onto the ,ac dec" s+iling a ,it as the cool sea air ,le! against her& She !aited for .ar to $(t the
tray do!n on the little ta,le" then she too her (s(al left hand seat and reached for her coffee& - fe! si$s of the st(ff
see+ed to ease her headache" and she leaned ,ac" $ro$$ing one ,are foot ($ against the footrest and ga5ing off to!ards
the hori5on&
The night+are had shaen her& 2erry $(t her c($ do!n and $iced ($ her ,o!l" $o(ring so+e +il o#er the flaes and
$atting the+ do!n !ith her s$oon& She too a +o(thf(l and che!ed" one ear coced to catch the lo(der cr(nching as
.ar +(nched on her fa#orite 9rosted 9laes&
0atching her father die had ,een ,ad eno(gh& B(t in her drea+" after she reli#ed that again" and again" and again" her
father%s stiffened fig(re !o(ld ,e re$laced !ith .ar%s" and the feeling of (tter" hel$lessness and the shoc of loss dro#e
her a!ae screa+ing e#ery ti+e&
30
2erry forced herself to s!allo! $ast the s(dden l(+$ in her throat&
/2er=1
Ho! does she no!= 2erry glanced to her right& /H+=1
.ar !as !atching her !ith an e)$ression of concern& /3o( oay=1
4%+on" 2errison& Get yo(rself together" and let it go& 't%s 6(st a da+n drea+& /3eah&1 She s+iled at .ar" trying to
con#ey her gratit(de !itho(t saying it&
.ar%s face rela)ed and her eyes gentled" a$$arently recei#ing the +essage&
/So&1 2erry fir+ly shifted her foc(s& /Tell +e +ore a,o(t 4harlie and B(d&1 She d(g into her cereal again& /-nd .ad&1
/M+$h&1 .ar s!allo!ed a +o(thf(l of flaes& />ong story&1
/My fa#orite ind&1 2erry said&
/They !ere in a s$ecial training class together&1 .ar said" ,et!een ,ites& /.ad says fro+ the #ery start" B(d !as al!ays
confronting hi+" challenging hi+" !hile 4harlie !as 6(st the o$$osite&1
/Lh h(h&1
/So" after they grad(ated" the three of the+" $l(s a,o(t si) other g(ys !ere assigned to a s$ecial o$s (nit" and they
shi$$ed o(t for si) +onths&1 .ar !ent on& /.ad said 4harlie !as a great g(y" real friendly" all right to hang o(t !ith"
,(t B(d !as yo(r ty$ical antisocial +ilitary hardass&1
/' see&1
/They !ere? so+e!here? and ended ($ (nder fire&1 .ar said& /' don%t really no! !hat ha$$ened" and '%+ not s(re
' !ant to as .ad" ,(t it ended ($ !ith .ad carrying 4harlie o(t on his sho(lders after they !aled into a +ine" ' g(ess"
and they lost t!o other g(ys&1
/7h&1
/So after that" 4harlie got discharged" and B(d didn%t re-($ a +onth after that& They h(ng o(t aro(nd the g(ys at the
,ase" tho(gh" and it ca+e o(t that they !ere lo#ers&1
/-h&1 2erry finished her cereal and started on her yog(rt&
/So" then B(d acc(sed +y .ad of chasing after his $artner& He so+eho! !as con#inced that the only reason .ad got
4harlie o(t of that firefight is ,eca(se he !anted to i+$ress hi+" and get ,et!een the t!o of the+&1 She shoo her
head& /' thin he%s a co($le chi$s short of a +other,oard" if yo( as +e&1
/Bo&1 2erry disagreed +ildly& /He%s 6(st not seeing the real $ict(re&1 She s!allo!ed a +o(thf(l of the $lain st(ff and
$ointed the s$oon at her $artner& /He doesn%t !ant to thin a,o(t the fact that this g(y he%s in lo#e !ith is head o#er
heels in lo#e !ith yo(r father&1
.ar sto$$ed eating" the s$oon still in her +o(th& She t(rned ro(nd" al+ost co+ical eyes on her $artner&
.efinite distraction& /.on%t tell +e yo( didn%t no! that&1 2erry s$l(ttered& /4%+on" .arA1
.ar re+o#ed the s$oon& /2erry" it too a +edical e)a+ for +e to fig(re o(t ' had a cr(sh on yo(& Gi++e a ,rea"
oay=1
2erry !ent ,ac to her cereal" s($$ressing a s+ile as she !atched .ar $rocess o(t of the corner of her eye&
/Son of a ,isc(it&1
/3o( reali5e !hat a can of !or+s !e 6(st o$ened" right=1
/Son of a ,isc(it&1
GGGGG
2erry si$$ed fro+ the stra! st(c into her glass of ice tea" her eyes scanning o#er the ,oo held in her la$& She and .ar
had 6(st finished l(nch" and tr(e to her !ord" .ar !as s$ra!led in the chair ne)t to her" doing nothing +ore than
,ea(tif(lly taing ($ s$ace" her ,ody s$lashed !ith s(nlight&
Her +ystery no#el !as interesting" ,(t she fo(nd herself sneaing loos o#er at her co+$anion fro+ ti+e to ti+e& .ar%s
,athing s(it cl(ng to her ,ody and o(tlined its sc(l$ted lines" !hich held a hint of dyna+ic +otion des$ite the light do5e
.ar !as in&
31
She !as glad to see the ,r(ising had faded aro(nd .ar%s sho(lder" lea#ing only a faint discoloration" hardly #isi,le
against her tan& 2erry had also noticed that .ar had +ostly sto$$ed fa#oring the ar+ des$ite her st(,,orn ref(sal to go
to her $rescri,ed thera$y sessions&
>(cy thing& 2erry shoo her head !ryly" and ret(rned her attention to her +edie#al +ystery& Her o!n dislocated
sho(lder had taen !ees of $hysical thera$y to ease and she !as still ,eing caref(l of it !hen she attaced the
cli+,ing !all at the gy+& She stretched her ,are legs o(t and crossed the+ at the anle" then looed ($ again as the
so(nd of a ,oat engine ,roe the $eacef(l silence&
4o+ing aro(nd the corner of the island !as a s+all tender& 2erry ti$$ed her s(nglasses do!n and s8(inted" !ondering
if it !as the sa+e ,oat that $assed the+ ,y the day ,efore& 't !as a,o(t the sa+e si5e" ,(t as yet it !as too far a!ay for
her to really tell&
't !as co+ing closer" tho(gh" and ,y its arc 2erry s(s$ected the doc !as its destination& She set her ,oo do!n and
reached o#er" closing her fingers aro(nd .ar%s !rist&
/H+=1 .ar stirred" t(rning her head to!ards 2erry& /0hat%s ($=1
/4o+$any&1 2erry $ointed&
.ar $(lled her s(nglasses off" re#ealing shar$ ,l(e eyes that scanned the ne!co+er intently" all trace of slee$ gone&
/-h&1 She +(r+(red& /7(r c(rio(s friends&1
/'t is the+= 3o( can tell=1
.ar nodded& /Sa+e id n(+,ers on the ,o!&1
2erry s8(inted" then t(rned and looed at .ar in a+a5e+ent& /3o( can read those=1
-nother nod" and a shr(g& /3eah& 't%s?1 .ar +ade a #ag(e +otion near her face& /4lose ($ st(ff ' ha#e a $ro,le+
!ith&1 - $a(se& /So+eti+es&1
2erry !asn%t s(re if she sho(ld ,e +ore shoced ,y the ,oat" or ,y .ar%s fran ad+ission of her #ision $ro,le+s& She
finally decided to deal !ith the ,oat first& /They%re co+ing here&1
/>oos lie it&1
/'t co(ld 6(st ,e coincidence&1 2erry reasoned& /May,e they heard a,o(t the food&1
/4o(ld ,e&1 .ar agreed" settling her glasses ,ac onto her nose and res(+ing her rela)ed $osition& /G(ess !e%ll find
o(t&1
2erry felt a $ricle of a$$rehension" (ns(re of !hat they !ere getting into& She !atched the ,oat co+e nearer and
nearer" then slo! as it $re$ared to doc se#eral sli$s a!ay fro+ the+& 't occ(rred to her that ,oth she" and .ar !ere far
o(t of their (s(al !orld" and if tro(,le really fo(nd the+" it +ight not ,e as easy to deal !ith as their (s(al day-to-day
life !as&
.ar" ho!e#er" see+ed to ,e co+$letely at ease" so 2erry leaned ,ac in her chair and o$ened her ,oo" finding her s$ot
and contin(ing to read&
The s+all ,oat doced" and fo(r $eo$le got off" three +en and a !o+an& T!o of the +en contin(ed ($ the docs
to!ards the ,(ildings" ,(t the third +an" and the !o+an headed to!ards their ,oat& 2erry e$t her head do!n" ,(t
!atched the+ as they a$$roached fro+ ,ehind her s(nglasses" e#al(ating the+&
They !ere dressed in shar$" $ressed shirts and .ocer shorts" !ith cons$ic(o(s gold at throats and !rists" and 2erry got
an i++ediate i+$ression of so$histication and +oney& The !o+an had ,lond hair a fe! shades darer than her o!n"
$(lled ,ac in a neat tail that e)$osed a high chee ,oned" elegantly +ade ($ face& She carried herself !ith a sense of
aggressi#e self-$ossession and she !as the one !ho !as leading the !ay to!ards the ,oat&
The +an ,ehind her !as tall" dar haired" and sinny to the $oint of e+aciation& He had a high forehead" and he !as
carrying an o#er the sho(lder ,riefcase !ith a satellite cell $hone cli$$ed to it&
May,e they 6(st !ant to say hello& 2erry reasoned& May,e they 6(st lie the ,oat& May,e?
/-hoy there&1 The !o+an addressed the+& /H)c(se +eA1
So(nds a,o(t a friendly as an a(ditor !ith he+orrhoids& 2erry closed her ,oo a looed o#er" a!are of .ar%s !atchf(l
alertness ne)t to her& /Hi&1 She re$lied& /So+ething !e can do for yo(=1
32
The !o+an $(t her hands on her sli+ hi$s and regarded 2erry& /0e%re looing for so+e infor+ation? +ay,e yo(
co(ld hel$ (s=1
H+& /S(re" if !e can& 0o(ld yo( lie to co+e a,oard=1 2erry $olitely re$lied&
They ste$$ed onto the railing" then do!n onto the dec and a$$roached the t!o of the+& 2erry !atched their eyes flic
to .ar" !ho !as to all a$$earances ,lissf(lly aslee$& The !o+an ret(rned her attention to 2erry&
/My na+e is 4hristen May,erry&1 The !o+an stated& /This is +y associate" C(an 4arlos&1 She $a(sed" gi#ing 2erry an
in8(iring loo&
/2erry&1 - s(dden i+$(lse to!ards reticence too hold& /;o,erts&1 Her ears heard the faint snort of s(r$rise fro+ .ar"
and she s+iled& /Bice to +eet yo(&1
4hristen cleared her throat& /' re$resent a sal#age consorti(+& 0e%#e contracted to do so+e research and location !or
in this area& 0e sa! yo( o(t ,y the straits yesterday" and ' !as !ondering !hat yo(r interest is here&1
2erry sorted thro(gh that" and felt a sense of relief& /Bothing" act(ally&1 She ga#e the !o+an a reass(ring s+ile&
/0e%re 6(st on #acation&1
/-nd yo( $iced that s$ot at rando+=1 The +an ased s(ddenly&
/Bo&1 .ar%s lo! #oice ,roe in& /' $iced the s$ot ,eca(se it%s got a great #ie! and nice fish&1 She lifted a hand and
ti$$ed her glasses do!n" e)$osing her eyes" !hich st(died their #isitors&
/Bo offense&1 The +an s+iled at her& /See anything good=1
/Moray eel as tall as ' a+&1 .ar dra!led softly& /-nd a lot f clo!ns&1
/0ell" that%s great then&1 4hristen%s attit(de had s(ddenly shifted& /3o( going to ,e aro(nd long= May,e !e can do
dinner& 0e%re ne! aro(nd here" and !e don%t no! +any $eo$le&1 She leaned against the ,ac railing& /The locals are
$retty to(gh n(ts to crac&1
2erry and .ar e)changed 8(ic glances& /0e%ll ,e aro(nd for a fe! days" yes&1 2erry re$lied& /'%+ s(re !e can get
together&1
/Great&1 4hristen s+iled& /Bice to +eet yo( 2erry&1 Her eyes shifted to .ar 8(estioningly&
/This is +y $artner" .ar&1 2erry s($$lied& /Bice to +eet yo(" too&1
/0e !ill ,e seeing yo( aro(nd" ' a+ s(re&1 C(an said& /This is a lo#ely ,oat yo( ha#e&1
/Thans&1 .ar re$lied& /0hat%s yo(r consorti(+ sal#aging= ' didn%t thin there !as anything aro(nd here !orth going
after&1
C(an looed at 4hristen& /'t%s a $ri#ate co++ission&1 4hristen said& /0e can%t really disc(ss it&1 She too C(an%s el,o!&
/0e%ll dro$ ,y later" to set a date for dinner& >et%s go" C(an&1
4hristen and C(an t(rned and 6(+$ed off the ,oat" strolling do!n the doc together&%
.ar and 2erry !atched the+ go" and then looed at each other& /0hat the hec !as that all a,o(t=1 2erry !ondered&
/' don%t no!&1 .ar sat ($ and rested her el,o!s on her nees" st(dying 2erry& /0hat !as that na+e change all a,o(t=1
She half grinned&
2erry ni,,led her lo!er li$&
/'%+ not o,6ecting?1 .ar said& /C(st a little s(r$rised&1
2erry crossed one anle o#er her nee" and r(,,ed a ,it of sand off her sin& /3o( no!&1 She finally said& /'%+ not
really s(re !hy ' did that&1 Her head rolled to one side" and she $eered at .ar !ith shee$ish honesty& />et +e thin
a,o(t it for a !hile&1
/S(re&1 .ar nodded& /-s for o(r #isitors&&& ' don%t no! !hat their ga+e is" ,(t no! '%+ !ishing !e%d ,ro(ght the
la$to$s !ith (s&1
/To find o(t !ho they are=1
/3eah&1
2erry dr(++ed her fingers on the chair ar+& /0ell" ' g(ess !e%ll 6(st ha#e to ferret that o(t the old fashioned !ay&1
She said& /3o( don%t thin they%re going to ,e a $ro,le+ tho(gh" do yo(=1
33
/Bah&1 .ar shoo her head& /C(st so+e gold diggers& 0e +ight not hear fro+ the+ again" no! that they no! !e%re
not after !hat they are&1 .ar $(t her glasses ,ac on and res(+ed her co+forta,le $osition&
/That%s tr(e&1 2erry t(ced her nees ($ (nder her chin and !ra$$ed her ar+s aro(nd the+" ga5ing o(t at the sea
tho(ghtf(lly& /They !ere a little !eird" tho(gh&1
/M+&1
/Pre$$y&1 2erry added& /' don%t no!" .ar& They 6(st didn%t see+ lie sea ty$es& 3o( no! !hat ' +ean&1
.ar o$ened one eye& /May,e they%re the ,(siness end&1 She s(ggested& /The +oney $eo$le&1
2erry $(rsed her li$s& /' 6(st didn%t lie the+&1
/0ell&1 .ar ca$t(red her hand and s8(ee5ed it& /'%#e al!ays tr(sted yo(r $eo$le 6(dg+ent&1 She said& /0hy don%t
!e?1
/Hey .arA1
.ar sat ($" as they heard footste$s a$$roaching ra$idly& ;(f(s !as r(nning do!n the docs to!ards the+& /Hey&1 .ar
greeted hi+&
He sto$$ed short of the ,oat& /4%n ' co+e on ,oard=1
/S(re&1 .ar !a#ed hi+ o#er&
The ,oy grinned and scra+,led onto the ,oat" looing aro(nd !ide-eyed as he !aled across the stern dec& /0o!&1
/Bice" h(h=1 .ar stood ($& /0ant to see inside=1 She offered&
/S(reA1 ;(f(s follo!ed her eagerly as she o$ened the door" looing ($ at her in a!e as he !aled (nder her ar+& /Boy"
.ar& 3o( got a lot of +(sclesA1
2erry +(ffled a giggle" as she ca(ght the loo of ,e+(sed consternation on her $artner%s face&
/3eah" ' s(re do&1 .ar re$lied& /That%s inda !eird for a girl" h(h=1
/3eah&1 ;(f(s nodded sole+nly& /B(t it%s really cool& 4an yo( rassle a gator=1
.ar ch(cled& /4%+on&1
They disa$$eared inside" lea#ing 2erry to res(+e her 8(iet $ondering& She leaned ,ac in her chair and e)haled& /0hat
the hell is going on !ith yo(" 2errison=1 She rested her head against her fist and tried to loo inside herself for the
ans!er&
9inally" she lifted her eyes and e)haled" nodding a fe! ti+es& Had her fa+ily had so enraged and disg(sted her" she
+(sed" that a $art of her !anted to 6(st lea#e the+ ,ehind= May,e that sa+e $art tho(ght doing that !o(ld rid her of
the night+ares&
0as that good or ,ad= 2erry !asn%t s(re& 't hadn%t see+ed to ,other .ar" tho(ghD in fact 2erry s(s$ected .ar inda
lied the theft of her s(rna+e& 0ith a tho(ghtf(l fro!n" she $iced ($ the strong golden chain on her nec and
regarded the ring it !as threaded thro(gh& She and .ar ,oth !ore their co++it+ent rings the sa+e !ay" and no! she
st(died the inscri$tion on hers caref(lly&
Then she s+iled and $(shed herself to her feet" shaing her head as she !aled to!ards the ca,in& Then a +otion
ca(ght her eye and she t(rned to !atch a +(ch s+aller ,oat" 6(st a +otored siff" $(ll ($ to the doc and tie on&
The +otor died" then a tall" gri55le haired +an !ith a h(sy ,(ild got o(t& He !as dressed in faded and $atched fatig(es
and a ,lac tan to$" and he ad6(sted a ,l(e ca$ as he $a(sed on the doc& His eyes fell on their ,oat and he t(rned"
e)a+ining it caref(lly fro+ ,o! to stern& Then he t(rned on his heel and headed ($ to!ards the ,(ildings" !aling
!ith a deter+ined" $o!erf(l stride&
/3o( no!&1 2erry leaned on the edge of the ca,in door& /'f ' !ere the ga+,ling ty$e" '%d ,et that g(y%s na+e is B(d&1
She !atched as the +an $assed 4hristine and C(an co+ing ,ac the other !ay" ,r(shing ,y the+ !itho(t a !ord& The
t!o contin(ed ,ac to their ,oat" ,(t not !itho(t a loo in 2erry%s direction& /This is starting to loo s8(icy&1
/.id yo( say so+ething" 2er=1 .ar a$$eared at her el,o!& /'%+ 6(st going to ic the engines on and gi#e ;(f(s the
ride ' $ro+ised hi+&1
/So(nds lie a great idea&1 2erry $atted her on the side& /'%ll (ntie (s&1 She 6(+$ed onto the doc and set the+ free"
a!are of ,eing !atched fro+ across the !ay&
34
So+ething definitely !as going on& 2erry s(s$ected they%d ,e finding o(t !hat sooner or later&
GGG
't !as s(nset !hen they $(lled ,ac into the doc" and the first thing 2erry noticed !as that the s+all tender !as gone&
She $erched on the ,o! of the Bertra+ as .ar na#igated in" ha#ing en6oyed their late afternoon ride&
;(f(s !as a c(te id& 2erry fo(nd his enth(sias+ o#er anything na(tical adora,le" and !atching .ar e)$lain the
!oring of the large diesels !as a $recio(s +o+ent she !ished she had on ca+era& ;(f(s o,#io(sly adored her
$artner" and e#en no! he !as gl(ed to her side as she edged the ,ig ,oat into doc&
2erry +ade a +ental note to get .ar to let her ,ring the craft in so+eti+e" tho(gh this tiny doc $ro,a,ly !asn%t the
,est one to start !ith& .ar had to shift the diesels into re#erse t!ice" and then into idle ,efore they drifted into $lace&
2erry ste$$ed off as they gently hit the ,(+$ers and sec(red the lines& The setting s(n !as t(rning the !hite ,each
sand a dee$ gold and $ainting the !ooden ,(ildings into a tro$ical !atercolor scene& She leaned against a $ylon and
st(c her hands into her $ocets" si+$ly en6oying the #ie!&
/Hey" 2er&1 .ar 6(+$ed off the ,oat and onto the doc& /See that=1
2erry o,ligingly $eered do!n .ar%s ar+& Her eyes !idened& /0hoa? !hat is that=1
- yo(ng !o+an !as racing aro(nd the !a#es on !hat looed lie a s(rf,oard" ,(t this s(rf,oard had a handle and
a$$arently an engine& -s 2erry !atched" the girl 5oo+ed aro(nd in a ,ig fig(re eight" effortlessly racing o#er the
s(rface of the !ater&
2erry cl(tched .ar%s sho(lder& /7oo&1 She crooned& /' !ant&1 She craned her nec to see ,etter& /That rocsA1
.ar s+ired& /' tho(ght yo(%d say that&1 She t(rned and !atched ;(f(s 6(+$ off the ,oat& /7ay" ;(f(s" tell yo(r
friend he%s got a c(sto+er&1
/4oolA1 ;(f(s grinned at ,oth of the+& /'%+ gonna go tell e+& Go see $a$a B(d" too&1 He $attered off do!n the doc"
only to t(rn and race ,ac" thro!ing his ar+s aro(nd .ar and gi#ing her a h(g& /Thans for th%rideA1
/Bo $ro,le+&1 .ar see+ed a little e+,arrassed" ,(t she ret(rned the h(g ,efore she sent hi+ on his !ay again& /Bice
id&1
/M+h+&1 2erry agreed& /He%s got great taste in heroes to !orshi$&1
.ar rolled her eyes& /.on%t yo( start that" 2errison&1
2erry snicered& /B(t it%s so c(te&1 She teased" reaching ($ to t!ea .ar%s chee& /4%+on& Ho! a,o(t a sho!er ,efore
!e go to dinner=1
They t(rned to go ,ac onto the ,oat" !hen hea#y footste$s +ade the+ loo ,ac aro(nd& 4harlie !as li+$ing do!n
the docs to!ards the+" gi#ing the+ a friendly !a#e& /Ho" .arA1
.ar lifted a hand in greeting& /H#ening" 4harlie&1
The ,ig e)-ser#ice+an halted as he reached the+& /H#ening" yo( t!o& >isten" got a fa#or to as&1
/S(re&1 .ar re$lied easily&
/.a+n f(el deli#ery%s ,eing held ($ ca(se of !eather do!n so(th& 0e gotta sh(t do!n tonight < +ind if ' ,ring o#er a
$otl(c on yo(r $retty ,oat here=1
/Bot at all&1 .ar said& /0e%#e got a ta,le inside& Ho! a,o(t !e go o(t and do it (nder the stars=1
4harlie ,ea+ed& /So(nds great& B(d%ll lo#e that& 't%ll tae ,o(t forty fi#e to an ho(r" see yo( then=1
/S(re&1
4harlie t(rned and li+$ed ($ the doc" !a#ing his hand in fare!ell&
/0ell&1 2erry +(sed& /That%s interesting? ' g(ess they (se a generator for $o!er" right=1
/3e$&1 .ar ste$$ed onto the ,oat and offered 2erry her hand& /So !e get to ,e hosts for the e#ening& That !or for
yo(=1
/.efinitely&1 2erry allo!ed herself to ,e $(lled on ,oard& N(ite (nreasona,ly" she%d de#elo$ed a !ary dislie for B(d"
!ho+ she hadn%t e#en +et yet and she !as glad their first enco(nter !o(ld ,e ,ro(ght into their territory&
3*
't !asn%t really fair to the g(y" she acno!ledged& 2erry reasoned it !as +ostly her g(t le#el reaction to so+eone !ho
$rofessed a dislie for so+eone she dearly lo#ed and ad+ired" and she !as !illing to gi#e the (nno!n B(d a chance
!hen she +et hi+" es$ecially since .ar see+ed to ,e" at least" !illing to sit do!n to dinner !ith hi+&
B(t still& 2erry entered the ca,in after .ar and cast her eye aro(nd it& /Go gra, a sho!er first" '%ll straighten ($ in here&1
.ar looed aro(nd" and then ga#e her a !ry loo& /7h" right& 't%s trashed& Thans" 2er&1 She teased" referring to the
c(sto+ary neat a$$earance of their 6oint li#ing s$ace& B(t she a+,led to!ards the head any!ay" flitching a to!el on
the !ay&
2erry dr(++ed her fingers on the galley co(nter" thining hard&
GG
.ar ,ro(ght the $ot of coffee to the ta,le and res(+ed her seat& They%d finished dinner" and the con#ersation had gotten
+ore cas(al as the night had gone on& B(d !as ,eha#ing" and he%d disco#ered in 2erry a ca+era fan after his o!n
heart& .ar s(s$ected the e#ening !as going !ell" and she rela)ed" sneaing a glance o(tside at the dar" restless sea&
She%d anchored the+ near their di#e fro+ the $rior day" and the +oon had coo$erated" lighting ($ the area in a ghostly
sil#er glo!& The ocean !as $icing ($ a ,it" rocing the Bertra+ lightly ,(t not eno(gh to really ,other anyone&
/So" .ar&1 4harlie%s #oice ca(ght her attention& /3o( got any $lans for yo(r #acation=1
/Bot really&1 .ar re$lied& /0e%#e 6(st ,een $icing s$ots and di#ing" taing it easy&1 She said& /'t%s ,een a ,(sy year&1
/S%!hat ' heard&1 B(d said& He had a #ery dee$ and (s(ally e+otionless #oice& 't +atched his dar" so+e!hat hooded
eyes" and the !atchf(l ga5e he ha,it(ally had& /Sc(ttle,(tt said yo( fols got to tae o#er all the ser#ice gigs&1
/That%s right&1 2erry res$onded" !ith a s+ile& /Starting in Can(ary !e%ll ,e taing o#er a lot of infrastr(ct(re& Sho(ld ,e
8(ite a $ro6ect&1
B(d eyed her& /4aref(l they don%t +ess yo( ($& 3o( no! the Ba#y" .ar& 'f they can $oint a finger" it%s in yo(r eye&1
/They%re not that different fro+ any other co+$any&1 2erry told hi+& /Tr(st +e" !hen yo(%re the o(tso(rcer" if they
can ,la+e yo( for anything" they !ill& 0e ha#e to deal !ith that all the ti+e&1
There !as a +o+entary silence" then B(d cleared his throat and looed at .ar& /Heard a,o(t yo(r dad&1 He r(+,led&
/That%s good st(ff" .ar&1
2erry neatly retracted her +ental cla!s and too a si$ of ,eer&
/'t !as?1 .ar st(died her glass& /7ne of the +ost a+a5ing things in +y life&1 She shoo her head& /B(t then" this last
year%s 6(st ,een f(ll of things lie that for +e&1 Her eyes shifted to 2erry" t!inling a little&
/He li#ing do!n near the old $lace=1 4harlie ased&
2erry ch(cled& /;ight no!" he and +o+ are $($$y sitting for (s&1 She re$lied& /They (s(ally li#e on their ,oat"
tho(gh&1
B(d snorted& /Boats= P($$ies= That ainEt the sa+e $eo$le ' re+e+,er&1
.ar shr(gged& /Things change& Peo$le change& They !ent thro(gh a lot&1
B(d snorted again" and 2erry%s cla!s $eeed o(t" 6(st a ,it& /' lie their ,oat& ' thin it !as a great choice for the+ to
li#e on&1 She re$lied&
/3eah" !ell" if yo( say so&1 B(d said& /M(sta changed a lot if 4eci ;o,erts%ll $ar her ,(tt on so+e fishing dingy&1
/7h" ' do(,t she%d do that&1 2erry said& /B(t?1
2erry $a(sed as a so(nd of engines ca+e thro(gh the half o$en !indo!s& She looed o(t" as did the rest of the ta,le"
and sa! a large" !ell-lit craft slo!ly cr(ising $ast the+& /H+&1
.ar leaned on the ,ac of the ,an8(ette and st(died it& /That%s a ,ig one&1
B(d got ($ and !aled ,ehind her" cro(ching do!n and resting his el,o!s on the sill& He s8(inted" st(dying the shi$%s
line& /H(h&1 He $ointed& /Got a search light on it& C(st hit (s&1
4harlie !as also no! $eering o(t the !indo!& /Hey" yo( no!" ' thin ' sa! that ,oat t!o days ago off the lee side of
o(r island&1 He said& /Big (gly ,lac thing&1
2erry rested her chin on .ar%s head& /.ar" that can%t ,e that o,no)io(s ,oat that $assed (s in the straits" can it=1
3I
/Hard to say&1 .ar +(r+(red& />et%s go chec it o(t&1
They got to the door" ,(t as .ar o$ened it" a lo(ds$eaer s(ddenly c(t the night&
/.i)ieland 3anee& .o not $(ll anchor& Stay !here yo( are" and $re$ared to ,e ,oarded&1
.ar ,lined" and then a,r($tly her ,rain iced into gear& /Boarded= 0ho in the hell is that=1
4harlie !atched o#er her sho(lder as the ,oat started co+ing in at the+& /So+e #ery ,ig shot !ith a ton of +oney" tell
ya that&1
.ar headed for the ,ridge& /2erry" go !atch the anchor" !illya=1 She sho(ted do!n" as she scaled the ladder& /3o(
g(ys" hang onA1
B(d t(rned& /That +eans yo(" +(srat&1 He $oed 4harlie in the chest& /'%+ going ($ to$&1 He t(rned and follo!ed
.ar ($ to the ,ridge& 4harlie re+ained in the door!ay" holding on and !atching the ,ig shi$ a$$roach&
.ar s!(ng ,ehind the console and hit the s!itches to retract the ,oat%s anchor" her eyes darting o(t to!ards the
onco+ing shi$& /9eel lie '%+ tra$$ed in a chea$ +o#ie of the !ee&1 She +(ttered" glancing ($ as B(d a$$eared ne)t
to her& /This ha$$en a lot o(t here=1
B(d didn%t ans!er&
/-nchor%s inA1 2erry%s #oice rose ($ fro+ the ,o!&
/Get off the to$sideA1 .ar yelled ,ac" as she $(nched the starter ,(ttons for the diesels& The engines ca(ght at once and
r(+,led into life&
/.i)ieland 3anee" ' re$eat& Stay !here yo( are& 3o( are tres$assing in restricted !aters&1
/-re !e=1 .ar ased&
/My ass&1 B(d +(ttered& /This thing got legs=1
/2erryA1 .ar ,ello!ed&
/'%+ do!nA1
/Hang on&1 .ar sho#ed ,oth throttles for!ard" and heeled the ,oat o#er" !atching the ,o! rise as the d(al diesels d(g
into the !ater& The ,igger ,oat !as +o#ing to interce$t the+" and a searchlight hit her in the eyes& .ar c(rsed" and e$t
the !heel t(rned" 6(st clearing the other ,oat%s ,o! ,efore she !hi$$ed the !heel straight and ga#e the engines f(ll
throttle&
Their con6oined !aes roced the Bertra+" then the ,oat le#eled o(t and .ar t(rned her eyes to!ards the de$th +eter"
checing their draft& Behind the+" the ,igger ,oat had t(rned to follo!" and she heard the roar as their engines !ere let
loose in the chase&
/0hat in the hell is this=1 .ar snarled&
B(d ch(cled dryly" the first ti+e he%d la(ghed that night& /0elco+e to the 4ari,,ean" Paladar& There still ,e $irates
here" y%no!&1
/Pirates in se#enty freaing foot +ansion cr(isers=1 .ar ased" glancing ,ehind the+& /Ces(sA1 The searchlight $inned
the+" and she co(ld hear the engines getting lo(der& /2erryA Stra$ e#erything do!nA1
/-lready thereA1 2erry yelled ,ac& @0hat the hell is going on=1
/.i)ieland 3anee& 'f yo( don%t red(ce s$eed and go to idle" !e !ill halt yo( ,y force& Please o,ey&1
/2iss +y ass&1 .ar fliced t!o s!itches on the console" and n(dged the throttles a little f(rther&
B(d !as !edged ,et!een the seats and the console" as their s$eed increased and the !ind sla++ed against the+& /3o(
ain%t +(ch of a r(le follo!er" are yo(=1 He co++ented&
/' +ae the r(les&1 .ar re$lied& /Hang on&1 She set t!o final s!itches" glanced ,ehind the+ at the ,oat gaining ra$idly
on the+" and sho#ed the throttles all the !ay for!ard& 0ith a throaty roar" the engine s($erchargers c(t in" and the ,o!
$laned ($ o(t of the !ater as their s$eed do(,led&
/Shit&1 B(d cl(tched at the railing&
3J
.ar looed ,ac" and felt her heart slo! a little as the other ,oat sto$$ed gaining as 8(icly& She looed again"
s!allo!ing a ner#o(s l(+$ as she frantically tried to fig(re o(t !hat to do ne)t& The co+$ass sho!ed the+ going
so(th" and the de$th finder sho!ed good de$th (nder their eel&
The only 8(estion !as" !here the hell !as she going" and !hat !as she going to do !hen she got there=
GG
2erry e)haled in relief as she sa! the ,ig #essel dro$ ,ehind the+ a little& /H)c(se +e&1 She gently eased $ast 4harlie"
!ho !as still in the door!ay to the ca,in& /This is getting #ery icy&1
/Bo shit&1 4harlie eyed the ,ig ,oat& /0hat the hec did yo( girls get yo(rsel#es into=1
/' !ish ' ne!&1 2erry strode into the ca,in and !ent to the storage chest" fli$$ing the seat ($ and $(lling o(t a long"
,lac case& She set it on the ta,le and (ndid the catches" lifting the lid and laying it ,ac& 'nside" a $o!erf(l" ,l(ed
,lac shotg(n rested" gi#ing off the #ery distinct scent of g(n oil&
/-h&1 4harlie !as at her sho(lder& /Sho(lda fig(red .ar%d ha#e one of these&1
2erry $(lled the g(n o(t and o$ened the stoc& /'t%s not .ar%s&1 She +(r+(red" fli$$ing o$en a door in the case and
re+o#ing shotg(n shells& /'t%s +ine&1 She glanced ($ at the s(r$rised +an& /'%#e ,een shooting since ' !as eight&1 She
closed the shotg(n and $oceted a handf(l of e)tra shells" then headed for the door&
She%d ne#er really lied g(ns& Handg(ns" in fact" scared the daylights o(t of her as she%d reali5ed !hen they%d ,een
faced !ith one in 4hicago& B(t she%d reali5ed that she hated the feeling of ,eing hel$less e#en +ore" so she%d gone o(t
and gotten herself a g(n she at least had e)$erience !ith&
2erry !as $retty s(re her father had ne#er intended his forced fa+ilial seet lessons to ha#e this $artic(lar res(lt& She
had al!ays fo(nd it ironic that of all her co(sins and si,lings" she !as the only one !ho co(ld hit anything s+aller than
a :0 ,(s !ith any reg(larity& She still re+e+,ered those frosty fall days" !ith re$orters in f(ll attendance" !atching
as adolescents ,arely a,le to lift the da+n rifles ga+ely $l(gged a!ay at sittish" fleeting clay $l(gs&
She stood ne)t to the door and $eered o(t" holding the shotg(n close to her ,ody& 'f she s8(inted" she co(ld 6(st see
fig(res +o#ing o(t onto the ,o! of the larger #essel" one +anning the annoying searchlight and the t!o others co+ing
to the railing&
4harlie li+$ed ($ ,ehind her" and sh(t the light in the ca,in" gi#ing the+ a ,etter #ie!& /Bo sense $rettying ($ a
target&1 He co++ented& /0onder !hat they%re after=1
/' ha#e no idea&1 2erry inhaled" as she reali5ed the ,igger ,oat !as gaining on the+ again& She +ade a gra, for the
doorfra+e as the Bertra+ heeled o#er" then accelerated again in a ne! direction& /Ces(s" .ar&1
'nternational !aters& There !asn%t anyone" really" they co(ld call& They co(ld" 2erry reali5ed" get into real tro(,le o(t
here and it !o(ld ,e !ees ,efore anyone ne! a,o(t it& /.ar=1
/' no!A1
2erry e)haled&
/2er=1
/3eah=1
/This co(ld get nastyA1
2erry ste$$ed o(t onto the stern" and !ored the shotg(n +echanis+& /'%+ ar+edA1
/Great&1 .ar felt +ore than a little fra55led& /Here ' a+ $laying 4a$tain 2idd and '%#e got 0yatt Har$ on the stern&1
B(d leaned o#er the edge of the console" and regarded 2erry%s !ind ,(ffeted for+& /She no! ho! to (se that thing=1
.ar gr(nted" foc(sing on her ro(te& -head of her" the sy no longer held stars" and as she ga5ed ahead" lightning
fl(ttered" o(tlining h(ge th(nderheads& /That the stor+ yo( !ere telling +e a,o(t=1 She $ointed&
/'t%s a stor+&1 B(d stated& /3o( figgering to head into it=1
/Bot e)actly&1 .ar looed ,ehind her& The ,ig ,oat !as definitely gaining on the+ no!& /B(t it co(ld get a little
ro(gh&1 She $lotted a co(rse" and then settled herself" !ra$$ing her legs aro(nd the ca$tain%s chair& /2erry" sto! itA '%+
gonna ,e +o#ingA1
3K
She heard the ca,in door sla+& /-ll right" asshole& >et%s see if yo( can stic !ith +e&1 .ar headed ,et!een t!o tiny"
(ninha,ited islands& The ,oat raced o#er the !a#es" no! ,eco+ing $erce$ti,ly cho$$ier& The searchlight 5a$$ed o#er
their heads& .ar felt it%s glare on her nec and she $(lled the ,oat into a faint arc" first one !ay and then the other&
- $o$$ing so(nd ,ro(ght her head ($ and aro(nd" ,oth she and B(d d(ced as a flare seared $ast their star,oard side&
.ar s$ent an (nfr(itf(l +o+ent !ishing lie hell her father !as ne)t to her" and then $(t her attention to threading the
,oat thro(gh the narro! channel&
/Getting shallo!&1 B(d offered&
/' no!&1 .ar e$t one eye on the de$th +eter" and the other on the ,lining ,(oys the +ared the ro(te& - roll of
th(nder r(+,led o#erhead" al+ost o,sc(ring the so(nd of the engines& -nother flare screeched ,y" this ti+e on the $ort
side& /Be)t one co+ing right ($ o(r ,acs" ' g(ess&1
/'nta the engine co!ling&1 The laconic e) sailor stated& /9astest !ay to sto$ yo(&1
/Thans&1 .ar%s eyes narro!ed" and she inched her ro(te slightly to her left& Then !itho(t !arning" she s$(n the !heel"
sending the ,oat into ra$id c(r#e& She straightened o(t" and then !ent right again" daring their $(rs(er to follo! the+&
She heard their engines re# as they did" and !ith that so(nd" .ar s+iled& /Gotcha&1 She !his$ered" ra++ing the
throttles ho+e and si++ing do!n a s$ecific line in the sea !ith a light" $recise to(ch on the controls&
B(d !as gri$$ing the console" his eyes !ide&
.ar !atched the de$th +eter& /4%+on? c%+on?&1 't so(nded a !arning" and she e$t her fingerti$s on the !heel"
crossing the rest of her ,ody $arts and 6(st !ishing& The Bertra+ threaded a tiny line do!n the center of the +eter" the
la)on ,laring lo(der and lo(der as the so(nds of their $(rs(it also got lo(der&
/Ces(s 4hristA1 B(d yelled&
The ,oat flashed o#er a section of !ater" then the la)on c(t off" 6(st as they heard a horrific cr(nching so(nd ,ehind
the+& .ar dared a 8(ic loo ,ehind her" to see the ,ig ,oat heeling off to one sideD it%s engines dying and $anic on the
,o!& She faced for!ards again" into the rain no! hitting the shield aro(nd the console&
H#ery ner#e in her !as ali#e& .ar co(ld see her o!n grin reflected in the glass" and she 6(st ,arely e$t herself fro+
letting o(t a !ild yell of tri(+$h& /-ll right&1 She !as $ro(d of the e#en tone in her #oice& /Bo! let%s get o(tta here&1
B(d (ngl(ed his hands fro+ the rail& /0hoinhell ta(ght yo( to dri#e=1 He ased&
Glinting ,l(e eyes reflected ,ac in the +irror& /My dad&1 .ar re$lied" sa#oring the +o+ent& Then she eyed the +ic
for internal co++(nications& /2erry=1
/Here&1 2erry%s #oice so(nded a little o(t of ,reath& /Holy shit" .ar&1
/3eah&1 .ar tri++ed the engines" !hich no! la,ored against the rising seas& /7(t of the frying $an? '%+ gonna circle
,ac aro(nd and see if ' can get $ast this stor+" and co+e ,ac into the island fro+ the other side&1
/-nything ' can do=1
/Monitor the radio& See if yo( can $ic ($ those ,astards calling for hel$& ' !ant to no! !ho they are&1
/;ight&1
.ar cliced the +ic off" and cli$$ed it& /Board +e" !ill yo(=1 She +(ttered& /' don%t think so&1
GG
2erry $(t the +ic do!n" ,(t left her hand on it for a long +o+ent as her ner#es steadied& /7ay&1 She finally said"
gathering her co+$os(re and $(shing a!ay fro+ the !all& /Glad that%s o#er&1
/Me" too&1 4harlie agreed& He !as seated sec(rely in one of the chairs ,olted to the dec& /Bo!" !hatinthehell !as it=1
He got ($ and $eered o(t the !indo!& /S(+,itches ,otto+ed" h(h=1
/3eah&1 2erry !aled o#er to the galley and re+o#ed a ,ottle of Gatorade" $o$$ing the to$ and s(cing do!n se#eral
+o(thf(ls& She set the ,ottle do!n& /Bo! all !e ha#e to !orry a,o(t is the !eather&1 She !aled ,ac o#er to the
radio and set it to fast scan" t(rning the #ol(+e ($ a little& The shotg(n !as already t(ced ,ac into its case (nder the
seat" and no! that the i++ediate danger !as o#er" 2erry felt her entire ,ody shaing in reaction&
-drenaline r(sh" the hard !ay& 0ith a sigh" 2erry sat do!n in the other ,(cet chair and let her hands rest on her
thighs&
3M
/-in%t% yo(r c($$$a ,re!" is it=1 4harlie ased&
2erry ga#e hi+ a !ry loo& /'%+ a Mid!estern ;e$(,lican !ith a degree in infor+ation technology& 0hat do yo(
thin=1
The ,ig +an ch(cled& /3o( done $retty good" tho(gh&1 He said& /0here in the Mid!est yo( fro+=1
/Michigan&1 2erry re$lied& /Sa(gat(c&1
/Been ($ there a ti+e or t!o&1 4harlie said& /Got to do so+e dry s(it !or in the lae once ($on a ti+e&1
2erry !as glad of the distraction& /'s there anything to see do!n there=1 She ased c(rio(sly& /' al!ays !ondered&
7ther than do!ned freighters" ' +ean&1
4harlie shr(gged& /0e !eren%t sightseeing&1 He e)$lained" !ith an a$ologetic loo& /3o( co(ld as Big -ndy" tho(gh&
He did t!o to(rs ($ there&1 He $a(sed& /Strange" taling a,o(t hi+ real ti+e no!&1
/' can i+agine&1 2erry leaned ,ac" folding her hands o#er her ,elly& /'%ll as hi+" tho(gh&1 She s+iled& /' re+e+,er
the first ti+e !e !ent di#ing !ith hi+& He%s lie a fish&1 She !aggled one hand in +id air&
/-l!ays !as&1 4harlie acno!ledged& /- real nat(ral& Lsed to !atch hi+ s!i+" and !onder if he !as hiding gills&1
2erry nodded& /' no!& .ar%s the sa+e !ay&1
/-h&1 4harlie looed ($ as the door o$ened" and B(d ca+e in& /.idn%t s$ect yo( get a !ild hare ride !ith dinner"
did6a=1 He addressed his $artner&
B(d shoo his head and snorted& /4ra5y assed ,astards&1 He said& /Bear as cra5y as the n(t dri#in this thing&1
7ne of 2erry%s eye,ro!s rose& /' thin .ar did $retty good&1 She stated& /They%re on the rocs& 0e%re not&1
/>(c&1
/0ith .ar= Be#er&1 2erry got ($ and $aced o#er to the galley again" reca$t(ring her ,ottle of Gatorade& /She al!ays
no!s !hat she%s doing&1 She s(ced a +o(thf(l of the drin& /Bo! !e 6(st ha#e to find o(t !ho and !hy&1
/0ell" yo( co(ld go ,ac and as&1 4harlie 6oed !anly&
2erry leaned on the co(nter& /'s this so+ething that ha$$ens often= ' no! !e !ere reading so+ething in the local
Mia+i $a$ers a,o(t +odern day $iracy" ,(t ' didn%t thin the $irates dro#e l()(ry yachts&1
B(d and 4harlie looed at each other" ,(t didn%t ans!er&
2erry%s other eye,ro! rose&
/They !eren%t $irates&1 B(d finally +(ttered& /Bot the ind !e ha#e aro(nd here&1
-h& 2erry noticed neither of the+ !o(ld +eet her eyes& /So it does ha$$en&1
/7h" !ell" yo( hear things&1 4harlie inter6ected& /3o( no!&1
Lh h(h& /Bo" act(ally ' don%t&1 2erry ans!ered& /B(t then" !hat !ere these g(ys after=1
B(d shr(gged& /May,e they 6(st didn%t lie .ar%s attit(de&1 He s(ggested& /'nherited trait&1
2erry !as 8(ite s(r$rised to hear herself $rod(ce an al+ost a(di,le gro!l& /H)c(se +e&1 She said& /2ee$ an ear on the
radio& '%+ going to$side&1
GG
.ar (ncli$$ed the $lastic !ater ,ottle fro+ (nder the console and g(l$ed its contents" satisfied !ith her ne! co(rse at
last& They !ere headed into a little !eather" the !inds had $iced ($ to a,o(t t!enty nots" and the seas !ere ($" ,(t
the Bertra+ rode the s(rf solidly" and she ne! she co(ld +ae the east!ard t(rn aro(nd the far side of the island in
a,o(t ten +in(tes&
She t(rned aro(nd in her seat and looed ,ehind her" shading her eyes against the rain& She co(ld 6(st see the other
,oat%s r(nning lights far ,ac" ,o,,ing ($ and do!n in the s(rf ,(t co+ing no closer& The de$th !o(ld ha#e ,een
shallo! eno(gh to rae the ,igger ,oat%s h(ll" and +ay,e e#en $(nct(re it de$ending on ho! they hit" and tho(gh it !as
a !ide sea" and ,ad !eather" .ar had a,sol(tely no co+$(nction a,o(t lea#ing the+ to their fate&
.ar s!i#eled aro(nd and tho(ght a,o(t that for a +in(te& /7ay&1 She addressed the controls& /0hat !o(ld dad do=1
The dials and ga(ges $eered +(tely ,ac at her& .ad !o(ld? .ar ch(cled dryly& .ad +ight ha#e stayed and
40
challenged the other ,oat& B(t if he%d done !hat she had" he +ight ha#e called the 4oasties for the+ < ,(t her +other
!o(ldn%t ha#e&
To hell !ith the+& .ar still felt $(+$ed" al+ost giddy fro+ her s(ccessf(l esca$e& She%d ho$ed the high s$eed r(n ($
the center of t!o $arallel reefs" ee$ing her eel right do!n the s$ace ,et!een the+ !o(ld !or" ,(t she%d also no!n
she !as co(nting on l(c and her o!n $iloting sills a lot +ore than she sho(ld ha#e&
B(t& .ar !iggled her fingers" looing at her o!n strong hands& She%d done it& She chortled $ri#ately" clearing her throat
and regaining a serio(s e)$ression as she heard so+eone co+ing ($ the ladder ,ehind her& - $ee o#er her sho(lder"
ho!e#er" ,ro(ght her grin ,ac& /Hey&1
2erry had her rain slicer on" and !as carrying .ar%s& /Hey" yo(rself&1 She too the seat ne)t to .ar and handed her
the slicer& /'%#e finished $oo$ing in +y $ants no!& Ho! a,o(t yo(=1
.ar la(ghed" leaning ,ac and $(lling her ,right red rain 6acet on& /That !as so+ething" ' gotta tell yo(& 0hat the hell
!as ($ !ith those $eo$le=1
2erry leaned on the console& /' don%t no!" ,(t !e%d ,etter find o(t" .ar& This is not f(nny&1
/Bo idding&1 .ar finished tying her hood" then glanced at 2erry& /3o( oay=1
Green eyes ,lined at her" in the +isty rain& /That !as really scary&1
.ar laced her fingers thro(gh 2erry%s da+$ hair& /' no!&1
/3o(r old friends are +aing +y na$e hairs rigid&1
/Sorry&1 .ar scratched her nec& /B(d%s $retty a,rasi#e&1 She ad+itted& /' e$t in to(ch +ostly ,eca(se of 4harlie&
He%s a good g(y&1
2erry sighed" aggra#ated& /He%s +arried to a 6er&1
.ar eyed her& /There%re a lot of $eo$le !ho%d say the sa+e a,o(t yo(&1 She 6oed& /That yo(%re +arried to a 6er" '
+ean&1 She added&
/Pah&1 2erry started la(ghing& /7ay" '%+ crany" ' hate ,eing scared" and +ysterio(s ,lac ,oats !ho do great $irate
i+itations really tic +e off&1 She looed ($ as th(nder rolled o#erhead& /Gee" thans& That so hel$s&1
.ar reached o(t and $(lled 2erry o#er" into her la$& She h(gged her close" as she ad6(sted the ,oat%s co(rse slightly"
and started her t(rn to the east& /0e%ll ,e o(t of the rain soon" !e%ll dro$ these g(ys off" then !e%ll head o(t to St Cohns&
7nce !e%re there" '%ll call in and ha#e that da+n ,oat checed o(t& So(nd lie a $lan=1
2erry fo(nd that not e#en rain and t!o layers of $lastic co(ld r(in a good .ar h(g" and she gr(nted softly as she
ret(rned it& /' lie it&1 She agreed& /.o !e ha#e reser#ations on St& Cohns=1
/Lh h(h" at 4aneel Bay&1 .ar re$lied&
/'s that the one !ith the se#en ,eaches=1 2erry !as intrig(ed& /-nd .S> in the roo+s=1
.ar nodded& /0ith rental la$to$s& Got all the essentials co#ered&1
/Be still" +y techno,eating heart&1
The +ic cracled& /Hey" .ar&1 B(d%s #oice ca+e thro(gh& /Got a distress call casting do!n here& 11J&M1
/Thans& '%ll t(ne it in&1 .ar said& /0e%re co+ing in aro(nd the eastern side of yo(r island&1
/3ea$&1 The +ic cliced off&
.ar fro!ned" then shoo her head and t(ned in the +arine radio& 9or a fe! +o+ents" there !asn%t any so(nd" and she
tho(ght she%d gotten the !rong channel& Then a harsh feed,ac so(nd er($ted" and a #oice ca+e thro(gh&
/MaydayA MaydayA Hel$A1
/7h" that%s $rofessional&1 2erry sni$ed&
/This is Siren of the Sea? in ,ad !eather? sining? /
The !ords c(t off& .ar $eered at the radio" then looed ,ehind the+& /' don%t thin that%s the+&1
/Hel$A This is Siren of the Sea? thirty foot sail,oat in ,ad !eather& ' lost +y engine" and sna$$ed the +ast lines&
Taing on !ater&1
41
/7h" that%s ,ad&1 2erry sat ($& /He needs hel$&1 She looed at .ar& /'%#e cre!ed a thirty footer" .ar& 't doesn%t stand a
chance !ith no sail control&1
.ar eyed the +ic& /Siren of the Sea" this is .i)ieland 3anee& .o yo( no! yo(r location" o#er=1 She released the
+ic and !aited& There !as no res$onse& /Siren of the Sea" do yo( co$y=1
Still no ans!er& Then finally < /Hello= This is Siren of the Sea to !hoe#er%s calling < ' thin '%+ off St Cohns? off the
!estern coastA1 - ,rea" !ith static so(nded& /;aining lie hellA ' thin the s!ells are t!enty feetA1
2erry got ($& /'%ll tell o(r $assengers" and get the safety gear o(t&1 She issed .ar on the li$s& /Thin !e can find
hi+=1
.ar fli$$ed on the radar sco$e" !hich sho!ed not +(ch of anything& Gi#en that she !as not fa+iliar !ith the !aters"
and had no idea !hat she !as really looing it" she didn%t !ant to gi#e 2erry false ho$es& /.o +y ,est&1 She re$lied&
/.one deal" then&1 2erry ,lithely ans!ered" ,efore she t(rned and +ade her !ay to the ladder&
.ar shoo her head" then $lotted a ne! $ath" this one rec(r#ing ,ac to!ards the so(nd of th(nder" and the rising !ind&
GG
Part 3
.ar ,le! the !et hair o(t of her eyes and leaned for!ard" $eering thro(gh the rain lashed darness !ith a sco!l& The
!eather had !orsened a lot" and the ,oat !as no! ,eing tossed ,y fifteen-foot seas& .ar had the ,ig searchlight on the
,o! t(rned on" ,(t it really did #ery little < the light reflected off the h(ge raindro$s and al+ost +ade it see+ lie she
!as $lo!ing into a sil#er c(rtain&
The Bertra+ rolled in a s!ell" and she t(rned into the !a#e" !atching ,oth her radar and her sonar !ith caref(l eyes&
She !as concentrating so hardD she didn%t hear 2erry co+e ($ the ladder and al+ost 6(+$ed right thro(gh the console
to$$er !hen her $artner $lo$$ed do!n in the seat ne)t to her& /3eeeahA1
2erry sniffled" and $(lled her 6acet closer& /Sorry&1 She $atted .ar%s ,ac& /.idn%t +ean to scare yo(&1
/M+$h&1 .ar collected her co+$os(re& She glanced at 2erry" !atching her slit her eyes against the rain& /3%no!"
there%s no reason for yo( to s(ffer ($ here in this +ess&1
/3es" there is&1 2erry disagreed& She caref(lly $(t her el,o!s on the console& /' can either sit ($ here and ,ra#e the ,est
Mother Bat(re can offer" or ' can stay do!nstairs and ch(c +y cooies&1
/-h&1 .ar $eered +ore closely at her& /3eah" yo( loo a little?1
/C(st call +e 2er+it&1 2erry ad+itted" s!allo!ing& /.idn%t thin ' got seasic&1
/' thin yo( can ,la+e the !eather this ti+e&1 .ar co+forted her&
2erry gri+aced" and then +anaged a !an s+ile as the Bertra+ rolled in the !a#es again&
/0atch the hori5on&1 .ar ad#ised" reaching o#er and circling her !rist !ith t!o long fingers&
/Honey" ' lo#e yo(&1 2erry leaned against .ar%s sho(lder& /B(t yo( don%t ha#e to hold +y hand" really&1
.ar ch(cled softly" $ressing do!n on 2erry%s !rist !ith her fingerti$s& /Try calling hi+&1 She ased" +ore to distract
2erry than anything& There had ,een no res$onse to her last t!o hails" and .ar !as afraid their (nl(cy friend had r(n
into +ore tro(,le&
2erry too a fe! +ore dee$ ,reaths" and then $iced ($ the +ic& /Siren of the Sea" Siren of the Sea& This is .i)ieland
3anee& .o yo( co$y= 7#er&1 She $a(sed and listened to the cracling" closing her eyes as the ,oat hit a tro(gh and
$itched do!n&
.ar shifted her gri$ slightly" and then $ressed again" !atching 2erry%s face caref(lly& -fter a +o+ent" her eyelashes
flicered o$en" and a loo of +ild s(r$rise a$$eared& /Better=1 .ar ased ho$ef(lly&
/Hyah&1 2erry +(r+(red& /.id yo( do that=1
.ar s+ired&
/7o& ' lo#e yo(&1 2erry said& /Hang on& Siren of the Sea" Siren of the Sea" do yo( co$y=1
- harsh ,(55 s(ddenly c(t the static" then a second& - ,last of lightning lit ($ the sy and they ,oth d(ced in refle)&
.ar gra,,ed 2erry and shielded her as she felt e#ery hair on her ,ody stand ($D the ,oat !as forgotten" the stor+ !as
42
forgotten for that ,rief instant& She heard a lo(d crac" and then the glare #anished" lea#ing a !ild ,last of th(nder in its
!ae&
/Holy shit&1 .ar looed ($" searching the to$+ast an)io(sly" then her eyes !ent to their instr(+ents" ho$ing lie hell
they hadn%t lost the GPS or the sonar& She rela)ed !hen the iridescent glo! of the de#ices re+ained steady& /0o!&1
/.ar=1 2erry%s #oice !as +(ffled& /' thin yo( can let +e ($ no!&1
/7h& Sorry&1 .ar straightened" ,(t e$t one ar+ aro(nd 2erry%s sho(lders&
/3o( all right ($ there=1 4harlie%s #oice s(ddenly er($ted in the radio& /That s(cer hit the !ater 6(st off the stern&1
/0e%re fine&1 2erry ans!ered& /H#erything%s all right&1
.ar glanced ($ at the sy& /This isn%t gonna !or& '%+ going to t(rn and get o(t of here&1 She decided& /0e%ll re$ort the
+ayday !hen !e get into doc&1 She reset their co(rse" and checed the de$th& /'%+ not rising the ,oat or yo(&1
/.ar&1
.ar t(rned and looed her in the eye& /3es=1
2erry ne! that loo& She ne! .ar didn%t lie to ,e challenged" es$ecially !hen she !as off ,alance and scared&
2erry co(ld see the 6angled ner#es in her lo#er%s eyes" and ,y the short" restless +otions of her hands on the controls
ne! that .ar%s te+$er !as #ery +(ch on edge& /He%s !aiting for (s&1 She said" #ery gently& /4an !e go for a fe!
+ore +in(tes=1
.ar #ery +(ch !anted to say no& 2erry co(ld read it& />et +e call hi+ one +ore ti+e" and see if he can at least gi#e (s
a clic& 'f not?1 She !atched the rain $laster .ar%s hair to her forehead" half o,sc(ring her eyes& /-t least !e tried&1
- ,reath& /7ay&1 .ar said" ,riefly& /Then" $lease" 2erry& Go ,elo!&1
/7ay&1 2erry agreed" fle)ing her hand aro(nd the +ic& She $a(sed" and set it do!n ,efore she reached o(t and ca(ght
.ar%s hand" s8(ee5ing it& /Thans&1
/Gr(+$h&1 .ar ad6(sted the throttles" and started the ,oat on a long" shallo! c(r#e to c(t across the s!ells& She didn%t
!ant to t(rn too shar$ly and get ca(ght inside the+" since the !a#es !ere cresting ($ to aro(nd t!enty feet&
/Siren of the Sea? Siren of the Sea& 'f yo( can hear this" $lease ey in t!ice&1 2erry re8(ested" s$eaing clearly& She
listened intently to the hiss& /Siren of the Sea" $lease ey in t!ice if yo( recei#e this& 0e are trying to locate yo(&1
The hiss ,roe" ret(rned" and then ,roe again& 2erry grinned" then looed ($ at .ar&
/4o(ld ,e coincidence&1
/Siren of the Sea" $lease ey in t!ice again&1
T!o clics ans!ered her again" and then a #oice cracled thro(gh& /'%+ hereA Hel$A1
.ar sighed" and shoo her head& /0e still don%t ha#e a chance at finding hi+&1 She told 2erry& /-ll '%#e seen on radar
for the last half ho(r is?1 .ar sto$$ed" and leaned closer to the s+all sco$e& /0ait&1 She increased the $(lse" and
st(died it" (ns(re& 't +ight ,e a tiny ,li$" ,(t then it +ight no!& /4o(ld 6(st ,e !a#e ret(rn&1
B(t she !as already s!inging the !heel aro(nd" and g(nning the engines& /Hither !ay" !e%re going ,ac if that%s not
hi+&1
/;ight&1 2erry $(t the +ic do!n" and stood& /'%+ going to go ($ on the ,o!&1
.ar%s eyes !idened& /Bot !ith o(t a safety ,elt&1 She stated& /' don%t !ant yo( la(nched o#er,oard&1
/-ye" -ye" 4a$%n&1 2erry $atted her" then +ade her !ay to the stairs" caref(lly cli+,ing do!n the+ and ste$$ing onto
the $itching dec& 4harlie and B(d !ere standing in the ca,in door!ay& /0e thin !e see hi+&1 She said&
/Bo(t ti+e&1 B(d $iced ($ the ro$e and floatation gear" slinging it o#er his ,road sho(lder& />otta tro(,le for so+e
6acass !ho didn%t ha#e the sense to get o(t the rain&1 He got ($ onto the railing and !aled aro(nd to the ,o!& 2erry
co(nted to ten (nder her ,reath as she got a do(,le cli$$ed safety ro$e and hooed one end on to the rail" then follo!ed
hi+&
The !ind hit her as she ca+e aro(nd to the front of the ,oat" dri#ing rain right into her eyes& 2erry str(ggled for!ard
ga+ely" caref(l to ee$ her footing as she edged aro(nd the large cr(iser ca,in and e+erged onto the slo$ing ,o! of the
,oat& 't !as $itching ($ and do!n" and sea!ater !as crashing o#er the rails" chilling her e#en thro(gh her 6acet&
43
She got to the #ery front of the ,oat and nelt" $eering into the darness& -ll 2erry co(ld see !as r(ffling !a#es and
rain& The s!ells rose and fell" +aing it hard to see anything at all&
/There&1 B(d !as standing ne)t to her& /To star,oard&1
2erry strained her eyes& /' don%t see anything? oh& 0aitA1 'n a ,rea in the !a#es" she s$otted a flash of !hite" then it
disa$$eared& Her +ind tried to resol#e it as $art of a sail,oat" and failed& /0h?1
.ar" a$$arently" had also seen it& The Bertra+ altered co(rse to star,oard" and the engines red(ced&
2erry leaned for!ard& Then the !a#es ,roe again" and she got another loo& /He%s ca$si5ed1 She yelled" recogni5ing
the !hite flash no! as an o#ert(rned h(ll&
/3ea$&1 B(d didn%t see+ s(r$rised& /Cer $ro,a,ly didn%t ,ring the sail&1
2erry stood ($" ,iting her tong(e to ee$ the shar$ !ords ,ac& The ,oat !ored itself closer" and she co(ld see the
ca$si5ed ,oat +ore clearly& /He%s on the ,acA1 She $ointed at a dar" forlorn looing fig(re clinging to the h(ll&
Then her eyes al+ost ca+e o(t of her head as the sea in front of her dro$$ed" and they !ere looing do!nslo$e fro+
t!enty feet ($ at the shi$!rec& 2erry%s sto+ach al+ost ca+e o(t of her nostrils as the !a#e crested" then she h(ng on
as the Bertra+ rode the !a#e do!n" its for!ard +otion slo!ed&
The !a#e $iced ($ the sailing ,oat and lifted it" then a cross !a#e (ne)$ectedly tossed it to one side& -s 2erry
!atched in horror" the s+all fig(re on the ,ac fle! off into the !ater and disa$$eared& 0itho(t really thining once"
+(ch less t!ice" she (ncli$$ed her safety ro$e and 6(+$ed to the to$ of the railing" then lea$ed o(t into the darness&
Hitting the !ater !as a total shoc& 't !as cold" and it gra,,ed her +ercilessly and !hirled her aro(nd& 2erry fo(ght her
!ay to the s(rface and reali5ed she%d $ro,a,ly 6(st +ade a really ,ig +istae& - !a#e nearly s!a+$ed her" ,(t she rode
thro(gh it" then felt so+ething hit her on the sho(lder& She !hirled to find the floatation ring ne)t to her and gra,,ed it&
The stor+ !as too lo(d for her to hear any sho(ting" ,(t she ne! it !as there& - dagger of hot fear hit her in the g(t"
and she got an ar+ aro(nd the ring" glad for it%s ,(oyancy& Then she t(rned and started for the last $lace she%d seen the
ha$less ,oater" trying not to s!allo! the sea!ater constantly !ashing o#er her head&
't !as hard to +ae any head!ay& Then 2erry disco#ered if she fo(nd the right !a#es" they%d tae her !here she
!anted to go& She !aited for one" then s!a+ into it and let it carry her do!n and across the ca$si5ed ,oat%s ,o!&
The searchlight s(ddenly $enetrated the rain" ,la5ing across the cho$$y !ater& 't traced o#er 2erry" $a(sing a +o+ent
,efore it rel(ctantly +o#ed on& 2erry%s eyes follo!ed it" then she l(nged for!ard as she ca(ght 6(st a gli+$se of a hand
near the ,ac end of the ,oat& She str(ggled to!ards it" hearing the r(+,ling roar of the ,ig diesels ,ehind her as the
Bertra+ fo(ght to hold it%s $osition in the !ater&
/HeyA1 2erry got her head a,o#e !ater and yelled& She flailed !ith her ar+s thro(gh the !a#e" feeling (nder the
s(rface near the edge of the ca$si5ed h(ll& Three ti+es" nothing" then s(ddenly her hand to(ched so+ething that !asn%t
!ater" and !asn%t ,oat&
Her fingers closed" !ith a ,rief" heartfelt $rayer to God that it !as a $erson and not a shar she !as gra,,ing onto& She
felt cloth" and $(lled hard" hea#ing ,ac!ards !ith all the strength she co(ld +(ster& 't !as lie $(lling at a !et" sand
filled sac& /4%+onA1 2erry ga#e another t(g& -n ar+ ,roe the s(rface" then a dar" !et head&
9or a +o+ent" 2erry !asn%t s(re she%d ,een in ti+e& Then the head lifted" and the other ar+ flailed o(t" s+acing
against the ,oat& The +an co(ghed" s$itting ($ a +o(thf(l of !ater&
/HereA1 2erry got his hands aro(nd the life $reser#er& /Hang onAAA1 't !asn%t easy" ,(t she !ra$$ed the de#ice aro(nd
hi+" then t(rned her head" searching for the ,oat on the other end of the line& Her strength !as draining o(t of her and
the chilled !ater !as starting to +ae her shi#er& 0ar+ tho(gh the seas !ere this far so(th" at night" in a rainstor+ they
!ere no ,atht(,&
/2erryAAA1
.ar%s #oice thro(gh a lo(ds$eaer !as the last thing she e)$ected& She ,lined thro(gh the rain" hanging on to the
ro$e&
/4li$ on to the ro$eAAAA 0e%ll $(ll yo( inA1
7h& 2erry f(+,led at her !aist" finding the ,elt" then the ,ig +etal cli$ that h(ng fro+ it& She cli$$ed it onto the resc(e
ro$e and !ra$$ed her ar+ aro(nd her resc(ee" feeling the $o!erf(l t(g as she ,egan to ,e to!ed ,ac to the ,oat&
44
The !a#es s!a+$ed o#er the+& 2erry felt her ,ody ache fro+ the strain of re+aining ($right and she reached ($"
clas$ing her hand o#er a not in the ro$e to hang on& They ca+e closer and closer to the ,oat" and as they did" she
reali5ed ho! high the ,o! !as o#er their head& She !as (sed to co+ing a,oard fro+ the stern" and no! she !ondered
ho! they !ere going to +anage&
The Bertra+ l(nged for!ard" and she crashed into the h(ll" sla++ing her sho(lder into the fi,erglass& 't noced the
!ind o(t of her" and she $(shed da5edly off ,efore the ,elt tightened aro(nd her !aist and she reali5ed she !as ,eing
$(lled right ($ o(t of the !ater& /Hold onAA Hold onAA1 She yelled" scra+,ling to +ae s(re the stra$s on the $reser#er
!ere tight& The +an inside it see+ed #ery da5ed" and he cl(tched at the ro$e !ith #ery (ncertain fingers&
2erry felt her ,ody clear the !ater" and she s(ced a ,reath in against the $ainf(l gri$ of the single ,elt that s($$orted
her !eight& She e$t one hand on the h(ll" and tried hard not to ic o(t" her other hand tangled in the +an%s sodden
shirt as they rose ($ o(t of the sea&
Half!ay ($" lighting craced" and the ,oat rolled" $itching do!n so far her feet hit the !ater again& 2erry gas$ed as the
!a#e rolled ,ac the other !ay" sla++ing her against the ,o! !ith st(nning force& She reached a hand ($ in refle)"
feeling for the railing" and ho$ed lie hell that didn%t ha$$en again&
Her ,ac th(+$ed against the h(ll" and she felt a tingling start ,elo! !here the ,elt !as !ra$$ed aro(nd her" the edges
digging into her ri,cage and al+ost c(tting off her ,reathing& She tried to $(ll ($ !ith her ar+s" ,(t it didn%t hel$" and
she !as on the #erge of $anic !hen s(ddenly hands !ere gra,,ing her ar+s and shirt&
The ,elt released" and she !as lifted o#er the railing" ar+s closing aro(nd her ,ody and s($$orting her !ith $o!erf(l
strength she i++ediately recogni5ed& She t(rned her head and ,(ried her face into .ar%s shirt" no!ing no! she !as
safe and e#erything !o(ld ,e fine&
/Got i+A1 B(d%s #oice ,roe thro(gh the rain& / 4harlieAAA Get the hell o(tta hereAAAAA1
2erry felt the ,oat ,egin to +o#e& The rain !as still $elting her& Bo! that it !as o#er" the adrenaline r(shed o(t of her"
and she felt too !ea to +o#e& 't !as easier to 6(st sit on the dec" !ra$$ed in .ar%s ar+s and half in her la$" li+$ as a
dishrag&
She co(ld hear the +an she%d resc(ed co(ghing" gagging ($ the sea!ater he%d s!allo!ed& Her o!n +o(th felt lie
she%d ,een s(cing on ca#iar" and her throat !as ra! fro+ yelling& /B(h&1
.ar%s ar+s tightened aro(nd her& />et%s get inside& ' thin +y little hero here needs so+e hot tea&1
Hero& 2erry ,lined& Good grief& ' 6(st sa#ed so+eone%s life" didn%t '= - tiny" incred(lo(s s+ile crossed her face at this
totally ne! sensation&
0o!&
GGGG
.ar sh(t do!n the engines" reaching ($ and $(shing the rain hood off her head ,efore she stood ($& They%d o(tr(n the
stor+" and no! it%s f(ry !as nothing ,(t a hea#y r(+,ling and light on the hori5on& .ar e)haled" leaning against the
console and trying to s(++on ($ the strength to go do!n the stairs&
She !as e)ha(sted& More" she s(s$ected" fro+ the intense" e+otional stress than the $hysical acti#ity& Her hands !ere
shaing" she noticed" and she had a headache that started at the na$e of her nec and !ored ($!ard fro+ there&
't !as !ell after +idnight" and heading for St& Cohns tonight !as o(t of the 8(estion& H#en if the !eather !asn%t
chancy" she didn%t tr(st herself to $ilot the ,oat and so f(rther in#estigation into their +ysterio(s $irate enco(nter !o(ld
ha#e to !ait for the +orning&
-h !ell& .ar shoo herself& B(c ($" Paladar" and git yer ass +o#ing& She !aled to the ladder and slo!ly +ade her
!ay do!n it" ste$$ing onto the dec and $(shing the ca,in door o$en& /-ll right&1 .ar entered and closed the door
,ehind her&
'nside the ca,in" 2erry !as c(rled ($ on the co(ch in her ro,e& B(d and 4harlie !ere sitting at the ta,le" and their
resc(ed sail,oat o!ner friend !as across fro+ 2erry" s!athed in a ,ig to!el&
.ar $(t a hea#y cla+$ do!n on her i++ediate instincts" !hich !ere (rging her to thro! e#eryone off the ,oat so she
co(ld concentrate on her so+e!hat $ale" and definitely ragged looing $artner& 'nstead" she !ent to the galley and $(t
so+e !ater on" fiddling restlessly !ith a s$oon !hile she !aited for it to heat&
/' !as trying to get ,ac into $ort&1 The resc(ed +an !as saying& /' don%t no! !hat ha$$ened& 7ne +in(te" ' !as
$(lling in the +ainsail" then ne)t thing ' ne!" +y engine dro$$ed o(t and e#erything started going n(tsA1
4*
/That can ,e scary" Bo,&1 2erry +(r+(red& /' ca$si5ed in >ae Michigan once& Bot f(n&1
/3o( can s(re say that againA1 Bo, shoo his head& /3o( fols got a $hone=1 He addressed B(d and 4harlie&
/Bo$e&1 B(d ans!ered& /Marine radio&1 He got ($ and !aled o(t&
Bo, ,lined& /So+ething ' said=1 He ased" hesitantly&
/Ba!&1 4harlie reass(red hi+& /C(st ,een a long day&1 He cleared his throat& /0ell" Mr& Gallarea()" '%+ s(re glad it all
t(rned o(t all right& 0e got a s$are ,(n ($ to$ if yo( lie& 3o( can get a r(n o#er to St Cohns to+orro!&1
Bo, looed $athetically gratef(l& /3o( all ha#e ,een so nice&1 He glanced o#er at .ar" then looed at 2erry& /Ho! can
' re$ay yo(= 3o( sa#ed +y life&1 He had a nice face" slightly ro(nded !ith high chee,ones" and ind" ha5el eyes&
- #isi,le ,l(sh colored 2erry%s sin& /'%+ glad !e co(ld hel$&1 She s+iled at hi+&
Bo! it !as his t(rn to ,l(sh to the roots of his dar" c(rly hair& /' feel lie an idiot&1 He ad+itted& /'%#e ,een sailing
since ' !as a id& 't%s not lie '%+ a neo" ,(t that stor+ ca(ght +e flat&1
/0eather%s lie that do!n here&1 4harlie said" $lacidly& /0ell" let%s let these ladies get so+e rest& 't%s ,een a ,(sy night
for e+&1 He got to his feet" li+$ing a!!ardly to!ards the door& /0e can ic the generator ,ac on since it%s late
!atch&1
Bo, stood" re+o#ing the to!el fro+ aro(nd hi+& /' a$$reciate the offer& '%+ a,o(t ta$$ed&1
/0e%re heading to St& Cohns o(rsel#es to+orro!&1 2erry said& /'f yo( !ant a ride o#er" !e can tae yo(&1 7(t of ha,it"
her eyes fliced o#er to the silently !atching .ar& /;ight=1
.ar nodded& /S(re&1
/Thans&1 He re$lied si+$ly& /May,e ' can start sal#aging !hat '%#e got left there&1 Bo, folded the to!el and $(t it on
the ta,le" and follo!ed 4harlie& -t the door he t(rned" and looed at the+& /' o!e yo(&1 His eyes +et 2erry%s" then he
sli$$ed o(t the door and closed it ,ehind hi+&
-fter a +o+ent of silence" 2erry rolled her head to!ards .ar and let o(t a half groan" half sigh& /Got any -d#il to go
!ith that incredi,ly !onderf(l s+elling coffee o#er there=1
.ar ,lined& FHeadache=F She ased&
FH#erythingache&F 2erry !as glad e#eryone !as gone& F' feel lie ' !as r(n o#er ,y a tr(c&F She ca(tio(sly
straightened" !incing as her ,ody $rotested& F7!&F
.ar gladly ch(ced her e+otional t(r+oil in fa#or of this ne! iss(e to foc(s on& She ,ro(ght t!o c($s of coffee and a
,ottle of -d#il o#er" set the+ do!n" then too a seat ne)t to 2erry on the co(ch& F0here does it h(rt=F
2erry $(t a hand on her ,elly& FThat ,elt nearly illed +e&F She 6oed !anly&
.ar (ntied her ro,e and o$ened it& FCes(s&F Her eyes !idened a little at the l(rid ,r(ise circling 2erryEs !aist& F' ,et that
h(rts&F She to(ched the ,r(ise" then gently t(rned 2erry o#er& F-ll across yo(r ,ac" too&F
2erry fo(nd herself nestled against .arEs chest& 't !as nice" e#en tho(gh she !as still da+$& FHoney" yo( need to
change& 3o(Ere !et&F She +(r+(red& F3o(Ell catch cold&F
.ar e)a+ined another ,r(ise crossing 2erryEs s$ine& F.oes this h(rt=F She $ro,ed caref(lly&
F- little&F 2erry re$lied& FMore lie an ache&F She added& F' donEt thin anythingEs serio(sly da+aged&F
FThan yo( for yo(r o$inion" .r& St(art&F .ar re+ared dryly& F.id yo( hit yo(r head any!here=F She slid her fingers
($ into 2erryEs thic" ,lond hair and felt for any telltale ,(+$s&
FBo" ' donEt thin so&F 2erry said& /'%+ 6(st sore < that !ater !as ,r(tal&1
.ar stroed the ,ac of her nec and ga#e her a $at& F0ell" thatEs !hat yo( get for ,eing a hero&F She told her $artner&
F3o( scared the sense o(t of +e" yo( no! that" right=F
2erry rolled o#er and stretched her ,ody o(t" $(tting her head in .arEs la$ and looing ($ at her& F' scared the sense o(t
of +e&F She re$lied& F' reali5ed in +id air 6(st !hat an incredi,ly st($id thing ' !as doing&F
.ar s+iled ,riefly&
4I
2erry st(died .arEs face" seeing the resid(al tension in it& Her eyes !ere ,loodshot" and there !as a dee$ f(rro!
,et!een her ,ro!s& She lifted her hand and to(ched .arEs chee& F.o heroic things al!ays see+ so d(+,=F 2erry
ased& /' +ean" !hen yo( thin a,o(t !hat yo( did=1
.ar let her hand rest on 2erryEs sto+ach" her th(+, r(,,ing gently against the soft sin a,o#e her ,elly ,(tton& FL+&F
She e)haled" letting so+e of the tension dissi$ate& F'tEs a lot lie $itching ne! technology&F
2erry ,lined& FH(h=F
F'f it !ors" yo(Ere a #isionary geni(s& 'f it doesnEt" yo(Ere a !haco&F .ar e)$lained& F3o( sa#ed that g(yEs life - and it
too a ton of g(ts to do it& 3o( too a chance" and it !ored&F
FH+&F
FC(st lie ' too a chance going thro(gh those reefs" and it !ored&F .ar !ent" 8(ietly& F'f it hadnEt" !eEd ,e in real
tro(,le right no!" and if the !a#es hadnEt ,roen right" yo( co(ld ha#e ,een in real tro(,le !hen yo( 6(+$ed&F .ar
cleared her throat" then leaned o#er and $iced ($ the coffee" taing a si$ of it&
F4atching cold already=F 2erry teased" hearing the hoarse note in her (s(ally +ello! tone&
FBo&F .ar $(t the c($ do!n& F' !as screa+ing yo(r na+e so lo(d ' lost +y #oice for a !hile&F She sighed" her sho(lders
(nlocing and sl(+$ing a little& She lifted a hand and r(,,ed her te+$les& F' thin 'Ell ha#e so+e of those $ills too&F
/Tell yo( !hat&F 2erry hea#ed herself ($ off the co(ch& She tied her ro,e closed again" then too her c($ of coffee and
g(l$ed a +o(thf(l do!n& F'nstead of dr(gs" ho! a,o(t !e get yo( o(t of those !et clothes" and get (s ,oth into that
nice" dry" soft ,ed&F
F3eah&F .ar agreed& FThat so(nds great&F She stood ($ and stretched" !incing at the $o$s as her ,ac and sho(lders
released their !o(nd ($ tension& FHo$e that stor+ ,y$asses (s&F
FGod& Me too&F 2erry stifled a ya!n& F' !ant a nice" $eacef(l nightEs c(ddle !ith yo( ,efore !e ha#e to fig(re o(t !hat
the hec is going on aro(nd here&F
F4(ddle&F .ar +(sed& F3eah& ' thin ' need a c(ddle&F She ad+itted& /' feel sand,lasted&1
2erry ca$t(red .ar%s hand and led her to!ards the ,edroo+& 'nside" she t(rned and (n,(cled the ,elt holding ($ .ar%s
shorts" (n,(ttoning the+ and letting the+ dro$ to the ca,in floor& The di+ light in the roo+ thre! .ar%s face into
shado!s" ,(t 2erry co(ld hear her still tense e)hale as she stri$$ed her deni+ short-slee#ed shirt off and tossed it onto
the dresser&
2erry re+o#ed her ro,e as .ar sli$$ed o(t of her s!i+s(it& She set the ro,e do!n as .ar sat do!n on the ,ed" +o#ing
o#er to gi#e her s$ace to cli+, in ne)t to her&
't !as dar" !ith the hatches sh(t" and #ery 8(iet& The ,oat !as rocing gently" it%s #iolent $itching 6(st a fading
+e+ory as 2erry caref(lly lo!ered herself onto the soft s(rface& She reached for .ar" and fo(nd o$en ar+s !aiting as
they slid together into a tangled e+,race&
They ,oth sighed" then ch(cled& /0hat a day&1 .ar ya!ned&
/M+&1 0ith her ear $ressed against .ar%s chest" she co(ld hear her heart,eat& -s she listened" one hand stroing .ar%s
side idly" the ,eats slo!ed" and the tense ,ody (nder her rela)ed as her o!n did& /Hey" .ar=1 She ased" after a little
!hile&
/H+=1 .ar%s lo! +(r+(r ans!ered&
/.o yo( thin those g(ys 6(st !ere looing for a 8(ic score=1 2erry !ondered" her +ind still ch(rning des$ite her
e)ha(stion& /The $irates= May,e they 6(st sa! an e)$ensi#e ,oat" o(t at night" all alone&1
.ar !as 8(iet for a ,it" a$$arently thining& /May,e&1 She e#ent(ally re$lied& /Boat this si5e" o(t this far&& co(ld ,e&1
2erry ya!ned again" her eyes closing al+ost against her !ill& /B(t yo( don%t% thin so" do ya=1
.ar snorted softly& />et yo( no! to+orro! once ' get a data,ase r(n on e+&1 She re$lied&
't !as 8(iet again for a !hile& 2erry e$t her eyes closed" ,(t slee$ !as held at ,ay ,y recent +e+ories of the night&
/.ar=1 She !his$ered&
/3es=1 .ar see+ed !ide a!ae&
/' didn%t 6(+$ into the !ater to ,e a hero or anything st($id lie that&1
4J
.ar stroed 2erry%s chee& /' didn%t thin yo( did&1 She re$lied& /So+ething had to ,e done" yo( !ere there" and yo(
did it&1
/3eah&1 - $a(se& /'s that ho! it is !ith yo(" !hen yo( do st(ff lie this=1
/-h?1 .ar cleared her throat& /3eah&1 She so(nded #ag(ely shee$ish& /3eah" ' g(ess it is&1
/M+$h&1 2erry dre! in a ,reath" then released it !ith a contented gr(nt&
The ,oat roced& Th(nder r(+,led softly in the distance& Peace dra$ed at last o#er t!o sorely tested so(ls&
GG
>esson one& 2erry regarded her reflection in the +irror !ith critical eyes& Herois+ h(rts& She $(t her hands on her hi$s
and shoo her head at the tr(ly s$ectac(lar $(r$le" green and red +ar right across her sto+ach& /Glad ' ne#er !ent for
the ,iini loo&1 She re+ared after a +o+ent" ch(cling and scr(,,ing her hands thro(gh her hair ,efore she
s+oothed it do!n into so+e se+,lance of order& Breathing too dee$ly !as $ainf(l" and her ,ac !as stiff" ,(t she
s(s$ected she%d s(r#i#e !ith a co($le of $ainillers and a dose of rela)ing on the dec&
't !as s(nny" and ,ree5y o(t side and a good night%s slee$ had restored +ost of her good h(+or& She ,r(shed her teeth
and sli$$ed into an e+erald green one-$iece s!i+s(it& /There&1 She too a ca(tio(s ,reath" then released it& /That s(re
loos ,etter&1 Her eyes fliced o#er her ,ody" no! so (sed to her hea#ier" +ore +(sc(lar for+ that it !as hard really to
re+e+,er !hat she (sed to loo lie ,efore she +et .ar&
She ga#e herself a nod of a$$ro#al" then e+erged into the ,oat%s +ain ca,in& .ar !as c(rled ($ on the co(ch" a tray of
coffee" ,isc(its and c(t ($ fr(it ne)t to her on the ta,le" and a +aga5ine folded in her hand& /Hey" s!eetie&1 2erry
greeted her&
/Ho!dy&1 .ar laid the +aga5ine do!n and shifted" n(dging the tray to!ards her&
2erry too a croissant" neatly s$lit it" a$$lied ,(tter and 6a+ to it%s s(rface and retired to the co(ch herself" sn(ggling ($
in ,ac of .ar and dra$ing herself o#er her $artner%s lo!er ,ody& /M+&1 She ni,,led her ,reafast& /0hatcha
reading=1
.ar held ($ the Lni) syste+s ad+inistration $eriodical&
/Berd&1 2erry chortled softly" shaing her head& /9eeling ,etter this +orning=1
.ar stifled a ya!n& /3eah" a little slee$y" tho(gh&1 She said" reaching o#er to t(g a ,it of 2erry%s hair& /0hat a,o(t
yo(=1
/0ell&1 2erry s!allo!ed a +o(thf(l& /'t h(rts" ' !on%t deny that&1 She said" licing a flae fro+ her li$s& /B(t in ind
of a !eird !ay" it feels good" ,eca(se ' no! it !as for a good ca(se&1
/H(h&1 .ar fle)ing her hand a,sently" a faint s+ile crossing her li$s& /' ne#er tho(ght of it lie that" ,(t yeah& '
re+e+,er the +orning after yo( got car6aced" !hen ' co(ldn%t e#en close +y fist&1 She ga5ed at her fingers&
2erry o,ligingly ca$t(red .ar%s hand and $(lled it closer" issing it& /3o( !ere a+a5ing&1
/-he+&1 .ar cleared her throat& She $(t her +aga5ine do!n and $(lled the tray closer" d(+$ing crea+ and s(gar into a
c($ then to$$ing it !ith a little coffee& /'%ll ,e glad to get to St& Cohns&1 She too a si$& /The $lace !e%re going to has
great food" and ,etter #ie!s&1
/7o&1 2erry acce$ted the s(,6ect change gracef(lly" gi#ing .ar a fondly no!ing loo&
/-nd ' really !ant to get a line on those ,astards&1
2erry grinned& /Tho(ght there !as an (lterior +oti#e there&1 She neatly too the c($ fro+ .ar%s fingers" too a si$" and
then $(t it ,ac& /B(t that%s oay" ,eca(se ' !ant to no! +ore a,o(t the+ too&1 She rested her chin on .ar%s hi$"
grinning ha$$ily&
/3o(%re in a good +ood&1 .ar o,ser#ed&
/3eah" ' g(ess ' a+&1 2erry agreed& /Stor+ and terror filled nights do that to +e" ' g(ess&1 She $a(sed" her ,ro!
creasing& /7nce they%re o#er&1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar regarded her drolly& /'%ll ha#e to re+e+,er that&1
/7f co(rse?1 2erry dre! a fingerti$ slo!ly do!n .ar%s thigh& /Hedonistic nights f(ll of lo#e and sn(ggling $(t +e in
an e#en ,etter +ood&1 She ,atted her ,lond lashes at her $artner& /Mae s(re yo( $(t that do!n" too&1
4K
.ar ch(cled& /' ne! that already&1 She dra!led" r(nning her fingers thro(gh 2erry%s hair and !atching her eyes
close in $leas(re& /Shall !e get this t(, ready to go=1
2erry !riggled closer" s8(ee5ing in ,ehind .ar (ntil they !ere !ra$$ed aro(nd each other& She rested her chin on
.ar%s sho(lder" and ,le! lightly into her ear& /Ho! a,o(t !e 6(st tae it easy for a !hile=1 She !his$ered" !atching
the $ale ,l(e eyes inches fro+ her ,lin and close slightly& /3o( in a r(sh=1
.ar eased o#er onto her ,ac" then t(rned to!ards 2erry" sliding her ,ody ($ against hers& She $(lled 2erry closer and
issed her gently" letting one hand slide do!n to rest at her !aist& /Bo r(sh&1 She ans!ered" r(,,ing noses !ith 2erry
$layf(lly& /B(t ' 6(st !ant to re+ind yo( all the !indo!s are o$en" and the gang!ay%s do!n&1
/Herr!!ooo(gh&1 2erry gro!led" dee$ in her throat& /0hat a dile++a&1 She +oc sighed& /'nd(lge +y li,ido" or
retain +y ($right +id!estern re$(tation&1
7(tside the dec creaed" and 2erry%s eyes !idened as she started against her !ill&
.ar snicered& /3o( can tae the corn o(t of the girl?&1
/'%ll corn yo(&1 2erry leaned for!ard and issed her $assionately" feeling .ar%s ,ody react as she !as $(lled against
her& Her ri,s $rotested gently" ,(t she ignored the+" $referring to concentrate on the 6olt of sens(al reaction that ra$idly
!ar+ed her g(ts&
Her hands e)$lored .ar%s ,ody eagerly" fingers sliding ($ (nder her tan to$ to trace her ,reasts& The soft s(rface
$ressed ($ against her as .ar inhaled and she fo(nd herself short of ,reath as !ell as she felt .ar%s to(ch high ($ on the
inside of her thigh&
7h" to hell !ith her re$(tation& 2erry felt her s!i+s(it stra$s slide off her sho(lders as she $(lled .ar%s shirt ($"
feeling the heat as their sin +et" and her !eight $ressed do!n against .ar%s ,ody&
/HeyA1 - #oice o(tside er($ted s(ddenly& /-nyone ho+eAA1
2erry fo(nd herself nose to nose !ith a lethally fr(strated .ar" !hose darened ,l(e eyes and definite snarl $erfectly
ca$t(red ho! 2erry herself !as feeling& /-rggghh&1 She released the groan softly" letting her head dro$ to rest against
.ar%s collar,one&
/That a,o(t co#ers it&1 .ar sighed& /7h ,oy&1 She cleared her throat and s!allo!ed" atte+$ting to collect her
co+$os(re& /Be right there&1 She raised her #oice& /3o( godforsaen son of a ,itch&1 The last !as added in a 8(iet ,(t
heartfelt tone&
2erry started la(ghing& /Boo+ar this&1 She ad#ised her $artner& /9or later&1 0ith another groan" she rel(ctantly
(ntangled herself fro+ .ar%s ,ody and stood ($" easing her stra$s ,ac into $lace and r(,,ing her face to clear the fl(sh
she ne! !as coloring it& /Ces(s&1
.ar stretched o(t on the co(ch and ya!ned" c(rling ,ac ($ lie a large" half naed cat& She $iced ($ her forgotten
coffee c($ and si$$ed at it" !atching 2erry o#er the ri+ !ith a sed(cti#e loo&
/3o(%re not hel$ing&1 2erry ran her hands thro(gh her hair& />et +e go greet o(r g(est&1
/3o( in#ited hi+&1 .ar dra!led&
2erry sla$$ed herself on the side o f the head" and contin(ed to do so as she !aled to!ards the ca,in door&
0ith a ch(cle" .ar leaned ,ac against the co(ch%s $illo! and en6oyed 2erry%s se)y little s!agger" as she d(ced
thro(gh the entrance and !ent o(t onto the stern dec& She heard 2erry greet their resc(ed g(est" and she sighed"
$(tting her head ,ac do!n on the soft fa,ric&
GG
/Morning&1 2erry lifted a hand to !a#e at the +an standing on the dec& Bo, !as dressed in hai shorts a little too ,ig
for hi+" and the $olo shirt he%d ,een !earing the night ,efore& 'n the daylight" his slightly ro(nded" cheerf(l face and
c(rly hair co+$leted a $ict(re of a reasona,ly good-looing +an a,o(t 2erry%s age& /4%+on a,oard&1
Bo, too ad#antage of her in#itation and crossed the gang$lan& /Thans& Good +orning to yo(&1 He re$lied" as his
eyes too in her s!i+-s(ited ,ody& Politely" he then glanced a!ay& /0eather cleared ($ at least" h(h=1
2erry t(rned and s(r#eyed the clear hori5on& /S(re did&1 She s+iled& /0e%re not really ready to get (nder!ay yet" !ant
to co+e in and gra, so+e coffee=1
/That%d ,e great& Thans&1 He ret(rned her s+ile !ar+ly& />isten? '" (+&&1 He glanced aro(nd" then ,ac at her& /'
really !ant to than yo( again" for !hat yo( did last night&1
4M
2erry felt a c(rio(s +i)t(re of $leas(re and e+,arrass+ent& /' !as glad to hel$&1 She said& /'%+ really glad e#erything
t(rned o(t all right&1
/Me" too&1 Bo, re$lied easily& /B(t it !o(ldn%t ha#e" if it hadn%t ,een for yo(&1 He co(rteo(sly held the door for her& /'
!on%t forget that&1
/0ell" yo(%re #ery !elco+e&1 2erry entered the ca,in" her eyes a(to+atically tracing (ntil she fo(nd .ar%s tall fig(re
,ehind the galley& /Got so+e e)tra coffee there" .ar=1
.ar%s eyes fliced $ast her" then a !ry grin a$$eared& /S(re&1
/Morning&1 Bo, greeted .ar&
/Hi&1 .ar re$lied& /'%+ going to get (s ready to tae off&1 She told 2erry& /' !ant to r(n ($ and tal to 4harlie for a
+in(te ,efore !e go&1
/7ay&1 2erry traded $laces !ith her" reaching for the coffee& /Tell the+ ' said hi" oay=1 She really didn%t ha#e a
$ersonal need to face the tro(,leso+e B(d at the +o+ent&
/Lh h(h&1 .ar $atted her ,ac" then sli$$ed $ast her and headed for the door&
2erry s+iled to herself" and shoo her head& Then she got do!n another c($ fro+ the c($,oard& /Ho! do yo( tae it=1
She looed ($" a little s(r$rised to find Bo, leaning against the galley%s co(nter&
/Blac&1 He re$lied" acce$ting the c($ she offered& /Thans&1 He too a ca(tio(s si$& /So" 2erry& 0here are yo( fro+=
0e didn%t get to tal that +(ch last night&1
2erry $o(red herself a c($ and added crea+ and s(gar to it" then eased o(t fro+ ,ehind the galley and too a seat at the
s+all ta,le& Bo, settled ne)t to her" $atiently !aiting for her to ans!er&
/Michigan&1 2erry said& /0hat a,o(t yo(=1
Bo, grinned& /Tho(ght ' recogni5ed the accent& '%+ fro+ .etroit&1 He said& /My fa+ily o!ns so+e $ro$erty 6(st
o(tside the city&1 He $a(sed" si$$ing his coffee& /3o( go to Michigan Lni#ersity=1
2erry nodded& /Matter of fact" ' did&1 She agreed&
/' !ent o(t of state to college&1 He related& /Boston&1 - tho(ghtf(l loo crossed his face& /My father%s fa+ily%s fro+
there& 7ld seafaring +en" yo( no!&1
/M+&1
/That%s !here ' learned to sail&1 Bo, said& /0hen ' !as a id" and then again !hen ' got older& 3o( so(nded lie yo(%d
sailed a lot&1 He neatly t(rned the s(,6ect ,ac to her& /That one of yo(r ho,,ies=1
2erry looed ($ and fo(nd hi+ looing ,ac at her" !atching her face !ith a faint" shy half s+ile& /Bo" not no!&1 She
$ro$$ed her head on one hand& /Lnder!ater $hotogra$hy" and ee$ing ($ !ith !or&1 She ca+e to the #ag(e
reali5ation that Bo, !as sho!ing so+e definite interest in her" and co(ldn%t decide if she !ere a+(sed or e+,arrassed&
/Ho! a,o(t hel$ing +e get the ,oat ready= .ar sho(ld ,e ,ac soon&1
/S(re&1 He agreed a+ia,ly& /3o( na+e it" '%+ yo(rs&1
3ies& 2erry slid o(t fro+ ,ehind the ta,le& She ho$ed the tri$ to St& Cohns !as a short one&
GG
.ar st(c her hands in her $ocets as she !aled ($ the sandy $ath& Bo,%s arri#al had definitely $(t a not in her
shorts" and she%d considered lea#ing the ,etter $art of hos$itality !hen she%d al+ost s(cc(+,ed to the (rge to toss his
$re$$y ,(tt right off the ,oat&
-h" .ar& She ch(cled !ryly at herself& 3o(r ,acgro(nd%s sho!ing& He%s not a ,ad id& She iced a $inecone ahead
of her" and glanced ($ the e+$ty $ath& 3o(%ll dro$ hi+ off in St& Cohn" and that%ll ,e that&
She cli+,ed ($ the ste$s to B(d and 4harlie%s resta(rant" $a(sing !ith her hand on the door !hen she heard lo(d #oices
inside&
/Tho(ght yo( co(ld d(c o(t on +e last night" h(h=1 - snarl& /0here%s the +oneyA1
/>oo& ' told yo( !e don%t ha#e the cash&1 4harlie%s tone so(nded (ncharacteristically tense& /3o( can%t get ,lood
fro+ a da+n roc&1
*0
/3eah=1 The strange #oice ans!ered& /0ell" either yo( co(gh ($ that ten grand" or there%ll ,e $lenty of ,lood on the
floor of this d(+$" got +e=1
/0e can !or so+ethin% o(t&1 B(d inter6ected& /3o( gotta gi#e (s ti+e& 3o( no! !e%re good for it&1
/' don%t no! shit&1 The stranger la(ghed& /4e$t ' no! '%ll ,e ,ac here day after t%+orra" and either yo( gi#e +e
!hat yo( o!e" or '%ll tae !hat ' can get o(t of yo(r sin&1
Hea#y footste$s headed to!ards her" and .ar only 6(st ste$$ed ,ac in ti+e to a#oid ,eing s+ashed in the face as the
door sla++ed o$en& - tall" ,(rly +an in a tan to$ and far too tight 6eans sho#ed $ast her" gi#ing her a c(rsory glance
as he !ent ,y&
.ar stared at his ,ac" ,efore she t(rned and entered the resta(rant& Her a$$earance startled B(d and 4harlie" and they
,roe a$art a little" ,efore the recogni5ed her and rela)ed& /0hat%s going on=1 She ased" !itho(t $rea+,le&
/Morning" .ar&1 4harlie co(ldn%t 8(ite s(++on his (s(al friendly s+ile& /Get a good night%s slee$=1
B(d st(died the floor&
/9ine&1 .ar re$lied ,riefly& /0hat%s going on=1 She ased again&
/Bot yo(r ,(siness&1 B(d ans!ered gr(ffly&
/B(d&1 4harlie fro!ned& /C(st a little ,(siness st(ff" .ar& Bothing +a6or&1
.ar $(t her hands on her hi$s and ga#e the+ ,oth the ind of loo she (s(ally reser#ed for ne!ly hatched sales
+anagers 8(estioning her decisions& /' deal !ith ,(siness @st(ff% all the ti+e" and ' ne#er get threatened !ith ,odily
har+" tho(gh +ost of the $eo$le ' deal !ith $ro,a,ly consider it&1 She re+ared& /4an the cra$& 0hat%s 4hea$side
G(ido%s $ro,le+=1
/'t%s B7BH of yo(r ,(sinessA1 B(d sna$$ed" t(rning and thr(sting his !ay into the itchen& The hinged door fla$$ed
,ehind hi+ !ildly" then sto$$ed !ith a sodden th(n&
4harlie sighed" and r(,,ed his forehead& /.a+n it&1
.ar !aited !ith +oderate $atience& /4%+on" 4harlie& 3o( really !ant +e to 6(st forget it and lea#e= ' !ill& / She
offered& /B(t if yo( need hel$" '%+ listening&1
4harlie glanced to!ards the door" then shr(gged a little& /0e can handle it&1 He finally said& /'t%s 6(st the loan !e too
o(t to start ($ this $lace&1 He $l(ced at the $ocet on his shorts& /Taing a little longer to $ay ,ac than !e%d $lanned"
,(t !e%ll !or it o(t&1
.ar st(died hi+& /He !asn%t fro+ Ban of -+erica&1
4harlie snorted softly& /Hell no& T!o ,eaten ($ Ba#y scr(,s < yo( thin they%d gi#e (s a loan=1 He ased& /0e 6(st
!ent to the co-o$& B(t any!ay&1 He deter+inedly regained his good h(+or& /H#erything settle do!n fro+ last night=
0e chit chatted !ith Bo, for a !hile" he%s 8(ite a taler&1
/4harlie&1 .ar leaned against the !all& She $l(ced a $encil fro+ 4harlie%s $ocet and $iced ($ a $iece of torn
en#elo$e that !as sitting on the co(nter ne)t to the+& /Here&1 She !rote do!n a $hone n(+,er" then handed the
en#elo$e and the $encil ,ac to hi+& /'f that shar starts ,iting yo(r ass" call +e&1
;el(ctantly" he too the $a$er& /.ar" ' a$$reciate it" ,(t !e can handle this& B(d%d sooner c(t his ar+ off than as for
hel$&1 He hesitated& /S$ecially yo(rs&1 His face !as a$ologetic&
/Too ,ad&1 .ar told hi+ ,l(ntly& /Tell hi+ to gro! ($ and get o#er it&1
4harlie !inced&
/' ha#e to as $eo$le ' can%t stand for things e#ery day&1
/'t%s not that he doesn%t lie yo(" .ar&1 4harlie $rotested hastily& /He does& 0e ,oth do& He 6(st can%t forget st(ff in the
$ast !ith yo(r dad" and?1
/'? a+ not +y dad&1 .ar ,roe in" leaning for!ard&
/Bo" ' no! that&1 4harlie sighed& /' no! that" .ar&1 He #ent(red a s+ile& /Tho(gh" yo( did gro! ($ to loo a !hole
lot lie hi+" y%no!&1
.ar sighed in!ardly" then ga#e ($ the effort" deciding on a different tac& /3eah" that%s !hat $eo$le tell +e&1 She
ad+itted& />isten" !e%re heading o(t& -nything yo( g(ys need o(t there !e can dro$ off on the !ay ,ac=1
*1
4harlie rela)ed" no! that the con#ersation had t(rned& /0.40&1 He 6oed" ta$$ing his artificial nee& /-l!ays r(nning
o(t of the da+n st(ff&1 He cleared his throat& />isten" .ar? yo( g(ys !ere asing a,o(t $irates last night?1
/H+=1 .ar crossed her ar+s&
The ,ig e)-ser#ice+an glanced aro(nd& /They ain%t al!ays !hat they see+&1 He said&
/0hat do yo( +ean=1 .ar ased&
/4h(cA1 B(d%s #oice interr($ted& /9ish +an%s hereA1
4harlie glanced at the itchen& /The+ 6ers last night? they ain%t the inda $irates !e no! a,o(t&1 He said 8(icly&
/That%s all '%+ saying& Good l(c" good tri$&1 He $(t a hand on the door" then too a last loo at .ar& /Tell yo(r dad '
said hey&1
.ar !atched hi+ disa$$ear& She released a sigh" letting her glance tra#el aro(nd the inside of the tattered" and
so+e!hat thread,are resta(rant& 0ith a silent shae of her head" she t(rned and left the roo+" e+erging ,ac into the
s(nlight& The island%s e+$tiness s(rro(nded her" and as she !aled ,ac to!ards the doc" her +ind t(rned o#er the
$(55le $ieces that tho(gh scattered" !ere ,eginning to n(dge at her !ith their c(rio(s nat(re&
She s$otted the loan shar as she !aled onto the doc& He !as standing ne)t to a s+all" racy looing r(na,o(t !ith
another +an" half his si5e& They !ere ,oth looing at the .i)ieland 3anee" and they t(rned to !atch her as she
a$$roached the ,oat&
/Hey ,a,y&1 The ,igger +an yelled o#er& /That yo(r ,oat=1
.ar $a(sed and looed at hi+ o#er the to$s of her s(nglasses& /3eah&1 She re$lied ,riefly" as she $a(sed to (nloo$ the
,o! line&
/0ant a good +an to dri#e her=1
.ar tossed the line on,oard then !aled to the stern" releasing the ,oat and lea$ing onto the ,ac dec& /Bo thans&1
She dro$$ed the line" and d(sted her hands off" t(rning her ,ac on the t!o of the+ and ignoring their ri,ald la(ghter&
2erry e+erged fro+ the ca,in" an al+ost fierce grin crossing her face as she s$otted .ar& /Tho(ght ' heard yo(&1 She
greeted her lo#er& /0e o(tta here=1
/7h yeah&1 .ar +ade her !ay ($ to the flying ,ridge& />et%s go find so+e ,etter scenery&1 She too her seat and started
the engines ($" ad6(sting the throttles and easing the ,oat o(t of the doc& -t lo! tide" +ane(#ering in the cra+$ed
s$ace !as e#en +ore diffic(lt than (s(al" and she had to really concentrate to a#oid taing o(t $art of the doc on her
!ay o(t&
She cleared the last $ylon and t(rned into the channel" feeling the !ind $ic ($ as she increased s$eed" heading o(t
across the green ,l(e !ater&
GG
2erry $laced her dec chair on the stern caref(lly" half t(rned so she co(ld loo ($ and !atch .ar at the controls of the
,oat& She settled into it as Bo, too the seat ne)t to her" and resigned herself to a tri$ f(ll of s+all tal& /So" Bo, < yo(
ne#er did get aro(nd to saying last night& 0ere yo( on #acation=1
Bo, leaned on the chair ar+& /:acation= ' !ish&1 He sighed& /Bo" it%s? / He glanced aro(nd& /2inda st($id" really&1
'f he tells +e he ca+e o(t here looing for his one tr(e lo#e" '%ll ch(c ($ on hi+& 2erry tho(ght" !hile ee$ing a
$leasant e)$ression on her face& /Ho! st($id co(ld it ,e=1 She ased&
He edged a little closer& /;e+e+,er ' said a,o(t +y grand$arents=1
/9ro+ Boston&1 2erry $ro+$tly re$lied&
/3eah&1 Bo, nodded& /My grandfather !as lost at sea&1
2erry straightened a little& /7h& '%+ really sorry to hear that&1 She said sincerely& /Ho! did it ha$$en=1
/He !as the ca$tain of a && (+&& fishing ,oat&1 Bo, ad+itted& /Bot #ery gla+oro(s" ' no!" ,(t he !as really s(ccessf(l
at it&1 He added& /-ny!ay? he !as on a tri$ o(t here to the islands" and he 6(st ne#er ca+e ,ac&1
2erry leaned ,ac in her chair and t(ced one leg ($ (nder her& /0o!&1 She shoo her head& /That%s really sad& They
ne#er fo(nd the ,oat" or anything=1
*2
Bo, ga5ed at her& /They no! !here it !ent do!n& This g(y !ho !as a !itness contacted +y grand+other and sold
her a +a$? /
/Sold her=1
Bo, shr(gged& /3eah" ' no!&& $ro,a,ly a s(cer deal& B(t she ga#e +e the +a$" and ' decided '%d co+e o(t here and
see !hat ' co(ld find&1
2erry fro!ned& /3o( don%t e#en no! if it%s acc(rate&1
/Bo" ,(t it%s so+ething&1 Bo, said& /Pro,le+ is" ' ca+e o(t here" and fo(nd o(t the s$ot he !as s($$osed to go do!n
in%s ,een licensed ,y so+e sal#age o(tfit&1
7ne of 2erry%s eye,ro!s hied slightly& /;eally=1
/3eah" ' tried to tal to the+" ,(t they ran +e o(t of there&1 Bo, shoo his head& /;eal ,(nch of 6ers& Big +oney ty$es"
yo( no!&1 He ga#e her a !ry s+ile& /The ind that lie to let yo( no! it&1
/Lh h(h&1 2erry !ondered if it !as the sa+e $air they%d r(n into& /0ere they sort of yo(ng= - thin g(y" and a ,ossy
!o+an=1
S(r$rised" Bo, nodded& /3eahA 3o( no! the+=1
2erry got ($ and $aced o#er to the cooler" o$ening it and re+o#ing a chilled ,ottle of ice tea& She !as a!are of Bo,%s
eyes on her ,ac - co(ld al+ost feel the heat ,et!een her sho(lder ,lades < and she ,riefly !ished she%d $(t her
o#eralls on o#er her sheer ,athing s(it& /Bot e)actly&1 She ans!ered the 8(estion& /0e ran into the+ ,ac at that
island& They !ere asing a,o(t a site .ar and ' do#e that day&1 She ret(rned& /' g(ess it !as $art of that area yo(%re
interested in&1
/;eally=1 Bo, +(r+(red& /So yo(%re a real di#er" h(h= Got all yo(r o!n gear=1
2erry nodded& /S(re&1 She o$ened her tea and too a si$& /.ar%s a +aster di#er&1 She glanced fondly ($ at her lo#er"
!ho !as leaning ,ac !ith one ,are foot $ro$$ed ($ against the console& /0e%#e e#en got a co+$ressor on ,oard for
refills&1
/' al!ays !anted to learn to di#e&1 Bo, said& /3o( got any $ointers for +e=1 He ased& /Hey" ho! a,o(t a lesson
to+orro!=1
Hight ,it card" thirty-t!o ,it ,(s& 2erry sighed in!ardly& /Sorry" !e%#e got $lans&1 She said& /B(t there are lots of
$laces in St& Cohn that ha#e certification co(rses&1
/3eah" '%d ,etter get +y ins(rance st(ff straightened o(t any!ay to+orro!&1 Bo, sighed& /3o( staying any!here
s$ecial on the island=1
/.ar +ade the reser#ations&1 2erry s+iled& /' can%t re+e+,er the na+e of the $lace&1
/7h&1
2erry s$otted a fringe of land on the $ort side of the ,oat& She got ($ and $eered aro(nd the corner of the ca,in& - lo!"
,ea(tif(l island stretched o(t ,efore her" offering a se+icircle of $(re !hite ,each ,aced ,y l(sh" green foliage&
/0o!&1
Bo, ca+e ($ ,ehind her& /3eah& 't%s ,ea(tif(l" isn%t it=1 He +(r+(red& /Hey" +ay,e '%ll stic aro(nd a fe! days" since
' can%t do anything else" +ight as !ell catch so+e rays" right=1
2erry e)haled silently" her eyes rolling o(t of his line of #ision&
/Besides" ' o!e yo( dinner and a drin&1 Bo, said& /3o( gotta let +e do that" at least" for !hat yo( did for +e&1
3ies& 2erry !atched the +arina a$$roach& /.ar= 3o( !ant +e to call in to the doc+aster=1
/3ea$&1 .ar res$onded& />oos lie it%s ,(sy&1
2erry t(rned& /H)c(se +e&1 She !aited for Bo, to ,ac off" then !aled to the ca,in radio& /St& Cohn Marina" St& Cohn
Marina" this is .i)ieland 3anee" o#er&1
/That%s a c(te na+e&1 Bo, offered& /.oes it +ean so+ething=1
2erry eyed hi+ !ryly& /She%s the .i)ie $art" and '%+ the 3anee&1 She e)$lained si+$ly&
/.i)ieland 3anee" this is St& Cohn& G%!an&1
*3
Bo, coced his head" $rod(cing a $(55led s+ile& /7h&1 He said& /3o( g(ys related=1
2erry sighed" and leaned against the ca,in door& /St& Cohn" !e ha#e a reser#ation for a ,erth& Please ad#ise&1 She ga#e
Bo, a indly s+ile& /3o( +ight !ant to sit do!n& So(nds lie a ,(sy doc&1
/7ay&1 Bo, !andered o#er and too a seat" lea#ing 2erry to finish her radio !or&
/Gotcha" .i)ieland 3anee" tenth ro!" third ,erth& 3o(%#e got *4 feet" yeah=1
/That%s a roger&1 2erry re$lied& /Thans&1 She $(t the radio do!n" and !aled to the ladder" cli+,ing ($ it as fast as
dignity allo!ed and 6oining .ar at the console& /;o! 10" slot three&1 She sat do!n and rested her el,o!s on her nees&
/.ar?1
/Ho!%s yo(r little !orshi$$er doing=1 .ar dra!led" gi#ing her a !iced s+ile& /He in#ited yo( to dinner yet=1
2erry sighed& /.inner" drins" di#ing" yo( na+e it&1 She +(ttered& /0hy do g(ys al!ays do that=1
.ar eyed her& /4a(se yo(%re char+ing and adora,le=1
/Pffffttt&1 2erry st(c her tong(e o(t & /B(t yo( no! so+ething= He had a r(n in !ith those 24 arat slee5oids !e +et
on the island" too&1
/3eah=1
/3eah& He%s looing for the !rec of his grandfather%s fishing ,oat& S($$osedly it !ent do!n in that area they ,loced
off&1
.ar fro!ned& /B(sy s$ot of ocean&1
/M+&1
They looed at each other& 2erry scratched her 6a!& /L+& He really did as +e to dinner" to than +e for sa#ing his
life&1 She st(died .ar%s face& /0o(ld yo( +ind if ' !ent=1
.ar%s e)$ression !ent still for a +o+ent" only the tiny +(scles on the sides of her eyes t!itching& - silence fell
,et!een the+" then .ar glanced at the onco+ing +arina and ad6(sted their co(rse& She !atched the console for a
+o+ent" then ret(rned her eyes to 2erry%s face& /3es" ' !o(ld +ind&1 She s$oe #ery softly&
2erry felt a +i)t(re of s(r$rise and $leas(re& S(r$rise" ,eca(se she e)$ected .ar to $rofess a disinterest in $re#enting
her fro+ going" and $leas(re ,eca(se of the g(t le#el honesty of the act(al reaction she%d gotten& /Good&1 She e)haled&
/Beca(se ' !o(ld if it !ere +e&1
.ar grinned ,riefly& /Cealo(sy%s an interesting sensation&1 She co++ented" ,efore she ret(rned her caref(l attention to
their a$$roach&
/M+&1 2erry agreed" !atching the island gro! larger& /-in%t that the tr(th&1
GG
2erry n(dged the door to their roo+ o$en" and $eered inside& /0hoa&1 She ch(cled as she entered" tossing her
o#ernight ,ag do!n on the ing si5e ,ed& /.efinitely +ore colorf(l than yo(r a#erage Marriott&1
.ar closed the door& She eyed the $each !alls" strongly $atterned car$et" and rich fa,rics on the !indo!s and ,ed !ith
a half grin& /' lie it&1 She decided& /0o(ldn%t !ant it in +y ,edroo+" ,(t it%s nice for a change&1 She $(t her o!n ,ag
do!n and re#ie!ed the rest of the roo+& 't had a nice" high $eaed ceiling !ith a fan" and a d(al #ent to re+o#e the hot
air fro+ the roo+& The !indo!s !ere large" and feat(red a gorgeo(s #ie! of the half circle ,ay and the at+os$here !as
light and airy&
2erry !ent to the !indo! and looed o(t& /Bice&1 She t(rned and leaned on the sill" !atching .ar tae off her
s(nglasses and toss the+ on the ta,le& Bo, had sca+$ered off to tae care of his ,(siness !hen they%d doced +(ch to
2erry%s relief" and she !as looing for!ard to e)$loring the resort%s interesting offerings& She%d s$otted ayas" a+ong
other things" and seen +ention in the lo,,y of a r(+ tasting de+onstration&
/:ery nice&1 .ar lifted a ,ottle of co+$li+entary r(+ fro+ the side,oard and held it ($& There !as also ,ottled !ater&
/Lse this&1 She ca(tioned 2erry& /'%#e had +i)ed res(lts drining fro+ the ta$&1
/-h& Thans&1 2erry said& /Bot ha#ing $hones !as a s(r$rise" tho(gh&1
/M+&1 .ar e)a+ined the discrete data $ort& /'nternet access ,(t no $hones& 'ncredi,le&1
*4
2erry !ent to the loced" distressed leather ,riefcase .ar had $(t do!n on the chair& /' g(ess !e%#e gotta ,ite the
,(llet" h(h=1 They%d agreed not to (nloc the case" !hich held their cell $hones and $agers" (nless a total crisis !as at
hand&
/3ea$&1 .ar tossed her the eys to the ,riefcase& /Pro,a,ly ,etter off (sing o(rs any!ay&1 She !atched 2erry (nloc
the catch and o$en the case" sticing her hand inside and e+erging !ith one of their t!o $hones& /' no! there%s
$hones o(tside in the lo,,y" ,(t&& /
/3eah&1 2erry tossed the $hone to her& Then she !andered ,ac o#er to the !indo!s" disco#ering a $atio o(tside&
/Hey&1 She o$ened the door and !ent o(t onto the stone edifice" alternately s$lashed !ith s(nlight and the shade fro+
near,y ,anana trees& 't !as 8(iet and $eacef(l" and the #ie! of the !ater !as really s$ectac(lar& /Breafast o(t here
to+orro!" ' thin&1 2erry +(sed" as a ,ree5e off the !ater $(ffed her hair ,ac o(t of her eyes&
0ith a satisfied gr(nt" she t(rned and !ent ,ac inside their $leasant roo+" finding .ar s$ra!led across the ing si5e
cano$y ,ed !ith the $hone to her ear& The sight !as so attracti#e" 2erry decided to 6oin her" and she cra!led o#er to
!here .ar !as lying" fli$$ing o#er onto her ,ac and settling there as she !atched the fan circle la5ily o#erhead&
/That%s right" Mar& C(st r(n it for +e&1 .ar inched her hand o#er and t(gged a ,it of 2erry%s hair& /' don%t ha#e
registration n(+,er&1
/;ight" ,oss& Ho!%s the #acation going=1 Mar%s #oice tricled fro+ the cell $hone%s s$eaer&
/-side fro+ nearly ,eing hea#ed to ,y $irates" and 2erry sa#ing a dro!ning +an in a stor+" it%s ,een $retty $eacef(l&1
.ar re$lied ,landly& /Ho!%s it ,een there=1
>ong silence& /.id yo( act(ally f(cing say $irates=1 Mar ased& /Holy shit" .arA1
/3o( didn%t really thin ' co(ld 6(st ha#e an ordinary #acation" did yo(=1 .ar ased" !ith an a+(sed s+ir& /3o(
didn%t ans!er +y 8(estion&1
/H(h=1 Mar s$l(ttered& /7h" here= 't%s ,een dead&1 He told her& /Honest&1
.ar !aited silently& To $ass the ti+e" she ,le! gently in 2erry%s ear" and !atched her torso shi#er as she held ,ac a
la(gh&
/0ell" 6(st the (s(al shit" yo( no!" ,oss&1 Mar finally ad+itted& /Bothin yo( g(ys need to !orry a,o(t&1
2erry t(rned her head at that and her green eyes !idened& /Mar=1 She raised her #oice& /3o( 6(st +ade +e really
ner#o(s&1
/L+?1
.ar co#ered her eyes& /Mar" 6(st s$ill it&1 She sighed&
/Honest" g(ys& C(st +ore of the (s(al&1 Mar insisted& /0e got so+e international lines do!n" and one of the north!est
data centers crashed& ' had to o#ernight the+ a ,(nch of st(ff&1
2erry eyed her $artner& /.oesn%t so(nd that ,ad&1 She +o(thed&
.ar shr(gged& /.id the ne! .4 nodes co+e in=1
/3e$&1 Mar so(nded relie#ed& /Hey? listen& '%+ glad yo( called for one thing < !e got an early dro$ date for the ne!
,ac($ 'P4&1
/0hoohoo&1 2erry $(+$ed her fist in the air&
/'ncredi,le&1 .ar agreed& /' tho(ght !e%d ,e !aiting (ntil 9e,r(ary&1 She added&
/0ell" ,oss < nothing ca+e ,ac on those g(ys&1 Mar said& /Bot on the first r(n < yo( !ant +e to ee$ going=1
.ar fro!ned& /Bothing=1
/Bothing on that na+e" no < or the t!o other na+es yo( ga#e +e&1 Mar said& /B(t that%s 6(st a .M: and Marine reg <
'%ll do a dee$ r(n on e+& 3o( !ant +e to gi#e yo( call,ac=1
/3eah&1 .ar said& /0e%re going to?&1 She $a(sed& /0hat are !e going to do no!" 2er=1
2erry lifted ,oth hands in the air and $rod(ced an engaging grin&
/0e%re gonna do so+ething $ro,a,ly in#ol#ing !ater and or food&1 .ar said into the $hone& /'%ll ee$ the $hone on&
>et +e no! if yo( find anything" oay=1
**
/0ill do" ,oss&1 Mar said& /3o( g(ys ha#e a great ti+e" h(h= Bo +ore freaing $iratesA1
/.o o(r ,est&1 2erry called o(t& /Thans" Mar& Tell e#eryone !e said hiA1
.ar h(ng ($ the $hone and let it rest on the co#ers& Bo! that she%d started her 8(ery in +otion" she felt satisfied to let it
tae !hat ti+e it did" and concentrate on res(+ing her #acation in the +ean!hile& /0ant to 6(st hie o(t and e)$lore
the $lace for a !hile=1 She ased& /0e%re in the +iddle of the Bational Par here&1
2erry nodded& /' lie that idea&1 She said& /'t%s so $retty& ;e+inds +e a little of that ha++oc do!n ,y 7ld 4(tler !e
!ent to that one ti+e&1 She sat ($& /7ay < on !ith the hiing ,oots" then&1 She $atted .ar%s leg& />et%s go find (s
so+e $retty li5ards&1
GG
>i5ards" they fo(nd in $lenty along !ith other !ildlife& .ar gingerly e)a+ined a #i#id" ,right green snae c(rled on a
,ranch" taing care to ee$ her hands far a!ay fro+ it& /.id yo( see this=1 She ased 2erry" !ho !as ,(sy taing a
$ict(re of so+e gorgeo(s flo!ers&
/See !hat=1 2erry trotted o#er and $eered& /7hA1 She 8(icly ,ro(ght her ca+era ($ and foc(sed& /Hey" aren%t yo(
going to gra, its tail and tell +e !hat a ,ea(ty it is=1
.ar glanced do!n& /.oes !earing hai shorts and hiing ,oots re8(ire +e to channel Ste#e 'r!in=1 She ased&
2erry snicered&
/Tell yo( !hat tail '%+ gonna gra,&1 .ar !aited for her to sna$ the $ict(re" then acted" gra,,ing onto 2erry%s tail and
+aing her ho$ for!ard !ith a startled s8(a!& /'sn%t she a ,ea(ty=1 .ar +i+iced& />ooit the ,otto+ on that oneA1
/0ench&1 2erry reached ,ehind her and ticled .ar%s ri,s" then contin(ed do!n the $ath& They !ere s(rro(nded ,y
l(sh greenery" and a rich" organic s+ell filled her l(ngs as the !ind stirred the ,ranches slightly&
The 6(ngle aro(nd the+ thinned ahead" and re#ealed a +ossy" stone co#ered ,(ilding& />oo" .ar&1 2erry +otioned
to!ards it& /'s that one of the s(gar +ills=1
/M(st ,e&1 .ar lead the !ay to!ards the str(ct(re& 't !as 6(st a $ile of old stone no!" a +i)t(re of coral fo(ndation
and cr(dely +ade ,ric& They cli+,ed onto it" and looed aro(nd& .ar i+agined she co(ld still s+ell the tang of ra!
s(gar cane" so+ething she%d last tasted as a yo(ng child& /3o( e#er che! s(gar cane=1 She ased 2erry&
/Me=1 2erry !as neeling ne)t to a $iece of +achinery long o#ergro!n !ith i#y& /3o(%re idding" right=1 She looed
o#er her sho(lder at .ar& /7ne" ' don%t thin it gro!s in Michigan" and t!o < +y +other !o(ld ha#e c(t the hands off
anyone gi#ing it to +e&1 She $a(sed& /Ha#e yo(=1
/S(re&1 .ar grinned& /The ,est is to get a nice $iece" che! it a little" then d(n it in yo(r le+onade&1
2erry%s ga5e !ent in!ard for a +o+ent" as she !ored o(t the $otential tastes" then she !iggled her eye,ro!s and
liced her li$s& /M+&1 She got ($ and sna$$ed a $ict(re of the ,it of +achinery& /That does so(nd really good&1
.ar !andered o#er to a ro! of old" !ooden ,asins nailed into the !alls !ith r(sted iron s$ies& The +ill had +ade
s(gar for sale" and for the r(+ and +olasses that had ,een the reason for the island%s coloni5ation& Sla#es had !ored
here" (nder increasingly ,r(tal conditions (ntil they%d e#ent(ally risen ($ and con8(ered their +asters" dri#ing the
$lantation o!ners o(t and lea#ing the island to $eacef(lly stagnate (ntil +odern ti+es and +odern to(ris+&
/M(st ha#e ,een ,r(tal !oring here&1 .ar +(sed" to(ching groo#es !orn in the !ooden sins fro+ co(ntless !rists
resting on the+" !ashing the cane&
/M+&1 2erry agreed" i+agining the s!eltering s(++er heat& /May,e !e sho(ld ,ring the staff o#er here !hen they
start co+$laining a,o(t the #ending +achine selection&1
.ar ch(cled& /C(st tae lots of $ict(res&1 She ad#ised& /0o!" did yo( see that=1
/0hat is it=1 2erry e)a+ined the h(ge !heels c(rio(sly&
/Grinding stone&1 .ar e)$lained& /They $(t the cane ,et!een that and gro(nd it ($" to get the s(gar syr($ o(t&1
2erry leaned o#er and sniffed the stone& /C(st s+ells lie +ilde! no!&1 She said& /'t%s hard to ,elie#e that a $lace lie
this" as f(ll of +isery as it +(st ha#e ,een" $rod(ced so+ething so +any $eo$le regard as a treat&1
/3eah&1 .ar agreed& /S$eaing of" !ant to sto$ and ha#e o(r sand!iches=1
They $iced a s$ot on the edge of the coral fo(ndation" after .ar s$ent a +o+ent +aing s(re they !eren%t a,o(t to sit
on any snaes or scor$ions& 2erry o$ened the $ac .ar had ,een carrying and re+o#ed a ther+os ,ottle and t!o
*I
neatly !ra$$ed $acages& She set the ther+os do!n and (n!ra$$ed the sand!iches" re#ealing cr(sty 9rench ,read
!ra$$ed aro(nd s$icy shri+$ salad&
/0o!&1 2erry handed .ar hers& /This loos great& -ll this hiing +ade +e h(ngry&1
/M+$h&1 .ar had already taen a ,ite& She (nca$$ed the ther+os and $o(red o(t a ca$f(l of its contents" taing a si$
and $assing it o#er to 2erry& /4ocon(t and $assion fr(it& 'nteresting&1
/:ery&1 2erry !ashed do!n her +o(thf(l and too another& She iced her heels against the fo(ndation and looed
aro(nd" en6oying the food" the #ie!" and the (tter freedo+ of ,eing in an (nno!n $lace !ith the $erson she lo#ed ,est
in the !orld&
/They%#e got horse,ac trails& / .ar co++ented ho$ef(lly& /'nterested=1
2erry glanced at her no!ingly& /Mae a deal !ith yo(&1 She ,argained adroitly& /Horse,ac riding one day"
!indsailing the ne)t=1 She didn%t 8(ite ha#e the enth(sias+ .ar did a,o(t horses" ,(t then .ar didn%t 8(ite share her
lo#e of !ild !ater s$orts&
Ho!e#er& 4o+$ro+ise !as good& 't !as a learning $rocess" lie e#erything else !as" ,(t slo!ly they%d !ored o(t a
!ay to ,alance their differences&
Mostly& 2erry acno!ledged !ryly& There !ere still so+e things they !ere !oring on& /.eal=1
/7ay&1 .ar !i$ed her +o(th !ith a $a$er na$in& She leaned ,ac against the r(ined !all and rela)ed" !hile 2erry
finished ($ her l(nch" the ,lond !o+an resting her el,o! on .ar%s nee& /- lot of $eo$le co+e o(t here and ca+$ in
the $ar&1
2erry !atched an ant the si5e of a Cee$ !al ,y& /Good for the+&1 She said& /' ad+ire their co(rage and fortit(de&1
.ar !atched the ant" al+ost 6(+$ing !hen the tiny ani+al !as s(ddenly attaced ,y an al+ost in#isi,le li5ard" !hose
tong(e !hi$$ed o(t and tethered the ant ,efore the insect co(ld e#en t!itch its antenna& The li5ard s(ced the ant ,ac
in and cas(ally che!ed it" rotating an eye to $eer ($ at .ar !ith ,enign disinterest&
/-h&1 2erry ,lined& /Mother Bat(re in action&1 She held a hand o(t to!ards the li5ard" and it reci$rocated ,y o$ening
its 6a!s !ide" dis$laying ,its of dis+e+,ered ant as !ell as a do(,le ridge of tiny ra5or teeth& /3ies&1 She +(r+(red&
/Maes yo( feel really insignificant" doesn%t it=1
.ar reached o#er la5ily and !ith a 8(ic +otion" ca$t(red the li5ard& 't str(ggled !ildly as she ,ro(ght it ,ac o#er to
her face& />isten" ,(ddy&1 She gro!led at it& /.on%t threaten +y girl" or '%ll +ae li5ard ,(rgers o(t of yo(" got +e=1
2erry had to la(gh" at the ,(g eyed loo on the li5ard%s face&
/' don%t care ho! +any rhino si5ed ants yo( s(c ($" yo( don%t scare +e&1 .ar !arned" as the li5ard st(c its tong(e
o(t at her& /So ,eat it&1 She o$ened her hand and released the ani+al& 't lea$ed off her hand and onto her shirt" then
sca+$ered ($ o#er her sho(lder and onto the nearest ,it of !all&
2erry leaned against .ar%s nee" and ga5ed adoringly at her& .ar s+ired" and +anaged a self-de$recating ch(cle&
/Hey" .ar=1
/3eah=1 .ar let her head rest against the !all&
/-nyone e#er tell yo( yo(%re a lot of f(n=1
.ar considered& /Bo" no one%s e#er said that&1 She re$lied +atter-of-factly& /' ha#e ,een told '%+ lie ,eing in a $hone
,ooth !ith a do5en $orc($ines in heat" tho(gh&1
2erry issed .ar%s nee" then laid her chee against it& /My 8(estion to !hoe#er said that !o(ld ,e" of co(rse" @ho! do
yo( no!=1
/'t !as Hleanor&1
/-h& That e)$lains a lot&1 2erry grinned" gi#ing .ar%s leg a s8(ee5e& /0ell" yo( are a lot of f(n" and '%+ so totally
en6oying this #acation&1
.ar grinned !holeheartedly ,ac at her& /Me too&1 She agreed& /H#en !ith the $irates&1 She leaned o#er and issed
2erry gently on the li$s& /'%+ glad yo(%re ha#ing as +(ch f(n as ' a+&1
They rested there a fe! +in(tes +ore" then res(+ed their hie& .ar sho(ldered the $ac and cinched the stra$s do!n"
and they started off ($ a $ath that !as no! noticea,ly getting stee$er& /Hey&1 .ar o,ser#ed& /'t%s a hill&1
*J
/S(re yo( can handle it" .i)iec($=1 2erry teased&
/0anna find o(t=1 .ar grinned& />et%s race&1 She ,roe into a 6og&
/Pooters&1 2erry sighed& /So+eday '%ll learn&1 She shoo her head and chased after .ar" ho$ing it !o(ldn%t ,e a really"
really ,ig hill&
GG
/Lrgh&1 2erry ste$$ed (nder the $o(nding sho!er" scr(,,ing her ,ody !ith a $iece of nat(ral s$onge& She%d ended ($
their hie s!eaty" co#ered in dirt" and f(ll of lea#es st(ffed do!n her shirt co(rtesy of her lo#er" and the !ater felt
hea#enly as it !ashed a!ay the gri+e&
B(t they%d had so +(ch f(n& 2erry !ashed a s+ear of green off her sho(lder& -fter she%d chased .ar ($ the hill" they%d
rolled do!n the other side" across a short s!ath of rich green (ndergro!th and into a +(ddy e+,an+ent o#er a s+all
cree&
She%d $ainted .ar !ith a th(+,f(l of +(d !ith tiger stri$es across her chee,ones" and they%d ended ($ going headfirst
into the cree as they !restled $layf(lly&
/Lc&1 2erry soa$ed ($ her hair" !hich the +irror had sho!n to ,e closer to ,ro!n than ,lond fro+ the +(d& She
!atched the dirt rinse a!ay do!n the drain" ret(rning her locs to their nor+al color& Then she t(rned the !ater off and
ste$$ed o(t of the sho!er" to!eling her ,ody off ,risly ,efore donning one of the thic" co+forta,le ro,es the resort
hel$f(lly $ro#ided&
She o$ened the door and !aled into their roo+" r(ffling her hair dry& .ar !as standing near the !indo! taling on her
cell $hone clad in nothing ,(t a ,rief" tho(gh fl(ffy to!el that 6(st ,arely co#ered her long torso fro+ ar+$it to thigh&
Her da+$ hair !as sliced ,ac" and it !as all 2erry co(ld do not to 6(st !al o#er and re+o#e the to!el&
'nstead" she +erely sidled ($ to her $artner" and !aited (ntil .ar +ade eye contact !ith her& /3o( loo gorgeo(s !hen
yo(%re !et&1 She +o(thed" ca(sing .ar to sto$ in +id !ord" and ,lin&
/Lh?1 .ar $a(sed" her train of tho(ght co+$letely derailed& /Sorry" !hat !as that" Mar=1 She reached o(t and
t!eaed 2erry%s nose& /' got distracted&1
/Bo $ro,le+" .ar&1 Mar said" !ith a stifled ya!n& /-ny!ay" the long r(n ca+e ($ !ith a ton of cra$& ' thin yo(
,etter tae a loo at it&1
/0hat is it=1
- long silence& /' thin yo(%d ,etter loo at it < +ay,e yo( can +ae +ore sense of it than ' co(ld&1 Mar ans!ered&
/H+&1 .ar glanced at the s(n" !hich !as $ainting the sy as it ,eg(n it%s decent into the !ater%s edge& /-ll right& Go
ahead and ,(ndle it" and send it do!n& '%ll $ic it ($ !hen ' get ,ac fro+ dinner&1
/Gotcha&1 Mar said& /Hey" e#eryone says hi& Maria says to tell yo( e#erything%s (nder control&1
.ar ga#e 2erry a loo& /Good to hear&1 She re+ared& /Thans" Mar&1
/Bo $ro,le+&1 The M'S chief ass(red her& /Tae it easy" .ar&1
.ar closed her $hone" then foc(sed her attention on the ro,e clad fig(re in front of her& /3o(" 2errison" are a little
tro(,le+aer&1
2erry grinned (nre$entantly& /' learned fro+ the ,est&1 She $oed .ar in the ,elly& /.id Mar find so+ething=1
/3eah&1 .ar nodded& /-$$arently he did" ,(t he didn%t !ant to disc(ss it on the cell&1
/Lh oh&1
/3eah&1 .ar see+ed cheerf(l" ho!e#er& /B(t '%d rather no! !hat the hell '%+ dealing !ith&1 She leaned on the
!indo! and ga5ed o(t& /4an ' interest yo( in 6oining +e at the H8(ator=1
/'s that the resta(rant in the old +ill=1
.ar nodded& /Seeing as yo( !ere so interested in the r(ins" ' fig(red +ay,e yo(%d en6oy eating in one&1 She $iced ($
the colorf(l" cotton island shifts they%d gotten in the +aret& /-nd it%ll gi#e (s an e)c(se to !ear these o(tside o(r
li#ing roo+&1
2erry held one of the+" a fla+e red" green" and ,right yello! $attern ($ against .ar& /7h yeah&1 She grinned i+$ishly&
/' !ant to see yo( in this for s(re&1
*K
.ar $l(ced !ryly at the garish gar+ent& /7nly for yo( !o(ld ' do this&1 She infor+ed her lo#er& /' ho$e yo( reali5e
that&1
/' do&1 2erry thre! her ar+s aro(nd .ar in an (ne)$ected h(g" o#er!hel+ed s(ddenly ,y a !a#e of e+otion& She
s8(ee5ed .ar hard" hardly a,le to ,reathe for a +o+ent&
/Hey&1 .ar +(r+(red" ret(rning the h(g des$ite her conf(sion&
/.ear lord&1 2erry !as s(r$rised to feel the sting of tears& /Ho! did ' get so l(cy to ha#e fo(nd yo(=1
/L+&1 .ar got ca(ght flat footed& /3o( got hired ,y a co+$any '>S too o#er=1 She offered" hesitantly& /Besides? '
tho(ght ' !as the l(cy one&1
2erry shoo her head +(tely" ,(rying her face in .ar%s ,are sho(lder&
.ar r(,,ed her ,ac gently thro(gh the ro,e" si+$ly holding 2erry (ntil she felt her rela)& /S!eetheart&1 She
+(r+(red& /'%+ glad yo( feel that !ay&1
2erry sniffled" and 6(st s8(ee5ed her harder& -fter a fe! +ore +in(tes" ho!e#er" she e)haled" and ti$$ed her head to
one side" glancing ($ at .ar& /'%+ not going cra5y&1
.ar stroed her hair ,ac" re+o#ing the re+nants of her tears !ith the edge of her th(+,& /' ne#er tho(ght yo( !ere&1
She said& /0e%#e 6(st ,een thro(gh a hell of a lot together this year& 3o(%re entitled to a fe! frea o(t +o+ents&1
They !ere" it see+ed" e)actly the right !ords& 2erry%s face rela)ed into a ,road s+ile" and she ga#e .ar a #ery
affectionate $at on the side& /Thans" .r& .ar&1
.ar ;o,erts" relationshi$ e)$ert and a+ate(r $sychologist& .ar felt a +ental" slightly hysterical giggle co+ing on&
/-nyti+e" s!eetheart&1 She issed 2erry%s da+$ head instead& /'%ll al!ays ,e here for yo(&1
2erry felt a 8(iet resonance as she heard those !ords& They to(ched so+ething dee$ inside her" and she felt her s$irit
cal+ in res$onse to the+ as a s+ile a$$eared on her face& /' no! yo( !ill&1 She re$lied& /-nd '%ll al!ays ,e there for
yo(&1 Her head lifted" and she +et .ar%s eyes& /Thans for (nderstanding&1
.ar felt lie she%d ,een #isited !ith a +iracle" ,eca(se in a #ery dee$ !ay" she did (nderstand& 7r" at least" she
(nderstood that 2erry !as h(rting" and that she had the a,ility to sto$ the h(rt and heal so+e of the $ain&
That !as a $retty da+n nice feeling&
2erry s8(ared her sho(lders and released .ar" holding her ,riefly ,y her sho(lders ,efore she $iced ($ the shifts
again& /0ell then" let%s get o(r garish d(ds on" and go ha#e so+e f(n&1
;elie#ed" .ar ret(rned the s+ile& /-ll right" let%s go&1 She leaned o#er and to(ched the floral ,aset& /3o(%re not
gonna +ae +e !ear one of these in +y hair" are yo(=1
2erry glanced at the flo!ers" then at .ar& - +ischie#o(s glint a$$eared in her eyes& /Bo?& yo( get o(t of that&1 She
de+(rred&
/Lh oh&1 .ar $(t her hands on her to!el clad hi$s& /'%+ in tro(,le&1
/Heh? ,(t not too +(ch&1 2erry grinned" her s$irits restored& /4%+on& >et%s go&1
The s(n contin(ed to di$ la5ily to the hori5on" $ainting the sea in gold&
GG
Part
The resta(rant !as char+ing& The s(nset !as gorgeo(s& The food !as interesting and #ery tasty" and she !as sitting
across fro+ !hat !as definitely the ,est looing !o+an in the $lace& 2erry lifted her glass of !ine and raised it in
.ar%s direction" then too a si$ of it" sa#oring the slightly s$icy" s!eet taste& There !as really no +ore one co(ld as
for" no! !as there= /Great choice&1
.ar lifted her o!n glass and to(ched it%s ri+ to hers and s+iled& /Bice $lace" ,(t the co+$any%s !hat co(nts&1
2erry acce$ted the co+$li+ent !ith a s+ile" then rested her !rists on the ta,le and looed aro(nd&
The ,(ilding had once ,een a s(gar +ill" according to the +en(& Parts of the str(ct(re still re+ained" and they%d
cle#erly fit the resta(rant into it o#erlooing the !ater& The food !as a +i)t(re of 4ari,,ean and -+erican" and she%d
6(st finished a ,o!l of really s$icy shri+$ g(+,o& .ar had elected to try a 4ari,,ean fr(it +i)t(re rather than so($" and
they%d s$lit a ,ottle of 4hardonnay !hile they !aited for the +ain co(rse&
*M
2erry leaned ,ac" en6oying the ,ree5e as it ,r(shed across her ,are sho(lders& There !as a gently fl(ttering candle on
the ta,le" and she co(ld s+ell the !ar+ scent of the !a) as it +elted" adding to the at+os$here& - steel dr(+ ,and !as
$erched on a $atio near,y" $laying softly" and all aro(nd her a +i)t(re of lilting accents !o#e in and o(t of the +(sic&
She noticed that the g(ests !ere +ostly co($les& There !ere #ery fe! fa+ilies" and those there !ere had older children&
Most of the co($les !ere traditional" ,(t 2erry had s$otted at least t!o other sets of !o+en" and three other sets of +en
seated together and she felt co+forta,le in the $lace&
H#en !ith the fact that .ar e$t t!eaing her toes (nder the ta,le& 2erry sn(c a glance at her ta,le+ate" !ho !as
st(dying the drift!ood salt and $e$$er shaers" t(rning the+ in her fingers c(rio(sly& .ar had her hair loose" and her
,rightly colored cotton shift cl(ng to her ,ody" o(tlining it%s +(sc(lar grace #ery nicely&
The shift !as $retty" ,(t god? 2erry had to ad+it& 't !as so not .ar& 't !as lie $(tting a racehorse in a t(t(&
.ar chose that +o+ent to loo ($" and their eyes +et& .ar%s face creased into a grin" and she $(t the shaer do!n&
/So+ething !rong=1
/Bot a da+n thing&1 2erry rested her chin on her fist& /That s(nset is indescri,a,le&1 She added drea+ily& /3o( thin
it%s this nice in Ha!aii=1
/H++&1 .ar regarded the s$ectacle& /' don%t no!& '%#e ne#er act(ally ,een there e)ce$t on a layo#er on the !ay o(t to
Micronesia& 0e%ll ha#e to go find o(t&1 She said& /' !ant to see a #olcano ($ close&1
/3o(%re on&1 2erry said& /Ho! a,o(t +id 9e,r(ary=1
/:alentines .ay on Ma(i=1 .ar ch(cled& /S(re&1
2erry +ade a +ental note to nose aro(nd for so+e reser#ations !hen they got ho+e& Their !aitress a$$eared at that
+o+ent" and set do!n a tray" fro+ !hich !is$s of stea+ rose& She !atched as a $late !as set in front of her !ith a
si55ling $iece of ,roiled fish on it" $ro$$ed ($ !ith $ra!ns half the si5e of 4hino and dri55led !ith a tangy" citr(ssy
sa(ce& /7o& Thans&1
The !aitress set do!n a side $late of #egeta,les& /3o(%re #ery !elco+e&1 She s+iled at 2erry" then lifted .ar%s $late
and set it in front of her& /-nything else for yo( ladies=1
.ar ins$ected her s(rf and t(rf" a filet +ignon nestled ne)t to a lo,ster tail& /Bo$e& Bot right no!&1 She said& /Thans&1
She $iced ($ her for and nife" se$arating the t!o ite+s aro(nd the island of !hi$$ed ya+s and starting to c(t the
filet into $ieces& /This loos great&1
/S+ells great" too&1 2erry craned her nec to see& /0hat is that sa(ce=1
/Pina$$le and ,ay r(+&1 .ar di$$ed a s8(are of +eat into it" then offered it to 2erry" !ho neatly too it off the end of
her for&
/M+&1 2erry +(+,led a$$ro#ingly& / '%ll try that ne)t ti+e&1 She offered a taste of her fish in ret(rn" !hich .ar
acce$ted&
/Tastes lie Mandarin oranges&1 .ar co++ented& /Bice&1
2erry had taen one ,ite of her fish" !hen her attention !as ca(ght ,y a co($le entering& /3rch&1 She ca(ght .ar%s eye"
and indicated the door& 4hristina and C(an 4arlos had 6(st ste$$ed inside" and !ere ,eing greeted ,y the host&
/There goes the neigh,orhood&1 .ar ni,,led a ,it of her filet& /0onder if she $aid for that dress ,y the inch&1
4hristina !as !earing a gold chain o(tfit" ,arely co#ering her tanned and #ery fit ,ody fro+ her +id thighs to her chest&
The o(tfit had ga$s in the side" and a 6e!eled ,elt h(ng ,elo! her na#el& C(an co+$li+ented her in a sil 6acet and
leather $ants" in a +atte ,lac !ith a gold sil shirt&
/So+eone forget to tell the+ they !eren%t #isiting Be! 3or=1 2erry leaned o#er and +(r+(red& />ast ti+e ' sa!
clothes lie that !as o(t on So(th Beach at that T: 4hef%s o$ening night&1
They !ere led to a $ri+e ta,le near the edge of the o$en air seating" and as 4hristina sat do!n" she s$otted .ar and
2erry across the roo+& She $(t a hand on C(an 4arlos% ar+" then +ade her !ay o#er&
/3i$" yi$ yi$$ee yahooey&1 .ar rolled her eyes" then straightened as the !o+an neared and ass(+ed a cordially ne(tral
e)$ression& /H#ening&1
/0hy" helloA '+agine ,(+$ing into yo( t!o here&1 4hristina greeted the+& /:isiting" or? staying here=1
/0e%re staying here&1 2erry ans!ered her s+oothly& /.id yo( 6(st get in=1
I0
/>ast night&1 4hristina re$lied" !ith a s+ile& /'sn%t it great= 0hat a ,ea(tif(l s$ot&1 She leaned on the ,al(strade ne)t to
the+" her gold chain o(tfit clining gently& /'%+ glad !e ,(+$ed into yo( again& ' !as afraid !e%d lost yo( !hen yo(
disa$$eared fro+ the docs? yo( didn%t get ca(ght in the !eather" did yo(=1
/C(st !ent on a cr(ise&1 .ar ans!ered that one& /0e got ,ac in late&1
/;eally=1 4hristina !as !atching .ar closely& />isten" so+e friends of o(rs ran into tro(,le o(t !est of that little
island& 3o( didn%t ha$$en to see the+ o(t there" did yo(=1
.ar%s ice ,l(e eyes chilled and shaded& /9riends of yo(rs=1 She ased softly& /Bo& 0e didn%t see anyone in tro(,le last
night&1
2erry e$t 8(iet" recogni5ing the change in .ar%s de+eanor&
/7h& 0ell&1 4hristina re$lied& /' really didn%t get the !hole story" ,(t they thin so+eone +ight ha#e r(n the+
agro(nd? ,(t that !o(ldn%t ha#e ,een really friendly" no! !o(ld it=1
/.e$ends on !hat they !ere doing to +ae so+eone !ant to do that&1 .ar looed her right in the eye" $ro6ecting a
s(dden air of s(r$risingly dar +enace&
They fenced for a +o+ent" then 4hristina la(ghed" a to(ch (nco+forta,ly& /0ell" !ho no!s= May,e they !ere
+istaen" or? no!ing the+" they goofed and are 6(st trying to co#er it ($&1 She ,aced off a ste$& /-ny!ay" !e%ll see
yo( aro(nd& May,e !e can do l(nch=1
/S(re&1 .ar let the !ord roll off her tong(e" ee$ing her eyes $inned on the s+aller !o+an& /-nyti+e&1
4hristina ,eat a hasty retreat& .ar e$t ($ her testy glo!er for a +o+ent" then rela)ed" hiing an eye,ro! at the
attenti#ely !atching 2erry& /0ell=1
/3o( get a ten fro+ the -+erican 6(dge&1 2erry held ($ her na$in" $eeing ,ehind her to see 4hristina and C(an in
close cons(ltation" co+$lete !ith (neasy loos in their general direction& /3o( no! .ar" for so+eone !ho%s dressed
lie a $assion fr(it s(ndae" yo( really can scare the $ooters o(t of $eo$le&1
.ar snicered" then shoo her head& /' sho(ldn%t la(gh& That $ro,a,ly !asn%t f(nny&1 She eyed the t!o ne!co+ers&
/3o( don%t thin those goons%ll serio(sly try to find (s" do yo(=1 2erry ased& /' +ean" for r(nning the+ agro(nd&
They !ere chasing (s" .ar&1
/' don%t no!&1 .ar sliced a ,it of her filet off and ate it& />et +e get ,ac to yo( after ' ha#e a chance to chec o(t
!hat Mar sent&1
/7ay&1 2erry !ent ,ac to her dinner& She !as a little s(r$rised at ho! (n!orried she !as a,o(t this ne! !rinle" she
felt +ore intrig(ed in fact" than scared& She too a forf(l of the fish" en6oying the half s!eet" half tangy taste" then
!ashed the +o(thf(l do!n !ith a long si$ of !ine&
May,e she !as t(rning into a little ,it of a ris taer& /.ar=1
/H+=1 .ar looed ($ fro+ her tas of deci+ating her lo,ster%s tail&
/3o( thin this is dangero(s=1
.ar $a(sed and folded her hands" resting her chin on the+& /.angero(s=1 She ased& /' thin !e ,(+$ed into so+e
fols !ho are (sed to getting their o!n !ay&1
/M+&1 2erry nodded&
/They shot flares at (s last night&1 .ar !ent on" serio(sly& /Bot ,(llets&1
-h& That !as #ery" #ery tr(e& /Shot the+ off the sides" too&1 2erry reali5ed& /So yo( thin they%re o#er,earing
o,no)io(s ,(llies" ,(t only !illing to go so far to achie#e their goals=1
/H)actly&1 .ar !ent ,ac to her $late" !ith a satisfied loo& /Lnfort(nately&1 She looed ,ac ($& /They%re ($ against
an o#er,earing o,no)io(s ,(lly !ho !on%t sto$ (ntil she gets !hat she !ants&1 - !in& /-nd ' !ant a nice" $eacef(l
#acation&1
2erry coced her head" and tho(ght a,o(t that& /' don%t thin yo(%re o#er,earing and o,no)io(s" and yo(%re not a
,(lly&1 She finally stated $ositi#ely& /B(t ' do agree they%#e ,itten off +ore than they can che! !ith (s&1 She ga#e a
,ris nod" then ,it into a $ra!n and r(thlessly ri$$ed it fro+ its shell&
.ar +erely ch(cled" and shoo her head&
I1
GG
They had a s(r$rise !aiting !hen they got ,ac to their roo+& 2erry eyed the ,aset of flo!ers !arily" and ga#e .ar a
loo& /3o(%re the only $erson '%d !elco+e getting these fro+" ,(t '%+ g(essing they%re not fro+ yo(&1
.ar regarded the floral intr(der& /Bo&1 She e)a+ined the arrange+ent for a card& /' no! !hat ind of flo!ers yo( lie"
for one thing&1 She said& /T(li$s not ,eing one of the+& -h&1 She $l(ced a s+all s8(are of card,oard fro+ the lea#es
and held it to her head" closing her eyes& /The ans!er is? Bo,&1 She handed the card o#er !itho(t looing at it&
2erry sighed" taing the card and $eeing at it& /4an !e rent yo( o(t to Miss 4leo=1
.ar shoo her head& /2er" yo(%re 6(st going to ha#e to tell hi+ to ,ac off& 3o(%re taen&1 She ad#ised !ryly& /He%s
one of those g(ys !ho can%t $ict(re t!o !o+en together and thin anything other than @l(nch&%1
/3eah" ' no!&1 2erry la(ghed hel$lessly" re+o#ing the ,aset to the ta,le near the door and $lo$$ing do!n onto the
,ed& /' fig(red referring to yo( as +y $artner and saying this !as o(r delayed honey+oon !o(ld ha#e cl(ed hi+ in" ,(t
' g(ess not&1
.ar slid do!n ,eside her and $l(ced the card fro+ her fingers" tossing it o#er her sho(lder as she fo(nd so+ething lots
+ore interesting to concentrate on& /2no! !hat ' lie a,o(t these ,a!dy e)c(ses for c(t ($ ta,lecloths=1
/Tch&1 2erry s+oothed her hand o#er .ar%s hi$& /3o( loo c(te in it&1 She $rotested& /B(t no" !hat=1
.ar closed her teeth aro(nd one of the ties holding the !ra$ closed and t(gged on it" $(lling it loose& /They co+e off
easy&1 She $eeled one edge ,ac" e)$osing 2erry%s chest" then !ent for the lo!er tie& She $(lled it slo!ly" her eyes
tracing ($ 2erry%s ,ody to +eet her eyes& /See=1
2erry felt .ar%s hair ,r(sh against her thighs as she loosened the fastening and laid her ,ody ,are to the soft ,ree5e
co+ing in fro+ the !indo!& She eased ($ onto her el,o!s" !atching .ar%s ,ac arch as she $ro!led her !ay on ($&
/S!eetheart=1 2erry +(r+(red&
/3eees=1 .ar rested her chin against 2erry%s na#el&
/' !o(ld lo#e to s$end the ne)t fe! ho(rs ,eing ra#ished ,y yo(" ,(t don%t yo( thin !e sho(ld $ic ($ Mar%s st(ff
first=1
.ar sighed" a r(sh of #ery !ar+ air that ca(sed goose,(+$s to lift across 2erry%s ,reasts& /Bo&1 She gro!led softly&
/B(t?1 She slid all the !ay ($ 2erry%s ,ody" ,ringing a r(sh of ra! sens(ality !ith her and di$$ed her head to ca$t(re
2erry%s li$s for a long +o+ent& /' g(ess !e ha#e to&1
2erry no! regretted saying a !ord& She e)haled as .ar lifted herself ($ and off the ,ed" and rolled o#er" standing and
trotting after her as she !ent to the ,riefcase t(ced ,et!een the dresser and the !all& She !aited for .ar to (nloc the
to$" then slid her ar+s aro(nd her $artner and started $laying !ith the strings on .ar%s shift as she $(lled the la$to$ o(t
and $(t it on the ta,le&
/Tho(ght yo( !anted +e to set this ($&1 .ar glanced o#er her sho(lder&
/'%+ hel$ing&1 2erry (ntangled a ca,le" and $l(gged it in" still !ith her ar+s aro(nd .ar%s ,ody&
/-h&1 .ar ,ooted the la$to$" and fli$$ed it%s cell(lar antenna ($& /Tho(ght !e !eren%t ,ringing this=1
/3eah" ' no!&1 2erry $oed her head (nder .ar%s left ar+" !atching the screen& /B(t ' fig(red if so+e catastro$he did
ha$$en" and they did need (s" !e%d need this to do anything a,o(t it&1
/Good tho(ght&1
/-nd if they called (s for so+ething st($id" !e co(ld toss it o#er,oard" and +ae Mar get yo( a ne! one in that
sna55y ,l(e color yo( lie so +(ch&1 2erry fo(nd another string to t(g on" and .ar%s shift fell o$en as hers !as& /7o&&
nice desto$&1
/' co(ld $(t this one on&1 .ar cas(ally cliced a fe! eys" and re$laced her $eacef(l forest scene !ith one of 2erry on
the ,each&
Baed&
/HHH2A1 2erry sla$$ed at the +o(se$ointer&
/Heh&1 .ar relented" and s!itched ,ac to the forest& /3o(%re so c(te&1 She started the la$to$ into it%s dial($ ro(tine&
/Bo!&1 She t(rned aro(nd and gathered 2erry into her ar+s& /Before ' !as so r(dely interr($ted ,y logic" !here !as
'=1
I2
2erry $ressed her ,ody against .ar%s& /Here" ' thin&1 She !o(nd a hand aro(nd .ar%s nec and !as a,o(t to iss her
!hen a noc so(nded at the door& 2erry $a(sed" and looed at her $artner" then at the door in highly #isi,le o(trage&
/0hat the hec=1
/Hotel ,etter ,e on fire&1 .ar (ttered" the raised her #oice& /3eah=1
There !as a +o+ent of silence" then a #oice ans!ered& /H? hello= '%+ looing for 2erry=1
2erry fell for!ard against .ar%s chest and shoo her head& /Bo,&1
/Bo,&1 .ar re$eated& /3o( stay here& '%+ gonna ,o, Bo,&1 .ar headed for the door !ith deter+ined strides&
/-h&&,(&&,(? .arA1 2erry sc(ttled after her" gra,,ing hold of her loose shift and $(lling her to a halt& /0hoa?1
.ar t(rned" her eye,ro!s lifting in o(traged 8(estion&
2erry tied the shift closed& /Blind e(n(chs ha#e it to(gh in the 6o, +aret" s!eetie&1 She !his$ered& />et +e handle
hi+" oay=1 She ad6(sted her o!n dress and sli$$ed ahead of .ar" $(tting her hand on the door handle and t(rning it&
/3es=1 She leaned on the 6a+," o$ening the door 6(st !ide eno(gh to +ae eye contact&
/2erryA Great& ' fo(nd yo(&1 Bo, ,ea+ed& /4an ' co+e in=1
2erry got her tho(ghts in order" and ass(+ed one of her +ore no nonsense e)$ressions& /Bo," it%s late& 's there
so+ething yo( need= 0e%re $retty tired&1 She tried not to hear the lo!" #i,rant gro!l that !as ,(55ing the air ,ehind
her&
/' !as ho$ing !e co(ld tal&1 Bo, e)$lained" shyly&
7ay" 2er& .ar%s right& Polite ain%t c(tting it this ti+e& /-,o(t !hat=1 2erry ased&
The hall!ay !as e+$ty" tho(gh Bo, glanced to either side 6(st in case& He $(t his hands in his $ocets and +anaged an
al+ost engaging e)$ression& />oo? ' no! !e ,arely no! each other&& /
/Grrooo!!!!ll?1
2erry felt .ar +o#e closer" as the heat of her ,ody !ar+ed 2erry%s ,ac& /That%s right&1 She ans!ered Bo,& /0e
don%t&1
/B(t ' !as thining +ay,e !e co(ld see each other a fe! ti+es" yo( no!&& ' thin yo(%re a really&&1
/Bo,&1 2erry o$ened the door a little !ider" and straightened" holding ,oth hands o(t in a sto$$ing +otion& /Hold it&1
/Bo" ' no! yo(%re really +odest" ,(t ' thin&&1
/B7B&1 2erry%s #oice lifted&
He $eered at her an)io(sly& /3eah=1
/Than yo(" ,(t ' ha#e a significant other&1 2erry stated fir+ly& /7ne that '%+ #ery attached to&1
/;o!!!rrrll?&1 .ar%s gro!l t(rned to a $(rr&
Bo, too a ,reath" gi#ing her a deter+ined loo& /' fig(red yo( had a ,oyfriend" ,(t ' really thin !e can get to no!
each other ,etter" after all&&1
/Bo,&1 2erry sighed& /' don%t ha#e a ,oyfriend&1 She slo!ed her s$eech" en(nciating caref(lly& /' ha#e a $artner&1
His ,ro!s contracted in $(55le+ent& /- $artner=1
.ar%s $atience" ne#er really e)tensi#e" sna$$ed& She $oed her head a,o#e 2erry%s" as she raised a hand o#er her
sho(lder& /That !o(ld ,e +e&1
Bo, looed fro+ one to the other of the+" his head cocing to one side in $atent conf(sion&
2erry t(rned and looed at .ar& /See !hat ha$$ens !hen yo( eat too +(ch 0onder ,read=1 She ased her" then t(rned
,ac& /Bo," .ar and ' are lo#ers&1 She $ainf(lly clarified for hi+& /0e%re gay& -+ ' +aing a connection here=1
:ery slo!ly" co+$rehension da!ned& /7h&1 Bo, finally +(r+(red" t(rning a dee$" ,ric red& /Sorry& ' didn%t&& (+&&1
/'t%s oay&1 2erry no! felt a little sorry for hi+&
/7ay" !ell" then" ha#e a good night& '%+ sorry&1 Bo, said" ,acing a!ay& /Sorry&1 He esca$ed do!n the hall!ay"
al+ost crashing into the corner in his haste to get o(t of sight&
I3
/M+$h&1 .ar !atched the last of hi+ #anish" and iss(ed a satisfied gr(nt& /0hat an analog +indset&1
2erry n(dged her ,ac!ards and sh(t the door& /-!" he%s not that ,ad& He +eant !ell" .ar&1
/Bo he didn%t&1 .ar o,6ected& /2erry" did yo( hear !hat he said after yo( told hi+ yo( had an S7= He didn%t careA
0hat a cree$A1
2erry che!ed the inside of her li$& /H!& 3eah&1 She ad+itted& /That !as $retty s(55y&1
.ar shoo her head and a+,led o#er to !here the la$to$ had finished do!nloading& She $iced it ($ and too it to the
,ed" then rid herself of her shift and settled on the co#ers" e)tending her naed ,ody o(t as she st(died the screen& -fter
a second" she glanced ($ o#er the lcd and crooed a finger at 2erry& /4%+ere&1
2erry $(t tho(ghts of Bo, and his sc(55iness o(t of her +ind" and 6oined .ar in ,ed" re+o#ing her o!n clothing and
sn(ggling ($ ne)t to her lo#er& /0hat did he send=1
/>oo&1 .ar $ointed& They read together in silence" tanned faces o(tlined in the screen%s light&
GG
2erry !oe ($ first for a change the ne)t +orning& She let her eyes drift o$en as the s(nlight $o(red in" the slatted
!indo!s +aing stri$es across the ,ed& 9or a fe! +in(tes" she 6(st lay there in a la5y half do5e" !atching .ar%s chest
+o#e rhyth+ically& The s(n +ade the soft" fine hairs on her torso glisten" and 2erry r(,,ed her th(+, o#er a fe! of
the+ as she $ondered the infor+ation they%d gained the night ,efore&
She%d e)$ected? !ell" to ,e honest" she hadn%t really had any idea !hat to e)$ect& May,e that the ,ig ,lac ,oat and
the little !hite !iener follo!ing it !ere international 6e!el thie#es" or so+ething& 'nstead" !hat they%d disco#ered !as
that the ,oat !as o!ned ,y a !ealthy ,roer of art and collecta,les !ho !as no!n for his aggressi#e ac8(isition and
a(ction of 6(st a,o(t anything !orth good +oney he co(ld get his hands on&
Bothing illegal a,o(t that& 2erry n(55led .ar%s sho(lder" as her nostrils $iced ($ faint traces of cocon(t fro+ the
tanning oil she%d s$read all o#er .ar the day ,efore& B(t they%d read so+e cli$s a,o(t ho! the +an had forced his !ay
into e)ca#ations and ,o(ght ($ rights for sal#age" often taing #al(a,le goods o(t fro+ (nder the original" and
so+eti+es rightf(l o!ners eyes&
Cohn .eSalliers& Bot a nice g(y& B(t that !asn%t illegal either& 0hat 2erry co(ldn%t fig(re o(t !as !hy they%d ,een so
set on chasing after her and .ar& -fter all" if they co(ld get this infor+ation on !ho !as registered to that ,oat" it !as
6(st as easy for the ,lac ,oat to get the sa+e infor+ation a,o(t .ar&
/' 6(st don%t% get it&1 2erry sighed& -ll they%d done !as di#e on a decre$it !rec& S(rely they didn%t thin there !as
anything #al(a,le on an old fishing #essel did they= 0hy ,other=
't didn%t +ae sense&
Their friends 4hristina and C(an t(rned o(t to ,e registered $ri#ate detecti#es" a$$arently on a hefty retainer& They !ere
,oth #ery !ell off" and 4hristina !as a$$arently 8(ite the !ild !o+an of the !orld if yo( ,elie#ed the society gossi$
cli$s Mar had $(lled off of god only ne! !here&
B(t& 2erry e$t co+ing ,ac to that& 0hy ,other she and .ar= 'f yo( !ere looing for so+ething" !hy tae the ti+e
o(t to tangle !ith a $air of 'T e)ecs o(t on #acation= 't 6(st didn%t +ae sense&
/0hatcha fro!ning a,o(t=1 .ar%s #oice interr($ted her +(sing&
2erry tilted her chin ($ and looed at her ne!ly !oen $artner& /Trying to fig(re o(t !hat%s going on&1
/-hhh&1 .ar nodded sole+nly& /Ho! a,o(t !e fig(re o(t ,reafast first=1 She arched her ,ac and stretched& /9or one
thing" thining re8(ires +y ,rain to ,oot ($" and for another" '%+ not s(re ' !ant to !aste the syna$se firing on the+&1
/H#en after !hat ha$$ened the other night=1 2erry ased&
.ar shr(gged& /They ended ($ gro(nding their ,oat&1 She re+inded 2erry& /0e !on& 0hy $(sh it=1
2erry eased ($ onto an el,o! and st(died .ar& /3o(%re not c(rio(s as to !hy they did it=1 Her #oice rose in s(r$rise&
/7r !hat they%re after=1
-nother shr(g& /3es" '%+ c(rio(s" ,(t ' don%t no! that '%+ c(rio(s eno(gh to !aste $art of o(r #acation on tracing it
all do!n&1 .ar ans!ered honestly& /'f ' really !anna no!" ' can find o(t !hen !e get ho+e and +ae their li#es
retroacti#ely +isera,le&1
I4
2erry ran her fingers thro(gh her hair as she considered that& /0ell" yeah&1 She said& /' can see yo(r $oint there" ,(t
!hat if they do so+ething else=1
.ar half t(rned on her side to face 2erry" and $erched on an el,o!" +i+icing her $ost(re& /'%d say they%d ,e st($ider
than ' tho(ght they !ere" ,(t if they do" then !e ha#e to deal !ith it if it ha$$ens&1 She said& /B(t '%d rather forget a,o(t
the+ (ntil then&1
2erry%s ,ro! $(cered& /' don%t lie it&1 She ad+itted" thining a,o(t the angles as .ar !aited !ith co++enda,le
$atience for her& /' !ant to no! !hat they !ere ($ to" and !hy they !ere chasing (s" and !hat%s so i+$ortant a,o(t
that $atch of !ater&1
.ar rela)ed onto her ,ac and $(t her hands ,ehind her head& /7ay&1 She said& /Ho!=1
/H+=1
/-side fro+ chasing the+ do!n and de+anding they tell (s !hat they%re ($ to" ho! do yo( fig(re on finding o(t
!hat%s going on=1
2erry sat ($ cross legged" resting her el,o!s on her ,are nees& /0ell?1 She said" then sto$$ed&
/0e $lanning on follo!ing the+ aro(nd=1 .ar in8(ired" !ith a ,arest hint of a t!inle in her eyes&
/Bo&1 2erry shoo her head& /' g(ess yo(%re right& Lnless they a$$roach (s again" there%s really no !ay to do this&1
She looed ($ at .ar" !ho !as ga5ing ,ac at her& /3o(%#e already fig(red all this o(t" ha#en%t yo(=1
.ar $ointed a finger at her o!n chest& /Me=1
2erry $oed her in the ri,s& /3o(" little Ms& 'ce 4rea+ !on%t +elt in +y +o(th&1 She s$ra!led across .ar%s +iddle"
$inning her to the ,ed& /'t 6(st ,ites +y shorts to let those sc(r#ies 6(st +ess !ith (s and !al a!ay&1
/They didn%t&1 .ar re+inded her& /They%re $ro,a,ly laying o(t ten grand for $atched fi,erglass right no!" re+e+,er=1
/M+&1 2erry gr(nted& /B(t !on%t that +ae the+ !ant to get ,ac at (s=1
/May,e&1 .ar conceded& /' g(ess !e%ll 6(st ha#e to !ait and see&1
2erry ,o!ed gracef(lly to the logic of it& .ar%s $oints !ere good ones& Lnless they !ere !illing to get the local
a(thorities in#ol#ed and $ress charges of !hat ind she didn%t no!" there really !as no in#estigation they co(ld do
o(tside direct confrontation or so+e ,ac alley s(ling&
She didn%t feel lie s(ling" and !hile she had e#ery confidence that they co(ld $resent a #ery effecti#e direct
confrontation she (nderstood .ar%s rel(ctance to engage in conflict& /7ay&1 She agreed& /Bo!" !eren%t !e disc(ssing
,reafast=1
.ar grinned&
/Ho! a,o(t !e toss on so+e clothes and go foraging=1 2erry s(ggested& /' thin ' sa! a little $lace o(t ,y the ,each
!e co(ld try&1 She said& /;ight ne)t to the !inds(rfing area&1
/-h hah&1 .ar ch(cled good nat(redly& /' sense an (lterior +oti#e&1 She too hold of 2erry%s hand and held it" for no
$artic(lar reason other than !anting the contact& /' don%t !ant to hear yo( co+$laining tonight a,o(t getting ,o(nced
off the ocean the !hole day&1
2erry s+iled& /3eah" ,(t if ' !hine eno(gh" yo(%ll gi#e +e a +assage&1 She co(ntered& /Besides" +ay,e '%ll ha#e ,etter
l(c than ' did last ti+e& '%#e ,een doing so+e ($$er ,ody !or at the gy+&1
.ar%s eyes !andered o#er her ($$er ,ody" and a cheey grin a$$eared& /'%#e ne#er had a $ro,le+ !ith that $art of
yo(&1 She dra!led& /To hell !ith !inds(rfing&1
/0ench&1 2erry la(ghed& /3o( no! that%s not !hat ' +eant&1 She sat ($ and tensed ,oth ar+s" sho!ing off her
,ice$s& /See=1
-n e#en ,igger grin s$lit .ar%s face at the #ie!& 2erry%s ar+s and sho(lders had gotten +ore defined" ,(t the
e)$ression of (ninhi,ited self $ride on her face !as !hat really +ade .ar s+ile& /' s(re do see&1 She agreed" gi#ing
2erry%s leg a $at& /May,e yo(%ll ,e $(lling +y ,(tt o(t of the !ater this ti+e& 4%+on&1
They rolled off the ,ed together in a tangle" only ,arely getting their ,alance ,efore they ended ($ crashing into the
!all& Taing ad#antage of the !indo!s" they $eered o(t&
/Gorgeo(s day&1 2erry decided" seeing the ,right s(nlight and the ,ree5e ,lo!ing the ,ranches near,y& /B(t !e%re
gonna need s(nscreen&1
I*
/0ater$roof&1 .ar agreed" $icing ($ the ,ottle fro+ the dresser& /' slather yo(" yo( slather +e=1
/3o(%re on&1 2erry re$lied& /Then let%s go find so+e ,isc(its& '%+ star#ing&1
/0ith or !itho(t clothing=1
/.ar&1
/Heh heh&1
GG
2erry follo!ed .ar o(t onto the ,each" feeling her stride change as the +o#ed fro+ the !ooden ,oard!al into the
sand& /-h" nothing lie co+ing o(t to the islands to get so+e really e)otic c(isine&1 She co++ented&
.ar ch(cled& /' tho(ght the ,agels !ere $retty good&1
/They !ere&1 2erry agreed& /' 6(st ne#er fig(red on co+ing to St& Cohns" -:'" for ,agel and lo)&1
/Playing to the +aret$lace&1 .ar g(ided her do!n to!ards !here they !inds(rfing ,oards !ere staced& /3o( !ant to
stretch o(t for a fe! +in(tes" or start the tort(re no!=1
/Tch&1 2erry ,(+$ed her& /Hey" if yo( really don%t !ant to do this" !e don%t ha#e to&1
.ar%s li$s 8(ired& /Bah&1 She said& /' 6(st lie s$ending ti+e (nder the !ater +ore than sating on to$ of it& '%ll li#e&1
2erry eased in front of her as they reached the ios" +eeting the friendly grin of the +an ,ehind it !ith one of her
o!n& /T!o&1 She indicated herself" then .ar" then handed hi+ her credit card& /0e%#e done this ,efore&1
He too the+ thro(gh the safety drill any!ay" 2erry noted& Possi,ly ,eca(se he%d heard to(rists clai+ ,og(s e)$erience
,efore& She listened attenti#ely checing the rig o(t to +ae s(re there !asn%t anything ne! or (n(s(al on it& They%d
!inds(rfed se#eral ti+es ,efore < ,oth at the island" and the last ti+e they%d gone to 2ey 0est& 2erry had really
en6oyed it" tho(gh it had only ,een the last ti+e that she%d ,een a,le to tr(ly +aster the +ast !itho(t getting $(lled ,(tt
o#er teaettle ,y the !ind& /Thans&1 She acno!ledged the end of the instr(ctions and too hold of the cross,ar&
/;eady=1
.ar finished ins$ecting her ,oard" then nodded& /;eady&1 They +o#ed into the shallo!" crystal clear !ater side ,y side"
heading for the dee$er sections& /Bot that +(ch !ind today&1 .ar said&
/Hno(gh&1 2erry felt the ,ree5e fl(tter her hair& They !ere ,oth dressed in shortie !ets(its" and she !as looing
for!ard to getting into dee$er !ater ,eca(se the neo$rene !as getting $retty !ar+ in the s(n&
't had taen her ti+e to get (sed to !earing the s(,stance" and to get (sed to the s+ell of it& The !ets(its fit sn(gly"
5i$$ed ($ the ,ac" and after she%d taen the ti+e to ,rea hers in" had gotten $retty co+forta,le& They did tend to
s8(ea a ,it !hen dry" tho(gh" and (nless yo( !ere in the !ater" they !ere ca$a,le of s!eating $o(nds off yo( if yo(
!eren%t caref(l&
Their s(its !ere +ostly ,lac" ,(t hers had $(r$le sho(lders and ar+s" and a flash of ,right orange do!n each side&
.ar%s in addition to ,eing older and +ore ,roen in" had a so,erly gray yoe aro(nd her nec" !ith dar ,l(e $i$ing&
They reached dee$er !ater" and 2erry too the o$$ort(nity to d(c (nder the !a#es" letting the cool ocean $enetrate
her s(it and cool her off& She stayed lie that for a +o+ent" then e+erged" shaing her hair o(t of her eyes and s$raying
!ater across the crystal green" shi++ering s(rface&
/Be caref(l&1 .ar ga#e her a $at on the ,ehind" as she +o#ed a little a!ay and $re$ared to get on her ,oard&
/3es" +o+&1 2erry s$lashed her& /3o( ,e caref(l too& .on%t fall on a 6ellyfish lie last ti+e&1
.ar st(c her tong(e o(t" then ,oosted herself ($ onto her !ind,oard and got her feet set into the $ocets" ,efore she
reached do!n and lifted the sail ($& The !ind ca(ght the nylon at once" and filled it !ith a fl(ttering r(stle& />ast one
do!n the ,each has to ,(y the ,eer&1 She yelled ,ac&
/3o( s(nA1 2erry scra+,led ($ onto her ,oard" catching her ,alance caref(lly ,efore she atte+$ted to $(ll the
hinged sail ($& That !as the to(ghest $art" really < once it !as ($" yo( co(ld (se yo(r !eight to ee$ it ($" ,(t $(lling it
against the drag of the sea and the !ind really +ade 2erry glad she%d s$ent the e)tra ti+e in the gy+ recently& /0hen '
catch yo(" yo(%re s(nA Hear +eAA1
.ar%s la(ghter floated ,ac&
/3o( la(gh no!" .i)iec($&1 2erry felt the !ind fill her sail" and the !ater started to slide ,y (nder her& /'f ' !in"
yo(%re gonna o!e +e a lot +ore than ,eerAAA1
II
GG
The ,each ,ar !as an o$en" tii ty$e str(ct(re" !ith a ,arto$ +ade of a slice of !ood taen right o(t of the heart of
so+e nati#e tree& .ar and 2erry entered fro+ the ,each side and settled on stools ne)t to each other in the +oderately
,(sy $lace&
/4an ' get so+ething for yo(=1 The ,artender leaned on the other side of the ,ar fro+ the+&
.ar $a(sed in the +idst of (n5i$$ing her !ets(it& /Get the lady a nice" cold ,eer&1 She indicated her co+$anion& /Pina
colada for +e&1 She added& /Since '%+ ,(ying&1
/Heh&1 2erry s+ired& She $(lled the 5i$$er do!n on her o!n !ets(it and $eeled the ($$er $art off" letting it dra$e
do!n o#er her lo!er ,ody& They !ere ,oth !ind and s(n,(rned" and lightly d(sted !ith sand collected on the !al ($
fro+ the ,each& 2erry rested her ar+s on the ,ar and re#eled in the sensation of ,eing a tr(e ,each rat" if only for a
+o+ent& /'f yo( ha#e anything a+,er" on draft" that !o(ld ,e great&1 She told the ,artender&
/Gotcha&1 The ,oy grinned at her" and t(rned ,ac to the ta$s&
.ar $(lled her !ets(it do!n and ad6(sted the stra$ on the s!i+s(it she !as !earing (nderneath& /' sho(lda no!n '
didn%t ha#e a chance if there !as ,eer in the deal&1 She ran ,oth hands thro(gh her da+$ hair and grinned& /0hat !as
that ho$$ing a,o(t" any!ay=1
2erry stretched o(t her ar+s" feeling a $leasant ache in her sho(lders& /' tho(ght ' sa! a dol$hin&1 She confessed" !ith
a ch(cle& /' didn%t !ant to hit it& 9elt lie ' !as on a ,(cing horse for a +in(te there" tho(gh&1
/-hh?1 .ar glanced ($ at the +en(& /3o( ($ for a ,(rger=1
2erry heard her sto+ach gro!l at the +ere s(ggestion& 't !as late afternoon" and ,reafast see+ed a #ery long ti+e
ago& /S(re&1 She grinned at the frosty +(g the ,artender $l(ned do!n in front of her" and t(gged it closer" taing a
si$& 't !as n(tty" and #ery cold and she sighed ha$$ily as .ar ordered the+ ,oth l(nch& /0hat a great day&1
.ar !as ,(sy che!ing the $inea$$le fro+ her drin& She s!allo!ed and t(rned to!ard 2erry& /That !as a lot of f(n&1
She ad+itted& /' can see !hy yo( !ant one of the +otori5ed ones&1
/7h yeahA1 2erry sat ($ and +i+iced holding the control rod& /:roo+A :roo+A1
/0ild !o+an&1 .ar offered her the cherry fro+ her drin& /Here&1
2erry too the fr(it neatly ,et!een her teeth and $l(ced it fro+ it%s ste+& /Bo fair&1 She s(ced the cherry and rolled it
aro(nd in her +o(th& /' don%t ha#e one to gi#e yo(&1
.ar%s eyes t!inled !icedly" and 2erry reali5ed !hat she%d 6(st said& She che!ed and s!allo!ed the cherry" then
st(c her no! reddish colored tong(e o(t at .ar& /7f co(rse" yo(%#e al!ays had +ine any!ay&1
/-he+&1 .ar cleared her throat slightly" glancing aro(nd as her sin t(rned a fraction of a shade darer&
/7h" >ord& .on%t tell +e ' 6(st +ade yo( ,l(sh&1 2erry lo!ered her #oice" s+othered a ch(cle&
/'%+ not ,l(shing&1 .ar reasse+,led her dignity& /'t%s s(n,(rn&1
/Lh h(h&1 2erry snicered& /' see that ,l(sh&1
/'t%s not a ,l(sh&1
/Heh&1
.ar rested her el,o! on the ,ar and half t(rned on her stool" ass(+ing a #ery sed(cti#e loo as her eyes slo!ly" la5ily
+ade their !ay fro+ the ti$s of 2erry%s toes ($ to her to$ of her ,lond head&
By the ti+e she hit 2erry%s chest" it !as ,right $in& /Bo! that&1 .ar +et her eyes" lengthening the !ords o(t to a
so(thern dra!l& /'s a ,l(sh&1 She reached o#er and $(t her finger on 2erry%s nose" !hich !rinled as her lo#er co(ldn%t
$re#ent herself fro+ s+iling&
/3o(%re s(ch a tro(,le+aer&1 2erry sighed&
/3o( started it&1 .ar t(rned ,ac aro(nd and too another si$ of her drin as they !atched their $aste(ri5ed $rocess
+il $rod(ct and half $o(nd of cho$$ed ani+al $rotein ,eco+e a $air of nicely cooed cheese,(rgers acco+$anied ,y
so+ething called island fries& .ar ins$ected one" and fo(nd it to ,e a 9rench fry !ith a coating of s$ices and cocon(t&
/M+&1
IJ
2erry centered a slice of to+ato on the to$ of her ,(rger and $laced lett(ce o#er that" then da,,ed so+e etch($ and
+ayonnaise on the ,(n ,efore she re$laced it& She !as a,o(t to $ic it ($ and tae a ,ite !hen +otion ca(ght her
attention fro+ the corner of her eye& /Lh oh&1 She n(dged .ar in the ri,s&
.ar looed ($" $a(sing in +id +(nch as she s$otted the s+all gro($ of $eo$le !aling across fro+ the docs& Three
!o+en and t!o +en" their clothing in so+e disarray !ere ,eing escorted ,y t!o $olice+en& They see+ed #ery
agitated" and one of the +en had his ar+ aro(nd one of the !o+en in a $rotecti#e attit(de& /H(h& 0onder !hat that%s all
a,o(t=1
/-nother one=1 The ,artender n(dged one of the !aitresses" !ho had 6(st co+e to $ic ($ a ,ar order&
/3eah&1 The girl shoo her head& /4ara5y $irates& .e#ils" ' thin&1 She $iced ($ her tray and !aled off&
/Pirates=1 2erry leaned for!ard" $ro6ecting her #oice&
The ,artender 6(+$ed a little" then t(rned& /7h" it%s nothing" +a%a+? !e !ere 6(st?1
/C(st not !anting to scare (s" yes" ,(t !hat a,o(t the $irates=1 2erry interr($ted hi+&
He looed lie he%d ,een ca(ght in headlights that ,arely e)isted on St& Cohn& /Ma%a+?1 His eyes shifted aro(nd" ,(t
+ost of the $atrons !ere at ta,les eating& .ar and 2erry !ere the only ones on that side of the ,ar& 0ith a second
caref(l loo" he sidled o#er& /0e%re not s($$osed to tal a,o(t it&1 He e)$lained&
/S(re&1 .ar said& /3o( don%t !ant to scare off the to(rists&1
/3eah&1 The ,oy grinned& /Glad yo( (nderstand&1
/0e%re not to(rists&1 2erry s+iled at hi+ /So don%t !orry a,o(t it& Tell (s a,o(t the $irates&1
;eass(red" the ,artender leaned on his el,o! near the+& /Been si) hi6acings this +onth&1 He told the+& /Boats co+in
in" they get $(lled o#er ,y these g(ys" and !ha$& Bo +ore ,oat" no credit cards" no cash" yo( na+e it&1
.ar and 2erry e)changed glances& /0o!&1 2erry said" finally& /Bo !onder yo( don%t !ant it to get o(t&1
/Big +oney" yo( no!=1 The ,oy shr(gged& /They 6(st ,een l(cy& Bo ,ody got h(rt so far&1 He looed ($ as his
na+e !as called& /Sc(se +e&1
2erry let her !rists rest on the ,ar& /Good grief" .arA1
.ar !atched the gro($ cross into the resort ,(ilding" a concerned loo on her face& /Ho! in the hell can they not tell
$eo$le=1 She said" in an o(traged tone& /There sho(ld ha#e ,een a god da+ned tra#el ad#isory at leastA1
/Si) hi6acings=1 2erry shoo her head in dis,elief& /' no! it%s to(gh on the econo+y" ,(t? Ces(sA1
.ar interlaced her fingers" leaning her chin against the+& Her eyes flicered ra$idly o#er the interior of the ,ar" a
s(dden intensity to her de+eanor a,sent +o+ents ,efore" yet #ery fa+iliar to 2erry& /Those $eo$le co(ld ha#e ,een
(s&1 She fro!ned&
/0ell&1 2erry too a ,ite of her ,(rger& /'t al+ost !as" .ar" e)ce$t it !as yo( they !ere chasing not the+" and yo(
don%t $(t ($ !ith $irates" right=1
/M+$h&1 .ar +(ttered& /.oesn%t +ae sense? that g(y%s too $(,lic to ,e a $irate" and 4harlie said?&1 She sto$$ed
s$eaing for a +o+ent& /0hat !as he trying to say=1 She contin(ed softly& /May,e he !as !rong& May,e this g(y%s
really r(nning the $irates&1
2erry ni,,led a fry& /0hy=1 She ased& /.ar" this g(y%s !orth +illions" if that data is right& 0hy r(n a ,(nch of ,oat
hi6acers in the 4ari,,ean= ' +ean" yeah" oay < the ,oats are e)$ensi#e" ,(t can yo( i+agine !hat it taes to do one
o#er so yo( co(ld sell it= -nd ho! +(ch cash or 6e!elry co(ld theses g(ys ,e carrying any!ay= 't doesn%t add ($&1
.ar sco!led&
/0ell" it doesn%t&1 2erry +(r+(red&
/' no!" ' no!&1 .ar said& /B(t !hat are the odds that !e get chased do!n ,y so+eone !ho isn%t $art of the lo!life
sc(+ chasing do!n other e)$ensi#e ,oats in the area=1
/H+&1 2erry sighed& /3eah" that is ind of a coincidence&1 She lifted her +(g and too a fe! s!allo!s& /.o yo( thin
!e sho(ld tell the $olice a,o(t !hat ha$$ened" tho(gh= Hs$ecially since !e no! !ho did it=1
.ar too a fe! +in(tes to finish off her cheese,(rger ,efore she ans!ered" !hich also ga#e her ti+e to consider the
8(estion& /' don%t no!&1 She finally ad+itted& /'f the !ord%s o(t not to tell anyone" ho! relia,le are the $olice=1
IK
/May,e they%re not the ones !ho are $(tting the lid on&1
/May,e&1 .ar +(r+(red& /'f !e do tell the+" then !hat= 0e%re not going to $ress charges" not o(t here at any rate&1
/He co(ld ,(y the+ off any!ay&1 2erry re$lied" !ith hard earned se$ticis+& /B(t at least" if the $olice no!" then if
they are really trying to find these g(ys" they%ll ha#e the infor+ation&1
/0o(ld it +ae yo( feel ,etter=1 .ar 8(eried& /Telling the+=1
2erry nodded" then her li$s 8(ired a ,it& /Besides" !hile !e%re telling the+ !hat ha$$ened to (s" +ay,e !e can get
the+ to tell (s !hat%s going on&1
.ar%s eye,ro!s lifted" and she ga#e 2erry an a$$ro#ing loo& /Good $oint&1 She conceded&
2erry ,le! on her nails" then ,(ffed the+ on her o!n ,are sho(lder& /Besides" they ha#e so+ething else in co++on&1
She added serio(sly& /Those g(ys" and the $irates < according to o(r friend the ,artender" no one got h(rt in the
hi6acings&1
/C(st lie !ith (s&1 .ar +(sed& /7nce they had the ,oats" they co(ld ha#e 6(st illed the+&1
2erry nodded& /Bot left !itnesses ali#e&1 She said& /0ho no!s" .ar& May,e this g(y%s got so+e angle on all this&
May,e he?1 Her i+agination iced in& /May,e he%s taing these ,oats" re#a+$ing the+" and selling the+ for t!ice
!hat they%re !orth to the sa+e g(ys ,(ying that art st(ff fro+ hi+&1
/H+&1 .ar s(ced on her stra!" considering the $ossi,ility& /'t !o(ld ,e the right +aret&1 She said& /More +oney
than ,rains&1
2erry ch(cled& /3o( no!" '%#e got relati#es lie that&1 She said& /'n fact" yo( +et +ost of the+&1 - ri$$le tra#eled
thro(gh her at the !ords" as she recogni5ed a certain sense of distance on hearing the+& The ra!ness she%d felt o#er her
father%s death" and the (gliness she%d faced !ith her fa+ily after!ard !as easing" she reali5ed&
/S%oay&1 .ar ga5ed at her 8(ietly& /3o( +et +y contri,(tions to the fo(r ,it gene $ool too&1
Tr(e& '+$(lsi#ely" 2erry reached across the to$ of the ,ar and clas$ed .ar%s hand" s8(ee5ing it ,riefly then letting it to&
/7(r fa+ily doesn%t ha#e that $ro,le+& H#en o(r dog is a geni(s&1
.ar ch(cled& /'%ll re+ind yo( of that !hen she steals yo(r socs the ne)t ti+e&1 She glanced aro(nd the ,ar& /3o(
done=1
2erry nodded& />et%s go find so+e tro(,le&1 She slid off the stool and follo!ed .ar o(t of the tii ,ar" as they headed
to!ards the +ain resort ,(ilding&
GG
.ar (nloced the door to their roo+ and $(shed it o$en& /Might as !ell get changed first&1 She co++ented& /' hate
taling to co$s in a sandy !ets(it&1
2erry sli$$ed $ast her and !aled right o(t onto the $orch" stri$$ing co+$letely o(t of her !ets(it and lea#ing it on
one of the chairs inside o(t& /Gi#e +e yo(rs" and '%ll rinse it&1 She called ,ac o#er her sho(lder&
/S(re&1 .ar $(lled the neo$rene s(it off and sl(ng it o#er her sho(lder" then she sto$$ed" and looed aro(nd" !arned ,y
a faint $ricling of her senses& The roo+ !as neat" as they%d left it < only the freshly +ade ,ed an indication that the
+aids had ,een in to tidy ($&
Beither she or 2erry tended to lea#e things o(t" and ,efore they%d left they%d ,oth t(ced things a!ay either in the
dra!er" or in their ,ags& So nothing !as o(t of $lace&
-nd yet& .ar fro!ned" then looed ($ as 2erry st(c her head ,ac inside& /Here&1 She !aled o#er and handed her the
!ets(it& /So+ething%s ,(gging +e a,o(t this $lace&1
2erry d(ced o(tside" then eased her entire ,ody ,ac in the roo+" standing inside and !atching .ar c(rio(sly& /0hat
is it=1
.ar t(rned in a circle& /'%+ not s(re&1 Her eyes s!e$t the roo+" searching for !hate#er it !as that !as ,othering her&
Bothing !as +issing" e#erything !as right !here she%d left it" incl(ding her la$to$ sitting on the ta,le" it%s theft la,el
!arning ,old on the o(tside&
4(rio(sly" she !aled o#er and fli$$ed the to$ ($" ,reaing the login se8(ence and rattling off a series of co++ands to
the o$erating syste+& Bo" the +achine hadn%t ,een to(ched since they%d left& 't !asn%t the co+$(ter" it !asn%t their
things?
IM
Then she reali5ed" it !asn%t so+ething #is(al at all& Her nose t!itched and the alien scent she%d detected ca+e ,ac to
her as her +ind tried to identify it& /3o( s+ell that=1
2erry ste$$ed inside" and sh(t the o(tside door& /S+ell !hat" hon=1
.ar !a#ed her hand #ag(ely& /'n the roo+& So+ething that isn%t (s&1
;esisting the (rge to !al o#er and chec .ar for fe#er" 2erry d(tif(lly sniffed at the air& /0ell" ' can s+ell salt !ater"
neo$rene" and s(nscreen& ' g(ess that%s (s" right=1
.ar nodded&
2erry !aled aro(nd near the ,ed& /Sorry" .ar& ' don%t?1 She $a(sed& /0ait" yo( +ean that sort of roseish" alchoholy
ind of s+ell=1 't see+ed #ag(ely fa+iliar" ,(t nothing really $o$$ed into her +ind as to !hy&
/3eah&1 .ar circled near the dresser& /'t%s strongest here&1 She stated $ositi#ely&
/0hat is it=1 2erry ased& /'t%s not cleaning sol(tion& ' no! !hat that s+ells lie& -ll hotels (se the sa+e ind&1
/Perf(+e&1 .ar re$lied 8(ietly& /7(r little friend 4hristina%s $erf(+e&1
2erry stared at her& /-re yo( s(re=1 She ased& /' didn%t e#en notice she !as !earing any&1 7ne ,lond eye,ro! lifted
slightly&
/' noticed&1 .ar re$lied& /Beca(se ' hate the ,rand& 't%s the sa+e one Hleanor (ses&1
/-hA1 Bingo& 2erry sla$$ed her head& /Bo !onder it see+ed fa+iliar&1 She $a(sed& /-re yo( saying she !as here in
o(r roo+=1
.ar sat do!n on the ,ed" letting her el,o!s rest on her nees& /4an%t thin of any !ay for her $erf(+e to get here
!itho(t her" so yeah&1
/H!&1
/3eah&1 .ar fro!ned& /'%+ going to go chec the ,oat&1 She got ($ and headed for the door&
/.ar&1 2erry had (n5i$$ed .ar%s o#ernight ,ag& /Here? not that ' +ind yo( stor+ing aro(nd lie an esca$ee fro+ the
s!i+s(it co+$etition of the Ms& -ggressi#e -+erica" ,(t&&1 She tossed her lo#er a long ,lac t-shirt !ith a snarling
tiger on it&
/Thans&1 .ar $(lled the shirt on o#er her ,athing s(it and $iced ($ the $o(ch she%d carried their eys in& /Be right
,ac&1
/Be caref(l&1 2erry called after her" !atching as the door sh(t ,ehind .ar& 9or a +o+ent she 6(st stood there" then she
$(t her hands on her hi$s and shoo her head& /Boy" this s(cs&1 She o$ened her o!n ,ag and riffled thro(gh it%s
contents" !ondering !hat the cree$y !o+an had ,een looing for& They%d only $aced a fe! shirts" their s(its" and
so+e other cas(al !ear in their ,ags" and e#en the +ost a#id of detecti#es $ro,a,ly co(ldn%t ha#e gotten +(ch
infor+ation fro+ their choice of ,athroo+ toiletries other than the fact that they had a $reference for +int tooth$aste
and a$ricot ,ody scr(,&
7f co(rse" the la$to$ !as a co+$lete +ine of infor+ation" ,(t it +ight as !ell ha#e ,een in 9ort 2no) for all the good it
co(ld ha#e done anyone& The sec(rity on the +achine" !hich held the eys to the co+$any !as so anally e)tensi#e e#en
Mar co(ldn%t ,rea into it& H#en re+o#ing the hard dri#e !o(ldn%t do a thing for yo( < !itho(t .ar%s encry$tion
algorith+s" the data !as scra+,led $ast reco#ery and she ne#er e$t +(ch locally any!ay&
So !hat had they ,een looing for=
Then another tho(ght occ(rred to her& 0hat if they hadn%t ,een looing for anything= 0hat if they%d $lanted a ,(g=
/Son of a ,itch&1 2erry sat do!n and fli$$ed the la$to$ o$en" starting and !aiting for the login to co+e ($& 0hen it
did" she logged in" !aited for it to #alidate her" then started ($ the ,road s$ectr(+ data analy5er $rogra+ .ar e$t on
the dri#e&
B(gs !eren%t really that co+$le)" and one of the first things .ar had ta(ght her !as ho! to find the+& She%d felt a little
f(nny no!ing ho! fre8(ent their (se !as in their $artic(lar trade" ,(t co+$etition !as fierce" and sales+en !ere not
a,o#e (sing the+ to get any ad#antage they co(ld&
.ar" she%d ,een told" ne#er ,othered !ith the+& So+eti+es !hen she ne! they !ere there" she%d ha#e f(n !ith the+
and $ass along the +ost o(tlandish infor+ation" !aiting for it to co+e ,ac in a ,id +eeting !hich it so+eti+es did&
J0
The $rogra+ started ($" and she config(red it" setting it to scan (sing t!o s$eciali5ed $orts for all fre8(encies across the
,and!idth (sed for radio trans+ission& She started it r(nning and $ro$$ed her chin on her fist" !aiting& 3o( co(ld do
this !ith cell $hones too" and anything else that (sed electronic signals that !ent thro(gh the air lie !ireless net!ors"
!hich !as !hat the $rogra+ had really ,een designed to analy5e&
't sho!ed nothing" (ntil she started reciting the $ledge of allegiance& Then the $rogra+ $iced ($ scans on t!o
fre8(encies" and 2erry shoo her head in irritation& She left the $rogra+ r(nning and slo!ly !aled aro(nd" contin(ing
her s$eech and !atching the screen& Bear the ornate la+$" the signal $eaed& 2erry regarded the la+$" then she si+$ly
(n$l(gged it" $iced it ($" and carried it o(tside& She set it on the $orch" in the far corner" and !ent ,ac inside&
Bo! the $rogra+ sho!ed a clean scan again& 2erry ga#e it the acid test < she started singing& H#en at her to$ #ol(+e"
the scan re+ained 8(iet& 0ith a nod of satisfaction" she !ent ,ac o(tside and $iced ($ the s+all hose attached to the
s$igot" t(rning the !ater on and rinsing off their !ets(its !ith caref(l thoro(ghness&
There !as nothing& 2erry s$rayed the insides of the s(its& Bothing on earth that s+elled !orse than a dirty !ets(it&
-fter a +o+ent" she glanced o#er" then s$rayed the la+$ for good +eas(re& H)ce$t s(55y rose !ater !earing
o,no)io(s detecti#es&
GG
.ar headed for the docs" a!are of a gro!ing anger in her g(ts& She hadn%t ,een asing for tro(,le o(t here" in fact"
she%d gone o(t of her !ay to a#oid it" ,(t da+n it" the ,astards e$t co+ing after the+ and no! she !as starting to get
really $issed off a,o(t it&
She +ade her !ay do!n to!ards the sli$ they%d doced in and (sed the ey she%d ,een gi#en to (nloc the steel gate
that ,loced off the sli$& 't a$$eared (ndist(r,ed" ,(t so had their hotel roo+ door" and .ar !asn%t st($id eno(gh to
thin !hoe#er got $aid off to let the sli+e,ags in there hadn%t also done the sa+e for the gate&
The ,oat !as floating 8(ietly tied to it%s $ylons" the (+,ilicals $l(gged into docside $o!er to r(n the fe! things
they%d left on lie the refrigerator& .ar ste$$ed onto the dec and dro$$ed do!n onto the stern" looing caref(lly aro(nd
,efore she !ent to the ca,in door&
't !as a s+all ,rass loc" not really intended for serio(s sec(rity" and .ar fitted her ey in and t(rned it !itho(t
enco(ntering any resistance& She $eered at the ,rass $late" then $(shed the ca,in door o$en and sli$$ed inside" closing
the door 8(icly after her&
-nd" at once" she rela)ed& C(st as the faintest hints of strange $erf(+e had triggered her senses in the hotel roo+" the
a,sence of anything she hadn%t e)$ected reass(red her here& .ar ins$ected the interior any!ay" +o#ing into the #ery
front of the ,o!" then checing the +aster ,edroo+ !here the scent" since the hatches !ere closed" !as definitely #ery
fa+iliar to her& /0ell&1 She s$oe into the silence& />ong as '%+ here" +ight as !ell sho!er and change&1
She !ent to the dresser and too o(t a $air of stone !ashed shorts o#eralls and a dar ,l(e shirt" lea#ing the+ on the
,ed as she !ent into the ,athroo+ and fli$$ed the !ater on& Sliding o(t of her s!i+s(it" she d(ced (nder the !ater"
and 8(icly scr(,,ed the salt off her sin&
- +o+ent +ore" and she%d rinsed the soa$ o(t of her hair" and !as ste$$ing o(t of the sho!er" t(rning off the !ater and
gra,,ing one of the to!els dra$ed o#er the holder in the s+all s$ace& She dried herself off and !ra$$ed the to!el
aro(nd her" then e+erged and headed ,ac to the ,edroo+&
Bo! that she !as s(re the ,oat !as sec(re" she started considering ,oth !hat had ha$$ened" and her o$tions& She
dressed as she tho(ght" t(cing the shirt into her o#eralls and ,(cling the sho(lder stra$s& 0hen she finished" she
re#ie!ed the res(lts in the +irror& /4(te and conser#ati#e& 3o(%re starting to loo lie 2erry&1 .ar sighed" then
(nsna$$ed one of the sho(lder stra$s and let the front of the gar+ent hang raishly half do!n& /That%s ,etter&1 She
added her !ra$aro(nd s(nglasses" then gr(nted" satisfied !ith changes&
Passing ,ac o(t thro(gh the li#ing area" she $a(sed" then sidetraced to the e8(i$+ent locer& She o$ened the to$"
+o#ing aside 2erry%s shotg(n to get to a ,l(e +il crate (nderneath& 'nside there !as a thic $iece of hardened steel
chain" !hich she $(lled o(t" and a $adloc& She loo$ed the chain aro(nd her nec and $iced ($ the $adloc" hefting it
as she left the ca,in and loced the door ,ehind her&
7n the dec" she $a(sed" acno!ledging her territorial reaction o#er the ,oat& 't !asn%t as if they had anything tr(ly
#al(a,le on ,oard < or e#en that $ersonal" ,(t she regarded this #essel as $art of their $ri#ate s$ace and the tho(ght of
anyone in#ading it +ade her hacles stand right ($&
J1
0ith a slight snort" she ste$$ed ($ onto the side of the ,oat" then lea$ed to the doc" landing lightly and $adding
,arefoot ,ac ($ to the gate& She slo!ed as she a$$roached it" hearing #oices on the other side" then sto$$ed !hen she
recogni5ed one of the+ as C(an 4arlos&
He !as standing !ith a sec(rity g(ard on the other side of the gate" and they ,oth sto$$ed s$eaing !hen they looed
thro(gh the ,ars and s$otted .ar&
.ar leaned on the gate and stared steadily at the+ fro+ ,ehind her s(nglasses& /So+ething ' can do for yo(=1 She
ased" in a tone (s(ally reser#ed for ,(dget +eetings&
The sec(rity g(ard looed" if anything" relie#ed& /Ma%a+" this gentle+an !as asing to ,e let into yo(r sli$&1
/0hy=1 .ar e$t her stare on C(an 4arlos" !ho !as stone faced&
/Sir=1 The sec(rity g(ard t(rned to hi+ 8(estioningly&
/' ha#e reason to ,elie#e so+e of +y $ro$erty is there&1 C(an 4arlos said" s+oothly& /' !ish to loo&1
/Then call the co$s&1 .ar re$lied cal+ly& /9ile charges" and let the+ get a search !arrant instead of trying to ,(lly the
staff into doing so+ething yo(" and they&& / She ga#e the g(ard a loo& /2no! is illegal&1
/This does not ha#e to get nasty&1 The detecti#e said&
/'t already is&1 .ar said& /-nd it%s going to get a lot nastier !hen ' get o#er to this resort%s cor$orate offices" and file a
co+$laint not only for this" ,(t ,eca(se they let yo(r little $artner into o(r hotel roo+&1
'+$erce$ti,ly" the sec(rity g(ard edged closer to .ar" and f(rther a!ay fro+ C(an 4arlos&
/Ms& ;o,erts" ' do not thin yo( no! !ho yo( are dealing !ith&1
.ar s+iled" then she $(lled off her glasses and $inned hi+ !ith a stare& /Bo&1 Her #oice dro$$ed to a lo! r(+,le& /'
don%t thin yo( no! !ho Gyo(%reG dealing !ith&1 She $(lled the gate o$en and e+erged onto the doc& /So tae yo(r
sli+y ,oss" yo(r stiny $artner" and !hate#er idiotic ,(siness yo(%re in#ol#ed !ith and get all of it o(t of +y sight
(nless yo( !ant +ore tro(,le than yo( no! !hat to do !ith landing right on yo(r ass&1 She $ointed at C(an 4arlos%
chest& /Bo! +o#e it&1
/'f yo( force (s to tae this to the a(thorities" yo( !ill regret it&1 He said" a$$arently (ninti+idated& /' can get a search
!arrant" and ' !ill&1 He t(rned and !aled slo!ly a!ay" ass(+ing an air of cas(al disinterest&
.ar shoo her head& /0hat a +oron&1 She t(rned and !ra$$ed the chain aro(nd the gate& /Ho! +(ch !as he offering
yo( to let hi+ in=1 She ased s(ddenly" t(rning to the g(ard !ho !as still standing there !atching her&
The g(ard had the grace to loo e+,arrassed&
/4%+on&1 .ar leaned on the gate& /Pencil nec lie hi+ !o(ldn%t scare so+eone lie yo(&1
The g(ard shifted his ,ra!ny sho(lders" res$onding to the co+$li+ent !ith a shee$ish grin& /T!enty dollars&1 He
ad+itted& /He !as a,o(t to go to fifty !hen yo( !aled ($&1
/4hea$sate&1 .ar finished $(tting the loc on the gate" closing it !ith a distinct clic& She o$ened the $o(ch she !as
carrying and re+o#ed t!o ,ills" reaching o#er and sliding the+ into the g(ard%s hai shirt $ocet& His eyes !idened at
the a+o(nt& /' can ,(y his ,oss for $etty cash&1 .ar said& /So yo( tell e#eryone if they get an offer fro+ the+" loo +e
($ first& '%ll do ,etter&1
/3es" +a%a+A1 The g(ard res$onded enth(siastically& /'%ll +ae s(re e#eryone no!sA1 He ga#e her a little !a#e" then
trotted off do!n the doc" taing a +o+ent to e)a+ine the contents of his $ocet as he ran&
.ar d(sted her hands off" then follo!ed hi+& /0hen yo( care eno(gh to ,(y the #ery ,est?1 She +(ttered" shaing
her head& Bo! things !ere getting to the $oint !here she ne! she had to do so+ething a,o(t the+& The 8(estion !as"
!hat=
0ell& .ar considered" as she !aled& Ls(ally she sol#ed $ro,le+s ,y c(tting to the chase and going to the #ery to$& She
didn%t no! !here Cohn .eSalliers !as" ,(t she ,et if she !ent high eno(gh either at this resort" so+eone did&
-nd she ,et she co(ld +ae the+ tell her&
GG
2erry ran a ,r(sh thro(gh her da+$ hair" $eering at her reflection in the roo+%s +irror& She%d sho!ered and sli$$ed into
a $air of neatly $ressed hai shorts !ith a $ristine" !hite tshirt t(ced into the+& The fa,ric +ade a nice contrast !ith
J2
her tan" and she s+iled ,ac at the face in the +irror as she $(lled her chain o(t and let the ring threaded on it rest
against the hollo! of her throat&
The so(nd of the door (nlocing +ade her loo aro(nd" and she ste$$ed ,ac fro+ the +irror as it s!(ng in!ard"
ad+itting .ar%s tall fig(re& /Hey&1
.ar t(rned a $air of stor+y ,l(e eyes on her" then $(t a finger to her li$s&
/-lready fo(nd it&1 2erry re$lied in a nor+al tone of #oice& /'t%s o(tside&1 She ste$$ed for!ard and gladly acce$ted the
heartfelt iss on the li$s& /Hey" ' had a great teacher&1
.ar ga#e her a h(g as !ell& /Good !or& ' 6(st $re#ented her sli+y $artner fro+ searching the ,oat&1
/3o( loo c(te&1 2erry o,ser#ed" flicing the hanging stra$ on .ar%s o#eralls&
/4(te !asn%t !hat ' !as going for&1 .ar sighed& /They thin !e%#e got so+ething of theirs&1
/;eally=1 2erry too her hand and led .ar into the roo+" sitting do!n on the co(ch and $(lling .ar do!n !ith her&
/0hat=1
/' ha#e no idea&1 .ar $ro$$ed one ,are foot ($ on the ta,le and st(died it& /' !as going to 6(st go right ($ to the
+anager%s office and start yelling at $eo$le" ,(t ' reali5ed ' don%t ha#e eno(gh data to yell intelligently&1
/' hate !hen that ha$$ens&1
/Me too&1 .ar agreed& /So ' decided to co+e ,ac here and +ay,e ,et!een the t!o of (s" !e can start fig(ring this
thing o(t&1
/-ll right&1 2erry felt a s(rge of $ride at the state+ent" tho(gh& 't felt good to hear the confidence in her inherent in
.ar%s #oice& /' co(ld (se so+e coffee& 3o(=1
/3eah&1
2erry got ($ and !ent to the !ell stoced coffee +aer on the dias near the !indo!& She ,(sied herself starting a $ot
!hile she asse+,led her tho(ghts& /7ay& 9irst off" here%s !hat !e no!&1
.ar s8(ir+ed aro(nd and got co+forta,le" stretching one ar+ o(t along the ,ac of the co(ch as she listened to 2erry&
/9irst" !e enco(ntered a large #essel" acting in a #ery r(de +anner crossing the 9lorida Straits&1 2erry ,egan" as she set
($ t!o c($s& /.es$ite yo(r gi#ing the+ a friendly !arning" they ret(rned the !arning !itho(t consideration&1
/;ight&1
/Second" !e enco(ntered a s+aller #essel" circling (s after !e do#e that little !rec not far off 4harlie and B(d%s
island& The ,oat did not a$$roach or contact (s" ,(t a$$eared to ,e !atching !hat !e !ere doing&1
/;ight&1 .ar agreed again&
/Third" after !e get to B(d and 4harlie%s island" the s+all ,oat follo!s (s there" and t!o $eo$le get off and 8(estion (s
a,o(t !here !e !ere di#ing&1 2erry t(rned and leaned against the creden5a as the coffee ,re!ed& /B(t they don%t as
(s s$ecifics" they 6(st +ae a clai+ to that area&1
/H)actly&1
/9o(rth" !hen !e are o(t in that sa+e area ha#ing dinner" !e get accosted ,y !hat a$$ears to ,e the sa+e r(de large
#essel" atte+$ting to ,oard (s& 0e also get chased ,y the+" !itho(t e)$lanation&1
/B(t they don%t shoot at (s&1 .ar added&
/H#en tho(gh they +(st ha#e seen +e on the stern !ith a loaded shotg(n&1 2erry nodded& /7ay" fifth < !e $ic ($ a
+an fro+ a ca$si5ed ,oat !ho 6(st coincidentally is here a$$arently trying to reco#er so+ething fro+ the #ery" e)act
sa+e s+all !rec yo( and ' ha$$ened to di#e on the day ,efore&1
.ar%s eye,ro! lifted&
/-nd" !ho 6(st coincidentally ha$$ens to ha#e tangled !ith the t!o $eo$le fro+ the s+all ,oat" and $ro,a,ly !hoe#er
is in charge of the large ,oat o#er that s$ot of the ocean&1
/3eah&1 .ar +(r+(red&
/-re these coincidences all $iling ($ for yo( lie they are for +e=1
/7h yeah&1
J3
/Si)th" no! !e get here" and coincidentally find the $eo$le fro+ the s+all ,oat staying at the sa+e resort !e are" and
are no! snoo$ing in o(r hotel roo+ and trying to search o(r ,oat for so+e (nno!n reason&1 2erry t(rned and $o(red
o(t t!o c($s of coffee" stirring the+ and ,ringing the+ ,oth ,ac o#er to the co(ch& She handed .ar hers" and sat do!n
cross legged ne)t to her& /So" !hat the hell is going on=1
.ar si$$ed her coffee tho(ghtf(lly& /0ell" ' thin it%s safe to ass(+e they thin !e $(lled so+ething ($ fro+ that
!rec&1 She said& /N(estion is" !hat co(ld ,e of interest to anyone fro+ an old fishing tra!ler=1
/There !asn%t +(ch to see" .ar&1 2erry said& /C(st so+e old crates&1
/Bo" there !asn%t&1 .ar re$lied& /'t%s not a ,ad !rec" there%s a lot of good coral there" ,(t !hy it%s of interest to a
,(nch of? / She sto$$ed s$eaing" her ,ro! creasing tho(ghtf(lly& /0e did ,ring ($ so+ething&1
2erry stared" then e)haled& /The ,o)&1 She !o(ld ha#e sla$$ed herself if she hadn%t ,een holding a c($ of coffee& /B(t
.ar? it%s 6(st an old !ooden ,o)" half co#ered in coral&1 She $rotested& /0e co(ldn%t e#en o$en it it%s so encr(sted&1
/' no!&1 .ar agreed& /3o( and ' no! that" ,(t if so+eone sa! (s ,ringing ($ the catch ,ag" and looing at
so+ething" ho! !o(ld they no! !hat it !as=1 She got ($ and $aced& /So the 8(estion is" !hat is it they%re really
after" that they thin !e +ight ha#e fo(nd=1
0hat indeed= 2erry c($$ed her hands aro(nd her coffee and dran fro+ the c($ slo!ly& /9irst off" !e need to find o(t
+ore a,o(t that fishing tra!ler" right=1
.ar s+iled at her& /;ight& More a,o(t that" and +ore a,o(t yo(r friend Bo,%s grandfather" !ho ran it&1 She $iced ($
the la$to$ and sat do!n ne)t to 2erry again& /' thin !e need to start collecting d(cs" so !e can $in the+ do!n in a
nice" neat ro!&1
2erry sn(ggled closer" $(tting an ar+ aro(nd .ar and leaning against her sho(lder as the la$to$ ,ooted ($& .ar%s login
ca+e ($ and her $artner $(t in her infor+ation" then they ,oth !atched as the a(tono+ic syste+s iced in and started
esta,lishing a satellite cell(lar connection to their !orld !ide net!or&
't too less ti+e than +ost $eo$le e)$ected& -fter a,o(t si)ty seconds" .ar !as $resented !ith the sa+e desto$ she
(s(ally sa! on her +achine in the office" right do!n to the collection of ,roadcast +essages sent to their local Mia+i
gro($ ranging fro+ $aring #iolations to a test of the fire alar+ syste+&
.ar started ($ her data,ase $arsing $rogra+ and craced her n(cles as she !aited for the screen to co+e ($& 0hen it
did" she ty$ed in her re8(est&
/'s that the ,oat%s na+e=1 2erry ased&
/>(cy >ady= That%s !hat the di#e +a$s ha#e it as&1 .ar ans!ered" adding a fe! other details& /.id Bo, say !hat his
grandfather%s first na+e !as=1
/Bo&1 2erry said& /3o(%re not going to as +e to go find hi+ and find o(t" are yo(=1
.ar ch(cled dryly& /Bo& >et%s see !hat this co+es ($ !ith first&1
/Good&1 2erry rested her chee against .ar%s sho(lder& The long day on the !ater in the s(n !as starting to tae it%s
toll" and she fo(nd herself getting a little slee$y" as the rattle of .ar%s eystroes l(lled her& /They !ere really trying to
get on the ,oat=1
/Lh&1 .ar +(r+(red&
/Sli+y&1
/3eah&1
/0hat if they try again=1 2erry ased&
/' fi)ed that&1 .ar said" !atching the res$onse on the screen& /.a+n& Bothing on that na+e&1 She shoo her head" then
ty$ed in another co++and& /7ay" !e do this the hard !ay& Gi++e all the +ariti+e incident re$orts in this sector?
da+n&1 .ar c(rsed" closing her eyes& /0hat the hell !ere the coordinates of that ,lasted !rec&1
/7h&1 2erry stirred" then got ($ and trotted o#er to her note,oo& She o$ened it to her di#e log and st(died the $age&
/Here yo( go&1 She recited the longit(de and latit(de& /' logged it&1
/3o( roc&1 .ar ty$ed in the n(+,ers" and hit ret(rn& /That%ll tae a fe! +in(tes&1 She said" $(tting her ar+ aro(nd
2erry as she res(+ed her seat& /3o( no! so+ething=1
/0hat=1 2erry c(rled ($ against her" one hand stroing .ar%s thigh a,sently&
J4
/0e are one da+n good tea+&1
2erry%s eyes t!inled ha$$ily& /0e are" aren%t !e=1 She agreed&
/3es" !e are&1 .ar issed her on the head& /' co(ldn%t as for any ,etter&1
/Me either&1 2erry rela)ed" $(tting her head ,ac do!n on .ar%s sho(lder& She !atched the scanning +arers on the
screen" her eyelids droo$ing sh(t after a fe! +in(tes of it&
.ar heard the faint change in 2erry%s ,reathing" and she glanced o#er" s($$ressing a grin at her do5ing $artner& She
caref(lly shifted a little to a +ore co+forta,le $osition and rested her head against 2erry%s" content to let her !ell
designed $rogra+ do it%s 6o,&
GG
/2er=1
.ar%s #oice n(dged her o(t of a #ery $leasant drea+" one that in#ol#ed her" .ar" and a ,(nch of gra$es& 2erry let her
eyes drift o$en slo!ly" taing in the glistening s(nset co+$lacently for a +o+ent ,efore her +ind iced in and !oe
f(lly ($& /7h&1 She lifted a hand to stifle a ya!n& /Sorry&1
/9or !hat=1 .ar in8(ired& /Slee$ing%s not a $(nisha,le offense" e#en in o(r di#ision&1
/' no!" ,(t !e%re s($$osed to ,e sol#ing a +ystery here&1 2erry $eered at the la$to$& /-nything=F She co(ld see a
ta,le of infor+ation in .ar%s (s(al str(ct(re on the screen&
/>ots&1 .ar said" in a dry tone& /' +anaged to e)cl(de all the non rele#ant shi$!recs& That too +e fore#er" ,eca(se
they%re a di+e a do5en aro(nd here&1 She ,ro(ght the la$to$ closer& /The !rec has to ,e this one" here&1
/>(cy Cohnny=1 2erry read the screen& /7h" ' can see !here they%d conf(se that !ith >(cy >ady&1
/M+&1 .ar $(lled ($ a screen& /Pro,le+ is" there%s nothing s$ecial a,o(t the da+n thing& 't !as 6(st a forty foot
!oring tra!ler" o(t catching cra,s&1
/-h&1 2erry read the details& /Stor+=1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar said& /4a$si5ed and san& T!o s(r#i#ors" ,oth +ates& 4a$tain !ent do!n !ith the shi$&1 She ,ro(ght ($
another screen& /This is Bo,%s grand$a&1
2erry $eered at the !hisered" scraggly looing +an in the ,l(e +acintosh& /Holy cra$& 't%s Po$eye&1
/That e)$lains a lot&1 .ar ch(cled& /He +ostly tra!led the north -tlantic& ' don%t no! !hat ,ro(ght hi+ all the !ay
do!n so(th" ,(t the ,oat co(ldn%t tae it& 't !as his first" and last" 4ari, r(n&1 She st(died the $ict(re& /Bothing on hi+
< 6(st a !oring sailor&1
2erry%s head coced to one side& /3eah= ' tho(ght Bo, said his fa+ily had +oney" tho(gh& -t least that%s the
i+$ression he ga#e +e&1 She added" !ith a to(ch of droll h(+or& /Ho!%d they get that fro+ a rig lie this=1
/0ell&1 .ar ta$$ed a fe! +ore eys& /He didn%t lie& -ccording to this ta) filing" old Po$eye left a ton of cash to Mrs&
Po$eye" and they%#e got a $lace that%s !orth another ton ($ in Maine&1 She scratched her 6a!& /May,e he had it and
6(st decided to fish for a li#ing ,eca(se he co(ld&1
/May,e do!n here" .ar&1 2erry shoo her head& /'%#e s$ent ti+e in Maine& Bo one does that if they%#e got a choice&
't%s a hard" dangero(s life fishing the Borth -tlantic&1
/7ay&1 .ar sent off another $ro,e" this one into financial data,ases& /0e%ll see !hat !e can co+e ($ !ith for Po$eye
in .(s% side of the ho(se&1 She leaned ,ac& /Still doesn%t e)$lain !hy a stor+ !rec is stirring ($ all this interest"
all this ti+e later&1
/Bo&1 2erry agreed& /'f there !as so+ething !eird going on" they%d ha#e co+e after it ,efore no!&1
.ar dr(++ed her fingers lightly on the ey,oard& /That%s tr(e&1 She +(sed& /Lnless?1 The screen ,ee$ed" and she
looed ($ at it& /H(h&1
2erry $eered o#er her sho(lder& /0o!&1 She +(r+(red" r(nning a fingerti$ along the data& /Those +(st ha#e ,een
incredi,le ha(ls&1
/M+&1 .ar fro!ned& /B(t it%s still not +aing sense" (nless he too a $ile of that +oney" con#erted it to gold coin" and
it !ent do!n !ith hi+ in the stor+&1 She said& /0hy !o(ld they ,e interested in that h(l no!" is the 8(estion&1
They ,oth !ere 8(iet for a +o+ent&
J*
/Lnless the !hy ,ehind those n(+,ers !ent do!n !ith hi+&1 .ar s$oe slo!ly& /-nd no! that !hy is !orth
so+ething&1
/'s the fa+ily society no!=1 2erry ased" s(ddenly&
.ar ga5ed drolly at her& /' don%t no!" hon& 0here do yo( chec for that ind of thing=1
2erry slid her hands ,et!een .ar"%s and started ty$ing& /That%s easy&1 She hit a fe! eys& /The local ne!s$a$er" and
let%s ho$e they act(ally (se $(,lic archi#es&1
/>et%s say they are&1 .ar said& /3o( thin it has so+ething to do !ith the !hole thing=1
/' thin $eo$le !ill do a lot to a#oid fa+ily e+,arrass+ent&1 2erry stated" in a 8(iet" #ery flat tone& /Hs$ecially if they
ha#e so+ething to lose ,y it&1
.ar $(t her ar+s aro(nd 2erry and $(lled her closer" not saying anything&
2erry $(shed the la$to$ a!ay a little and acce$ted the co+fort& /3o( no! !hat ' thin a,o(t the +ost" !hen ' thin of
!hat +y father did to +e" last year=1
/0hat=1 .ar ased&
/Ho! a!f(l it felt no!ing ' !as s(ch a disa$$oint+ent to hi+&1 2erry !his$ered& /0hen ' !oe ($ in that hos$ital"
ho! asha+ed ' felt&1 She $a(sed& /Before ' got so ri$$ing +ad ' $(t that aside&1
/3o(%#e got nothing to ,e asha+ed of&1 .ar said&
2erry sighed& /' no! that no!&1 She said& /Hec" ' ne! that then" ,(t it ,ro(ght ho+e to +e ho! fa+ily and lo#e can
tae second $lace to i+age and ego&1 She !atched the screen& /Pride does strange things to $eo$le&1 Her finger traced
a headline on the list that $o$$ed ($& /So +ay,e yo(%re right& May,e !hat !ent do!n !ith that ,oat is infor+ation < a
secret so+eone doesn%t !ant anyone to find o(t a,o(t&1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar st(died the screen& /'f that%s the secret they thin !e ,ro(ght ($ fro+ that !rec" !e co(ld ,e in a !hole
ne! ,allga+e right no!&1 She said& /-nd !here" ' !onder" does Bo, fit in=1
2erry (ntangled herself fro+ .ar%s e+,race" not ,efore gi#ing her a healthy h(g" tho(gh& She stood ($ and stretched"
!oring a in o(t of her nec fro+ slee$ing& Then she !aled to the !indo! and o$ened it" letting the ocean ,ree5e
,lo! against her face&
-fter a +o+ent" .ar 6oined her" $erching on the sill and ga5ing o(t o#er the !ater&
/So" !hat%s the $lan=1 2erry finally ased&
.ar folded her ar+s and ni,,led her inner li$ tho(ghtf(lly& /0e%#e got a co($le of choices&1 She said& /0e can 6(st get
the hell o(t of here" and lea#e the+ to their ga+es&1
/M+&1
/0e can call in legal" +ae a +ess for the+ for the ,(gging" and the atte+$ted $(llo#er&1
/M+&1
/0e can $lay it ,y ear" and see if !e can find o(t !hat the real story is" then decide !hat !e !ant to do a,o(t it&
2erry grinned&
/3eah" that !as +y choice too&1 .ar ad+itted&
/3o( thin they%ll +ae the ne)t +o#e=1 2erry ased& /7r !ill they !ait to see !hat !e do=1
.ar considered the 8(estion& /'%+ g(essing they%re !aiting for (s&1 She said& /So !hy don%t !e get +o#ng" and go find
(s so+e caly$so dance +(sic" and see !hat ha$$ens=1
/3o(%re on&1 2erry held a hand o(t& /They%re not gonna no! !hat hit e+&1
They sh(t do!n the la$to$" and !aled o(t the door hand in hand" heading do!n the $ath to!ards the cas(al" ,eachside
resta(rant" fro+ !hich they co(ld already hear the so(nd of dr(+s rising& /Hey .ar=1 2erry s(ddenly ased&
/;e+e+,er !hat ' said a,o(t r(+ and the sa+,a=1
.ar eyed her& /3eeesss=1
/This co(ld get dangero(s&1
JI
/2er=1
/3eees=1
/' ne#er did tell yo( !hat ha$$ens !hen G'G get into too +(ch r(+" did '=1
- $a(se& /Bo" ' don%t thin yo( e#er +entioned that&1 2erry allo!ed& /' g(ess this +ight get GreallyG dangero(s&" h(h=1
/7nly to yo(r re$(tation&1
/0h?& 7h&1 -nother $a(se& /3o( +ean yo(?+ight get" (+?1
/3o( do lie the !ay ' iss" doncha=1
/0ay too +(ch&1 2erry grinned raishly& /May,e !e ,etter stic to ,eer&1
They 6oined a string of $eo$le headed in the sa+e direction" as the light faded to t!ilight& 'n the shado!s ,ehind the+"
t!o other fig(res sli$$ed in" trailing the+ !ith !atchf(l eyes&
GG
Part !
2erry felt .ar%s hands co+e to rest on her sho(lders as she stood in the door!ay" !aiting to s$ot a ta,le to sit at& The
ta,les here !ere ro(gh and !ooden" and the at+os$here cas(al and #ery rela)ed& She s$ied a free ta,le and started
easing her !ay thro(gh the cro!d" !hen .ar%s hold on her tightened and $(lled her to a sto$& 4(rio(s" she t(rned and
looed at her& /0hat%s ($=1
/>et%s sit o#er there&1 .ar $ointed to a s+all ta,le near the !indo!&
/There=1 2erry s8(inted& /7h&1 She recogni5ed the faces at a near,y ta,le as the $eo$le they%d seen escorted ,y the
$olice that afternoon&
.ar led the !ay o#er" taing the rear+ost seat against the !all as 2erry settled in across fro+ her& She glanced cas(ally
at the ta,le ne)t to the+" !here the fi#e hi6acing #icti+s sat& They still looed shaen" and not #ery ha$$y" ,(t as she
!atched .ar reali5ed one of the+ see+ed fa+iliar& She leaned ,ac and searched her +e+ory" trying to $lace the
oldest +an%s distincti#e $rofile&
/T!o of !hate#er this r(+ s$ecial is&1 2erry told the c(te !aitress" !ho had sto$$ed ,y !ith her tray at the ready& She
$(t the ta,le tent do!n and looed o#er at .ar& /Boo&1
0ith a start" .ar glanced ,ac at her& /Sorry&1 She rested her el,o!s on the ta,le& /7ne of those g(ys loos fa+iliar&1
She indicated the ne)t ta,le !ith a 6er of her head&
2erry%s eyes shifted& The $eo$le at the ne)t ta,le !ere so+,er" hands clenched aro(nd near e+$ty glasses" and there
!as a sense of tense shoc still a,o(t the+ she $(t do!n to their ordeal& 7ne of the !o+en !as a,o(t her age" also
,lond" ,(t !ith tightly c(rled hair and !ide" a+,er eyes& She see+ed to ,e the +ost shaen" and e#en in the lo! light
of the resta(rant 2erry co(ld see she%d ,een crying& /Those $eo$le !ho got hi6aced" yo( +ean=1 She ased" lo!ering
her #oice&
/M+&1 .ar t(rned her head slightly" st(dying the other ta,le !itho(t really a$$earing to& 2erry did the sa+eD ,(t none
of the +en looed fa+iliar to her so she t(rned her attention ,ac to .ar" lifting a ,ro! in 8(estion& /Bot to +e&1
/Bo&1 .ar shoo her head& /' thin?1 She $a(sed" and then leaned on her chair ar+" catching the older +an%s attention&
/Caco,=1
The +an started a little" and then $eered at her (ncertainly& /'%+ sorry" ' don%t?1 He leaned a little closer& /Good
hea#ens&&& .ar=1 He s!i#eled in his seat and e)tended a hand" an honestly $leased e)$ression crossing his face& /.ar
;o,ertsA1
.ar too his hand and ret(rned the gri$& /Ho! are yo(" Caco,= 't%s ,een a long ti+e&1 :ery long" .ar reali5ed& She%d
last seen Caco, 0ellen o#er si) years ago" at a technical con#ention in >as :egas&
/'t certainly has&1 Caco, s+iled& He !as a +an of +edi(+ height" and ,(ild" !ith !iry gray hair and a close tri++ed
,eard and +o(stache& /0hat a great s(r$rise& Here&1 He t(rned to his friends" !ho had t(rned to loo at .ar& /9ols"
this is an old colleag(e of +ine" .ar ;o,erts&1 Caco, said& /.ar" this is +y !ife Minnie" and her ,rother ;ichard" and
this is +y son Todd and his fiancOe ;achel&1
/Pleased to +eet yo(&1 .ar re$lied co(rteo(sly" and then half t(rned& /This is +y $artner" 2errison&1 She introd(ced
2erry& /Caco, and ' s(r#i#ed the last great ;eorg yo(%#e heard so +(ch a,o(t&1
JJ
2erry stood and too Caco,%s hand& /My sy+$athies&1 She grinned& /'%#e heard&1 Her eyes shifted to the rest of the
ta,le& /Hello&1 The ret(rning greetings !ere cordial" if a little restrained& 2erry !asn%t s(re if that !as d(e to the
circ(+stances" or her introd(ction as .ar%s $artner" ,(t she ga#e the+ the ,enefit of the do(,t and ass(+ed the for+er&
Caco, shifted his chair o#er& /0hy don%t yo( $(ll that ta,le o#er" .ar" and 6oin (s&1 He s(ggested& /0e ha#e $lenty of
roo+&1
The others sh(ffled their chairs to one side !hile .ar edged their s+aller ta,le o#er" then e#eryone sat ,ac do!n again&
/0hat a coincidence" ,(+$ing into yo( here" .ar&1 Caco, said& /3o( o(t here on ,(siness=1 He t(rned to the rest of his
fa+ily ,efore .ar co(ld ans!er& /.ar%s the 4'7 of '>S no!& 7ne ,(sy lady&1
/Bo$e1 .ar re$lied" lacing her fingers and resting her chin against the+ as she $ro$$ed her el,o!s on the ta,le& /0e%re
on #acation" as a +atter of fact& 0hat a,o(t yo(= Still !oring o(t in -(stralia=1
/C(st got ,ac&1 He said& /Tho(ght !e%d tae a to(r thro(gh the islands ,efore !e settled ,ac in the States again&1 His
face cr(+$led into a fro!n& /Bad idea that t(rned o(t to ,e&1
/.ad&1 The yo(ng !o+an +(r+(red&
/0hy=1 .ar ased& /See+s lie a nice $lace&1
/3eah" !ell" loos can ,e decei#ing" as +any fols fo(nd o(t a,o(t yo(" h(h=1 Caco, sighed& />et +e tell yo( !hat
ha$$ened to (s last night&1
/.adA1 The yo(ng +an interr($ted& /They said not to tal a,o(t it&1
/Thans" ids" ,(t ' no! !hat ' can say to !ho ' can say it to&1 Caco, told the+" !ith a tolerant s+ile& /.ar here +ay
loo a,o(t yo(r age" ,(t she%s got +ore sa##y ($ to$ than any,ody ' e#er +et&1
.ar snorted& /3o( only say that ,eca(se ' sa#ed yo(r ,(tt in Paris&1
The !aitress ret(rned" setting do!n .ar and 2erry%s drins& She too in the ta,le arrange+ent !itho(t ,lining" then
ca(ght 2erry%s eye& /Get yo( so+ething to eat=1
2erry glanced o#er the s+all +en(& /4an yo( get (s t!o ,o!ls of the ste!" t!o ,aed ya+s" and so+e of this=1 She
$ointed to the ,read&
/S(re&1 The !o+an s+iled at her" then too the +en( and disa$$eared into the cro!d& 2erry t(rned her attention ,ac
to the ta,le" interested to hear Caco,%s side of !hat had ha$$ened& She noticed f(rti#e glances fro+ the yo(nger $air and
she ret(rned the loos !ith +ild a+(se+ent& -nother thing to add to her coincidence list - one of the $eo$le the $irates
chose to attac 6(st so ha$$ened to ,e an old colleag(e of .ar%s& 0hat !ere the odds of that" really= 4ertainly" '>S had
a h(ge e+$loyee ,ase" and they !ere a !orld!ide organi5ation" ,(t sheeshA
Caco, rested his ar+s on the ta,le& /'t !as lie so+ething o(t of a really ,ad +o#ie of the !ee&1
/Been there" done that&1 2erry +(r+(red" (nder her ,reath&
/0e !ere o(t off the ,ig reef 6(st north of here" fishing&1 Caco, !ent on& /'t !as getting on to dar" so !e !ere a,o(t to
$ac it in and co+e into doc" !hen this ,ig" racy ,oat ca+e ($ to (s&1
/Blac=1 .ar ha5arded&
/Bo&1 Caco, shoo his head" !ith a fro!n& /0hite !ith ,l(e tri+" !hy=1
/C(st c(rio(s&1
/-ny!ay" ' fig(red they needed so+e hel$" or their radio !as o(t" yo( no!?1
/S(re&1 2erry nodded& /3o( !ant to hel$ $eo$le if yo( can&1
/;ight&1 Caco, said& /So ' let e+ $(ll ($ and tie on" and ne)t thing ' no!" the da+n ,astards?1 He glanced ($&
/Pardon +e" ladies&1 He ga#e the+ an a$ologetic loo" and then ret(rned his attention to .ar& /.a+n ,astards 6(+$ed
on ,oard" and $(lled g(ns o(tA1
.ar affected a s(r$rised loo& /G(ns= 9or !hat= 0hat did they !ant=1
/H#erything&1 ;achel +(ttered& /-nd ,oy" !ere they o,no)io(s a,o(t it&1 She shoo her head& /They scared +y
+other" $(shed (s aro(nd < it !as a!f(l&1
2erry ga#e her a sy+$athetic loo& /' ,et it !as& That%s 6(st lo(sy&1
/3eh&1 Todd added& /0o(ldn%t ha#e ,een so to(gh !itho(t those g(ns& They !ere 6(st $(ns&1
JK
His tone !as s(llen" and it !as o,#io(s" at least to 2erry" that his $ride had taen a ,eating& /.id they say anything to
yo(= 0ho !ere they=1
/.idn%t say&1 Caco, too ($ the story again& /C(st told (s they !ere taing the ,oat" and left (s on a sand,ar !ith a
handheld radio" and nothing else&1 He shoo his head in disg(st& /P(ns& Todd%s right& They !ere 6(st t!o ,it Cohnny%s
!ith a co($le of rifles&1
/They too yo(r !hole ,oat=1 2erry ased&
/-nd e#erything on it&1 Caco, agreed !ryly& /.id ' feel lie a 6acass= 3o( ,etcha&1 He sighed" $icing ($ his drin
and draining it& /Good thing there !as a +arine $atrol that ca+e ,y a,o(t a half ho(r" forty fi#e +in(tes later" and
resc(ed (s ,efore the tide ca+e in&1
/0o!&1 2erry +(r+(red&
/.id they say !hat they !ere doing it for" Cae=1 .ar ased& /C(st for +oney or !hat=1
The older +an shoo his head again& /.idn%t say a !ord" .ar& C(st told (s to get off the ,oat" and that they !ere taing
it& Bo reason" no if%s and%s or ,(t%s&1
The !aitress ret(rned at that +o+ent" !ith a large tray& She set do!n food for ,oth ta,les" and the con#ersation ceased
!hile e#eryone got their $lates&
.ar $(lled her $late o#er" and ins$ected the ,o!l nestled ,eside a stea+ing ,aed ya+ that s+elled of #anilla and
n(t+eg& The !aitress $(t a ,aset of hot ,read in the +iddle of their ta,le" and then set another ro(nd of drins do!n
for Caco,%s $arty& .ar held her o!n glass ($" and indicated 2erry%s" and the !o+an too the+ !ith a s+ile as she
retreated ,ac to!ards the itchen&
/So&1 .ar too a $iece of the ,read and d(ned it into the ste!" then ,it a $iece off and che!ed& /0hat%d the co$s say=1
/-hh&1 Caco, !a#ed a hand in disg(st& /The (s(al& -sing (s a +illion 8(estions" telling (s ho! shoced they !ere"
that this ne#er ha$$ens" ,lah" ,lah" ,lah&1
2erry looed ($ and +et .ar%s eyes& 7ne of her $ale ,ro!s lifted&
/They did" h(h=1 .ar +(r+(red& />et +e g(ess& They told yo( to 6(st file 8(ic as yo( can !ith yo(r ins(rance" and
they%d do their ,est to find the ,oat ,efore it left the island" right=1
Caco, looed at her !ith honest s(r$rise&
/3es" that%s right&1 Todd ,l(rted" e8(ally s(r$rised& /Ho!%d yo( no!=1
.ar%s eyes narro!ed and a faintly (n$leasant s+ile a$$eared on her face& />et%s 6(st call it a h(nch&1 She said& /So"
!hat%s yo(r $lan no!= 3o( going to head ,ac to the States=1
Caco, !as c(tting into a stea" and he $(t his nife do!n ,efore he ans!ered& /Bah& 9ig(red as long as !e !ere here"
!e +ight as !ell stic aro(nd for a fe! daysD get so+e f(n o(t of the !hole da+n thing&1 He $atted his !ife%s hand&
/Gi#e Minnie here a chance to get o#er all the nastiness&1
/'t !as a!f(l&1 His !ife agreed softly& /Ms& ;o,erts" yo( can%t i+agine ho! a!f(l it !as& Those +en !ere acting lie it
!as one ,ig ga+e to the+& >ie !e !ere 6(st toys&1
2erry fored $ieces of +eat o(t of her ste! and ate the+ as she listened" t(rning the ne! infor+ation o#er in her +ind&
The +eal !as #ery good" and she co$ied .ar in d(ning the hot" her, inf(sed ,read into its ,roth& Caco, and his fa+ily
see+ed to ,e rela)ing a little and she g(essed that after a fe! days" the horror of !hat had ha$$ened !o(ld $ro,a,ly
fade 8(icly&
The $irates" tho(gh see+ingly scary" had affected their $lan in a #ery 8(ic" #ery efficient +anner& They hadn%t rised
ee$ing the fa+ily on ,oardD they%d 6(st fo(nd a con#enient s$ot and si+$ly taen the+ off" lea#ing $ossession of the
,oat and all its contents to the+& She s(s$ected they%d taen the #essel aro(nd to so+e sheltered co#e to r(++age
thro(gh it at their leis(re&
N(ic" efficient" and $racticed& 't !as o,#io(s to 2erry that they%d done the deed ,efore" and had their ro(tine do!n
$at& 9ro+ .ar%s co++ent earlier" she s(s$ected her lo#er had co+e to the sa+e concl(sion& She !ondered if there !as
anything they co(ld act(ally do a,o(t it=
/Cae" yo( didn%t ee$ a +aintenance log on yo(r ,oat" did yo(=1 .ar ased" s(ddenly&
H#eryone looed at her c(rio(sly&
JM
Caco, finished che!ing" and s!allo!ed" !i$ing his +o(th hastily& /0ell? not +e" no" ,(t +y ca$tain did" ' ,etcha&
0hy=1 He ased& /Hey" s$eaing of < yo( fle! o(t here" didn%cha=1
.ar shoo her head& /Bo&1 She said& /0e%re doced o(t in the +arina& .id yo(r ca$tain ee$ the log on the ,oat" or
,ac at ho+e=1
/Boy" yo( ,etter ,e caref(l&1 Caco, said& /.on%t yo( ,e going o(t far aro(nd here" .ar& '%d s(re hate to ha#e ha$$en to
yo( !hat ha$$ened to (s&1
2erry had to +(ffle a s+ile at the irony& /0e%re al!ays #ery caref(l&1 She said&
Caco, shoo his head& /0ell" any!ay& ' thin ;ic e$t the log !ith his gear" and ' can%t ,e s(re if he left that onshore
or not&1 He said& /0hy" .ar=1
/'f he%s got $art n(+,ers" and the $irates try to sell the ,oat" it can ,e traced&1 .ar re+ared +ildly& /Might tae a
!hile" ,(t?1
/That%s a great idea&1 Todd ,(rst o(t" enth(siastically& /Then !e can find those cree$sA1 He t(rned to his father& /' ,et
;ic has that ,oo& 0e sho(ld gi#e it to the $oliceA1
/Bo!" Todd?1
/0e can%t let those g(ys 6(st get a!ay !ith this" .adA1 The yo(ng +an $rotested& /That%s !hat they all !ant (s to do"
6(st go a!ay" and lic o(r !o(nds" and forget a,o(t it& Bo !ayA1 He sla$$ed his +(sc(lar hand on the ta,le&
/ToddA1 Minnie fro!ned at her son&
/He%s right&1 .ar inter6ected& She !aited (ntil all of the+ looed at her in s(r$rise& /'t is !hat they !ant& 3o(%re not the
first #icti+s" and '%+ ,etting yo( !on%t ,e the last&1 She rested her forear+s on the ta,le& /So if yo( do ha#e that log"
it%ll hel$& B(t don%t gi#e it to the co$s&1
They stared at her in shoc for a long +o+ent after she finished s$eaing&
/Bot the first=1 Caco, said" hesitantly&
/Bo&1 2erry too ($ the con#ersational ,all" gi#ing .ar a chance to eat& /There%#e ,een a n(+,er of hi6acings aro(nd
here recently" ,(t no one !ants to tal a,o(t it" ,eca(se it !o(ld scare $eo$le off&1 She e)$lained& /' thin that .ar
thins?1 She glanced at her lo#er& /'t +ay ,e a local gang doing it&1
.ar nodded&
/0ell&1 Caco, looed aghast& /Son of a ,itch&1
/>oo&1 Todd leaned closer to .ar& /0hate#er yo( thin of doing to +ay,e sto$ the+" co(nt +e in& 0e need to do
so+ething&1 He said& /'%+ gonna call ;ic as soon as !e%re done in here" and '%ll see if he%s got that ,oo&1
/.o yo( really thin?= / Minnie s$oe ($ hesitantly& /Perha$s the a(thorities !o(ld ,e ,etter to deal !ith this"
!o(ldn%t they=1
/3o( heard her& They%re $ro,a,ly in on itA1 Todd stood ($& /'%+ so +ad" ' gotta go ic so+ething& 4%+on" ;ach&1 He
held a hand o(t and assisted his fiancO to her feet& />et%s go&1
The t!o yo(ng $eo$le threaded their !ay o(t of the resta(rant" disa$$earing into the cro!d&
/.a+n hothead&1 Minnie%s ,rother ;ichard s$oe for the first ti+e" re+o#ing his face fro+ his ,eer +(g& /0hat in
hell%s got into that id" Caco,=1
Caco, shoo his head" still #isi,ly ($set& /.ar" ' can%t ,elie#e the $eo$le here no! this is going on" and they 6(st let
$eo$le ee$ co+ing in& That%s? that%s? /
/Piracy&1 .ar s($$lied" s(ccinctly& /3eah" !ell? +ay,e the co$s aren%t in on it" +ay,e they 6(st don%t !ant the to(rist
,oat roced" ,(t so+ething doesn%t s+ell right to +e a,o(t the !hole thing&1 She finished ($ the last ,it of her ste!"
!i$ing the ,otto+ of the ,o!l !ith a ,it of ,read and +(nching it&
/0e don%t !ant any tro(,le&1 ;ichard +(ttered /' thin !e sho(ld 6(st lea#e" and go the hell ho+e&1 He looed aro(nd&
/This $lace gi#es +e the cree$s any!ay&1
/That%s ca(se yo( can%t co$e !ith any $lace that doesn%t ha#e slot +achines in the ,athroo+&1 Caco, snorted& /C(st
rela)" !o(ld yo(=1 He t(rned to .ar& />isten" .ar? he%s right a,o(t one thing& 0e%re not looing for tro(,le here& 'f
the local co$s don%t !ant to stir things ($" neither do '&1
K0
.ar leaned her chin on her fist and regarded hi+&
/.ar" don%t gi#e +e that loo&1 Caco, sighed& />oo" ' no! !hat yo(%re thining?1
.ar%s eye,ro!s lifted #isi,ly&
/'%+ not a cr(sader& Be#er !as&1 The +an stated& /' got +y fa+ily here" and if that%s the deal" and this is all a sca+"
then '%+ !illing to do +y $art and go file +y clai+ and let e+ ha#e it& .a+n thing leaed anyho!&1
/.a+n right&1 ;ichard agreed& /Minnie doesn%t need any +ore tro(,le" either&1
Minnie looed $rofo(ndly relie#ed&
.ar rolled her eyes to!ards 2erry" and they e)changed loos& /That%s oay&1 2erry ga#e the+ a gentle s+ile& /0e
(nderstand&1
Caco, rela)ed a little& /'t%s not that ' thin its right&1 He stated&
/7f co(rse not&1 2erry said& /'ts ,etter yo( lea#e it for .ar and ' to handle&1
Caco, ,lined at her& /4o+e again=1
/0e%ll tae care of the $irates& Bo need for yo( to get in#ol#ed < after all" yo(%#e ,een thro(gh a lot" and '%+ s(re yo(
6(st !ant so+e ti+e to rest&1
Minnie leaned for!ard a little& /Honey" those +en are dangero(s&1
/>ife is" so+eti+es&1 2erry s+iled indly at her& /B(t .ar and ' ha#e a nac for getting thro(gh things&1 She looed
($ as the !aitress ret(rned& /So+eti+es yo( 6(st gotta go for it& 4an ' get t!o of the 'sland :olcano s(ndaes" and
another r(+ $(nch=1
/S(re&1 The !aitress ,ea+ed at her& /-nything for yo(" +a%a+=1 She glanced at .ar&
/' thin one of those s(ndaes is +ine&1 .ar re$lied drolly&
2erry grinned" and then ret(rned her attention to Caco,& /-ny!ay" don%t yo( !orry a,o(t a thing& 0e can handle this on
o(r o!n&1
/Bo!" !ait a +in(te?1 Caco, $rotested&
/Bo no < !e (nderstand co+$letely&1 2erry held a hand ($& She s(ced the rest of her r(+ $(nch do!n to the ,otto+"
feeling a +ild ,(55 starting& 't s(r$rised her" and she tried to fig(re o(t ho! +any ,eers e8(aled one of the $(nches&
T!o= Three=
3ies& That +eant she had already dr(n the e8(i#alent of si) ,eers& May,e she sho(ld $ass on the ne)t r(+ $(nch&
/0ell" no!" yo( listen" .ar&1 Caco, !as saying&
0as it si)=
/' no! !hat ' said" ,(t if yo( t!o really thin !e sho(ld do so+ething?1
7r !as it only fo(r=
/3o( can co(nt on (s&1
/Caco,A1
Heh& Gotcha& 2erry ch(cled silently to herself&
-n o#er!hel+ing s+ell of chocolate s(ddenly sna$$ed her o(t of her +(sing& 2erry ,lined as a ,o!l of ice crea+"
f(dge" +ore ice crea+" +ore f(dge" a ,ro!nie" +ay,e another ,ro!nie" co#ered in a chocolate shell !hose to$ had a
fla+e co+ing o(t of it !as $(t in front of her& /0o!&1 She said& /This da+n thing%s as ,ig as +y headA1
.ar ch(cled at her& /' !ant to do so+e +ore checing aro(nd" Cae" ,efore !e decide on !hat to do&1 She said& /B(t
'%ll ee$ yo(r offer in +ind&1
/3o( do that&1 Caco, said&
2erry contentedly do(sed her #olcano%s fla+e" and craced the chocolate shell ee$ing her fro+ the ice crea+ inside&
4as(ally" she glanced aro(nd the roo+" glad not to see the fa+iliar faces she half e)$ected to& May,e the goons had
decided to tae the night off&
K1
The !aitress set her third r(+ $(nch do!n" and too a!ay the e+$ty& 2erry eyed it" and !ondered if chocolate
$ossi,ly co(nteracted r(+&
H+& G(ess she%d find o(t&
GG
.ar scr(,,ed her teeth" flicing the occasional glance into the +irror as she !ored& Se rinsed her +o(th o(t" then
$oed her head aro(nd the corner of the ,athroo+ door and $eered o#er at the ,ed& 2erry !as s$ra!led across it" on her
,ac" looing e)tre+ely rela)ed&
/Hey& Paladar&1 2erry dra!led& /Get o#er here&1
-h& .ar sighed& The ti+es ' choose to lea#e +y #oice recorder at ho+e& She eased aro(nd the door and entered the
roo+" settling do!n on the ,ed ne)t to 2erry& /3eees=1
7ne green eye o$ened and looed at her& /3o( let +e get dr(n& Bad girl&1
.ar grinned at her& /3o(%re really c(te !hen yo(%re dr(n" did yo( no! that=1 She to(ched 2erry%s chee" and felt the
$ress(re as 2erry leaned into her fingers& /Besides" yo( !ere d(e&1
/Lh h(h& See if yo( say that !hen '%+ sic as a three day dead toad to+orro!&1 2erry !arned her& /Ho$e yo( lie
cleaning ($&1
.ar slo!ly stretched o(t alongside her& /'%ll tae care of yo(" don%t yo( !orry&1 She $ro+ised&
/' ain%t !orried&1 2erry said" reaching o#er to $lay !ith a ,it of .ar%s hair& /' got yo(&1 She !atched .ar%s face thro(gh
half closed eyes& /3%no! ho! cool that is=1
/Ho! cool !hat is=1 .ar ased&
2erry t(rned her head and regarded the ceiling for a fe! +o+ents& /9irst ti+e ' e#er really got dr(n !as !hen '
+o#ed here&1 She said& /' thin ' !ent n(ts for a !hile&1
.ar !riggled a little closer and c(rled her ar+ aro(nd 2erry%s& /-fter lea#ing ho+e= >ot of $eo$le do that&1
/SEtr(e&1 2erry agreed& /Bo,ody telling +e !hat to do" !ho to tal to&&& !here to go& 9elt great&1 She looed at .ar%s
hand" resting cas(ally on her sho(lder& />ie ' !as an ani+al" o(t of +y cage&1
.ar ch(cled softly& /'%+ s(re yo( !eren%t that ,ad&1
2erry +et her eyes& /3eah" ' !as&1 She ad+itted& /Then? one night&&& ' still don%t re+e+,er it a !hole lot" ,(t ' !oe
($ in +y car half on the ,each near a tree" and didn%t no! ho!%n the hell ' got there&1
.ar%s ,ro!s contracted a little&
/4o(ldn%t re+e+,er a thing&1 2erry +(r+(red& /Scared the shit o(t of +e&1
/' ,et&1 .ar +o#ed closer&
/' re+e+,er sitting there" inda !ondering !hat the !hole da+n $oint !as=1 2erry shoo her head a little& /' felt so
e+$ty&1 She t(rned and looed at .ar& /' felt lie&&& if '%d ha#e e$t dri#ing" right into the !ater" no one !o(ld ha#e
gi#en a cra$&1
.ar +erely ga5ed co+$assionately at her&
/C(st another sordid ,ac $age story& Senator%s id" dr(n off her ass" dro!ns&1
/2er&1
/S%tr(e" and yo( no! it&1 2erry s+iled sadly& /' had no cl(e !hat it felt lie to really +atter to so+e,ody&1 She
interlaced her fingers !ith .ar%s& /.idn%t no! !hat it !o(ld ,e lie to ,e a $art of so+eone%s life&1
/0ell&1 .ar st(died her face& /3o( do no!&1
2erry grinned easily& /3eeeahh? ' s(re do&1 She rolled onto her side (nsteadily" and $(lled .ar%s hand close to her&
/That%s !hat%s so cool&1 She said& /' got yo(&1
/3o( got +e&1 .ar agreed" caref(lly gathering 2erry ($ into her ar+s and h(gging her& There !as no resistance in her
lo#er%s ,odyD 2erry +eshed her li+,s into .ar%s e+,race !ith total a,andon" h(++ing softly in delight as .ar roced
the+ gently on the ,ed& /3o( got +e" 2er" ' got yo(" and that%s ho! that is&1
/L(+rrr++? ' lo#e yo( so +(ch&1 2erry !ar,led" her ,reath !ar+ against .ar%s nec& /3o( +ae +y life roc&1
K2
.ar !as e)tre+ely s(r$rised to feel tears !ell ($ in her eyes& She ,lined" and they s$illed o(t o#er her chees"
disa$$earing into 2erry%s $ale hair as she s!allo!ed the l(+$ in her throat& She stroed 2erry%s head and issed her"
no!ing a +o+ent of $(re 6oy so intense there !ere no !ords for it&
Tr(e ha$$iness !as" she%d disco#ered so+e!here in the last year" +aing so+eone else ha$$y& - da+n si+$le
conce$t" really" that so+eho! esca$ed all the la,orio(sly !ritten +oti#ational +an(als&
.ar sniffled slightly&
2erry s8(ir+ed aro(nd to loo ($ at her& /Hey" BooBoo&&& / She reached ($ and gently !i$ed .ar%s eyelids&
/0hat%s%+atter=1
/Bothing&1 .ar%s li$s 8(ired& /Boo,oo= 3o( ,een !atching too +any cartoons again" 2errison=1
2erry $oed her lo!er li$ o(t" and grinned shee$ishly& She hid her face in .ar%s sho(lder as a giggle esca$ed& /' a+ so
taned&1 She +(ttered& /'%+ channeling an ani+ated ,ear&1
.ar ch(cled& /Tell yo( !hat" 3ogi" let%s get yo(r clothes off" and get yo( into ,ed&1
/'s that a $lan or an in#itation=1 2erry giggled again" ,(t she eased ,ac and rolled o#er" co#ering her eyes !ith her
ar+& /Too ,right in here&1
.ar started !ith her sneaers" (ntying the+ and t(gging the+ off" then !oring 2erry%s interestingly stri$ed socs off
her feet&
/7oo&1 2erry !iggled her toes& /4an ' get dr(n +ore often= ' lie ,eing (ndressed&1
/3o( do" h(h=1 .ar slid ,ac ($ her lo#er%s ,ody and (nfastened the ,(tton on her shorts" +o#ing the 5i$$er do!n&
/0ell" 6(st so ha$$ens ' en6oy (ndressing yo(" so that !ors o(t great&1 She eased the shorts off" aided ,y a hel$f(l
!iggle of 2erry%s hi$s" then $(lled the+ off and tossed the+ o#er onto the chair& /Half do!n" half to go&1
2erry $(t her hands ,ehind her head& /.o yo(r !orst&1 She grinned&
.ar sli$$ed her hands (nder 2erry%s t-shirt and slid the+ ($" $(lling the fa,ric !ith the+& She leaned o#er and gently
issed 2erry on the li$s" ,efore she ,(nched the shirt ($ and eased it o#er her head" ret(rning for another iss as she
finished&
/M++&1 2erry had her eyes closed& /' definitely lie ,eing (ndressed&1
.ar tossed the shirt to!ards the chair& /'%ll ha#e to re+e+,er that&1 She slid her hands ,ehind 2erry%s sho(lders and
rolled her o#er onto her side so she co(ld (ndo the catches on her ,ra& She felt a t(g at her !aist" and then heard the
soft so(nd as 2erry (n,(ttoned one of her o#erall ,(ttons& /Hang on a +in(te here&1
/Hang on=1 2erry tangled her fingers in the stra$s and $(lled& /7ay&1
.ar ch(cled" as she eased her $artner%s gri$& />et +e get yo( so+e !ater&1
/0ater=1 2erry folded her hands on her no! ,are sto+ach" !atching a+ia,ly as .ar re+o#ed her half clad ,ody
to!ards the creden5a& /0e ne#er needed no !ater ,efore&1
/To drin&1 .ar $o(red fro+ the ,ottle on the dresser into a glass" and then ret(rned to the ,ed&
/'s it !ar+ !ater=1
/Bo& 't%s cold !ater&1
/'%+ cold& .on%t !ant no cold !ater&1
.ar set the glass do!n" then $(lled the co#ers on the ,ed do!n and nelt" sliding her ar+s (nder 2erry%s nees and
sho(lders and shifting her o#er& She $(lled the co#ers ($ then handed her the glass& /S!eetheart" yo( gotta tr(st +e on
this one& .rin&1
2erry clas$ed the glass" st(dying it serio(sly& She $eered at .ar o#er the ri+" her ,lond hair $artially in her eyes&
/7ay&1 She finally said& /'f yo( tell +e ho! co+e yo( !ere crying ,efore&1
.ar ,lined" not e)$ecting the 8(estion& /7h&1 She cleared her throat a little& /'t !as 6(st&&& (+&&& yo( said so+ething
that really to(ched +e" ' g(ess&1
/' did=1
.ar nodded& /3eah&1
K3
/'n a good !ay" right=1
/;ight&1
2erry st(c her nose in the glass and dran its contents" lifting it ($ and letting the last dro$ dri$ into her +o(th ,efore
she handed it ,ac to .ar& /Bo! !hat=1 She in8(ired& /.o ' t(rn into a $(+$in=1
/3o( t(rn into a ,ea(tif(l slee$ing $rincess&1 .ar 8(icly stri$$ed o(t of her clothing and 6oined 2erry (nder the
co#ers&
/.oes that +ae yo( the frog=1 2erry giggled&
/4%+ere&1 .ar gathered 2erry into her ar+s again" and t(rned the light o(t& 't !as 8(iet for a +o+ent&
/Hey" .ar=1
/M+=1
/'%+ gonna really regret this in the +orning" ain%t '=1
/Heerrrr++?& Pro,a,ly&1
/3o( are too" h(h=1
/Hh&1 .ar r(,,ed 2erry%s nec& /0e%ll s(r#i#e&1
/.ar=1
/H+=1
/' lo#e yo(&1
.ar s+iled into the darness& /' lo#e yo( too" 2er&1 She let her eyes close" ho$ing she co(ld re+e+,er her father%s old
hango#er re+edy ,y to+orro! +orning&
Tho(gh" she !asn%t entirely s(re 2erry !o(ld consider it ,etter" or !orse than !hat it !as s($$osed to hel$ in the first
$lace&
7r if they had Bosco syr($ on St& Cohn&
GG
.ar $ro!led thro(gh the aisles of the s+all grocery" one of the fe! c(sto+ers so early in the +orning& She had a s+all
,aset hanging off her ar+ that already had a 8(art of +il in it" along !ith a ,o) of 7reo cooies& She s$ied a ,ottle of
chocolate syr($ and snagged it" st(dying the la,el&
-h !ell& 't !o(ld ha#e to do&
She +ade her !ay to the soda aisle and selected t!o ,ottles" then analy5ed her ,aset%s contents and retraced her ste$s
to the refrigerated case" s!a$$ing her 8(art of +il for a half gallon& Satisfied" she !aled ($ to the single register and
set her selections do!n&
The cashier $iced ($ each ite+ and $(nched its $rice into the old fashioned cash register& /Got yo( so+e ids" h(h=1
She s+iled at .ar&
.ar $eered at her o#er the to$ of her s(nglasses& /Bo&1 She handed the !o+an a t!enty dollar ,ill" and acce$ted her
change ,ac& /'t%s +y ,reafast&1
The !o+an looed at the ,ag" then at .ar&
.ar $(shed her s(nglasses ,ac ($ and too her ,ags" heading for the door as a yo(ng co($le entered" sto$$ing short
!hen they recogni5ed her and reacted&
/Hi&1 Todd said& /Sorry a,o(t last night&1
'n an instant" e#ery ear in the $lace see+ed to t(rn their !ay& .ar s($$ressed a !ry grin& /.on%t !orry a,o(t it&1
;achel $(t a hand on Todd%s ar+& /0e%#e heard a lot a,o(t yo(&1
Hrf& /' can i+agine&1 .ar re$lied& /Tae it !ith a grain of salt&1
/0ell" !e 6(st ca+e in to get so+e ,reafast&1 Todd glanced aro(nd& /May,e if yo(%re not ,(sy later" !e can sit do!n
and tal=1
K4
/S(re&1 .ar eased aro(nd the+ and sli$$ed o(t the door&
;achel ga5ed after her& /She%s !eird" Todd&1
Todd steered her to!ards the grocery aisles& /Bo she%s not& 3o(%re 6(st freaed o(t ,eca(se she%s gay&1
/' a+ not&1 ;achel $rotested" noticing the loos they !ere getting fro+ the cashier& /.on%t +ae lie '%+ so+e !hite
,read C-P&1
/7reos on the left there&1 The cashier $ointed hel$f(lly& /Got lots of e+&1
Todd and ;achel e)changed $(55led glances" and then shr(gged&
GG
.ar !ra$$ed the handles of the $lastic ,ags aro(nd her hands and started on her tre ,ac to the roo+& She%d left 2erry
aslee$" after they%d ,oth stirred ,efore da!n" and she%d heard the $athetic +oan as 2erry regretted o$ening her eyes&
't !as clo(ding o#er" .ar noticed" and far off she co(ld hear a faint r(+,le of th(nder& That !as good" ,eca(se a
stor+y +orning ga#e her a chance to $a+$er her ailing s!eetie and not ha#e 2erry feel too a!f(l a,o(t +issing o(t on
any f(n&
'n fact&&& .ar glanced ($ as a faint" first s$attering of rain hit her sho(lders& She ga(ged the distance ,ac to the section
of the resort they !ere staying in" and ,roe into a 6og& -s she ran" she too a tighter hold on the ,ags to ee$ the+
fro+ s!inging" and crossed the e)$ansi#e gro(nds at a #ery fair cli$&
She h(rdled a hedge" taing it in stride" and then t(rned to!ards the ,(ilding& Half!ay there she +o#ed to one side of
the $ath" seeing so+eone co+ing in the o$$osite direction& The tall +an" ho!e#er" sa! her shift and +o#ed directly
into her !ay" holding a hand ($&
.ar conte+$lated si+$ly r(nning hi+ do!n& He !as tall" ,(t relati#ely thin" and she calc(lated she $ro,a,ly
o(t!eighed hi+& She st(died his face as she a$$roached" seeing a chiseled" ha! lie #isage" clean sha#en" !ith a ca$
of graying dar hair&
The s(it he !as !earing" she reali5ed" !as sil" and his #ery attit(de $ro6ected the fact that he e)$ected her to do
!hate#er it !as he !anted&
.ar grinned reclessly" and didn%t slo! do!n& She foc(sed her ga5e on the +an and e$t ($ her $ace" her hands slo!ly
c(rling into fists al+ost !itho(t her direction&
.addy had ta(ght her to $lay chicen right aro(nd the ti+e she%d gotten her first ,icycle& She got closer" ,(t his
e)$ression didn%t change" and he didn%t so +(ch as flinch" so .ar steeled herself for the i+$act" ready to t!ist her ,ody
to the right and lo!er her sho(lder&
He !aited (ntil she ne! he co(ld feel the #i,ration of her footste$s" and then 6(st as it al+ost ,eca+e too late" he
6(+$ed aside&
Hah& .ar snorted silently" ,r(shing $ast hi+ !itho(t a !ord& She al+ost +issed the 8(ic l(nge as he reached for her"
,(t he%d +is6(dged his gra," and her s$eed" and she !as already $ast hi+ ,y the ti+e he tried to gra, her&
She !aited (ntil she ne! he ne! he%d scre!ed ($" and then she slo!ed and sto$$ed" t(rning to regard hi+ icily&
He see+ed s(r$rised& /3o( don%t tae direction !ell" do yo(" Ms& ;o,erts=1
.ar 6(st la(ghed& /Bot in this lifeti+e&1 She re$lied& /3o( !ant so+ething" or do yo( 6(st gra, !o+en for f(n=1
He collected hi+self and $(t his hands ,ehind his ,ac& /My na+e is Conathan .eSalliers&1 He anno(nced& /-nd '
,elie#e !e need to tal&1
.ar $eered at hi+" and then glanced ($& ;ain s$attered her s(nglasses& /May,e" ,(t not no!&1 She t(rned& /'%#e got
i+$ortant st(ff to do&1
/Ms& ;o,erts&1
.ar looed o#er her sho(lder& /'f yo( !ant to deal !ith +e" yo( do it on +y ter+s&1 She told hi+ flatly& /Ha#e a great
day&1 0ith that" she started off to!ards the ,(ilding again" $icing ($ s$eed as the rain started to co+e do!n harder&
-s she reached the door" the sies o$ened" and she d(ced inside 6(st in ti+e&
T(rning" she looed ,ac" and sa! a satisfying #ision of .eSalliers ,olting thro(gh the rain" r(nning a!!ardly in his
sil tro(sers& /Cacass&1 She let the door close !ith a snic and hastened on her !ay ,ac to the roo+&
K*
't !asn%t really the !ay she%d !anted to a$$roach" or deal !ith .eSalliers" ,(t so+eti+es" .ar had learned" yo( 6(st had
to tae !hat life offered" and +ae the ,est of it& She slid her ey in to the door loc and t(rned it caref(lly" $(shing the
door in and sli$$ing inside&
't !as dar& .ar had $r(dently closed the sh(tters ,efore she%d left" lea#ing the roo+ in soothing di+ness& She set the
,ags do!n on the creden5a and too her sandals off" then she !aled silently o#er to the ,ed and nelt do!n&
2erry%s eyes !ere still closed" and she !as slee$ing on her side" one ar+ !ra$$ed aro(nd her $illo!& Her +(ssed hair
half o,sc(red her face" and .ar only 6(st e$t herself fro+ s+oothing it ,ac& 'nstead" she stood ($ and ti$toed ,ac to
the creden5a" re+o#ing the ite+s fro+ it and trying #ery hard not to ee$ the 7reo ,ag fro+ +aing noise&
- soft groan ca+e fro+ the ,ed& /L(gh&1
/Hey" c(te st(ff&1 .ar set a glass do!n" and o$ened the +il&
/Lgh&1 2erry lifted her head a little" and $eered aro(nd& /S%dar in here&1 She +(ttered& /0hat ti+e is it=1
/Hight&1 .ar contin(ed +i)ing her $otion& /' closed the ,linds&1
/3o(%re a goddess&1 2erry rolled onto her ,ac" thro!ing her ar+ o#er her eyes& /Ces(s" ' feel lie a horse iced +e in
the head&1
.ar finished +i)ing and $iced ($ the glass" crossing ,ac o#er to the ,ed and sitting do!n on the edge of it& /'%#e got
so+ething to +ae yo( feel ,etter&1
2erry $eeed at her" seeing the glass& /Boooooo?1 She $(lled the co#ers o#er her head& /Bo&& no? not? st(ff&1
/4%+on&1 .ar gently (ntangled the co#ers& /2erry" honest < it%ll !or&1
/.ar" if ' try to $(t anything in +y sto+ach" it" and e#erything $rior to it%s co+ing ($ into yo(r la$& 0anna ris it=1
/3es&1 .ar coa)ed& /C(st tae a si$&1
2erry rolled onto her side" gi#ing .ar a $iteo(s" +isera,le loo& /' can%t&1
Lndeterred" .ar $(t the glass do!n and eased her into +ore of an ($right $osition& Then she $iced the glass ,ac ($
and offered 2erry the stra! she%d st(c in it&
/0hat is it=1 2erry stared d(,io(sly at the +i)t(re& -ll she co(ld see !as foa+" and dar streas& /'t doesn%t ha#e
0orstecier sa(ce in it" does it=1
/Bo&1
/.ar" ' really don%t thin ' can&1 2erry $(t a hand o#er her sto+ach&
.ar st(died her" seeing the $ale tinge to her sin& /Gi#e it one try&1 She re8(ested& /C(st one si$& 3o( need to get fl(ids
into yo(" lo#e&1
2erry sighed resignedly" and +ane(#ered the stra! o#er& /Ho! can ' resist !hen yo( as +e lie that=1 She held her
,reath and too the tiniest si$ $ossi,le" ho$ing to s!allo! it ,efore her syste+ had ti+e to analy5e !hat it !as&
't !as cold and effer#escent" and it slid do!n a lot easier than she%d i+agined it !o(ld& 4a(tio(sly she inhaled" and then
liced her li$s& The taste !as s!eet" and rich" and ,(,,ly at the sa+e ti+e" not at all !hat she%d e)$ected& /0hat is
that=1
.ar !as ca(tio(sly $leased !ith the res$onse& /So+ething +y daddy ta(ght +e to +ae&1
2erry too another si$" s!allo!ing it& /Ha#e ' +entioned lately ho! +(ch ' lo#e yo(r daddy=1 She felt her sto+ach
settle" and she too the glass" leaning against .ar as she s(ced at its contents& /3o( no! !hat= ' don%t care !hat it is&
't%s great&1
.ar grinned in satisfaction& /Glad yo( lie it&1 She set to !or gently +assaging 2erry%s nec and sho(lders& />oos
lie it%s fi)ing to stor+ for a !hile o(t there&1
/M+=1 2erry e$t drining" $eering aro(nd .ar%s ,ody at the closed sh(tters& - r(+,le of th(nder rattled the+" and
she settled ,ac against .ar !ith a contented gr(nt& The concoction really !as hel$ing" and she felt the aching na(sea
ease along !ith the $ainf(l cra+$s that had al+ost sent her di#ing for the ,athroo+& -nd !hy !o(ldn%t it= She
reasoned& The glass had ,een filled !ith lo#e along !ith its other ingredients&
Her head still h(rt" tho(gh& - d(ll $o(nding that see+ed to thr(+ thro(gh her ,ody and +ade her resol#e ne#er to
e)$eri+ent !ith r(+ again& /Stic to ,eer" 2erry&1 She +(r+(red& /0orst thing that does is +ae yo( $iddle&1
KI
.ar +assaged 2erry%s nec" !oring o(t s+all nots she co(ld feel (nder her sensiti#e fingerti$s& /G(ess !ho ' +et on
the !ay ,ac=1
/Bot those sc(+,(cet sneas=1
/Bo& Their ,oss&1 .ar infor+ed her& /He !anted +e to sto$ and tal to hi+&1
/-nd=1 2erry in8(ired&
/' had other things to do&1 .ar told her& /B(t ' thin he%ll ,e ,ac&1
/H+&1 2erry finished her drin" s(cing the last dro$s fro+ the ,otto+ of it& She ga5ed +o(rnf(lly into the e+$ty glass
for a +o+ent" and then looed ($ at her solicito(s $artner& /-ny chance of another one of these=1
/3o( ,et&1 .ar grinned" #ery $leased !ith her s(ccessf(l $lan& /4o+ing right ($&1 She too the glass& /Thin yo( can
tae so+e as$irin no! for yo(r head=1
2erry tho(ght a,o(t it& /3eah&1 She c(rled ($ on her side and !atched .ar !or& /0hat%s in the ,ottle=1
/4hocolate syr($&1
2erry had to s+ile& /That%s a chocolate +il soda yo( 6(st +ade&1
.ar ,ro(ght it ,ac to her& /'t%s an egg crea+&1 She e)$lained&
2erry too the glass& /B(t there aren%t any eggs in it&1
/7r crea+&1 .ar agreed" handing her a co($le of $ills& /'t%s ind of lie 0elsh ra,,it&1
/-h&1 2erry s!allo!ed the as$irin" and then settled ,ac against the head,oard& ;ain rattled against the !indo!" and
she !as +ore than glad to ,e nestled in the di+ roo+" !ith .ar to ee$ her co+$any& /So yo( thin he%ll ,e ,ac"
h(h=1
/3e$&1 .ar ch(cled softly& /Then +ay,e !e%ll get closer to the ,otto+ of this&1
2erry listened to the th(nder" her fingers idly stroing the ar+ .ar had c(rled aro(nd her& May,e they !o(ld" she
agreed silently& B(t not right this +in(te&
>ightning flashed" o(tlining the closed sh(tters&
GG
't 6(st e$t raining& 2erry !as act(ally ind of glad" feeling they ,oth needed a little do!n ti+e after the e)cite+ent of
the $ast fe! days& She !as c(rled ($ on the ,ed" !ith her neatly ,o(nd !riting diary in front of her& - half finished
$oe+ !as scra!led across one $age" and near,y" a stea+ing +(g rested on the ,edside ta,le&
.ar !as s$ra!led across the co(ch" one long leg dra$ed along it%s ,ac" the other $ro$$ing ($ a ,oo& She had a glass
of +il near,y" and the ,ag of 7reo cooies sat neatly $eeled o$en ne)t to it& 7n the ta,le" her la$to$ !as ,(sily
!oring" strea+s of data flicing across the screen at an alar+ing rate&
2erry ni,,led the end of her $en as she !atched .ar read" her eyes tracing do!n the $age" then $a(sing !hile long
fingers t(rned it& She !as dressed in a $air of soft cotton shorts and a t-shirt" and so+eho! +anaged to +ae e#en that
see+ attracti#ely se)y&
Ho! did she do that= 2erry !ondered& She coced her head and regarded her lo#er !ith ,e+(sed c(riosity& 0hat really
str(c her a,o(t .ar" she reali5ed" !as 6(st ho! nicely $ro$ortioned she !as& Tho(gh she !as tall" and her ar+s and
legs !ere long" her ,ody !as also and e#erything 6(st see+ed to fit together right&
The !hite cotton sho!ed off her tan" and as she t(rned another $age" the s(,tle shift of +(scle (nder her sin !as
#isi,le to 2erry%s a$$reciati#ely !atching eyes&
2erry sighed" and $(t her chin do!n on her ar+" still feeling a little noced o(t fro+ the $artying the night ,efore& Her
sto+ach !asn%t in the +ood for +ore than tea" and her head hadn%t 8(ite sto$$ed thro,,ing& The disco+fort !as
+aing it hard for her to concentrate on her !riting" and ,esides" it !as really a lot +ore $leasant 6(st to lie aro(nd and
loo at .ar&
She had s(ch a nice $rofile& 2erry ,lined drea+ily& 't !as all angles and clean" shar$ $lanes" !ith a nice nose and !ell
sha$ed li$s&
-nd the eyes" of co(rse& 2erry s+iled&
/2er=1
KJ
Lh oh& /H++=1
/0hat%s that goofy grin for=1
/0as ' goofily grinning=1 2erry rolled onto her ,ac and t(gged the co#ers o#er her $a6a+a clad ,ody& /' can%t finish
this $oe+&1 She changed the s(,6ect& /' got st(c in the +iddle&1
/0hat%s it a,o(t=1 .ar sli$$ed a ,oo +ar into her ,oo and $(t it do!n" t(rning on her side and foc(sing her
attention on 2erry&
-h" those eyes& 2erry s(ddenly fo(nd herself lost in the+" (ntil the rising ,ro! o#er one +ade her reali5e she !as
staring lie a loon& /Sorry" !hat !as the 8(estion=1
/3o( still feeling the r(+=1 .ar ased" c(rio(sly&
2erry $(t her head do!n on her ar+& /May,e&1 She ad+itted& /' 6(st feel a little silly" ' g(ess&1
.ar got ($ and !aled o#er to the ,ed& She sat do!n ne)t to 2erry and r(,,ed her +idriff thro(gh the co#ers& /0ant to
try so+e toast or cereal=1
2erry c(rled herself aro(nd .ar instead" and rested her head on .ar%s thigh& /' thin ' 6(st !ant yo(&1 She $lanted a
gentle iss on the tan sin and closed her eyes&
.ar $lainti#ely !ondered if the hotel !o(ld charge for ha#ing to la(nder all the senti+ental gooshy goo$ she !as
$resently e)(ding& She%d ne#er considered herself a senti+ental $erson" ,(t since she%d +et 2erry she%d felt lie she
!as li#ing inside a circle of $er$et(ally adora,le Golden ;etrie#er $($$ies all the ti+e&
't !orried her so+eti+es& .ar felt $arts of the i+age she%d al!ays had of herself falling a!ay and disa$$earing and !as
a little (nsettling to no! it !as ha$$ening and ,e hel$less to sto$ it&
-h !ell& .ar dra$ed her ar+ o#er 2erry%s sho(lders and resigned herself to it& /Tell yo( !hat&1 She said& />et +e go
get +y la$to$" and !e can tae a loo at !hat !e%#e got so far&1
2erry rel(ctantly released her and sat ($& /7ay&1
.ar got to her feet and retrie#ed the de#ice" then ret(rned& She sat do!n on the ,ed and leaned ,ac" resting the la$to$
on her thighs& 2erry s8(ir+ed o#er and settled ne)t to her& They ,oth looed at the screen" as .ar s+oothly eyed in a
re8(est&
/7ay&1 .ar re#ie!ed her $rogra++atic res(lts& /0hat ' !as looing for?1
/0as a lin ,et!een the $iracy and .eSalliers&1 2erry +(r+(red" reaching o(t and to(ching the screen& /Bice code"
honey& ' lie that rec(rsi#e $arse&1
/Thans&1 .ar s+ired at the screen a little& />et%s see !hat it fo(nd&1 She ,ro(ght ($ t!o screens and loced the+ into
conc(rrency" scrolling do!n e#enly and looing fro+ one to the other& /Si)= There%s ,een +ore than t!o do5en&
.a+n&1
2erry !as shoced& T!o do5en hi6acings in the area" and no one had said anything& 't ,ordered on $ointing to a
definite coll(sion& /-re those fro+ the $olice files=1 She ased" $ointing to the $iracy records&
/3o(%re 6oing" right=1 .ar looed at her& /Bo& Those are the ins(rance filings&1 She n(dged a ey& /-h& >oos lie the
ins(rance (nder!riters are starting to get s(s$icio(s& This one%s $ending in#estigation&1
/H+& So the hi6acers !ill get their +oney" ,(t the g(y they hit +ight not=1
.ar shoo her head& /Bo" they%ll ha#e to $ay o(t (nless they thin the o!ner%s in cahoots !ith the $irates 6(st to +ae a
clai+& Most of these g(ys" !ho can ,(y ,oats lie that !o(ldn%t ,other&1 She cross checed so+ething& /' !as ho$ing
'%d see a correlation ,et!een .eSallier%s sal#age o$erations and the +issing ,oats" ,(t it loos lie this is the first ti+e
his ,(nch ha#e sho!n ($ in this area&1
/M+&1 2erry fro!ned& /3eah&1 She rested her chin on .ar%s sho(lder& /4an yo( $lot the $iracies gra$hically=1
.ar st(died the data" then she ,ro(ght ($ a code screen and started ty$ing ra$idly" sto$$ing only to ta, to a different
!indo! and cli$ so+e data ,efore she res(+ed $rogra++ing& -fter a fe! +in(tes" she ran the $rogra+" and a ne!
!indo! a$$eared !ith a so+e!hat ro(gh o(tline of the islands" the s$ace aro(nd the+ dotted !ith o+ino(s little $l(s
signs& /-in%t $retty" ,(t there ya go&1
/H+++&1 2erry st(died the gra$hic" then sighed& /Bo real $attern" h(h=1
/Bo$e&1
KK
/0e%re hitting ,ig n(lls here" .ar&1
/3eah&1 .ar had to ad+it&
- noc startled ,oth of the+& 2erry felt .ar%s ,ody stiffen" and she $(t a hand on her ar+& /'%ll get that&1 She rolled
off the other side of the ,ed ,efore .ar co(ld $rotest and !aled to the door" r(nning the fingers of one hand thro(gh
her hair self conscio(sly& She $eered thro(gh the $ee$hole" relie#ed to see one of the hotel staff there&
/Hi&1 2erry o$ened the door and iss(ed a in8(iring s+ile&
/Ma%a+= ' ha#e a note for a Ms& ;o,erts=1 The +an held ($ an en#elo$e&
/'%ll tae it&1 2erry e)tended her hand&
;el(ctantly" he ga#e it to her& /The gentle+an said to +ae s(re Ms& ;o,erts got that note&1
/She%ll get it& ' $ro+ise&1 2erry $(lled her head ,ac inside and closed the door fir+ly& She t(rned and nearly 6(+$ed
right o(t of her T-shirt !hen she fo(nd .ar standing silently in ,ac of her& /3i$esA Ces(s" .arA1
/0hat=1 .ar too the note& /3o( didn%t e)$ect +e to ,e in the roo+= 0hat%s ($ !ith that" 2er=1
/' didn%t hear yo( co+e ($ in ,ac of +e yo( fin&1 2erry $eered $ast her sho(lder as .ar o$ened the en#elo$e& 't !as
standard hotel stationary" and the note !as !ritten in ,lac in in a distincti#ely strong scri$t& /0ho%s it fro+=1
.ar%s eyes dro$$ed the ,otto+" then lifted& /.eSalliers&1 She stated ,riefly& />oos lie he still !ants to set ($ a
+eeting to tal&1
2erry read the note& /-rrogant S7B" isn%t he=1
/' nearly noced hi+ on his ass o(tside&1 Her $artner +(r+(red& /' don%t thin he lies +e +(ch&1
-s. 5oberts.
I will lea!e out any polite preambles. I ha!e business to discuss with you. I will be a!ailable this afternoon to
meet with you and determine if this business can be handled between us, or will be remanded to the
authorities. 3e at my dockside at three.

7. De$alliers.
/3o( sho(ld ha#e noced hi+ on his head& May,e it !o(ld ha#e let so+e sense lea in&1 2erry shoo her head& /.id
he forget he !as chasing (s=1 She added& /7r is this so+ething else=1
.ar folded the note and $(t it ,ac into the en#elo$e& /G(ess !e%ll find o(t&1 She re+ared& /Tho(gh" if yo(%re not
feeling ($ to it?1
/-h ah ah&1 2erry cla$$ed a hand o#er her +o(th& /.on%t yo( e#en try that&1 She said& /3o(%re not lea#ing +e
,ehind&1
Bl(e eyes !idened a,o#e her fingers&
2erry re+o#ed her hand& /'sn%t going onto his ,oat a little risy tho(gh=1
/Might ,e&1 .ar acno!ledged& /0e%ll ha#e to $lay it ,y ear&1 She tossed the en#elo$e do!n on the des and !ent to
the !indo!" ga5ing o(t at the still stor+y !eather& 0as she cra5y to ,e doing this at all= They !ere a!ay fro+ ho+e"
and o$erating all ,y the+sel#es& .ar !asn%t st($id" and if she had to loo logically at the scenario of t!o !o+en
e)ec(ti#es o(t in the 4ari,,ean $laying !ith fire lie this" she%d ,e forced to ad+it it !asn%t the s+artest idea in the
!orld&
.a+n it& .ar ne! herself to ,e a ris taer" and she had a lot of confidence in her 6(dg+ent and a,ility to tae care of
herself& B(t !as this taing it too far= 0as she 6(st ind(lging her o!n ego=
/3o( no! !hat=1 2erry had !andered o#er" and leaned on the sill ne)t to her& /' thin !e%re 6(st nat(ral
tro(,leshooters&1
.ar looed at her&
/0e%re so (sed to $ro,le+ sol#ing" !e ne#er really sto$ to thin a,o(t it e#en if the $ro,le+ really sho(ld ,e sol#ed ,y
so+eone else&1
KM
- little (nsettled" .ar t(rned and folded her ar+s& She !as s(r$rised to hear her o!n tho(ghts so eerily echoed ,ac at
her& /3o( thin so+eone else sho(ld ,e sol#ing this one=1
2erry e$t her eyes on the hori5on" and nodded slightly& She t(rned to face .ar& /B(t the $eo$le !ho sho(ld ,e +ight
,e $art of the $ro,le+&1 She said& /That%s !hat yo( thin" isn%t it" that the co$s are in on it=1
.ar nodded& /' thin they are" yeah&1
/H#eryone%s attit(de see+s to ,e to h(sh it ($& >et the fat and ha$$y to(rists ee$ co+ing" and if a fe! get hit" !ell"
then that%s oay ,eca(se +ost !on%t and !e need their +oney&1 2erry said& /They didn%t hit (s" so !e co(ld go along
!ith that" .ar& C(st tae o(r ,oat" and cr(ise on o(t of here& >et the+ sol#e their o!n $ro,le+s&1
/0e co(ld&1
The green eyes glinted& /9(c that&1
.ar s+iled&
/' li#ed the first t!enty si) years of +y life +aintaining the stat(s 8(o" .ar&1 2erry said" in a fir+ tone& /' !ant to roc
,oats and +ae a difference& H#en if that +eans taing a ris&1 She $ointed at .ar" $oing her in the ar+& /-nd yo("
Paladar ;o,erts" are a nat(ral ,orn ca$ed a#enger no +atter ho! +(ch yo( deny it&1
.ar r(,,ed her nec& /'%+ not s(re '%d $(t it lie that&1 She ad+itted& /B(t ' lie to fight the good fight" and !in it" if
that%s !hat yo( +ean&1 She glanced o(t the !indo!& /-nd ' don%t tr(st $eo$le to fi) things 6(st ,eca(se they%re
s($$osed to&1
/' no!&1 2erry eyed her !ith gentle a+(se+ent& /' al!ays get a ic o(t of seeing yo(r login checing ($ on +e&1
She sa! .ar stiffen" and reali5ed she%d ca(ght her flat footed& /'t%s lie $assing a senior e)a+&1 She !ent on" 8(icly&
/Beca(se ' no! if yo( don%t say anything to +e" ' did it all right&1
.ar t(rned" her e)$ression a +i)t(re of consternation and shee$ishness& /' tr(st yo(&1 She said& /3o( 6(st do things so
differently than ' do it%s?1
/.ar" !e%#e had this arg(+ent already&1 2erry interr($ted her 8(ietly& /'t really is oay < yo(%re +y ,oss" and it%s yo(r
6o, to +ae s(re things ha$$en&1 She sensed the ($set in the !o+an ne)t to her" tho(gh& /' no! yo( tr(st +e&1
/'t has nothing to do !ith tr(st&1 .ar +(ttered& /' !as 6(st c(rio(s&1 She sighed& /' lie to no! ho! things !or" so '
!as c(rio(s as to ho! yo( did !hat yo( did& So ' !ent in and looed after yo( !ere all done&1
2erry ,lined& /3o( +ean yo( !eren%t?&1
/Bo&1 .ar shoo her head& /'%+ sorry yo( tho(ght that&1
/7h&1 2erry sat do!n on the sill" her head cocing to one side as she a,sor,ed this ne! infor+ation& /0o!&1
/' checed ($ on yo( the first co($le of ti+es" ,(t that !as ,efore yo( !ent to clos(re on anything&1 .ar said& /So if
there !as a $ro,le+" ' co(ld fi) it& -fter that?no&1 She sat do!n ne)t to 2erry& /3o( didn%t do things the !ay ' !o(ld
ha#e" ,(t it !ored" and that%s all ' really care a,o(t in the long r(n&1
2erry scratched her 6a!& /L+&1 She cleared her throat& /Sorry for ass(+ing&1
/Soay&1 .ar sighed& /'t%s a reasona,le ass(+$tion to +ae a,o(t +e&1
They looed at each other& /' thin !e got a little sidetraced there&1 2erry ad+itted& /So are !e going to go after this
cree$=1
.ar e)haled& /3eah" ' thin !e did get a little off co(rse&1 She said& />et%s go see !hat he !ants& May,e !e can 6(st
tal to hi+ and c(t thro(gh so+e of the cra$&1
2erry nodded& /7ay&1
They ,oth sat there for a fe! +o+ents in silence& Then 2erry too a ,reath& /So" did '?1
/3o( did great&1 .ar c(t her off& /3o( i+$ressed the hell o(t of +e&1 She added& /7r" as yo(r ,oss" ' !o(ld ha#e said
so+ething&1
2erry iced her heels gently against the !all& /' fig(red that& B(t it%s nice to hear it&1
.ar +ade a +ental note" again" to !or on her $ositi#e feed,ac& 't !as so easy to tell e#eryone !hen they did
so+ething !rong" and she often forgot to tae care of the fli$ side& Bad +istae& She ne! ,etter& /Sorry ' didn%t tae
the ti+e to let yo( no!&1 She told 2erry& /'%ll try to do ,etter&1
M0
2erry $eeed at her& /Thans ,oss&1
.ar ga#e her a !ry loo" then ch(cled& />et%s get dressed& 0e can go get yo( so+e so($ for l(nch&1
/3o(%re on&1 2erry leaned o#er and ga#e .ar a one ar+ed h(g& />et%s go ,e cr(saders&1
;olling th(nder ,oo+ed an enth(siastic res$onse&
GG
2erry stood 6(st inside the door to the #erandah of the resta(rant" !atching the rain fall& She%d +anaged a ,o!l of
crea+ of so+ething ,land so($ !ith so+e cracers for l(nch and her ,ody see+ed to ha#e settled ,ac do!n to
so+ething near nor+al&
.ar had ,een #ery 8(iet since they%d left the roo+" tho(gh" and 2erry sensed there !as still a little strain ,et!een the+
fro+ their a,r($t $l(nge into the ,(siness side of their li#es& There !ere ti+es" she ad+itted $ri#ately" !hen she
!ished they didn%t !or so closely together&
She didn%t +ind ha#ing .ar as her s($er#isor < as far as cor$orate officers !ent" .ar !as ,etter than +ost in that
de$art+ent& 't !as 6(st that as their relationshi$ dee$ened and e#ol#ed" se$arating their li#es at !or got to(gher and
to(gher on ,oth of the+&
'n this case" she ne! she%d +ade .ar feel ,ad a,o(t her ass(+$tions e#en tho(gh 2erry didn%t act(ally +ind if they%d
,een tr(e& The first ti+e she%d s$otted the logon" she%d ,een a little (nsettled" ,(t after that" she%d !atched for it !ith a
sense of al+ost antici$ation& @.ar%s final checoff% ,eca+e a !ay for her to $(t clos(re on a $ro6ect and she ne! once
she%d seen it" she co(ld $(t that $($$y to ,ed and not ha#e to !orry a,o(t it co+ing ,ac to ni$ her in the ,(tt& 't !as a
#ery safe feeling&
2erry sighed& 'c& Tho(gh" no! that she tho(ght a,o(t it" the fact that .ar too the ti+e to re#ie! her techni8(es"
e#al(ating the+ and learning ho! she did things !as e)tre+ely flattering& Ho!e#er" she reali5ed that her thining .ar
!as snoo$ing after her !asn%t&
So&
She heard footste$s ,ehind her" and .ar e+erged onto the $orch" standing 8(ietly as she s(ced on a +int candy& 2erry
,aced ($ a ste$ and leaned against her" feeling .ar%s ,ody rela) as she felt the contact& She c(rled her fingers aro(nd
.ar%s and s8(ee5ed the+" and s+iled a little as the $ress(re !as ret(rned&
/3o( doing oay=1 .ar ased&
/-l+ost&1 2erry re$lied" t(rning her head to loo ($ at .ar& /-re yo( oay=1
.ar ga5ed ,ac at her !ith a 8(i55ical e)$ression" then her face rela)ed into a s+ile& /'%+ fine&1 She reass(red 2erry&
/B(t do +e a fa#or" !o(ld6a=1
/-nything&1 2erry re$lied sincerely&
/-s +e ne)t ti+e&1
2erry (nderstood !hat she +eant& -s" instead of ass(+ing& 't !as a ey conce$t she tho(ght she%d learned fro+ .ar
fro+ the #ery start < she%d 6(st seldo+ needed to a$$ly it to her #ery straightfor!ard ,oss& /' !ill&1 She $ro+ised&
/7ay&1 .ar ga#e her a $at on the hi$& /3o( ready to go +eet o(r +ysterio(s ad#ersary=1
/;eady as '%ll e#er ,e&1 2erry felt her g(ts (nnot as they $(lled their 6acets closed and 5i$$ed the+& Then they
!aled together do!n the ste$s and into the rain& The dro$s hit her sho(lders hea#ily" ,eating a gentle tattoo across
the+ as she e$t her head do!n and e$t !aling&
.ar thre! an ar+ o#er 2erry%s sho(lders and $(lled her cas(ally closer" t(rning slightly to tae the ,r(nt of the rainfall
on her taller for+& She foc(sed her attention on the a$$roaching docs" s$otting the o+ino(s for+ of the ,ig ,lac ,oat
at the #ery end of the+&
Her $(lse $iced ($&
There !ere t!o +en g(arding the gang$lan !hen they got there& .ar sto$$ed co+forta,ly short of the+ and $(t her
hands into her $ocets& She stared at the+ (ntil they got (nco+forta,le" then she $(lled the en#elo$e o(t of her $ocet
and fris,eed it o#er to the nearer one" s+acing hi+ in the chest !ith it&
Ten $oints for style& .ar ret(rned her hand to it%s dry ha#en and !aited&
M1
The g(ard scra+,led for the en#elo$e and snatched it ,efore it hit the floor& He ga#e .ar a threatening loo" then
o$ened it and (nfolded the $a$er& -fter he read it" he t(rned a!ay and s$oe into the radio cli$$ed to his sho(lder&
2erry roced ($ and do!n gently on her heels" taing the o$$ort(nity to st(dy the ,oat& The ,o! near the !aterline
,ore fresh $aint" and she ga(ged they%d had to $atch at least ten feet of the fi,erglass& She ch(cled silently" ,(t looed
($ as she heard the g(ard co+ing closer&
/4o+e !ith +e&1 The g(ard s$oe to .ar gr(ffly& /C(st yo(&1
/2iss +y ass&1 .ar re$lied" in a $leasant dra!l& /Tell yo(r ,oss if he !ants to tal" c%+on o(t here&1
The g(ard 6(st looed at her&
/G%!an&1 .ar shooed hi+ off& /3es or no" si)ty seconds&1
The +an snorted" then t(rned a!ay again and s$oe into his sho(lder&
/.on%t yo( get a stiff nec after a !hile lie that=1 2erry !his$ered to .ar&
/3o( start doing it e#en !hen yo( aren%t !earing the da+n thing&1 .ar !his$ered ,ac& />ie in the s($er+aret&
There ya are" ,(ying +il ne)t to a g(y taling to his ar+&1
2erry snicered& /'s that lie @tal to the hand" ,(ddy" tal to the hand=% she +o#ed her fingers in a $($$etlie +otion&
.ar shoo her head& /These g(ys are lie cartoon characters&1 She indicated the g(ard a$$roaching the+ yet again" his
,ody,(ilder $hysi8(e fle)ing lie a Macy%s ,alloon&
/Mr& .eSalliers said he doesn%t ha#e ti+e to $lay ga+es !ith yo(&1 The g(ard anno(nced&
/-ll right&1 .ar lifted a hand& /Hasta Manana" Cacass&1 She t(rned and started ,ac do!n the docs& /'f he changes his
+ind" !e%re in sli$ 30&1
/Bye&1 2erry !aggled her fingers at the +en" ,efore she a+,led after .ar& She ca(ght ($ to her $artner after a fe!
ste$s" and they strolled along together& /So&1 She co++ented& /Bo! !hat=1
.ar glanced do!n at the eychain !atch loo$ed thro(gh her ,elt& /Gi#e it a +in(te&1
't really !as a ,ig ga+e" of sorts& 2erry had gotten (sed to the delicate and so+eti+es not so delicate +ane(#erings of
the ,oardroo+& This didn%t see+ that different&
/Ms& ;o,ertsA1
/7o" yo(%re good&1 2erry cl(ced her tong(e&
.ar $a(sed and looed o#er her sho(lder" her eyes hidden ,ehind s(nglasses des$ite the rain& -h& .eSalliers hi+self
!as trotting do!n the doc after the+" his ,l(e ,la5er getting s$otted !ith rain& .ar t(rned f(lly and !aited" ha#ing
gotten !hat she ased for& /3es=1
/Ms& ;o,erts" Ms& ;o,erts&1 .eSalliers sighed& /3o( no!" ' thin !e really did start off on the !rong foot&1 His
attit(de" co+$letely re#ersed fro+ the +orning%s !as al+ost friendly& /-ll !e do is ee$ getting +ore and +ore hostile&
4an%t !e t(rn this aro(nd=1
.ar regarded hi+ !arily&
/Please&1 .eSalliers contin(ed& />et%s 6(st go inside" o(t of this ,lasted rain" and tal&1
The ris see+ed acce$ta,le" .ar reasoned" considering e#erything& /-ll right&1 She agreed&
/Great&1 He started to lead the !ay ,ac to!ards his ,oat& /'%+ s(re !e can co+e to a ,etter (nderstanding of each
other" if !e 6(st $(t a little effort into it&1 7nly then did he see+ to notice 2erry%s contin(ed $resence& /Sorry" ' don%t
thin !e%#e +et=1
/2erry&1 2erry $ro+$tly e)tended a hand&
/-h&1 .eSalliers too it and $ressed it ,riefly& /-nd yo( are?=1
/.ar%s -+erican H)$ress card&1 2erry re$lied s+oothly& /She ne#er lea#es ho+e !itho(t +e&1
.ar had to ,ite the inside of her li$ to ee$ fro+ s+iling& /0e%re $artners&1 She s($$lied s(ccinctly&
They $assed the t!o g(ards" ,oth of !ho+ glared at .ar as she ,r(shed ,y the+& .ar ignored their attit(de and
follo!ed .eSalliers ($ the long gang$lan to the dec of his ,oat" ste$$ing neatly do!n after hi+ onto the #essel&
M2
2erry eased off after .ar" looing aro(nd at the ,ig ,oat%s dec as they +o#ed aro(nd to!ards the ca,in& The dec floor
!as co#ered in a+a5ingly $l(sh looing all !eather -strot(rf" and there !ere t!o +ore g(ards !ho !ere ,raced on
either side of the dec" hands clas$ed ,ehind their ,acs& They !ere ,ig" and healthy looing" and re+inded 2erry
irresisti,ly of cattle& /Moo&1 She (ttered" (nder her ,reath&
.ar%s sho(lders t!itched in a silent la(gh&
They follo!ed .eSalliers inside the ca,in" and fo(nd a s$ace as ostentatio(sly !ell a$$ointed as the e)terior dec
s(ggested& 't !as f(ll of dar" leather f(rnit(re and tea !ood" and s+elled #ery +asc(line& 7n one side there !as a ,ar"
co+$lete !ith a ceiling +o(nted glass rac !ith $i#ots& -cross fro+ the ,ar !as an entertain+ent center !ith a circ(lar
#ie!ing lo(nge& To!ards the rear !as a s$acio(s galley" and ,ehind that a closed door that lead to the +ore $ri#ate
areas of the ,oat%s ca,in&
The !indo!s !ere so tinted" light ,arely $enetrated& Most of the ill(+ination !as $ro#ided ,y recessed fi)t(res near
the !alls" and one searingly ,right ,ea+ that s$lashed o#er the dining roo+ ta,le" highlighting a crystal #ase !ith a
single" $erfect red rose in it&
/Please" sit do!n&1 .eSalliers said" as he crossed to the ,ar& /4an ' get yo( ,oth a drin=1
/Bo than yo(&1 2erry re$lied& She !aited 8(ietly near the door" looing aro(nd her&
.ar !as circling the ca,in" e)a+ining the oriental the+ed fra+ed +ats on the !alls& /Bothing for +e" thans&1 She
sto$$ed in front of a s+all $ainting near the galley" leaning for!ard a little as she recogni5ed the style& Her eye,ro!s
,oth rose ,ehind her glasses&
/Bice $iece" isn%t it=1 Their host s$oe ($ ,ehind her& /' ha#e a +(ch larger one at +y ho+e& Tr(ly ca$t(res the
+a6esty of the sea&1
.ar straightened& /:ery nice&1 She $(lled her s(nglasses off and t(rned" che!ing on the ear$iece as she regarded
.eSalliers& /'%ll $ass yo(r co+$li+ents on to +y +other&1
The +an fro5e in $lace& His ,ro!s contracted fiercely" gi#ing hi+ an al+ost co+ical loo as he $a(sed in the act of
$o(ring hi+self a glass of !hat a$$eared to ,e scotch& /H)c(se +e=1
.ar gest(red !ith her th(+, o#er her sho(lder at the s+all $ainting& /That%s +y +other%s !or&1 She re$lied +ildly&
/Seasca$es are a fa#orite the+e of hers&1
.eSalliers $(t the glass do!n" and rested his hands on the ,ar& /0ell" !ell&1 He +(r+(red& /3o( are the #erita,le
Pandora%s ,o) of s(r$rises" aren%t yo(" Ms& ;o,erts=1 He $iced ($ his glass and s!irled it" circling .ar& /' send o(t
an in8(iry e)$ecting at ,est" so+e rich ,rat tooling a,o(t the 4ari,,ean and !hat do ' co+e ($ !ith= The 4'7 of the
largest co+$(ter ser#ices organi5ation in the !orld&1 He $a(sed& /0hat a s(r$rise&1
.ar shr(gged& /0e%re e#en& ' go o(t tooling a,o(t the 4ari,,ean on a si+$le #acation" and !hat do ' co+e ($ !ith=
-ssholes chasing +y ,oat" ,reaing and entering +y hotel roo+" and #ag(e" (seless threats sent ,y co(rier&1 She
co(ntered& /0hat a s(r$rise& -ll ' !as e)$ecting !as reasona,le !eather and a fe! s$iny lo,ster&1
.eSalliers sighed& /' tho(ght !e !ere trying to get on a ,etter footing&1
.ar s$read her hands o(t" ,oth of her eye,ro!s lifting& /' co+e ($ fro+ a da+n di#e" and the ne)t thing ' no! yo(r
half !itted goons are chasing +y ass do!n&1
/Bo!" Ms& ;o,erts&1 The +an held a hand ($ soothingly& /' reali5e no! !e ca+e at yo( the !rong !ay&1
/3o( +ean" after the inti+idation trics didn%t !or" then yo( decided to find o(t !ho yo( !ere chasing=1 2erry
co++ented fro+ her s$ot near the door!ay&
.eSalliers shot a glance at her& />oo&1 He a$$arently decided the gracio(s host sca+ !asn%t !oring& />et%s c(t to the
chase&1
/9inally&1 .ar che!ed on her s(nglasses again& Then she sa(ntered o#er to the nearest co+forta,le leather chair and
s$ra!led in it& 2erry ca(ght the al+ost i+$erce$ti,le signal and 6oined her" $erching on the chair ar+&
/7ay&1 .eSalliers ada$ted again" taing the chair across fro+ the+& /Here%s the deal&1 His entire attit(de had changed"
,eco+ing to(gh and ,(sinesslie& -l+ost lie .ar" in fact& /' ha#e a $iece of ocean that ' o!n the rights of sal#age on&
3o( do#e that $iece of ocean" and re+o#ed so+ething fro+ it& ' !ant it&1
/7ay&1 2erry too the lead& /9irst off" yo( didn%t +ar the sal#age site&1 She ticed off her fingers& /3o( didn%t $ost a
,(oy" yo( didn%t $(t ($ a di#er flag" and there !ere no tags on the !rec&1
M3
He too a si$ of his drin& /0e !ere a,o(t to&1
/0hat%s so i+$ortant a,o(t this !rec=1 2erry ased& /' sa! it& 't%s an old fishing freighter !ith +ore coral than steel&1
/That%s none of yo(r ,(siness&1
/Then&1 .ar $iced ($ the con#ersation& /9or yo(r records" !e $iced ($ a conch shell and ,ro(ght it to$side& 3o(
don%t ha#e sal#age rights on +arine in#erte,rates or their calcifero(s e)terior str(ct(res&1
The +an%s fingers dr(++ed ner#o(sly on his nee" !hich 6iggled slightly !ith tension& /'%+ #ery sorry&1 He re+ared
8(ietly& /B(t ' don%t ,elie#e yo(&1
/0hy=1 2erry ased s(ddenly& /H)c(se +e" ,(t !hat the hell !o(ld !e care a,o(t +arine sal#age= 0e%re nerd s$ort
di#ers&1 She stood ($ and $aced& /That%s !hat ' don%t (nderstand a,o(t this entire scenario& 0hat +aes yo( thin !e
gi#e a rats $atootie a,o(t !hate#er 6(n yo(%re searching for=1
.eSalliers ga5ed at her thro(gh hooded eyes& /0ho are yo(=1
.ar leaned for!ard and ca(ght his attention& /0hat are yo( looing for=1 She ased" in a lo!" #i,rant tone& /'f it%s !hat
!e too fro+ the sea" !e%ll tell yo(&1
His dar eyes ,ored into hers& They stared at each other for a long +o+ent& /' can%t tell yo(&1 .eSalliers finally said&
.ar started to get ($& /0aste of ti+e&1
/Ms& ;o,erts&1 He also stood" and held a hand ($& /' +ean it& ' can%t tell yo(& Bot !on%t&1
/3o( don%t no! !hat it is&1 2erry reali5ed& /3o( ha#e no idea !hat yo(%re looing for" do yo(=1
.eSalliers rela)ed ,ac into his chair !ith a disg(sted sigh&
.ar settled ,ac and crossed her anles& /'%+ not getting this&1 She shoo her head& /Ho! the hell can yo( stae a
sal#age clai+ on an (nno!n o,6ect=1 She ased their host&
He r(,,ed his te+$les& /.id yo( e#er get hoisted on yo(r o!n $etard" Ms& ;o,erts=1 He in8(ired& /H(ng o(t to dry ,y
yo(r o!n re$(tation=1
.ar considered the 8(estion& /Bo&1 She re$lied& /Bot yet" any!ay&1
2erry !aled o#er and nelt ne)t to his chair" resting her ar+ near his& /Tal to (s" Mr& .eSalliers& Tell (s !hat the
hec is really going on& May,e !e can hel$&1 She ga#e hi+ a 8(iet" sincere loo& /0e%re ,etter friends than ene+ies"
,elie#e +e&1
He hesitated" then too a ,reath&
The door sla++ed o$en" and one of the g(ards r(shed in& /SirA SirA He%s o(t thereA They%re di#ing the !recA1
/Shit&1 .eSalliers 6(+$ed to his feet& /'%ll ill that little ,astard& 4ast offA1 He started to lea#e the ca,in" then
a$$arently re+e+,ered his g(ests& /Sorry& Ho$e yo( en6oy the ride&1
.ar and 2erry !ere ,oth on their feet and heading for the door& .eSalliers $o$$ed thro(gh it ,efore they co(ld reach it"
and the g(ard sla++ed it sh(t" facing the+ !ith an air of +(sc(lar +enace&
/3o( ladies ,etter sit on do!n&1 The g(ard said" gr(ffly&
.ar handed 2erry her s(nglasses& /' s(ggest yo( +o#e&1 She re$lied to the g(ard in an e#en tone& /0e%re lea#ing&1
/Sitdo!n&1 The g(ard re$eated" $ointing&
.ar ad#anced on hi+& /Mo#e&1 She $inned hi+ !ith an ice cold ga5e&
/>ady" '%+ gonna ,rea yo(r ass if yo( don%t sit do!n&1 The g(ard told her&
/Try it&1 .ar didn%t +iss a ,eat& She felt her ,ody react to the danger" adrenaline icing in and ,ringing a s(rge of
,lood to her sin as she ca+e ($ o#er her center of ,alance& The g(ard !as t!ice her si5e" ,(t in that +o+ent she co(ld
ha#e cared less& He !as ,et!een her" and safety for her and 2erry&
He !as +o#ing&
The ,oat engines r(+,led to life& .ar%s hands fle)ed" and she let the dar energy inside her (ncoil as she started for the
door&
M4
The g(ard reached for her" c(rsing& They gra$$led ,riefly" then he thre! .ar against the !all" co+ing after her as she
,o(nced off it& His hand e)tended to!ards her" his other one c(rling into a fist&
.ar gra,,ed his hand and s!i#eled" lashing o(t !ith a side ic that ca(ght hi+ right in the 6a!& His head sna$$ed ,ac
and she 6ered hi+ off ,alance" then !hirled and le#ered hi+ o#er her sho(lder" thro!ing hi+ to the floor& 0ith a
snort" she gra,,ed the door handle and yaned it o$en" as 2erry ho$$ed o#er the st(nned +an and 6oined her&
They looed o(t to see the doc receding" ,l(e !ater ,et!een the+" and it& T!o g(ards !ere scra+,ling to!ards
the+& /9eel lie a s!i+=1 .ar ased" already starting for the stern railing&
/-ny!here yo( go" ' go&1 2erry dodged an o(tstretched ar+ and they ,oth ,olted across the dec" hearing .eSallier%s
yell ,ehind the+ as they lea$ed to the railing then do#e off together into the ch(rning !ater&
GG
Part "
.ar s(rfaced" co(ghing to clear her l(ngs of a hastily +is-s!allo!ed +o(thf(l of sea!ater& She s!i#eled aro(nd"
shaing the hair o(t of her eyes as she frantically searched for 2erry& - +o+ent later" the ,lond !o+an $o$$ed ($
near,y& 2erry s$otted her and s!a+ o#er !ith 8(ic" efficient stroes& The !ater !as cho$$y" and the do!n$o(r +ade
it hard to see" ,(t she +ade it thro(gh the s!ells to .ar%s side&
9or a +o+ent" they tread !ater and 6(st looed at each other& .ar shoo her ,angs o(t of her eyes again and s8(inted
thro(gh the rain& /4%+on&1 She stifled a co(gh& />et%s get to the ,oat&1
Bet!een the tide" the rain" and the cho$ it !as a to(gh s!i+& 2erry fo(nd herself really +issing her fins as she
str(ggled to +ae $rogress& - cra!l stroe didn%t do +(ch" so she s!itched to a frog+an style of s!i++ing" ee$ing
6(st her head a,o#e !ater so she co(ld ,reathe& Her strength" tho(gh" started gi#ing o(t !hen they !ere a,o(t three
8(arters of the !ay ,ac to the docs" and she slo!ed to catch her ,reath&
.ar see+ed to sense it& She sto$$ed and t(rned in the !ater" then s!a+ ,ac o#er to her& /0hat%s !rong=1
/Tired&1 2erry ad+itted& /Gi#e +e a +in(te&1
/Hang on&1 .ar offered her ar+" her legs +o#ing $o!erf(lly (nder the !a#es and ee$ing her ($right&
/Bo" it%s oay&1 2erry felt a little ,etter& She started +o#ing for!ard again& .ar stayed close ,y her side as they ,attled
inside the sea!all" the rain co+ing do!n harder and harder& 2erry felt .ar slo! 6(st inside the !all" and she reached
o(t to gra, onto the rocs" resisting the !a#es that !ere trying to ,ash her against the+&
/Bot +(ch f(rther&1 .ar $ointed to the rocing for+ of their ,oat" di+ly seen thro(gh the rain& /-re yo( all right=1
2erry felt her second !ind icing in& /3es&1 She nodded $ositi#ely& />et%s get o#er there&1 She $(shed off the !all and
started s!i++ing" feeling a strong c(rrent fighting her $(lling o(t !ith the !aning of the tide& Gri+ly" she $(shed
against it and e$t at .ar%s sho(lder !ith deter+ined effort& The cho$ !ashed o#er her" +aing her eyes sting and she
tasted salt in the ,ac of her +o(th +ore than once& Her foc(s narro!ed do!n to the chilling !ater" the ,eat of the rain"
and the tall ,ody +o#ing 6(st ahead of her&
So+ething not !ater ,r(shed against her" and she felt stringy so+ething%s trail o#er her ,ody& She 6ered and t!isted"
then gas$ed as a searing $ain across her +idriff nearly shoced her senseless& /.a+n&1 She held still !ith great effort"
and felt the strings drift off" and then she started for!ard again" gri+acing at the 6olts still going thro(gh her ,ody&
Cellyfish& 2erry c(rsed (nder her ,reath& C(st +y l(c& -fter a +o+ent" tho(gh" the $ain faded a little" and she $(shed
it o(t of her +ind as she contin(ed on&
Her ,reath !as co+ing short" and her +(scles !ere ,(rning $ainf(lly !hen she heard the distincti#e so(nd of the !a#es
sla$$ing against fi,erglass near,y& 2erry looed ($ to see a !hite s(rface arcing o#er her head& She reached o(t and
gra,,ed the ,arnacled edge of the doc as she !atched .ar a$$roach the side of the ,oat& 0ith a $o!erf(l s(rge" she
e+erged fro+ the !ater" ar+s e)tended to!ards the railing that d(ced to!ards her at the last +o+ent and o,ligingly
sla$$ed itself into her hands&
.ar gra,,ed on and h(ng there for a +o+ent" #isi,ly gathering her strength& Her !et clothing cl(ng to her ,ody" and
2erry sa! her chest e)$and as she too a dee$ ,reath& Her ($$er ,ody contracted" $(lling her ($ to the railing and then
o#er it" ,(t 2erry co(ld see the effort it too and gi#en ho! she herself felt at the +o+ent considered it a testa+ent to
.ar%s #ery st(rdy constit(tion&
She ne! she !asn%t going to ,e doing that any ti+e soon" so she $(shed off again and stroed for the stern" the lo!est
$art of the ,oat !here the di#e ladder !as cla+$ed in $lace& By the ti+e she got there" she heard the clans as .ar
M*
(nhooed the hatch and freed the ladder& The ne)t thing she felt !as a light sting as the al(+in(+ t(,ing hit the !ater
ne)t to her and 8(icly s(,+erged& Gratef(lly she gra,,ed on to the ste$s" riding the ladder in the cho$ (ntil the ,oat
di$$ed again" then getting her feet on the ,otto+ ste$ and $(shing ($!ard&
.ar%s gri$ s(ddenly fastened aro(nd her ar+ and she !as ha(led (ncere+onio(sly a,oard the ,oat" landing on the stern
dec in a soggy l(+$ as .ar $(lled the ladder ($ and closed the ,ac hatch&
B(h& 2erry disco#ered that sitting still !as a #ery good thing& She didn%t e#en +ind the rain $elting her" rinsing the salt
!ater off her ,ody as she str(ggled into a cross legged $osition& Her ar+s and legs felt n(+, and !eaD she e$t her
head do!n as she rested her el,o!s on her thighs and si+$ly !ored on catching her ,reath&
.ar dro$$ed do!n ne)t to her" see+ingly 6(st as glad to 6(st sit still& She e)tended her long legs o(t and rested her
hands on her nees& /Son of a f(cing ,itch&1
2erry%s head lifted" and she regarded her lo#er ,e+(sedly& /-re yo( thining +ay,e !e sho(ld 6(st go to >as :egas on
#acation ne)t ti+e=1
Bl(e eyes fra+ed in a +ess of dar" !et hair $eered at her& /0ith +y l(c" a co+$(ter #ir(s !o(ld tae do!n the entire
city !hile !e !ere there&1 .ar e)haled& /3o( oay=1
/C(st !i$ed&1 2erry nodded& /-nd ' thin ' s!allo!ed half a gallon of salt !ater& My tong(e is $icled&1 She raed her
hair ,ac o(t of her face& /.ar" that s(ced&1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar ,le! o(t a ,reath& /Might as !ell get o(t of the rain&1 0ith a slight gr(nt" she $(shed herself to her feet
and ga5ed o(t $ast the +arina entrance& 't !as hard to fatho+ !hat had 6(st ha$$ened& 7ne +o+ent they%d ,een getting
so+e!here !ith .eSalliers" then ne)t +in(te she%d fo(nd herself in an al+ost dangero(s sit(ation&
0hich" she considered tho(ghtf(lly" she%d act(ally handled da+n !ell&
/.ar=1
.ar t(rned" to find 2erry holding a hand ($ !ith a !ry e)$ression&
/Mind gi#ing +e a t(g ($=1
.ar clas$ed her hand and leaned ,ac!ard" $(lling 2erry to her feet& /0onder !ho he too off after=1 She +(sed" as
they +o#ed to!ards the ca,in door and she fished in her $ocet for the ey& /.a+n" if !e%d only had a +in(te +ore&1
/3eah&1 2erry agreed& /0e !ere close& .id yo( hear !hat he said= -,o(t his re$(tation= 0hat !as that all a,o(t" '
!onder=1
.ar $a(sed" holding the door o$en& /0ant to go find o(t=1
2erry looed ($ at her& /3o( +ean" go o(t there after the+=1 She !atched .ar nod& /That%s totally insane" .ar&1 -n
eye,ro! 8(ired !ryly at her& />et%s do it&1
/Go in and change& '%ll c(t (s loose&1 .ar ga#e her a $at on the ,ehind" and then disa$$eared ($ onto the dec&
/-ye aye" ca$%n&1 2erry entered the ca,in" shaing her head and ch(cling ,e+(sedly& /Bo one%s gonna ,elie#e this&1
She told the e+$ty roo+& They%d ,ro(ght their things do!n fro+ the hotel ,efore they%d gone for ,reafastD their ,ags
and .ar%s la$to$ !ere resting on the ta,le !here they%d left the+&
2erry stri$$ed off her soaing !et shirt as she contin(ed thro(gh the ca,in and into the head& She h(ng it ($ on the
sho!er rail then added her shorts to it" tossing her sneaers into the sho!er itself along !ith her socs and (nder!ear&
The r(+,le of the engines starting thr(++ed thro(gh her ,are feet& 2erry sli$$ed o(t of the head and into the ,edroo+"
gi#ing herself a c(rsory glance in the +irror on her !ay to the dresser& /0o!& 4hec the dro!ned rat o(t&1 She $ointed
at herself& Her sin sho!ed a fe! light scra$es and the red +ar !here she tho(ght she%d ,een st(ng ,y a 6ellyfish& 't
still thro,,ed" and she !inced as she $ressed lightly against the s$ot&
The ,oat +o#ed" and she gra,,ed 8(icly at the dresser" holding her ,alance& She !aited for the t(rn to finish and the
,o! to straighten o(t" then she t(gged dry clothes fro+ the dresser and slid into the+& Then she gra,,ed a rain slicer
fro+ the closet and $(lled it o#er her head" $a(sing to ch(cle !hen the gar+ent fell all the !ay to her nees&
/0hoo$s&1 She started to re+o#e it" then sto$$ed in +id +otion and resettled the r(,,eri5ed fa,ric aro(nd her&
0itho(t really sto$$ing to thin a,o(t !hy she%d done that" she !aled to the galley and gra,,ed a ,ottle of !ater fro+
the s+all refrigerator& Po$$ing the to$ o$en" she s(ced do!n a fe! g(l$s to get the taste of the sea fro+ her +o(th"
and then headed for the door&
GG
MI
.ar settled soggily into the ca$tain%s chair" !incing at the (nco+forta,le da+$ness of her clothes& She ad6(sted the
throttles and g(ided the ,oat o(t of the doc" reasoning that she co(ld get 2erry to tae the hel+ long eno(gh for her to
change !hen they !ere o(t and into o$en !ater&
The rain ,eat steadily do!n on the roof co#ering her" and .ar leaned for!ard to see ,etter thro(gh the $lastic as she
g(ided the ,oat o(t into the channel& She t(rned at the ,(oy and n(dged the engines for!ard" setting off after the
disa$$earing s$ec that !as .eSalliers craft&
She%d ,arely had ti+e to rela) !hen she heard 2erry cli+,ing ($ the ladder& .ar t(rned to see her lo#er a$$ear on the
flying ,ridge" dressed in a ,l(e slicer o,#io(sly not her o!n& 2erry scooted (nder the ,ridge co#er and $(shed the
hood on her raincoat ,ac" e)$osing dishe#eled ,lond hair& /Bice 6acet&1
/3o( lie it=1 2erry $resented her !ith the ,ottle of !ater" and then dra$ed her ar+s o#er .ar%s s sho(lders& /' thin '
got st(ng ,y a 6ellyfish" .ar&1
/3eah=1 .ar set their co(rse" and then t(rned her attention to 2erry& /0here=1
2erry $(lled her o#erlarge 6acet ($ and then her shirt" e)$osing her ,elly& /There&1
.ar $eered at it" gently to(ching the angry red +ar& /.oes it h(rt=1 She looed ($ at 2erry%s face& /Bot 6(st sting"
act(ally h(rt=1
/- little&1 2erry ad+itted& /'t%s sort of thro,,ing&1 She e)$lained& /7ther!ise ' !o(ldn%t ha#e e#en +entioned it" .ar&
' +ean" '%#e gotten hit ,y +en o%!ar ,efore&1
/.id yo( clean it off !ith anything=1
2erry shoo her head& /.idn%t thin ' needed to < do '=1
/' don%t no!&1 .ar fro!ned& /.id yo( see !hat ind of 6ellyfish it !as=1
/Bo&1 2erry sat do!n ne)t to her& /'t%s oay" ' thin& 't h(rt a lot !hen it first ha$$ened" ,(t no! it%s 6(st annoying&1
She scanned the hori5on& /0hat%s the $lan=1
.ar o$ened the s+all ca,inet (nder the console and re+o#ed a ,ro!n ,ottle and a s+all $acet of ga(5e ,andage& /P(ll
that 6acet ,ac ($&1 She ordered" o$ening the ,ottle of alcohol and !etting the ga(5e&
/Sho(ldn%t yo( ,e !atching !here !e%re going=1 2erry teased gently& /'nstead of $laying !ith +y na#el=1
Be#ertheless" she hied ($ the fa,ric and the shirt (nderneath" s(cing in a ,reath as the ga(5e to(ched her sin and
,(rned& /7!&1
/So+e of those st($id things lea#e stinging cells&1 .ar told her& /Hold the !heel !hile ' do this&1
2erry c(rled her fingers aro(nd the +etal" ee$ing the+ on co(rse as she felt .ar caref(lly clean the still $ainf(l s$ot
on her ,elly& The thro,,ing see+ed to ,e getting a little !orse" ,(t she fig(red that !as ,eca(se .ar !as +essing !ith
it& /0hat are !e going to do !hen !e catch ($ to the+=1
.ar finished her tas and gently $(lled 2erry%s shirt do!n" then arranged the rain 6acet o#er it& /C(st !atch&1 She said"
gi#ing 2erry a little $at on the side& /May,e !e can +ane(#er hi+ into re#ealing !hat his ga+e is&1
/' ho$e so&1 2erry sat ,ac do!n and sighed&
.ar glanced at her& 2erry%s $rofile see+ed tense" and she co(ld see tiny creases aro(nd her eyes& /Hey&1
2erry looed o#er" her green eyes #isi,ly ,loodshot& /H+=1
/0e don%t ha#e to do this&1
The ,lond !o+an coced her head& /H(h= ' tho(ght yo( !anted to go after the+&1
/3o( don%t loo so hot&1
2erry s!allo!ed" her ,ro! contracting& /'%+ fine&1 She told .ar&
.ar looed do(,tf(lly at her&
/.ar&1 2erry%s #oice too on a hint of i+$atience& /'%+ not a little id&1
/' didn%t say yo( !ere&1 .ar fiddled !ith the controls" fidgeting o#er the throttles& /'%+ 6(st !ondering if ,eing o(t here
chasing do!n a n(tcase in the rain is s(ch a good idea&1 She said& /May,e !e sho(ld 6(st dro$ it" 2er&1
MJ
2erry $ro$$ed one ,are foot ($ against the console and st(died it& She co(ld hear the ($set in .ar%s #oice and ne! she
!as at the root of it& /' thin?1 She $a(sed" and really considered her !ords& /' thin if !e%d dro$$ed it at the #ery
start" that !o(ld ha#e ,een oay&1
.ar !atched her o(t of the corner of her eye&
/B(t no!" ' thin !e ha#e to see this thro(gh& 3o( no!=1 2erry said& /' don%t lie the idea of r(nning a!ay" and if !e
6(st d(ced o(t no!" no!ing !hat !e no!" then that%s ho! '%d feel&1
/M+$h&1 .ar gr(nted gr(dgingly& /This !as s($$osed to ,e a rela)ing #acation&1 She co(ntered& /9or ,oth of (s&1
2erry reached o(t and circled .ar%s ar+ !ith her fingers& /.o yo( !ant to sto$=1 She ased !ith 8(iet sincerity&
/S!eetheart" if that%s !hat yo( !ant" !e%ll do it&1 Her hand tightened slightly&
.ar fastened her eyes on the hori5on" $ondering in silence for a #ery long +in(te& She felt torn ,et!een her desire to
no! the tr(th" and her e8(ally $o!erf(l desire to $rotect 2erry&
/.ar=1 2erry (ttered softly&
/3eah=1
/0hy don%t !e co+$ro+ise= >et%s not follo! the+& >et%s circle aro(nd the other side of 4harlie%s island" and !atch
fro+ ,ehind that $oint on the !est side& /
.ar ad6(sted the throttles a little& /-nd=1 She $ro,ed the idea ca(tio(sly&
/That !ay" !e don%t force a confrontation" and !e can 6(st sort of satisfy o(r c(riosity&1 2erry reasoned& /-nd if there%s
nothing going on" !e can&&& (+&&&1 She $l(ced gently at .ar%s da+$ slee#e& /Get a lot +ore co+forta,le do!nstairs&1
't !as an acce$ta,le $lan" .ar decided& /7ay&1 She agreed& /' can go !ith that&1
/4ool&1 2erry grinned ,riefly& She slid o#er on the seat a little" and leaned against .ar%s da+$ ,ody" laying her head on
.ar%s sho(lder& The thro,,ing fro+ her sting see+ed to ,e getting !orse" and she no! had a headache" ,(t she reasoned
that it !as nothing a little rela)ing in .ar%s $ro)i+ity co(ldn%t c(re&
The ,oat shot on in the rain" no! in a c(r#ing $ath that left .eSalliers to disa$$ear o#er the hori5on&
GG
The second ti+e she felt the chill" 2erry reali5ed so+ething !as !rong& .es$ite the $rotection of her rain slicer" she
felt cold" and her throat see+ed to ,e closing +aing it hard to s!allo!& She de,ated trying to ignore the feeling" ,(t
her ,etter sense inter#ened& /.ar=1
Her $artner looed 8(icly at her& 7ne hand lifted and to(ched the side of her face& /3o( oay=1
2erry%s li$s t!itched& /' don%t thin so& ' feel ind of lo(sy&1 She ad+itted& /'%+ cold and +y throat h(rts&1
.ar $(t a hand on her forehead" and c(rsed& She t(rned and s(r#eyed their s(rro(ndings !ith an)io(s eyes& They !ere
nearing the north side of 4harlie%s island" ,(t other!ise they !ere in a large $atch of 8(iet" e+$ty sea&
She slo!ed the engines" and then stilled the+" checing the de$th +eter as they drifted&
/0h&&&1 2erry sto$$ed" finding it a little hard to ,reathe& /0hat are yo( doing=1 She !atched .ar !or the ,oats
controls" and reali5ed s(ddenly her hands !ere shaing& /.ar=1
/Beed to get yo( ,elo!&1 .ar s$oe 8(ietly" !ith a !orld of tension in her #oice& /'%+ going to dro$ anchor&1 She did
e)actly that" and the rattle of the de$loying anchor !as s(ddenly lo(d as she c(t the engines& /4%+on& '%#e got a it
do!nstairs ' thin !e%re gonna need&1
2erry !asn%t really s(re !hat !as going on" ,(t she stood" holding on to .ar%s ar+ !hen her nees s(ddenly threatened
not to hold her& /7h ,oy&1
/Hang on to +e&1 .ar clas$ed her aro(nd the !aist" and g(ided her to the ladder& /3o(%re ha#ing a reaction to !hate#er
st(ng yo(" ' thin&1
/7h&1 2erry shi#ered" feeling lie she !as (nder!ater trying to ,reathe& /My throat? feels inda thic&1 She e$t her
,reath for cli+,ing" feeling the (tter sec(rity of .ar !ra$$ed aro(nd her& /9eels f(nny&1
They reached the dec and 2erry%s legs ,(cled (nder her& /.&&&1
MK
/'%#e got yo(&1 .ar $iced her ($ ,odily and carried her into the ca,in" icing the door o$en and taing 2erry fro+ the
conf(sion of the rain and !ar+ air to the cooler 8(iet& 2erry s(ced in air" hearing the ras$ in her o!n ,reathing" and it
occ(rred to her s(ddenly that she sho(ld ,e scared&
She felt the cool fa,ric of the co(ch against her lo!er legs as .ar $(t her do!n& /.&&& .ar=1 She cl(tched .ar%s ar+ in
shi#ering fingers" as she felt .ar slide a $illo! (nder her head" $ro$$ing her ($ a little&
/C(st stay 8(iet" and try to rela)& '%ll ,e right ,ac o#er here&1 .ar told her&
2erry 6(st !atched" her ,reathing no! co+ing in shallo! hea#es& She felt lie there !asn%t eno(gh o)ygen in the air"
and as .ar ca+e ,ac o#er and nelt ne)t to her" she noticed her fingers and toes !ere tingling& -n (nreasoning fear
s!e$t o#er her and she started to $anic&
/2er? 2er&&& tae it easy&1 .ar%s #oice $enetrated the ha5e aro(nd her&
/.a? ' can%t ,reathe&1 She $anted&
/S!eetheart" ' no!& C(st gi#e +e a +in(te& Hang in there&1
2erry felt" s(ddenly" so+ething cold against her ar+& /0h? /She t(rned her head and sa! .ar ,ringing a needle close
to her" its length 8(i#ering as .ar%s hands shoo& 2erry looed ($ at .ar%s face" and sa! a fierce" intent +as" eyes
!idened in fear and that terrified her&
0as she going to die=
- soft cry esca$ed her throat& She felt a sting and her ar+ 6ered" then a solid ,olt of $ain +ade her str(ggle" $anting"
(na,le to dra! in a decent ,reath&
.ar%s !eight $ressed against her a,r($tly" $inning her do!n& 2erry felt $anic tae o#er and she fo(ght the hold"
gra,,ing at .ar and $(shing hard against the $o!erf(l ,ody laying o#er her& 7ne ar+ !as gra,,ed" and held tightly"
and she felt another $ric&
Then a chill&
Then a hot" strange sensation (nder her sin !here the needle had entered&
Then it !as gone and she tho(ght she heard a clatter of so+ething going across the roo+& The !eight ca+e off her and
the ca,in !hirled ($ and aro(nd and she co(ldn%t ,reathe and it !as cold and?&
/2erryAAAA1
The #oice $enetrated her conf(sion" so+eho!& 2erry co(ghed" and then inhaled in refle)" s(r$rised !hen she !as a,le
to s(c in a l(ngf(l of air& The ,ands of $ress(re aro(nd her chest eased and she shi#ered" h(ddling close to the so(rce
of !ar+th no! !ra$$ing itself aro(nd her&
Slo!ly" the tingling in her hands receded and she fle)ed the+ !ealy& She co(ld still feel harsh chills shaing her entire
,ody and it !as #ery hard to thin straight& B(t she did no! she !as ,eing held sec(rely and she co(ld feel .ar%s
,reathing $ressed against her ,ac&
-t least she co(ld ,reathe no!& 2erry s(ced in air gratef(lly" feeling co+$letely drained& /0o!&1 She !his$ered&
/That s(ced&1
She felt the faint 6er ,ehind her as .ar al+ost la(ghed& She co(ld hear the ha++ering of .ar%s heart !here her ear !as
$ressed against her chest and she co(ghed a little" hearing a rattling in her l(ngs that (nner#ed her& /Lngh&1
/Hasy&1 .ar finally s$oe" easing ,ac against the co(ch and cradling 2erry a little closer& 2erry%s face had taen on a
$ale gray tinge" and she co(ld feel the shi#ers !oring their !ay thro(gh her ,ody& Bo! that the shot of +edicine" a
sti+(lant she al!ays carried" !as ad+inistered there !as not +(ch +ore .ar co(ld do other than 6(st ,e there for her&
There !o(ld ,e ti+e later for her to c(rse herself o(t for not seeing the signs& Ti+e later for her to ,e angry she hadn%t
checed 2erry%s sting f(rther" or taen +ore $reca(tions" or?
.ar e)haled& 2erry had ne#er had a reaction to a sting ,efore& Tr(th ,e told" .ar e$t the shots on ,oard for herself"
since she%d gotten st(ng once at age ten and had al+ost gone into con#(lsions fro+ it& /Hasy" honey&1
2erry si+$ly lay there 8(ietly" her head resting against .ar%s chest& Her hand rested li+$ly on her $artner%s" her th(+,
+o#ing e#er so slightly& /.ar=1 She +(r+(red&
/'%+ here&1
/-+ ' dying=1
MM
.ar felt her ,lood $ress(re shoot ($ so high she got light headed and she sa! s$arles in front of her eyes& /Bo"
s!eetheart&1 She ans!ered softly& /Please don%t e#en thin that&1
't !as lie listening to constant th(nder& 2erry al+ost co(ldn%t co(nt the ,eats& She rolled her head to one side and
looed ($ f(55ily" seeing the star fear !ritten across her lo#er%s face& Her hand lifted to to(ch .ar%s 6a! and she felt it
8(i#er (nder her fingers&
Bo& 2erry ,lined& She co(ldn%t die" no! co(ld she= .ar needed her&
0anted her&
/Be#er felt lie this ,efore&1 2erry ,(rred& /0hat ha$$ened=1
.ar s!allo!ed" and then i+$atiently !i$ed her forear+ across her eyes& /3o( reacted to that da+n f(cing sting&1
2erry%s eye,ro!s lifted slightly& /7(ch& Be#er did that ,efore&1 She felt another chill tae her" and she ,(rro!ed into
.ar%s e+,race" seeing !ar+th& Her ar+ ached" and she looed at it !ith a fro!n& /7!&1 She to(ched the sore s$ot&
/Sorry&1 .ar shifted& /Had to stic yo( $retty fast&1 She dre! in a ,reath& /Ho! a,o(t ' get yo( into ,ed= Bet the
co#ers%ll feel good&1 Her #oice so(nded a little ro(gh& /Sho(ld get yo( in to the hos$ital on St& Cohns&1
Hos$ital& 2erry%s nose !rinled& 'c& /Ho! ,o(t !e start !ith ,ed&1 She conceded& /B(t only if yo( co+e in there !ith
+e&1
/3o(%re in no $osition to ,e ,argaining" 2errison&1 .ar%s tone had gentled" and 2erry co(ld hear her heart,eat slo!ing
do!n and steadying& /3o( need a doctor&1 B(t she caref(lly stood ($" letting o(t a little gr(nt of effort as she $iced
2erry ($ and cradled her& She !aled slo!ly into the ,edroo+" t(rning side!ays to get the+ ,oth inside the door and
then $(tting 2erry do!n on the ,ed&
2erry ga5ed at her thro(gh half closed eyes as .ar e)a+ined her& /Lr+$h&1
0ith a sigh" .ar (n5i$$ed the raincoat 2erry !as still !earing" and $(lled it off& Then she dre! the co#ers o#er her
$artner%s ,ody" t(cing the+ in caref(lly aro(nd her& The ,lond !o+an%s sin still had an (nhealthy tinge" and she !as
shi#ering& /0e%re heading ,ac&1 .ar told her&
2erry reached o(t and ca(ght her hand" holding it& /.on%t lea#e +e&1
.ar%s ,ro!s contracted& /2erry" '%#e got to dri#e the ,oat" re+e+,er=1
/.on%t lea#e +e&1 2erry ,egged softly& /Please=1
'ndecision seared its !ay across .ar%s face" as she fo(nd herself ca(ght ,et!een t!o o#er!hel+ing (rges& Her ,etter
sense !as telling her to get 2erry to a doctor%s care& Ho!e#er" she ne! St& Cohn%s !as a long ride a!ay" and ,y the
ti+e they got ,ac there 2erry%s sy+$to+s !o(ld +ost liely ha#e faded&
/>et +e get yo( so+ething for yo(r fe#er&1 .ar te+$ori5ed&
/-nd get those !et clothes off&1 2erry teased !ealy& /0e don%t ,oth need to ,e sic&1
The coherence in her $artner%s eyes reass(red .ar i++ensely& /7ay& .on%t go any!here&1 She !arned" as she t(rned
and eased o(t of the ,edroo+&
/' !on%t&1 2erry !atched her go& She rela)ed a little" and $(lled the co#ers ($ +ore closely aro(nd her" relie#ed to feel
her ,ody starting to settle do!n& Her ar+ h(rt !here .ar had in6ected her" and the sting thro,,ed" adding that
disco+fort to her fe#er ,(t she co(ld no! ,reathe easily and all the feeling had ret(rned to her hands and feet&
/Son of a ,isc(it&1 2erry re+ared to the ca,in ceiling& /That !as not f(nny&1
Bot f(nny at all&
GG
.ar !aled into the galley and stood for a +o+ent" then she slo!ly leaned on the co(nter and cradled her head in her
hands& $on of a bitch. She tho(ght silently& $on of a fucking bitch that was too close.
0ith a sigh" she straightened" letting her hands dro$ to her sides& She felt co+$letely drained and her legs !ere still
shay" ,(t she forced herself to !al o#er and $ic the tea$ot ($& Hot tea !o(ld not do anything $artic(larly +edical"
,(t she ne! 2erry lied the ,e#erage& Besides" it ga#e her so+ething to do&
.ar filled the $ot and $(t it on the galley sto#e" then o$ened the ca,inet and re+o#ed a ,ottle of Tylenol& She shoo o(t
a co($le of the ta,lets and set the+ do!n" then re+o#ed 2erry%s +(g fro+ it%s hoo and $(t it do!n ne)t to the+&
100
She st(died the ite+s" then shoo a fe! +ore ta,lets o(t and $al+ed the+" $(tting a little !ater in 2erry%s c($ and
(sing it to s!allo! the $ills do!n& Then she t(rned and leaned on the co(nter" folding her ar+s across her chest as she
!aited for the !ater to ,oil&
The da+$ness against her forear+s re+inded her she%d forgotten to change& 0ith a sigh" .ar $(shed off the co(nter and
!aled o#er to !here their ,ags !ere still resting on the ta,le& She (n,(ttoned her shirt and re+o#ed it" dra$ing it o#er
the chair" then $(lled her s$orts ,ra off" !incing at its cla++y da+$ness&
.ry clothes felt good against her sin" and she felt a lot !ar+er as she crossed ,ac o#er to the galley and $o(red the
,oiling !ater o#er the her,al tea ,all she%d $laced in 2erry%s c($& Stea+ rose" carrying the scent of ,lac,erries to her
nose& Taing a s+all 6ar of honey fro+ the refrigerator" she dri55led so+e into the c($ and caref(lly stirred it&
0hen she !as satisfied that it !as $erfect" she $iced ($ the Tylenol" t(ced a !ater ,ottle (nder her ar+" and sec(red
the teac($& 0ith a glance aro(nd the ca,in" she headed ,ac for the ,edroo+" entering the door and s!ee$ing her eyes
o#er the ,ed !ith ,adly hidden an)iety&
2erry !as right !here she%d left her" c(rled on her side !ith her ar+ !ra$$ed aro(nd her $illo!& Her eyes !ere half
o$en" !atching the door and they !idened as .ar entered& /-h& There yo( are&1
/Here ' a+&1 .ar agreed" setting her ,(rden do!n on the ,edside ta,le& /Ho! are yo( feeling=1
/9eeling lie ' !ant +y .ar&1 2erry reached o(t and fingered the soft cotton of .ar%s shorts&
.ar sat do!n on the edge of the ,ed and $(t her hand on 2erry%s forehead& 't !as !ar+ to the to(ch" and her color !as
still definitely off& /Sit ($ a +in(te" and s!allo! these&1 She hel$ed 2erry sit and handed her the $ills" then (nca$$ed
the !ater ,ottle and held it !hile 2erry s(cled a +o(thf(l" then s!allo!ed&
/Thans&1 2erry leaned against her& /Ces(s" ' feel lie hot ,oiled trash&1
/H+&1 .ar $(t her ar+ aro(nd her& /' ,et&1
2erry shi#ered& /That !as really scary&1
/7h yeah&1 .ar $iced ($ the c($ of tea and offered it to her& /' !as scared&1
2erry cradled the c($ in her hands" sa#oring its !ar+th& She too a si$ of the s!eet" hot tea and sighed& /' no!&1 She
said& /' thin that scared +e the +ost&1
.ar eased off the ,ed and nelt in front of the dresser" o$ening ($ the lo!er dra!er and r(++aging in it& She fo(nd the
s+all case she%d t(ced inside !hen they%d ,oarded in Mia+i and $iced it ($" ,ringing it !ith her as she resettled
herself on the edge of the ,ed&
/0hat%s that=1 2erry !atched her c(rio(sly& Her eyes follo!ed the 5i$$er as .ar (n5i$$ed it" then the ,ro!s o#er the+
lifted shar$ly as she sa! the ,lood $ress(re c(ff inside& /0here in the hell did that co+e fro+=1
/.r& Ste#e&1 .ar re$lied 8(ietly& /Gi++e yo(r ar+&1
/.ar&1
'gnoring the +ild $rotest" .ar fastened the c(ff aro(nd her lo#er%s toned ar+ and started $(+$ing it&
/.o yo( act(ally no! ho! to (se that=1 2erry sighed&
/' can +an(ally re$rogra+ the flash ,ios of an 'BM +ainfra+e& ' thin ' can fig(re it o(t&1 .ar re$lied" !atching the
s+all ga(ge on the gadget&
2erry e)haled (nha$$ily" and her sho(lders dro$$ed&
.ar glanced ($ and ca(ght the e)$ression& /He +ade +e ,ring it&1 She e)$lained gently& /' !asn%t gonna (se it" ,(t
since ' had to gi#e yo( a da+n ,(cet of sti+(lant?1
2erry $eeed at the ga(ge& /H+$h&1 She ta$$ed it !ith her other hand& /.a+n&1
7ne si)ty& Bot good& .ar released so+e of the $ress(re" and checed again& 7#er one h(ndred& She (nfastened the c(ff
fro+ 2erry%s ar+ and r(,,ed it in atte+$ted co+fort& /Pro,a,ly fro+ the sti+(lant" s!eetheart&1 She offered& /0hy
don%t yo( lie do!n=1
2erry +eely co+$lied" still #isi,ly (nha$$y&
.ar tossed the de#ice onto the dresser and stretched o(t ne)t to her" gently arranging 2erry%s dishe#eled hair !ith her
fingers&
101
/Bah&1 2erry +(ttered&
/' ,et !hen ' chec it later" it%ll ,e fine&1 .ar ga#e her a sy+$athetic grin&
2erry eyed her do(rly" and then held a hand o(t& /Gi++e that&1 She $ointed to the c(ff&
.ar reached o#er and snagged it" then handed it o#er" s(r$rised !hen 2erry !ra$$ed it aro(nd her ar+ and started
$(+$ing& /L+?1
/-h ah&1 2erry contin(ed her tas& /9air%s fair" .ar& ' tho(ght yo(r heart !as going to co+e o(t of yo(r chest ,efore&1
She finished $(+$ing" and o,ser#ed the res(lts& /Hah&1 She ga#e .ar a loo& /Higher than +ine" darling& Par yo(r
head on the $illo!&1
.ar ,lined in real s(r$rise" looing do!n at her o!n ar+& Then she ga#e 2erry a shee$ish grin" and !riggled into a
+ore co+forta,le $osition ne)t to her $artner& /' !as stressed&1 She co++ented& /3o( +atter to +e&1
2erry tossed the c(ff into the corner" and !ra$$ed her ar+ aro(nd .ar as she $(t her head do!n on her sho(lder& /'
g(ess !e%re letting .eSalliers go" h(h=1 She +(r+(red& /-re !e in this o#er o(r heads" .ar=1
.ar had her eyes closed" and she !elco+ed the easing of the headache thro,,ing across the ,ac of her s(ll& She
considered 2erry%s 8(estion for a fe! +in(tes& /' don%t no!& May,e&1 Her ,ody shifted a little" and she $(lled 2erry
closer& />et%s tae it easy for a !hile" then head ,ac to St& Cohns&1 She r(,,ed 2erry%s ,ac& /'%d lie the+ to chec
yo( o(t" 6(st in case&1
- green eye,all rotated ($ and fi)ed on her in faint acc(sation&
/' no!" ' no!&1 .ar sighed& /'%d ,e icing and screa+ing at the +ere s(ggestion&1
2erry snorted softly& /3es" yo( certainly !o(ld ,e&1
/H(+or +e&1 The dar haired !o+an re8(ested& /Please=1
2erry gr(nted" ha#ing +ade her $oint& /7ay&1 She closed her eyes again&
.ar $(t her ar+s aro(nd 2erry and h(gged her& /-tta girl&1 She said" then $a(sed as she heard the so(nd of a +otor
a$$roaching& She e)changed a 8(ic glance !ith 2erry& />et +e go see !hat that is&1
2erry hitched herself ($ on an el,o! and !atched as .ar got ($ and left& She considered the idea of follo!ing her" ,(t
her ,ody $rotested" (n!illing to +o#e& She fl(ffed the $illo! ($ ,ehind her instead and settled ,ac" t(cing her feet
($ and $icing ($ her teac($" inhaling the fragrant stea+&
GG
.ar threaded her !ay thro(gh the ca,in and !ent to the door" o$ening it and looing o(tside& - +edi(+ si5e fishing
,oat !as a$$roaching the+" !ith t!o +en on the flying ,ridge and se#eral others standing in the stern&
9or a +o+ent" she stared at the+" and then co+$rehension da!ned&
Pirates=
.ar didn%t see any real fishing gear on the ,oat" and the +en !ere cl(stering together" !atching her& Her heart rate
started to increase" and for a single ,rief +o+ent she !ished she and 2erry !ere ,ac in the office dealing !ith a
+(lti$le layered international cl(ster f(c& 0ith a soft oath" she $(lled her head ,ac inside and ,olted for the ,ench
seat" yaning it o$en and $(lling o(t the case /2erA1 She yelled& /2ee$ yo(r da+n head do!nA1
She o$ened the case and re+o#ed the shotg(n" loading it hastily as she heard the engines throttle do!n o(tside& 0ith a
sa#age +otion" she cha+,ered a ro(nd" then 6(+$ed to the door and thre! it o$en&
T!o +en !ere a,o(t to 6(+$ on ,oard fro+ the fishing ,oat%s ,o!& .ar ,raced herself and thre! the g(n ($ to her
sho(lder" sighting along the ,arrel as her finger c(rled aro(nd the trigger& /Hold itA1 She ,ared lo(dly&
The +en in the stern had g(ns& She co(ld see the+ fro+ the corner of her eye& B(t her i++ediate $ro,le+ !as the +en
on the ,o!&
/-ll right" ladyA Tae it easyA Bo ,ody get h(rtA1 The +an closest yelled at her& /3o( got one g(n" !e got ten& Bo! $(t
that do!n" oay=1
/9(c yo(A1 .ar snarled ,ac& /To(ch the ,oat" and '%ll ,lo! yo(r da+n coc offA1
The +an lifted his rifle cas(ally& /'%+ telling yo(" ladyA P(t it do!nA1
102
.ar didn%t ,(dge& She tightened her finger on the trigger" feeling the cold +etal !ar+ to her to(ch& /Bac offA1 She
yelled at the +an& /Get yo(r asses o(t of here" yo( $ieces of $irate shitA1 - hand to(ched her ,ac" and she al+ost
6(+$ed thro(gh the ,(lhead& /GrrrrA1
/'%+ calling the coast g(ard&1 2erry told her" in a lo! #oice& /Tell the+ that&1
/G%!an" 6(+$A She !on%t shoot yo(A -ll talA1 The +an on the stern yelled& /H(rryA1
.ar felt her heart l(rch" as the +an on the ,o! $re$ared to lea$& She trained the ,arrel of the shotg(n on hi+" and
s!allo!ed hard" not s(re she !as either !illing or a,le to $(ll the trigger&
/.ar&1 2erry%s #oice !as tense&
' ha#e to $rotect her& .ar%s inner #oice s$oe 8(ietly& /Stay ,ac&1 She called o#er her sho(lder" and then faced
for!ard& The +an tossed a ro$e o#er to the dec and cli+,ed ($ onto the railing&
.ar steeled herself" and $(lled the trigger& The g(n ,(ced $o!erf(lly" 6ering against her sho(lder& 3ells er($ted&
Then she $(lled it again& S$linters of !hite er($ted all o#er the !ater as ,oth shots ,le! thro(gh the h(ll of the $irate%s
,oat near the !aterline& She $(+$ed the shotg(n and loaded t!o +ore shells into the cha+,er&
/4ra5y ,itchA1
/Shoot her assA1
/>oo o(tA1
/Get the f(c ,acA Get ,acA Holy shitA1
/Be)t one%s gonna $(t ch(+ in the !aterA1 .ar ,ello!ed& /'nstead of f(cing fi,erglassA1 She s!(ng the shotg(n
to!ards the stern" since the t!o +en on the ,o! had do#e for co#er into the !ater& 7ne of the +en facing her ,ro(ght
his g(n ($ and sighted do!n it" and their eyes +et across their g(n sights&
-nd in that +o+ent" !ith her life on the line" .ar felt her fear dro$ a!ay as the $redator inside her !oe& Her eyes
narro!ed" and a s+ile etched itself across her face and she ne! !ay do!n dee$ that she not only co(ld $(ll that
trigger?
She !o(ld&
Her finger tightened
/Get the f(c o(tta here" +anA 0e%re f(cing siningA1 7ne of the +en fro+ the ,o! had cli+,ed o#er into the stern
and gra,,ed the !heel&
/4oast G(ard" 4oast G(ard" +ayday" +ayday&1 2erry%s #oice ca+e fro+ ,ehind her& /This is .i)ieland 3anee" a LS
registered #essel ,eing attaced 6(st north of -:' B21&1
/9(cA They%re calling the coast g(ardA Get +o#ingA1 The +an $ointing the g(n at .ar dro$$ed his +(55le and d(ced
,ehind the ca,in& /Mo#eA Mo#eA1
The fishing ,oat !allo!ed in the !ater" then its engines c(t in" and the ,o! t(rned a!ay fro+ the+& They g(nned the
+otor and the ,o! lifted" t!o holes no! #isi,le against its !hite c(r#e& -s they left" one of the +en on the stern lifted
his rifle to his sho(lder and $ointed it at the+&
/Shit&1 .ar 6ered ,ac thro(gh the door!ay" trying to get the door closed&
7ne of the +an%s co+$anions str(c the +(55le ($" then c(ffed the +an in the ,ac of the head& The g(n carrier reacted
angrily" and s+aced hi+ !ith the ,(tt of the rifle& They str(ggledD sho#ing each other as the ,oat retreated" c(r#ing
!idely to!ards the so(thern shore of the island 6(st north of 4harlie%s&
/0e ,etter get o(t of here&1 .ar (ttered tensely& /'n case they co+e ,ac&1 She t(rned to find 2erry !atching her !ith a
$ale face and !idened eyes& /3o( oay=1
2erry set the +icro$hone do!n& She leaned against the ca,in !all and e)haled& /3eah&1 Her #oice held a ro(gh note in
it& /B(t heading ,ac to so+e $lace !here ' can 6(st?1 She too a ,reath& /Tae a na$ !o(ld ,e #ery cool&1
.ar g(ided her o#er to the co(ch" and set her do!n on it !hile she $(t a!ay the shotg(n& /4(rl ($ here" s!eetheart& '%+
$(lling ($ the anchor and !e%ll doc o#er ,y 4harlie and B(d%s&1 She said& /B(d%s a +edic&1
/Bet his ,edside +anner%s a $each&1 2erry +(ttered" as she lay do!n on the co(ch& She !atched .ar%s face as she
closed the case" seeing the restless shift of her 6a! +(scles" and the tension etched across it& /Hey" .ar=1
103
/3eah=1 .ar didn%t loo ($&
2erry reached o(t to stroe .ar%s leg& /That !as really i+$ressi#e&1 She said&
.ar%s hands $a(sed in their !or& The dar head t(rned and their eyes +et& .ar closed the ,ench seat and sat do!n on it
ne)t to 2erry" resting her forear+s on her nees& /0as it=1 She ans!ered softly& /'t 6(st so(nded lie a ,(nch of
$o+$o(s yelling to +e&1
2erry s+iled& /'t !ored&1 She said& /That !as a great idea to $(t a hole on their ,oat&1
.ar ga5ed at the floor ,et!een her ,are feet& Her +ind drifted ,ac to the feeling she%d had !hen the g(n had centered
on the +an on the ,o!& There had ,een no fear" no conf(sion in her& She%d centered the sights on his chest&
0hy hadn%t she $(lled the trigger= 0hat had sent the +(55le lo!er" to target the ,oat instead=
/.ar=1
.ar lifted her head" and t(rned& /3eah= L+&&& thans&1 She +anaged a s+ile& /'%+ not s(re it !as all $lanned" ,(t '%+
glad ' ended ($ doing the right thing&1 She $(shed herself to her feet& /4all +e if yo( need anything" oay=1 She
r(ffled 2erry%s hair" then !aled to the door and eased thro(gh it&
2erry felt her ,ro! f(rro!& Her instincts told her so+ething in .ar%s #oice? in her +anner&&& 6(st !asn%t right& She
heard the engines start ($" follo!ed ,y the clan of the anchor retracting" felt the +otion as the ,oat headed to!ards the
island&
>ater" they%d ha#e ti+e to tal& 2erry $(t her head do!n on the co(ch ar+ and let her eyes drift sh(t& Then she%d fig(re
it o(t&
GG
.ar !as in t(r+oil& The rain had sto$$ed" and a !ea s$lash of s(nlight d(sted her forear+s !here they rested on the
,oat%s control console& Things !ere 6(st ha$$ening too fast" she decided& She !as in a $lace !here she !as $(rely
reacting" instead of dri#ing !hat !as going on and she !asn%t (sed to that&
/So ' react lie a freaing n(tcase& Bice&1 She stared gl(+ly at the controls& /0hat the hell !as that= - g(n= Shooting
$eo$le= 0hat the hell is going on !ith yo(" ;o,erts=1 Shaing her head" she t(rned the !heel a little" arcing the ,oat
to!ards the end of the island& /' thin '%+ losing it&1
/Honey=1
.ar 6(+$ed" and then $iced ($ the +icro$hone& /;ight here& H#erything oay=1
/0ell&&&1 2erry%s #oice cracled thro(gh the interco+& /3o(%#e got the +ic eyed o$en" and it%s ind of to(gh for +e to
listen to yo( yelling at yo(rself !hen '%+ not there to iss yo( and +ae it ,etter&1
/7h&1 .ar felt herself ,l(shing& /Sorry&1 She +(ttered& /'%+ 6(st a little rattled" ' g(ess&1 Her eyes lifted to the hori5on"
and she ad6(sted their co(rse again& /Be glad to ,e in $ort&1
/Me" too&1 2erry re$lied&
.ar felt a $ang of an)iety& /3o( feeling !orse=1 9ro+ $(re instinct" she hit the throttles and increased their s$eed& 7n
to$ of e#erything else" !orry a,o(t 2erry%s $hysical condition !as gna!ing at her&
/Bo&1 2erry re$lied" a to(ch of !ar+th in her tone& /' 6(st had so+e +ore tea" +atter of fact& ' thin the fe#er%s do!n&1
She said& /' thin ' 6(st need so+e $rocessing ti+e&1
.ar rela)ed a little" ,(t her ,ody still t!itched" her leg tensing and releasing in a ner#o(s tattoo& /3eah&1 She agreed&
/C(st tae it easy" oay=1
/' !ill if yo( !ill&1 2erry%s !ry retort ca+e ,ac&
/M+$h&1 .ar released a g(sty sigh& /-l+ost there&1 She co++ented& /Might !ant to radio ahead to see if?& 4ra$&1
Her eyes fo(nd a $rofile on the hori5on as they cleared the northern $oint of the island and headed so(th !est&
.esalliers% ,oat !as h(nched in front of the channel leading into the island%s doc" trolling in a tight circle&
/0hat=1 2erry ans!ered" then after a r(stling& /7h" f(dge& 0hat the hell is he doing" .ar=1
.ar%s face tightened in anger& She felt a !ash of rage flood easily thro(gh her" foc(sing a dar energy on the ,oat
s8(atting arrogantly in her $ath& /He%s $issing +e off&1 She gro!led softly& /-nd he%s going to regret it&1
She t(rned the ,oat directly to!ards the har,or and g(nned the engines& -l+ost i++ediately" the radio cracled to life&
104
/-$$roaching #essel" stand off and re+ain clear of o(r $osition&1
.ar cliced the +ic& /2iss +y ass& 3o(%re in +y !ay& ' s(ggest yo( get o(t of it&1 She ,ared into the instr(+ent"
$(tting so+e of her tension and a lot of her $ent ($ fr(stration ,ehind the !ords& She co(ld feel her te+$er ,(ilding to
the ,reaing $oint and c(rio(sly she had no desire to ca$ it off&
/.o not a$$roach this #esselA 0e are cond(cting a searchA1
/Get&1 .ar let her #oice dee$en and intensify& /7(t of +y !ay&1
There !as a +o+ent%s silence" in !hich she directed the ,o! of the .i)ie right for the center of .eSalliers h(ll&
/;o,ertsA1
.ar grinned (n$leasantly& /Bot in the +ood" ,(ddy&1 She cliced the +ic& /'%+ going into that har,or&1
/>isten to +eA1 .eSalliers re$lied& /3o( can%t co+e thro(gh here& 0e%re in the +iddle of?1
/3o(%re the one not listening&1 .ar told hi+& /' don%t gi#e a da+n !hat yo(%re in the +iddle of& Mo#e or '%ll go right
thro(gh yo(&1
/3o(%re insaneA1
't !as" if yo( looed it" $retty cra5y& .ar snarled" and retho(ght her !ords& /Bo& '%#e 6(st got a sic $assenger" and '
need a +edic& 3o(%re ,et!een +e" and that&1
There !as a short $eriod of silence" and she didn%t slacen her s$eed tho(gh she set her hands on the throttles& She
al+ost 6ered the+ ,ac!ards !hen the interco+ cracled" a!are of the dire tension r(nning thro(gh her +(scles&
/Hey" s!eetie&1
She co(ld hear the an)iety in 2erry%s tone& /Hang tight" lo#e& ' thin '%+ gonna !in this $oint&1 She (ttered& /Cacass&1
The +ain radio ,lasted static at her& /-ll right" ;o,erts& 0e%ll clear yo( a channel $ast (s" ,(t slo! do!n for 4hrist%s
saeA1
.ar !atched the other ,oat caref(lly" and sa! the ,o! di$ slo!ly to!ards her as it +o#ed& 0ith a satisfied gr(nt" she
$(lled the throttles ,ac" di++ing the r(+,le of her diesels and slo!ing the ,oat& There !asn%t +(ch roo+ in the
channel for e#en .eSalliers ,oat" and as she got closer she co(ld see they !ere tra!ling a net along the length of the ,ig
#essel and ,locing the $ath into the har,or&
0hat in the hell !as he doing= .ar shifted the .i)ieland 3anee to the far so(thern $art of the channel" $rotected ,y
t!o sea!alls of coral that stretched o(t into the sea& There !o(ld ,e" she reali5ed" 6(st ,arely eno(gh roo+ for her to
s8(ee5e ,y and any shift in the !a#es !o(ld send her against the coral&
.eSalliers% s+all ,oat circled ,ehind it" !ith a di#er%s flag o(t& .ar co(ld see faces t(rned her !ay" f(ll of anger and
resent+ent as she a$$roached their $osition& She red(ced s$eed to al+ost an idle" !ishing she co(ld see ,etter !hat
they !ere ($ to&
T!o of the +en $ointed at her" and sho(ted" and .ar%s 8(ic hearing detected the distincti#e so(nd of a sh(tter closing&
7cc($ied !ith the delicate tas of +ane(#ering the tiny $ath she%d ,een gi#en" looing !asn%t $ossi,le" ,(t ,y the
loos on the faces on that ,oat" she co(ld g(ess !hat 2erry !as ($ to&
Gotta lo#e her& .ar !atched her de$th +eter an)io(sly" ta$$ing the throttles to get the+ $ast a ,(lge in the sea!all&
The s+all ,oat c(t to!ards the+ and got in her !ay& .ar slo!ed and let o(t a ,last on their air horn in !arning& The
+en yelled" and $ointed at 2erry&
.ar raised her +iddle finger to the+" and ta$$ed the throttles&
The ,oat si++ed closer& .ar glanced ,ehind her as the stern of the .i)ie cleared .eSalliers ,oat" the ,o! e+$ting of
$eo$le as 2erry%s lens s!e$t o#er the+& /2erryA Hang onA1 She yelled ,ac" as she thre! the ,oat hard to one side" then
g(nned the engines and re#ersed co(rse" ,(ilding a !ae that s+aced into the s+aller ,oat and sent it half onto its side&

7ne of the +en on the ,oat cata$(lted o#er the side" and the ,oat s!er#ed" its occ($ants screa+ing at her in !ords that
the !ind ri$$ed a!ay into incoherence& .ar !ra$$ed her legs aro(nd the ca$tain%s chair and s!e$t $ast the+ into the
islands s+all" $rotected har,or& - fl(sh of !ild tri(+$h !ashed thro(gh her" +(ting the anger and forcing a ch(cle
fro+ her throat at her s(ccessf(l +ane(#er&
They left .eSalliers ,ehind and she $(lled slo!ly into the cra+$ed doc&
10*
He !asn%t finished" ho!e#er& /;o,erts&1
.ar eyed the radio !ith a s+ir&
/3o( only thin yo( got a!ay !ith that&1
.ar eased the .i)ie into a #acant sli$" not a diffic(lt tas since +ost of the+ !ere& She $iced ($ the radio& /3o( only
thin yo( let +e&1 She re$lied& /Ha#e a great day&1 0ith that" she dro$$ed the +ic onto the console and sh(t the
engines do!n" lea$ing to her feet and heading for the ladder&
2erry !as standing on the stern dec" !ra$$ed in a 6acet and $ale faced& She t(rned as .ar slid do!n the ladder and let
her ca+era loo$ed aro(nd her nec rest on her chest& /0o!&1 She e)haled&
.ar ho$$ed to the railing" then onto the doc to sec(re their lines& /0o! !asn%t the !ord ' had in +ind&1 She told
2erry" as she lea$ed ,ac onto the dec& /St($id son of a ,itch? ' don%t% no! !hat the hell he thins he%s doing" or
!ho he thins he is" or !hat the hell he%s looing for ,(t?1
- lo(d clan +ade the+ ,oth 6(+$& They fro5e for an instant" then +o#ed to the other side of the ,oat and looed
do!n&
/Me&1 - ,edraggled" ragged fig(re !as hanging onto one of their ,(oy lines& /'s !hat he%s looing for&1
2erry gri$$ed the railing" and ,lined& /Bo,=1 She (ttered&
/Son of a?1 .ar ga$ed at hi+&
Bo, t(gged off his +as and co(ghed his face $ale and strained& /9ifty $si left&1 He looed co+$letely drained& /He
al+ost got +e&1
.ar and 2erry looed at each other& 2erry r(,,ed her eyes" #ery o,#io(sly at a co+$lete loss& She ga#e .ar a $lainti#e"
shee$ish loo and lifted ,oth hands in a$$eal&
.ar scratched the ,ac of her head" and then shoo it" ha#ing nothing really to add to the e+otion& She leaned o#er the
railing" s(,stit(ting action for reaction" and e)tended a hand& /Gi++e yo(r gear&1 She told Bo,& /4o+e ro(nd to the
,ac& There%s a ladder&1
Bo, ga#e her a !ry loo& /Thans&1 He (n,(cled his B4 and tan" and lifted it high eno(gh for .ar to gra, it& /' no!
'%+ not !hat yo( !anted to find hanging off yo(r lines&1 His eyes shifted to 2erry" then dro$$ed&
/-t this $oint?1 2erry !aled o#er to the dec chairs and sat do!n on one" des$ite its da+$ness& /'f Harry Ho(dini
sho!ed ($ cli$$ed to the r(dder" it !o(ldn%t s(r$rise +e&1 She sl(+$ed in the chair" the fe#er and resid(al effects of the
6ellyfish $oison taing o#er as the adrenaline faded&
.ar let the ladder do!n" and set Bo,%s sc(,a gear in the corner& She $(t a hand on 2erry%s sho(lder" and s8(ee5ed it
gently& /'%+ going to go see if B(d%s at ho+e& Hang in there" lo#e&1 She started to 6(+$ to the doc" and then $a(sed"
$ointing a finger at Bo, !ho had 6(st e+erged !earily onto the dec& /Mess !ith her" and '%ll tie yo( to that $ylon and
call yo(r friends to co+e $ic yo( ($& Got +e=1
Bo, fro5e" and looed at her" !ide eyed& /3es" +a%a+&1 He s8(eaed" at the +enacing sco!l directed at hi+&
/-nd yo(%re gonna tell (s !hat the hell%s going on !hen ' get ,ac&1 .ar added" in a gro!l& /So get yo(r story ready&1
She t(rned and lea$ed for the doc" landing gracef(lly and staling to!ards the shore&
Bo, sat do!n on the stern rail and ,lined at 2erry" !ho ga5ed !anly ,ac at hi+& /' can g(ess !hat yo( +(st ,e
thining&1 He +(r+(red" a!!ardly&
/Bo yo( can%t&1 2erry sighed" $(tting aside i+ages of ,(,,les and hot f(dge& /;eally&1
/7h&1 Bo, st(died the dec& /Hey" listen" '%+ sorry '?1
/'t%s oay&1 2erry gently c(t hi+ off&
Bo, $eeed ($ at her" noticing her $allor& /-re yo( sic or so+ething=1
/' got st(ng ,y a 6ellyfish&1 2erry told hi+& /'t%s ,een ind of a cra$$y day&1 She e)haled" t(rning her eyes to!ards the
shore and !illing .ar to rea$$ear& /Ho$ef(lly" it !on%t get !orse&1
Pr(dently" Bo, e$t his tho(ghts strictly to hi+self&
GG
10I
B(d straightened" resting his hand on the edge of the ,ed as he nelt ne)t to it& 7n the ,edside" a s+all oli#e dra, it
rested a coiled stethosco$e sitting snaelie on ti$&
2erry !as lying 8(ietly on the ,ed" the co#ers $(lled ($ to her !aist& Her eyes +o#ed ,et!een B(d and the #isi,ly
restless .ar l(ring ,ehind hi+" and a faint s+ile crossed her face& /9ind anything=1
/Celly sting%s fine&1 B(d iss(ed a half shr(g& /-in%t +(ch yo( can do for that ce$t !hat .ar did&1 He glanced ,ehind
hi+" then looed ,ac at 2erry& /9e#er%s fro+ a ,(g& Here&1 He tossed a $acet onto her chest& /Penicillin& Tae one
no!" e#ery t!el#e ho(rs" t!o days&1 He $a(sed& /Lnless yo(%re allergic to it&1
/'%+ not&1 2erry shoo her head slightly& /Than yo(" B(d& ' really a$$reciate this&1
He got ($ and t(rned to .ar& /3o( !anna tell +e !hat the cra$ on the radio !as all a,o(t=1
.ar considered the 8(estion& Bo, !as t(ced a!ay in the s$are roo+ across the hall" ee$ing silent& She !anted to get
to the ,otto+ of his story" ,(t she ne! B(d deser#ed so+e ind of e)$lanation" es$ecially since he%d dro$$ed
e#erything to co+e and chec 2erry o(t& /S(re&1
Behind the+" 2erry !as s!allo!ing one of the ta,lets B(d had $ro#ided her" drining do!n the rest of the ,ottle of
!ater that had ,een sitting at her ,edside& Her nose !rinled a little at the $(ngent scent of the anti,iotic" ,(t she !as
glad to trade that for the chills racing her again& /0hy don%t yo( go gra, so+e coffee" .ar& '%+ 6(st going to lie here
and #egetate for a !hile&1
.ar st(died her" the $ale ,l(e eyes shado!ed and the ,ro!s o#er the+ tensed and lo!ered& -fter a +o+ent she nodded"
ho!e#er& /So(nds good to +e& B(d=1
B(d $iced ($ his it and gr(nted& /Ca#a !ors&1 He looed ,riefly at 2erry& /.rin !ater& 't%ll get that cra$ o(t of
yo(&1 0ith that" he t(rned and follo!ed .ar o(t of the ,edroo+&
2erry $(lled the co#ers ($ higher and looed ($ at the o$en hatch" ad+itting a s$lash of s(nlight that ,ro(ght o(t the
!ar+ colors in the co+forter& She still felt lo(sy" ,(t no!ing !hat the $ro,le+ !as eased her +ind and erased so+e
of the fear that had started to ni,,le a!ay at her co+$os(re& She%d ,een afraid that the fe#er had ,een connected to the
sting" and that +ay,e the sting had ,een so+ething other than a 6ellyfish& She%d read eno(gh horror stories a,o(t +arine
snaes and their #eno+ for all sorts of ,ad ideas to ,egin circ(lating ,(t B(d%s !ords along !ith the fact that the sting
+ar !as fading reass(red her i++ensely&
-s the tension faded" fatig(e re$laced it and she fo(nd she co(ldn%t ee$ her eyes o$en& Tho(gh she !anted to hear
Bo,%s e)$lanation" she ne! it !o(ld ha#e to !ait (ntil B(d left& 2erry felt the gentle rocing of the ,oat soothing her
and she s(rrendered to it" allo!ing slee$ to finally clai+ her into its healing e+,race&
GG
/So&1 B(d e)a+ined the c($ of coffee .ar had $ro#ided hi+& /0hat%s the gig=1
.ar had seated herself across fro+ hi+" and she too a s!allo! fro+ her o!n c($ ,efore she ans!ered& /G(y !ho
chased (s the other night&1 She said& /He%s a ,ig +oney treas(re h(nter&1
B(d si$$ed his coffee" holding the c($ in his !hole hand rather than ,y the handle& /.eSalliers& 0e heard&1 He said&
/He%s a right ,astard&1
/M+&1 .ar agreed& /He !ants so+ething off that !rec !e do#e the other day&1 She said& /He !o(ldn%t say !hat&1
Her eyes st(died B(d%s face& /The id !e $iced ($ the other night%s also after so+ething on the sa+e !rec&1
B(d%s gri55led eye,ro!s lifted in s(r$rise& /Bo shit=1
.ar shr(gged&
The retired sailor leaned ,ac" his attit(de rela)ing and o$ening a little& /'t%s 6(st an old tra!ler& '%#e do#e it&1 He said&
/Got so+e nice holes for lo,sters" ,(t that%s% a,o(t it&1 He fro!ned& /Tho(gh?1 His #oice trailed off& /Bo!" hold
on&1
.ar leaned for!ard" cocing her head&
B(d ta$$ed his forehead !ith t!o $o!erf(l fingers& /;e+e+,er a story ' heard !hen that da+n thing san&1 He
+(ttered& /So+ethin a,o(t +ay,e so+e inda fight on ,oard +ade it go (nder in the stor+&1 He got ($ and $ro!led
thro(gh the ca,in" his +(sc(lar ,ody shifting (nder the light tan to$ he !ore& /.idn%t really $ay attention to it&1
.ar !atched hi+ sto$ and st(dy a $ict(re on the !all" then t(rn and loo o(t the !indo!& /B(t that !as years ,ac&1
10J
B(d nodded& /3ea$" it !as&1 He t(rned and regarded her& /So !hy drag it ($=1 He ased& /4o$s 6(st ,(ried it ,ac then&
Bo one cared&1 He !aled ,ac o#er and sat do!n& /4harlie%d re+e+,er& He listens to all that cra$&1
/He aro(nd=1 .ar ased cas(ally&
/Be ,ac ro(nd s(nset&1 B(d re$lied& /Had to go o#er to the ,ig island for so+ething&1 He leaned ,ac" see+ingly
rela)ed& /Hey" listen& 4harlie told +e a,o(t !hat yo( offered& Thans&1 His eyes +et hers& /' no! ' act lie a 6er
so+eti+es& Sorry&1
.ar eased into a +ore co+forta,le $osition& /Going to tae +e ($ on it=1 She ased directly&
B(d shoo his head& /0e%re fine&1 He dis+issed the idea& /' !ored so+ething o(t&1 His eyes roa+ed o#er the inside of
the ,oat again& /So no! !hat=1
/0ith .eSalliers=1 .ar ased&
B(d nodded& /He too off o(t of the har,or& Headed east&1
9ig(res& .ar leaned her head against the ,ac of the chair& /' d(nno&1 She +(sed& /9irst thing%s first < 2erry needs to
get !ell&1 She looed o#er at hi+& /Thans for checing her o(t&1
B(d iss(ed a rare s+ile& /She%s a nice id&1 He allo!ed& /S!eet&1
.ar felt her o!n face tense into a ret(rning grin&
/Be#er fig(red yo( to get all !ra$$ed ($ lie that&1 B(d dra!led& /Tho(ght yo(%d end ($ a lonely old salt and not e#er
,een in the Ba#y for it&1
.ar%s nostrils flared slightly& /' tho(ght ' !o(ld too&1 She ad+itted& />ife%s !eird so+eti+es&1
B(d nodded" then he set his c($ do!n and stood ($& /' gotta get the itchen craned ($ for 4harlie&1 He said& /Heard
so+e !eather%s ,re!ing ($ east of here&1
/Great&1 .ar sighed& /Be)t ti+e ' s!ear" '%+ gonna go siing&1
B(d snorted& /Holler if 2erry%s feelin any !orse&1 He $(t the c($ do!n in the galley sin& /'%ll send ;(f(s do!n !hen
4harlie gets here&1
/Thans&1 .ar stood and !aled hi+ to the door& They !ere a,o(t the sa+e height" and the slight rolling s!agger he
had re+inded her strongly of her father& She !as glad B(d%s attit(de had softened a little& May,e he%d 6(st needed a
little !hile to thin things thro(gh&
They e+erged onto the stern dec" to a !ash of late afternoon s(nlight filtering thro(gh the trees& The air ,ore a s!eet
scent of gardenias" and a sense of 8(iet $eace $er#aded the scene& 'n so+,er contrast to the chaos of the $re#io(s ho(rs"
no! the slee$y s$ell of the tro$ical sea s(rro(nded the+ as the tide la$$ed gently at the docs&
B(d ste$$ed off the ,oat" and lifted a hand" then t(rned and !aled ,ac ($ to!ards the ,(ildings !itho(t a !ord or
,ac!ard glance&
.ar leaned against the ca,in and !atched hi+ for a +o+ent& - fe! +ore $(55le $ieces see+ed to ha#e ,een deli#ered
to her" and no! she too the+" 6(ggling the+ +entally as she !ent ,ac inside the ca,in to collect a fe! +ore& /Bo!&1
She eyed the s$are ,edroo+& />et%s $(t t!o and t!o together and see if !e get so+ething other than 5ero&1
0ith a deter+ined loo" she headed for Bo,%s hiding $lace&
GG
The s(n !as setting" slices of reddish gold light $eeing thro(gh the hatches and s$lashing across the hard!ood floor&
2erry ga5ed f(55ily at the+" then ,lined her eyes o$en !ider and stifled a ya!n& She coced her head" hearing lo!
#oices near,y" recogni5ing the+ after a +o+ent as .ar and Bo,&
Her head see+ed clearer" and it h(rt less& 2erry stretched" gratef(l for that& She co(ld still feel a little chill" and there
!as an ache in her ,ones" ,(t she fo(nd her c(riosity $rodding her $ast the disco+fort and (rging her to get ($ and go
find o(t !hat !as going on&
-ccordingly" she eased o(t of ,ed" and $added o#er to the dresser" re+o#ing a s!eatshirt fro+ the ,otto+ dra!er and
t(gging it on o#er her head& She $a(sed a +o+ent" sniffing the distincti#e s+ell of ho+e in its folds" then $(lled it do!n
into $lace&
She sto$$ed ,y the dresser and $eeed at her reflection& /Lc&1 She $iced ($ .ar%s ,r(sh and ran it thro(gh her hair"
settling it into so+e ind of order& Then she eased o(t the door and into the +ain ca,in& .ar !as sitting in one of the
10K
easy chairs" facing Bo,& .ar%s eyes lifted as 2erry entered and her face shifted into a !ar+ s+ile" !hich 2erry
ret(rned& /Hey&1
Bo, t(rned aro(nd& /7h& Hi&1
/Ho!%re yo( feeling=1 .ar ased&
/Hh&1 2erry cleared her throat& /0hat%s going on o(t here=1 She !ent into the galley and retrie#ed a ,ottle of 6(ice"
$(lling the to$ off as she tr(dged o#er to !here .ar !as seated" and $lo$$ed into the chair ne)t to her& She t(ced her
feet ($ (nder her and leaned on the ar+" si$$ing her 6(ice 8(ietly&
/' !as&& (+&& 6(st ind of getting into !hy '%+ here&1 Bo, said& /B(t first" '%d inda lie to a$ologi5e for getting yo(
,oth +i)ed ($ in all this&1 He !ent on& /0hen ' ca+e o(t here" ' tho(ght ' co(ld get in and get o(t" and no one !o(ld
,e the !iser&1
.ar reached o#er and scratched 2erry%s ,ac lightly& /-ll right" ,(t let +e get this straight&1 She said& /3o(r
grandfather !as the ca$tain of that fishing tra!ler that !ent do!n 6(st !est of here&1
/;ight&1 Bo, nodded&
/He left a fort(ne&1
/;ight&1
/The fort(ne !ent to his eldest son" yo(r (ncle&1 .ar contin(ed&
/;ight&1
/Bo,ody else got anything&1
Bo, nodded& /He%s tighter than a ten year old girdle&1
/' ne! +oney had to ,e at the root of this&1 2erry +(ttered in disg(st" getting a startled loo fro+ Bo,& />et +e g(ess
< grand$a too a treas(re chest !ith hi+" and yo(%re trying to find a fe! $ieces of eight to raise a fa+ily on" right=1
/L+& Bo&1 Bo, e)haled& /-ct(ally" '%+ trying to $ro#e +y (ncle illed +y grandfather" and get hi+ charged !ith
+(rder&1
T!o $erfectly still faces !ith identical e)$ressions of startle+ent faced hi+ for a long ,eat" then .ar and 2erry looed
at each other&
/7?oay&1 .ar said& /3o( ha#e reason to thin he did it=1
Bo, nodded& /'f ' can $ro#e it" the !ill%s ,roen and the rest of the fa+ily !ill tae o#er the inheritance&1 He said& /7h '
!on%t $retend to altr(is+& '%+ d(e for a,o(t a tenth of it& ' don%t !ant to s$end the rest of +y life ,ehind a des" and
that%ll ee$ +e in style&1
2erry si$$ed on her 6(ice to ee$ herself fro+ co++enting&
/0hat the hell are yo( looing for=1 .ar ased&
Bo, ga#e her a !ary loo& /' can%t say&1 He said& /'t%s #ery confidential&1
2erry rolled her eyes&
/'t%s so+ething of +y grandfathers&1 Bo, said hastily& /0e tho(ght it had ,een destroyed in a fire at his ho(se" ,(t 6(st
recently !e fo(nd o(t it hadn%t&1 He ran a hand thro(gh his hair& /So ' decided to try and find it& ' fig(red the !rec !as
the only $lace left to loo&1
/3o( !eren%t the only one" ' g(ess&1 2erry finally co++ented&
/My (ncle hired .eSalliers to sal#age e#ery s$ec of the !rec" after .eSalliers ,oasted he !as the ,est in the
,(siness& He%s $aying hi+ a gold +ine to do it&1 Bo, ad+itted& /-nd his re$(tation is at stae&1
/That%s !hat he +eant&1 2erry +(r+(red& /-,o(t ,eing hoisted on his o!n re$(tation&1
Bo, stared at her& /3o( taled to hi+=1
/>ong story&1 .ar c(t hi+ off& /3o(r $lan s(cs& He al+ost ca(ght yo( today" and if he%s got a fe! +ore days to get a
sal#age ,arge in $lace" yo(%re s(n&1
Bo, ,lined& /L+? !ell" yeah&1 He confessed& /' tho(ght '%d ha#e +ore ti+e& He s(r$rised +e&1 He sighed& /' don%t
no!& 't !as $ro,a,ly a ,ad idea to ,egin !ith&1
10M
2erry scratched her 6a!" her green eyes in !ry agree+ent !ith hi+& /H#en if yo( co(ld find !hate#er this is < do yo(
really thin yo( can +ae a case against yo(r (ncle=1 She ased se$tically& /Peo$le !ith lots of $o!er and +oney
don%t gi#e it ($ that easily&1
Bo, sat ($& /'%+ s(re the $olice !ill hel$ (s" once they see the e#idence&1 He told her& /That%s their 6o,&1
.ar snorted& /0ell&1 She got ($ and !aled to the door& /Good l(c&1 Her eyes searched the di++ing hori5on"
streaed !ith gentle orange light& /3o(%re gonna need it&1
Bo, stood ($ and $eered o(t the !indo! to!ards the !est& /' no! ' can do it&1 He said& /' 6(st need the ti+e to loo <
if ' co(ld only get that ,astard .eSalliers off +y ,ac for a fe! daysA1 He straightened ($ and t(rned& /0ell" any!ay&
Thans again& ' no! yo( didn%t +ean to resc(e +e for the second ti+e" ,(t ,oy" ' a$$reciate it&1
.ar re+ained staring o(t at the s(nset&
/'%+ glad !e !ere in the right $lace at the right ti+e&1 2erry gracef(lly $iced ($ the ,all& /0here are yo( going no!=
3o( can%t try the !rec again < he%ll get yo( ne)t ti+e&1
Bo, sighed& /3eah&1 He said& /' don%t no!& May,e ' can chec o(t the drift sho$s on the islands& May,e !hat '%+
looing for has already ,een $iced ($" and it%s there&1
/.on%t yo( thin .eSalliers has tho(ght of that=1 .ar ased" fro+ the door!ay& /' ,et his little g(+shoes are looing
right no!&1
Bo, s+iled& /He !o(ld" if he ne! !hat he !as looing for&1 He eased $ast .ar" then t(rned" !ith a faint" half crooed
s+ile& /B(t he doesn%t&1 He $iced ($ his gear" and ste$$ed off the ,oat onto the doc& /Thans again&1 He said to .ar&
/Ho$e 2erry feels ,etter soon&1
He t(rned and started !aling ($ the doc" slinging his gear o#er one sho(lder as he carried his tans in the other&
.ar t(rned and !ent ,ac inside the ca,in& She fo(nd 2erry !aiting" one leg sl(ng o#er the ar+ of her chair as she
finished her 6(ice& /He%ll ne#er find it&1 She said& /0hate#er it is&1
2erry !iggled her toes& /Pro,a,ly not&1 She agreed& /3o( thin there%s anything to his story=1
.ar sat do!n on the co(ch and e)tended a hand o(t to her& /4%+ere&1 She !ra$$ed her ar+s aro(nd 2erry as she
co+$lied" $(lling her do!n into her la$ and leaning ,ac on the co(ch& /' don%t% no!&1 She ans!ered the 8(estion&
/;ight no!" ' don%t really care&1
2erry $(t her ar+s aro(nd .ar%s nec and n(55led her chee& /0hat a +ess&1 She fo(nd .ar%s ear in#itingly close ,y"
and des$ite the fact that she still felt lie hec" she gently s(cled the tasty looing earlo,e& .ar%s ar+s tightened
aro(nd her" and she la(ghed softly&
/M++&1 .ar h(++ed& /9eeling ,etter=1
2erry ga#e her a iss on the chee& /Ho! co(ld ' not feel ,etter=1 Her lashes ,r(shed .ar%s sin" ticling it and +aing
the dar haired !o+an s+ile& /Ho! a,o(t yo(=1 She !his$ered into .ar%s ear& /3o( so(nded inda tored ,efore&1
.ar hesitated" then sighed& /3eah" '%+ oay&1 She said& /C(st too +(ch going on at once" ' g(ess&1 She ad+itted&
2erry n(55led her chee again& /' thin !e%re d(e a #acation fro+ o(r #acation" .i)iec($&1
/M+&1 .ar tho(ght a,o(t the trials of the day" then decided dis+issing the+ and si+$ly i++ersing herself in 2erry%s
$resence !as a +(ch ,etter idea& There !as really no $oint in d!elling on it all any!ay" !as there= 't !as o#er" and in
the $ast& Things had !ored o(t all right&
2erry !as oay& She !as oay& They ne! !hat !as going on& Bo! they co(ld tae off" and lea#e it all ,ehind&
They !ere o(t of it&
2erry s(cled on her earlo,e again" ,lo!ing gently into her ear& .ar closed her eyes and s+iled&
3eah& H#erything !as all right&
GG
.ar !oe to the soft clang of the ,(oy sea ,ell at the edge of the har,or& She ,lined the slee$ o(t of her eyes and
looed aro(nd in slight conf(sion" taing a +o+ent to recogni5e the di+ interior of the ,oat aro(nd her&
She and 2erry !ere lying together on the s+all co(ch" li+,s entangled& .ar had no idea !hat ti+e it !as" or ho! long
they%d ,een slee$ing" and she fo(nd herself 8(ite !illing to let her eyes close and drift ,ac into $eacef(l o,li#ion&
110
Bot that she co(ld ha#e gotten ($ e#en if she !anted to& .ar o,ser#ed the slo!" rhyth+ic rise and fall of 2erry%s chest
($ close and $ersonal" since she !as $inned (nder her lo#er%s st(rdy for+& >(cily for her" it !asn%t nearly as
(nco+forta,le as it see+ed and after she stretched her ,ody o(t a little" she settled ,ac do!n and a+ia,ly resigned
herself to $illo! d(ty&
Ho!e#er" after a fe! 8(iet +in(tes" 2erry stirred and +ade a tiny gr(+,ling so(nd&
.ar scratched the ,ac of her nec gently& /Shh&& go ,ac to slee$&1
2erry o$ened one eye and $eeed at her& /Thirsty&1 She +(ttered" !ith hoarse note in her #oice& /.a+n $ills&1
/'%d get ($ and get yo( so+e !ater" ,(t" (+?1 .ar re#ie!ed their tangled ,odies&
/B(t '%+ s8(ashing yo(&1 2erry got her hands on the co(ch and $(shed herself ($!ard" a!!ardly getting to her feet&
/7oof&1 She !a#ered a +in(te" then sat do!n again" $(tting her hand to her head& /0hoa&1
.ar i++ediately sat ($& /Hey&1
/C(st a little di55y&1 2erry +(ttered& /' got ($ too fast&1 She added& /' thin&1
/-nd yo( also ha#en%t eaten anything since this +orning&1 .ar reali5ed&
/Beither ha#e yo(&1 2erry got to her feet a little +ore ca(tio(sly" then she held a hand o(t to .ar& /4%+on& >et%s go raid
the fridge together&1 She looed aro(nd& /0hat ti+e is it=1
.ar $iced ($ her cell $hone as she stood to 6oin her $artner& /Hle#en thirty&1 Her eyes lifted to the ca,in door& /H(h&
B(d !as s($$osed to send 4harlie do!n !hen he got ho+e& G(ess he got ca(ght ($&1 She tossed the cell to the ta,le"
then reached ($ to $(t her hand across 2erry%s forehead& /-h&1
/Bo chills&1 2erry acno!ledged& /Bo! ' 6(st feel lie a dishrag&1
/May,e !e sho(ld call yo( terrycloth then" instead of 2erry&1 .ar teased" relie#ed at feeling no fe#er in her $artner&
/4%+on&1
They !aled together to the galley& 2erry sli$$ed inside first and retrie#ed a !ater ,ottle fro+ the fridge" $o$$ing it
o$en and s(cing se#eral +o(thf(ls fro+ it& She t(rned to find .ar r(++aging the shel#es" and $(t a hand on her
$artner%s sho(lder& /Bothing e)otic honey& C(st so+e yog(rt if it%s there&1
.ar retrie#ed a container and handed it ($& /Ho! a,o(t so+e toast to go !ith that&1
2erry cleared her throat e)$eri+entally" feeling an o+ino(s scratchiness& /' thin +y ,(g is +igrating&1 She infor+ed
.ar +o(rnf(lly& /'ce crea+ !o(ld !or ,etter&1
/-h&1 .ar stood and ga#e her a sy+$athetic loo& /Ho! a,o(t so+e so($=1
/M+$h&1 2erry had $o$$ed the to$ on the yog(rt" and s$ooned ($ a +o(thf(l& 't !as $lain" and cool and it +ade her
throat feel ,etter& /7nly if yo(%re ha#ing so+e too&1 She re$lied" ,(+$ing .ar lightly !ith her hi$&
.ar felt her sto+ach gro!l at the tho(ght& /.eal&1 She agreed" searching in the c($,oards for the a$$ro$riate cans&
2erry too her !ater and yog(rt and retreated to the ta,le" sliding ,ehind it and sitting cross legged on the ,ench seat&
She n(dged the indirect light on and sat there 8(ietly +(nching& /'f !e ,oth get sic" this is going to so s(c" .ar&1
/Hh&1 .ar shr(gged" ,(sy e+$tying things into one of the $ots& /'n that case" ' #ote !e 6(st find an e+$ty ,each" stae
it o(t" and let the s(n tae care of it&1
2erry sighed&
/;ela)& -t !orst" !e s$end a co($le days in ,ed together&1 .ar ch(cled softly& /'s that so ,ad=1 Taing a s+all oil
candle fro+ the ca,inet" she lit it and !aled o#er to set it do!n in front of 2erry& 't +ade a friendly" !ar+ flicer
,et!een the t!o of the+" and .ar !atched it a +o+ent" ,efore she !ent ,ac to her tas&
/'f yo( $(t it lie that" no&1 2erry +essed !ith her yog(rt" +aing s+all +o(nds of it !ith her s$oon as she cons(+ed
it& 7(t of the corner of her eye she !atched .ar in the galley" her $rofile 8(iet and so+e!hat so+,er as she heated ($
the so($& -,sently" she lifted a hand and $(shed a ,it of hair ,ehind one ear" then fiddled !ith it" a s(re sign .ar !as
$reocc($ied !ith so+ething& /This has s(re ,een a day" h(h=1 2erry ased&
/3eah&1 .ar glanced o#er" !ith a half s+ile&
111
/Those $irates had +e a little s$ooed&1 2erry said& /Glad yo( ne! ho! to handle the+&1 Her ears detected a hitch in
.ar%s ,reathing" and a soft clan as her s$oon !ha$$ed against the $ot& /' no! they didn%t h(rt those other $eo$le" ,(t
getting tossed off the ,oat the !ay ' !as feeling? !o!&1
.ar eased $ast the galley entrance and ca+e o#er !ith t!o ,o!ls of so+ething stea+ing in her hands& She set one do!n
in front of 2erry" then too the seat ne)t to her&
/M+&1 2erry sniffed& /4hicen noodle&1
.ar da,,led her s$oon in her so($" $ro$$ing her head ($ on her fist& /' !asn%t gonna let the+ tae the ,oat&1 She said&
/B(t !hat !as +ore i+$ortant to +e" !as $rotecting yo(&1
2erry too a s$oonf(l of the hot so($ and s!allo!ed it" feeling a ,lessed sense of relief as it soothed her crany throat&
/3o( did&1 She ate a s+all ,it of carrot& /Protect +e" that is&1
/M+h+&1 .ar nodded& /-nd any!ay" yo( no! ho! +(ch ' hate ha#ing anyone tell +e !hat to do& ' !asn%t going to
let those scr(ngy ,astards do it&1
/-aa,sol(tely not&1 2erry s+iled& /Bot +y .ar&1
That got a s+ile fro+ .ar" and she sto$$ed t!iddling her s$oon&
/So? !hy is that ,othering yo(=1 2erry ased softly&
.ar looed ($ at her& /.id ' say it !as=1 She ased" in a +ild tone&
2erry 6(st looed her in the eye !itho(t saying anything& -fter a +o+ent" .ar%s li$s tensed into a !ry half grin" and she
ate a s$oonf(l of so($ to gi#e herself ti+e to thin a,o(t her ans!er&
't !asn%t so+ething she !anted to tal a,o(t& B(t if she co(ldn%t tal to 2erry a,o(t it" then !ho= There !as no one on
earth closer to her than her $artner !as" not e#en her father& -ndre!" tho(gh" +ight !ell (nderstand !hat she%d felt&
2erry s(rely !o(ldn%t&
2erry si+$ly !aited" and ate her so($& .ar !o(ld either tell her" or she !o(ldn%t < f(rther $ro,ing didn%t see+ lie a
good idea&
.ar started to s$ea" then sto$$ed" a +ildly ,e+(sed e)$ression on her face& She shoo her head& /'t%s act(ally $retty
st($id&1
- ,lond eye,ro! lifted& St($id !asn%t so+ething .ar (s(ally a$$lied to herself& /H+=1 2erry +ade a s+all
enco(raging noise&
/0hen that g(y on the ,oat $ointed that g(n at +e" ' al+ost shot hi+&1
2erry !aited" ,(t !hen nothing else see+ed to ,e forthco+ing" she leaned on her el,o!s& /7ay&1 She agreed& /-nd=1
.ar !as s(cing on her s$oon& /9or a +in(te there" ' !anted to&1 Her eyes fi)ed on so+ething $ast 2erry%s head" !ith
a $ained" al+ost lost e)$ression& /' !anted to ill that g(y&1
/He !as $ointing a g(n at yo(" s!eetie&1 2erry ans!ered +atter-of-factly& /9or that +atter" ' !anted to ill hi+ too& 't%s
a good thing for hi+ yo( !ere holding the shotg(n&1 She ga5ed at her lo#er& /Beca(se if ' sa! anyone threaten yo( !ith
a g(n lie that" ' !o(ld ill the+&1
0asn%t 8(ite the res$onse .ar had ,een e)$ecting& She regarded her adora,le so(l+ate !ith ,e+(sed eyes" !atching
her sl(r$ her so($& /So yo( don%t thin that !as a strange reaction" ' tae it=1
/To so+eone $ointing a lethal !ea$on at yo(= B7&1 2erry snorted& /.o yo(=1
.ar reconsidered& /'t 6(st s(r$rised +e" ' g(ess&1 She ad+itted" re+e+,ering that +o+ent of dar 6oy" and the fire that
had see+ed to fill her fro+ !ithin& May,e it !as nor+al" or at least" the alternati#e to dissol#ing into a $(ddle of fear&
The tension inside her eased !ith 2erry%s o,#io(s acce$tance of the s(,6ect and she attaced her so($ !ith greater
g(sto&
2erry grinned to herself" and $iced her ,o!l ($" drining fro+ the side of it& /Bo! this&1 She co++ented" after
s!allo!ing a +o(thf(l& /'s g(aranteed to send yo( straight to hell" on the other hand& 'f yo( ,elie#e +y fa+ily&1 She
drained the ,o!l" then liced her li$s& /Heh&1
.ar ch(cled" a great deal +ore easily this ti+e&
2erry offered her a carrot& .ar%s eyes narro!ed" and she ,ared her teeth& They ,oth la(ghed" as 2erry relented and ate
the #egeta,le herself& /3o( no!" ' lie this&1
112
/4arrots= ' no!&1 .ar re$lied" sl(r$ing a noodle&
/Bo" this&1 2erry indicated the flicering oil la+$& /'t%s ro+antic& -l+ost lie ,eing aro(nd a ca+$fire&1
.ar eyed the tiny fla+e" then looed at 2erry& 7ne eye,ro! lifted&
/7ay" so it%s a ca+$fire for ger,ils&1 2erry ad+itted& /' still lie it&1
Her eyes !ent to the cloc on the !all" then she re+e+,ered so+ething& /Be right ,ac&1 2erry slid o(t fro+ ,ehind
the ta,le and disa$$eared into the ,edroo+& -fter a +in(te" she ret(rned" !ith her hands ,ehind her ,ac" and !aled
o#er to !here .ar !as seated" resting her chin on .ar%s sho(lder& /Hi&1
.ar t(rned her head" so they !ere nose to nose& /Hi&1 She re$lied&
2erry re+o#ed her hands fro+ ,ehind her ,ac and set a s+all ,o) do!n in front of .ar& /Ha$$y ,irthday" +y lo#e&1
She leaned in and ga#e the shoced .ar a iss on the li$s& /3o( forgot" didn%t yo(=1
.ar stared at the ,o)& She had forgotten co+$letely that it !as her ,irthday the ne)t day& She and 2erry had agreed to
e)change 4hrist+as $resents !hen they got ho+e" so she fig(red? /3eah" ' did&1 She ans!ered softly& /2erry" yo(
didn%t% ha#e to?1
/-h ah ah ah ah&1 2erry $(t her fingers o#er .ar%s +o(th& /C(st o$en it& H(+or +e& '%+ a sic !o+an&1 She slid ,ac
into her seat and !atched as .ar e)a+ined the ,o)" t(rning it o#er in her hands ,efore she started to (nra#el the thin"
lacy ri,,on aro(nd it&
.ar%s face !as a st(dy in concentration as she caref(lly (ntied the nots and laid the ri,,on do!n on either side of the
,o)& Then she held the ,otto+ steady !ith one hand and lifted the to$ !ith the other" setting it do!n ,efore she
re+o#ed the light layer of cotton fleece 6(st (nder it&
2erry !aited& She sa! the +otion as .ar%s 6a! +(scles rela)ed and the s(dden reflection of the di+ light on her
!idened eyes& /3o(%re to(gh to sho$ for&1 She s$oe 8(ietly" +ore to gi#e .ar a chance to collect herself than
anything else& /-nd yo(%re one of the +ost conser#ati#e non traditionalists ' no!& So ' tho(ght yo(%d lie so+ething
lie this&1
.ar caref(lly lifted the gift o(t of the ,o) and cradled it in her hand& She released a long held ,reath and looed ($ at
2erry& /'t%s gorgeo(s&1
2erry s+iled&
.ar looed ,ac do!n at her hand& ;esting in her $al+ !as a $ocet !atch" its co#er etched in fine gold and sil#er
filigree" o#er a darer ,ase& 9ro+ the to$" a t!isted lin sil#er chain tricled thro(gh her fingers& She gently o$ened the
facing to re#eal a face !ith large" cris$ n(+,ers" and a ,risly s!ee$ing second hand&
There !as engra#ing on the inside of the co#er& .ar tilted her head to read it& 3ecause you make e!ery moment of my
life worth li!ing. She stared at the !ords (ntil they ,l(rred and she had to close her eyes to ,lin the tears fro+ the+&
0itho(t a so(nd she $(t the !atch ,ac into its ,o) and reached for 2erry" !ho readily s8(ir+ed into her ar+s for a
h(g&
2erry felt the sh(dder as .ar inhaled" and the soft gas$ as she ,(ried her face in 2erry%s sho(lder& She held the +o+ent
caref(lly in heart" (nderstanding dee$ do!n that she co(ld ha#e !ritten the !ords on a na$in and it !o(ldn%t ha#e
+ade a difference& /' lo#e yo(&1 She !his$ered in .ar%s ear" h(gging her tightly&
.ar dre! in a ,reath" held it a +o+ent" and then e)haled" sniffling a little ,efore she s$oe& /Sorry& .idn%t +ean to get
yo( all !et&1
/Honey" yo( al!ays get +e all !et&1 2erry teased gently" r(,,ing .ar%s sho(lders !ith ,oth hands& She felt her lo#er%s
,ody shae again" ,(t this ti+e it !as !ith la(ghter& She roced .ar ,ac and forth" 6(st lo#ing her&
So !hat if she had a ,(g= So !hat if their #acation had t(rned into a ,ad tele#ision +o#ie= She had .ar" and they had
each other" and there !as nothing else any!here that co(ld to$ that&
Bothing&
The soft so(nd of the !a#es tricled thro(gh the !indo!s" on a ,ree5e that r(ffled the oil la$ and thre! a single shado!
dancing against the !all&
GG
Part #
113
.ar !histled softly as she !ored on the stern dec" tidying the ,oat ($ fro+ their ordeal the day ,efore& 't !as a,o(t
an ho(r $ast da!n& The s(nlight $o(red o#er her s!i+s(it clad ,ody" !ar+ing her sho(lder ,lades and allo!ing her to
a$$reciate the ,ris ,ree5e&
2erry !as t(ced in ,ed" !ith a c($ of hot tea for her still sore throat& .es$ite that" the ,lond !o+an had see+ed +(ch
+ore chi$$er !hen they%d !oen ($ and .ar s(s$ected 2erry !o(ld not stay in ,ed that long&
B(t that !as oay& 0ith a grin" .ar finished her tas and re-entered the ca,in& The scent of fresh coffee greeted her and
s(re eno(gh" ,ehind the galley co(nter she fo(nd one of Santa%s o!n little el#es +aing it& /-h hah&1
2erry looed ($" $rod(cing a s(nny s+ile for her $artner& /Merry 4hrist+as and Ha$$y Birthday" honey&1
/Tho(ght yo( !ere resting&1 .ar $ro!led into the galley ,ehind her&
/' !as&1 2erry re$lied& /Bo! '%+ cooing& 't%s a serial $rocessing ind of thing&1 She ta$$ed .ar%s chest !ith a +i)ing
s$oon& /' feel a lot ,etter& Bo! go o#er there and let +e finish +y $ancaes&1
/Pancaes=1 .ar%s #oice rose in s(r$rise& /M++&1 She inclined her head and issed 2erry on the li$s&
/'t%s a tradition&1 2erry $(t a hand ($ and to(ched .ar%s chee& /Bo! scoot&1
'nstead of o,eying" .ar sli$$ed her ar+s aro(nd 2erry%s ,ody and ca(ght her ($ in a $o!erf(l h(g" lifting her ($ off
her feet&
/Lrgh&1 2erry re#eled in it" en6oying the (ne)$ected side effect of feeling her s$ine rela) and realign itself& /7o&&& than
yo(&1 She felt .ar%s hands r(, her ,ac ,risly as she !as set do!n again& 0hen she leaned ,ac and looed ($" she
!as glad to see .ar%s face co+$letely o$en and ha$$y- +issing the !orried tension of the $re#io(s day&
She $atted .ar%s ,elly thro(gh the thin s!i+s(it fa,ric" and ga#e her another h(g" then gently n(dged her o(t of the
galley so she co(ld finish +aing ,reafast&
.ar rel(ctantly retreated to the co(ch and dro$$ed into it" stretching o(t on her side and crossing her anles& /So& -re
!e in agree+ent in ditching .eSalliers and co+$any=1
2erry $(shed a ,it of hair o(t of her eyes& /3o( +ean" 6(st tae off and let the+ all sort o(t their o!n $ro,le+s=1
/M+h+&1
/3eah&1 The ,lond !o+an nodded& /' +ean" there%s really nothing !e can do" is there=1
.ar e)a+ined a faint scar on her ($$er thigh& /Bot really&1 She said& /So+eti+es it $ays to no! !hen to 6(st close the
,oos and !al&1 She ga#e 2erry a raish grin& /Besides" that fa+ily fe(d so(nds (gly&1
2erry had occasion to no! +ore a,o(t that than +ost $eo$le did& She +erely gr(nted in agree+ent as she $o(red
$ancae ,atter onto the s+all griddle" getting the te+$erat(re 6(st right for the crea+y s(,stance to start ,(,,ling at its
edges i++ediately& She reached o#er to a dish and re+o#ed a handf(l of chi$s" s$rinling the+ into the ,atter e#enly&
She co(ld only i+agine her +other%s reaction to her choice of ,reafasts& 9or +ore years than she co(ld co(nt
,reafast at ho+e had ,een dry toast" $erha$s an egg !hite" and a ,o!l of healthy cereal !ith si+ +il& 7f co(rse"
that had only s$(rred her into find a !ay to gra, a candy ,ar ,efore first $eriod at school and res(lted her de#elo$ing an
intense dislie of Gra$e B(ts&
>i#ing !ith .ar !as definitely different& 'f she felt lie ha#ing a +ilshae for ,reafast" the only co++ent she%d get
fro+ her $artner !as liely to ,e @!here%s +ine=%& .ar had a #ery sec(re and rela)ed attit(de to!ards her o!n ,ody
and that e)tended to 2erry%s as !ell" easing 2erry%s initial shyness considera,ly&
To ,e fair" +ost of the ti+e she and .ar ate relati#ely healthily" and so+e!hat to her s(r$rise the last ti+e .r& Ste#e
had checed her cholesterol" it had act(ally co+e do!n forty $oints& She s(s$ected all the e)tra ti+e in the gy+ !as
res$onsi,le for that" ,(t she !asn%t a,o(t to arg(e !ith it& Bot !hen she !as finally getting to ind(lge herself and not
ha#e to !orry a,o(t co++ents aro(nd the dining roo+ ta,le&
-h !ell& She t(rned her attention ,ac to her tas& Pancaes too $ractice& 2erry +ane(#ered the $a$er thin fli$$er
(nder the caes and e)$ertly t(rned the+" e)$osing nicely golden ,otto+ sides& The scent of the cooing ,atter" along
!ith the +elting chocolate filled the air" and she felt her +o(th start to !ater in res$onse&
0ell" at least her a$$etite !as ,ac& That !as a good sign& 2erry reached o#er and t(rned a fe! slices of ,acon that
!ere si55ling near,y& Her throat !as still ,othering her a little and she still felt @off% < her ,ody ached and her head felt
slightly st(ffed& B(t she had no fe#er and she !as h(ngry eno(gh to eat a ra! fish" so she fig(red she !as $ro,a,ly
getting ,etter&
114
Besides" it !as .ar%s ,irthday& 2erry fo(nd herself s+iling as she re+e+,ered her gift gi#ing the night ,efore& She
glanced o#er at the co(ch" char+ed to see .ar st(dying her ne! !atch" a grin t(gging at the corners of her +o(th as she
t(rned it o#er in her fingers&
She t(rned ,ac to the griddle and got a $late ready" neatly transferring fo(r of the hotcaes to it and se#eral slices of
,acon& She set it to one side and $(t the rest of the food on a second $late" then t(rned off the heat and set t!o co#ers
on the $lates& /.i)iec($" can yo( co+e o#er here and gi#e +e a hand=1
.ar ch(cled as she set aside her !atch and strolled o#er& /3o( no!" if anyone had told +e ,efore ' +et yo( that '%d
e#er $(t ($ !ith so+eone calling +e that" +(ch less liing it" '%d ha#e cloced the+&1
2erry ga#e her a char+ing s+ile" and handed her the $lates& />et +e get the ,isc(its and the coffee&1
/-nd the syr($&1 .ar re+inded her" setting the $lates on the ta,le and ret(rning to d(c $ast 2erry and retrie#e a 6(g of
6(ice fro+ the refrigerator&
They sat do!n together and .ar lifted the co#er off her $late" inhaling the scent of the chocolate chi$ $ancaes& /M+&1
2erry dri55led a little syr($ neatly o#er her stac and se$arated a forf(l& /3o( no!" if anyone had told +e ,efore '
+et yo( that '%d ,e scarfing do!n $ancaes and ,acon !itho(t any g(ilt" +(ch less en6oying the+ '%d ha#e 6(st
la(ghed&1 She said& /So ' thin !e%re nec and nec for +aing $ositi#e changes in each other%s li#es&1 She !ined at
.ar&
.ar slid closer" and they traded forf(ls of ,reafast& 2erry liced a ,it of syr($ that had so+eho! ended ($ on the ti$
of her nose" and they toasted each other !ith coffee&
/7ay" so if !e%re not cr(sading and +e sticing +y head (nder !ater isn%t a really good idea" !hat did yo( ha#e in
+ind for today=1 2erry ased" after a fe! +in(tes of $eacef(l +(nching& /Sho$$ing=1
- nice 8(iet stroll thro(gh so+e of the eclectic sho$s of St& Tho+as= .ar s(ddenly fo(nd that a$$ealing" if for no other
reason than that it $ro#ided an acti#ity they co(ld do that !o(ldn%t co+$ro+ise 2erry%s health& /-ll right&1 She agreed&
/'%ll r(n ($ and 6(st tell B(d and 4harlie so long !hen !e%re done !ith ,reafast" and !e%ll head o(t&1
/7o&&& yo(%re letting +e tae yo( sho$$ing on yo(r ,irthday& 3o(%re in so +(ch tro(,le" Paladar&1 2erry chortled"
cr(nching a $iece of ,acon ,et!een her teeth& /'%+ going to s$oil yo( to !ithin an inch of yo(r life&1
/Lh oh&1 .ar co#ered her eyes& /0hat ha#e ' gotten +yself into=1
/Heh&1
GG
.ar strolled ($ the ,each to!ards B(d and 4harlie%s $lace" feeling +ello! and a little la5y after her fa#orite treat
des$ite the threat of sho$$ing hanging o#er her head& The island !as #ery 8(iet < only a fe! seag(lls noted her
$resence as she cli+,ed ($ the slo$e to the resta(rant& She ste$$ed ($ onto the $orch" and $eered inside the screened
door&
'nside" the resta(rant !as silent and still < chairs !ere ($ended on ta,les and the floor +ats $iled near the door&
't !as still #ery early" tho(gh" so .ar didn%t consider that (n(s(al& She $(lled the iron handle e)$eri+entally" a little
s(r$rised !hen the door readily o$ened to!ards her& /Hello=1
Her #oice echoed in the e+$ty roo+" ,(t there !as no ans!er to her call& 0ith a slight shr(g" .ar entered and crossed
the !ooden floor" $(shing the itchen hatch o$en and $eeing inside&
The $lace !as also e+$ty < $ots hanging s$otless and e+$ty on ceiling hoos" and sto#es standing cold and ,arren&
.ar crossed thro(gh the so+e!hat cra+$ed s$ace and thro(gh the doors in the ,ac" finding herself in a s+all corridor
!ith closed roo+s to either side& She ne! B(d and 4harlie li#ed in the ,ac of the resta(rant" and no!" s(ddenly" it
occ(rred to her that +ay,e they%d closed the resta(rant for the holiday and !ere slee$ing in&
/0hoo$s&1 She d(ced ,ac inside the itchen" looing aro(nd (ntil she fo(nd an ordering $ad !ith a $encil tied off to
it& She $iced it ($ and ,ent her head o#er it" !riting for a fe! +in(tes ,efore she st(died the res(lts" then tore the to$
$age off the $ad&
>ea#ing the $ad !here she%d fo(nd it" .ar !ent to the inside door and st(c the note on it" facing in to!ards the inner
roo+s& -nyone co+ing into the itchen !o(ld see it" and she felt reasona,ly s(re either B(d or 4harlie !o(ld do 6(st
that so+eti+e that +orning&
11*
She regarded the note !ith a to(ch of ,e+(se+ent" re+e+,ering certain rainy days !hen she and 2erry had $layed
hooy fro+ !or& 7ay" +ay,e so+eti+e that afternoon& 0ith a s+ile" she t(rned and !aled ,ac thro(gh the
resta(rant and o(t the ,ac door&
GG
2erry regarded the char+ing streets of 4harlotte -+alie !ith a grin" en6oying the colors and the dis$lays of local
handicrafts& She had on a $air of dar +id length shorts !ith +ore $ocets than !as really safe and a cris$ !hite shirt
t(ced into the+" and she felt $ro$erly to(risty and ready to sho$&
.ar a+,led along ne)t to her" s$orting sn(g fitting ,lac ,icycle shorts and a ,right red +(scle t-shirt& 0ith her
s(nglasses" and her dar hair tied ,ac in a tail" she looed lie a !aling ad#ertise+ent for a ,ad attit(de&
2erry lo#ed it& She e$t catching $eo$le looing at .ar" !ho strode thro(gh the cro!d !ith an air of cool disregard&
She had a light ,ac$ac on" !hich had the la$to$ and their cell $hones in it" since the +arina !asn%t !hat .ar
considered #ery sec(re" and the stra$s $(lled the fa,ric of the shirt ta(t against her +(sc(lar ,ody&
:ery ,(tch& 2erry%s grin !rinled her nose ($" and she s($$ressed a ch(cle&
/0hat%s so f(nny=1 .ar in8(ired" $eering at her fro+ o#er the to$s of her !ra$aro(nd s(nglasses&
/Bothing&1 2erry ass(red her& /This $lace is so c(te&1 She indicated the +aret& /0ant to see if !e can $ic ($ so+e of
those stra! ,asets= ' thin yo(r +o+ !o(ld lie the+ for her $ainting st(ff&1
.ar regarded the staced !ares& />ead on&1 She re$lied& /Hey" +ay,e ' can $ic ($ a $air of $earl earrings !hile !e%re
here&1
7ay& 2erry lined ar+s !ith her& Bot so ,(tch& /Ho! a,o(t so+e of those nice +iniat(re seashell ones= They%d loo
$retty on yo(&1
/Thin so=1
/-,sol(tely&1
GG
They ended ($ in a little o(tdoor cafO on the street o#erlooing the har,or after a to(gh afternoon%s sho$$ing& .ar%s
,ac$ac had gotten hea#ier ,y se#eral $acets" and 2erry had a !o#en he+$ ,ag resting at her feet& /This is nice&1
.ar co++ented" si$$ing fro+ a c($ of fragrant ca$$(ccino& The ,ree5e !as co+ing inshore" and she stretched her long
legs o(t and en6oyed it&
2erry had ,oth hands clas$ed aro(nd a c($ of hot tea& /'t s(re is&1 She agreed& /Hey" yo( !ant to s$end the night ($
there" at that Blac,eard%s 4astle= 't looed really c(te&1
.ar ti$$ed her head ,ac and looed ($ at the hill a,o#e the+& /3eah&1 She s+iled& /That did loo lie a f(n $lace&
S(re&1 She t(rned ,ac to loo at 2erry" s$otting the i+$erfectly +ased sigh& /;(nning o(t of stea+=1
.arn& 2erry cleared her throat& /My ,(g is still ,(gging +e" ' g(ess&1 She ad+itted&
/To the inn !ith yo( then&1 .ar $(t a ,ill do!n on the ta,le" and e)tended her hand& />et%s gra, a ca," and get (s a
roo+ ($ on that there hill&1 She ca(ght a +otion o(t of the corner of her eye" ,(t as she t(rned" se#eral +en ,r(shed ,y
and distracted her and ,y the ti+e she refoc(sed on the s$ot there !as nothing there&
Pro,a,ly !as 6(st the !aiter& .ar considered" sho(ldering her $ac and $(shing her chair in& She $(lled o(t her cell and
checed it" seeing no acti#ity" and her ,ro!s creased& /.on%t tell +e they%re still in ,ed&1
/H(h=1 2erry coced her head&
/' ased B(d to gi#e +e a sho(t !hen he got ($& ' need to as hi+ so+ething&1 .ar e)$lained& /He hasn%t called&1
/' tho(ght they didn%t ha#e a $hone=1 2erry co++ented" as they !aled along the street to!ards the crossroad& /That%s
!hat they told Bo,&1
/That%s !hat he told Bo,&1 .ar re$eated !ryly& /They%#e got a cell& They 6(st don%t lie (sing it& They $ay ,y the
+in(te&1 She shoo her head" then looed ($ a n(+,er in her cell%s +e+ory and dialed it& 't rang se#eral ti+es" and
then $olitely infor+ed her that the cell(lar c(sto+er she !as trying to reach !as (na#aila,le& .ar closed the $hone&
/Pro,a,ly has it t(rned off&1
11I
/0hat did yo( !ant to as hi+=1 2erry in8(ired" as they sto$$ed and she lifted a hand to hail a ca,& 'ncredi,ly" the car
slo!ed and $(lled o#er" its dri#er sticing his head o(t and regarding the+ !ith a #ery cheerf(l e)$ression& /Hi&1 2erry
greeted hi+& /0e%d lie to go ($ the 4astle=1
/-ny!here yo( lo#ely ladies !ant to go" ' tae yo(&1 The +an re$lied i++ediately& /4o+e" co+e&1
/Thans&1 2erry eased the ,ac door o$en& /' thin&1 She added" (nder her ,reath&
.ar +erely $(shed her s(nglasses ($ a little and follo!ed& -s she closed the door ,ehind her" she ca(ght so+ething in
the corner of her eye again" and this ti+e t(rned 8(icly to see !hat it !as&
Bothing& The street corner ,ehind her !as e+$ty& .ar fro!ned and faced for!ard" crossing her ar+s o#er the $ac
she%d taen off her ,ac and !ondering if the r(+ s+oothie she%d dr(n at the last sho$$ing sto$ !as +aing her see
things&
7r i+agine the+&
GG
/7h" this is adora,le&1 2erry looed aro(nd their s+all roo+ a$$ro#ingly& /'%+ glad they didn%t ha#e roo+ in the ,ig
resort" .ar < this is +(ch" +(ch c(ter&1 They !ere staying in the s+all inn that circled the ta#ern" !ith a #ie! that
o#erlooed the har,or& 2erry !aled o#er to the $l(sh" fo(r $oster ,ed and sat do!n on it" ,o(ncing a little" then
falling ,ac and s$reading her ar+s o(t& /0hoof&1
.ar set her $ac do!n and $(t her hands on her hi$s as she ins$ected their assigned 8(arters& /Bice&1 She agreed" !ith
a s+ile& /Tell yo( !hat& 3o( hang o(t here and rela)" and '%ll r(n do!n to the ,oat and $ic ($ a change of clothes for
the ,oth of (s&1 She said& /7rder ($ so+e hot tea" and en6oy the #ie!&1
2erry considered arg(ing& Then her ,etter sense too hold and she !aggled her fingers at .ar in $eacef(l ac8(iescence&
/3o( roc&1
0ith a $lease s+ile" .ar !a#ed ,ac" and then she t(rned and sli$$ed o(t the door and closed it ,ehind her&
/-hh&1 2erry e)haled" glad to ,e lying still& -s the day had $rogressed" her ,ody had $rotested +ore stren(o(sly e#en
tho(gh she%d en6oyed their sho$$ing tri$& Bo! she had a 8(iet night in this c(te" sn(g little roo+ to loo for!ard to& 't
had a s+all ,alcony !ith a ta,le" and she s(s$ected a light dinner" a ,ottle of !ine" and the t!o of the+ !ere 6(st the
right si5e to fit at it&
- nice end to .ar%s ,irthday" she decided& - s+ile crossed her face as she tho(ght a,o(t her $artner" and ho! +(ch
she%d en6oyed their day ra+,ling aro(nd together&
May,e if she felt ,etter to+orro!" she f(lfill her $art of the ,argain" and they%d go horse,ac riding ($ in the hills&
She%d seen ad#ertise+ents for a nice looing sta,le at the hotel%s chec in des&
3eah& - nice ride" +ay,e a $icnic together? +ay,e they%d find a nice 8(iet s$ot and she%d !rite a $oe+ a,o(t it&
2erry i+agined a $atch of green" fragrant forest" !ith ,irds singing aro(nd her& She co(ld al+ost s+ell the rich scent of
the earth&
3eah&
0ith a ya!n" she rolled o#er and cra!led to the edge of the ,ed" retrie#ing the leather co#ered roo+ ser#ice +en( and
o$ening it& /-h&1 She s$otted the tea section" $leased at ha#ing +ore than one choice& /Mango& >et%s try that&1 She
$iced ($ the roo+ $hone and dialed&
GG
.ar decided to forgo a ca," $referring to 6og do!n to the ,oat instead& The cro!ds !ere thinning o(t as s(nset
a$$roached and the cafOs she $assed !ere starting to gear ($ for dinner& The air held hints of an eclectic +i) of foods"
hicory s+oe +i)ed !ith a dash of to+ato and garlic" crossed !ith a 6olt of 6er s$ices& .ar too an a$$reciati#e
,reath of it" and acno!ledged she !as da+n glad they%d decided to c(t o(t and lea#e Bo, and his fa+ily $ro,le+s
,ehind&
.eSalliers had annoyed her" tr(e& .ar ad+itted $ri#ately& 't !o(ldn%t ha#e ,othered her to noc hi+ off his $edestal"
,(t the +an had ,een hired to do a 6o," and !hile she didn%t $artic(larly lie his style or his attit(de" his +ethods !ere
efficient and #ery ,(siness oriented& -nd" .ar" ad+it it& That%s ho! +ostly e#eryone descri,es yo(" isn%t it= She
ch(cled a little in !ry self-no!ledge&
Bo,%s story had see+ed a little too $at to her" she decided" as her $ath too her do!n a fairly stee$ decline to!ards the
doc& .id she really ,(y that con#enient e+ergence of a cl(e after all this ti+e= 't see+ed a lot +ore liely to her that
11J
Bo, had r(n o(t of cash" and had gotten together !ith all the other fa+ily !annaha#es and cooed ($ a $lot to ca(se
tro(,le& He !as $ro,a,ly ,aning on a settle+ent of so+e ind" if he co(ld stir ($ eno(gh chaos&
7f co(rse? .ar dodged a +an on a +o$ed& 't co(ld also ,e that she didn%t lie Bo, ,eca(se he tried to hit on 2erry&
She !ondered ,riefly if he si+$ly had seen a c(te girl he !as interested in" or if he !as interested in 2erry ,eca(se of
her o,#io(s financial reso(rces&
She t(rned a corner and 6ogged ,et!een t!o ,(ildings& -s she $assed a gar,age d(+$ster" a flash of +otion +ade her
t(rn her head" ,(t ,efore she co(ld react a ,ody hit hers and dro#e her into the !all& /HeyA1
Hands gra,,ed her and thre! her against he !all again" and then a hea#y !eight $inned her" and she got a ,last of not
#ery nice ,reath in her face& /-ll right" yo( ,itch& .on%t +o#e&1
.ar ,lined" and a hea#y" $oced +ared face s!a+ into foc(s& Her attacer had his forear+ $ressed against her throat"
and his !eight holding her against the !all& Her senses" at first shoced" reco#ered and she felt her !its settle ,ac into
$lace& /0ho the hell are yo(=1 She ased&
/Sh(t ($&1 The +an sho#ed against her throat" c(tting off her air& /' as" yo( ans!er&1
- !ash of red s!a+ (ne)$ectedly o#er her #ision" and .ar felt her te+$er sna$ ,efore she co(ld get a handle on it& -
lo! snarl er($ted fro+ her throat and her ,ody con#(lsed" sho#ing against the !all and arching !ith all her strength&
She got her hands ($ against the +an%s chest and $(shed hard" getting hi+ off her 6(st long eno(gh for her to tae a
,o(ncing ste$ for!ard&
He c(rsed and gra$$led !ith her" gra,,ing her throat !ith ,oth hands" ,(t +ade the +istae of letting .ar lean for!ard
at the sa+e ti+e as he !as s$reading his legs for ,alance& .ar i++ediately ,ro(ght her nee ($ !ith e)$losi#e force"
sla++ing her neeca$ into the $it of his groin&
He choed and released her" reaching do!n in $(re refle) to $rotect hi+self& .ar too the o$$ort(nity to d(c $ast hi+
and !hirl" then t(rn side!ays and ic o(t" catching hi+ in the ,(ttocs and sending hi+ h(rtling into the !all head
first&
She !hirled as she sensed so+eone else co+ing" and her hands ca+e ($ into fists at sho(lder le#el as she s$otted
another +an close ,y&
He held ($ his o!n hands" ,(t they !ere $al+ o(t& /0hoa" tiger&1
.ar glared at hi+& /.on%t yo( no! !hen the f(c to lea#e $eo$le alone=1 She ased& /0hat the hell does it tae"
.eSalliers= - da+n co(rt order=1
/0ell" da+n it" ;o,erts& 3o( ee$ sho!ing ($ in +y ,(siness" !hat the hell a+ ' s($$osed to do=1 .eSalliers
ans!ered& /'f yo(%d +ind yo(r o!n" and get the hell o(t of +y !ay" '%d ,e glad to ne#er set eyes on yo( againA1
.ar $(t her hands on her hi$s& /3o(%re n(ts&1 She stated flatly& /3o( !ant yo(r s$ot on the ocean= 9ine& 0e left& 0e
ca+e o#er here" and ha#en%t tho(ght a,o(t yo( all the da+n day long& So !hat are yo( taling a,o(t=1
.eSalliers eyed her s(s$icio(sly& /3o(%re searching the sho$s for !hat '%+ after&1
.ar rolled her eyes& /0e !ere searching the sho$s for $earl earrings& 3o( into that= ' ne#er !o(lda g(essed&1 She
,aced a ste$" to ee$ the other +an in her sight" since he !as no! getting to his feet&
/3o(%re lying&1
/3o(%re a 6er& ' g(ess !e%re e#en&1 .ar shot ,ac& /Bo! get the hell o(t of +y !ay ,efore ' call the co$s&1 She $ointed
at hi+& /0e don%t !ant any $art of !hate#er the hell yo(%re after&1
/Ho! +(ch did he offer yo(=1 .eSalliers co(ntered" as tho(gh he hadn%t heard a !ord she%d said& /'%ll do(,le it&1
.ar glared at hi+& /3o(%re really $issing +e off&1 She !arned&
/Tri$le it& 0hat !ill it tae=1
't got to the $oint !here it ,eca+e" oddly" f(nny& /7ay&1 .ar held ($ her hands& /' gi#e&1
.eSalliers folded his ar+s& /' ne! ' co(ld find yo(r $rice&1
/Hnglish isn%t !oring&1 .ar !ent on& /0hat lang(age !o(ld yo( lie +e to tell yo( to f(c off in ne)t" !hich yo(%ll
(nderstand=1 She ased& /S$rechen Sie .e(tsches= Lsted ha,la es$aPol= Parle5-#o(s franQais=1 She held ($ her left
hand" +iddle finger e)tended& /-+erican Sign >ang(age= 0hat=1
11K
0ith a s(dden +otion" she closed on hi+ and gra,,ed his shirt" t!isted her hands in it ,efore he co(ld 6er a!ay& She
lifted ($" s(r$rising hi+ !ith her strength" and $(shed hi+ against the gar,age dis$osal& /' .7 B7T 0-BT
-B3TH'BG T7 .7 0'TH 37L 7; 37L; BLS'BHSSAAA1 She ,ello!ed at the to$ of her l(ngs& /.7 37L
LB.H;ST-B. MH M'STH;==1
His eyes !ere as ,ig as sa(cers& 4ar#el flying sa(cers" in fact& /;o,erts" ' don%t thin yo( !ant to do this&1
/-ll ' !ant to do&1 .ar%s #oice dro$$ed to a lo! r(+,le& /'s go get so+e clothes" go ,ac to +y hotel" and s$end the
night necing in the +oonlight !ith +y $artner&1 She got nose to nose !ith hi+& /-nd yo(" +ister" are all that%s
,et!een +e" and !hat ' !ant&1 She shoo hi+& /37L&& are the one !ho doesn%t !ant to do this& Tr(st +e&1
/Boss" yo( !ant +e to shoot her=1 The th(g ,ehind her s$oe in a #oice !as a to(ch hoarse&
/P(t that a!ay" yo( idiot&1 .eSalliers sna$$ed ner#o(sly& /She can $ro,a,ly catch the ,(llet&1
.ar snorted& She released the +an%s shirt and let hi+ ($ off the gar,age d(+$ster& She looed o#er her sho(lder at the
th(g" !ho !as (ncertainly 6(ggling a s+all handg(n& 0ith a shae of her head" she ret(rned her eyes to .eSalliers&
/0hat !ill it tae to con#ince yo( ' don%t !ant any $art of this=1 She ased" in a nor+al tone& /0e got in#ol#ed ,y
accident& ' got (nin#ol#ed on $(r$ose&1
He st(died her& /-ll right&1 He said& /H)$lain !hy yo( had yo(r $eo$le 6(+$ +y +en o(t on St& ;ichard last night" and
+ay,e '%ll ,elie#e yo(&1
/My $eo$le=1 .ar stared at hi+&
/Pity !e had to h(rt the+&1 .eSalliers ga#e her a thin s+ile& /They didn%t get !hat they !ere after& May,e yo(&1 His
long finger $oed .ar in the chest& /Sho(ld tae a lesson fro+ that&1 Bo! his tone t(rned dar& /3o( listen to +e"
;o,erts& 2ee$ o(t of +y !ay& 'f yo( get in it again" '%ll tae yo( o(t& Per+anently&1
0ith that" he t(rned and staled off" his th(g trotting ,ehind hi+&
.ar stared after hi+& /My $eo$le=1 She !his$ered& /0hat in the he?1Her +ind !ent ,ac to an e+$ty resta(rant" and
a 8(iet" still ho+e that +orning& She $(lled o(t her cell $hone and recalled B(d and 4harlie%s n(+,er fro+ +e+ory"
then dialed it&
't rang three ti+es" then !ent to #oice +ail& .ar !aited for the ,ee$" then s$oe& /Hey& 't%s .ar& Gi#e +e a ring !hen
yo( get this < ' need to tal to yo( g(ys&1 She hesitated" then h(ng ($" closing the $hone and ta$$ing it against her
chest& /This is getting to ,e lie a ,ad e$isode of T!ilight Rone&1 She +(ttered&
-fter a +o+ent of indecision" she headed to!ards the ,oat& She%d $ic ($ their clothes" then go ,ac to the hotel and let
2erry in on !hat had ha$$ened&
-nd then=
4hrist& .ar shoo her head in honest ,e!ilder+ent& 0ho the hell ne! !hat then=
GG
2erry didn%t really re+e+,er falling aslee$& 7ne +o+ent" she !as looing at the little area g(ide ,oo she%d fo(nd in
the inn roo+" then ne)t +o+ent she felt a !ar+ hand on her sho(lder& She rolled o#er and ,lined ($ at .ar& /7h&
Ces(s& .id ' con o(t=1
.ar sat do!n on the ,ed ne)t to her& /-$$arently&1 She s+oothed 2erry%s hair ,ac and felt her forehead& 't !as cool&
/Might ha#e ,een ,etter if '%d stayed her and 6oined yo(&1
/Lh oh&1 2erry ga5ed ($ at her" seeing the t(r+oil in .ar%s e)$ression& /Bo! !hat=
/.eSalliers&1
/-gain= 0hat the hell is it !ith that g(y=1
.ar colla$sed ne)t to 2erry and s$read her ar+s o(t across the co#ers& /He%s a self a,sor,ed" +egalo+aniacal +oron&1
/0ell" yeah" ,(t ,esides that&1
/He and one of his goons chased +e do!n on the !ay to the ,oat& He still thins !e%re $art of this st($id ga+e he%s
$laying&1
/4hased yo( do!n=1 2erry sat right ($" !ide a!ae" her eyes going ,ig and ro(nd&
11M
/Hasy" sl(gger&1 .ar dra!led" faintly a+(sed at the al!ays s(r$rising ferocio(sness 2erry dis$layed on her ,ehalf&
/3eah" !e yelled at each other" and he left&1 She sighed& /Pro,le+ is" he also hinted that he%d r(n into friends of o(rs"
and they%d gotten h(rt&1 She lifted her $hone& /' left a +essage for B(d" ,(t there%s no ans!er on the line&1
/3ies&1 2erry ,eca+e concerned& /.ar" this isn%t f(nny& ' thin it%s ti+e !e called in the co$s&1
.ar nodded& /Me" too&1 She said& /' sto$$ed ,y the $olice station on the !ay ($ here&1
/-nd=1 2erry settled ,ac do!n ne)t to her&
/'t%s 4hrist+as .ay&1 .ar ga#e her a !ry loo& /There !as only one +an in the $lace" and he !as cleaning it& ' thin
the rest of the+ are o(t on $atrol&1 She $a(sed& /-t least" ' ho$e so&1
/4ra$&1 2erry fro!ned& /'s there anyone else !e can call=1
/-ll the LS offices are closed&1 .ar dr(++ed her fingers on the co#ers& /' don%t no! if there is anything !e can do
,efore to+orro!& ' !ish B(d !o(ld call +e tho(gh& /
/St($id 6er&1
.ar%s eye,ro!s lifted& /He%s not that ,ad&1
/' +eant .eSalliers&1 2erry sco!led& /Sho(ld !e go ,ac to B(d and 4harlie%s island= 0hat a,o(t ;(f(s=1 She eased
o#er onto her side& /.ar" this s(cs&1
/' no!&1 .ar ga5ed at the ceiling" considering& /0e co(ld go ,ac there" ,(t !hat if they didn%t= 't%s a ,ig ocean" and
there%s do5ens of islands aro(nd here&1
2erry sighed& /Bo" it s(cs ,eca(se da+n it" ' !anted to cele,rate yo(r ,irthday !ith yo( tonight&1 She co+$lained"
$l(cing at the fa,ric (nderneath her & /God" that so(nd so selfish" doesn%t it=1 - faint la(gh !as forced o(t of her&
.ar reached o#er and scr(,,ed 2erry%s ,ac !ith her fingerti$s& /Bah&1
/Lr+$h&1 2erry arched her nec& /3es" it does&1 She gr(+,led&
/0ell&1 .ar sn(ggled closer" and n(55led the side of 2erry%s face& /'t%s on +y ,ehalf" so yo(%re e)c(sed&1
2erry slid her ar+s aro(nd .ar%s ,ody and dre! her closer" detecting a hint of !ood s+oe on her clothes& She t(ced
her head into .ar%s sho(lder and e)haled" si+$ly !anting the co+fort of her lo#er%s $resence&
.ar !as +ore than glad to o,lige& She gently r(,,ed 2erry%s lo!er ,ac !hile she ga5ed at the ceiling" trying to fig(re
o(t !hat to do ne)t& 't !as al+ost dar o(tside" and !ith only the di+ ,ed light on" the roo+ settled into a $eacef(l
t!ilight&
So 8(iet" that .ar%s cell $hone going off nearly ca(sed ,oth of the+ to 6(+$ right off the ,ed& /Shit&1 .ar scra,,led for
the ringing cell& She fli$$ed it o$en and held it to her ear& /3es=1
2erry $(t her head ,ac do!n on .ar%s sho(lder" !illing her heart to sto$ trying to cli+, o(t her ears& She%d ,een half
aslee$" in that ha5y $lace 6(st ,efore yo( !ent co+$letely o(t" and her ,ody !as feeling a sense of shoc at ,eing 6ered
so r(dely o(t of it&
/3es&1 .ar%s #oice !as serio(s& /-ll right& 0e%ll ,e right o#er&1 She folded the $hone ($ and set it on the ,ed" letting
o(t a long ,reath&
/0hat is it=1 2erry ased&
/4harlie&1 .ar +(r+(red" after a +o+ent& /He%s in the hos$ital" here" on St& Tho+as&1 She t(rned her head and looed
at 2erry& /'t%s not $retty&1
2erry co(ld easily ha#e li#ed her entire life !itho(t seeing another hos$ital& She ga#e .ar%s side a $at" and hitched
herself ($ on an el,o!& />et%s get going" then&1 She said& />ie it or not" !e%re ,(ying into this" aren%t !e=1
.ar sat ($& />oos lie it& 3eah&1 She got ($ off the ,ed and cli$$ed the $hone to her !aist ,and& /3o( can stay here if
yo( !ant" 2er& 'f yo(%re not feeling !ell" no sense in ,oth of? ah&1
2erry had gotten ($ and !as r(nning her ,r(sh thro(gh her hair& /S!eetie" if ' can%t s$end the night !ith yo( in that
,ed" then '%ll tae !hat ' can get&1 She tossed the ,r(sh to .ar& /Besides" ' lie 4harlie& ' ho$e he%s oay&1
.ar ,r(shed her hair" ho$ing the #ery sa+e thing&
GG
120
The hos$ital !as ,(sy& 't !as a relati#ely s+all set of ,(ildings" not far fro+ the to!n they%d ,een staying in& .ar lead
the !ay inside and they !ent to the front des& Gi#ing 4harlie%s na+e" they !ere directed ($stairs&
H)iting onto the third floor" .ar s$otted B(d near the end of the hall& She called o(t in a lo! #oice" and he t(rned"
closing the cell $hone he%d ,een taling into and !aling to!ards the+&
2erry dre! in a ,reath& B(d%s face !as half co#ered !ith an (gly ,r(ise" tho(gh he a$$eared o,li#io(s of it& His shirt
!as ri$$ed" e)$osing his sho(lder" and the ,ac of one hand !as scra$ed ra!&
/0hat ha$$ened=1 .ar ased 8(ietly&
B(d looed ($ and do!n the corridor" then +otioned the+ o#er to a ,an of chairs& He sat do!n in one" and let his
el,o!s rest on his nees& He st(died the floor as .ar too a seat ne)t to hi+& /3o( e#er hear of so+ething ,eing too
st($id for the Ba#y=1
.ar stifled a !ry ch(cle& /Heard that aro(nd +y ho(se gro!ing ($ a ti+e or t!o" yeah&1
/0ell&1 B(d%s #oice !as #ery soft& /' done so+ething too st($id for the Ba#y&1 He glanced at the ,ac of his hand& /'
st(c +y +(g so+e$lace it didn%t ,elong" and got 4harlie h(rt for it&1
His $ain !as #ery e#ident& 2erry settled in the chair on the other side of hi+" and $(t a hand on his ,ac" r(,,ing it
sy+$athetically& /'%+ sorry&1
/Bot half as ' a+&1 B(d said& /-nd yo( no!" it ics +y ass to ad+it ,eing this st($id&1 He t(rned his head and
regarded .ar& /Sho(lda taen yo( ($ on yo(r offer& 0orst that%d ca(sed is gi#in +e a !ee%s heart,(rn&1
.ar +anaged a relati#ely sy+$athetic loo& /0hat%d yo( get into=1
B(d a$$eared to str(ggle !ith hi+self for a +o+ent longer" then he shoo his head& /That da+n id offered (s a ch(n
of change to go on and di#e that site& 0e did&1
/The !rec=1 2erry ased& /The id&& yo( +ean" Bo,=1
B(d nodded& /'t !as a dar di#e" get in" get o(t? didn%t see+ too dangero(s to +e& Bo ,ig deal&1 He said& /They
ca(ght (s o(t there" ,(t !e got on the ,oat and headed o(t&1
/They follo!ed yo(=1 .ar ha5arded&
/4hased o(r asses all the !ay ,ac here&1 B(d nodded& /0e didn%t !ant to go ,ac ho+e&1 He e)haled& /They ca(ght
(s&1 His eyes lifted to!ards a set of doors& /They had $i$es and ,ats& 4harlie%s got a ,(sted idney& He co(ldn%t get
a!ay fro+ the+" ca(se of his leg and '?1
/Stayed !ith hi+&1 2erry said&
/So+ething lie that" yeah&1 B(d ad+itted& /That $issant id ran& >eft (s there" and too the ,oat&1
2erry%s eyes narro!ed& /That s(n&1
.ar r(,,ed her te+$le& /Ho! +(ch did he offer yo(=1 She ased 8(ietly&
/.oesn%t really +atter&1 B(d +(ttered&
/H70 ML4H&1 't !as a+a5ing ho! +(ch force .ar co(ld $ro6ect in her #oice" !itho(t raising its #ol(+e&
B(d ,lined& /Ten grand& 0hy=1
/That !hat the n(t is on yo(r $lace=1
B(d nodded&
.ar checed her !atch" then dialed a n(+,er on her cell $hone& She !aited for it to connect" then she started $(nching
in n(+,ers" leaning ,ac and concentrating on !hat she !as doing&
/So" ho! is 4harlie=1 2erry ased&
B(d t(rned his eyes fro+ .ar%s si++ering for+& /He got hit all o#er& They ri$$ed his $rosthesis off& Belted hi+ in the
idney& That%s the ,itch& He%s had $ro,le+s !ith that one&1
.ar ta$$ed hi+ on the nee& /This $lace taen care of=1 She indicated the hos$ital&
B(d straightened& /' ain%t looing for no hando(t&1 He sna$$ed at her& /0e%re fine&1
121
.ar leaned closer to hi+ and narro!ed her eyes& /'f ' ha#e to" ' can dial into this $lace and find o(t if yo(%#e got
ins(rance or not& So 6(st ans!er the da+n 8(estion and don%t gi#e +e a hard ti+e&1
B(d%s eyes dro$$ed&
/That%s !hat ' tho(ght&1 .ar stood ($& /7ay& '%#e had it& That st($id +other ,astard .eSalliers is so da+ned
con#inced '%+ a $art of this" he%s gonna get !hat he ased for&1 She $(t her hands on her hi$s& /4an !e see 4harlie=1
B(d looed lie the s(,6ect changes !ere gi#ing hi+ !hi$lash& He $(t his hand on his 6a!& /3eah" ' thin so&1
/Good&1 .ar said& /3o( got a $lace to stay o(t here=1
B(d shoo his head&
/;(f(s taen care of=1
/3eah& He%s staying !ith a ,(ddy&1
2erry $(lled a sli$ of $a$er o(t of her $ocet and got ($" heading for a near,y $ay $hone& /'%ll call the hotel&1 She told
.ar& /3o( !ant +e to start calling aro(nd to find o(r friend Bo,=1
/0ait till !e get ,ac to the roo+&1 .ar told her& /' need +y la$to$&1
B(d looed ,et!een the t!o of the+" a little taen a,ac& /0hat are yo( doing=1
/0e&1 2erry told hi+" co#ering the +o(th$iece of the $hone& /-re doing !hat !e do&1 She glanced at .ar%s fierce
e)$ression" then !ent ,ac to the $hone& /3es= 3es& 0e ha#e a roo+" ' no!& '%d lie a second one&1
.ar !aited for 2erry to finish& They entered the roo+ !here 4harlie !as" !aling 8(ietly into the softly ,lining
+achinery that s(rro(nded hi+&
.ar closed her eyes& The ,eating her friend had taen !as hideo(s& De$alliers, you bastard. 4ou dont know what you
"ust stirred up. She laid her hands on the iron rails" and ga5ed at 4harlie%s ,attered for+& /Hey&1
His eyes !ere +ere slits& B(t they o$ened a little on seeing .ar&
B(d gently clas$ed his hands aro(nd 4harlie%s" chafing the+& /4alled in the Marines" P(ny&1
- faint hint of a s+ile $(lled at 4harlie%s li$s& /So '%see&1
/Tae it easy&1 .ar leaned on the rails& /'%+ in charge no!" and ' +ae the r(les&1 She said& /They gi#ing yo( good
dr(gs=1
4harlie nodded slightly&
/Good&1 .ar !rote her cell $hone n(+,er on a $ad sitting on the s+all ,edside ta,le& /3o( need anything" call&1 She
$(t the $en do!n& /'%+ going to see the des !hen ' go o(t& 3o(%ll get taen care of&1
/B&&1 B(d straightened&
.ar 6(st looed at hi+& B(d s(,sided" !ith a tired sigh& /'%#e got a !ire transfer co+ing in to+orro!&1 .ar !ent on&
/0e%ll get yo(r Lncle G(ido taen care of" then '%+ gonna go after .eSalliers&1
/0hat are yo( gonna do=1 B(d ased&
/9ind o(t the tr(th first& Then '%+ gonna gi#e hi+ e)actly !hat he ased for&1 .ar said& /3o( staying here for a !hile1
She ased B(d&
B(d nodded&
/'nn at Blac,eard%s 4astle& 0e%#e got a roo+ for yo(&1 .ar told hi+&
4harlie +ade a +(ffled so(nd that !as s(s$icio(sly lie la(ghter&
/3o( h(sh&1 B(d gro!led at hi+& /' can stay right here&1
2erry leaned o#er and ga#e 4harlie%s ar+ a s8(ee5e& /4hase hi+ o(t" oay=1
4harlie nodded" still ch(cling& /;(nnin so+e tests or s(chlie on +e& 4hecing +y g(ts o(t&1 He e)$lained& /Hell" if
they get their asses done" '%ll drag hi+ o#er there +%self&1 His ,r(ised eyes !ent to .ar%s face& /.a+ned if yo( don%t%
so(nd 6(st lie yo(r daddy&1
.ar straightened& /Thans&1 She ga#e hi+ a gracio(s nod& /4%+on" 2er& >et%s go light so+e fires&1
122
2erry%s eye,ro!s !ent ($& So did B(d and a$$arently 4harlie%s" ,(t it !as hard to tell&
.ar coced her head& /0hat=1
2erry circled the ,ed and too .ar%s ar+& /3o( can light +y fires anyti+e" honey&1 She ass(red .ar& /B(t yo( don%t%
need to ,rag a,o(t it&1
.ar o$ened her +o(th to ans!er" and sa! the s+irs& She closed her 6a!" and gathered her dignity" s!ee$ing it aro(nd
her lie a cloa as she follo!ed 2erry%s lead o(t of the roo+&
B(d glared at the door for a +in(te" then he released a sigh& /Son of ,itch" ' hated doing that&1
/B(ddy" B(ddy" B(ddy?1 4harlie s8(ee5ed his hand& /She%s a friend" yeah=1
B(d stared at the ,leached linen&
/0e got any other friends !ho%d do !hat she%s doing=1
/'t t!ists +y shorts&1 B(d gro(nd o(t& /' ain%t a charity caseA1
/B(d&1 4harlie%s #oice gentled" and he stroed B(d%s chee& /9or her" it ain%t charity&1 He said& /She%s Ba#y& She%s
fa+ily& That r(ns dee$" yo( no! it& 'f anyone fro+ ,ac then ased" and !e co(ld < !o(ldn%t !e do it=1
/-l+ost anyone&1 B(d +(ttered& /B(t?1 He sl(+$ed a little& /3eah&1
4harlie r(ffled his hair affectionately& /0ell" then they gotta let +e o(tta here" ca(se da+ned if ' ain%t gonna stay !ith
yo( in Blac,eard%s 'nn&1
GG
2erry $(t the $hone do!n into its cradle" and closed the roo+ ser#ice +en(& .ar !as seated across fro+ her !ith her
la$to$ o$en on her la$" its cell(lar antennae $oing ($ along the side& /Hey" s!eetie=1
/Lh=1 .ar looed ($" ,lining at her&
/4o(ld ' ,ri,e yo( to do that fro+ here=1 2erry $atted the ,ed ne)t to her&
/S(re&1 .ar got ($ and carried the la$to$ !ith her" dro$$ing do!n onto the ,ed and !aiting" as 2erry fl(ffed the $illo!
($ ,ehind her& She leaned ,ac and !as re!arded !ith not only a ,acrest" ,(t ,ody $illo! that $ro$$ed ($ her ar+ and
t!ined ,et!een her legs& /0hat%d ya order=1
/'t%s a s(r$rise&1 2erry $(t her head do!n on .ar%s sho(lder and e)a+ined the screen& /0hat%s that=1
/Police re$orts&1 .ar scanned the+& /Bot that ' really no! !hat '%+ looing at& ' need a la!yer&1
/Sorry&1 2erry stifled a ya!n& /Tho(gh" that !as act(ally one of the acce$ta,le alternati#e careers +y fa+ily !o(ld
ha#e allo!ed +e&1 She re#ie!ed the cry$tic co++ents on the screen& /They !ere hedging their ,ets& ' thin they ne!
Mie !asn%t going to c(t it&1
.ar r(,,ed the side of her th(+, against the la$to$" trying to i+agine 2erry as a la!yer& /0hat ind of la!yer !o(ld
yo( ha#e ,een=1 She ased c(rio(sly&
/Bo ind&1 2erry infor+ed her& /' ne#er e#en considered it&1 She scrolled !ith the th(+, $ad and cliced& /9irst thing '
!anted to ,e !as a fire+an&1
.ar held ,ac a ch(cle& /That sho(lda told the+ so+ething&1
/M+&1 2erry did ch(cle softly& /3eah" no! that ' thin a,o(t it&1 She agreed& /Then ' !anted to ,e a research
scientist" ,(t ' reali5ed in high school that ' didn%t ha#e the a$tit(de for it&1 She cliced again& /Then ' fo(nd co+$(ters"
and !ent&& ah hahA1
/-h hah&1 .ar e)a+ined the screen& 't !as a co+$laint filing" a$$arently ,y Bo,%s grand+other" at the ti+e of his
grandfather%s death& 'n the star" i+$ersonal lang(age (sed ,y the $olice" the co+$laint in#ol#ed the !o+an feeling that
Bo,%s (ncle had so+eho! ,een in#ol#ed in the sining" and detailing !hy&
Threats" a$$arently" had ,een +ade& The $olice had not ,een i+$ressed" and +erely had noted the co+$laint along !ith
the co++ent that the !o+an had ,een e)tre+ely @e+otional% !hen it had ,een taen&
/H+&1 .ar dr(++ed her fingerti$s on the la$to$ ey,oard& /0hat do yo( thin=1
/0ell&1 2erry e)haled& /-t least it !asn%t 6(st so+e ,s story Bo, +ade ($ on his o!n&1 She said& /0hich does not
e)c(se hi+ fro+ s(nhood for lea#ing B(d and 4harlie ,ehind&1
123
/M+& Thin yo( can find hi+= 0here do yo( fig(re < he !ent ,ac to St& ;ichard=1
2erry rolled o#er and s8(iggled across the ,ed" reaching for the island directory& The s8(iggling intrig(ed .ar" !ho
en6oyed it as she s8(iggled on ,ac and o$ened the ,oo& /'%+ ,etting he%s here in St& Tho+as&1 She said& /'t%s ,igger
and ,(sier here than St& ;ichard&1 Her finger traced a col(+n of hotels& />et%s see if !e can find the little stiner&1
.ar !atched in ,e+(se+ent as 2erry selected a n(+,er and dialed it on the roo+ $hone& /He%s $ro,a,ly not registered
(nder his real na+e&1 She co++ented&
/>ast na+e" no&1 2erry agreed" !aiting for an ans!er& /Hello&& hi" (+? /Her #oice shifted to a slightly different tone&
/This is ind of cra5y" ,(t ' +et this g(y today" yeah? '%+ trying to find hi+ again" and ' only no! his first na+e&
4an anyone hel$ +e=1 - $a(se& /7h" thans& 3o(%re !onderf(l&1
.ar folded her ar+s o#er her chest&
/Hi" yeah& Bo" his na+e%s Bo," and he%s really c(te?oh" right" (+&& he%s got ,londish lie hair" and he%s really !ell
,(ilt? yeah" a,o(t that age" yeah?oay" '%ll hold&1 2erry h(++ed (nder her ,reath& /Bo= 7h" !hat= 7h" ' see? yo(
did= 0o!&& thansA1 She h(ng ($& /They%re f(ll& They sent their o#erflo! to a different hotel" and she thins Bo, !as
one of the+&1
/- different hotel=1 .ar la(ghed&
/This one&1 2erry fo(nd the na+e on her list" and $roceeded to call it& /0ant +e to try so(thern ,elle" ne)t=1
/'s that ho! yo( conned those circ(its o(t of So(thern Bell last +onth=1 .ar !as still la(ghing&
2erry grinned& /Bo" ,(t? '%ll ha#e to re+e+,er that&1 She cleared her throat& /Ho!dy there? ah+ looin for a real
c(tie ' +et do!n on the ,each t%day?in yo( hel$ +e=1
.ar co#ered her +o(th" and contin(ed her scrolling" ee$ing one ear on 2erry%s ,est efforts at so(nding lie .olly
Parton& The infor+ation she%d reco#ered !as straightfor!ard eno(gh" ,(t the $ro,le+ !as" it !as hard to tell if there
!as any tr(th to any of it&
0hat to do= She really felt in need of an e)$ert to at least loo at the case" and gi#e an o$inion on !ho !as +ore liely
to ,e telling the tr(th" if any of the+ !ere& The (ncle had ans!ered thro(gh a la!yer" in a tone al+ost ins(lting in it%s
dis+issal of the insin(ation" and she instincti#ely fa#ored the grand+other" ,(t?&
Grand+others can ,e sneay" too" and +ay,e she !as trying to hold onto her h(s,and%s +oney& .ar sighed& She
checed her address ,oo and looed ($ a n(+,er" then dialed it on her cell $hone&
't rang t!ice" then !as ans!ered& /Hello=1
/Merry 4hrist+as" ;ichard&1 .ar said& /'t%s .ar&1
/.arA1 Her fa+ily la!yer so(nded $leased" if a ,it $(55led to ,e hearing fro+ her& /Merry 4hrist+as" and ha$$y
,irthday" ladyA1
/Thans&1 .ar re$lied& />isten" ' need a fa#or&1 She $a(sed& /More or less a $rofessional one&1
;ichard Hdgerton%s gears s!itched& /0ell" s(re" .ar&1 He ans!ered ,risly& /3o(%re not in any tro(,le are yo(= Hard
to ,elie#e&1
/Bo&1 .ar ans!ered !itho(t thining" then considered& /0ell" not +e $ersonally" that is&1
/2erry=1 He ha5arded a g(ess&
/Bo&& !e%re on #acation&1 .ar e)$lained&
/Lh h(h&1
.ar co(ld hear r(stling" and she g(essed ;ichard !as getting a $ad to !rite !ith& He !as a #ery good la!yer" and he
ne! estate la! lie the ,ac of his hand& /.on%t as +e ho! ' got in#ol#ed in this&& ,(t ' a+&1 She ,egan&
/Lh oh&1 ;ichard ch(cled& />et +e hold onto so+ething? this sho(ld ,e a doo5y&1
.ar sighed& /3o( don%t no! the half of it&1
/He%s there&1 2erry%s #oice interr($ted her& /He%s staying in that hotel&1
/Hang on" ;ichard&1 .ar looed at her& /'n#ite hi+ o#er for a drin&1 She said& /Tell hi+ !e%d lie to chat&1
2erry ni,,led her li$& /' !ont% let hi+ no! !e no! a,o(t 4harlie and B(d&1
124
/Bot yet" no&1 .ar s+iled gri+ly& /0ait till he gets here&1
2erry nodded" and !ent ,ac to the $hone& .ar did the sa+e& /7ay" ;ichard&& here%s the deal& 0e%re o(t on St&
Tho+as?1
/Bice $lace to s$end 4hrist+as&1 ;ichard re$lied a+ia,ly&
/;ight& 0e ran into a g(y !ho told (s a horse%s tale a,o(t trying to $ro#e his (ncle +(rdered his grandfather to inherit
the fa+ily fort(ne&1
>ong silence& /.ar" ha#e yo( ,een at the r(+=1
.ar sighed& /3es" ,(t not today&1 She said& />isten" if ' shoot so+ething o#er to yo( in e+ail" !ill yo( 6(st loo at it"
and tell +e !hat yo( thin= 't%s a $ile of legal cra$ ' don%t ha#e ti+e to fig(re o(t&1
;ichard ch(cled& /S(re" .ar& Send it o#er < ' !as st(c !atching +y second co(sin%s #acation #ideo o(t in Me)ico&&
it%s a great resc(e&1
.ar $aced the files into an archi#e" and sent it& /Thans? yo( can call +e on the cell once yo( see !hat yo( thin&1
/0hat%s yo(r $ercentage in this" .ar=1
H+& Good 8(estion& />ie ' said" ' got dragged into it&1 .ar re$lied& /Bo! so+e friends of +ine got dragged in too" and
they got h(rt& ' need to no! !hat side the angels are on so ' can fig(re o(t !hat to do&1
/-hA ' see&1 ;ichard +(r+(red& /'t%s yo(r cr(sader side co+ing o(t" eh=1
/0hy does e#eryone ee$ calling it that=1 .ar !hined& /'t%s not cr(sading&& this st($id asshole 6(st !on%t lea#e +e
aloneA1
/Lh h(h&1 Her la!yer re$lied& />e++e tae a loo" .ar& 't so(nds lie so+e ty$ical sordid fa+ily interfighting o#er
+oney" ,(t '%ll gi#e yo( +y ,est o$inion on it&1
/Thans ;ichard&1 .ar s+iled& /' o!e yo( one&1
/Ho! a,o(t letting +e handle yo(r in#est+ents=1 ;ichard shot ,ac" !ith cheerf(l +ercenary h(+or& /3o( no!" '
hate to ad+it this ,(t yo( +ade +e a ,(ndle in#esting in '>S last 8(arter&1
.ar ch(cled& /0e%ll tal&1 She said&
/Ho!%s +o+ and dad doing=1 ;ichard ased& /' heard so+e scandal they !ere li#ing o(t on a ,oat=1
/- si)ty foot Bertra+" yes&1 .ar re$lied dryly& /Ha#ing the ti+e of their li#es&1
;ichard la(ghed heartily& /Good for the+A ' lo#e itA1 He chortled& /'%ll ha#e to co+e do!n and see it so+eti+e? listen"
let +e get to this" and '%ll ,e ,ac to yo(" oay=1
/Thans" ;ich&1 .ar h(ng ($ the $hone" and t(rned to 2erry& /-re !e set=1
/Hoo" line" siner" and a tin can off the ,otto+&1 2erry nodded& /He%ll ,e on his !ay o#er in a little !hile& He%s 6(st
finishing dinner&1 She scratched her nose& /He so(nded really ha$$y to hear +y #oice for so+e reason&1
.ar ga#e her a #ery !ry loo& /0ith the So(thern 4o+fort" or !itho(t=1
2erry st(c her tong(e o(t& .ar o,ligingly leaned o#er and ca(ght it ,et!een her teeth& She slo!ly released it" then
fastened her attention on 2erry%s li$s instead& /M+&1 She dra!led softly as they $arted& /M(ch as ' !ant to get this
nailed" '%d ,e lying if ' said ' !anted it to ,e tonight&1 She tilted her head and issed 2erry again" then +o#ed her
ni,,les do!n 2erry%s throat to feel her $(lse thr(++ing against her li$s as she s(cled the soft sin&
/G(ess yo( see +y $oint then&1 2erry +(r+(red" her hand slo!ly gliding ,eneath .ar%s shirt to e)$lore the !ar+
s(rface (nderneath& /-,o(t feeling selfish&1
.ar set her la$to$ on the floor" and then she rolled o#er" sho#ing the island g(ide and $hone aside and !ra$$ing her
ar+s and legs aro(nd 2erry%s ,ody& /7h" yeah&1 .ar gro!led" contin(ing her assa(lt& /4all +e selfish& ' !ant yo( all to
+yself&1
/7o&1 2erry felt her heart rate s$eed ($ and a fl(sh of !ar+th tingle her sin& There !as a faint $ress(re at her
!aist,and" then .ar%s to(ch slid ,eneath her shirt and traced ($ her ri,cage& She laced her fingers thro(gh .ar%s hair
and n(55led her ear" ni,,ling lightly on her earlo,e&
She co(ld feel .ar%s ,reath against her nec" then the soft" insistent t(g as .ar%s teeth (ndid the to$ ,(tton to her shirt&
2erry c($$ed her hand along .ar%s chee" stroing it as her th(+, traced .ar%s li$&
12*
.ar (n,(ttoned her shirt slo!ly" and 2erry felt the cool air on the roo+ ,r(sh against her" raising goose ,(+$s along
her ,elly& .ar%s li$s intensified the sensation" and 2erry ra$idly lost any tho(ght of their $ro,le+s&
-ll that +attered no! !as the teasing to(ches on her ,reasts" and the !ar+" s(n filled scent of .ar%s sin and the need
for .ar%s ,ody that +ade her hands $(sh aside the soft cotton se$arating the+ !ith ,old i+$atience&
/Grrrrr++lll?1 The lo! r(+,le ticled her sin& 2erry felt .ar%s teeth close gently" teasingly on the sin aro(nd her
,elly ,(tton& /Mine&1
.efinitely& 2erry%s ,ac arched" and she !ra$$ed her ar+s aro(nd .ar" feeling the $o!erf(l +(scles along her s$ine
,(nch and +o#e& They $ressed together ,riefly" a 6olt of heat ,efore .ar shifted lo!er and her hand dro$$ed to stroe
2erry%s thigh&
7h" definitely&
GG
/Thans&1 2erry signed the chec" and shooed the roo+ ser#ice !aiter o(t of the roo+ ,efore his eye,alls co(ld sitter
o(t of his head and ra+,le across the floor& She sh(t the door ,ehind hi+ and t(rned" regarding the ,ed !ith a !ry grin&
.ar !as s$ra!led across it" the sheet 6(st ,arely co#ering !hat !as #ery o,#io(sly a naed ,ody& She had the la$to$
$ro$$ed on one thigh" ,(t the other !as o(tside the linen" e)tending its long" tanned length across the !hite s(rface&
Shaing her head" 2erry !ent o#er to the ta,le and in#estigated the tray" $eeing (nder one co#er and grinning at !hat
she sa!& /H(ngry" s!eetie=1
/Bot any+ore&1 .ar dra!led&
/Heh&1 2erry hitched ($ the edge of .ar%s red +(scle T-shirt" !hich she%d stolen and donned after they%d finished their
lo#e+aing& She $erched on the edge of the ta,le" arranging a fe! of the $lates on it& /0ell" oay < !e%ll start !ith this"
then&1 Taing one of the $lates" she !aled o#er to the ,ed and nelt do!n&
/Ha$$y ,irthday to yo(&& ha$$y ,irthday to yo(?1
.ar looed ($ in alar+" to see a ,ea(tif(lly +ade chocolate so+ething !ith +ore chocolate insides and chocolate
to$$ing" !ith ,erries sitting on the $late& 'n the center !as a single candle& /-!!!&1
/Ha$$y ,irthday dear .ar? Ha$$y ,irthday to yo(&1 2erry !ar,led&
.ar sniffed at the $late" licing her li$s a$$reciati#ely& /Share=1 She ,le! o(t the candle !ith a single $(ff of air&
2erry sat do!n on the ,ed and $iced ($ the for" c(tting off a gooey $iece and feeding it to .ar&
/7oo&& ' lie that&1 .ar +(+,led& /' 6(st got a data d(+$ fro+ Mar&1 She infor+ed 2erry& /.eSalliers stats" financial
and other!ise& ' fig(red o(t !hy he%s so des$erate&1
/0hy=1 2erry fed her another forf(l of cae as she $eered at the screen&
/He%s ,roe&1 .ar +(nched& /He in#ested in t!o ca$ital #ent(res that !ent ,elly ($" and the ,ans called in so+e of his
loans !hen they fig(red o(t he had $a$er that !asn%t !orth the $a$er it !as $rinted on in his acco(nts&1
/-hhh&1 2erry nodded& /3eah" that +aes sense& So 7ld Lncle offers a !indfall to? to !hat" .ar=1 She ased& /Bot
,ring ($ so+ething < that%s the last thing he%d !ant to do&1
.ar ga5ed at the screen& /Bo& He%d !ant hi+ to sc(ttle the !rec&1 She reali5ed& /Ces(s? that%s !hat it is& He%s gonna
canni,ali5e it&1
2erry had the for in her +o(th& She dre! it o(t and s!allo!ed the rich +o(thf(l& /-re yo( saying he%s going to !rec
so+ething that%s already !reced= To ee$ anyone fro+ getting anything o(t of it=1
.ar nodded& /3eah" ,(t?1 She fli$$ed to another screen& /He%s got a $ro,le+& 't%s in -:' territorial !aters" and he
can%t 6(st go in there and set off dyna+ite&1
2erry $ortioned off another forf(l and handed it o#er& /Ho! do yo( light dyna+ite (nder!ater" .ar=1
.ar che!ed and ty$ed in silence" then s!allo!ed& /.id yo( get any?1
/Mil= 3eah&1 2erry set the $late do!n and !ent to retrie#e it&
/' don%t no!&1 .ar ans!ered the $re#io(s 8(estion& /3o(%d ha#e to as +y father& His s$ecialty (sed to ,e called
L.S& Lnder!ater .e+olition&1
12I
-s if ,y so+e s($ernat(ral in#ocation" .ar%s cell $hone rang and !hen she checed the caller '." it !as fa+iliar& 0ith
a tiny" s(r$rised gr(nt" .ar fli$$ed the $hone o$en& /Hi" .ad&1
2erry" on her !ay ,ac !ith the +il" goggled& /0o!&1 She +(r+(red& /S$ooy&1
/Hey there" .ardar&1 -ndre! ;o,ert%s cheerf(l #oice ca+e thro(gh the $hone& /Ho!%s the #acation going=1
Tr(th= .ar had +icroseconds to decide& /Great&1 She finally said& /0e ran into $irates" !e%re in#ol#ed in a $ossi,le
+(rder case" and 2erry got ,it ,y a 6ellyfish" ,(t other than" that" it%s ,een #ery cool&1
't !asn%t often that -ndy ;o,erts !as rendered s$eechless& /Son of a ,isc(it&1 He finally s$l(ttered& /.a+n" .ar < !hat
the hell yo( t!o getting into o(t there=1
.ar sighed& 't !as s(ch a long story at this $oint?& 2erry too the $hone fro+ her and $(t it to her ear& /Hey" .ad=1
/Ho!dy" (+8(at&1
/'%#e got sort of a r(nning diary of it < !ant +e to e+ail it to yo( on .ar%s co+$(ter=1 2erry offered& /' thin that%ll ,e
easier than (s trying to e)$lain it& '%ll set it to $rint o(t on the $rinter&1
/-h !o(ld a$$reciate that" (+8(at& Mah !ife is rattling her eye,ro!s at +e !ondering !hat the hell%s going on&1
.ar too the $hone ,ac& /'t%s not that ,ad" .ad&1 She e)$lained& /C(st? co+$licated&1 She lifted her hands off the
ey,oard as 2erry cra!led into ,ed ne)t to her and $eced o(t a fe! co++ands&
/Lh h(h&1 -ndre! gr(nted& /0ell" anyho!" yo( ha#ing a ha$$y ,irthday=1
.ar e)a+ined the ,londe s$ra!led in her la$& /3eah" it%s great&1 She re$lied& /2erry and ' ha#e ,een sho$$ing and&&
(+&& rela)ing all day&1
/;ela)ing=1 2erry +(r+(red& /' certainly !asn%t rela)ed? yi$eA1 She s8(ir+ed as .ar $inched her& /Sto$ that&1 She
ran a finger along the inside of .ar%s #ery ,are thigh" snicering !hen she heard .ar%s #oice ,rea&
/B&& no" .ad" honest& 0e%re fine&1 .ar cleared her throat& /'%#e got e#erything (nder control&1 She ,it the inside of her
li$ as 2erry ticled her thigh again& /-l+ost e#erything&1
/0all" yo( ,e caref(l&1 -ndre! !arned& /Hang on&1
The $hone r(stled" then a lighter #oice ca+e on& /.ar=1
/Hi" +o+&1 .ar said&
/'%+ not going to $retend ' ha#e a cl(e a,o(t !hat%s going on" so '%+ 6(st going to !ish yo( a ha$$y ,irthday&1
.ar ch(cled& /Thans&1
/-nd ' ho$e yo(%re also ha#ing a good ann(al hy$erco++erciali5ed forced e)change of $ersonal reso(rces" too&1
/Merry 4hrist+as to yo(" too" +o+&1
/Merry 4hrist+as" +o+A1 2erry leaned ,ac and called o(t& /Good Solstice&1
/Tell 2erry ' said thans" and than her for the card&1 4eci said& /3o( ids ,e caref(l" hear=1
2erry finished her tas" then scooted o(t of ,ed and a+,led ,ac o#er to ta,le" ,efore .ar%s close" ,are $ro)i+ity
s$(rred her to f(rther a+oro(s ad#ent(res&
/0e%ll ,e fine" +other&1 .ar e)haled& /Ho!%s 4hino=1
/She%s 6(st fine&1 4eci ass(red her& /The $lace is fine" the island hasn%t san" yo(r stoc is ($ t!o dollars" and ' do
,elie#e yo(r father has 6(st o$ened a ,ottle of cha+$agne" so '%ll 6(st ha#e to let yo( get on !ith yo(r cele,ration&1
/Ha#e a great night&1 .ar told her& /4all (s if yo( need anything&1
/Ho! a,o(t yo( call (s if yo( need anything=1 4eci co(ntered& /G%night" .ar&1
/Bight&1
.ar had 6(st closed the $hone" !hen a noc ca+e at the door& /-h& Bet that%s o(r friend&1 She co++ented& />et hi+
in&1
2erry t(rned" $(tting one hand on her hi$& She ga5ed at .ar !ith ,oth eye,ro!s lifted&
12J
.ar stared ,ac at her" then reali5ed !hat she !as looing at& /7h&1 She $(t the la$to$ aside and stood ($" shedding her
,ed sheets and $adding across the !ooden floor& She o$ened her ,ag and $(lled o(t a $air of shorts and a shirt&
2erry !ent to the door and leaned on it& /C(st a second&1 She called" $eeing thro(gh the eyehole to +ae s(re it !as
Bo," and not so+ething e#en s(nier&
/7ay&1 .ar ret(rned the ,ed and retrie#ed her la$to$" then settled into an ar+chair instead&
2erry o$ened the door& /Hi&1 She ste$$ed ,ac to allo! Bo, to enter& /4%+on in&1
He !as dressed in $ressed chinos and a neatly ironed $olo& /Hi&1 He ga#e 2erry an eager s+ile" his eyes flicing o#er
her head to .ar" and then ,ac& /Thans for calling +e? ' !as ho$ing ' co(ld find yo( g(ys again& ' really need to tal
to yo(&1
/-h&1 .ar +(r+(red& /That%s good" ,eca(se !e need to tal to yo(&1
Bo, !aled hesitantly o#er" and too the seat across fro+ .ar& /'%+ sorry" '%+ interr($ting yo(r dinner=1
2erry had ret(rned to the ta,le& /'t%s oay& 0e%re (sed to eating d(ring ,(siness&1 She e)a+ined .ar%s $late" then
!aled o#er and handed it to her& /Bo," yo( no!" '%+ really $issed off at yo(&1
.ar set the $late on the chair ar+" and contin(ed her !or" letting 2erry do the taling as they%d $lanned&
/M&& +e=1 Bo, so(nded #ery s(r$rised& /0hat did ' do=1
/3o( left t!o friends of o(rs in a really ,ad $lace last night&1 2erry ga5ed serio(sly at hi+& /They got h(rt&1 She sat
do!n on the edge of the !indo!" and rested her el,o!s on her nees& /0hy did yo( do that=1
9or a +o+ent" the only so(nd !as the soft" ra$id-fire rattling of .ar%s la$to$ eys&
/' tho(ght they%d ,e fine&1 Bo, finally +(ttered& /' tho(ght they !o(ld go after +e" not the+&1 He shifted
(nco+forta,ly& /' didn%t +ean for the+ to get h(rt&1
0ell& 2erry considered& That !as act(ally +arginally logical& /0hy did yo( thin they%d go after yo(=1 She ased&
Bo, got ($ and $aced" #isi,ly ner#o(s& /0hy= '%+ the one they%re after& '%+ the one !ho ee$s trying to get do!n to
that !rec& 'f !e%d gotten anything" it%d ,een on that ,oat? s(re" ' tho(ght they%d go after +e&1
/B(t they didn%t&1 2erry said&
/Bo" '?1 Bo, stared o(t the !indo!& /' tho(ght ' got l(cy&1 He t(rned& /Hey" it%d ,e the third ti+e" yo( no!=
Besides" those g(ys looed lie they co(ld tae care of the+sel#es& 0hat co(ld ' ha#e done" any!ay=1
2erry stared steadily at hi+&
/Hey?' ad+it it& '%+ no hero&1 Bo, lifted his hands& /'%+ not lie yo(& '%ll sa#e +y o!n sin first" and that%s 6(st the
tr(th" oay=1
2erry looed at .ar& .ar rolled her eyes and shoo her had& 2erry sighed" and too a ,ite of her dinner& /So" !hy !ere
yo( looing for (s" then=1 She ased& /.id yo( need another di#ersionary target=1
Bo, a$$arently felt his grilling !as o#er" and that he%d !on a $oint& /Bo&1 He gathered his confidence again& />oo" '
reali5ed ' !as going a,o(t this the !rong !ay& ' need reso(rces" and hel$&1 He faced the+& /So" here%s the deal&1
.ar rested her el,o! on the chair ar+" !hile 2erry leaned for!ard attenti#ely&
/' !ant to +ae yo( +y $artners&1 Bo, said& /'s that a good deal" or !hat=1
Bl(e and green eyes +et across the inn roo+&
2erry sighed& /Bo,=1
/3eah=1 He grinned at her& /' no!" it%s a ,ig sacrifice for +e" ,(t?1
/.id yo( get dro$$ed on yo( head a lot as a id=1
/H(h=1
/' sho(ld ha#e stayed naed&1 .ar co++ented" shaing her head sadly& /He%d ne#er ha#e noticed&1
/H(h=1
/-nother e)$licit reason !hy st($id $eo$le sho(ldn%t ,reed&1
12K
/0hat are yo( g(ys taling a,o(t=1
/' thin !e sho(ld 6(st tie hi+ ($ and lea#e hi+ in the closet&1 2erry decided&
/HeyA1
GG
/7ay& Here%s the scenario as ' see it&1 .ar $aced in front of the !indo!" her hands in her $ocets&
Bo, !as sitting in the corner" ee$ing as far a!ay fro+ B(d" !ho%d arri#ed not long $rior" as he co(ld& 2erry !as
seated on the ,ed cross-legged" and the only thing +issing !as a !hite,oard and +arers&
.ar !as act(ally 8(ite a good sit(ational analyst" 2erry had decided so+e ti+e ago& She tended to toss o(t all the
irrele#ant details and concentrate on the core iss(es and if yo( !ere s+art yo( let her finish ,efore yo( ased any
8(estions&
/B(t" !ait?1 Bo, s$oe ($& /.on%t yo( thin ' sho(ld e)$lain +y $art of this first=1
/Bo&1 .ar said& /-s ' !as saying? here%s the scenario&1 She $a(sed& /0e ha#e a ten year old !rec 6(st east of 4harlie
and B(d%s $lace" in $retty ro(gh condition& 0e ha#e one certifia,le n(tcase trying to ,ring ($ ,its of it" and another
certifia,le n(tcase trying to ,lo! it ($&1
/HeyA1 Bo, $rotested&
/Sh(t ($&1 B(d dra!led& /7r '%ll stic a chair leg do!n yo(r throat&1
/B(tcase t!o has the reso(rces to achie#e his o,6ecti#e&1 .ar cons(lted a $iece of $a$er on the ta,le" no! cleared of its
tray& - $ot of tea" ho!e#er" s8(atted +(tely in the center& /He also has the easier tas&1 She t(rned to Bo,& /-re yo(
ready to tell (s !hat yo(%re looing for=1
Bo, s8(ir+ed a little as all eyes fastened on hi+& /L+&1 He s!allo!ed" an a(di,le so(nd in the roo+& /0ell" yo(
no!" that%s a? y%see" ' don%t no! if ' can" (+?1
.ar !aled o#er and $(t her ar+s on his chair" fi)ing hi+ !ith her do(rest loo& /2erry rised her life to sa#e yo(r ass&
.on%t e#en thin a,o(t not tr(sting (s&1
/Lh&1 Bo, leaned ,ac in the chair& /'t%s not that" it%s? 6(st&& '?1
/3o( don%t no!" do yo(=1 2erry s$oe ($& /3o( ha#e no idea of !hat yo(%re looing for&1
.ar looed at 2erry" then looed at Bo,& The e)$ression on his face told #ol(+es& /'s that tr(e=1
/L+&1 Bo, g(l$ed& /Sorta&1
.ar straightened and !aled o#er to the !indo!" lifting ,oth hands and letting the+ dro$ in elo8(ent silence&
/Son of a ,itch&1 B(d snorted& /Bo !onder yo( told (s to sho! yo( e#erything !e done ,ro(ght ($&1 He said& /'
tho(ght that !eird ass story a,o(t looin for $ieces of no $(55le&1
/See?1 Bo, sat ($& /' told yo( ' sho(lda e)$lained first& Here%s the deal&1 He too a ,reath& /My grand+a&&1
/She%s not yo(r grand+other&1 .ar interr($ted& /3o(%re not e#en related to her& 3o(%re trying to i+$ress her
grandda(ghter" !ho yo( !ant to +arry&1
Bo, looed at her in consternation&
/3o(%re fro+ 7hio&1 2erry added" !ith a ,rief s+ile& /3o(r fa+ily raises al$acas&1
/0ho are yo( $eo$le=1 Bo, ased" looing fro+ one to the other& /4o$s=1
.ar snorted&
2erry 6(st la(ghed&
/7ay&1 Bo, sighed& /3eah" '%+ a fra(d&1
/Bo! there%s a da+n ne!s flash&1 B(d +(ttered&
/B(t it%s in a great ca(se& >isten&1 Bo, reco#ered& /'t%s tr(e" a,o(t Tanya%s grand$a& He hated his ids lie $oison&
0anted to find a!ay to scre! e+ o#er any !ay he co(ld& So his !ill?1
12M
/>eft +ost e#erything to charity and his !ife&1 .ar ,roe in& /H)ce$t after he dro!ned" the fa+ily ,ro(ght a s(it
clai+ing he !as n(ts" and had the !ill in#alidated&1 She lifted a sheet of $a$er on the ta,le& /H#erything !ent to the
eldest son&1
/;ight&1 Bo, !rested control ,ac of the con#ersation& /-nd he%s a 6er&1
/4o++on $ro,le+ !e%#e ,een enco(ntering lately&1 2erry +(r+(red& /May,e it%s the !ater&1
/He controls e#erything" and the !orst $art is" he too all Tanya%s grand+other%s +oney a!ay fro+ her ,eca(se he got
the co(rts to say she%s inco+$etent&1 Bo, !ent on& /Tanya hel$s her o(t" ,(t it%s really to(gh& Her (ncle says it%s 6(st
too ,ad" since she" Grand+a" ' +ean" s($$orted Grand$a and didn%t !ant hi+ to lea#e any +oney to the rest of the+&1
That" .ar acno!ledged" see+ed to ,e the tr(th according to the t!o $age neatly for+atted ans!er she%d gotten fro+
;ichard& The (ncle" Patric 0harton" !as a$$arently really the asshole Bo, !as descri,ing& ;ichard had added se#eral
footnotes in !hich he%d laid o(t the $layers < none of the+ see+ed to ,e sterling citi5ens ,(t of the+ all" 0harton !as
the !orst" and a$$arently grand+a !as a !itchy" ,(t ,asically innocent #icti+&
The fact that Bo, !as act(ally !anting to +arry into this nest of (n$leasant in#erte,rates sealed his idiocy" so far as .ar
!as concerned&
Ho!e#er&
/7ay&1 .ar sat on the !indo!sill& /So !e don%t e#en no! if this thing" !hate#er it is" e)ists&1
/0e thin it does? !ell" it did&1 Bo, said& /The thing is" !e%re looing to $ro#e old grand$a 0harton !asn%t n(ts" and
+ay,e (ncle Patric had so+ething to do !ith his dro!ning&1
/.o yo( really thin he did=1 2erry ased&
Bo, shr(gged& /' d(nno" ,(t he%s the ty$e that co(lda&1
B(d got ($ and +essed !ith the tea$ot& /B(llshit chase&1 He shoo his head&
.ar !as inclined to agree& /0hat +aes yo( thin there%s anything on that ,oat that can $ro#e anything= 't%s ,een s(n
for a decade&1
-t last" Bo, s+iled& /4a(se P(trid Pat thins so&1 He said& /They $(lled a$art the old +an%s ho(se after they shi$$ed
the old lady off to a n(rsing ho+e& ;ight after that" he !ent n(ts and started hiring .eSalliers to go chec o(t the
!rec&1 His fingers ta$$ed the chair ar+s& /Tanya fo(nd o(t" and that%s ho! the !hole thing got started& 0e fig(re he
+(st no! so+ething or else !hy ,other=1
2erry $ro$$ed her chin ($ on her fist& /That +aes sense&1 She ad+itted&
/So .eSalliers +(st no! !hat he%s looing for&1 .ar +(r+(red&
/-nd he thins +ay,e yo( fo(nd it" that first ti+e&1 B(d co++ented& /May,e that%s !hy he ee$s $estering yo(&1
2erry got off the ,ed and !aled o#er to the ta,le" e)a+ining the $ages .ar had $rinted o(t& /B(t !e didn%t& -ll !e
,ro(ght ($ !as an old !ooden cigar ,o)" falling to $ieces& 't !as so coral encr(sted" it looed lie a $iece of sea
gar,age& There !asn%t anything there&1
/B(t? he doesn%t no! that&1 .ar leaned ,ac against the sill& /-nd he%s $anicing" ,eca(se (nless he can ,ring ,ac
$ositi#e $roof to 0harton" he doesn%t get $aid& He doesn%t get $aid" he%s ta$$ed" and ' do(,t he can afford the gas to get
,ac to the states&1
/7ay&1 2erry 6oined .ar ,y the !indo! sill" settling ne)t to her sho(lder to sho(lder& /So there%s t!o different things
here& ' g(ess the in#ol#e+ent thing is +ore i+$ortant to the (ncle" ,(t there%s $ro#ing he !asn%t n(ts& ' don%t thin that
!o(ld ,e so+ething that !o(ld ,e on that !rec&1
/Bo&1 .ar agreed& /0e ha#e to fig(re o(t !hy he !as all the !ay do!n here in the tro$ics" and !hat he !as after&1
/0e !ere ho$ing to find his log&1 Bo, e)$lained& /He e$t a diary" ,(t it !as a $a$er ,oo" so? (nless so+eone
sal#aged it" and it%s in so+e,ody%s ho(se" or in a sho$ so+e!here?1
B(d si$$ed his tea" glaring at e#eryone o#er the ri+ of the c($& /4an as aro(nd&1 He said& /0e no! the freelance
sal#agers ro(nd here&1
.ar gr(nted" gi#ing B(d a ,rief nod& /-ll right&1 She decided& /9irst thing !e do is sc(ttle .eSalliers& '%ll call 0harton
to+orro!" tell hi+ ' thin '%#e got !hat he !ants" and see !hat he says a,o(t it&1
130
H#eryone looed at .ar in s(r$rise& .ar looed ,ac at the+& /0hat= '%+ sic and tired of that ,o5o s+acing +y
friends aro(nd and r(ining +y #acation&1
/He co(ld frea o(t&1 2erry s(ggested&
/He co(ld gro! tail feathers and fly to Ber+(da" too&1 .ar re$lied& /Meanti+e" B(d" if yo(%ll chec !ith yo(r ,(ddies
and see if yo( can find o(t !hat this g(y%s gig !as" +ay,e !e can +ae heads or tails o(t of this st($idity and ' can go
,ac to !inds(rfing&1
/3eah" ' can do that&1 B(d gr(dgingly agreed& /They fig(re on letting 4harlie o(t to+orro!& He%s got a ,igger little
,lac ,oo& 0e can call +ore then&1
/-ll right&1 .ar folded her ar+s& /'%ll $(ll as +(ch reg(latory infor+ation ' can on the old +an%s ,(siness contracts&
'%#e got so+eone (nra#eling his $(,lic tr(st filings&1 She e)haled& /Mean!hile" !e%ll #isit the go#ern+ent offices
to+orro! and see !hat they ha#e on record for hi+" and that da+n ,oat" and !hat !as filed !hen it san&1
Bo, ga5ed at her& /0ho are yo( $eo$le=1 He ased again& /4%+on& ' ca+e clean" no! it%s yo(r t(rn& -re yo(
go#ern+ent agents or so+ething=1
/Bo&1 .ar told hi+" !ith a se#ere loo& /'t%s !orse& 0e%re ra+$aging techno-ca$italists&1 She $(t an ar+ aro(nd
2erry%s sho(lders& /.il,ert on steroids" only classier" and !ith a +(ch c(ter dog&1
2erry snorted" t(rning and ,(rying her face in .ar%s sho(lder& /Honey" sto$ it&1 She (ttered&
/He ased&1 .ar shr(gged&
/;ight&1 Bo, +(r+(red& /7ay" !ell&& !hat do yo( !ant +e to do=1
/Bothing&1 .ar told hi+ c(rtly&
/;eally?1 2erry ado$ted a slightly inder tone& /0e%#e got it co#ered& 'f .eSalliers sees yo( aro(nd" it%s 6(st going to
co+$licate things&1
Bo, looed at her& /3o(%re really a s$y" aren%t yo(=1 He acc(sed& /7r so+e international $olice or so+ething =1 He
sna$$ed his fingers& /' got it" are yo( a .H- agent=1
/Bo&1 2erry sighed& /'%+ a nerd&1 She told hi+" ca(sing B(d to +(ffle a s+ir& /;eally&1
/7h&1 Bo, still looed #ery conf(sed& />ie a hacer=1
/B7& .ar%s the hacer& '%+ 6(st a nerd&1 2erry !as a,o(t at the end of her $atience&
/3o( really a hacer=1 B(d ased .ar !ith interest&
.ar started ch(cling& /So+eti+es" yeah&1 She said& /- #ery" #ery e)$ensi#e one&1 Her hands drifted o#er the la$to$
ey,oard& /7ay& ' thin that%s eno(gh intrig(e for the night& 2erry needs to get so+e rest&1 She glanced ($ at B(d&
/3o( let (s no! to+orro! ho! 4harlie%s doing=1
B(d nodded& /3eah&1 He fiddled !ith the roo+ ey& /He a,o(t che!ed that doctor%s ar+ off !hen he said he co(ldn%t
co+e o(tta there&1
/2no! ho! he feels&1 .ar said& /'%ll gi#e yo( a call in the +orning after ' call 0harton&1
/0hat a,o(t +e=1 Bo, !hined&
/0e%ll call yo( too&1 2erry told hi+ trying not to hear the lo! gro!l ,ehind her& /.ar%s right& 0e sho(ld all get so+e
rest& '%+ s(re to+orro!%s going to ,e ,(sy&1
She gently herded the+ o(t" and sh(t the door& Then she t(rned and faced .ar" !ho had taen a seat in one of the
ar+chairs& /0hy do ' feel lie '%+ tra$$ed in a ,i5arro -gatha 4hristie +ystery no#el=1
.ar held a hand o(t to her" and 2erry crossed o#er to the chair" sitting on its ar+& /' fig(re" !e get rid of .eSalliers" dig
($ !hate#er st(ff !e can here and gi#e it to Bo, and get rid of Ghi+G" and then !e can get ,ac to ha#ing f(n&1
2erry leaned o#er and issed .ar on the head& /So(nds lie a $lan" ,oss&1
She only ho$ed it !ored&
GG
Part $
131
2erry stretched o(t her legs" and then $ro$$ed the+ ($ on the railing of their roo+%s $orch& The day had da!ned ,right
and s(nny" and she had decided to s$end the ti+e !aiting for ,reafast ,y atte+$ting a little $oetry& .ar !as off
$icing ($ so+ething at the hotel%s s(ndry sho$" and she had a fe! +in(tes to si+$ly loo o(t o#er the har,or and re#el
in the gorgeo(s #ie!&
-nd it !as" tr(ly" gorgeo(s& High ($ on the slo$e as they !ere" the har,or stretched o(t ,elo! her" and c(r#ed to either
side" c($$ing a crystal a8(a circle of !ater !ith 6(st the lightest #isi,le cho$ on it& -ro(nd her" she co(ld hear the r(stle
of trees" the cry of g(lls" so(nds fro+ the har,or < ,(t #ery little traffic or ,(stle& The air +ostly ,ore the scent of
foliage and salt air and 2erry felt a sense of $eacef(l !ell ,eing as she rela)ed in the !ar+ s(nlight&
0ith a s+ile" she ret(rned her attention to the ,oo ,alanced on her la$ and the hea#y" in6ected in !riting $en .ar had
gi#en her& The $en !as hard!ood" and !ar+ fro+ her hand" and it ,alanced !ell in her gri$ as she fle)ed her fingers
aro(nd it& Tho(ghtf(lly" she regarded the $age" and then !rote t!o +ore lines to add to the se#eral already there&
- noc on the door" ho!e#er" interr($ted her& 0ith a resigned sigh" 2erry $(t her ,oo do!n and !ent inside" going
to the door and $eeing thro(gh the eyehole& /7h" cra$&1 She considered not ans!ering it" seeing the fe+ale half of
.eSalliers g(+shoes o(tside& Then she fig(red she !as liely to get +ore info fro+ the !o+an than the !o+an !as
going to get fro+ her" so she o$ened the door& /3es=1 She didn%t $retend to ,e friendly" ho!e#er" and the !o+an too
a half ste$ ,ac&
/7h" hello 2erry&1 The !o+an reco#ered& /' !as ho$ing to tal to yo(&1
/0hy=1 2erry ased ,l(ntly&
/C(st ,eca(se ' thin !e can hel$ each other&1
2erry had to !onder" ,riefly" if st($idity !as contagio(s& Perha$s 4hristina had s$ent a little too +(ch ti+e !ith Bo,&
/Hel$ each other do !hat=1 She in8(ired& /So far" all yo( $eo$le ha#e done is hel$ed +e get a +igraine&1
4hristina sighed& />oo" can ' 6(st co+e in and tal=1
/Bo&1 2erry re$lied& /'%+ not s(re !hat it%s going to tae to get across the fact that !e don%t !ant anything to do !ith
yo(" yo(r ,oss" yo(r st($id +ission" or the $eo$le yo( re$resent& '%+ o(t of o$tions& Sho(ld ' hire a flying ,anner
$lane=1
/The fact is" honey" yo( are in#ol#ed&1 4hristina%s attit(de changed" and ,eca+e harder& /So either yo( let +e in and
gi#e +e !hat ' !ant" or?1
/7r !hat=1 2erry fo(nd it al+ost f(nny& /-re yo( going to $(ll a g(n on +e=1
/Bo&1
/-re yo( going to +ae lie Cacie 4han and start yo!ling Ca$anese hai(%s !hile striing (ng f( $oses=1
4hristina didn%t ans!er&
/-re yo( going to try to hit +e=1 2erry%s nose crinled ($ in a+(se+ent& /Threaten +e !ith a la!s(it= 0hat=1
/3o( thin this is a ga+e" don%t yo(=1
/Hey" yo(%re the one +aing the threats&1 2erry la(ghed" and then got serio(s herself& /3o( listen to +e" yo( half
,aed e)c(se for a high $riced snoo$y lacey&1 She $ointed& /3o( ,etter 6(st ,ac off and go ,ac !here yo( ca+e
fro+& Sto$ +essing !ith (s&1
/7r=1 4hristina thre! the co++ent ,ac at her&
/7r '%ll call the $resident of yo(r agency and file a co+$laint of harass+ent !itho(t ca(se&1 2erry re$lied&
/3o( thin he%ll care=1 4hristina la(ghed&
/0hen the e)ec(ti#e :P of the co+$any he gets all his data fro+ calls= 3eah&1 2erry s+iled& /He%ll care&1 She ass(red
the no! not s+iling 4hristina& /-nd if he doesn%t listen to +e" he%ll listen to .ar&1 She !atched 4hristina%s face&
/Tch? didn%t do yo(r ho+e!or" did yo(=1
/3o(r in8(iry ca+e ,ac totally negati#e&1
/Bot s(r$rising&1 2erry s+iled& /Try it !ith a last na+e of St(art&1 She started to close the door& /3o(" on the other
hand" $ro#ided (s !ith a lot of infor+ation& 3o( and yo(r little $artner really sho(ld !or a little harder" yo( no!=
That last 6o, of yo(rs !as a real disaster&1
4hristina had t(rned ,ric red&
132
/So don%t yo( +ess !ith +e" lady&1 2erry !arned her" #ery serio(sly& /3o(%re an a+ate(r& 't offends +e that yo(
act(ally get $aid to ,e an a+ate(r& My >a,rador ;etrie#er !o(ld do ,etter as a detecti#e" and as far as '%+ concerned"
yo(%re 6(st a flashy $oser& Scoot&1
She sla++ed the door !ith a sense of g(ilty satisfaction& /Cer&1 She t(rned and started to !al a!ay" then t(rned as a
noc ca+e at the door again& 0ith a gro!l" she !hirled and yaned the door o$en" a f(rther strea+ of in#ecti#e ready
and !aiting&
7nly to ,e s!allo!ed !hen she fo(nd herself facing a doe eyed" (nifor+ed roo+ ser#ice !aitress& /7h&1 She ste$$ed
,ac& /Hi& 4%+on in&1
4hristina !as no !here to ,e fo(nd& 2erry allo!ed herself a +o+ent of regret for her o(t,(rst" !ondering ,elatedly if
she sho(ldn%t ha#e 6(st let the !o+an in to ha#e her say& May,e she co(ld ha#e learned so+ething fro+ her&
-h !ell& 2erry !atched the !aitress set the tray do!n& Too late no!& /Thans&1 She !aled o#er and too the chec"
re#ie!ing it and then signing& /H#erything loos great&1
The !o+an s+iled shyly& /3o( are !elco+e& 3o( are good c(sto+ers&1 She said& /So +any" ,ring sand!iches !ith
the+" 6(st +ae a +ess&1
2erry grinned" her good h(+or restored& /0ell" !e%#e got sand!iches on the ,oat" ,(t one of the nice things a,o(t
#isiting other $laces is getting to sa+$le their c(lt(re and foods& 3o( can%t do that !ith $ean(t ,(tter&1
The !o+an nodded agree+ent" then sli$$ed to the door" ,acing in s(r$rise !hen it o$ened in!ard to ad+it .ar& /7h&1
.ar regarded the !o+an !ith a raised eye,ro!" then +o#ed aside to let her o(t& She closed the door after her then
!aled o#er to 2erry" setting a colorf(l $rint ,ag do!n on the chair& /Hi&1 Her ,l(e eyes !ent to the ta,le& />oos lie
'%+ 6(st in ti+e&1
/3es" yo( are&1 2erry agreed" lifting the co#ers and re#ealing so+e #ery intrig(ing dishes in#ol#ing eggs" fr(it" nati#e
s$ices" and seafood& /3o( 6(st +issed o(r friend 4hristina&1
/Bo" ' didn%t&1 .ar sniffed a$$reciati#ely& /She crashed into +e on her !ay stor+ing o(t of the ,(ilding&1 She sa+$led
a ,it of $a$aya& /M+&1
/' thin ' $issed her off&1
/Good& ' +ade it !orse& She fell on her ass&1 .ar re$lied& /0hat%d she !ant=1
2erry sat do!n /Lnfort(nately" ' ha#e no idea& ' !as too ,(sy ins(lting her to find that o(t&1 She ga#e .ar a +ildly
regretf(l loo& /'n hindsight" +ay,e that !asn%t s(ch a good idea& She !anted to tal to +e" said she co(ld hel$ +e
o(t&1
/7(t of !hat=1 .ar ased" setting her na$in aside and $o(ring 2erry so+e $assion fr(it 6(ice&
/0ell" that%s !hat ' don%t no!&1 2erry said& /' told her she !as fra(d" and sent her $acing" act(ally& ' told her if she
didn%t lea#e (s alone" !e%d call her ,oss&1
/-h&1 .ar in#estigated her fl(ffy" shri+$ and $e$$er egg c($& /0ell" ' don%t really ,la+e yo(&1 She ad+itted& /'%+ 6(st
!aiting for it to ,e nine a+ o#er in the states ,efore ' $(t in a call to 0harton& May,e after that" they%ll 6(st disa$$ear&1
She o$ened a cr(sty ,ro!n roll and $(t so+e ,(tter on it& /.a+n" these $eo$le are a $ain in +y ass&1
2erry slo!ly che!ed a $iece of star fr(it& /0hat do yo( thin he%ll do=1 She ased& /0harton" ' +ean= He see+s $retty
ro(gh& 's there a chance this is going to ,acfire on (s" .ar=1
/Hh&1 .ar $(t a ,it of her eggs on her roll& /' !as thining a,o(t that& May,e ' sho(ld ee$ it anony+o(s instead of
telling hi+ !ho ' a+&1
/H+&1 2erry +(r+(red& /C(st tell hi+ yo(%re o(t here" and yo( fo(nd so+ething= 0ill that ,e eno(gh for hi+ to call
off .eSalliers and the !onder t!ins=1
Bo! in the light of day" .ar had ,een !ondering the sa+e thing& Her $lan last night had see+ed si+$le and straight
for!ard" ,(t no! she !as starting to ha#e do(,ts& /' don%t no!&1 She ans!ered honestly& /'%d feel ,etter if ' act(ally
had so+ething (nder +y ,elt ,efore ' call hi+" +ay,e&1
/3o( !ant to #isit the go#ern+ent offices first=1 2erry ased& /May,e !e can dig ($ so+e st(ff there" and yo( can 6(st
fa) it or so+ething& May,e that%ll ,e eno(gh&1
-nd then !hat= /7ay" that so(nds good&1 .ar agreed& /3o( no!" 2er" ' !as 6(st thining& 0hat if the old +an !as
n(ts=1
133
/The tho(ght had crossed +y +ind&1 2erry ad+itted& /B(t lea#ing yo(r fort(ne to charity doesn%t so(nd #ery n(tty to
+e" .ar& 'f he%d left it to Green$eace after s$ending a life trolling a net" +ay,e" ,(t? ' checed o(t the charities&
9isher+an%s Ho+e" local firefighters in Boston? a lot of co++(nity st(ff&1 She said& /So ' don%t no! < +ay,e he had
reason to c(t the ids o(t&1
.ar selected a stra!,erry" too a ,ite" and then offered the rest to 2erry& /Money so+eti+es r(ins a fa+ily&1 She
o,ser#ed& /'t changes e#erything" doesn%t it=1
2erry didn%t ans!er i++ediately& /' g(ess it does&1 She said& /'n +y fa+ily" that !as ind of taen for granted&1 She
so(nded a little s(r$rised& /Bo one really tho(ght a,o(t the +oney $art of it& 't !as the $o!er that attracted the
attention&1 - faint ch(cle e+erged fro+ her throat& /3o( no! so+ething= They%re e)ec(ting +y father%s !ill this
!ee" and ' ne#er e#en tho(ght t!ice a,o(t ,eing c(t o(t of it&1
/0hat !o(ld yo( do if yo( !eren%t=1 .ar ased c(rio(sly& /' +ean" if yo( fo(nd o(t yo( !ere getting so+ething=1
/.onate it to charity&1 2erry ans!ered instantly& /' don%t? !ant anything fro+ hi+& 9ro+ the+&1 She st(died her for&
/' ha#e e#erything '%#e e#er !anted or needed in yo(&1
.ar reached o#er and clas$ed 2erry%s hand& /2er" yo( no! ' feel the sa+e !ay& B(t don%t ,e shoced if yo( end ($
!ith so+ething in that !ill after all&1 She s$oe 8(ietly& /B(t it +ight not ,e +oney&1
2erry !as ,riefly silent" then she lifted her eyes and +et .ar%s& /.o yo( no! so+ething" or are yo( 6(st g(essing=1
She ased 8(ietly&
/C(st g(essing&1 .ar shoo her head&
/7r is it ,eca(se yo( ha#e the father yo( do" that yo( c(t +ine so+e slac=1 2erry rested her chin on her hand& /Peo$le
are ,astards" .ar& 9atherhood doesn%t grant the+ any no,ility if they didn%t already ha#e it in the+&1
/Tr(e&1 .ar said& /B(t +ost $eo$le aren%t either totally good or totally ,ad& 3o( ne#er no!&1 She eased off the s(,6ect"
seeing 2erry%s disco+fort !ith it& /-t any rate" ' thin a #isit to to!n is $ro,a,ly a good idea& '%ll hold off contacting
0harton (ntil !e%#e got +ore data a#aila,le to (s&1
2erry !asn%t 8(ite ready to release the con#ersation tho(gh& /.o yo( really thin +y father had redee+ing 8(alities=1
She ased .ar serio(sly&
/' thin he !as yo(r father" and that%s eno(gh of a redee+ing 8(ality for +e&1 .ar re$lied&
2erry sighed& /' (sed to thin that&1 She said& /May,e $art of +e still !ants to ,elie#e it& B(t? if ' ,elie#e that" then it
+aes it all the +ore diffic(lt for +e to acce$t !hat ' did&1
/M+&1 .ar chafed 2erry%s fingers !ith her o!n&
/So it%s easier for +e to ,elie#e other!ise&1 2erry !ent on& /'%d rather hate hi+ than hate +yself&1 She sighed hea#ily&
/So" franly" ' ho$e ' get a sac of coal" if ' get anything" .ar&1
-h& /' gotcha&1 .ar s8(ee5ed her hand&
/May,e after so+e ti+e%s $assed" '%ll feel differently& B(t right no!" ' can%t deal !ith it&1
/7ay&1
2erry looed at her& /That%s $retty chicenshit" isn%t it=1
/Bo&1
- !ry ch(cle& /3es it is&1 2erry said& /B(t yo( no!" that%s the first ti+e '%#e ,een a,le to tal a,o(t that since he
died" so +ay,e it%s oay to ,e a chicenshit for a !hile&1 -nd it !as" she reali5ed& 't !as as tho(gh she%d taen a ste$
,ac" and gained at least a tiny +eas(re of $ers$ecti#e& 0as it $art of so+e healing $rocess=
May,e& 2erry felt o,sc(rely ,etter all of a s(dden" and she $iced ($ her for and !ent after the re+ainder of her
,reafast&
/'%#e got to go to the ,an&1 .ar s(ddenly re+e+,ered& /.a+n" ' forgot a,o(t that& Get that cash o(t&1 She too a
+o(thf(l of eggs and che!ed the+& /Get that done ,efore !e go h(nting for infor+ation&1
/' can%t ,elie#e yo( got the+ to agree to let yo( do that&1 2erry s+iled& /'%+ glad yo( did" tho(gh&1
/0ell" it%s going to ,e a loan" they !on%t let +e get a!ay !ith gi#ing it to the+ as a gift&1 .ar said& /B(t the ter+s%ll ,e
a hell of a lot ,etter than they had&1 She shoo her head& /0ant to co+e !ith +e=1
134
/3o( ,et yo(r ,(tt ' do&1 2erry finished her fr(it 6(ice" and stood ($& /Be right ,ac&1
.ar !atched her d(c into the ,athroo+" then she concentrated on clearing her $late as the so(nd of r(nning !ater
filtered thro(gh to her& The decision to do so+e data +ining ,efore confronting their $(tati#e ad#ersary !as" she
tho(ght" a good one& They +ight find so+e facts& .ar lied facts& She $(t the+ in her $ocet and (sed the+ lie darts"
fli$$ing the+ o(t and nailing $eo$le !ith the+ !hen they least e)$ected it&
9acts !ere good& .ar drained her coffee c($& She didn%t +ind ,l(ffing" ,(t ,l(ffing !as al!ays easier !hen yo( had
so+ething to fall ,ac on& She stood and !i$ed her li$s" then dro$$ed her na$in on the ta,le& Her ,ac$ac stood
+(tely in the cornerD she !ent o#er and lifted it" then sli$$ed it o#er her sho(lders& 2erry ca+e o(t and 6oined her at the
door" and they left the roo+" heading off to find so+e facts&
7r so+e tro(,le& 7r +ay,e ,oth&
GG
.ar held o$en the door to the 4hase Ban" !aiting for 2erry to enter and then follo!ing her inside& The ,an !as on
the !ay to the $olice station and co(rtho(se" so they%d decided to sto$ there first& .ar $(lled her s(nglasses off and
looed aro(nd" then !aled across to a s+all des !ith a rece$tionist ,ehind it&
/Good +orning&1 The rece$tionist greeted the+" !ith a $rofessional s+ile& /0hat can ' do for yo( ladies today=1
/' ha#e a !ire transfer ' need to $ic ($&1 .ar e)$lained& /'t !as generated last night&1
/S(re&1 The !o+an glanced ,ehind her" to a single des !ith a yo(ng +an at it& /Mr& Steel= -re yo( free=1
The +an looed ($& /3es" ' a+&1
.ar and 2erry !aled o#er and sat do!n at the +an%s des& .ar re+o#ed her dri#er%s license fro+ her !allet and
handed it to hi+& /' re8(ested a !ire transfer last night&1 She re$eated& /9ro+ 9lorida&1
Mr& Steel too the license and $(t it in the des" then ty$ed .ar%s na+e into his co+$(ter& He !aited" then nodded&
/3es" Ms& ;o,erts !e ha#e it&1 He leaned closer to the screen& /9or? ten tho(sand -+erican=1
/3e$&1
/0o(ld yo( lie that as a draft" +a%a+=1
- draft& .ar considered her +e+ory of 4hea$side G(ido" and sighed in!ardly& /4ash&1 She re$lied& /Gi++e it in
h(ndreds&1
The ,an officer fro!ned& /Ma%a+" it%s not a good idea to carry that +(ch c(rrency on yo(r $erson&1 He o,6ected&
/;eally&1
/' no!&1 .ar agreed& /B(t ' !on%t ,e carrying it long" ho$ef(lly&1
The +an still didn%t lie it" ,(t he ta$$ed in a re8(est" and hit enter& /7ay" let +e 6(st get that for yo(&1 He stood and
!aled to a loced door" eying in a code and disa$$earing&
2erry looed aro(nd at the e+$ty ,an" !ith its one teller& /N(iet&1
/M+&1 .ar leaned ,ac& The ,an%s o(ter door o$ened and t!o +en ca+e in" ,y$assing the rece$tionist and heading
for the teller& They !ere tall" and there !as so+ething #ag(ely fa+iliar a,o(t one of the+ that set .ar%s +ind itching&
The +an !as dressed in ty$ical island fashion" s(rfer ty$e shorts and a loose $rint shirt& He !as !earing dec sandals"
and a red ,ase,all ca$& He !as carrying a !orn ,an de$osit ,ag&
.ar fro!ned& - lot of $eo$le on the island looed 6(st lie this g(y& So !hat !as it= The !al= The attit(de?
/.ar&1 2erry%s #oice ,roe into her concentration&
/3eah=1
2erry lo!ered her tone considera,ly& /' thin that%s one of the $irates that attaced (s yesterday&1
7h& .(h& /G(ess that%s !hy he see+ed fa+iliar&1 .ar !his$ered ,ac&
They !atched the +an" !ho $(shed se#eral things across to the teller" and see+ed rela)ed and at ease& The teller too
the+ and $rocessed the+" s+iling at the +an and see+ing to ,e fa+iliar !ith hi+&
/0hat are !e going to do=1 2erry +(r+(red& /'f !e recogni5ed hi+" he%ll $ro,a,ly recogni5e (s&1
13*
.ar ga(ged the distance ,et!een the+& /He didn%t on the !ay in&1 She said& />et%s 6(st t(rn aro(nd" and see !hat
ha$$ens&1
2erry shifted in her chair and looed at .ar& /7ay" ,(t !hat are !e going to do after that=1
/May,e !e can find o(t !hat his na+e is&1
/-nd re$ort hi+ to the $olice=1 2erry glanced 8(icly ,ehind her then ,ac& /.ar" he%s o,#io(sly a no!n 8(antity
here&1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar didn%t see+ s(r$rised&
The inner door o$ened" and the ,an officer rea$$eared& He !as carrying a s+all ,o)" and he looed aro(nd as he
crossed ,ac to his des& His eyes fell on the t!o +en& /-h& Morning" Mr& 4hasii&1
The +an t(rned at his na+e and s+iled" then his eyes sli$$ed $ast hi+ and foc(sed on .ar%s face&
Lh oh& .ar tho(ght fast" +eeting his eyes ,riefly" then +o#ing on" ho$ing she !as $ro6ecting an air of $rofo(nd
disinterest& She%d seen the recognition as he looed at her&
/3ah" yah&1 The +an ans!ered the ,an +anager& /Great holiday" yeah=1 His #oice !as tense&
/:ery good" thans&1 The officer sat do!n" and $(t the ,o) in the center of his des& He $(lled so+e $a$er!or o#er
and filled o(t a fe! for+s& /-ll right" Ms& ;o,erts& >et +e 6(st fill this o(t and yo(%ll ,e all set&1
/Thans&1 .ar rested her el,o!s on the des" and resisted the (rge to t(rn and loo at the $irate& Be)t to her" 2erry !as
leaning ,ac !ith her ar+s folded" her ,ac +ostly t(rned to!ards the teller& The ,lond !o+an looed tense" a f(rro!
creasing her ,ro!&
/Here yo( go& Please sign here1 Mr& Steel indicated a s$ace on the for+& /'%#e got co$y of yo(r dri#er%s license" and
here%s that ,ac&1 He handed her the card&
.ar $iced ($ the $en and st(died the for+" her ears coced as she heard footste$s a$$roaching the+& They sto$$ed 6(st
,ehind her" and she !atched the officer%s eyes fro+ the corner of her o!n" seeing the+ go ($ and o#er her sho(lder
c(rio(sly& She signed her na+e on the for+&
/So+ething yo( need" sir=1 The officer ased&
/Bah& C(st thining&1 The $irate s$oe fro+ 6(st ,ehind the+& />ater&1
The footste$s receded" and the door o$ened ,ehind the+" letting in the so(nd of !ind and the street&
.ar $(shed the $a$er ,ac o#er to the officer& /There yo( go&1 She leaned ,ac" feeling the tension rela) fro+ her
sho(lders& /-l!ays 8(iet lie this here=1
Mr& Steel too the $a$er& /7h" +ostly&1 He said& /9ridays" $ayday" it gets a little hectic&1 He s+iled" then he looed
c(rio(sly at .ar& /Beg yo(r $ardon" Ms& ;o,erts" ,(t did yo( no! Mr& 4hasii" the gentle+an !ho !as 6(st here=1
.ar glanced 2erry%s !ay& 2erry%s eyes !idened slightly" and her $ale ,ro!s lifted& /He see+ed a little fa+iliar&1 She
te+$ori5ed& /0hy=1
/7h" he !as 6(st staring at yo(" and ' !as !ondering&1 The officer said easily&
.ar t(rned and ga5ed at the closed door" then looed ,ac at hi+& She shr(gged& /0ho is he=1
The +an shr(gged ,ac& /He%s no!n to ,e a ladies +an&1 He said& /Bit of a rog(e" ,(t a genero(s one&1 He handed
o#er the ,o)& /Here yo( go" Ms& ;o,erts& ' ho$e yo( do tae care" and $(t this so+e!here shortly& 't%s really not a good
idea to ,e carrying it&1
.ar stood and lifted her ,ac$ac ($" then o$ened the ,o) and transferred the ,o(nd stacs of ,ills to the $ac&
/Thans for the !arning&1 She finished and 5i$$ed the $ac ($" handing hi+ ,ac the ,o)& /Bice doing ,(siness !ith
yo(&1 She sho(ldered the $ac" ad6(sting it aro(nd her sho(lders and $(lling the stra$s tight& /2er=1
2erry ga#e the officer a ,rief s+ile" rising and 6oining .ar as they headed for the door& She $(t a hand on her $artner%s
ar+ as they e)ited the ,an" ,oth of the+ looing left and right as the s(nlight hit the+& /.ar" that !as #ery cree$y&1
/That !as #ery cree$y&1 .ar acno!ledged& /4%+on& ' !ant to get a hold of B(d" and get rid of this cash ,efore !e do
anything else&1 Her senses !ere 6angling& />ast thing !e need is for that 6er to follo! (s and hold (s ($&1
2erry looed aro(nd ner#o(sly& /3o( really thin he !o(ld=1
13I
/'%d rather not find o(t&1 .ar told her" taing o(t her cell $hone and o$ening it& She dialed B(d%s n(+,er& -fter t!o
rings" he $iced ($& /B(d" its .ar&1 .ar s$oe into the recei#er cris$ly& /.id yo( get hold of yo(r friend=1 She !aited
for the ans!er& /Good& 0e%re heading ,ac to the hotel no!&1 She closed the $hone and cli$$ed it to her ,elt& /0e%ll
tae care of that" then ?1
/Seeing hi+ inda thre! a ch(n into things" h(h=1 2erry ased& /-t least !e ha#e his na+e no!&1
/-nd he has +ine&1 .ar re+inded her& /2erry" ' don%t no! if going to the $olice here is a good idea&1 She started
!aling ,ac to!ards the hotel& /' 6(st don%t no! !ho !e can tr(st here& 'f !e go to the co$s" and tell the+" and
they%re in on it" then !hat= They%re gonna !ant to $rotect hi+&1
/3ies&1 2erry sighed&
.ar shoo her head" and they crossed the street and headed for the long cli+, ($& They%d !aled for 6(st a fe! +in(tes
!hen .ar heard ste$s ,ehind the+& She (sed an a$$reciati#e loo aro(nd to glance ,ehind her" and s(re eno(gh" t!o
+en !ere +eandering ($ the slo$e after the+& /Son of a ,itch&1
2erry looed& /4ri$es&1 She +(ttered& /May,e they%re not follo!ing (s" .ar& 0e co(ld 6(st ,e a little $aranoid&1
Tr(e& .ar s!er#ed" as the s+ell of coffee and hot do(gh hit her& She $(lled 2erry into a sho$ they !ere $assing and
!ent o#er to the co(nter& /T!o 6ohnnycaes and t!o coffees" $lease&1
The +an ,ehind the co(nter handed ,oth o#er readily" acce$ting .ar%s cash and gi#ing her ,ac change& .ar $iced ($
one of the caes and handed 2erry other" and too her coffee& She strolled cas(ally to the entrance and leaned against it"
!aiting& 2erry eased ($ ,ehind her&
-t first there !as only silence& Then a,r($tly the t!o +en $assed the sho$" taling cas(ally to each other and not gi#ing
.ar so +(ch as a second glance&
2erry released her held ,reath" and too a ,ite of her cae& /M+&1 She +(r+(red&
/Good call&1 .ar co+$li+ented her 8(ietly& /4%+on&1
They eased o(t of the sho$ and contin(ed ($ the ste$$ed street& /This !o(ld ,e a great +orning !oro(t&1 2erry
co++ented" al+ost di55y !ith relief&
/7h yeah&1 .ar agreed& She finished her cae and d(sted her fingers off" then too a si$ of the coffee& /Lgh& Gross&1
She sto$$ed dead" and looed for a gar,age can&
/' !as !ondering !hen yo(%d reali5e yo( too it fro+ there !itho(t any crea+ or s(gar&1 2erry s+iled& /' fig(red !e
!ere going to toss the st(ff in those g(ys% faces < ' ne#er drea+ed yo(%d try to drin it&1
/3eah" yeah&1 .ar dis$osed of the offending ,e#erage and res(+ed her cli+,& She !as still (neasy" and the in at the to$
of the hill see+ed a #ery long !ay off&
Three 8(arters of the !ay ($" she heard footste$s again& She glanced at 2erry" and they ,oth looed aro(nd& Si) +en
!ere co+ing ($ after the+& They looed at each other& /;ace ya&1 2erry +(r+(red" increasing her $ace to 6og&
.ar 6oined her" and they $o!ered ($ the ste$s& They heard the +en ,ehind the+ s$eed ($ as !ell& T!enty ste$s +ore
to go" tho(gh" and they%d ,e at the inn le#el&
Ten" and they heard the +en catching ($&
9i#e" and .ar co(ld hear the hea#y ,reathing&
Then they to$$ed the ste$s and !ere in front of the inn& .ar s$otted B(d !aiting in front of the door for the+" and she
headed in his direction" !ith 2erry st(c to her lie a flea on a dog&
The ste$s ,ehind the+ sto$$ed& .ar slo!ed her $ace and rised a glance ,ehind her" only to see the +en cl(stered at
the to$" a$$arently in an arg(+ent& B(d !atched the+ c(rio(sly as they a$$roached" cocing his head as they $(lled ($
ne)t to hi+&
/0hat%s ($=1 B(d looed $ast her to the +en&
/Tell yo( later&1 .ar said& />et%s go inside&1
B(d !as staring o#er her sho(lder& His eyes narro!ed& .ar t(rned to loo" ,(t the si) +en !ere +elting ,ac do!n the
stairs and !ere o(t of sight a +o+ent later& She glanced ,ac at B(d& /3o( no! those g(ys=1
B(d looed at her&
13J
/>et%s go inside&1 .ar re$eated&
GG
4hea$side G(ido !as !aiting as they entered the lo,,y& He s$otted B(d" and n(dged the ,ig gorilla he had !ith hi+"
then his eyes fell on .ar& - relati#ely disagreea,le s+ile crossed his face as .ar" 2erry" and B(d reached the+& /Bring
yo(r girlfriends= 3o( s!itched sides" there" B(ddy=1
/3o( !ant yo(r +oney= Then sh(t ($&1 B(d re$lied gr(ffly& He indicated a s+all" side roo+ !ith a co($le chairs in it&
/7h" so no! yo(%re telling +e to sh(t ($=1 G(ido snorted& /3o( little horse%s ass&1
.ar !as already #ery +(ch on edge& Her te+$er !as at the shi#ering ,rea $oint" and for a +o+ent" she felt all ,etter
sense lea#e her as she staled to!ards the nasty" greasy looing +an& She%d only taen t!o ste$s !hen she felt a hand
gri$$ing her shirt fro+ the ,ac tho(gh" and then an e#en fir+er gri$ on the ,ac of her shorts&
/He%s not !orth it&1 2erry s$oe in an al+ost nor+al tone& /3o(%ll 6(st get yo(r hands dirty" and it%ll tae a !ee to
!ash the stench off&1
G(ido s$(n" and looed at her then tilted his head ($ and fo(nd .ar%s set" angry face facing hi+& He looed lie he #ery
+(ch !anted to la(gh" ,(t a second loo ($ instead con#inced hi+ to 6(st !al into the roo+ ,ehind B(d& /9ig(res yo(
ha#e girls $rotecting yo(r $ansy ass&1
B(d !ent stone faced& /3o( got the $a$ers=1
/3o( got the +oney=1 G(ido tossed ,ac at hi+&
B(d looed at .ar& G(ido t(rned& /7h" right& 0ell" chicee" ' don%t tae no friggen Platin(+ cards&1
.ar st(died hi+& Then she (nhitched the $ac off her ,ac and set it on the s+all ta,le in the roo+& /3o(%re right&1 She
said to 2erry& /.efinitely not !orth it&1 She $(lled o(t se#eral stacs of h(ndreds and tossed the+ at G(ido& They hit
hi+ in the chest" and he gra,,ed at the+& She $(lled o(t three or fo(r +ore stacs and ch(ced the+ as !ell&
/HeyA1 G(ido lost one" and it ,o(nced off the floor& /4(t that o(t" freaA1
.ar !hi$$ed the final t!o stacs at hi+& They hit hi+ in the face& .ar t(rned her ,ac on hi+ and 5i$$ed ($ her ,ag"
trying to let her ra! scra$ed ner#es settle ,efore she had to t(rn ,ac aro(nd and contin(e the con#ersation& She heard
the r(stle as he ca$t(red the ,o(nd ,ills&
/0here%s the $a$ers=1 B(d ased" in a toneless #oice&
/Hold on to yo(r $ecer& 3o( sho(ld ,e (sta that&1 G(ido +(ttered& /' gotta co(nt this&1
.ar t(rned and sat do!n in the nearest chair" her nees finally gi#ing o(t as the adrenaline sto$$ed $(+$ing& 2erry
settled on the ar+ of the chair and .ar c(rled a hand aro(nd 2erry%s nee" the to(ch soothing her ner#es& G(ido had
gi#en his th(g +ost of the stacs" and he !as co(nting one la,orio(sly& The th(g !as !atching .ar !ith a do(r glare&
B(d sat do!n in one of the other chairs" +ostly foc(sing his ga5e on the floor&
2erry $(t a hand on .ar%s nec" her fingers !oring gently at the rigid +(scles& She co(ld al+ost feel the #i,rating
tension in her $artner" and tho(gh she co+$letely (nderstood .ar%s silent rage" she%d ,een called !orse ,y far ,etter
than that little greasy $(n& /'f yo(%re going to ha#e to tae yo(r shoes off for that" let +e no! so ' can get the !indo!
o$en&1 She re+ared cas(ally&
G(ido looed ($ at her& /Sh(t ($&1
/0hy=1 2erry ased& /'%#e taled to ani+als since ' !as a id& Most of the+ !ere ,etter looing than yo(" tho(gh&1
/3o( looing to get h(rt" chicee=1
2erry s+iled char+ingly at hi+& /The ,oth of yo( together aren%t a 8(arter of the +an it !o(ld tae to do that&1
.ar ch(cled" and r(,,ed the ,ridge of her nose&
/3o( got a ,ig +o(th&1 The th(g told 2erry&
/That%s all right& 3o(%#e got a $ea ,rain&1 2erry res$onded& /-nd ' can al!ays sh(t ($&1
/H(h=1
/-ll right&1 G(ido finished co(nting one stac& He too another and $ressed it do!n !ith his th(+, and forefinger"
+atching it against the one in his hand& They !ere e)actly e#en& He re$eated the $rocess !ith the rest of the stacs" then
13K
handed the stacs ,ac to the th(g& /S(cer girlee& 0hat%d he $ro+ise yo( for this= .on%t tell +e a good ti+e&1 G(ido
$(lled a !ad of $a$ers o(t of his ,ac $oced and thre! the+ at B(d& /3o( got real l(cy" fag& 7ne +ore !ee" and
!e%d ha#e torched that shithole&1
/G(ess ' did&1 B(d ans!ered softly&
/Bot nearly as l(cy as he !as&1 .ar re+ared flatly" gi#ing G(ido a le#el" cold stare&
G(ido snorted& />o(sy doing ,(siness !ith yo(& .on%t call again&1 He +otioned the th(g to lea#e" after he%d st(ffed the
cash into a $lastic ,ag the th(g had in his $ocet& They !aled o(t !itho(t looing ,ac" heading for the front door to
the hotel&
.ar slo!ly let a ,reath o(t& /That s(ced&1 She en(nciated the !ords !ith $recision&
/M+& Glad it%s o#er&1 2erry agreed" +o#ing her hands aro(nd to gi#e .ar%s sho(lders so+e serio(s attention& /Maes
+e !ish !e%d had the+ e+,ed dye $acets in the ,ills&1
B(d glanced at her& /3o(%re $retty da+n f(nny&1
2erry grinned ,ac& /'%+ really" really glad !e co(ld do this for yo(&1 She told B(d honestly& /Bo one sho(ld ha#e to
deal !ith assholes lie that&1 She felt .ar%s +(scles (nloc (nder her hands&
B(d looed do!n at the $a$ers again" slo!ly shaing his head at the+& /'t !as a ,ad choice to ha#e to +ae&1 He
ad+itted& /' hate taing hel$ fro+ anyone&1
/3eah&1 .ar s$oe ($ at last& /' no! the feeling&1 She stretched her legs o(t" and sl(+$ed in the chair& /' can%t do it
either&1 She said& /-s for hel$" ' +ean&1
B(d glanced at her" then looed at 2erry" !ho !as still ind(strio(sly neading& /;ight&1
.ar ca(ght the loo& /She doesn%t co(nt&1 She said& /Besides" she doesn%t !ait to ,e ased&1
2erry leaned o#er and ga#e .ar a iss on the to$ of her head& /7ay&1 She said& /Bo! that%s o#er&1
B(d shifted" gi#ing her a !ary loo&
/Tal to +e a,o(t $irates&1 .ar addressed hi+& /' s$otted the g(y r(nning the $irate ,oat !ho tried to ,oard (s at the
,an& Maing a de$osit&1
B(d che!ed his lo!er li$& /4an !e tal ($stairs=1 He finally said& /4harlie%s s($$osed to call any ti+e&1
L$stairs& .ar felt e)ha(sted& - $ot of strong coffee" and a nice +ilshae !as really !hat she !anted" and she fig(red
roo+ ser#ice co(ld $ro,a,ly tae care of that for her& /S(re&1 She got ($" glancing at 2erry !hen 2erry too the
,ac$ac& /Hey&1
/'t%s oay" honey&1 2erry ga#e her a iss on the sho(lder& /' can handle it" really&1
2erry !as" .ar reali5ed" in fact handling the entire thing a lot ,etter than she !as& She tho(ght a,o(t that as they
!aled ($ the short flight of stairs to the inn%s roo+s& 0as she letting the stress get the ,etter of her= 0as she too +(ch
o(t of her ele+ent= 3etter get your damn head on straight and stop reacting to e!erything. /hat the hell is wrong with
you, Dar,
/Hey" .ar=1 2erry glanced ,ac& /-re yo( going to try calling 0harton=1
.ar st(died a $oint in the +iddle of 2erry%s sho(lder ,lades& />et%s !ait till !e get to the roo+" and let +e sit do!n and
thin&1 She said& /' don%t !ant to co+$licate this !hole da+n thing e#en +ore than it already is&1
/7ay&1 2erry nodded& /Good" ,eca(se ' !as 6(st getting a really ,ad feeling a,o(t yo( calling hi+& He%s 6(st? it%s too
(nno!n a 8(antity& This !hole thing is 6(st getting !eird&1
.ar felt slightly relie#ed& /7h" so it%s not 6(st +e=1 She +(ttered" as they sto$$ed in front of their roo+ and she
(nloced the door !ith the large iron ey& 2erry $(shed the door o$en and !aled in" then sto$$ed short&
/Son of a ,itch&1
B(d $eeed $ast .ar%s sho(lder as .ar edged into the roo+ in ,ac of 2erry&
The roo+ !as in total sha+,les& H#erything had ,een ri$$ed a$art as tho(gh a tornado had ,lo!n thro(gh the $lace&
/.a+n&1 B(d (ttered& /They +ess ($ yo(r st(ff=1
13M
2erry let o(t a disg(sted ,reath& /0e didn%t ha#e any here&1 She lifted her hands in (tter e)as$eration and let the+ fall&
/7ne ,ag" !ith t!o $airs of 6a++ies and so+e tooth$aste&1
.ar +o#ed thro(gh the roo+" shaing her head& She !aled o#er to the roo+ $hone and $iced it ($" !aiting for the
o$erator to ans!er& /' need to s$ea !ith the +anager&1 There !as a $a(se& /3o(r na+e= Mr& Brac& 0ell" Mr& Brac"
!e ha#e a $ro,le+& 7(r roo+ has ,een ransaced&1 -nother $a(se& /The door !asn%t ,roen into& So !hoe#er in yo(r
staff !as $aid off to let so+eone in here&&1
2erry co(ld hear a lo(d #oice $rotesting all the !ay across the roo+&
/0o(ld yo( lie to co+e ($ here and e)$lain ho! else they go in=1 .ar ased& /Good& See yo( shortly&1 She dro$$ed
the $hone into its cradle& /'f those ,astards ha#e gone any!here near the ,oat" they%re toast&1
/'%ll go chec&1 2erry started o(t the door" only to ,e ha(led to a halt a,r($tly& @0hoaAAA1 She t(rned to find .ar
hanging on to the ,ac of her shirt&
/Bot ,y yo(rself&1 .ar told her 8(ietly& /-nd ,efore yo( say it" yes" ' no! yo(%re a ,ig girl and yo( can tae care of
yo(rself" and '%+ ,eing an o#er$rotecti#e ninny&1
2erry sh(t her 6a!" and her face scr(nched into a #ery !ry grin&
/'%ll go&1 B(d interr($ted" going to the door and e)iting ,efore .ar co(ld re$ly&
/B?1 .ar looed at the closed door& /.a+n&1
/Bet he !anted to get o(t of taling a,o(t $irates&1 2erry sighed& /.ar" !o(ld yo( loo at this $lace= 0hat a ,(nch of
6ersA1 She !aled o#er to their one ,ag and e)a+ined it& The contents had ,een $(lled o(t" then carelessly sho#ed ,ac
in" and she felt her ,lood ,egin to ,oil at the tho(ght&
- soft noc ca+e at the door" and .ar !ent to it" $(lling it o$en to find the hotel +anager and a +an in a sec(rity
g(ard%s (nifor+ standing there& She ste$$ed ,ac and gest(red to the+ to enter& /4%+on in&1
The +anager%s eyes !idened at the state of the roo+& Both +en entered" and looed aro(nd& /This is?1 The +anager
started" then sto$$ed& /'%#e ne#er had?1
The sec(rity g(ard see+ed 6(st as ,e!ildered& /Sir?1 He cleared his throat& /Ma%a+" !hen did yo( find this=1
/Si)ty seconds ,efore ' called yo(&1 .ar stated& /' !ant an e)$lanation&1 She folded her ar+s o#er her chest" and ga#e
the +anager a cold stare&
The +anager collected hi+self& /Bo one ,(t sec(rity" and the ho(seee$ing ha#e the eys&1 He said& /0e ha#e checed
the sec(rity logs" and no one !as allo!ed into this roo+& ' ha#e called the chief ho(seee$er" and $erha$s she can shed
so+e light on !hat has ha$$ened&1
/7hA1
They all t(rned to see a s+all" !i5ened !o+an in the door!ay" dressed in a neat" gray (nifor+& .ar g(essed this !as
the ho(seee$er& The !o+an entered slo!ly and looed aro(nd" !ide eyed& /0hat has ha$$ened here= 0hy !as this
done=1 She looed at .ar& /0hat ha#e yo( done this for to the nice lady%s roo+=1
The +anager dre! ,reath& /4onstantina" this roo+ is registered to these t!o ladies here& 0hat do yo( +ean=1
The !o+an dre! ,ac in dis+ay& /These ladies= 7h? ,(t?1 She t!isted her fingers together& /7h" sir" ' a+ so sorry&
- #ery nice !o+an ca+e to +e !hen ' !as cleaning" and she said she left her ey inside the roo+& 3o( no! so +any
g(ests to do that" so?1 Her eyes +o#ed o#er the roo+& /She said this !as her roo+&1
/-nd yo( didn%t chec=1 The +anager fro!ned&
/She !as a nice !o+an" sirA1 The ho(seee$er $rotested& /Bice clothes" !ith rings and !hy sho(ld ' thin she !as not
telling +e the tr(th=1
The +anager looed lie he%d s!allo!ed a li#e cocroach" and it !as cra!ling aro(nd inside his sto+ach&
/4onstantina" go to +y office and !ait there for +e&1 He said" !ith #ery 8(iet restraint& /Can" $lease ,ring yo(r ca+era
($ here" and tae $hotogra$hs of e#erything&1 He t(rned to .ar and 2erry& /' !ill ha#e yo( +o#ed to a ne! roo+
i++ediately !hile !e start o(r in#estigation& ' !ill also ,e calling in the $olice&1
The ho(seee$er%s eyes !idened&
/0e can gi#e yo( the $ro,a,le identity of the $erson yo(%re looing for&1 2erry said& /0e%#e ,een $estered ,y so+e
$eo$le since o(r arri#al in the islands&1 She added /'%d lie a chance to disc(ss that !ith the $olice as !ell&1
140
The +anager nodded& /4ertainly& 4onstantina" $lease&1 He gras$ed the !o+an%s ar+ and steered her o(tside& /The
,ell+an !ill ,e ($ to +o#e yo( in 6(st a +o+ent&1
/'t%s oay&1 't%s 6(st this&1 .ar held ($ the ,ag& /-ll the da+age !as done to yo(r hotel" not o(r $ro$erty&1
- facial tic started on the +anager%s face& He left and too his t!o e+$loyees !ith hi+&
9or a +o+ent" the roo+ !as silent& .ar and 2erry looed at each other" then at the sa+e ti+e" lifted their hands in a
shr(g and let the+ dro$& /This is n(ts&1 .ar sighed& /This is 6(st n(ts&1
2erry%s eyes narro!ed& /3o( got that g(y 0harton%s $hone n(+,er=1
.ar regarded her !arily& /His office" yeah&1
/Gi++e&1
.ar re+o#ed a sli$ of $a$er fro+ the ,ac$ac" and too o(t her o!n cell $hone& /'%ll handle it&1 She too a ,reath" and
co+$osed herself&
/.ar?1
/' no!&1 .ar c(t her off& /' no! yo( can do this" ,(t ' really" really !ant to&1
2erry s(,sided&
.ar o$ened the cell and dialed& She $(t the $hone to her ear&
- lo!" gro!ling #oice ans!ered&
GG
/' need to s$ea !ith Mr& 0harton&1 .ar started off !ith ,eing ci#il&
/0here the hell did yo( get this n(+,er=1
7ay" so +(ch for that& /.oes it +atter= 3o( 0harton=1
/0ho the hell is this=1
.ar listened to the #oice& 't !as +iddle aged" had a slight ras$" and a distinct Be! Hngland accent& /So+eone !ho%s
,een 6(st east of St& Cohn&1 She re$lied& /Bo!" are yo( 0harton" or not=1
Silence& /3eah&1
/Good&1 .ar ans!ered& /Then +ay,e yo( can e)$lain !hy '%#e got yo(r hired hands cra!ling all o#er +y last ner#e&1
/>oo" lady& ' don%t no! !ho the hell yo( are?1
/37L?1 .ar ,ared at to$ #ol(+e& /.on%t ha#e to no! !ho ' a+" +isterA1 She dre! in a ,reath& /-ll yo( need to
no! is that the t!o ,it a+ate(r yo(%re $aying to$ dollar for co(ldn%t find his !ay o(t of a $a$er ,ag !ith instr(ctions
$rinted on the inside of it in t!enty fo(r $oint ,lac letters&1
/0hat=1
/'&1 .ar dro$$ed her #oice to a lo! $(rr& /Ha#e !hat yo(%re looing for&1
Silence& /0ho the de#il are yo(A1
/3o( !o(ldn%t no! !ho ' !as if ' told yo( +y na+e&1 .ar told hi+ 8(ietly& /-nd '%d ha#e ,een a +(ch ha$$ier
$erson if '%d ne#er heard yo(r na+e or the na+e of the 6acass yo( hired" tr(st +e&1 She added&
/Bo! yo( listen here?1
/Bo" 37L listen to +e&1 .ar o#errode hi+& /3o( get yo(r little $aid $irate the hell o(t of here or '%ll go to the co$s and
,lo! yo( !ide o$en&1
Silence& Then a clic&
.ar eyed the $hone& /H(ng ($ on +e&1 She co++ented&
2erry scratched her nose& /0ell" honey" ,(t ' thin yo( got across the +essage yo( !ere going for&1
/.id '=1 .ar +(sed" as 2erry !aled o#er and slid an ar+ aro(nd her !aist&
/3e$&1 2erry ass(red her& /' !o(ldn%t !ant to ,e a fly on .eSalliers ,oat !alls" (nless ' co(ld s!i+" really !ell&1
141
/Ma%a+=1 The sec(rity g(ard !as ,ac" !ith a s+aller +an& /Casar !ill tae yo( to yo(r ne! roo+" oay=1
2erry $iced ($ their o#ernight ,ac& />ead on&1
Gr(+,ling" .ar $(t the $hone a!ay and follo!ed her" sho(ldering the ,ac$ac& Her disc(ssion !ith 0harton hadn%t
,een #ery satisfactory" and she ran o#er the ,rief e)change in her head as she !aled do!n the hall!ay& Sho(ld she
ha#e started o(t +ore $rofessional= H)$lained !ho she !as= 9(ll of self do(,t" .ar felt her ,ro! f(rro!ing& May,e
she sho(ld ha#e let 2erry handle it after all&
.ar felt #ery off ,alance& She didn%t lie it& She !asn%t e#en s(re !hy she felt that !ay&
They sto$$ed in front of a door" and the des cler o$ened the door for the+& /Here yo( go" ladies&1 He stood ,ac to
let the+ enter" then he follo!ed the+ in and sh(t the door&
This roo+ !as on the corner of the cliff" and ro(ghly three ti+es the si5e of the other& 't had a !ra$aro(nd ,alcony" and
a general sense of $l(shness the other roo+" tho(gh co+forta,le" laced& /The +anager said he !o(ld ,e ($ shortly"
!ith the $olice&1 The des cler said softly& /'s there anything else !e can get yo(=1
.ar dro$$ed her ,ac$ac on the co(ch then sat do!n ne)t to it& /3eah&1 She said& /Pot of strong coffee and a ,ig
chocolate +ilshae&1
/Mae that t!o&1 2erry added& /Thans&1
/;ight a!ay&1 The des cler left&
2erry too her ti+e e)$loring the ne! roo+& She o$ened the door ne)t to the ,athroo+" e)$osing a hot t(," neatly
s(nen into a !ooden dec& /This is nice&1 She concl(ded" $eeing o(t the !indo!& /' g(ess this is the @$lease don%t
s(e (s% s(ite&1 She t(rned" leaning against the !indo!sill and regarding .ar& /7ay" so !here are !e=1
.ar let her head rest on the ,ac of the co(ch& /' !ish ' ne!&1 She ad+itted& /0ell" one thing - that idiot !o+an
!asted her ti+e& .id she really thin !e%d ,e st($id eno(gh to lea#e so+ething? anything? #al(a,le in that hotel
roo+=1
2erry e)haled& /Good 8(estion&1 She got off the sill and ca+e o#er" sitting do!n on the co(ch ne)t to .ar& /May,e she
didn%t& May,e she !as 6(st trying to $ro#e a $oint& ' got&& ah&& inda nasty !ith her earlier&1
.ar%s ,ro! rose& /3o( did=1 2erry didn%t (s(ally go the nasty ro(te&
/3eah&1 The ,lond !o+an looed a to(ch shee$ish& /' !as 6(st so $issed off at her" at the+" at?1 She let o(t a
disg(sted sigh&
.ar t(rned and leaned for!ard" ga5ing at 2erry& /'s this !hole thing dri#ing yo( n(ts=1
2erry nodded&
/So it%s not 6(st +e=1
2erry shoo her head& /Bo&1 She said& /'%+ 6(st so ($set&1
.ar edged closer and too her hands& /-,o(t !hat" s!eetheart=1 She !as +ore than glad to foc(s her attention on
2erry" rather than their $er$le)ing $ro,le+&
/0ell it%s? ' feel really st($id saying this" ,(t '%+ 6(st really ticed off that they%re +essing !ith o(r #acation&1 2erry
confessed& /' feel lie they%re ro,,ing +e& ;o,,ing (s" and it%s +aing +e #ery +ad&1 'ne)$lica,ly" she felt tears
!elling ($& /'t%s not fair" .ar& ' no! !e didn%t get into this on $(r$ose" and !e%#e 6(st ,een reacting to all this st(ff
,(t?1
;eacting& .ar felt a $(55le $iece sli$ into $lace& /' no!&1 She +(r+(red& /' thin that%s $art of the $ro,le+& 0e%re not
in control of any of this& 't 6(st ee$s rolling o#er (s&1
2erry sighed& /'t%s not that ' don%t !ant to sol#e this st($id thing&1
.ar decided she tho(ght 2erry needed a h(g& -ccordingly" she slid an ar+ aro(nd her and $(lled her closer" then
enfolded her in ,oth ar+s& She felt 2erry e)hale !ar+ against her sin& /-ll right&1 She +(r+(red& />et%s hold on a
+in(te and see if !e can get a handle on this&1
/B(h&1 2erry ,(ried her face into .ar%s sho(lder& /' !ant +y +ilshae&1
.ar ch(cled faintly& />isten&1
/'%+ listening&1
142
/0e fi)ed B(d and 4harlie%s $ro,le+&1
/;ight&1 2erry nodded&
/0e ticed off 0harton" and +ay,e no! he%ll call .eSalliers on the car$et&1
/;ight&1
/Here%s !hat !e%re gonna do& The co$s are on their !ay here to tal to (s& 0e%re gonna tell the+ the !hole se#en layer
Me)ican ,ean di$ these last co($le days ha#e ,een& The $irates" .eSalliers" the !ors&1
/7ay&1
/Then !e%re gonna go o(t" and di#e a gorgeo(s ,l(e hole" and see that ca#e ' !as telling yo( a,o(t ,efore !e left
Mia+i&1
/7o& This is getting +ore interesting&1
/Then !e%re gonna ha#e dinner on the ,oat (nder the stars&1 .ar r(,,ed 2erry%s ear gently& /-nd !hen !e get ,ac
here" !e%re going to en6oy that hot t(, !ith a ,ottle of cold !ine and ,ig ,o!l of stra!,erries&1
/M+&1 2erry rela)ed against .ar%s ,ody& /That so(nds a!eso+e&1 She said& /B(t yo( no! !hat=1
/0hat=1
/'%d ,e 6(st as ha$$y to s$end the entire ti+e instead 6(st lie this&1 2erry said& /' lie the idea of telling the $olice
e#erything" .ar& H#en if they are in on !hate#er is going on !ith the $irates" it !o(ld +ae +e feel ,etter 6(st to say it&1
.ar nodded& /So here%s ho! ' thin !e sho(ld $lay it&1 She felt a little +ore sta,le& />et%s not +ention that !e no!
!ho the $irate is" or that !e no! it%s not the first ti+e& 0e%ll do the o(traged -+erican e)ec(ti#es on interr($ted
holiday ro(tine&1
/Gee" that%s a stretch&1 2erry ch(cled&
/3o( no! !hat ' +ean&1
/>ie !e did !ith the hotel +anager&1 2erry nodded& /' get it&1 She considered& /Beca(se if !e tell hi+ all !e no!"
the first 8(estion they%re going to !ant to as is" !hy didn%t !e co+e for!ard ,efore=1
/M+&1
/-nd" !hy !e didn%t 6(st lea#e the island and get o(t of the sit(ation&1
.ar sighed&
/0ish !e had=1
/3eah&1 .ar nodded& /B(t yo( no! !hat= 7nce they%d gotten it into their da+n st($id heads that !e had so+ething
fro+ that !rec" '%+ not s(re !e co(ld ha#e&1
Bo& 2erry tho(ght ,ac o#er the last fe! days& Their ,ig +istaes !ere di#ing the !rec" and sa#ing Bo,& She
straightened a little inside the circle of .ar%s ar+s" not s(re she !as !illing to gi#e ($ either e#ent" des$ite !hat they
!ere going thro(gh no!&
She tho(ght a,o(t that& /3o( no!" ' thin yo(%re right&1
.ar grinned& /Ho!e#er" if yo( !ant to go on feeling cr(++y a,o(t it" '%ll ,e glad to sit here and co+fort yo( all day
long&1
2erry started la(ghing& /God" yo( no!" this !hole thing is 6(st so ridic(lo(s&1 She said& /The only thing that co(ld to$
it is if it started sno!ing&1
.ar glanced at the !indo! in $(re refle)& /;ight&1 She (ncli$$ed her $hone and dialed a n(+,er& /Better tell B(d !hat
roo+ !e%re in&1 She listened" ,(t after t!o rings the $hone s!itched to #oice +ail& /H+&1 .ar !aited for the ,ee$" then
s$oe& /B(d" it%s .ar& Gi#e +e a ,(55 !hen yo( get this" and '%ll tell yo( !here !e are&1 She closed the $hone&
2erry eyed her& /3o( don%t thin he%s going to r(n off" do yo(= He see+ed really s$ooed a,o(t those +en&
/' don%t no!&1 .ar coced her head as she heard footste$s a$$roaching& /-h& That%s either roo+ ser#ice" or the co$s&1
She rel(ctantly released 2erry and !ent to ans!er the noc& /7r ,oth&1
143
7(tside the door !ere the +anager" a tall" thin +an in hai (nifor+" a roo+ ser#ice !aiter" and +ost i+$ortantly" t!o
chocolate shaes& .ar o$ened the door and !a#ed the+ all in" neatly stealing one of the shaes as the !aiter $assed on
,y&
The +anager !aited (ntil the !aiter $(t the tray do!n" and .ar signed for the chec& -fter the +an left" the +anager
cleared his throat& /Ms& ;o,erts" and Ms& St(art < this is 4a$tain -lala(" !ho is in charge of the $olice& ' ha#e ased
hi+ to co+e and in#estigate this destr(ction of o(r $ro$erty" and of yo(r $eace of +ind&1
2erry al+ost a$$la(ded at the s$eech& The $olice ca$tain see+ed reser#ed" ,(t $olitely friendly& /4a$tain" !hy don%t
yo( sit do!n= This +ight tae a fe! +in(tes to e)$lain&1 She said& /-nd yo( too" Mr& Brac&1
/Than yo(" Ms& St(art&1 The $olice+an ans!ered" in a gracio(s tone& He and the +anager sat do!n& /3o( are +ost
ind& ' (nderstand ho! ($set yo( and Ms& ;o,erts +(st ha#e ,een to co+e and find yo(r roo+ in s(ch disarray&1
/-fter the !ee !e%#e had=1 .ar ca+e aro(nd the co(ch and handed 2erry her shae" then sat do!n ne)t to her on the
co(ch facing the t!o +en& /3o( co(ld say that" yes&1
The officer leaned for!ard& /Mr& Broc tells +e yo( ne! this !o+an= 's this tr(e=1
/0e thin so&1 2erry said& /Based on the descri$tion fro+ the ho(seee$er& She%s one of t!o $eo$le !ho ha#e ,een
,othering (s !hile !e !ere here on the island&1
/-hh&1 4a$tain -lala( nodded& He had a handso+e" finely sc(l$ted face" and al+ost none)istent hair& /That !o(ld ,e
Mr& .eSalliers t!o e+$loyees" !o(ld it not ,e=1
.ar%s eye,ro! t!itched& /3o( no! hi+=1
The ca$tain $rod(ced an al+ost i+$erce$ti,le sigh& /Ms& ;o,erts" there are fe! here !ho do not&1 He said& /He is a
#ery !ell no!n" good connected +an here" and is (sed to getting his !ay& His agent ca+e to s$ea !ith +e today" in
fact" to lodge a co+$laint&1
.ar%s other ,ro! lo!ered& /-gainst (s=1 She ha5arded a do(r g(ess&
The officer $ressed his li$s into a faint s+ile& /Bo& -gainst another +an they clai+ is encroaching on a !rec they are
atte+$ting to reco#er&1
/-h&1 2erry said& /Bo,&1
Bo! it !as the officer%s t(rn to loo s(r$rised& /3o( no! this +an= 0e ha#e ,een searching for hi+& There are
charges ,eing $ressed&1 He looed fro+ 2erry to .ar and ,ac& /' ha#e a !arrant for his arrest&1
/-h&1
The +anager glanced ,et!een the+" o,#io(sly at sea& /'f they are after this other +an" !hy then did they co+e into
yo(r hotel roo+=1
.ar leaned ,ac& /-ll right&1 She lifted one hand& />et%s 6(st start fro+ the ,eginning" shall !e=1
The officer too a $ad fro+ his $ocet and a $encil& He scri,,led a fe! notes& /That is an e)cellent idea&1 He said& /'
a+ s(re !e can clear ($ this (nfort(nate sit(ation once !e ha#e all the facts&1
2erry s(ced on her shae" and tried not to s+ile" ho$ing the facts didn%t" in fact" send the +an off screa+ing& She
lied this $olice+an&
Besides" she really !anted to hear !hat he%d ,een told a,o(t Bo,&
GGGGGG
/3o( no! so+ething" .ar=1 2erry !as s$ra!led on the ,ig" co+forta,le ,ed on her ,ac& /' didn%t reali5e 6(st ho!
!ild the last co($le of days had ,een (ntil !e told so+eone a,o(t the+ and !atched their ,rain dri,,le o(t their ears in
res$onse&1
/Hrrff&1 .ar +ade a s+all so(nd of ,e+(sed agree+ent& /' tho(ght he !as going to fall o#er !hen !e told hi+ a,o(t
shooting at the $irates& .id yo( see that=1
2erry nodded& /He no!s so+ething&1 She looed at .ar& /3o( !ere right& He !as really relie#ed !hen yo( told hi+
no one see+ed to ha#e gotten h(rt&1
/-nd did yo( see ho! fast he changed the s(,6ect=1 .ar craced her n(cles& /-ll right& So no! they no!
e#erything&1
144
/-nd ,oy" ' ,et they !ish they didn%t1
.ar s+iled& /The ca$tain said he !as going to ha(l o(r detecti#e friends in if he co(ld find the+" and he%s contacting
.eSalliers to +ae s(re he lea#es (s alone&1
/' thin !e $(t in a fe! $oints for Bo,&1 2erry +(sed& /B(t !e%d ,etter !arn hi+ to lay lo!&1 She dre! her nees ($
and stretched" arching her ,ac& /B(t '%+ really glad !e got the $olice in#ol#ed& ' feel a lot ,etter no!&1
.ar%s ears t!itched a$$ro#ingly at that& /3eah" e#en if he did loo at (s lie !e%d dro$$ed a ticing ,o+, onto his
des&1 She agreed& /So& 3o( ($ for a di#e= Bo! that !e%#e $(t things to ,ed=1
2erry folded her hands across her sto+ach and considered& /3eah&1 She said after a +o+ent& /' don%t feel sic at all
today& - di#e !o(ld ,e nice&1 She t(rned her head& /0hat did yo( +ean a,o(t a ,l(e hole=1
.ar grinned and held a hand o(t& /4o+e !ith +e" 3anee& '%ll sho! ya&1
Lna,le to resist that ind of in#itation" 2erry rolled ($ off the ,ed and 6oined .ar" taing her hand as .ar sho(ldered
the ,ac$ac and they headed for the door& /Mae s(re yo( loc it&1 She had their o#ernight ,ag in her hand" 6(st in
case&
.ar snorted& /'%+ !illing to ,et anyone !ho o$ens this door for so+eone gets their fingers c(t off&1 She o$ened her
cell $hone and dialed B(d%s n(+,er again& /4%+on" B(d" yo( da+n ,ig chicen& -ns!er the $hone&1
B(t still" it !ent to #oice +ail& .ar shoo her head& /B(d" !e%re heading o(t for so+e !ater ti+e& >et (s no! ho!
4harlie%s doing" oay=1 She considered a +o+ent& /0e 6(st got finished telling the co$s e#erything& ' thin !e%re clear
no!& Gi++e a call&1 0ith a fro!n" she closed the $hone and restored it to her ,elt& /.a+n st(,,orn old +acerel&1
/Gi#e hi+ the ,enefit of the do(,t" .ar&1 2erry ch(cled& /May,e he%s getting 4harlie o(t of the hos$ital& 'f it !ere +e"
' !o(ldn%t ,e ans!ering +y $hone either&1
/M+$h&1 .ar roced her head fro+ side to side& /He doesn%t call ,ac in a little !hileD '%ll call the hos$ital and find o(t
!hat%s going on&1
They !aled together to the lo,,y and o(t the front door&
GG
They +ade it do!n to the doc !itho(t incident& The s(n !as o(t" and e#erything see+ed $eacef(l and 8(iet" ,ac to
the slee$y friendliness of nor+ality again&
The docs !ere fairly ,(sy < ,oats !ere $(lling in and o(t" and .ar noticed there !as no sign of .eSalliers +onster&
They reached their sli$" and she $a(sed to chec the ,oat o#er ,efore they ,oarded ,(t the #essel see+ed (nto(ched
floating in its assigned s$ace& />oos oay&1
2erry ho$$ed o#er and 6(+$ed to the stern dec" going to the door and $eering inside&
.ar (nloced the door and $(shed it o$en" and they entered to find it reass(ringly 6(st as they%d left it& H#en the a$$le
2erry had left on the co(nterto$ !as still in $lace" ,econing in#itingly to her as she crossed the floor and too
$ossession of it&
.ar contin(ed on and $oed her head into the roo+s in the ,o!" then ret(rned looing satisfied& /0ell" if they did
search the $lace" they didn%t lea#e any +ars&1
2erry nodded" and too a ,ite of the a$$le& 't cr(nched $leasantly" +ostly s!eet and a little tart against her tong(e& 't
felt good to ,e ,ac on ,oard their tra#eling ho+e and she felt herself rela)ing and looing for!ard to their di#e& /Tell
yo( !hat& 3o( go get the ger,ils h(stling" and '%ll chec o(t o(r gear& .eal=1
/.eal&1 .ar circled her and leaned in for a iss& The ,rief notion lengthened as 2erry $(t her a$$le do!n and ret(rned
the iss !ith gentle $assion& She rested her forehead against 2erry%s !hen they $arted and ni,,led the ti$ of her nose
affectionately& /' thin things are looing ($&1
/' thin they are" too&1 2erry tilted her head ($ and ,r(shed her li$s against .ar%s again" coa)ing her into a longer"
dee$er e)$loration& /7h" definitely&1 She !his$ered" lifting her hand to caress .ar%s chee& She felt the sin (nder her
th(+, +o#e as .ar s+iled&
They loitered together a fe! +in(tes longer" then rel(ctantly $arted and !ent a,o(t their se$arate tass& 2erry d(ced
do!n into the gear roo+ and set aside their ,(oyancy co+$ensators& She felt the engines r(+,le to life as she caref(lly
checed .ar%s reg(lator" connecting it to a single tan they e$t stra$$ed to the !all for e)actly this $(r$ose and
$ress(ri5ing it&
14*
4ocing her head to one side" she listened for leas" then sh(t the #al#e and re$eated the $rocess !ith her o!n
e8(i$+ent& Satisfied" she sl(ng ,oth reg(lators o#er her sho(lder and $iced ($ the B4%s on her !ay o(t the door&
The ,oat shifted as she tra#eled" her ,ody co+$ensating al+ost a(to+atically for the +otion& The #ie! o(t the
!indo!s changed" as .ar directed the #essel o(t and a!ay fro+ the docs& 2erry ca(ght a ,reath of cool" sea air as it
r(shed thro(gh the $ortholes" and she fo(nd herself s+iling ,roadly as she ste$$ed o(t onto the stern dec&
0hat a gorgeo(s day it !as& She ti$$ed her head ,ac& The sy !as clear" dee$ ,l(e !ith only a co($le of fl(ffy clo(ds
do!n on the hori5on& There !as a nice ,ree5e" and as they headed o(t across the !ater the s$ray fro+ the ,oat%s !ae
!hised thro(gh the air and d(sted 2erry !ith its da+n richness&
0ith a ch(cle" she !ent to the tan ca,inet and o$ened it" re+o#ing t!o of the tans inside and lifting the+ !ith a
gr(nt& She carried the+ o#er to the ,ench and set the+ in their holders" letting the B4%s slide do!n onto the ,ench ne)t
to the+& /Hey" .ar=1
/3eah=1 .ar%s #oice carried do!n fro+ the flying ,ridge&
/This ,l(e hole thing a good $lace for $ict(res=1
.ar la(ghed&
/'%ll tae that as a yes&1 2erry finished readying their gear and troo$ed ,ac inside to get her ca+era and its !ater$roof
ho(sing&
GG
.ar slo!ed the ,oat%s s$eed as she a$$roached the lee side of the island" its o#erhanging cliff str(ct(res circling the+
!ith !ild grande(r& The s(n $o(red in o#er her sho(lders" reflecting off the glittering s(rface of the sea !ith +olten
darts" and she co(ld see the $ale green of the shallo! !aters dee$ening as it neared the cliffs to a dee$ clear ,l(e&
There !ere a fe! other di#e ,oats near,y" s+aller ones since the o$en to$$ed ca#e !asn%t a $o$(lar choice !ith the
,eginning di#ers !ho $o$(lated the cattle ,oats& .ar $iced a s$ot in relati#ely o$en !ater and circled it& /2er=1
/3eah=1 2erry !as on the ,o!" $eering a#idly at e#erything&
/0hat ha#e ' got (nder the eel=1
2erry looed do!n" shading her eyes& /Sand&1
/3o( s(re=1
2erry leaned o#er" co+ing $erilo(sly close to e)a+ining the s(rface in a real" $ersonal !ay& /3eah& Go ahead" let it
loose&1
.ar hit the s!itch for the anchor" and heard the r(+,le as it released and $l(nged into the !ater& Then she c(t the
engines and stood ($" stri$$ing off her shirt and letting it dro$ onto the ,ac of the chair& She ad6(sted the stra$ on her
s!i+s(it and +ade her !ay to the ladder" cli+,ing do!n it to the lo!er dec&
Bo! that the engine !as off" she co(ld hear the la$ of the !ater" and the r(stling crash of the !a#es against the stone
!alls in the cliffs near,y& 2erry 6oined her a +o+ent later" and they stood side ,y side near their gear&
/0eren%t yo( going to call a,o(t 4harlie=1 2erry s(ddenly re+e+,ered& /-t the hos$ital=1
.ar $a(sed in the act of fastening her reg(lator to her tan& /.a+n& 3o(%re right&1 She shoo her head& /Hang on&1 She
!aled o#er to the ca,inet near the door" and then sto$$ed& /' don%t thin ' ha#e the n(+,er&1 She s(ddenly reali5ed&
2erry had connected her tan to her B4& /'s there infor+ation o(t here=1 She !ondered& /The hotel $ro,a,ly !o(ld
no! the n(+,er&1
/Good tho(ght&1 .ar dialed the n(+,er of the hotel they !ere staying in& She listened" and then sco!led& /B(sy&1 She
ta$$ed the cell $hone against her nec as she tho(ght& /0ell" let%s go (nder" and !hen ' co+e ,ac ($" '%ll try it again&1
.ar $(t the cell $hone in the ca,inet%s dra!er and closed it" then !aled o#er and got into her B4" fastening the ,elly
stra$ and standing ($& The hea#y tan shifted" and she had to +ae a fe! ad6(st+ents" then she ,(cled the front
,(cles and t(rned" !aiting for 2erry to stand ($&
/7ay" ready&1 2erry $referred to ,(cle e#erything first& She stood and ho$$ed a little" getting e#erything settled as
+(ch o#er her center of ,alance as she co(ld& />et%s go&1
14I
They ,oth $iced ($ their fins and +ass and !aled to the ,ac of the ,oat& .ar let do!n the di#e ladder and o$ened
the ,ac gate" then rested her hand on the gate and sli$$ed her fins on& /0e%re gonna go in" then 6(st go do!n for ten
feet or so& 0e%#e got to s!i+ o#er to !here the !ater color change is&1
/7ay&1 2erry agreed" feeling a little e)cited" and a to(ch $leasantly scared& /'%ll ,e right ,ehind yo(&1
.ar settled her +as o#er her face" $(lling her hair o(t fro+ (nder the r(,,er and seating the seal fir+ly& Then she
!ined at 2erry" and inserted her reg(lator" taing a ,ig ste$ off the ,ac of the ,oat and $l(nging into the !ater&
2erry follo!ed" clas$ing one hand o#er her ca+era case and one o#er her +o(th$iece and +as as she ste$$ed off the
dec and entered the ocean&
7o& Her eyes o$ened !ide in s(r$rise" not e)$ecting the relati#e +ild chill of the !ater& She%d ,een (sed to the al+ost
,atht(, !ar+th they%d ,een in so far" and this !as definitely a change& Briefly" she !ondered if $(tting on their shortie
!ets(its !o(ld ha#e ,een a good idea" ,(t after a +o+ent her ,ody ad6(sted and she let herself drift do!n to the
shallo! ,otto+ in !ater so clear it !as al+ost lie glass&
.ar !as resting on her nees on the sandy ,otto+" her dar hair floating freely a,o(t her head as she !aited for 2erry
to descend&
2erry h(gged her ar+s and r(,,ed the+" gi#ing .ar a !ry loo fro+ ,ehind her +as&
.ar sla$$ed her head" then held her hands ($ in a$ology" and $ointed to the s(rface !ith a 8(estioning loo&
2erry shoo her head" and $ointed to!ards the rocs&
-fter a +o+ent%s hesitation" .ar fli$$ed o#er and started s!i++ing slo!ly" glancing ,ehind her as 2erry ca(ght ($&
They finned along side ,y side o#er the sandy ,otto+" +o#ing thro(gh schools of colorf(l fish that scattered at their
a$$roach then refor+ed ,ehind the+&
2erry looed ahead of her" to !here she co(ld see a rocy escar$+ent that rose al+ost to the s(rface& The !a#es !ere
,reaing o#er it" ch(rning ($ the !ater and sending ,its of de,ris tinling do!n to the ocean floor&
-s they s!a+ closer" 2erry co(ld feel a c(rrent against her of cooler !ater" and she co(ld see the faintest hint of a
shi++er& She (nstra$$ed her ca+era and too a fe! shots of the a$$roaching !all&
.ar s!a+ ahead of her to the !all and ca(ght hold of it" reaching o(t to gra, 2erry as she ca+e closer& She grinned
aro(nd her +o(th$iece and +i+ed a sh(tter near her +as&
2erry lifted her ca+era ($& Then .ar held her hand o#er her eyes&
7h" c%+on .ar& B(t 2erry h(+ored her" co#ering her eyes as she tr(stingly allo!ed her $artner to +ane(#er her o#er
the escar$+ent& She sensed the rocs +o#ing (nder her" feeling her fins ,r(sh against the+ and hearing the so(nd of the
!a#es close o#er her head&
Then .ar $(lled her hand a!ay" and she co(ld see&
9or a +o+ent" she si+$ly stared& Beyond the escar$+ent !as a #ast chas+ in the sea" filled !ith the dee$est ,l(e !ater
that !as yet clear eno(gh for the s(nlight to $enetrate do!n it see+ed h(ndreds of feet&
't !as gorgeo(s& She co(ld see di#ers far off do!n the rocs" e)$loring the sides of the chas+& S!ar+s of fish darted
$ast the+" reflecting the s(n& N(icly" she lifted the ca+era and sna$$ed off a fe! shots" then looed at .ar and
si+$ly $ointed i+$erio(sly do!n!ard&
.ar s+iled" and $(shed off the !all" letting the air o(t of her B4 and sailing do!n!ard& 2erry sho#ed off after her"
feeling a !ash of cooler !ater ease $ast her as she descended&
't !as lie floating into a fantasy !orld& The rocs on either side !ere cra!ling !ith life" schools of s+all fish and
cr(staceans hanging fro+ the cre#ices& - s!ordfish !hised $ast her and she ,arely foc(sed in ti+e to catch it" only to
ha#e .ar t(g her ar+&
She t(rned to see a dar" grey fig(re la5ily +o#ing thro(gh the !ater and her eyes !idened f(lly& She didn%t need the ($
thr(st fin to identify the ani+al as a shar" and she 8(icly looed at .ar to ga(ge the danger&
.ar see+ed 8(ite rela)ed& She $ointed to her right& 2erry looed and sa! a gro($er ,igger than she !as ni,,ling at the
!all" then they ,oth 6(+$ed as t!o clo!n fish chased each other ,et!een the+" ,r(shing their legs as they s$ed to!ards
the rocs&
They !ere still drifting do!n& 2erry co(ld no! see a ca#e at the ,otto+ of the chas+" !ith a ri$$le a,o#e it& The !ater
also see+ed to +ist& She $ointed at it" and looed at .ar in 8(estion&
14J
.ar ta$$ed the !ater ,ag 2erry had stra$$ed (nder her tan" and +i+ed a g(sh of so+ething !elling ($&
7h& - fresh!ater s$ring& 2erry looed at the rocs as they drifted closer" seeing a cra, +aing it%s !ay along& She
t(rned and tight foc(sed" getting a good shot of its ,l(e/,lac shell against the tan roc& She looed do!n" seeing the
,otto+ co+ing ($& She t(rned and looed across the s$ace" !atching it fill !ith s!ar+s of fish&
They s!a+ in and o(t of the s(n,ea+s" and she co(ld ,arely tae one shot ,efore another $resented itself&
Then she lo!ered her ca+era and checed her di#e co+$(ter& -t 120 feet" it !as the dee$est she%d e#er ,een" ,(t !ith
the clarity of the !ater" it hardly see+ed +ore than a reg(lar reef di#e& She looed at .ar" !ho !as !atching her !ith a
#isi,le grin&
2erry held ($ three fingers" then +ade an o !ith her th(+, and forefinger" then three fingers again&
0o!&
B(t she ne! she only had a,o(t ten +in(tes at this de$th" and she !as deter+ined to +ae the +ost of it& She +o#ed
off to!ards the (nder!ater s$ring" s!i++ing o#er the ga$ in the roc thro(gh !hich fresh !ater g(shed& She $(t a
hand into its $ath" feeling the $ress(re" and then she too a $ict(re of it&
T(rning" she sa! .ar rela)ing near,y" idly $laying !ith a ,lo!fish& The creat(re had ,lo!n itself ($ into a s$iy ,all"
and .ar !as ,o(ncing it gently fro+ hand to hand as she floated& 2erry i++ediately too a $ict(re of her&
- flo(nder !afted $ast& 't !atched 2erry o(t of one eye as she t(rned in the !ater and sna$$ed it& - sand shar
s8(iggled ,elo! her" and she 6(+$ed a little" getting o(t of its !ay& Then she fli$$ed o#er onto her ,ac and too
se#eral shots looing straight ($" thro(gh the clo(ds of fish to the s(rface&
Gorgeo(s&
2erry felt lines of $oetry er($t into her +ind" and she 6(st floated there for a +o+ent" e)(lting in the sheer !onder
aro(nd her&
Then" !ith an al+ost a$ologetic loo" .ar s!a+ o#er and ta$$ed her !rist& 2erry nodded rel(ctantly" and they started
drifting ($!ard&
She (sed the rest of her roll of fil+ on the !ay ($" and !ished she%d had a second&
GG
.ar%s head ,roe the s(rface" and she gra,,ed the ,oat%s ladder& 0ith a gr(nt" she $(lled herself on,oard and d(+$ed
her fins and +as" t(rning to hel$ 2erry ($ o(t of the !ater as she felt her !eight on the ladder&
2erry ,arely !aited to get her ,ody clear of the sea ,efore she $(lled her reg(lator o(t of her +o(th and s8(ealed lie a
$ig& /HeeeeeeeeeehyhooooAAAAAA1 She 6(+$ed onto the dec and ho$$ed a fe! ti+es" des$ite the fact that she still had
her gear on& /.ar&&& that !as ,y far the +ost a!eso+e thing '%#e e#er seenAAAAA1
.ar d(+$ed her tan and dro$$ed her +as and snorel into the !ater !ell& /G(ess ' $iced a good one" h(h=1 She
ased !ith a grin& /Gi++e yo(r st(ff&1
2erry (n,(cled her #est and t(rned" shr(gging o(t of it as the !eight of the tan lifted& /7h +y freaing god&1 She set
her ca+era do!n and !ent to the ca,inet" gra,,ing a to!el to dry her face !ith& -s she o$ened the door" she heard a
chir$& /3o(r cell%s s8(eaing&1 She told .ar& /Bet B(d called ,ac&1
.ar t(rned fro+ !here she !as $(tting ($ the gear& /Good& '%ll get it in a +in(te&1
2erry !aled o#er and dried .ar%s face for her& /That $lace is great& .id yo( see the ca#es that ind of !ent on fro+
the ,otto+==1
/' did&1 .ar nodded& /B(t yo( really don%t !ant to go in there (nless yo(%#e done ca#e training& 't%s dangero(s&1
/Bo $ro,le+&1 2erry reached into the cooler and $(lled o(t a ,ottle of !ater" (nca$$ing it and drining& /' lo#ed
looing ($ and seeing the s(n all that !ay ($& Ces(sA1 She still felt e)hilarated& /.ar" that !as !orth the entire da+n
tri$&1
.ar t(rned and !aled o#er& /Glad yo( lied it&1 She !ore a #ery $leased grin&
/>ied it=1 2erry $(t the !ater do!n and thre! her ar+s aro(nd .ar instead" h(gging her fiercely& /Hrrrooof& ' lo#ed
it&1 She told her $artner& /' got so+e fantastic $ict(res& ' thin '%+ going to do a series of (nder !aters fro+ this tri$ for
the ca,in&1
14K
/M+&1 .ar e)haled in satisfaction& She lied (nder!ater shots& She lied the ca,in& She lo#ed 2erry& 't all see+ed to ,e
falling together $erfectly so far as she !as concerned&
2erry ga#e her one last s8(ee5e" and then released her& /Ho! a,o(t ' +ae yo( a s$ecial s(r$rise for dinner=1
/S(r$rise=1 .ar in8(ired& />ie !hat=1
/Hardly ,e a s(r$rise if ' told yo(" s!eetie&1 2erry !ined& /Tr(st +e& 3o( lie it&1
/7ay&1 .ar agreed a+ia,ly& /B(t as h(ngry as ' a+ right no!" yo( co(ld ser#e +e $(reed as$arag(s on !heat toast
and '%d lie it&1
2erry ch(cled& /'%+ going to go sho!er and change&1 She ga#e .ar a $at on the side and disa$$eared into the ca,in&
.ar !i$ed her hands off and $iced ($ the still chir$ing cell $hone& She o$ened it and dialed her #oice +ail" listening to
the $hone as she dried herself&
Her ,ro! creased at the #oice& 'nstead of the e)$ected B(d" it !as 4harlie%s&
/Hey" .ar= This is 4harlie& >isten" they let +e loose fro+ this 6oint" and '%+ trying to get hold of B(d to co+e $ic +e
($& Gi++e a call here if yo(%#e seen hi+ < cell%s not ans!ering" and '%+ fig(ring he got st(c in so+e da+n $oer
ga+e or so+ething& Thans&1
/H(h&1 .ar st(died the $hone& /Bo!" !hat the hell is going on=1 She dialed the n(+,er 4harlie had left" and !aited&
/4harlie=1
/Hey" .ar=1 4harlie%s #oice so(nded relie#ed& /Glad to hear ya& 3o( no! !here B(ddy is=1
.ar too a ,reath& /4harlie" ' tho(ght he !as !ith yo(&1 She said rel(ctantly& /He left o(r roo+ this +orning" and he
!as 6(st going to chec on the ,oat& Ha#en%t heard fro+ hi+ since& ' left hi+ a co($le of +essages" ,(t no ans!er&1
2erry st(c her head o(t of the door" ha#ing heard #oices& /0hat%s ($=1
/B(d%s +issing&1 .ar +o(thed at her&
/0ell" da+n&1 4harlie said& /0here the hell can he ,e=1
Good 8(estion& .ar ran her hand thro(gh her da+$ hair& /' don%t no!&1 She ad+itted& />isten" !e can?1 her eyes
shifted to 2erry& /L+?1
/Go ,ac" $ic ($ 4harlie" and find B(d&1 2erry co+$leted the state+ent" !ith a !ry s+ile& />ift the anchor" 4a$%n
.ar&1 She $atted .ar%s ar+ and disa$$eared again&
/4harlie" stay $(t& 0e%ll s!ing ,ac ,y and get yo(&1 .ar said& /0e%re o(t off the !estern side of St& Tho+as" so it%ll
tae a little !hile&1 She acno!ledged the gratef(l res$onse" and then closed the $hone& Tho(ghtf(lly" she +ade her
!ay to the ladder and cli+,ed ($" her +ind t(rning to this ne! $ro,le+&
-fraid she already ne! the ans!er to it&
GG
Part %
.ar looed ($ as she heard 2erry cli+, the ladder" her +otions slo!er and a to(ch +ore hesitant than (s(al& /2erryA1
She gra,,ed for the throttles" slo!ing the ,oat do!n as she !atched her lo#er ,alancing an ar+f(l as she atte+$ted to
get ($ onto the ($$er dec& /3o(%re gonna ill yo(rselfA1
/Shh& '%+ fine&1 2erry +anaged to get her footing& /;ela) and ee$ yo(r eyes on the road" honey&1
.ar increased her s$eed again" ,(t co(ldn%t resist ee$ing one eye on 2erry as she +ade her !ay o#er and settled ne)t
to her& /0hat%s that=1
/0ell&1 2erry set a ,ig co#ered $late do!n& /0e don%t ha#e ti+e for +e to +ae !hat ' !anted" so ' co+$ro+ised&1
She (nco#ered the $late& ;esting on it !ere t!o neatly +ade $ean(t ,(tter and 6elly sand!iches" and so+e cooies&
/M+&1 .ar !ent" ty$ically" right for the cooies" her eyes !idening !hen she felt the+& /They%re !ar+A1
/0ell" yeah&1 2erry slid an ar+ aro(nd her& /' 6(st +ade the+& Than goodness for Pills,(ry&1 She $(t a ther+os on
the console& /' fig(red !e%d 6(st ha#e ti+e to ha#e l(nch ,efore !e $(lled ,ac into doc&1
.ar agreea,ly selected a half a sand!ich and ,it into it& /0onder !hat the hell%s going on=1 She +(+,led& /B(d 6(st
,eing a 6er" or?1
14M
/0ith o(r l(c" on this tri$=1 2erry la(ghed !ryly& /7r& .efinitely 7r& May,e he tangled !ith that nasty shar !e $aid
off this +orning& They s(re didn%t see+ friendly" and he see+ed lie the ty$e to hold a gr(dge for no real reason&1
Possi,le& .ar nodded as she che!ed& /Might ,e& 7r +ay,e he%s checing on ;(f(s" and his da+n ,attery died on the
cell&1
They looed at each other& /3o( don%t really ,elie#e that" do yo(=1 2erry sighed&
.ar shr(gged" and too a cooie& 't !as a nicely ,ro!ned chocolate chi$ cooie" .ar%s fa#orite des$ite ha#ing 2erry
e)$eri+ent !ith +any other e)otic ty$es& /G(ess !e%ll 6(st ha#e to find o(t the hard !ay&1
Her $hone ,(55ed" +aing the+ ,oth 6(+$ a little& .ar fro!ned" $(t the cooie do!n and $iced ($ the $hone& The
caller '. sho!ed a $ri#ate n(+,er" +aing .ar%s eye,ro!s hie ($& She o$ened the $hone& /Hello=1
/Hello" ;o,erts&1 .esallier%s #oice so(nded cold and s+(g" not a good co+,ination at any ti+e&
/0hat the hell do yo&&&=1
/SHLT LPA1 The +an ,ello!ed at her& /3o( 6(st sh(t ($" and yo( listen to +e" yo( ,itch" if yo( !ant to see yo(r little
fag friend again&1
.ar felt 2erry +o#e closer" as she heard the !ords e#en o#er the r(+,le of the engines& - sic feeling !ashed o#er her
and her nostrils t!itched" ,(t she caref(lly ,it her tong(e and didn%t res$ond& Her heart rate $iced ($ as she !aited"
+aing a faint th(nder in her ears&
2erry slid an ar+ aro(nd .ar%s !aist and $ressed her ear against the other side of the $hone&
/;o,erts=1
/3o( said to sh(t ($ and listen&1 .ar heard the icy cli$ in her o!n tone& Her #oice had dro$$ed to al+ost its lo!est
register&
/-ll right&1 .eSalliers re$lied" !ith a #er,al s+ir& /This is #ery si+$le& ' e$t it #ery si+$le so yo(%ll (nderstand it&1
.ar%s eyes narro!ed" ,(t she re+ained silent& Beside her" 2erry +ade a noise half!ay ,et!een a s$it and a gro!l&
/3o( !ill gi#e +e !hat yo( fo(nd& 0hen yo( do that" ' !ill gi#e yo( yo(r friend&1 The +an said& /'f yo( call the
$olice" ' !ill ill this $iece of trash& 'f yo( +ess !ith +e" ' !ill ill this $iece of trash& 'f yo( do anything that +aes +e
thin yo(%re crossing +e" ' !ill not only ill hi+" ' !ill drag hi+ o#er the reef to ill hi+& .o yo( (nderstand +e=1
/Bo&1 .ar said& /That !o(ld re8(ire a scientific degree in ani+al $sychology ' don%t $ossess& 0here do yo( !ant to
+ae the trade=1
/C(st for that" ,itchD he gets t!o s+acs !ith a $i$e&1 .eSalliers told her& /'%ll let yo( no! !here to ,ring +y
$ro$erty&1
The $hone cliced off& .ar liced her li$s and $(t the $hone do!n on the console" ga5ing at it in honest consternation&
2erry slo!ly let o(t a ,reath" her head still resting against .ar%s sho(lder& The so(nd of the ,oat filled the air for se#eral
#ery long +o+ents as neither s$oe&
/7h ,oy&1 2erry finally e)haled& /0e are so?1
/9(ced&1 .ar co+$leted the tho(ght s(ccinctly& /7h yeah& Big ti+e&1 She slo!ly released a ,reath and concentrated
for a +o+ent on dri#ing the ,oat& Her sto+ach !as clenched in nots and she str(ggled to catch hold of the tho(ghts
!hirling inside her +ind&
/3o(?1 2erry $a(sed& /3o( thin he !as serio(s=1
.ar re$layed the con#ersation in her head& .esallier%s #oice had ,een #ery different than she re+e+,ered $re#io(sly& 't
had held an edge that !as +aing .ar #ery ner#o(s& /He +ight ,e" yeah&1 She ans!ered softly& /' thin !e +ay ha#e
$(shed too hard&1
2erry e)haled& /.ar&1
/3eah" ' no!& ' feel lie shit&1 .ar said" in a s+all #oice& /' didn%t thin this thro(gh at all&1
2erry rested her head against .ar%s sho(lder as the island%s +arina gre! ahead of the+& /My god" !hat are !e going to
do=1 She ased& /.ar" !e don%t ha#e anything to gi#e hi+A1
.ar didn%t ans!er&
/He !on%t ,elie#e (s if !e tell hi+ that&1 2erry !ent on" her tone rising& /Ces(sA1
1*0
/7ay&1 .ar said& /9reaing o(t is not going to hel$&1
/'%+ not freaing o(t&1 2erry o,6ected& /'%+ 6(st?1 She $a(sed& /7ay" +ay,e ' a+ freaing o(t& B(t ' thin it%s
6(stified&1
The ,(oy a$$roached" and .ar steered $ast it" ai+ing for their sli$& Her hands !ere tre+,ling on the throttles" ,(t she
foc(sed on !hat she !as doing& The last thing she needed to do !as tae the doc o(t and ha#e that to !orry a,o(t on
to$ of e#erything&
2erry see+ed to reali5e that" and she e$t 8(iet !hile .ar +ane(#ered the ,oat into its $lace& /'%ll go tie (s ($&1 She
+(ttered softly" (sing that as an e)c(se to ,(rn off the ch(rn of ner#o(s energy in her ,elly& -s she cli+,ed do!n the
ladder" a tho(sand screa+ing tho(ghts fighting to gain $ossession of her +ind&
Horrified $ity for B(d !as ($$er+ost& .es$ite the fact that she%d started o(t not liing hi+" seeing hi+ taling to
4harlie at the hos$ital had softened her attit(de& The tho(ght that they%d $(t hi+ in +ortal danger +ortified her&
Ho! co(ld they ha#e ,een so da+n irres$onsi,le= 4o(ldn%t they see ho! str(ng o(t .eSalliers !as getting= Ho!
des$erate= 0hat +ade the+ thin he%d 6(st go r(nning a!ay if they challenged hi+=
.a+n&
0ith a sigh" she cli+,ed onto the doc and sec(red their lines" glancing ($ to the flying ,ridge as she did so& .ar !as
still seated at the console" !ith her head ,(ried in her hands&
Her heart l(rching" 2erry finished her tas and 6(+$ed ,ac on ,oard" scaling the ladder and a$$roaching the still
fig(re&
/.ar=1 She $(t her hands on her $artner%s sho(lders& .ar had ,een right& 9reaing o(t !o(ldn%t hel$& /Hey&1 Sla++ing
the+sel#es or each other !o(ldn%t either&
/3eah=1 .ar lifted her head and rested her chin against her clas$ed hands&
/0e%ll fig(re o(t !hat to do&1 2erry leaned against her ,ac& /4%+on& >et%s go +eet 4harlie" and then !e%ll all co+e
,ac here and 6(st tal this o(t&1
.ar straightened and let her head rest against 2erry%s chest& /Ho! co(ld ' ha#e ,een that st($id= That !rong=1 She
ased in a soft" $lainti#e #oice& /0hat%s !rong !ith +e=1
2erry $(t her ar+s aro(nd .ar%s nec" and issed the to$ of her head& /There%s nothing !rong !ith yo(&1 She said&
/0e%re 6(st !ay o(t of o(r leag(e" .ar&1
.ar ,lined a fe! ti+es& /-re !e=1
/0ell" ' can%t s$ea for yo(" ,(t they ne#er ta(ght +egalo+aniacal fr(itcae a#oidance in +y 'T classes in Michigan&1
2erry said" taing a dee$ ,reath& /Sorry ' freaed o(t&1
The dar head ti$$ed ,ac and $ale ,l(e eyes searched her face& /.on%t ,e& 3o( !ere right& 't%s 6(stified&1 .ar said& /'
6(st $(t so+eone%s life in danger ,y +y o!n arrogant st($idity&1
/Hey&1 2erry slid aro(nd the console and sat do!n ne)t to .ar& /So+eone ' no! once told +e !hen yo( +ae
+istae" no! it" then +o#e on and get it fi)ed&1 She too .ar%s hand& /0e +ade a +istae& So let%s 6(st go fig(re o(t
ho! to fi) it&1
/0hat if !e can%t=1 .ar stared at the console +orosely&
/.ar" if anyone can" it%d ,e yo(&1 2erry +(r+(red& /0e%ll find a !ay" so+eho!&1 She r(,,ed .ar%s sho(lder" !orried
at the $ained" lost e)$ression on her lo#er%s face& /4%+on&1
.ar #isi,ly $(lled herself together" r(,,ing her face !ith one hand and straightening& /7ay&1 She sighed& /0e%ll see
!hat !e can co+e ($ !ith to fi) this cl(ster&1 - shae of her head& /God no!s it co(ld ha#e ,een !orse&1 She +o#ed
to stand ($&
2erry +o#ed !ith her& /Ho!%s that=1
.ar $a(sed" one hand on the console" and then she looed at 2erry& /'t co(ld ha#e ,een yo(&1 She eased $ast her lo#er
and $(lled her head close as she did" issing it& />et%s go&1
Ces(s& 2erry s(ced in a shoced ,reath" as she t(rned to follo! .ar +echanically& She%s right& She sto$$ed +e fro+
co+ing do!n here alone&
1*1
She tried to i+agine !hat that !o(ld ha#e ,een lie" a flash of her ti+e in the +ental hos$ital a$$earing star and #i#id
in her +ind%s eye& Ho! angry she%d ,een& Ho! asha+ed at ,eing taen lie that" ,y her o!n father&
0hat !o(ld .ar ha#e done if it had ,een her= 2erry !atched .ar caref(lly loc the ca,in door& /Hey" .ar=1
/3es=1 .ar t(rned" a$$arently ha#ing reco#ered her co+$os(re for the ti+e ,eing&
2erry too her ar+ as they crossed onto the doc and started the long ($hill !al to !here the hos$ital !as& /' !as 6(st
thining a,o(t !hat yo( said&1 She folded her fingers aro(nd .ar%s& /' !as thining a,o(t !hat ' !o(ld ha#e done" if
it%d ,een yo( .eSalliers too instead of $oor B(d&1
.ar looed at her& /-nd=1
/-nd ' thin ' !o(ld ha#e gone after his (gly ass !ith that shotg(n&1 2erry ad+itted" !ith a !ry" ,rief s+ile& /' can see
+e doing a ;a+,o and getting +y fool head ,lo!n off&1
/Bah&1 .ar s8(ee5ed her hand&
/3eah&1 2erry said" serio(sly& /So" ' no! this really s(cs" and it%s going to ,e to(gh on ,oth of (s" ,(t '%+ selfish
eno(gh to ,e glad ' don%t ha#e to ,e thining a,o(t yo( loced ($ so+e$lace in that g(y%s cl(tches&1
/0ell&1 .ar iced a $e,,le o(t of the !ay" !atching it sitter do!n the docs $ast t!o +en !oring near one of the
,oats& /' thin yo( no! that goes do(,le for +e&1 She s8(ared her sho(lders a trifle& /' g(ess !e need to fig(re o(t
!hat o(r assets are !hat ad#antages !e ha#e" and fig(re o(t !hat to do&1
/;ight&1 2erry felt a tiny sense of relief&
They !aled along in silence" $assing the other ,oats and collecting a fe! c(rio(s glances fro+ the +en !oring on
the+& The left the doc and headed ($ the road&
/2erry=1 .ar finally said !hen they%d $assed the +arina and +o(nted the first of the ste$s ($ the hill&
/M+=1
.ar $a(sed" and $(t a hand on 2erry%s sho(lder& /' !o(ldn%t ha#e gone after hi+ !ith that shotg(n&1
Green eyes searched her face& /7h&1
/' !o(ld ha#e 6(st (sed +y ,are hands&1 .ar s$oe the !ords !ith eerie cal+& /-nd ri$$ed his heart o(t of his chest&1
/-h&1
They res(+ed !aling&
/0e%ll find a !ay to fi) this&1 2erry stated fir+ly& /' no! !e !ill&1
.ar gr(nted softly in res$onse" her eyes fastened on the hos$ital on the slo$e a,o#e&
GG
4harlie re+ained silent for a !hile after 2erry finished s$eaing" a loo of st(nned shoc on his face& His eyes slo!ly
!ent fro+ her to .ar" !ho !as sitting in the chair on one side of the hos$ital roo+&
The dar haired !o+an had her el,o!s resting on her nees" her clas$ed hands resting against her chin& She lo!ered
her ga5e to the floor" tacitly acce$ting res$onsi,ility for the sit(ation they fo(nd the+sel#es in& /So" o(r $lan !as to get
yo( o(t of here" then fig(re o(t !hat the hell !e%re going to do&1
4harlie sighed dee$ly& /Son of a ,itch&1
.ar%s sho(lders h(nched" 6(st slightly& This !as a fail(re of self that !as eating a hole inside her" and she ne! it&
There had ,een #ery fe! ti+es in her life !hen she%d no!n do!n dee$ that she%d co++itted an (nfi)a,le error" ,(t
this see+ed s(rely to ,e one of the+& H#en 2erry%s gentle reass(rance !asn%t hel$ing&
She heard 2erry%s footste$s a$$roach" and then felt a hand co+e to rest on her ,ac& Bet!een her sho(lder ,lades"
2erry%s th(+, +o#ed slightly" gi#ing her a co+forting r(,&
.ar co(ld hear 2erry contin(ing to s$ea" ,(t the !ords 6(st see+ed to sli$ $ast her and !itho(t really reali5ing it" she
rested her head against 2erry%s hi$ and let her eyes close in $ain&
/' no! this is $retty to(gh to hear&1 2erry said& /Belie#e +e" ' !ish ' !asn%t here saying it&1
1*2
4harlie glanced at the silent fig(re ne)t to her& His li$s t!itched slightly& /3%no!" ' told that da+n fool he sho(lda
listened to yo( in the first $lace" .ar&1 He said" !ith a sigh& /Too da+n st(,,orn" that%s !hat his $ro,le+ is" al!ays
!as&1
2erry co(ld feel .ar%s ,reath !ar+ against the sin of her leg& /-,o(t the loan" yo( +ean=1
4harlie nodded& /.on%t ,la+e yo(rself" .ar& 0e got o(rsel#es into this +ess& 0e !ent after that id%s offer instead of
doing the s+art thing and acce$ting the hand of a friend&1 He said& /0e ne#er%d ,een here other!ise&1
2erry scratched .ar%s ,ac" r(nning her fingerti$s o#er the tense s(rface& She co(ld al+ost feel ho! ($set .ar !as" it
!as lie a gray ,ase,all sitting in the $it of her sto+ach" and she really !anted her lo#er to shae off the clo(d so
o,#io(sly o#er her head& /Honey=1
The tr(th !as too +(ch to shr(g off& .ar looed ($ rel(ctantly and inhaled& /' no!&1 She +(ttered& /0hat ifs" !hat
ifs& 0hat if 2erry and ' had 6(st gone to another island" or $iced a different da+n !rec to di#e?1
/>oo&1 4harlie collected hi+self" easing off the edge of the ,ed onto his ne!ly restored $rosthesis& /B(d%s a ,ig ,oy& '
ain%t s(re they don%t ha#e the+sel#es a ,igger $ro,le+ than they started o(t !ith gra,,ing hi+&1
/M+&1 .ar straightened ($ a little& /They ready to c(t yo( loose=1 She ased& /0e fig(red !e%d head on ,ac to the
,oat" and regro($&1
/Good idea&% 4harlie nodded& /-fter !hat yo( told +e a,o(t !hat ha$$ened at that 'nn" ' don%t tr(st the+ $eo$le +ore
than ' can $itch e+ off the cliff&1
.ar stood ($" feeling #ery tired& /-ll right& '%ll go do!nstairs and get (s a ca,&1 She ga#e 2erry a si+$le" ,rief h(g"
then left the+ to collect 4harlie%s things&
2erry e)haled&
/.ar%s taing it $retty hard" h(h=1 4harlie ased&
/3eah&1 2erry glanced at hi+" a little shyly& /She hates ,eing ca(ght ,y s(r$rise&1 Her eye,ro!s contracted together&
/So do '" act(ally&1
/>ife does that&1 4harlie st(ffed the last shirt into the s+all" ,attered can#as ,ag and sl(ng it o#er his sho(lder& /She
done all right& G(y%s n(tters&1 He li+$ed slo!ly to!ards the door& /0hole thing%s n(tters&1
/0ell" ' tho(ght so&1 2erry o$ened the door for hi+ and follo!ed hi+ o(t& /B(t .ar%s $retty ,ig into sit(ational
res$onsi,ility&1
4harlie gr(nted& /C(st lie her daddy&1
2erry tho(ght a,o(t that& /That%s tr(e&1 She +(sed& /.ad does lie to +ae s(re e#erything%s 6(st so&1 She looed ($ to
see 4harlie glancing ,ac at her& /' a$$reciate that a,o(t hi+& '%+ glad .ar inherited it&1
/He $(t ($ !ith yo( calling hi+ that=1 The e) sailor see+ed a+(sed&
/0hat=1 2erry ased& /.ad=1
4harlie nodded&
/S(re&1 2erry !aled slo!ly ne)t to hi+& /' don%t ha#e a #ery good relationshi$ !ith +y o!n fa+ily& Mr& and Mrs&
;o,erts treat +e +ore lie a da(ghter than +y $arents e#er did" and they no! ' lo#e the+ for that&1 She fo(nd a
s(r$rising l(+$ in her throat" and had to tae a +o+ent to s!allo! it& /Besides" ' ne#er got the feeling he +inded ,eing
a daddy&1
/Bo&1 The older +an s+iled ,riefly& /-ndy !ore one of .ar%s na$$y $ins on his gear for years" and no,ody dared say
,oo to hi+ a,o(t it&1
2erry had to s+ile at the #ision& /She%ll ,e all right&1 She told hi+& /She 6(st has to finish icing herself" and then !e
can fig(re o(t !hat the hec !e%re going to do a,o(t this +ess&1 Her hand c(rled aro(nd the door handle at the end of
the corridor and she $(lled it o$en& /'%ll feel a lot ,etter !hen !e%re ,ac on the ,oat" tho(gh&1
/3o( and +e ,oth" 2erry&1 4harlie li+$ed to!ards the hos$ital%s front door& Thro(gh the half glass" .ar%s distincti#e
for+ !as #isi,le& /0e got so+e friends o(t here& May,e !e can get so+e hel$ fro+ the+&1
They e+erged into the !ar+th& .ar !as standing !ith her hands in her $ocets" her s(nglasses effecti#ely hiding her
eyes& - so+e!hat ,attered ca, !as !aiting near,y&
1*3
2erry follo!ed .ar o#er to the ca, and got in" !hile .ar held the door o$en so 4harlie co(ld ease gingerly into the
front seat& .ar 6oined 2erry in the ,ac and they dro#e off" each +ired ,riefly in $ri#ate tho(ghts&
GG
.ar !ent ,ehind the galley co(nter and $o(red herself a glass of +il" then !ent into the ,athroo+ and too a co($le of
as$irin fro+ the ,ottle in the +edicine chest& She s!allo!ed the+ as she e+erged" to re6oin 2erry and 4harlie in the
li#ing s$ace of the ,oat&
2erry $atted the seat ne)t to her on the co(ch" and .ar deto(red fro+ the chair she%d ,een ai+ing for and settled ne)t to
her $artner instead& Bo! that the shoc had !orn off a ,it" and des$ite the headache she%d de#elo$ed" her $ro,le+
sol#ing instincts !ere ,eginning to ic in again& 9acts !ere starting to sort the+sel#es o(t fro+ the chaos&
/7ay&1 .ar too a si$ of +il& /9irst off" he%s got no ho+e ,ase here in the islands" right=1
/Bot that !e no! of" no&1 2erry had ,een doing so+e 8(ic data searches& /Bot that he co(ldn%t ,e any!here&1 She
added&
/Tr(e&1 .ar agreed& /B(t if he%s on the islands so+e!here" !e sho(ld ,e a,le to find record of hi+ doing ,(siness&1
She looed o#er 2erry%s sho(lder& /See !ho has the teleco+ contract for St& Tho+as&1
2erry%s fingers +o#ed& /There&1 She $ointed&
/.o !e ha#e a reci$rocal !ith the+=1
.ar%s #oice had started so(nding +ore nor+al and 2erry too a +o+ent to ,e gratef(l as she searched o(t the
infor+ation her lo#er !as asing for& /Better&1 She s($$ressed a s+ile& /0e%re the o(tso(rce&1
/7ay&1 .ar nodded& /Gi#e +e the la$to$&1
She traded her +il for the +achine and settled it onto her la$& /-ll right& >et%s start (sing o(r heads instead of o(r
asses to sol#e this $ro,le+ for a change&1 She started ($ her $rogra++ing lang(age and ,egan constr(cting a scri$t&
/'%ll ca$t(re traffic to 0harton%s area code and +atch it against his telco%s records data,ase&1
/0hat%ll that tell yo(=1 4harlie ased c(rio(sly& /0e don%t +(ch care" do !e= They ain%t sent B(d all the !ay o#er
there" did they=1
/Pro,a,ly not&1 .ar shoo her head& /B(t if !e get a hit on his n(+,er" co+ing fro+ this island" chances are the
originating n(+,er is .eSalliers&1
/He $ro,a,ly has a cell&1 2erry stated 8(ietly&
/'f he does" it%s $ro,a,ly a sat cell lie o(rs&1 .ar finished her tas" then o$ened a connection to the +anaged s!itches
and inserted the $rogra+ into $lace& /Pretty si+$le&1 She +(ttered& /'%ll 6(st ha#e it d(+$ to a log" and e+ail +e !ith it
e#ery ho(r&1
/'s that all legal=1 4harlie in8(ired&
.ar glanced ($ at hi+& /0hat" data $arsing= Technically it%s all $art of the internet!or '%+ $aid to +anage" so if yo(
+ean do ' legiti+ately ha#e access" yes& Sho(ld ' ,e di$$ing into that datastrea+ for +y o!n $(r$oses= Bo&1
/7h&1
.ar contin(ed to ty$e& /The co$s can re8(est this" !ith a co(rt order& B(t !e can%t call the co$s" and !e%re not in a
$osition to $etition the co(rts so '%+ 6(st doing !hat ' ha#e to do any!ay&1 She o$ened another !indo! and considered
it" dr(++ing her fingers lightly on the eys&
/0hat are !e going to do !ith the infor+ation" ass(+ing !e find it=1 2erry ased& /4hances are" !hen he calls ,ac
he%ll tell (s !here to +eet hi+ any!ay&1
/Tr(e&1 .ar agreed a,sently& /B(t !e%#e ,een !aiting for so+eone to +ae the ne)t +o#e the entire !ee& '%+ o#er it&
' !ant control ,ac&1 She o$ened her cell $hone and ty$ed in a n(+,er off the ,ac into the ne! scri$t she !as
,(ilding& /0hen he calls +e" this%ll locate hi+ to his nearest relay $oint station&1 She lined the scri$t to a +a$$ing
+od(le&
/0on%t do no good to call the co$s anyho!&1 4harlie re+ared& /He%ll 6(st ,(y e+&1
/>ie the $irates ha#e=1 .ar ased" !itho(t +issing a ,eat& /B(d !as fi)ing to tell (s a,o(t yo(r friends 6(st ,efore he
left&1 She felt 2erry stiffen in s(r$rise ne)t to her" and heard the faint indra!n ,reath&
1*4
4harlie t(rned red" and directed his eyes to the dec of the ,oat& @.a+n&1 He +(ttered softly& /' no! yo( ain%t
(nderstanding that at all" h(h=1
.ar felt #ery little satisfaction in her on the +ar g(ess& She finished her $rogra+ and co+$iled it" finding 6(st the act
of doing so+ething she !as co+forta,ly co+$etent in #ery soothing to her 6angled ner#es& She had a ,rief" incongr(o(s
+e+ory of her +other retreating to her easel after a stressf(l ,o(t" losing herself in the can#as !here she alone had
control of !hat ha$$ened&
/Lnderstanding=1 2erry s$oe ($& /So yo( do no! those $irates=1
4harlie didn%t ans!er for a ,it& He fle)ed his hands" then rested the+ on his nees& /'t%s not !hat yo( thin&1 He started
off& /Things are to(gh do!n here&1
2erry tore her eyes off the coding .ar !as doing and concentrated on their g(est& /-nd=1 She ans!ered& /So? that
+aes !hat they%re doing oay=1
4harlie shr(gged& /S(r#i#al is !hat co(nts&1 He said& /B(nch of fols got together" and ind of !ored o(t a deal" so
if yo( had a little e)tra" yo(%d toss it in the itty" and if yo( needed a little" yo(%d tae&1 He shifted" still ga5ing at the
floor& /0ored o(t oay&1
/7ay=1 2erry co(ld hardly ,elie#e !hat she !as hearing& /That%s not !hat those $irates do& ' no!& ' sa! the+&1 She
said& /They !eren%t ;o,in Hood&1
He ga#e her a g(ilty loo& /.idn%t start o(t that !ay& 't !as 6(st? one day this g(y !ho !as in !ith (s" his co(sin
ca+e in fro+ the states& Slic g(y&1
/Bet !e no! !ho that is&1 .ar +(ttered" her eyes fastened on the screen&
/M+&1 2erry gr(nted agree+ent&
/They%d 6(st ,een doing little st(ff& Sal#age& Selling ,its of !ood and st(ff to the sho$s" that inda thing&1 4harlie
e)$lained& /- little s+(ggling" 6(st ,(llshit st(ff& B(t this g(y taled the+ into a deal !here he said he co(ld get the+
,ig +oney" he said" if they co(ld get hi+ a,andoned ,oats&1
/-,andoned=1 2erry said& /3o(%re not serio(sly saying anyone ,elie#ed that" are yo(=1
-nother shr(g& /-ny!ay" they got hi+ one" nothing ,ig" 6(st a little siff" and he sold it off for the+" !ored o(t $retty
good& Made it nice& Hel$ed o(t a lot of fols&1 4harlie still co(ldn%t +eet 2erry%s eyes& /Bo,ody got h(rt&1
/H)ce$t the g(y !ho lost his ,oat&1 2erry said&
/They got their +oney ,ac&1 4harlie arg(ed& /The+ ins(rance co+$anies $ay off ,(t good& Pro,a,ly !ent o(t and got
hi+ a ,rand ne! one" lie the rest of the+ did&1 He said& /He gets a ne! ,oatD !e get !hat !e need? !ho gets h(rt=1
/The ins(rance co+$any&1 .ar said&
/They can afford it&1 4harlie said" his #oice going a little harder& /-ll these fols o(t here" not the ,ig shots !ho stay in
the+ hotels" ,(t the rest of (s" 6(st trying to scra$e o(t a li#ing can%t&1 He finally lifted his head& /They ne#er !ent after
little $eo$le& C(st the ,ig rollers !ith +ore +oney than sense& The fat cats&1
.ar looed ($ at hi+& /Peo$le lie +e&1 She glanced at 2erry& />ie (s&1
4harlie too a ,reath& /Bo" that ain%t% tr(e&1
.ar coced her head& /7f co(rse it%s tr(e&1 She re$lied" lifting a hand and gest(ring aro(nd at the ,oat& /'%#e got a fi#e
+illion dollar condo to go !ith it" and fo(r ti+es that in the ,an" 4harlie&1 She told hi+& /' r(n one of the ,iggest
co+$(ter co+$anies in the da+n !orld& Hell" they ca+e after +e the other day" re+e+,er=1
4harlie sighed& /Cacasses&1 He +(ttered& /B(d told e+ to steer clear of yo(&1
/Gee& Thans&1 2erry +(r+(red&
/3o( don%t (nderstand&1 4harlie told her&
/3o(%re right& ' don%t&1 2erry readily agreed& /So let +e as yo( this& 'f these g(ys are so !onderf(l" ho! co+e yo(
had to get a loan fro+ the greasy ,astard !e $aid off this +orning=1
.ar%s eye,ro! inched ($ at 2erry%s tone& She set the la$to$ do!n on the ta,le" all its $rogra+s ,(sily r(nning" and
leaned ,ac& /Good 8(estion&1
1**
4harlie s(ced his lo!er li$ for a +o+ent" and then shr(gged one +ore ti+e& /Sa+e old story&1 He said 8(ietly& /-fter
they started this all ($" they%d $(t ($ !ith (s taing a fe! ,ananas& B(t !hen it ca+e to hard cash" it !as 6(st say no to
the dirty fags&1 His eyes held theirs steadily& /They tolerate (s" no!& Too a !hile& B(d 6(st ref(sed to as e+ to $ay
do!n the loan" tho(gh&1
.ar 6(st shoo her head&
/>ie ' said& 3o( don%t (nderstand&1 4harlie said& /3o( got it all&1 He got ($ and !aled to the door" going o(t onto the
,ac dec and closing the $ortal after hi+&
GGGGGGG
/0hoo&1 2erry +(r+(red& /This is getting really icy&1
.ar fo(nd herself rela)ing" des$ite the tr(th of that state+ent& She too 2erry%s hand in hers and clas$ed it" then
,ro(ght it ($ to her li$s& /He%s right" tho(gh&1
/H(h=1 2erry%s ,lond eye,ro!s hied ($ al+ost to her hairline&
/' do ha#e it all&1 .ar looed steadily into 2erry%s eyes" !atching the e)$ression on her face soften as !ar+th cre$t
into the green or,s& /' don%t agree !ith !hat they did" ,(t ' (nderstand !hat dro#e it&1 She added& /'t%s ,een to(gh for
the+ o(t here" and ' thin they !ere looing for s(r#i#al +ore than anything else&1
2erry nodded ,riefly& /' no!& 't%s not lie they got rich off it&1 She ad+itted& /B(t ' can%t go along !ith the fact they
thin no one gets h(rt& So+eone does" .ar& Peo$le co(ld get h(rt < they co(ld e#en get h(rt the+sel#es&1
/>ie they al+ost did the other day&1 .ar sighed& />et%s sa#e that $ro,le+ for after !e sol#e this one&1
.ar had a $oint" 2erry acno!ledged& /7ay&1 She conc(rred& />et +e go tal to hi+& ' no! he%s (nder a lot of
stress& ' can i+agine ho! '%d ,e acting if ' !ere in his $lace&1 She got ($" leaned o#er and ,r(shed .ar%s li$s !ith her
o!n" then eased $ast her $artner%s o(tstretched legs and headed for the door&
.ar e)haled hea#ily" the air $(ffing her dar locs ($ off her forehead as she sl(+$ed ,ac into the co(ch and regarded
her la$to$& She still felt lie an idiot for getting into the sit(ation" ,(t her +ore $ractical side had taen o#er and $(t
itself in charge at least for the +o+ent&
>ogic +ade a lot ,etter $latfor+ for $ro,le+ sol#ing than hysteria&
.ar let her head dro$ ,ac against the co(ch" easing a hand ,ehind her nec and r(,,ing the tense +(scles 6(st at the
,ase of her s(ll& /0hat ne)t=1 She ased the ceiling& Her instincts !ere (rging her to action" ,(t aside fro+ the digital
searching her $rogra+s !ere doing on her ,ehalf" she !asn%t s(re if there !as anything else she co(ld do (ntil
.eSalliers called again&
4alling the $olice ca$tain crossed her +ind" ,(t .ar re6ected that idea o(t of hand& H#en if she tho(ght he +ight ,e on
the ($ and ($" and !o(ld ee$ the contact (nder !ra$s she had no s(ch confidence in anyone else he !ored !ith&
Besides" she !asn%t s(re he !as honest" and she !asn%t a,o(t to ris B(d%s life on that&
That ,ro(ght ($ the 8(estion of !hether .eSalliers !o(ld +ae good on his threat& He%d a#oided (sing ,r(tal force in
their first enco(nters" ,(t as things had $rogressed" she%d gotten a sense that he !as getting closer to crossing the line&
7ay" .ar& She lect(red herself& >et%s thin of this in +ore fa+iliar ter+s& She got ($ and $iced ($ her +il glass"
carrying it ,ac to the galley& /.eSalliers has a contract he%s got to e)ec(te& He +aes good on it" and he !ins& He
stays in ,(siness" he%s got the +oney to ee$ going" life is good&1 She $o(red another glass and stood there si$$ing it&
/He $ro,a,ly fig(red this to ,e a no ,rainer& He%s got $o!er" he%s got $eo$le" 6(st head do!n here and ro$e the !rec
off" di#e it" destroy it" ,ring ,ac $roof and he%s ho+e free&1
She $oed in the ,aset" and retrie#ed one of the cooies 2erry had +ade earlier" d(ning it into her +il and taing a
,ite of it&
/Thin of it fro+ his $ers$ecti#e" .ar& 3o( thin yo(%re fr(strated= Pict(re ho! he has to feel < he%s got Bo, to deal
!ith " then he r(ns into yo( and yo( !rec his ,oat" then yo( ee$ hi+ fro+ Bo, again" then yo(r friends enlist !ith
Bo, to +ess hi+ ($" then yo( call his contract holder and tell the+ he%s a loser&1 .ar finished the cooie and fished
aro(nd for another one& /Bet he%s got a st(ffed ;ott!eiler !ith +y na+e $inned to it that he%s (sing for target $ractice&1
The tho(ght $(t her in a slightly ,etter +ood& /7ay < so no! '%#e got to con#ince hi+ '%#e really got so+ething he%s
looing for" long eno(gh to trade it for B(d or at least find o(t !here he%s got hi+&1 She liced her li$s& /C(st lie
,l(ffing o(t a co+$etitor" .ar& 3o( can do that&1
0hat !as .eSalliers e)$ecting= He !as e)$ecting her to r(n scared& Bac off& 0ait for hi+ to +ae all the +o#es&
1*I
-ll right& .ar too the ,aset and ,ro(ght it ,ac to the co(ch" then sat do!n cross legged and retrie#ed the la$to$& She
o$ened her +ail" and started ty$ing&
GG
2erry eased o(t of the ca,in" s$otting 4harlie sitting on the stern ,ench they (sed to gear ($ on& She !aled o#er and
too a seat ne)t to hi+" leaning her ar+ on the ,ac of the ,oat and ga5ing o(t across the +arina&
/3%no!&1 4harlie s$oe first& /That%s !hy B(d ne#er co(ld stand -ndy" '%+ g(essing&1
/0hat do yo( +ean=1 2erry ased&
/He had e#erything& H#ery,ody lied hi+" he !as real good at !hat he done" he had a good +arriage" had a id he !as
$ro(d of? he +ade it see+ lie e#ery,ody sho(ld ,e 6(st lie hi+&1 He glanced at the door& @She%s 6(st lie hi+&1
2erry tho(ght a,o(t that& /' !ish +ore $eo$le !ere lie hi+&1 She re+ared& /' !ish +y father had ,een&1
4harlie shifted and looed at her&
/0hen ' first +et .ar" and !e !ere getting to no! each other" e#ery ti+e she taled a,o(t her father ' fo(nd it hard to
,elie#e" dee$ do!n in +y heart" !hat she !as saying&1 2erry s$oe softly& /Beca(se +y o!n e)$erience had ,een so
different&1
/.ar got off l(cy&1 4harlie said& /Most of (s don%t&1
/Tr(e&1 2erry agreed& /B(t then ' +et hi+&1 She t(rned her head and +et 4harlie%s eyes& /He ga#e +e so+ething +y
fa+ily ne#er had and ' cherish that" and hi+" +ore than ' can tell yo(&1
The e) sailor leaned ,ac and rested his ar+ on the stern railing& /'%+ not gonna a$ologi5e for (s doing !hat !e had to
do to ee$ o(r heads ($&1 He said& /' got a id to tae care of&1
2erry regarded hi+& /'%+ not into 6(dging $eo$le& '%#e ,een on the recei#ing end of that too +any ti+es +yself&1 She
said& /' thin the i+$ortant thing right no! is 6(st to resol#e this" and get B(d o(t of that n(t,all%s cl(tches&1
7ne of 4harlie%s eye,ro!s t!itched& /Tho(ght yo( !eren%t inta 6(dging&1 He dra!led& /4alling that sonofa,itch a
n(t,all lie that&1
2erry $rod(ced a faint grin&
/-nyhoo&1 4harlie shoo his head& /.ar%s 6(st lie -ndy& C(st got that sa+e attit(de& ;e+inded +e of hi+ real strong
there for a +in(te& ' no! she%s right" a little" ,(t so+eti+es yo( 6(st ain%t% got no choices in life e)ce$t the ,ad ones&1
/That%s tr(e&1 2erry coced her head" hearing footste$s a$$roaching do!n the doc& She got ($ and leaned o#er the side
of the stern" s$otting a fa+iliar fig(re +o#ing to!ards hi+& /-h&1 She e)haled& /Bo,&1
4harlie got ($ and ca+e o#er& /That little asshole&1
/M+&1 2erry cli+,ed ($ onto the side dec and 6(+$ed to the doc" 6(st as Bo, trotted ($ to the ,oat& /Hi&1
/7hA HeyA1 Bo, see+ed a little o(t of ,reath& /Glad ' fo(nd yo(& >isten" the co$s are after +e& 4an ' hide o(t in there
for a !hile=1 He glanced ,ehind 2erry and s$otted 4harlie%s glare& /7h& -h?oay" +ay,e not&1
2erry sighed& /4%+on& 0e need all the hel$ !e can get&1 She $a(sed& /H#en yo(rs&1
/H(h=1
2erry too hold of his shirt and $(lled hi+ after her as she 6(+$ed ,ac onto the ,oat& >eft !ith a choice of follo!ing
or losing his clothing& Bo, 6oined her& /7(r friend .eSalliers has ,een ,(sier than yo( thin&1 2erry told hi+&
/L+&1 Bo, hid ,ehind 2erry as they +o#ed onto the stern& />isten" 2erry did e)$lain to yo( !hat ha$$ened the other
night" didn%t she=1 He ased 4harlie ho$ef(lly&
/' no! !hat ha$$ened the other night" yo( $issant&1 4harlie told hi+& /3o( ran o(t and left (s& 4%+on o#er here and
let +e $o$ yo(r da+n little?1 4harlie li+$ed to!ards the+&
/Lh? (h?1 Bo, started going ,ac!ards&
/Hold it&A1 2erry" ,et!een the t!o of the+" held ($ her hand& /4%+on g(ys& 0e don%t ha#e ti+e for this&1 She raised
her #oice !hen 4harlie e$t co+ing& /Sto$ itAAA1
7ne" t!o" three" fo(r?&
1*J
The door to the ca,in sla++ed o$en and .ar ,o(nded o(t onto the dec" her eyes taing in the sit(ation i++ediately&
She $o(nced on 4harlie" gra,,ing his shirt and ha(ling hi+ ,ac (ncere+onio(sly& /HeyA1 She ,ared& /4ool itA1
/>et go of +eA1 4harlie yaned against her gri$& /' o!e that ,astard a ,ig right one&1
.ar got in front of hi+ and ,loced his !ay& /' said" cool it&1 She ,ristled& /0e don%t ha#e ti+e for this cra$& >ie yo(
said at the hos$ital < yo( +ade the choice to tr(st hi+& Bo one forced yo(&1
/.ar" get o(t of +y !ay&1 4harlie tried to ,r(sh ,y her&
/Bo&1 .ar didn%t ,(dge& /.on%t e#en thin a,o(t trying to +o#e +e&1
He sto$$ed and stared at her& /3o( thin yo(%re -ndre!= Get yo(r ass o(t of +y !ay" girl&1 He $(t his hand against
.ar%s sho(lder and $(shed&
.ar didn%t ,(dge& She lifted her hand and closed her fingers aro(nd 4harlie%s !rist" tightening her gri$ !ith s(dden
e)$losi#eness& /4harlie&1 She ga5ed steadily at hi+& /This is +y ,oat" and yo(%re on it&1 She said& /Sto$ it&1
Their eyes loced&
/'%+ GnotG +y father&1 .ar !arned hi+ softly&
4harlie e)a+ined the glittering ,l(e eyes" cold as ice" that !ere fastened on hi+& Then he ste$$ed ,ac& .ar released his
ar+ and he too a seat on the stern ,ench again& /0hen !e get off this ,oat&1 He told .ar& /3o( ain%t sto$$ing +e&1
.ar t(rned" satisfied !ith the ans!er& /-ll right&1 She looed at Bo,& /This got a lot +ore serio(s& 3o( can stic
aro(nd" ,(t ee$ yo(r +o(th sh(t" and if !e need yo( do to so+ething" don%t +ae +e ha#e to e)$lain it in !ords of
less than a sylla,le&1
/Lh&1 Bo, too a ste$ ,ac!ards& /May,e ' sho(ld 6(st go hang o(t so+e!here else&1
2erry t(rned& /.eSalliers idna$$ed o(r friend B(d" and he%s threatening to ill hi+&1 She said& /S(re yo( !ant to go
o(t !andering aro(nd=1
Bo, looed honestly shoced& /Bo idding= ' didn%t thin he? ' +ean" yeah" he%s fa+o(s for all this sal#age cra$" ,(t '
ne#er tho(ght he%d get all serio(s lie that&1
/>et%s go inside&1 .ar o$ened the door& /Ho$ef(lly" he%ll call soon and !e%ll no! !here !e stand&1
2erry led Bo, inside" taing a +o+ent to gi#e .ar a !ry loo and a $at on the side as she $assed her& /Ho! a,o(t so+e
coffee=1
.ar +ade a tiny" +oaning noise in res$onse& She t(rned and !aited for 4harlie to get ($ and li+$ o#er" standing ,ac to
let hi+ enter& He $a(sed as he ca+e e#en !ith her and their eyes +et again& -fter a +in(te" 4harlie shoo his head and
!aled $ast her&
.ar t(rned and s(r#eyed their s(rro(ndings ,riefly& She scanned the near,y ,oats" e#al(ating their occ($ants& Bothing
6(+$ed o(t at her" and of co(rse" .eSalliers yacht !as no!here to ,e seen& Her eyes s$otted t!o $olice+en" ho!e#er&
7ne !as standing near the ,eginning of the !ooden doc" and the other !as !aling ($ and do!n near the ,each&
She heard the so(nd of engines ,ehind her" and she !aled to the other side of the ,oat" looing o(t o#er the !ater& -
racing ,oat !as idling into the +arina" ,ig" throaty engines r(+,ling as it +o#ed $ast the+& There !as a +an ,ehind the
controls" !ith !hat .ar co(ld only descri,e to herself as a ,a,e ne)t to hi+& The +an looed aro(nd and ca(ght .ar%s
eye" $rod(cing a s+ile and a !a#e in her direction&
/Bice ,oatA1 The +an yelled o(t&
/Sa+e to yo(&1 .ar res$onded !ith !ry ci#ility& She !atched the ,oat +o#e $ast" +aing note of the ,oat na+e" and
seeing the Mia+i Beach ho+e $ort (nder it& The racer $(lled into a sli$ t!o $ast theirs" and disgorged it%s occ($ants
onto the doc& The +an ga#e the !o+an a sla$ on the ,(tt" and $ointed ($ to a near,y resta(rant& He t(rned and !aled
the other !ay" to!ards .ar%s ,oat&
/9ig(res&1 .ar st(c her head inside the door& /Got co+$any& 2er" !atch +y $hone" !illya=1
2erry had artf(lly $ositioned Bo, and 4harlie as far a!ay fro+ each other as she co(ld in the li#ing area" and !as
$re$aring coffee ,ehind the galley& /-ye aye" 4a$%n .ar&1
.ar sh(t the door and !aled to the side of the ,oat to +eet their #isitor&
GG
1*K
/-ny!ay" since yo(%re a neigh,or" ' tho(ght '%d $ass the !ord&1 The +an said" !ith a !ry grin& /'t !as a hell of a
!eather syste+" and since it%s headed this !ay" yo( +ight !ant to chec yo(r float $lan&1
.ar e)haled& /0e had a ,ad stor+ here the other day&1 She said& /' tho(ght !e%d finished !ith the tro$ical !eather this
year&1
The other ,oater shoo his head& He !as a relati#ely good looing +an" of +edi(+ height and the ty$e of ,(ild that
indicated he g(ilted hi+self into a gy+ a fe! ti+es a !ee& /3eah" and yo( no! ' 6(st heard !e%re ($ for an Hl Bino
again this year& 0eather%s ,een real !eird&1
.ar glanced ($& /0ell" if !hat they say a,o(t glo,al !ar+ing is tr(e" ,etter en6oy the islands no!&1 She said& /0e%ll ,e
di#ing the+ as reefs so+e day&1 Her hand e)tended o#er the !ater& /Thans for the !arning" ;oger& ' a$$reciate it&1
/Bo $ro,le+&1 The +an clas$ed her hand& /Hey" yo( said yo(r na+e is ;o,erts=1
Lh oh& /3eah&1 .ar nodded !arily&
His head tilted and he looed at her& /3o(%re not any relation to -ndre! and 4ecilia ;o,erts" are yo(= They%re +y sli$
neigh,ors o#er at the So(th Beach Marina&1
7h& .ar +anaged a relie#ed s+ile& /3eah" they%re +y $arents&1
/Had a feeling&1 ;oger $ointed at her& /3o( loo lie -ndy& He%s a tri$& 0ell" good to +eet yo(" .ar& Ha#e a safe tri$
,ac" and !atch o(t for that stor+&1 He lifted a hand and started ,ac do!n the docs&
/S+all !orld&1 .ar +(r+(red in ,e+(se+ent& /S+all" s+all !orld&1
GG
/So that%s !hat ha$$ened&1 2erry $(t the ther+os of coffee on the tray" and added so+e crea+ and s(gar& She $iced it
($ and ,ro(ght it o#er to the ta,le& /0hate#er it is yo(%re looing for" Bo, < it +(st really ,e there&1
Bo, e)haled& /3eah" that%s !hat ' tho(ght too !hen the co$s ca+e after +e& Bo s+oe !itho(t cigarettes" right=1
2erry looed ($& /;ight&1 She set the tray do!n" and then 6(+$ed as .ar%s cell $hone rang& 0ith a 8(ic glance
to!ards the la$to$ she $iced it ($ and o$ened it& /Hello=1
/;o,erts=1
2erry considered lying" ,(t discarded the idea& /Bo&1 She ans!ered&
/P(t the ,itch on the $hone right no!&1
The door o$ened" and .ar entered& 2erry held the $hone ($" and then directed a r(de gest(re to it& .ar%s eyes narro!ed
as she crossed the dec and too the instr(+ent& /3eah=1
2erry dro$$ed to the co(ch and $(lled the la$to$ o#er" clicing on the !indo! .ar had r(nning for the cell $hone& The
$rogra+ had acti#ated& She noticed 4harlie had +o#ed to the edge of his chair" listening to .ar%s con#ersation intently&
/0rite this do!n" ;o,erts& 'f yo( f(c it ($" yo(r little ,(ddy%s toast&1
.ar too a ,reath for $atience& /Go ahead&1
/'%ll gi#e yo( t!o coordinates& 3o( ,e there at +idnight tonight& Bring !hat yo(%#e got" $l(s t!enty fi#e tho(sand
dollars&1 .eSalliers said& /That%s to co#er the cost of fi)ing +y ,oat&1
.ar considered" $(lling her ne! $ocet !atch fro+ her shorts $ocet and o$ening it& /9orget it&1 She told .eSalliers
cris$ly& /Try again&1
Mo+entary silence& /3o(%re not really (nderstanding the sit(ation" are yo(= 3o( don%t tell +e !hat to do" ;o,erts& 3o(
do !hat ' tell yo( to do&1
/>isten" +oron& The ,an%s closed&1 .ar said& /So if yo( !ant to reco($ yo(r h(ll ,reach" gi++e the ,ill" or rethin
yo(r $lan&1
/That%s not +y $ro,le+" ;o,erts& 't%s yo(rs& Bring the cash" and the relic" or '%ll cho$ this $iece of shit ($ and (se it for
,ait&1
The $hone !ent dead& .ar closed it& /Shit&1
2erry st(died the screen& />oos lie he%s o(t on the !ater" .ar&1 She said& /Bearest coordinates are 6(st !est of St&
Cohn&1 She ta$$ed a fe! +ore eys& /Ces(s" yo( ca$t(red the digiti5ed o(t$(t=1
1*M
/' ne#er do things half!ay&1 .ar sat do!n& /0e%#e got a $ro,le+& He !ants t!enty fi#e grand&1 She st(died the $hone&
/So" no! in addition to a relic ' don%t ha#e" ' also ha#e to t(rn o#er a s(itcase of cash ' don%t ha#e& This is getting ,etter
and ,etter e#ery da+n +in(te&1 Her loo of disg(st !as e#ident& /-nd to to$ it all off" a da+n tro$ical !eather
syste+%s headed this !ay and it +ight ,e de#elo$ing circ(lation&1
2erry fro!ned& /-t this ti+e of year= .ar" it%s .ece+,erA1
/Bo idding&1 .ar r(,,ed her eyes& /-ll right& >et%s see !here these coordinates are&1
4harlie got ($ and !aled o#er" leaning on the co(ch ar+ to see !hat .ar !as doing& /0eather +eans tro(,le&1 He
co++ented& /B(t not till after this da+n thing%s o#er&1
.ar ty$ed in the t!o coordinates .eSalliers had gi#en her" and !aited for the $rogra+ to $lot the+ on a +a$& The grid
dre! in" then a setchy o(tline of the islands" then a ,lining crosshair& 't !as set in the +iddle of the !ater as she%d
e)$ected it to ,e" in a lonely stretch of !ater so(th of the islands&
/Bo +an%s land&1 4harlie gr(nted& /Bo(t t!o ho(rs r(n o(t there& Bot +(ch ,(t a hole in the ocean&1
/So he has to get fro+ here&&&1 2erry $(t her fingerti$ on the $lace !here the cell signal had ,een traced to& /To here&
-nd !e ha#e to get fro+ here?1 She +o#ed to !here they !ere in St& Tho+as& /To here& M(ch shorter&1
/0e co(ld get there first&1 Bo, co++ented& /3o( thin they%ll ha#e yo(r friend in the ,oat !ith the+= ' g(ess they%d
ha#e to" h(h=1
.ar st(died the screen& /'f they intend on +aing the s!a$" yeah&1 She heard 4harlie s(c in a ,reath& /' fig(re ' need
to +ae hi+ sho! +e he%s got B(d ,efore ' agree to anything&1
/3o( thin he%d do(,le cross? oh" !hat a st($id 8(estion&1 2erry r(,,ed her face !ith one hand& /.ar" if !e don%t
really ha#e anything to gi#e hi+" !hat are !e going to do=1 She ased& /3o( can ,l(ff hi+ only so far&1
.ar folded her hands together and rested her chin against the+& /' no! that&1 Her $ale eyes !ent hooded" the lids
narro!ing slightly& /'f it taes (s t!o ho(rs to get o(t there" !e%#e got (ntil aro(nd nine thirty ,efore !e ha#e to lea#e
the doc& 0e%#e got (ntil then to get so+ething to t(rn o#er to hi+ that%ll see+ real eno(gh to $ass&1
/0hat a,o(t the +oney=1 4harlie ased& /Got so+e $eo$le ' can call&1
/Bot that cree$ fro+ this +orningA1 2erry ,l(rted o(t& /4hrist" '%d rather hoc the ,oat than see his face again&1 She
reached for!ard and $(lled the coffee tray o#er" setting ($ t!o c($s and starting to $re$are the+&
/Bo&1 4harlie cleared his throat gently& /So+e,ody else&1 He stood ($ and too o(t the cell $hone& /.a+n things
gonna cost +e an ar+ this +onth&1 He li+$ed to!ards the door and !ent o(tside" closing it ,ehind hi+&
2erry and .ar e)changed glances& .ar $(lled the la$to$ o#er and o$ened yet another $rogra+& /'%ll get a !ire transfer
thro(gh" ,(t it !on%t clear (ntil to+orro!& May,e if he can get so+ething te+$orary (ntil then&1
/H)$ensi#e #acation&1 2erry leaned against her lo#er%s sho(lder& /Be)t ti+e" ho! a,o(t !e 6(st go do so+ething
traditional" lie #isit Biagara 9alls=1
/'t%d $ro,a,ly sto$ !hile !e !ere there and !e%d ha#e to fi) that too&1 .ar finished her re8(est" and hit enter !ith an
annoyed clic& /7ay&1 She e)a+ined her other r(nning $rogra+s& /Bothing else" yet&1
/3o( thin there !ill ,e=1 2erry ased&
.ar shr(gged" and shoo her head& /' don%t no!& -nd yo( no! so+ething= '%+ getting $retty tired of saying that '
don%t no!&1 She rested her head against her hands again" ,anging her forehead against her fists lightly as she roced
,ac and forth&
2erry $(t an ar+ aro(nd her" r(,,ing her ,ac !ith light fingerti$s& /7ay& Bo," !hat s$ecifically did yo( thin yo(%d
find here= ;eally" ' +ean&1
Bo, had ,een staring at .ar in fascination& Bo! he looed at 2erry !ith startled eyes& /L+? ' d(nno" really& ' inda
e)$ected&&& (+? !ell" Tanya tho(ght the old +an !o(ld +ay,e !or a deal !ith (s if he ne! !e !ere trying to rae
so+ething ($&1
/Bo" h(h=1 2erry%s ,ro! creased& /So+eho!" a g(y !ho !o(ld steal fro+ his o!n +other doesn%t see+ to +e to ,e the
ty$e to deal&1 She gently +o#ed the la$to$ a!ay fro+ .ar and craced her n(cles" then she o$ened a data,ase
re8(est and started ty$ing& /Bo!" if !e ass(+e Grand$a 0harton !asn%t n(ts" then he !as here for a reason" right=1
/M+&1 .ar gr(nted&
1I0
/7ay& '%+ going to search the e)$orts fro+ here d(ring that ti+e $eriod" and see !hat ' can find& 'f he !as here" it
+(st ha#e ,een for so+ething !orth his !hile& Since he !as a fisher+an" ' do(,t it !as ti+,er&1 2erry ty$ed 8(icly
and acc(rately& She looed ($ !hen she felt !ar+th on her sho(lder" to find .ar%s chin resting on it&
Her hand sto$$ed +o#ing for an instant" then started ($ again& She !as #ery a!are of Bo,%s !atching eyes" ,(t the
co+fort of .ar%s chee $ressed against her 6a! o#er!hel+ed the +ild e+,arrass+ent at the inti+acy and she leaned
her head against .ar%s&
/Hey&1 .ar ,reathed into her ear& /0hile yo(%re there" do a search in the $(,lic archi#es for s+(ggling ,(sts d(ring that
ti+e $eriod&1
2erry t(rned her head slightly and looed into .ar%s eyes at #ery" #ery close range& /S+(ggling=1
/S+(ggling=1 Bo, ased&
/-nd do a $(,lic records search on hi+ in Maine&1 .ar said& /0e%re ass(+ing he%s here for a reason& Bothing says it
had to ,e a legal one&1
/HeyA1 Bo, $rotested& /He !as a good g(yA1
2erry nodded slightly as she ty$ed&
GG
4harlie ca+e ,ac in" his face #isi,ly red& He li+$ed o#er and sat do!n" 6(ggling the cell $hone as tho(gh he !anted to
ch(c it against the ca,in !all& /0aste of a $hone call&1
.ar looed ($ fro+ a con#ersation on her o!n cell and shoo her head&
2erry +otioned hi+ o#er to the galley" !hich she !as standing inside& /0ant a ,eer=1 She offered sy+$athetically&
4harlie sat do!n on the stool ,olted to the dec and rested his ar+s on the galley co(nter& He $layed !ith the $hone"
still #isi,ly ($set& /-ll !e done for the+" and they tell +e to get lost&1 He rested his fist against his 6a!& /Tho(ght after
all this ti+e" things changed& G(ess ' !as !rong& 0ait till the ne)t ti+e those ,astards sho! ($ !ith a ,(sted head
!anting B(d?1 He sto$$ed taling" and his eyes ,lined a fe! ti+es& /.a+n" ' ho$e he%s all right&1
2erry set a ,ottle of o$ened ,eer in front of hi+" and leaned on the co(nter& /'%+ s(re he !ill ,e" 4harlie& 0e%ll do o(r
,est to +ae s(re of that&1 She told hi+ in a gentle tone&
4harlie looed at her& /' feel lie a first rate fool& Thining the+ $eo$le%d gotten to ,e o(r friends&1
.ar !aled o#er and leaned ne)t to hi+& /-ll right& ' arranged for a draft for to+orro!& 0hen ' tal to .eSalliers
tonight" '%ll ha#e to !or a deal !ith hi+& ' can%t get it any sooner& There isn%t a ,ig eno(gh s($$ly of cash on the da+n
island < the nearest $lace ' co(ld get it fro+ !as one of the cr(ise shi$s" and the closest one isn%t d(e in (ntil to+orro!
night&1
4harlie looed at her& /He ain%t gonna ,(y that& He !ants to get the hell o(t of here&1
/' no!&1 .ar agreed& /So ' ha#e to +ae !hat '%+ gonna gi#e hi+ good eno(gh for hi+ to forget a,o(t the cash&1
2erry ta$$ed her on the ar+& /.ar" !e don%t ha#e anything&1
/He doesn%t no! that&1 .ar said&
/3o( can%t ris it&1 2erry $rotested 8(ietly&
/2erry" !hat choice do !e ha#e=1 .ar ased" 6(st as 8(ietly& /The searches ca+e ($ !ith 5ilch& 0e%#e got no cl(e !hy
he !as here& 0e ha#e no $roof he !as n(ts" no $roof he !asn%t& 0hat !e ha#e is a da+n !ooden cigar ,o) and +y
a,ility to lie thro(gh +y teeth&1
2erry closed her eyes& /4hrist&1 She e)haled" staring at the co(nter& Then she looed ($& /.eSalliers is $ro,a,ly going
to head aro(nd St& Tho+as and head to +eet $oint aro(nd the east $art of the island" right=1
/Pro,a,ly& 0hy=1
/0hy don%t !e go di#e the site= 0hat do !e ha#e to lose= May,e !e can find so+ething&1 2erry said& /0e%#e got a
co($le of ho(rs&1
/Hey" that%s a great ideaA1 Bo, had 6oined the+& /He !on%t e#en ,e $aying attention to the site no!A1 He so(nded
e)cited for the first ti+e since he%d 6oined the+& />et%s do itA1
1I1
.ar calc(lated the ti+es" then t(rned and headed for the door !itho(t a !ord& May,e they !o(ld find so+ething" +ay,e
they !o(ldn%t" ,(t it !as so+ething $hysical she co(ld do that s(re as hell ,eat the cra$ o(t of sitting aro(nd the ,oat
for fo(r ho(rs $(lling her hair o(t&
-nd so+eti+es" she acno!ledged" she got l(cy&
.ar only ho$ed this !as one of those ti+es&
GG
't !as #ery 8(iet at the !rec site& The s(n !as gliding sea!ard" and there !as 6(st a #ery light cho$ on the !ater& The
air !as cool and dry" and 2erry ti$$ed her head ,ac to see a clo(dless sy a,o#e her& /Bice&1 She !as dressed in her
shortie !ets(it for the e#ening di#e" the neo$rene co+$ressing her ,ody !ith a slightly annoying sn(gness that !o(ld
rela) once she !as (nder !ater&
.ar !as standing ,y their gear" also in her !ets(it& She $(t a ,ootied foot ($ on the ,ench and stra$$ed a di#e nife to
her leg" then t(rned and sat do!n" getting into her B4 and stra$$ing it across her chest&
/-re yo( s(re ' can%t go do!n too=1 Bo, ased" for the fo(rth ti+e& /Honest" ' thin '%d no! ,etter !hat to loo for&1
/Bo&1 .ar stood ($ and cinched her stra$s tighter& She tied an e)tra di#e light to her ,elt& /3o( said yo( didn%t ha#e
any cl(e !hat yo( !ere looing for& .on%t change yo(r story no!&1 She +otioned 2erry o#er to get her tan& /0e
don%t ha#e that +(ch ti+e&1
2erry didn%t deny the feeling of half e)cite+ent" half ner#o(sness that ticled her g(ts& She !aled o#er and sat do!n"
$(tting her ar+s thro(gh her B4 and standing ($& The tan felt hea#y" and she had to tae a ,reath ,efore she shr(gged
it into $lace and fastened the inner ,elly stra$&
She !asn%t really (sed to !earing the !ets(it" and she fle)ed her ar+s" r(nning a finger inside the slee#e constricting
her ,ice$s& 't see+ed sn(gger than she re+e+,ered" ,(t then" the last ti+e she%d !orn it had ,een last year and all those
c(rls at the gy+ $ro,a,ly had so+ething to do !ith that&
.ar ste$$ed o#er to her and tightened the front clas$" then $atted her on the side& /;eady=1
/;eady&1 2erry checed the fastenings holding her #ario(s hoses do!n" and ta$$ed the inflation #al#e on her B4& She
$iced ($ her +as and follo!ed .ar to the stern gate" already $(lled ,ac to gi#e the+ access to the sea&
/4harlie" if anything%s going on ($ here" (se this&1 .ar handed hi+ a ,all $een ha++er& /S+ac it on the ladder" not the
h(ll" h(h=1
The e) sailor too the ha++er and nodded tensely& /'f that $hone rings" '%ll ans!er it&1 He said& /See if ' can get that
asshole to let +e tal to B(d&1
.ar $atted hi+ on the sho(lder&
/Good l(c&1 Bo, st(c his hands in his $ocets" looing s$ectac(larly (seless& /-nything ' can do !hile yo(%re do!n
there=1
/3o( any good at heating ($ so($=1 .ar $a(sed" ad6(sting her +as& /There%s so+e in the ca,inet& Gi#e (s forty fi#e
+in(tes" and !e%ll ,e ,ac ($ here" !hether !e find so+ething or not&1
/7ay& S(reA1 Bo, agreed readily& /'t%s inda chilly ($ here& Good ideaA1
/Than yo(" honey&1 2erry +(r+(red (nder her ,reath&
.ar s+iled" then ste$$ed off the stern and dro$$ed into the !ater !ith a light s$lash" disa$$earing (nder the s(rface
al+ost i++ediately&
2erry +ade a last +in(te ad6(st+ent to her di#e nife" and then follo!ed" co++itting herself to the sea&
GG
This di#e !as different& 2erry felt it as soon as she entered the !ater and traded the !ar+ s(nset for the di+ cool of the
!ater& She co(ld see .ar !aiting for her" one hand lightly resting on the anchor line and she headed o#er to!ards her as
her ,ody ad6(sted to the change&
The !ets(it really did hel$ ee$ the chill off& 't !as only a shortie" ,(t it e$t the core $art of her ,ody a lot !ar+er
than it !o(ld ha#e ,een in 6(st a s!i+s(it and once the neo$rene got !et and loosened ($" it ,eca+e a lot +ore
co+forta,le&
1I2
She ca(ght ($ to .ar" and they started do!n!ard& 't !as faster than they (s(ally !ent" and 2erry had to e8(ali5e the
$ress(re in her ears a fe! ti+es as it ,(ilt ($ d(ring her descent& She co(ld see the !rec di+ly ,elo! < .ar had
anchored the ,oat a lot closer this ti+e than on their $re#io(s di#e& The s(n !as already di++ing a,o#e" and as they
got closer .ar t(rned her di#e light on& 2erry did lie!ise&
7n the ,otto+" they $a(sed to regro($& .ar cli$$ed her light onto her #est" and then s$read her hands o(t to enco+$ass
the !rec& She then indicated a $oint half!ay" and s!e$t her hand o(t again& She $ointed at 2erry&
2erry nodded" (nderstanding that they !o(ld s$lit ($ and each tae half the !rec& .ar then $ointed to the interior of
the shi$ and closed her fist" shaing it& She $ointed at herself" then at 2erry" and then clas$ed her hands together ,efore
$ointing at the interior again&
-nother nod& 2erry agreed that she didn%t !ant to e)$lore inside the #essel !itho(t .ar there& .ar held ($ a th(+, and
forefinger in an oay sign&
They se$arated" and headed off in o$$osite directions& 2erry too a +o+ent to do a co+$lete 3I0 degree t(rn" 6(st to
$lace herself inside the ocean& She fi)ed the location of the anchor ro$e in her +ind 6(st in case" then !ent to the #ery
front of the !rec de,ris and started looing aro(nd&
The !rec !asn%t really all in one $iece& .ri,,les of it !ere s$read o(t a little" $ieces of !ood and iron half ,(ried in
the soft" !hite sand& 2erry s!a+ slo!ly o#er the+" letting the ti$s of her glo#ed hands ,r(sh their encr(sted s(rface
lightly& Bothing o(t of the ordinary that she co(ld see < the $ieces of +etal !ere cleats and other +arine hard!are she
recogni5ed readily&
2erry drifted a fe! feet f(rther" and then she sto$$ed and t(rned" looing ,ac at the de,ris& 0ait a +in(te" her ,ro!
creased& ' do recogni5e all of it& She scanned the !recage again" and then looed f(rther& -nchor chains" railings"
,races? it !as all there&
0hat !as ,othering her !as !hat !asn%t there& She%d ne#er ,een on a fishing #essel ,efore" and that !as the $oint&
There sho(ld ,e a lot of 6(n she had no cl(e a,o(t lying aro(nd in $ieces" e#en after all this ti+e& Things lie nets" and
!inches and !hate#er the hec fisher+en (sed !hen they did it on a co++ercial ,asis& 2erry $a(sed and tho(ght a,o(t
!hat she%d seen inside the hold of the #essel&
4rates& Bo)es& B(ns&
She fli$$ed o#er onto her ,ac and st(died the !rec as a !hole" s$otting .ar%s light do!n aro(nd the stern area& The
s(nlight !as fading" and the ,oat !as settling into a +orose gloo+ < ,lending in !ith the reef s(rro(nding it&
0ith a soft gr(nt" 2erry !ent #ertical again and contin(ed her search& She s$otted a t(+,led $iece of !recage off to
one side and s!a+ o#er to it" settling to the sand on her nees as she let the ,(oyancy o(t of her B4& She caref(lly
eased the old !ood aside" then lifted the $iece and e)a+ined it& The !ood !as co#ered in sea gro!th" !hich she gently
eased off one $art of it& She co(ld see darer +arings (nderneath" and she !ored at it (ntil she%d cleared a s+all
s$ace of the !ood& Her light re#ealed a $artial !ord" or so+ething that +ight ,e a !ord& 't didn%t +ean anything to her"
ho!e#er& She $(t the $iece of !ood into her catch ,ag" and contin(ed e)$loring&
GG
.ar fo(nd herself at the ,ac end of the ,oat" finding nothing re+ara,le in the de,ris trail leading o(t fro+ it& She
drifted do!n to the ,otto+ and looed at the half ,(ried stern" !here there !ere still faint traces of the ,oat%s na+e on
the encr(sted +etal& She ran her hands along the slanted dec" 6ering ,ac !hen an eel s8(iggled o(t of !hat had once
,een the engine e)ha(st&
.iesel in,oards" .ar noted" not that different than !hat $o!ered her o!n craft no! eighty feet a,o#e her head& She
eased ($ o#er the stern and onto the dec" startling a gro($er& - s+all school of gorgeo(s ,l(e and yello! angels
s!ar+ed aro(nd her as she s!a+ slo!ly alongD looing for any signs of so+ething she ne! she !o(ldn%t no! if she
s$otted it&
- cleat on the dec dre! her interest" and she descended" to(ching the ro(nd" hea#y iron circle !ith her hand& Meant to
hold do!n a #ertical $iece of e8(i$+ent" she fo(nd the center of it coral encr(sted !ood indicating it hadn%t ,een in (se
!hen the #essel !ent do!n& Her eyes traced to a second cleat" and then a third" +(ch larger one&
.ar fro!ned" thining a,o(t the fishing #essels she%d seen in the +arina& The net !inches !o(ld ha#e ,een ,olted
do!n here" she reali5ed" along !ith the hea#y +otors to dra! in the thic nets so their contents co(ld ,e d(+$ed into
the o$en hold&
1I3
The hold doors !ere there" craced o$en and granting the access to the shi$%s interior that she and 2erry had (sed the
last ti+e" ,(t as she circled aro(nd the dec" she reali5ed that nothing else !as& Bo cranes" no !inches" no +echanis+
the fisher+en !o(ld (se to retrie#e their catch&
She felt so+ething a$$roaching" and her head 6ered ($" only to find 2erry soaring ($ o#er the !heelho(se headed
to!ards her& Her $artner slo!ed to a halt" then $(lled o(t her s+all slate and grease $encil and started to scri,,le& .ar
let her !rite" as she drifted off into the !heel ho(se&
't !as fairly dar inside& She fliced her light on and e)a+ined the di+" silent $lace !here s(rely the ca$tain had s$ent
his last +o+ents& 9or a +o+ent" her sin $ricled and she looed aro(nd" sternly telling her i+agination to $ic a ,etter
ti+e to !ae ($& The inside of the str(ct(re !as co#ered in coral" and she had to +o#e ca(tio(sly so as not to get her
gear tangled or snagged&
The chair ,olted to the floor had co+e +ostly loose& .ar d(ced aro(nd it" and e)a+ined the console that held the
shi$%s !heel& The old fashioned n(,,ed !ood !as s(r$risingly intact" and she c(rled her hand aro(nd one of the s$oes&
The !heel had a ,rass inset" and she leaned closed" shining her light on it& The sea had corroded it too ,adly" ,(t she
co(ld see the $late !as loose" and she $(lled her di#e nife o(t and $ried gently at it&
't ca+e loose and floated do!n& .ar d(ced aro(nd the !heel after it" and snagged it in one hand near the floor of the
!heel ho(se& She !as 6(st t(rning to co+e ,ac ($ !hen she s$otted an odd $rofile (nder the front console&
4(rio(sly" she fli$$ed o#er onto her ,ac and !riggled (nderneath the +etal shelf" shining her light on her find& 't !as
co#ered in gro!th" ,(t .ar co(ld 6(st +ae o(t so+ething cla+$ed there and she got closer" clearing so+e of the coral
a!ay&
The o(tline !as sinister& .ar felt a chill do!n her s$ine" and she glanced ,ehind her in $(re refle)& Shaing her head in
annoyance" she +o#ed in closer" and !ored caref(lly at the cla+$" trying to $ry it free&
- hand gra,,ed her anle& 0ith a s(r$rised ,(rst of ,(,,les" .ar l(rched ($!ard" sla++ing her head against the
console and nocing herself silly& .isoriented" she lashed o(t !ith an ar+" then felt a fa+iliar gri$ on her and reali5ed
it !as 2erry&
She !ent li+$ !ith relief" and r(,,ed her head !here it had i+$acted the +etal& 2erry $(lled her closer and re+o#ed
her reg(lator" then issed the s$ot&
.ar rolled onto her ,ac and ga5ed ($ at her $artner re$roachf(lly& 2erry ga#e her an a$ologetic loo" ,(t handed her
the slate for her to read& .ar scanned the +essage and nodded #igoro(sly" gi#ing 2erry a th(+,s ($& Then she $ointed
(nder the console to her $ri5e&
2erry floated o#er her" going ,elly to ,elly !ith her in the s+all s$ace& She directed her light to the ite+" then 6ered
,ac in s(r$rise" looing at .ar in 8(estion&
.ar" tra$$ed co+forta,ly (nder 2erry%s ,ody" s$read ,oth hands in an attit(de of 8(estioning& 2erry $ointed at the ite+"
and then +ade a t(gging +otion& .ar nodded agree+ent" and then ga#e her a gentle $oe in the side&
2erry $(shed ,ac o(t of the !ay" allo!ing .ar to roll o#er and tae hold of the encr(sted relic& She ,raced herself" and
then $(lled& The ite+ didn%t ,(dge& 0ith a sco!l" .ar got a ,etter gri$" $ressing her fins against the console and ha(ling
,ac!ards !ith all the strength of her $o!erf(l sho(lders and thighs&
There !as a so(nd they co(ld hear e#en (nder !ater as the +etal ri$$ed loose a,r($tly" sending .ar shooting
,ac!ards into 2erry" and ,oth of the+ into the !heel in a clash of ,odies" tans" and a scattering of dislodged coral&
2erry rolled o(t of the !ay" ,(t her hose ca(ght on one of the !heel s$oes" and yaned her aro(nd& She t!isted in
s(r$rise" and !ith a $o$" the hose r($t(red and $(lled loose fro+ her second stage&
-ir sto$$ed& 2erry%s eyes sna$$ed o$en !ide and she reached ,ac" her other hand gra,,ing for .ar%s ar+ near,y& She
s$it o(t her reg(lator and st(c it into her $ocet" reaching do!n for her secondary& The ,roen line !as s$e!ing
,(,,les" ho!e#er" and she reali5ed it !as her life r(nning o(t and gathering ($ along the ceiling&
.ar !hirled at the so(nd of air releasing" and looed o#er" s$otting the $ro,le+ i++ediately& She dro$$ed her hard !on
relic and $o(nced on 2erry" $(lling her aro(nd to get at her second stage& 'n an instant" she gra,,ed 2erry%s hand" then
she $(lled o(t her o!n reser#e reg(lator and handed it to her&
2erry gra,,ed her o!n co+$(ter and sho!ed it to .ar& .ar 6(st $(shed the reg(lator at her" as she t(rned the #al#e on
the to$ of 2erry%s tan to sh(t her air do!n& 2erry too the reg(lator and e)changed it" no! ,reathing off the sa+e
tan .ar !as& She $iced ($ .ar%s co+$(ter and looed at it" cl(tching .ar%s ar+ in alar+&
.ar $atted her chee co+fortingly" ,(t e$t !oring&
1I4
't !as getting dar& .ar $ro$$ed her light ($ and gra,,ed 2erry%s ,roen hose" e)a+ining the end of it& .iscarding the
hose a +o+ent later" she $(lled a s+all $acet o(t of her B4 and (n!ra$$ed it" disclosing a +(lti$(r$ose tool and so+e
s+all" shiny things that looed lie foreshortened ,(llets&
2erry !aited tensely" (na,le to see !hat .ar !as doing" and #ery conscio(s of the air they ,oth !ere e)$ending& 7n
.ar%s tan" they !o(ld not ,oth ha#e eno(gh to get to the s(rface !ith a safety sto$" e)$osing the+ ,oth to the danger
of the ,ends&
She tried to ,e cal+" ,reathing #ery slo!ly" and #ery e#enly& The !ater closed in aro(nd her" no! dense and dar"
flicers of (nno!n life #isi,le at the $eri+eter of her #ision&
.ar closed the end of her $liers on the ,it of hose st(c in the second stage" t!isting it hard and (nscre!ing the end of
the ,roen $art& 't 6a++ed a little" ,(t she coa)ed it o(t finally and let it dro$ to the gro(nd& 9ro+ the selection of s+all
,(llets" she $iced ($ one and inserted it into the hole" gently !oring it in and scre!ing the threaded $l(g into $lace&
She tightened it do!n" and then slo!ly o$ened the #al#e again" !atching caref(lly for any ,(,,les&
Bone& She ta$$ed 2erry on the sho(lder" and +otioned for her to e)change reg(lators again& Her lo#er readily did so"
s(cing in air on her o!n reser#e !ith a loo of (tter relief& .ar $(t her tools a!ay" and then checed her !atch& They
!ere do!n too long" she reali5ed" and fro+ the loo in 2erry%s eyes" 2erry reali5ed that too& .ar $ointed to!ards the
!heelho(se entrance" no!ing they didn%t ha#e ti+e to e#en glance into the shi$%s hold&
B(t there !asn%t anything she co(ld do a,o(t that& She follo!ed 2erry o(t into the dar ocean& -l+ost no light !as
co+ing do!n no!" and the !rec had receded into a +ysterio(s shado!& .ar hefted her ,it of +etal in one hand and
got her ,earings" +o#ing slo!ly a!ay fro+ the ,oat to!ards their anchor line&
2erry checed her co+$ass" shining her light ahead of her (ntil it reflected off a sil#ery chain reaching ($ to!ards the
s(rface& She too hold of the anchor line gratef(lly" glad for its sec(rity as they ,egan to inch their !ay ($!ard&
't !as the first ti+e she%d e#er had an e8(i$+ent fail(re" and she had to ad+it it had rattled her ,adly& She ne! that if
she hadn%t had .ar !ith her" and .ar hadn%t ,een $re$ared as she al!ays !as" she%d ha#e ,een facing an e+ergency
ascent and the #ery real $ossi,ility of a di#er%s night+are& The ,ends +eant the tra$$ing of nitrogen ,(,,les inside her
,loodstrea+" gro!ing ,igger as she shot for the s(rface and $otentially c(tting off her circ(lation& Bor+al ascent ga#e
the gas $lenty of ti+e to ,e grad(ally rea,sor,ed" ,(t doing anything else o$ened yo( ($ to the ris of a heart attac" a
stroe" $aralysis" or death&
2erry !asn%t ready to die yet" and 6(st the tho(ght of a stroe lie her father had s(ffered +ade her ,lood r(n ice cold&
B(t she had ,een l(cy" and .ar had ,een there& 2erry felt a l(+$ in her throat" as they $a(sed for a safety sto$& .ar
circled her leg !ith an ar+ and s8(ee5ed it" !atching her fro+ ,ehind her +as& 0ith the dar !ater aro(nd the+" it
!as an oddly inti+ate +o+ent& 2erry leaned for!ard and $ressed her +as against .ar%s" 6(st looing into her eyes&
She forgot a,o(t their +ission& She forgot !here they !ere" and for 6(st that +o+ent 2erry !as si+$ly glad to ,e ali#e&
.ar ,r(shed her fingerti$s against 2erry%s 6a!& Her eyes s+iled&
2erry ca(ght her hand and clas$ed it& She co(ld feel the $o!erf(l e+otion r(nning ,et!een the+ so stronglyD !ords
!o(ld 6(st ha#e ,een !indo! dressing&
-,o#e the+" their con6oined ,(,,les t!irled la5ily for the s(rface&
GG
.ar ,roe the s(rface first" $(lling off her +as and shaing the hair o(t of her eyes& She s$otted the ,oat" 4harlie and
Bo, !aiting an)io(sly on its dec" and headed for it& 2erry e+erged 6(st ,ehind her" s(r$rised at the cho$ that the
!ater had de#elo$ed&
She e$t her reg(lator in her +o(th as she follo!ed .ar thro(gh the !a#es" glad their di#e !as o#er& She h(ng onto the
ladder !hile her $artner ha(led herself ($ on ,oard" .ar%s catch ,ag hea#y !ith the relic she%d reco#ered as it ,anged
against her nee&
-s .ar cleared the ladder" 2erry tossed her fins on,oard" then gra,,ed the +etal r(ngs and !ith a s(rge of energy"
$(lled herself and her gear ($ o(t of the !ater& She !as already ste$$ing in the dec ,y the ti+e .ar t(rned" and she
ga#e her lo#er a tiny !a#e as she +ade her !ay o#er to the ,ench and sat do!n on it&
So" 2erry& Her +ind gently +oced her& 0anted to loo +acha in front of the ,oys" h+= She hooed her tans ($ the
holder and (nfastened her B4" sitting ,ac and rela)ing as the !eight ca+e off her sho(lders&
/9ind anything=1 Bo, ased& />oos lie yo( didA1
1I*
.ar shed her catch ,ag" !hich clattered onto the dec& /9o(nd a co($le things&1 She said& /Ho! are !e doing on ti+e=1
/-ll right&1 4harlie told her& /0ind%s co+e ($&1
/So ' noticed&1 .ar sh(ced her gear and stood ($ straight" $(lling her hair ,ac and !ringing the !ater fro+ it& /0e
fo(nd so+e things ' can%t really e)$lain" ,(t '%ll tell yo( !hat !e didn%t find&1 She $(t her hands on neo$rene co#ered
hi$s& /0e didn%t find fishing gear&1
4harlie and Bo, looed at each other& /H(h=1 Bo, said& /0hat d%yo( +ean? it !as a fishing ,oat&1
/3eah&1 2erry stood and !ent to the ca,inet" $(lling o(t t!o to!els& The night air !as cool" and she !as starting to
chill& /B(t .ar%s right& There !asn%t any fishing gear on it& Bo nets" no !hate#er those things are they (se to $(ll the
nets ($" nothing&1 She tossed .ar one of the to!els& /' fo(nd a $art of a crate ' ,ro(ght ($&1 She !ra$$ed the other
to!el aro(nd her" closing her 6a! to $re#ent it fro+ chattering& /' need to go $(t so+ething dry on&1
/Go&1 .ar $(shed her gently to!ards the ca,in& /0here%s that so($=1 She ased Bo," gi#ing hi+ a direct stare&
/7h& L+&&& insideA1 Bo, $ointed& /'%ll go get it&1 He o$ened the door and let 2erry enter ahead of hi+" the closed it
,ehind the+ ,oth&
.ar !ent to her catch ,ag and o$ened it&
/'f he !asn%t fishing" !hat !as he doing here=1 4harlie ased" c(rio(sly&
/Good 8(estion&1 .ar lifted the relic she%d retrie#ed and handed it o#er to hi+& /9o(nd that cla+$ed (nder the ,ridge
console&1
4harlie%s eyes o$ened !ide as he handled the ,ig" coral encr(sted ite+& /Sonofa,itch" .ar& That%s an M-1IA1
/M+&1 .ar fished in the ,ag and $(lled o(t the ,rass $iece& /' need to clean this off&1 She sighed& /So !e no! he
!asn%t fishing" ,(t !e%re not any closer to fig(ring o(t !hat he !as doing&1
/4hances are" it !asn%t so+ethin legit&1 4harlie said& /Bot !ith this on ,oard& 3o( thin he !as r(nning do$e=1
.ar shr(gged& /Beats the hell o(t of +e&1 She to!eled her hair a little drier and e)haled& /Bot a f(n di#e& 2erry lost one
of her hoses in the !rec&1 She !aled o#er and e)a+ined the tan& /Than god +y father $o(nded into +e a,o(t
carrying a 8(ic it all those years ,ac&1
4harlie !as at her sho(lder" looing at the hose& /Sonofa,itch&1 He to(ched the $l(g& /.a+n straight that%s l(cy&1 He
$(t a hand on .ar%s sho(lder& /Tell yo( !hat" .ar& 0hy don%t yo( go on inside and get so+e 6a#a in yo(& '%ll start the
crate ($ and head (s o#er do!n so(th&1
.ar ,le! o(t a ,reath& /-ll right&1 She ga#e hi+ a gratef(l grin& /4aref(l going ($ that ladder&1
4harlie snorted& /S!a,&1 He ga#e her a gentle $(sh" +(ch as .ar had gi#en 2erry earlier" to!ards the door& /G%!an&
P(t those ,rain cells to fig(ring o(t !hat to tell that !hac 6o, !hen !e get there&1
.ar $iced ($ the ,rass $late" and collected 2erry%s ,ag and headed for the door& So+ething hot and dry clothes
so(nded lie a great idea& 7ff in the distance" she heard the faintest hint of a r(+,le" and re+inded herself to t(rn on the
+arine radio&
0ith their l(c" the da+n stor+ !as co+ing&
She had" at ,est fi#e ho(rs to fig(re o(t !hat the hell she !as going to ,ait .eSalliers !ith& .ar shoo her head as she
entered the ca,in" glad to ,e o(t of the cool ,ree5e and inside the !ell lit s$ace& Bo, !as ,ehind the galley stirring
so+ething in a $ot" and 2erry !as $res(+a,ly in their ,edroo+ getting changed&
.ar ga#e Bo, a ,rief s+ile" and !aled right $ast hi+" to!ards the closed door ,eyond& She dro$$ed the ,ag on the
dec near the ,athroo+ and contin(ed on" nocing lightly on the ,edroo+ door ,efore she o$ened it&
2erry !as reclined on the ,ed" her head $ro$$ed ($ on one fist" co+$letely naed& She lifted her other hand and
+otioned .ar for!ard&
0ho the hell" .ar !ondered s(ddenly& Beeded any da+n so($= She 8(icly !ent inside and closed the door ,ehind her&
/Hi&1
/' need yo(r hel$&1 2erry dra!led softly& /B(t tae yo(r !ets(it off first& ' don%t !ant yo( to dri$ all o#er the ,ed&1
4a(ght 6(st a trifle off g(ard" .ar felt her eyes !iden as she looed at her lo#er& /L+? oay&1 She reached ,ehind her
and ca(ght the 5i$$er stra$" t(gging it do!n and releasing the !ets(it& She $eeled it off her ar+s" and then stri$$ed o(t
of it" lea#ing her in her s!i+s(it& /So+ething !rong=1
1II
2erry coced her head to one side& /Bot !ith yo(&1 She said& /4%+on" c%+on&1
.ar got o(t of her s(it and to!eled herself off" and then she sat do!n on the ,ed ne)t to 2erry& /3o( no! !e%#e got
g(ests o(tside&1 She told her lo#er !ryly&
/3es" ' no!&1 2erry sighed" and rolled o#er" laying her head do!n on .ar%s thigh& /B(t !hen ' fell o#er in the shi$" '
got so+ething st(c in the ,ac of +y nec& 't%s shar$" and ' can%t reach it" and it%s dri#ing +e cra5y&1
.ar ,lined& /7h&1 She stifled a tiny la(gh& /Hang on&1 She gently $ro,ed the soft sin on 2erry%s ,ac" seeing a red
s$ot near !here her s$ine entered her s(ll&
/M+&1 2erry e)haled& /3o(%re nice and !ar+" .ar& Ho! did yo( do that so fast=1
/S!eetheart&1 .ar +(r+(red her eyes on her tas& /3 yo(%re lying here in front of +e naed& 'f ' !as e#en slightly
chilly" !e%d ha#e a $ro,le+&1
2erry%s lo!" rich la(gh s(r$rised ,oth of the+&
/-h& Got it&1 .ar gently gras$ed the +etal s$linter and eased it o(t of 2erry%s sin& - tiny ,ead of ,lood follo!ed" and
she $ressed the s$ot caref(lly" s8(ee5ing o(t a little +ore to +ae s(re she%d gotten e#erything o(t& /Bad ,oat& Sticing
+y 2erry&1 She felt 2erry e)hale" a fl(tter of !ar+ ,reath along her thigh& /Better=1
/M(ch& Thans&1 2erry said as she rolled ,ac o#er& She r(,,ed her hand along .ar%s leg" and ga5ed ($ at her !ith
dee$ affection& /-nd than yo( for ,eing there" and no!ing !hat to do today&1
.ar dis$osed of the sli#er" and eased do!n ne)t to 2erry& /Than .ad& He ,eat di#e safety into +e !ithin an inch of +y
life&1 She $(t her hand on 2erry%s nee& /-re yo( oay= ' no! that !as scary&1
2erry nodded& /'%+ oay&1 She said& /' !as ind of ner#o(s !hen it !as ha$$ening" ,eca(se going to the s(rface fast
!asn%t so+ething ' really !anted to do& To ris&1
/Bo&1 .ar +(r+(red& />o(sy $lace to ris a case of the ,ends&1 She ad+itted& /' had a +ild hit once" and it%s not
so+ething ' e#er !ant to re$eat&1 She fle)ed her hand in front of her face& />ost feeling to +y ar+ for a !ee&1
2erry eased o#er and c(rled ($ against .ar& /' tho(ght a,o(t +y father&1 She said softly& /-,o(t !hat that +(st ha#e
felt lie&1 - ,reath& /3eah" ' !as scared&1
.ar $(t her ar+s aro(nd 2erry%s ,ody& /' !o(ldn%t let anything lie that ha$$en to yo(&1 She told her& /Belie#e that"
2er& 't%s +y 6o, to ee$ yo( safe do!n there&1
2erry felt herself cradled in .ar%s e+,race" her ,ody no! !ar+ed thro(gh and thro(gh as the lingering fears
e#a$orated& /' ,elie#e it&1 She !his$ered& /' no! '%+ safe !ith yo(&1
They roced together in silence for a fe! +in(tes" listening to the engines r(+,le to life and the anchor retract&
/.o !e ha#e anything to gi#e .eSalliers" .ar=1
/- little&1
/Hno(gh=1
/' don%t no!&1 .ar said& /' 6(st don%t no!&1
GG
Part 1&
The !eather !as getting !orse& 2erry held on to the edge of the door as she !aited for the ,oat to steady" then
contin(ed on her $ath to!ards the co(ch& .ar !as already sitting on it" her la$to$ in front of her and a stac of
disorderly $a$ers scattered o#er the ta,le& Bo, held se#eral" his ,ro! creased as he looed at the+& /-nything=1 2erry
ased" taing the s$ot right ne)t to .ar on the co(ch&
/- lot of cra$&1 .ar sighed& She n(dged the ,it of !ood 2erry had ,ro(ght ($ !ith her nee& They had scra$ed off
eno(gh sea life to re#eal three letters of a na+e" ,(t the $ossi,le $er+(tations of /;TH1 in the +iddle of a !ord !ere?
/This list is endless&1 She handed it to 2erry& /H#en $arsing it do!n to +arine related co+$anies and ter+s&1
2erry too the $age& /'t co(ld e#en ,e an a,,re#iation for ro(te&1 She agreed +o(rnf(lly& /This is !orse than looing
for a needle in a haystac&1
.ar sat ,ac and let her hands fall to her thighs& /0e%#e got $ieces" ,(t !e%#e got no idea !hat the $(55le loos lie&1
She said& /0e no! one thing for s(re& He !asn%t here fishing&1
1IJ
/7ay" and if he had an assa(lt rifle on ,oard" he $ro,a,ly !asn%t r(nning a sightseeing charter&1 2erry added& /He had
s($$lies on ,oard for a long tri$" !hich +aes sense since he !as $retty far fro+ ho+e $ort&1
/;ight&1 .ar got ($ and $aced" her ,ody a(to+atically co+$ensating for the roll of the ,oat& S(ddenly she sto$$ed&
/2er" did yo( tae any $ict(res inside the hold !hen !e !ere do!n the first ti+e=1
2erry%s ,ro! creased in tho(ght& /'t !as $retty di+ in there& ' don%t thin ' !o(ld ha#e&1 She told her $artner
a$ologetically& /Besides" !e !ere too ,(sy trying to get (nderneath those?those? !hat !ere those +etal things !e
fo(nd the eel ,ehind any!ay" .ar=1
L$side do!n and tilted side!ays" the !recage hadn%t ,een that intelligi,le to .ar either& Her +ind dre! a $ict(re of
the t!isted +etal" 6(+,led in a h(ge $ile that she%d edged ,ehind& She re+e+,ered reaching o(t to try and +o#e it" and
her hands had closed aro(nd so+ething ro(ndish" and relati#ely s+ooth?&
/4ages&1 The !ord ca+e o(t of .ar%s +o(th (ne)$ectedly& /They !ere cages" !ith ,ars&1
Bo, and 2erry ,oth stared at her& /4ages=1 2erry re$eated tho(ghtf(lly& /0ait? yeah" they !ere& 7ne of the doors
!as o$en and ' !as lying on to$ of it&1 She nodded& /The hinge !as $oing +e in the ri,s&1 Her #oice rose in
e)cite+ent& /3o(%re right" .arA1
/4ages=1 Bo, looed e)tre+ely $(55led& /9or !hat= Peo$le=1
.ar slo!ly shoo her head& /Bo& Too s+all&1 Her ,ro! contracted& /M(st ha#e ,een for ani+als& They !ere s$read o(t
all o#er the hold" 6(st in $ieces e#ery!here&1
Bo! 2erry looed slightly conf(sed& /' don%t get it& 0hy !o(ld he ,e trying to get ani+als into the islands= 7r&& /Her
eyes !idened& /Bo" he !as trying to get the+ fro+ here" !asn%t heA1
.ar nodded slo!ly" feeling a sense of +i)ed elation and disg(st& /They%re a co++odity&1 She told 2erry ,l(ntly& /'n
so+e $laces" the ,lac +aret for the+ is h(ge&1
/>ie for 5oos=1 Bo, ased& /' tho(ght they co(ld $retty +(ch ,reed their o!n&1
/Bo&1 The tall" dar haired !o+an e)haled& /0ell" yes" there are so+e $laces !ho%ll $ay for e)hi,it ani+als" s(re" ,(t
+ostly the +aret is for&& ah?1
/Parts&1 2erry +(r+(red& /Sin" f(r&&1
/H#en +ore for traditional fol +edicine&1 .ar confir+ed 8(ietly& /'t%s ,ig +oney& -lastair did an analysis t!o years
ago of e+erging +arets" and ' thin e#en he !as shoced& 7ne of o(r far eastern offices !as contacted to $ro#ide
data,ase ser#ices and $rocessing for a co+$any that acts as a clearing ho(se for the legal st(ff&1
2erry stared at .ar&
/He re6ected the contract&1 .ar ga#e a slight shr(g of her sho(lders& /He told +e his +other !o(ld ha#e s$aned hi+
ra! if she%d e#er heard he%d hel$ed $oachers&1 She $(lled the !ood o#er and st(died it& /7ay" no! !e%#e got
so+ething to go on& 2er" do a search on these letters" only hit #eterinary data,ases instead of +arine&1
/;ight yo( are" ,oss&1 2erry ass(+ed the la$to$" and co++enced ty$ing& /They%re gonna faint at the cell ,ill this
+onth&1 She co++ented& /3o(%ll get another set of ticets to the S($er Bo!l fro+ Bellso(th& May,e !e can go this
year&1
.ar t(rned the !ood o#er in her fingers" e)a+ining it caref(lly& 't see+ed liely it !as fro+ a s($$ly crate& She co(ld
see the faint indentations !here +etal stra$$ing +ight ha#e held it in $lace&
/So ' g(ess he really !asn%t n(ts" h(h=1 Bo, said s(ddenly&
/4ra5y lie a fo)&1 .ar +(r+(red" ti$$ing the !ood to the light&
/Holy Ces(s& That +eans !e !on& ' gotta call Tanya&1 The +an stood ($ and ran a hand thro(gh his hair& /0e really did
it&1
/0e=1 2erry said (nder her ,reath& /Bot so fast& 0e ha#en%t $ro#en anything& -ll !e%#e got is a reasona,le theory&1
She added in a lo(der tone& /7h& .ar" loo&1 2erry $ointed at the screen" !hich sho!ed a list of res$onses to her
re8(est&
/4arter 'nternational&1 .ar e)haled& /Roological s($$lies& 0hat%s the odds=1 She ta$$ed the !ood on her nee& /-ll
right& 't%s a theory& 0e%#e got the M1I" this ,it of !ood" o(r +e+ories of the hold f(ll of cages" and a fishing ,oat
!itho(t any fishing gear on it&1
1IK
/-nd the cigar ,o)&1 2erry re+inded her& /Bot that it%s rele#ant" or e#en a,le to ,e o$ened&1 She $(shed the la$to$
aside and got ($" heading for the gear roo+& The ,oat rolled and she $(t her hand on the !all for ,alance" then
contin(ed on&
/Hey" .ar=1 4harlie%s #oice cracled thro(gh the radio&
.ar set the !ood do!n and headed o#er to the console& /3eah=1 She eyed the +ic and ans!ered& /0hat%s ($= ' thin
!e%#e got so+ething here" 4harlie&1
/0all" ' thin !e%#e got so+ething here& 3o( +ight !ant to co+e ($ a +in(te&1 4harlie said& /0e +ight ha#e
co+$any&1
4ra$& .ar leaned her head against the door 6a+,& /7ay& '%ll ,e right ($&1 She ans!ered" tossing the +ic do!n in a +ild
fit of fr(stration& /.a+n it" can%t anything e#er go lie it%s s($$osed to=1
/0hat%s that=1 2erry ret(rned" carrying her ,o)& /0hat%s going on=1
.ar t(rned and faced her& /4harlie thins so+eone%s follo!ing (s& '%+ gonna go chec it o(t&1 She !aited !hile 2erry
contin(ed !aling to!ards her" tilting her head as her $artner ended ($ at her side& /May,e it%s 6(st so+eone o(t late
doing so+e night fishing&1
/May,e cats $(t on 6acets and do the tango&1 2erry set the ,o) do!n on the console and d(sted her hands off& /'%ll go
!ith yo(&1
/Me too&1 Bo, agreed&
.ar sighed& She $iced ($ the ,o) and e)a+ined it& /This%ll tae ti+e to $ry o$en" 2er& 't%s co+$letely encr(sted&1 She
glanced at Bo," !ho !as $eering c(rio(sly o#er her sho(lder&
/'t%s 6(st an old cigar ,o)&1 He said" so(nding disa$$ointed&
.ar $(t the ,o) do!n& /3eah&1 She o$ened the door" 6ering a little as a g(st of fitf(l !ind $(ffed against her" ,lo!ing
her hair ,ac off her forehead& /Ti+e for that later&1 She edged o(tside" shading her eyes against the ,oat%s r(nning
lights and s$otting the !hiteca$s riffling aro(nd the+& /.a+n&1
/Got nasty fast&1 2erry o,ser#ed& /'s it that stor+ syste+=1
.ar $(lled herself along the ca,inet o#er to the ladder& /' don%t thin it !as +o#ing that fast& May,e this is 6(st a
th(nderstor+&1 She reached ($ and ca(ght an ($$er r(ng" starting her cli+, ($!ard& The $itching of the ,oat thre! her
fro+ side to side slightly" ,(t she got to the to$ and ca(ght her ,alance& /4harlie&1
The ,ig e) sailor t(rned fro+ his seat at the controls& /0eather%s ($&1 He said& />oos lie a s8(all&1
/Bo idding&1 .ar gra,,ed the edge of the ,ridge railing and got ,ehind the !heel& She felt 2erry th(+$ against the
,ac of the seat she !as in" and the $ress(re of a hand on the ,ac of her nec& /0here%s the signal=1
/Here&1 4harlie $ointed to the radar& -+idst the cl(tter of the stor+" a s+all" $(lsing green ,li$ e+erged so+e distance
a!ay fro+ the+& /4o(ld 6(st ,e a false& Bot getting +(ch closer in the last ,it&1
/Bot !ith o(r l(c&1 .ar st(died the dot& 't didn%t see+ to ,e +o#ing 8(icly" 6(st +eandering after the+ ee$ing a,o(t
an e#en distance fro+ the .i)ie& /3o( thin it%s .eSalliers=1
/Too little&1 4harlie shoo his head&
/Pirates=1 2erry s(ggested
/Bot in this !eather& They ain%t that st($id&1
2erry leaned in ne)t to .ar& /May,e they changed their +inds a,o(t hel$ing yo( o(t&1
4harlie snorted& /-nyhoo" !e got three +ore ho(rs of this ,efore !e get to the +eet $oint& 0eather%s getting !orse&
3o( !ant to $(ll in so+e!here till it clears a little=1
.ar lifted her eyes and $eered off into the darness& The !ind !hi$$ed her hair ,ac" and a crac of far off lightning
ill(+inated a ,an of hea#y clo(ds ahead of the+& /3o( thin it%ll clear=1
The ,ig +an shr(gged& /.e$ends& Might 6(st ,e a s8(all&1 He said&
/7r an o(ter ,and&1 .ar re$lied dryly& /Ho! far are !e fro+ the s$ot=1
/Ho(r&1 4harlie said& /Got a s+all atoll fi#e" ten +in(tes fro+ here !e co(ld anchor ,y& Gi#e o(r snoo$y friend a
chance to get o(t of o(r hair&1
1IM
/-ll right&1 .ar said& /3o( can tae a loo at !hat !e fo(nd o(t& See if it +aes any sense to yo(&1
4harlie nodded" and t(rned the ,oat into the !ind" n(dging the throttles for!ard as the !a#es roced the+ fro+ side to
side&
GG
2erry !asn%t a ha$$y $erson& She leaned her el,o!s on the co(nter and st(died her hands" regarding the tiny lines on
the ,ac of her th(+,s as she tried not to ch(c her g(ts ($& 't !asn%t fair" she +oaned silently& 0hat !as it a,o(t the
4ari,,ean that ,ro(ght on seasicness in her= She%d sailed in the Great >aes in !a#es higher than this and it hadn%t
,othered her a ,it&
/3o( oay=1
2erry t(rned her head to find .ar standing ne)t to her& /L+&1 She held her ,reath as the ,oat rolled in the s(rf& /Sorta&1
/S!eetheart&1 .ar affectionately ran her fingers thro(gh 2erry%s hair& /3o(%re greener than yo(r eyes& 0ant so+ething
for that=1
/.o yo( ha#e so+ething=1 2erry ased ho$ef(lly& /'t !asn%t so ,ad !hen !e !ere +o#ing&1 They%d ,een at anchor
for t!enty +in(tes& 4harlie !as st(dying the cl(es they%d fo(nd" and Bo, had retreated to the chair near the door&
/Bo" it !o(ldn%t ,e&1 .ar fished ($ in the ca,inet o#er the refrigerator& She retrie#ed a s+all ,o)" leaning against the
!all for ,alance as she ri$$ed it o$en& /'t%s the !allo!ing&1
2erry closed her eyes& /.on%t say that !ord again&1
.ar $o$$ed o$en the foil on t!o of the ta,lets and set the ,o) do!n" t(rning to retrie#e a c($ and fill it !ith !ater&
/Here&1 She handed 2erry the $ills& /.ra+a+ine&1
2erry too the $ills and the !ater and +ade 8(ic !or of s!allo!ing the+& She set the c($ do!n and sighed& /Got
anything else= -ny old fol re+edies yo( !ant to try=1
.ar coced her head to one side" then !ith a tiny s+ir" she leaned o#er and ca$t(red 2erry%s earlo,e ,et!een her
teeth" ni,,ling at it gently&
/7rf&& ,(&& &.arA1 2erry s8(eaed #ery softly" her eyes !idening and l(rching ($ to!ards their g(ests& The attention !as
ca(sing tiny" interesting 6olts to tra#el do!n her ,ody" ho!e#er" !arring effecti#ely against the $anic&
/3eees=1 .ar +(r+(red&
2erry !ondered if it !as the .ra+a+ine !oring that fast& Her na(sea eased" and she felt her sho(lders rela)" des$ite
the contin(ed roll of the ,oat& /0o!& That !ors&1 She !his$ered&
/M+h+&1 .ar agreed& /- little to(gh to do to yo(rself" tho(gh&1 She $(t her ar+s aro(nd 2erry and $(lled her ,ac to
lean against her ,ody& 2erry clas$ed her hands aro(nd .ar%s and e)haled" see+ingly #ery content&
-s the +eeting ti+e got closer" .ar !as getting +ore and +ore !orried a,o(t it& The no!ledge that B(d%s safety !as
resting on her sho(lders !eighed on her" and she ne! they only had the sli++est n(+,er of facts on their side&
/.ar=1
.ar rested her chin against 2erry%s hair& /H+=1
/'%+ going in there !ith yo(" to +eet !ith .eSalliers&1 2erry stated& /C(st in case yo( !ere thining a,o(t asing +e
not to&1
0as she thining that= .ar co(ld feel 2erry%s ,reathing (nder her hands" a slo! and steady +otion& /To ,e honest" '
hadn%t really tho(ght a,o(t it" 2er& .oes it +ae sense to ris ,oth of (s" tho(gh=1
2erry didn%t ans!er for a fe! +in(tes& Her hands stroed .ar%s" tho(gh" a gently co+forting sensation& /' 6(st !ant to
,e !ith yo(&1 She finally said& /' !ant to ,e there&1
't see+ed right" so+eho!" if not logical& /7ay&1 .ar said& /'%+ gonna need all the hel$ ' can get and yo(%re the ,est
hel$ ' co(ld ho$e for&1
She co(ldn%t see the grin on 2erry%s face" ,(t she ne! it !as there fro+ the change in her #oice&
/Thans&1 2erry rested her head against .ar%s collar,one& /So" !hat%s the $lan=1
1J0
:ery good 8(estion& /' fig(re !e%ll +eet !ith hi+&1 .ar said& /Try to set so+e gro(nd r(les& ' !ant to get the +oney
straight first" ,eca(se if he doesn%t go for that" !e%#e got a real $ro,le+&1 She e$t her #oice do!n o(t of 4harlie%s
hearing range&
/M+&1
/Get hi+ to sho! (s B(d" to +ae s(re he%s on the ,oat&1 .ar !ent on& /Then? ' g(ess" !e let o(t !hat !e no! a ,it
at a ti+e& See !hat ha$$ens&1
/0e don%t no! +(ch&1
/' no!&1 .ar said& /Hey" let%s see if !e can get that ,o) o$en&1
They !aled across to the console and leaned o#er the ,o)& Bo, !atched the+ c(rio(sly& .ar $iced ($ a $ocetnife
and o$ened it" starting to $ry gently at the ,arnacles co#ering the ,o) as 2erry held it&
/3o( thin anything%s in there=1 Bo, ased&
/Pro,a,ly not&1 2erry ad+itted& /' thin .ar and ' are 6(st antsy and ,ored" and !e !ant the ti+e to $ass faster&1
.ar glanced at her" a trifle startled at ha#ing her inner tho(ghts e)$ressed !ith s(ch clarity& /Hey&1 She $ried off a ,it of
sea life& /That%s $retty good" Mada+e 9ifi&1
2erry s+iled" and fiddled !ith a ,it of the discarded shells&
/Ho!%s yo(r sto+ach=1 .ar ased&
/9ine&1 2erry ans!ered a,sently& /See if yo( can get that $art off" .ar&1
Bo, got ($ and !andered o#er to the+" $eering o#er their sho(lder& 4harlie re+ained $oring o#er the $ages of data on
the ta,le&
.ar $a(sed to listen to the radio as a !eather ,(lletin cracled to life&
'This is the +ational /eather $er!ice special ad!isory number si, for the %astern 1aribbean islands and surrounding
waters. A tropical depression has formed "ust south of the island of $t. 1roi. -inimum central pressure has been
detected at 899: millibars, and there is some indication of a de!eloping circulation.)
/Son of a ,itch&1 .ar c(rsed !ith feeling&
'-arine interests in the area are ad!ised to take precautions. Highest detected winds are ;9 knots, with gusts to ;<
knots. The storm is mo!ing west northwest at approimately ten knots.)
4harlie had gotten ($ and li+$ed o#er to the+" his ,ro! creasing in concern as he heard the radio& /.a+n&1 He looed
!orried& /0e left e#erything o$en at ho+e&1
/Tell yo( !hat& 0e%ll get B(d" and 6(st head o#er there&1 .ar told hi+ !ith 8(iet confidence& /3o(%ll ,oth ,e ho+e
tonight to tae care of things&1
4harlie ga#e her a s$ec(lati#e loo" and sighed&
- soft crac +ade the+ all 6(+$" then e#eryone looed at .ar& She ,lined at her o!n hands" !hich had of their o!n
#olition contin(ed to !or on the ,o)& The coral aro(nd the lid had ,roen off (nder her nife and fallen to the co(nter&
She $(t the nife do!n and fit her fingers aro(nd the edge of the ,o)" lifting it ($ and easing it $ast the last o,str(cting
coral&
H#eryone cl(stered aro(nd and $eered inside&
GG
/0hat is it=1 Bo, craned his head to see&
.ar tilted the ,o) to the light& 'nside" a sli+ +etal case !as nestled tightly" it%s s(rface corroded ,y contact !ith the
sea& She $(t her $ennife to good (se again and inserted the ti$ ,et!een the edge of the ,o) and the case and $ried ($&
't resisted ,riefly" then $o$$ed free& 2erry reached inside as .ar le#ered the edge ($ an gras$ed the case" lifting it free
of it%s !ooden caset and setting it on the ca,inet to$& /There%s a catch&1 She to(ched the front side& />ie an old
fashioned co+$act or so+ething&1
Bo, leaned closer& /-re those initials in the to$=1 He reached ti+idly o#er and scra$ed a ,it of de,ris off the container&
/' thin they areA1
1J1
/0harton%s=1 2erry $iced ($ a rag t(ced (nderneath the shelf and r(,,ed the case to$& 9aint indications of a
+onogra+ a$$eared" thinly traced lines that !ere diffic(lt to inter$ret& /4o(ld ,e&1
.ar gently $iced at the r(st aro(nd the catch& She set the nife do!n and c(rled her fingerti$s aro(nd the front of the
case" $(shing do!n fir+ly on it& 't didn%t ,(dge" and she felt the +etal digging into her sin& She tensed her hand and
$(t +ore $ress(re on the catch" forcing it in !ith a soft" sodden crac&
0ater s$illed fro+ the edges as she set the case do!n" along !ith grains of fine sand fro+ the ,otto+& .ar lifted the to$
and laid it f(lly o$en on the ca,inet" e)$osing it%s contents to the light&
Bot (ne)$ectedly" the inside !as f(ll of sea ,otto+& - layer of sand co#ered so+ething t(ced inside& 2erry cleared
a!ay the sand !ith her fingers and re+o#ed the contents" !hich felt hard and slic (nder her to(ch&
/0hat is it=1 Bo, ased eagerly&
2erry $(lled it free and (nfolded it& /So+ething $lastic&1 She o$ened it co+$letely and laid it on the shelf& 't !as a
note,oo si5ed sheet" layered in stiff la+inate hea#ily creased !here it had o,#io(sly ,een folded +any ti+es&
The !riting on it !as tiny& H#en 2erry" !hose #ision !as darn near $erfect" had to s8(int at it& .ar didn%t e#en try&
'nstead she angled the light closer and t(rned" heading ,ac to!ards the li#ing area& /'%ll get a +agnifying glass&1
/'t%s ,een red(ced&1 2erry said& /'t%s a ,(nch of $ages" laid o(t&1
Bo, $ointed& /'s that a !ill=1 He ased" in e)cite+ent& /That co#er $age loos lie the one that got tossed o(tA1
4harlie gr(nted& /That%s a fisher+an&1 He said& /2ne! !hat he !as a,o(t in ee$ing that st(ff& B(d @n ' ha#e o(r
i+$ortant st(ff done the sa+e !ay" ce$t !e got it f(ll si5ed&1
.ar ret(rned !ith a s+all handheld +agnifier& She handed it to 2erry" !ho foc(sed it on the first s8(are of ,itty
lettering&
H#eryone !aited !hile the ,lond !o+an read&
/'t%s a tr(st&1 2erry +(r+(red& /This $art" and yeah" that section%s a !ill&1 She $ointed at a third set of $ages& /That%s
the doc(+ents of o!nershi$ for the ,oat? it%s all legal $a$ers&1 She looed ($ at .ar& /-nd this here at the ,otto+
loos lie his float $lan for the 4ari,,ean&1
.ar e)haled& /Proof he !asn%t n(ts&1 She said& /and that he !as here for a reason&1
/3esA 3esAAA1 Bo, yelled in elation& /There it isA 0e got hi+A 0e got the da+n ,astardAAA1
.ar held the sli+" +etal case in one hand" and stared at it" her head shaing ,ac and forth in $atent dis,elief& /' can%t
,elie#e !e%#e had this da+n thing the !hole freaing ti+e&1 She c(rsed" lifting the to$ of the case again and sh(tting it&
/.a+n&1 4harlie e)haled& /.a+n" da+n da+n&1 He looed $rofo(ndly relie#ed&
/'E+ da+n glad to see this&F .ar sighed& F-t least !eE#e got so+ething to !or !ith no!F
F0hat=F Bo, said& FGi#e it to +e& This is TanyaEsAF
2erry co#ered the sheet !ith ,oth hands and ,loced his hasty gra,& FHeyAE
.ar cla+$ed her fingers do!n on his !rist& F>ea#e it& That%s o(r only real ,argaining chi$&F
F3o( canEt gi#e that to hi+A BoAF Bo, !renched his ar+ free fro+ .arEs gri$ and l(nged for the sheet& He yaned at
2erryEs sho(lder" a#oiding 4harlieEs o(tstretched fingers&
.ar reacted instincti#ely& She shifted and her left hand !hi$$ed ($" tangling !ith his ar+ as she thre! her !eight
against hi+& FGet a!ay fro+ her&F .ar !arned hi+" a!are s(ddenly of 2erry%s gently ,e+(sed loo&
4harlie ste$$ed in ,et!een the+ and forced Bo, ,ac" sho#ing hi+ against the !all& F.onEt gi#e +e no e)c(ses" yo(
g(tless git&F He told Bo,& /' don%t gi#e a da+n a,o(t no +oney or !hat yo(%re gonna get o(t of this& That there%s the
ey to +e getting +y $artner ,ac&1
/3o( can%t tae itA1 Bo, $anted& /3o( don%t (nderstand !hat%s at stae hereA1
2erry sli$$ed fro+ ,et!een the+ and carried the sheet !ith her o#er to the co(ch& /Bo&1 She ad#ised Bo,& /3o( don%t
(nderstand !hat%s at stae here" or !hat%s !orse" yo( don%t care& So+eone%s life is in danger& Ho! can yo( e#en thin
a,o(t ee$ing this=1 0ith a disg(sted shae of her head" 2erry (sed a cloth to $at the sheet dry& /.ar" ' can%t e#en scan
this& 't !on%t $ic ($ these letters" e#en as a hi res gra$hic&1
1J2
/' !on%t let yo( gi#e that to hi+&1 Bo, !arned& /' !on%t& ' !on%t" '&& (r$&1 His eyes ,(gged o(t as 4harlie got a ,ig
hand aro(nd his throat and started to s8(ee5e&
/Sh(t the hell ($ fore ' toss yo( o#er,oard&1 The e) sailor lost his $atience&
Bo, glared at all of the+" " ,(t s(,sided& 4harlie released his throat" staying close ,y 6(st in case& /3o( can%t&1 He
+(ttered& /3o( can%t&1
/0e !ill&1 2erry re$lied steadily& @-nd if yo( try to interfere" yo(%re going to get h(rt&1
/.a+n straight&1 4harlie agreed&
GGGGG
/.ar=1 2erry tied the laces on her sneaer& /' ha#e a 8(estion&1 They !ere in the ,edroo+ changing" !ith only the di+
,edside la+$ on& 't !as 8(iet" and cool" and $resented a last +o+ent of $eace ,efore they !ent to do ,attle !ith the
!eather and .eSalliers&
/M+=1 .ar !as fastening the to$ ,(tton on her 6eans&
/Ho! are !e going to get to .eSalliers% ,oat=1
.ar%s hands $a(sed" and she looed ($& /He%s got a siff" ' thin& ' sa! it hanging off a !inch !hen !e !ere on,oard&1
2erry ga5ed serio(sly at her& /0hat if !e need to get ,ac in a h(rry= ' hate to ,e at his +ercy lie that&1
The ,oat $itched" +aing the+ ,oth gra, for ,alance& -fter it steadied" .ar $(t her hands on her hi$s and fro!ned
tho(ghtf(lly& /0e co(ld s!i+&1 She said& /B(t in this !eather" da+n" ' ho$e !e don%t ha#e to&1
2erry ste$$ed closer" and slid her fingerti$s inside .ar%s !aist,and& /3o( thin !e sho(ld dress accordingly 6(st in
case= Bot that ' don%t lo#e yo( in 6eans" s!eetie" ,eca(se ' do" ,(t they%re a ,itch to s!i+ in&1 She ga#e the !aist,and a
t(g& /H#e if they are loose lie these&1
/3o(%#e got a $oint&1 .ar acno!ledged" st(dying 2erry%s o!n o(tfit of a T-shirt t(ced into shorts& /' co(ld 6(st go in
+y ,athing s(it !ith a $air of gy+ shorts o#er it&1 She said& /3o( ha#e a s(it on (nder that=1
/3es ' do" so that !o(ld ,e $erfect&1 2erry agreed& She !atched 8(ietly as her $artner changed" sliding o(t of the 6eans
and folding the+ neatly ,efore she donned her ,athing s(it& /.ar=1 'n the relati#ely di+ light" she co(ld still see the
reflections off .ar%s eyes as she looed at her& /-re yo( scared=1
.ar ad6(sted the sho(lder stra$ on her solid ,lac s(it& /7f doing this=1
2erry nodded&
/- little&1 The dar haired !o+an sighed& /Scared so+ething else !ill ha$$en and so+eone" (s +ay,e" or B(d" !ill get
h(rt& S(re '%+ scared&1
/' feel a lot ,etter no!" that !e ha#e this&1 2erry to(ched the $lastic coated sheet on the dresser& /'t%s not 6(st a ,l(ff
any+ore&1
.ar nodded&
/Sha+e he gets to !in" tho(gh&1 2erry ad+itted& /2ind of fr(strating" really& 0e get the ans!ers at last" and no! it%s
for nothing& 0harton !ins any!ay&1
/'%#e got a theory a,o(t that&1 .ar $(lled a light" cotton short slee#ed shirt on o#er her s(it" lea#ing it (n,(ttoned&
/0hat goes aro(nd" co+es aro(nd& He%ll get his one day&1 She caref(lly stored her $recio(s $ocet !atch in a dra!er"
t(cing it into a fold of one of her s$are shirts&
/>ie +y father did=1 2erry ased 8(ietly&
.ar $a(sed" and looed at her& /3o( co(ld say that&1 She agreed slo!ly& /'t catches ($ to yo(&1 Her eyes dro$$ed
tho(ghtf(lly& />ie it did to +e&1
2erry +o#ed closer& /3o(%re not serio(sly co+$aring yo(rself to either 0harton or +y father" are yo(=1 Her #oice
rose&
/Bo" not e)actly&1 Her $artner re$lied&
/Good&1 2erry ,(+$ed against her& /Then !hat are yo( taling a,o(t=1
1J3
.ar circled 2erry%s nec !ith her ar+s and rested her forehead against her $artner%s& /'%+ not really s(re& -s +e again
later&1 She said&
The ,oat s!ayed" and they ,oth s!ayed !ith it& 2erry too hold of .ar%s !aist and leaned in to iss her& /Ti+e to get
going&1 She said& /'%ll ,e glad !hen this is o#er&1
.ar r(,,ed noses !ith her& /Me too&1 She ad+itted& /Beca(se !hen it is" '%+ gonna ic e#eryone off this da+n ,oat
and $(t a do not dist(r, sign on the railing&1
/;ight there !ith yo(&1 2erry agreed&
.ar t(ced the $lastic sheet into her ,ac $ocet and 5i$$ed it" then $(t her ar+ aro(nd 2erry%s sho(lders and steered
her to!ards the ,edroo+ door& /2no! !hat ' !as 6(st thining= The old +an !as a ,astard& May,e it%s $oetic 6(stice
the id too e#erything&1
2erry sighed& /That tho(ght had occ(rred to +e&1
They o$ened the door and !aled o(t into the ,oat%s li#ing area& /'%+ going to go start ($ the engines&1 .ar told
4harlie" !ho !as ee$ing a do(r eye on the still glo!ering Bo,& She $iced ($ her rain slicer off the co(nter and
sli$$ed into it" fastening the catches& /Might as !ell get +o#ing&1
/'%ll go ($ on there !ith yo(&1 4harlie got ($ caref(lly" getting his ,alance o#er his artificial leg&
/Thans g(ys&1 2erry sent tele$athically to the+" as they hastened to lea#e her !ith the f(rio(s Bo,& /'%+ going to
+ae a $ot of so($" .ar& 0e +issed dinner&1
So($& .ar%s sto+ach s(ddenly r(+,led lo(dly& /Great idea&1 She ga#e her $artner an a$$reciati#e loo& /Thans&1
/M+&1 2erry let her eyes rest on Bo," then +et .ar%s& Her $ale eye,ro! 8(ired&
.ar ret(rned a +ildly shee$ish loo" and a shr(g& /4all +e !hen it%s ready& '%ll co+e get yo(&1 She said& /' +ean" get
it&1
/' lied the first one ,etter&1 2erry +o(thed" ,efore she t(rned and +ade her !ay into the galley&
GG
.ar na#igated caref(lly thro(gh the stor+" edging closer and closer to the +eet $oint& 't !as so dar she co(ld ,arely
see $ast the ,o! of the ,oat" and she !as relying only on her radar and her de$th finder to ee$ her o(t of tro(,le&
The rain lashed hard against the+" +o#ing al+ost side!ays in it%s intensity& 4harlie !as h(ddled in the seat ne)t to her"
also staring o(t into the darness& /Basty&1 .ar +(r+(red&
/3eah&1 The e) sailor re$lied softly& />isten" .ar < '%+ sorry a,o(t that +i) ($ ,efore&1
.ar glanced at hi+& /'t%s all right&1 She said& /'t%s too +(ch stress for all of (s right no!& ' no! yo(%re !orried a,o(t
B(d& So a+ '&1 She !atched the radar& />oos lie o(r friend a,andoned (s&1 She $ointed at the screen& /7ne less
co+$lication&1
4harlie nodded& /Sa! that&1 He said& /' feel a da+n sight ,etter no! a,o(t the !hole thing" since yo( fo(nd that
$a$er!or&1 He added& /-in%t that ' didn%t tr(st yo( to do the right thing" .ar" ,(t?1
/B(t it%s a hell of a lot easier !hen yo(%#e got so+ething to ,argain !ith&1 .ar finished for hi+& /' !asn%t feeling any
too co+forta,le either& There%s 6(st so +(ch ,(llshit ' can dish o(t ,efore ' r(n o(t of cards&1 She +ade a slight
ad6(st+ent to their co(rse& /'%ll ,e glad to gi#e hi+ that da+n $a$er" get B(d" and get the hell o(t of this god da+ned
stor+&1
/.oesn%t ,other yo( that the ,ad g(ys !in=1 4harlie ased" !atching her face&
/Bad g(y%s a relati#e ter+ in this #i$er%s nest&1 .ar +(ttered" t(rning as she heard so+eone co+ing ($ the ladder&
/-h&1 - s+ile crossed her face as she recogni5ed the st(rdy for+ in its rain slicer& 2erry had a ther+os 6(g hanging
aro(nd her nec ,y a lanyard" and !as (sing ,oth hands to $(ll herself ($ the ladder this ti+e& /Told yo( '%d co+e and
get yo(A1 .ar called o(t&
2erry steadied her ,alance" and +ade her !ay across the $itching ,ridge& />et%s 6(st say there%s so +(ch $et(lant
!hininess ' can tae in one sitting" oay=1 She th(+$ed do!n into the third seat" on the other side of .ar& /St($id little
!(ss ,ag& ' al+ost $(t hi+ thro(gh a $orthole&1 Her #oice so(nded e)as$erated& /0e al+ost there=1
/-l+ost&1 .ar nodded&
1J4
- crac of th(nder +ade the+ 6(+$" and the entire sy lit !ith lightning" ,r(shing the hea#ing !a#es !ith sil#er
incandescence for a ,rief instant&
/0o!&1 2erry e)haled& /This is getting $retty ,ad& 0hat if he doesn%t sho!=1
Bo one ans!ered" or looed at each other&
/He%d ,etter&1 .ar finally said& /'f he doesn%t" !e%ll go find hi+&1
>ightning flashed again" and 2erry started" gra,,ing .ar%s ar+& /.arA1 She $ointed off the ,o!& /There%s so+ething
o(t thereA1 She sho(ted& /So+eoneA ' sa! a $ersonA1
/0hat=1 .ar ,ared" incred(lo(s& '++ediately" she c(t the throttles" slo!ing the ,ig ,oat into a !allo!ing idle&
/0here=1
4harlie half stood and $eered& /4an%t ,e" 2erry& Bot in these !aters&1
2erry strained her eyes& /There !as&1 She said" !ith (tter certainty& /' s!ear it&1
.ar checed the ti+e" then looed at 2erry%s face& /Get the s$otlight&1 She said& /'%ll circle&1
2erry 6(+$ed ($ and started for the ladder" !hen she fro5e as a light fro+ the darness of the !a#es see+ed to ignite"
$inning Gthe+G !ith its ,rilliance& /7h&& A1
/0hat the hell&&1 .ar felt the !orld going o(t of ,alance& /Bo! !hat=1
/.ar&1 4harlie%s face had a strange e)$ression& /That there%s a Ba#y (nder!ater la+$&1
Ba#al light= .ar felt a s(dden $ossi,ility +ae her heart 6(+$& -s she idled the engines" she heard the faint echo of a
+(ch s+aller one near,y& /2erry" stay ($ here&1 She held on to the railing as she edged aro(nd her $artner& /' thin
!e%re oay&1
2erry held onto the rail for dear life as she !atched .ar sca+$er do!n the ladder& /' ho$e she%s right&1
Th(nder rolled o+ino(sly o#erhead&
GG
This close to the !ater" .ar co(ld see the o(tline against the !a#es& 't !as a lo! riding ,oat" !ith a single occ($ant&
The light s!e$t across her and ,linded her for a +o+ent" then !ent o(t& She o$ened her eyes and ,lined& /.adA1
/Hey there" .ardar&1 -ndre! ;o,ert%s #oice ,oo+ed ,ac& /Toss +e one of the+ lines&1
0ith a feeling of relief so $rofo(nd it al+ost +ade her di55y" .ar lifted one of their doc lines and tossed it o#er"
ai+ing acc(rately at the shado!y fig(re& She felt it go ta(t& /2ee$ it steady" 2erA1 She yelled ($ to her $artner& /'t%s
.adA1
/3esA1 2erry ho$$ed ($ and do!n a fe! ti+es& /So+ething goes right at lastAAAA1
.ar s+iled as she ca(ght the !ords& She leaned o#er the railing and !atched as her father lashed the ,lac" r(,,er ,oat
to the ro$e& /0ant +e to let the ladder do!n=1
/3es" +a%a+" ' !o(ld lie that&1 -ndre! sho(ted ,ac" tying off a second line to his !aist" then +aing a neat di#e
o#er the side of the craft into the !ater&
.ar scra+,led across the dec and got to the ,ac ladder" hanging on as the ,oat $itched !ildly in the !orsening seas&
She (nlatched the di#ing hatch and ,ooted it o$en" then (nhooed the di#ing ladder and let it do!n into the sea&
't !as only there" it see+ed for a ,rief +o+ent ,efore its shine !as eng(lfed ,y a large" dar fig(re that rose dri$$ing
($ o(t of the !ater and in#aded the dec& -ndre! held his ,alance easily des$ite the ,oat%s rocing and re+o#ed his
neo$rene headgear& />o" there&1
/Hi" .addy&1 .ar felt the !ords e+erge ,efore she co(ld really censor the+& -ndre!%s gri55led eye,ro!s ,oth lifted in
+ild s(r$rise" ,(t he acno!ledged the+ ,y ste$$ing for!ard and clas$ing .ar in a ,rief h(g& /0hat%s a nice g(y lie
yo( doing o(t in a stor+ lie this=1
-ndre! ch(cled& /.on%t yo( go there" Paladar&1 He !arned" releasing her 6(st in ti+e to ,e assa(lted ,y a s+aller
fig(re ,olting across the rolling dec& /3o( $ro,ly don%t no! it" ,(t a stor+ lie this here one%s the reason yo(%re
standing o(t in it&1
2erry thre! her ar+s aro(nd her father in la! !itho(t a +o+ent%s hesitation& /0hooA1 She g(rgled& /Hi" .adA1
1J*
-ndy%s #oice gentled $erce$ti,ly& /Hey there" 2erry&1 He said& /-h do than yo( for ee$ing the+ letters co+ing&1
.ar%s ears $riced& />etters=1
2erry $eeed at her& /'%#e ,een e+ailing hi+ all the st(ff that%s ,een ha$$ening&1 She told her lo#er !ith a to(ch of
a$ology in her tone&
/3o( ne! he !as co+ing o(t here=1 .ar ased&
/Ba!&1 -ndre! $(t a ,ig ar+ aro(nd his da(ghter& /C(st decided that this here +orning& >et%s go to$side" and ha#e (s a
chat and get o(t of these here da+n s!ells&1 He looed ($& /That 4harlie ($ there=1
/3eah&1 .ar said&
/Got (s a reg(lar ,oatload of tro(,le" don%t !e=1 -ndy co++ented&
/0here%s +o+=1 2erry ased" as they started to!ards the ladder&
/Painting that there dog of yo(rs&1 -ndre! re$lied" $a(sing as the ca,in door o$ened and Bo, looed o(t at hi+& /This
here that feller that ran o(t on B(d and 4h(c=1
Bo,%s eyes !idened at the gro!l" and he hastily closed the door again&
/3es&1 2erry ans!ered" distracted& /.ad" she%s $ainting a G$ict(reG of 4hino" right=1
-ndre! $eered at her" then ch(cled& /3ea$&1
/Phe!& C(st checing&1 2erry started ($ the ladder first& /' lie her crea+&1
That e#en got .ar to s+ile& -ndre! t(rned to her as they !aited for 2erry to ascend& /3o(r +a++a no!s the+
$eo$le" ($ in Boston&1 He said" in a serio(s tone& /-nd ' !ill tell yo( she does not ha#e good !ords to tell a,o(t the lot
of e+&1
/Gee& 0hat a s(r$rise&1 .ar gest(red ($!ard& /G%!an& ' 6(st !ant to get this da+n thing o#er !ith&1
-ndre! started ($ the ladder& The door to the ca,in o$ened and Bo, $eeed o(t again&
/0ho is that=1 He hissed at .ar& /0here did he co+e fro+=1 He added& /0hat%s he doing here=1
.ar rested her el,o! on the ste$& /That%s +y father&1 She told hi+& /.o yo(rself a fa#or and 6(st stay in there" and o(t
of o(r !ay&1
- flash of anger crossed Bo,%s face" ,(t he retreated and closed the door& .ar let her hands rest on the ladder for a
+o+ent" then started her cli+, to the to$&
GG
-ndre! e+erged onto the flying dec" !hich no! see+ed #ery cra+$ed& />o" 4harles&1 He greeted the dec%s other
occ($ant cas(ally" as he follo!ed 2erry o#er to the controls&
/Hey" -ndy&1 4harlie +(r+(red& /Bice s(r$rise&1 His eyes stayed on the console" (na!are of 2erry%s attention on hi+&
/Glad they got the $a$er!or !rong on yo(&1
/3ea$&1 -ndre! re$lied easily" settling into one of the seats& /-ll right no!& 3o( got (s a $lan" (+8(at=1
/.ar does&1 2erry !aited as her $artner 6oined the+& .ar too the center seat and re##ed the engines ($" starting the+
for!ard& The ,oat%s +otion slo!ly co(nteracted the s!ells" and 2erry rela)ed as her sto+ach settled do!n again
so+e!hat& 't !as hardly the ti+e to as .ar for another dose of her ear +edicine& /' didn%t get a chance to tell yo("
dad" !e fo(nd so+ething concrete" finally&1
/.id yo( no!=1 -ndre! st(died the controls&
/3es&1 2erry fished inside .ar%s ,ac $ocet and re+o#ed the folded sheet" leaning $ast .ar%s sho(lder to hand it to
hi+& /'t%s all inds of legal st(ff&1
-ndre! st(died it" cocing his gri55led head to one side& /0ell" looit that&1 He +(r+(red& /3o( fi)ing to gi#e this ($
as $art of yo(r trade off=1
/9or B(d&1 4harlie ,l(rted s(ddenly& /3eah&1
-ndre! rested his 6a! on his fist& /Mah !ife says that feller is one right sc(+,oat&1 He said& /He%s (sing all the+
dollars to fi) ($ fols the sa+e ind as yo(r $a$$a !as" 2erry&1
1JI
2erry stiffened" then fro!ned& /He%s a conser#ati#e" yo( +ean&1 She said& /There%s no la! against that" is there=1 Her
hands !ere resting on .ar%s sho(lders for ,alance" and she leaned in a little against her&
/Bo" +a%a+" there s(rely is not&1 -ndy agreed& /B(t see+s they%#e taen a right dislie to fols !ho ain%t 6(st lie
the+&1 He hesitated (ncharacteristically&
.ar s$oe ($ finally& /3o( +ean he%s f(nding hate gro($s=1 She ased& /' no! there%s a co($le ($ there that thin
$eo$le lie 2erry and '? /Her eyes !ent to 4harlie& /-nd B(d and 4harlie sho(ld ,e e(thanised&1 She added ,l(ntly&
/'s that !hat yo( +ean" dad=1
-ndre! released a ,reath& /3o(r +o++a does thin that" .ar&1 He acno!ledged 8(ietly& /-nd ' do ,elie#e she%s
right&1
/Son of a ,itch&1 4harlie !his$ered&
They all looed at the sheet resting in -ndre!%s ,ig hand& The rain dro#e harder against the console Ple)iglas" +aing
a so(nd lie ra$id g(nfire&
The sit(ation had changed" 2erry reali5ed& -ndre!s arri#al and the infor+ation he ,ro(ght thre! a !hole ne! facet
into the +i)" and no! there !as a 8(estion of !hat they sho(ld do" and she !asn%t s(re !ho e)actly !as going to +ae
that decision&
There co(ld only ,e" .ar had once told her" one ca$tain of the ,oat&
/0ell&1 .ar ,roe the silence after a long $eriod& /;egardless" !e ha#e to get B(d o(t of there&1 She foc(sed on the
$ro,le+ at hand& /There%s al!ays going to ,e assholes o(t there !ho !ant to tae o#er the !orld& 0e ha#e to deal !ith
the critical iss(e first" and that iss(e%s a friend in tro(,le&1
't !as a 8(ietly strange +o+ent" and 2erry felt the oddness& .ar had" she reali5ed" si+$ly +o#ed for!ard and taen on
the leadershi$ of the sit(ation" +aing the decision and acce$ting it%s conse8(ences in a co+$letely nat(ral !ay& Both
-ndre! and 4harlie !ere !atching her intently" and 2erry held her ,reath as she !aited to see !hat their reaction
!o(ld ,e&
/So" !e%re going to contin(e !ith o(r $lan the !ay it is&1 .ar !ent on& /'f so+ething de#elo$s that lets (s co+e ,ac
aro(nd and nail 0harton" great& B(t !e get B(d o(t first&1 Her #oice !as 8(iet and steady&
/;ight&1 -ndre! nodded in acce$tance& /' fig(red ' co(ld get ($ there on that ,oat and see if ' co(ld roc it !hile yo(
had the+ there $eo$le distracted&1
.ar tho(ght a,o(t it& /'%+ s(re they ha#e hi+ ,elo!decs&1 She said& /'%+ going to try and force the+ to ,ring hi+ ($
,efore ' start dealing" ,(t ' don%t no! ho! far ' can $(sh&1 She edged the throttles for!ard a ,it& /'t !o(ld +ae +e
feel a lot ,etter 6(st to no! yo( !ere there& 'n case&1
- tiny s+ile a$$eared on her father%s face& /' 6est ,et it !o(ld&1 He dra!led& /Tho(gh it see+s lie yo( done got +ost
yo(r ,ases co#ered already&1 His eyes !atched his da(ghter !ith silent $ride&
.ar acce$ted the co+$li+ent !ith a slight nod& /0e tried& B(t ' lie ha#ing a card ($ +y slee#e& Maes the ga+e a lot
easier&1
/3o( can say that again&1 2erry held on as the ,oat c(t thro(gh !hat a$$eared to her to ,e t!enty foot !a#es& /Bo!
let%s 6(st ho$e they sho!&1 She felt the +(scles in .ar%s nec rela) (nder her hands" and felt her o!n follo!" glad that
her $artner !as co+forta,le in taing the lead and that the t!o e) sailors !ere !illing to acce$t that&
't had ,een a to(gh +o+ent for .ar" she ne!& Her lo#er !as a nat(ral ,orn leader" ,(t 6(st as nat(rally" she lo#ed and
!orshi$$ed her father !ho !as also" 2erry ne!" a nat(ral ,orn leader& .ar co(ld ha#e deferred to -ndre!" and yet
she%d chosen to tr(st her instincts" and do other!ise&
Ti+e !o(ld ha#e to $ro#e those instincts tr(e or not&
GG
They fo(nd their s$ot in the ocean& The !ind had risen" dri#ing the !a#es against the ,oat" ,(t .ar had anchored the+
into it" and the ,o! rose and fell !ith steady reg(larity instead of rocing side to side& -ndre! had tethered his ,oat to
the ,ac of the .i)ie" and no! they !ere si+$ly !aiting&
/2erry !as !orried a,o(t tr(sting .eSalliers to carry (s o#er there& ' thin she%s right&1 .ar co++ented to her father&
/Better if yo( dro$ (s off&1 They !ere standing side ,y side in the stern" $rotected fro+ +ost of the !ind ,y the craft%s
ca,in&
1JJ
/Hell yes&1 -ndre! agreed& /'%ll $ar that thing t!een (s" then go off& 0ont% e#en reali5e it&1
.ar eyed hi+ c(rio(sly& /'t%s a $retty high ,o!&1 She said& /3o( $lanning on ro$ing ($ it=1
-ndre! ga#e her a +ildly s+(g loo and fished in one of the ,elt $acs he !as !earing o#er his ,lac neo$rene di#e
s(it& /Bo$e&1 He held o(t so+ething& 't had a c($ lie s(rface of !hat see+ed to ,e soft r(,,er" and a st(rdy hard
r(,,er handle of so+e ind& /P(t that there ($ on that fi,erglas" and t!ist this $iece& Maes yo( a handle&1
.ar too it and fit her hand in it" then acti#ated the s(ction& /H+$h&1 She +(r+(red& /Pretty cool&1
/.arA1 2erry called do!n fro+ the ,ridge& /;adar 6(st $iced ($ so+ething&1
.ar handed her father ,ac his toy& /-,o(t da+ned ti+e&1 She felt tension gri$ her g(ts" !anting the confrontation to
,e long o#er and done !ith&
/Hec of a #acation there" .ardar&1 Her father co++ented !ryly& /May,e ne)t ti+e ya%ll sho(ld go find yo( so+e little
far+ so+e!here and 6(st do yo( a $icnic or so+ething&1
.ar shoo her head& /' sho(ld ha#e g(essed& H#en !hen !e s$ent a co($le days ($ at the lae" 2erry%s horse got ,ee
,it" she fell off" !e al+ost ca$si5ed" and !e +anaged to o(t o(rsel#es on a fa+ily hay !agon ride&1
-ndre! r(ffled her hair& /3o( al!ays did get into the da+ndest things& 3o( re+e+,er that ti+e !e done !ent ($ to
that ranch and yo( rode ($ on that ,(ll=1
.ar co#ered her eyes& /.on%t +ention that to 2erry" $lease=1
/Mention !hat to +e=1 2erry a$$eared at her el,o!" $eering o(t thro(gh the rain& /-ny sign of the+ yet= 4harlie%s
going to stay ($ at the controls& 't%s to(gh for hi+ to get ($ and do!n the ladder&1 -nd it ga#e hi+ so+ething #ery
(sef(l to do" 2erry reasoned" since no one !as !illing to tr(st Bo, !ith the ,oat&
/4o(ldn%t hardly see nothing yet in this s$it&1 -ndy said& /3o( t!o ready=1
2erry $atted her rain slicer& /-,o(t as ready as '%+ going to get& .ar=1
.ar had her hood do!n" and the !ind !as !hi$$ing her dar hair relentlessly& /'%+ ready&1 She lifted her chin&
/>ights&1
They looed& S(re eno(gh" #ery faintly thro(gh the stor+ a +o#ing s$ec co(ld ,e seen& 2erry fle)ed her hands
ner#o(sly" her heart rate increasing no! that things !ere ha$$ening& She !asn%t st($id eno(gh to ignore the fact that
she !as scared" any reasona,le $erson !o(ld ,e in her $lace&
She tr(sted .ar" and she certainly tr(sted -ndy& Ho!e#er" she didn%t tr(st .eSalliers and $art of her !orried that logic
didn%t ha#e a lot to do !ith his $lanned actions& She !orried a,o(t B(d" tra$$ed in the +an%s hands" and she !orried
a,o(t !hat they !o(ld find o#er on the other ,oat&
The ca,in door o$ened" and Bo, st(c his head o(t& /' thin he%s on the radio&1 He said" 6(st as 4harlie also called
do!n fro+ the ,ridge !ith the sa+e ne!s&
.ar s8(ared her sho(lders and !aled o#er to the door& Bo, ,aced o(t of her !ay as she !ent for the radio console
inside" 2erry and -ndy at her ,ac&
/;o,erts= 7ne +ore chance at ans!ering" then ' slit this $iece of shit%s throat&1 .eSalliers #oice c(t thro(gh the static&
-ndy%s eyes narro!ed& /-h already do not lie this +an&1
.ar $iced ($ the +ic& /'%+ here&1 She ans!ered shortly& /-,o(t ti+e yo( sho!ed ($&1
/3o( ha#e !hat ' ased for=1
/' ha#e !hat yo( need&1 .ar re$lied& /So let%s get this o#er !ith&1
.eSalliers la(ghed& /3o( don%t lie not ,eing in control" do yo(" ;o,erts= 0ell" that%s too ,ad& 3o( 6(st sit there& '%ll
tell yo( !hen '%+ ready&1
The radio c(t off& .ar dro$$ed the +ic on the console as tho(gh it !ere a dead rat& /'%#e enco(ntered +ore a$$ealing
things than that si) days dead on the roadside ($ to Marathon&1 She co++ented& /0hat an asshole&1
/3eah" !ell" he%s going to get !hat he !ants" isn%t he=1 Bo, ased" ,itterly& /To hell !ith the rest of (s&1 He sto+$ed
o#er to the chair and fl(ng hi+self do!n in it& /9(c yo( all&1
-ndre! folded his ar+s o#er his ,road chest& /This here sit(ation%s 6(st choc f(ll of 6acasses" ain%t it=1
1JK
/3eah" isn%t it=1 Bo, shot ,ac at hi+&
/3o( no! so+ething=1 2erry addressed hi+ ,efore either .ar or -ndre! co(ld ans!er& /'%+ really starting to regret
rising +y life for yo(" and ' hate that& So c(t it o(t and gro! ($ ,efore ' ha#e to do so+ething a,o(t it&1
Bo, s(,sided into a s(llen silence" his eyes fi)ed fir+ly on the floor&
2erry e)$elled a ,reath in disg(st" and ga#e herself a tiny shae& She $(shed her hood ,ac" re#ealing da+$ and tangled
,lond hair that she ran her hands thro(gh in agitation& /Ces(s&1
.ar $(t an ar+ aro(nd her and $(lled her close& /Hold steady here" 4harlie&1 She hit the interco+& />et%s !ait to see
!hat this ,astard has in +ind&1
/-in%t no good" !hate#er&1 4harlie re$lied gl(+ly& /Sons of ,itches&1
/Mah gosh" listen to this here lang(age&1 -ndre! dra!led& /-h a(ght to s$an the lot of yo(&1
The co++ent rela)ed so+e of the tension" and dre! a s+ile fro+ ,oth .ar and 2erry& /' hate !aiting&1 .ar ad+itted&
/-nd he%s right& ' hate not ,eing in control&1 She released 2erry and t(rned" choosing a $ath and $acing it across the
li#ing area&
2erry leaned against the radio console and !atched her" resigning herself to the no!ledge that all they co(ld really do
is !ait&
.ar $aced& -ndre! +erely leaned ,ac against the door fra+e and rela)ed&
GG
.eSalliers ,oat a$$roached the+" circling their $osition t!ice ,efore they !ere contacted again& .ar%s ner#es had
escalated al+ost to the ,reaing $oint& She%d sto$$ed $acing" and ended ($ ,ac o(t on the stern in the rain" co(nting
to se#eral tho(sand (nder her ,reath in a #ain atte+$t to rela)&
/.ar&1 2erry st(c her head o(t of the ca,in& /He%s on&1
.ar staled to the door and d(ced inside& She co(ld feel her ,reathing co+ing fast" and she too a second to inhale"
hold it" then e)hale ,efore she $iced ($ the +ic& /3eah=1 She (neyed" and !aited& The s(dden !ar+th of 2erry%s
hand on her side al+ost +ade her 6(+$" ,(t after a second she rela)ed a little" cal+ing as 2erry%s th(+, idly r(,,ed her
sin&
/' see yo(%#e got a canoe ,ac there&1 .eSalliers said& /Get in it" and get o#er here& Bo ,(llshit" no s+art tal" or '%ll
g(n the engines and r(n yo(r sorry ass o#er&1
/Mae s(re yo( hit +e the first ti+e&1 .ar gro!led ,ac& /7r yo(%ll end ($ ($side do!n taling to cra,s&1 She eyed
off and dro$$ed the +ic" then headed for the door& /4%+on&1
-ndre! held the door and !aited for the+ to go ahead of hi+& He t(rned as they did" facing Bo,& /3o( +ess !ith
anything !hile the+ girls are o#er there" ' !ill ill yo(&1
Bo, stared at hi+&
/That is not a ,l(ff&1 -ndre! said 8(ietly& He t(rned and closed the door after hi+&
.ar +ade her !ay do!n the ladder and into the solid ,lac !ater craft her father had co+e in& 't !as a fa+iliar sight"
t!o incredi,ly to(gh r(,,er $ontoons and a fle)i,le ,(t stiff inner str(ct(re and engines that co(ld $ro,a,ly $ro$el a
6et& 't had hoos and catches e#ery!here intended for +ilitary (se" not s(r$rising since it%s $ri+ary $(r$ose !as to
carry Ba#y SH->S into ,attle&
She didn%t as ho! -ndre! had gotten it&
.ar t(rned and too hold of 2erry as she cli+,ed do!n" ee$ing her steady as she 6oined her in the ,otto+ of the craft&
They !ere ,oth in dar rain slicers" and -ndre! !as al+ost in#isi,le as he +ade his !ay into the ,oat" ca(sing it to
roc (nder his !eight&
He !as dressed in f(ll length ,lac neo$rene" !ith a can#as #est ,(cled o#er it holding all sorts of things incl(ding one
!ater$roof case .ar ne! (s(ally had a sidear+ in it& -ndre! too a seat at the controls" and started the $o!erf(l
engines ($& /0ant to let (s loose" .ardar=1
/S(re&1 .ar (ntied the craft" and tossed the end of the ro$e ($ onto the .i)ie& The !a#es !ere $itching ($ and do!n
se#erely" ,(t a$$arently she%d gotten (sed to the+ ,eca(se they didn%t dist(r, her that +(ch& 2erry" ho!e#er" sat do!n
on one of the hard seats and !ra$$ed her ar+s and legs aro(nd the stanchions&
1JM
/Here !e go&1 -ndre! ai+ed the ,oat to!ards .eSalliers craft" #isi,le as a ,rightly lit o(tline against the rain&
.ar held on !ith one hand" and $(t her free hand on 2erry%s sho(lder& She leaned close to her ear& /Scared=1
2erry t(rned" and .ar ne! she !as looing ($ at her e#en tho(gh the darness +ade her feat(res in#isi,le& /3es&1
/Me too&1 .ar told her& /My nees are shaing so ,ad ' don%t !ant to sit do!n in case ' can%t get ($ again&1
2erry la(ghed faintly& /-re yo( trying to +ae +e feel ,etter=1 She s8(ee5ed .ar%s hand& /'f yo( are" it%s !oring&1
.ar $ressed her chee against 2erry%s& /' lo#e yo(&1 She said&
2erry s+iled" a +otion .ar co(ld feel against her sin& /That !ors e#en ,etter&1 She ad+itted& /' lo#e yo( too&1
/0e%re gonna ,e fine&1 .ar !ent on& /B(t if yo( !ant to stay in the ,oat !ith .ad" it%s oay" 2er& '%+ not 6oing& '
no! this is scary as hell" and it%s no reflection on yo( if yo( !ant to stay here&1
't !as so te+$ting& The tho(ght of staying at -ndre!%s #ery" #ery safe side !as so enticing" 2erry co(ld al+ost feel
the agree+ent ticling the ,ac of her throat& Ho!e#er" the i+age of her !aiting in the darness" !hile .ar !ent into
danger alone !as far +ore horrific& /Thans for the offer&1 She t(rned her head and issed .ar& /B(t !here yo( go" '
go& '%d croa fro+ an)iety if yo( left +e here&1
.ar nodded" as tho(gh f(lly e)$ecting 2erry%s ans!er& /7ay&1 They !atched the ,oat gro! larger and larger in front
of the+& /' need to $lay to(gh !ith hi+" ,eca(se of the t!enty fi#e tho(sand&1
2erry nodded& /' no!&1
/So" if ' so(nd lie ' don%t gi#e a da+n a,o(t B(d" it%s for a reason&1
2erry $atted her hand& /Honey" ' no! that& 'f yo( didn%t gi#e a cra$ a,o(t B(d" yo( !o(ldn%t ,e here&1 She said& /'%ll
,ac yo( ($" !hate#er yo( do or say& ' tr(st yo(&1
/H#en if ' !al o(t=1
2erry dre! in a ,reath& /'%+ !ith yo(" no +atter !hat&1
.ar straightened ($" as the +otor slo!ed it%s rhyth+& .eSalliers ,oat s!a+ in her #ision" ar+ed +en #isi,le on the
stern dec&&
/Paladar" those fellers ha#e rifles&1 -ndre! said s(ddenly&
/' no!" .ad&1 .ar acno!ledged& /0e%ll ,e caref(l&1
/-h do not lie this&1
/0e%ll ,e oay&1 2erry stood ($ as they neared the ,ac of the ,oat" !hich !as $itching ($ and do!n na(seatingly&
/0e%ll ee$ their attention" .ad& See if yo( can ca(se the+ so+e tro(,le !hile !e do" oay=1
/-h !ill gi#e the+ tro(,le&1 -ndre! +(ttered" $(lling the ,oat e#en !ith the dec and holding his $osition& /-h !ill
,lo! that god da+ned thing ($ and o(t if this here ocean if that feller so +(ch as t!eas any of yo(r toenails&1
.ar too a dee$ ,reath& @Here !e go&1
/Paladar 2atherine" yo( ,e caref(l&1 Her father s$oe s(ddenly& /Please&1
.ar felt a little !ar+th s$read in her g(ts& /' !ill" dad&1 She reached for the ladder hanging do!n fro+ the h(ge ,oat%s
stern" ignoring the ar+ed +en !atching her fro+ a,o#e& Bo! that it !as ha$$ening" she felt so+e of her ner#o(sness
dro$ a!ay" as adrenaline re$laced it& Her ner#es steadied" and she felt her heartrate slo! do!n as she cli+,ed ($ to the
$itching dec&
She $(t her hands on the to$ railing and $ressed her ,ody o#er in a s!ift" easy +otion" forcing the g(ards to +o#e ,ac
or else ,e sla++ed into& .ar too a ste$ for!ard" her ,ody ,locing access to the ladder in order to gi#e 2erry ti+e to
cli+, on ,oard&
/7nly one of yo(&1 The +an nearest her said s(ddenly& /Tell the other one to get lost&1
.ar t(rned as 2erry%s head e+erged o#er the to$ of the ladder& She offered 2erry a hand o#er" ignoring the g(ard
co+$letely&
/' said?1
/Sh(t ($&1 .ar $inned hi+ !ith a hard stare& /Hither !e ,oth co+e" or !e ,oth lea#e& 3o( choose&1 She !atched hi+
hesitate& /PicA1 She added in a lo(d ,ar&
1K0
He ,aced ($ a ste$& 2erry cli+,ed do!n and 6oined .ar on the dec" ,r(shing off her rain slicer& .ar too a ,reath&
/-ll right&1 She ca(ght her ,alance on the hea#ing stern& />et%s go&1
The g(ards looed o#er the side" as the engines on the !atercraft g(nned and it ,aced a!ay fro+ the yacht& /0ho is
that=1 The g(ard ca$tain regained his attit(de&
/My canoe $addler&1 .ar told hi+& /Bo!& -re !e going inside" or sho(ld ' 6(st call hi+ ,ac=1
The g(ard ga5ed at her& /' didn%t forget yo( fro+ last ti+e" ,itch& 3o(%ll $ay for that ,efore yo( lea#e&1 He $ointed !ith
the g(n ,arrel to!ards the door to the yacht%s ca,in& /'f yo( do&1
.ar and 2erry !aled $ast hi+& Three g(ards fell in ,ehind the+" g(ns held at the ready&
't !as no! too late to t(rn ,ac&
GG
-ndre! ran the !atercraft ,ac to the .i)ie" and fastened it to the line he%d left in the !ater for that $(r$ose& He sli$$ed
his sli+ line tan on" ad6(sted his +as" and entered the !ater in ,arely the ti+e it too to thin a,o(t it&
Lnder the !a#es" the sit(ation !as a lot easier& He co(ld feel the $(ll of the !a#es a,o#e hi+" ,(t they didn%t i+$ede
his $rogress" and he finned 8(icly to!ards the other ,oat&
The so(nd of the h(ll ,reeching the !ater g(ided hi+" his light left (nlit on his ,elt& Bo sense in ad#ertising&
He co(ld sense the ,oat near hi+" and he !ent #ertical" $(lling o(t his ne! gadgets and fitting the+ to his hands&
4aref(lly" he a$$roached the h(ll of the ,oat and e)tended one ar+" feeling the 6olt as it contacted the fi,erglass&
/Gotcha&1
He triggered the loc" and h(ng on as the ,oat nearly hea#ed hi+ o(t of the !ater& /Hell&1 -ndre! got his other hand ($
8(icly and latched on" hanging fro+ ,oth hands as the ,oat rolled& He !aited for the h(ll to di$ ,ac do!n into the
!ater" then released his first hand and stretched higher" +o#ing ($ the s(rface lie an e)tre+ely large s$ider&
GG
.ar $a(sed inside the door to the ca,in" ignoring the $rod fro+ the g(ard ,ehind her& She checed o(t the roo+ first"
then !aled inside" ee$ing a light hand on 2erry%s ,ac& .eSalliers !as standing near the ,ar" and three +en !ere
stationed aro(nd the roo+" holding g(ns&
.ar%s li$s t!itched into a feral s+ile& /Si) g(ys !ith rifles=1 She glanced ,et!een herself and 2erry& /'%+ flattered&1
/' feel so dangero(s&1 2erry added" folding her ar+s o#er her chest& /-nd '%+ not e#en !earing +y ,ro!n ,elt&1
/Sh(t ($&1 .eSalliers !a#ed the other three g(ards o(t& /3o(%re e+$ty handed" ;o,erts& ' tho(ght yo( !ere s+arter
than that" ,(t then" on second tho(ght" ' sho(ld ha#e reali5ed yo( aren%t&1
.ar deli,erately t(rned her ,ac on hi+" strolling across the ca,in%s interior as she st(died one of the +a$s on the !all&
/'%+ not e+$ty handed& 3o(%re e+$ty headed&1 She looed o#er her sho(lder at hi+& /Here%s +y deal& 3o( sho! +e
B(d&1
/This is not yo(r deal&1 .eSalliers interr($ted her& /Bo! yo( 6(st sh(t ($ and listen to +e&1
/B7&1 .ar t(rned and !aled right $ast the g(n ,arrel of one of the g(ards& /3o( listen to +e" yo( sc(+,ag&1 She felt
her te+$er co+e ($" and a r(sh of energy filled her ,ody& /3o( !ant the infor+ation ' ha#e= .o yo(= 7ther!ise" '%ll
6(st !al o(t of here and sell it to the highest ,idder&1
/3o( don%t ha#e shit&1
/.on%t '=1 .ar s+iled& / 3o(%re !rong a,o(t that& ' no! a,o(t the $oaching&1 She ticed off one of her fingers& /'
no! he c(t a deal !ith the locals&1 She $a(sed and !aited& .eSalliers no! !atched her !ith lethal" ,itter silence& /'
no! a,o(t the !ill& So" yo( 6acass < if yo( !ant !hat '%#e got" then yo( do !hat ' say and it%s yo(rs&1
.eSalliers entire face t!itched&
/3o(%#e only got t!o days ,efore yo(r loans defa(lt&1 2erry ,roe in& /'f ' !ere yo(" '%d 6(st sal#age !hat ' co(ld o(t
of this&1
The +an stared at her& /3o( don%t no! shit&1
/S(re ' do&1 2erry e$t an e#en" al+ost ind tone& /'t%s all in a data,ase so+e!here& 3o( reali5ed that" didn%t yo(=
P(,lic de,t filings&1
1K1
.eSalliers snorted softly& /3eah& That%s ho! yo( r(ined yo(r old +an" isn%t it= 2illed hi+" didn%t it=1
't !as lie taing a s$ear in the g(t& 2erry only 6(st got a cla+$ do!n on her e+otions" and so+eho! +anaged to ee$
her e)$ression (nchanged& /3es" it is&1 She ans!ered& /'%d gladly do the sa+e to yo(&1
.ar dealt !ith the reali5ation that if she%d had a g(n in her hand at that +o+ent" she !o(ld ha#e shot .eSalliers !itho(t
a +o+ent%s regret& /So here%s the deal&1 She re$eated& /3o( sho! +e B(d& 3o( gi#e +e a transfer acco(nt" and '%ll
transfer yo(r s(n +oney& Then ' gi#e yo( yo(r s+oing g(n and yo( let B(d go&1
.eSalliers !atched her fro+ narro!ed eyes& He re+ained silent for a +in(te" then #ery" #ery slo!ly" he nodded in
agree+ent& /Ho! do ' no! yo(%#e got a s+oing g(n=1
/Beca(se ' say ' do&1 .ar told hi+& /3o(%re not !orth lying to" and 0harton%s not !orth lying for&1
Their host $ointed at one of the g(ards& /Bring the $iece of sc(+ ($ here&1
2erry released her held ,reath and !ished she had a glass of !ater& Her insides !ere ch(rning so ,adly she felt lie a
!ashing +achine& She forced herself to +o#e slo!ly and cas(ally" !andering ,ac across the ca,in to end ($ ne)t to
.ar again& Her eyes +et her $artners" and for a ,rief +o+ent .ar%s +as dro$$ed and she sa! sy+$athy and regret in
the $ale ,l(e eyes !atching her&
2erry tensed her li$s in acce$tance" and $atted .ar%s hi$ as she ca+e to halt ,eside her& So far" she decided" the $lan
see+ed to ,e !oring&
She $rayed to God it stayed that !ay&
GG
-ndre! slo!ly lifted his head a,o#e the edge of the h(ll and $eered across it& 't !as e+$ty& The g(ards had cl(stered
on the stern" o(t of the stor+" e)actly !hat he%d ,een ho$ing for& 0ith a light sniff" he released one of his gri$s and
re+o#ed it" sticing it in it%s $o(ch and transferring his hand to the railing& He re$eated the +otion !ith the other one"
then $(lled hi+self ($ and o#er onto the dec&
He lay there a +o+ent" listening and catching his ,reath& /-h+ too da+n old to ,e doing this&1 He +(ttered to hi+self&
The dec re+ained silent" so he lifted hi+self ($ and snaed across the to$ of it to the t!o $ro+inent hatches set in it%s
center& Then he laid ,ac do!n and e)a+ined the hatches&
0ith a soft gr(nt" he fished in a #est $ocet and dre! o(t a sli+ tool& He sli$$ed the edge of it (nder the hatch and $ried
gently ($!ard near the hinge" !oring the fi,erglass co#er ,ac and for!ard& 0ith a soft crac" the hinge ,roe& -ndy
left it as it !as and eased to the other side of the hatch" !oring on the ne)t hinge $oint&
- soft crea !arned hi+& He $ressed his ,ody against the h(ll and listened& So+eone !as co+ing along the railing
to!ards the ,o!& -ndre! c(rsed silently ,(t re+ained #ery still" tensing his +(scles as he !atched the s$ace ,et!een
the ca,in and the railing&
- +an !andered thro(gh it and leaned on the rail" !atching the !a#es& He didn%t see+ inclined to +o#e on" e#en after
a fe! +in(tes&
-ndre! $(t his hands on the s(rface of the h(ll and $(shed hi+self ($!ard" getting silently to his feet and rising to his
f(ll height ,ehind the +an& He $aced for!ard e#en !ith the roll of the ,oat (ntil he !as 6(st ,ehind his target&
The +an had a rifle sl(ng o#er his sho(lders& -ndre! st(died hi+ for a ,rief +o+ent" then ,alled his hand into a fist
and sl(gged the +an in the ,ac of the nec& 0ith a soft choing so(nd" the +an%s nees ,(cled& -ndre! stri$$ed the
rifle off and dro$$ed it into the !ater" then de,ated thro!ing the +an after it&
0o(ldn%t ha#e ,een the first ti+e" ,y any +eas(re&
0ith a faint sigh" he dragged the +an o#er to the edge of the ,o! instead" and laid hi+ do!n on the c(r#e& Then he
!ent ,ac to the hatch and dro$$ed ,ac do!n ne)t to it" easing the edge ($ and $eering (nderneath&
GG
The g(ards dragged B(d ($ and held hi+ in her #ie! at the edge of the ste$s that led to the ,oat%s ca,ins& B(d%s eyes
!ere s!ollen sh(t" and his face !as co#ered in ,r(ises& He didn%t a$$ear to ,e conscio(s of !hat !as going on aro(nd
hi+&
/3o(%re a nice host&1 2erry e$t her #oice e#en&
.eSalliers la(ghed& /He $ro,a,ly en6oyed it& He%s the ty$e&1 He +otioned to the g(ard& /P(t hi+ ,ac till ' call yo(
again&1 He see+ed to ,e in a slightly ,etter h(+or no!& /Here%s the n(+,ers&1 He handed .ar a sli$ of $a$er&
1K2
.ar !as still ga5ing at the door!ay" seeing the ,eaten for+ in her +ind%s eye& She too the $a$er and stared at it&
/Blood +oney&1 She too o(t her cell $hone and accessed it%s !e, feat(res&
.eSalliers !atched her& /M(st ,e illing yo(&1 He ta(nted .ar& />oser&1
Pale ,l(e eyes fastened on hi+& .ar handed the $a$er ,ac& /'t%s done& 't%ll $rocess !hen the ,ans o$en to+orro!&1
/3o( e)$ect +e to ,elie#e yo(=1
.ar shr(gged& /.eSalliers" it%s $ocet change&1 She said& /'t%s 6(st a +ean ,it +ore of yo(r cra$ ' ha#e to clean off +y
shoes&1
The g(ard ret(rned" and leaned against the door" !atching .ar and 2erry !ith scornf(l eyes&
.eSalliers cr(+$led the $a$er ($ and tossed it& /Hno(gh ,(llshit& Hand it o#er&1 He held o(t a hand to!ards .ar&
/3o(%re $oll(ting +y ,oat" and ' !ant yo( off it !ith yo(r disg(sting faggot friend&1
.ar reached ,ehind her and (n5i$$ed her $ocet& She !ithdre! the folded $iece of $lastic and al+ost cas(ally tossed it
at .eSalliers" 5inging it across the ca,in and hitting hi+ in the chest !ith it& /There&1 She said& /Bo! get B(d ($ here"
and !e%ll ,e +ore than glad to #acate this shit hole&1
.eSalliers (nfolded the $lastic and leaned o#er to read it" ,ringing it to the light& /3o( can%t thin '%d go for th?1 He
sto$$ed s$eaing for a +o+ent& Then he slo!ly looed ($ at .ar& /0ell&1 He see+ed a ,it incred(lo(s& /'+agine that&
3o( told the tr(th&1
.ar felt e)tre+ely tired" and she !anted nothing +ore than to get 2erry" herself" B(d" and $res(+a,ly her father off the
da+n ,oat and o(t of that $atch of !ater& /3eah& So gi#e +e !hat ' !ant" and yo( can go crac a ,ottle of ,ad
cha+$agne o#er it&1
Their host folded the $a$er and $(t it into his $ocet" $atting it !ith one hand& Then he re+o#ed his cell and dialed a
n(+,er& /0hen '%+ ready&1 He s+ired at .ar& /' !ant a chance to sa#or ,eating yo(&1
2erry let her hand rest against .ar%s ,ac& 't !as al+ost o#er& The tension had gi#en her a +igraine to co+$ete !ith her
already ($set sto+ach" and she felt lie !aling o#er and icing .eSalliers right in the shins&
/0harton= .eSalliers here&1 The +an s$oe ,risly into the $hone& /'%#e got yo(r $roof& ;ight in +y hand&1 His eyes
lifted and regarded .ar& /Bo" ' got it o(t of her& Bo $ro,le+&1
.ar felt a ,(rn start at the ,ac of her nec&
/0hat=1 .eSalliers said& /That !asn%t $art of the deal&1 He listened again& /Bo!" loo?1 He !as c(t off" and they
co(ld hear an angry #oice tho(gh not the f(ll !ords& The so(nd c(t off" and he !as left looing at the $hone !ith an
e)$ressionless face& -fter a +o+ent" he lifted his eyes and stared at the+ coldly& /0ell" it !asn%t so+ething ' didn%t
really !ant to do any!ay&1 He said&
/He do(,le cross yo(=1 .ar ased" tho(gh a s(dden dread filled her g(t&
/Bo& 3o(&1 .eSalliers said" re+otely& /Gregos=1 He t(rned to loo at the g(ard near the door& /2ill the+&1 He ste$$ed
,ac thro(gh a s+all door!ay near,y& /' g(ess the $irates !ill get ,la+ed for yet so+ething else&1
/3es" sir&1 The g(ard lifted his g(n and $ointed it& /My $leas(re&1
GG
Part 11
-fter a ,rief instant of (tter" co+$lete shoc" .ar reacted& The +(55le of the rifle had 6(st $ointed it%s e#il hollo! at her
!hen she +o#ed" gra,,ing 2erry o(t of $(re instinct and thro!ing her do!n to safety&
The so(nd of the shot deafened her& She felt a hot scorching feeling across her chee" then she !as di#ing for the dec
herself as she scra+,led for so+ething" anything to $(t ,et!een her and the g(n&
Her hands hit the legs of a chair and she rolled o#er" $(lling the chair ($ and o#er her head& -nother e)$losion nearly
ri$$ed it o(t of her hands" and s$linters of !ood fle! e#ery!here& She felt a sting along her nec and she t(rned" then
arced her ,ody ($ and !hi$$ed the re+ainder of the chair in the direction of the g(nfire&
She heard the so(nd of it hit" then another shot ,le! thro(gh the roof of the ca,in& .ar too the chance and got ($"
foc(sing her #ision on the rest of the roo+& She s$otted the g(ard $(lling the chair $arts off his ar+s" and searching for
her" and ne! she only had seconds to tae ad#antage of it&
1K3
The ta,le !as ,et!een the+& .ar lea$ed for!ard and 6(+$ed onto the ta,le" la(nching herself off it as the g(ard yaned
his g(n aro(nd in her direction& She let o(t a yell as his finger c(rled aro(nd the trigger" and he 6(+$ed slightly" 6(st
eno(gh to gi#e her ti+e to crash f(ll into hi+&
GG
2erry hit the car$et and rolled" the ,reath noced o(t of her& She heard the g(n go off and her g(ts clenched" (ntil she
ca(ght a flash of +otion co+ing fro+ !here she%d last seen .ar& She%d fallen close to the side door and her eyes
s(ddenly ca$t(red an i+age of .eSalliers face as he !atched in $(erile fascination" one hand on the door and the other
readying his esca$e&
-nger inside her er($ted& She scra+,led ($ and headed for the door!ay& He s$otted her and t(rned to esca$e" ,(t 2erry
lea$ed at hi+ and ca(ght his leg as he al+ost #anished o(t the door& She got a gri$ on his calf des$ite his str(ggles and
!hi$$ed her ,ody aro(nd" getting her feet against the door!ay and $(lling hi+ ,ac !ith all her strength& /Get ,ac
here yo( ,astardAAA1
He screa+ed so+ething at her" and iced hard" ,(t 2erry had her ar+ !ra$$ed aro(nd his leg and she reached ($ !ith
her other hand and gra,,ed his ,elt& She ,raced her legs and yaned" (sing her thigh +(scles to $(sh !ith&
0ith a c(rse" he st(+,led o#er her and crashed ,ac into the ca,in& 2erry rolled o#er and $o(nced on hi+" her te+$er
getting the ,etter of her as she !ent !ild" hitting at !hate#er ,it of flesh she co(ld get a hand on& -ll the anger that had
,een ,(ilding ($ the last fe! days ca+e o(t" and she ignored his atte+$ts at gra,,ing her as she str(c at hi+ again and
again !ith ,oth fists&
GG
The g(ard !as a ,ig +an& .ar had her ar+s aro(nd his throat" and she hooed a leg aro(nd the ar+ he !as holding the
g(n !ith& -rching her ,ac" she $(lled the g(n aro(nd and released one hand to gra, it" t!isting side!ays as he
screa+ed and c(rsed at her&
Panic dro#e her& She ri$$ed the g(n fro+ his hand and sla++ed the ,(tt of it against his head" e#ading the gri$ he !as
trying to get on her& He hit her hard in the sto+ach" and she do(,led o#er" ,(t the g(n ca+e !ith her and she sla++ed it
into his legs&
They !ere too close" and it !as too chaotic to e#en consider (sing the !ea$on for it%s original $(r$ose& .ar staggered
,ac and ca(ght her ,alance" then sa! hi+ co+ing at her and $(re instinct ga#e her the +eans to ee$ hi+ a!ay& She
lashed o(t in a ro(ndho(se ic and ,o)ed hi+ right on the side of the head& The 6olt tra#eled all the !ay do!n her leg"
,(t her +o+ent(+ let her dri#e thro(gh the ic& He roced and staggered ,ac" and then he sho#ed off the !all and
ca+e ,ac at her& -lready ,alanced" .ar dre! her nee ($ then sla++ed her leg o(t straight" and got hi+ in the nose
!ith all her !eight ,ehind the ic&
Blood !ent e#ery!here& The g(ard !ent do!n" his hands cl(tching his face& .ar !hirled and her eyes scanned the
ca,in frantically" her ears already $icing ($ +ore g(ards headed their !ay& She heard a co++otion near the door and
,olted for it" ro(nding the edge of the co(ch to find .eSalliers ,eing ,eaten to !ithin an inch of his life ,y an enraged
2erry sitting on his chest&
2erry%s shirt !as half ri$$ed off" e)$osing +ost of her chest& She !as $inning .eSalliers do!n !ith her !eight" her
nees resting on his ,ice$s as she sl(gged at hi+ !ith ,oth fists&
/2erryA1 .ar yelled at the to$ of her l(ngs after a second of $(re shoc&
/BastardA1 2erry s+aced the +an across the cho$s !ith her con6oined hands& /3o(%re an assholeA1
.ar got ,ehind 2erry and sli$$ed her hands (nder her lo#er%s ar+s" $hysically lifting her ($ off .eSalliers& /4%+onA
>et%s get the hell o(t of hereAA1
2erry !as ,reathing hard" her green eyes al+ost gray !ith anger& .eSalliers rolled frantically a!ay fro+ her and
started cra!ling to!ards the center of the roo+" and 2erry%s entire ,ody t!itched as tho(gh she !anted to go after hi+&
- gro!l er($ted fro+ her throat" s(r$rising ,oth of the+&
/4%+on&1 .ar (rged& /' ho$e to hell .ad%s gotten to B(d& 0e can%t stay here < hear the+ co+ing=1 She dragged 2erry
to!ards the s+all door .eSalliers had ,een atte+$ting to (se& - g(nshot echoed thro(gh the ,oat again" and she co(ld
hear screa+ing& Her 6a! tensed" no!ing at a g(t le#el it !asn%t her father doing the screa+ing" ,(t !ho +ight ,e
ca(sing it&
/2er=1 She +(r+(red in a gentle tone& /4%+on" s!eetheart& 4o+e ,ac to +e here&1 She (rged the still angry !o+an"
!hose hands !ere still clenched in ,alled fists& /'t%s o#er&1 2erry%s f(rio(s eyes traced to her" and their ga5es loced&
1K4
/7h&1 2erry dre! in a shay ,reath and fo(nd herself a,r($tly" her entire ,ody shaing in reaction& She cl(tched .ar%s
ar+s and shi#ered" her heart ,eating so fast in her chest she co(ldn%t co(nt the fl(tters& /.?1 She had to sto$ and $ant&
/Shit&1
.ar half led" half carried her to the door and sho(ldered it o$en& The ,oat $itched !ildly" and she $a(sed as she fig(red
o(t !hat to do ne)t& She felt 2erry sl(+$ against her" and she r(,,ed her lo#er%s ,ac& /3o( oay=1
2erry s(ced in a dee$ ,reath" and e)$elled it& /3eah&1 She !his$ered& /He 6(st really $issed +e off" ' g(ess&1 She too
a +o+ent to collect herself" then $eered an)io(sly $ast .ar& 0here%s .ad=1
/There&1 .ar edged o(t the door and held onto the railing as the rain $elted the+& She s$otted her father on the ,o!"
!ith B(d sl(ng across his sho(lders& /.adA1 She yelled" ho$ing he%d hear her a,o#e the stor+&
His head t(rned her !ay" and she sa! the relief in his eyes& /GoA1 She hollered at hi+& /Get the hell o(t of hereA1
T!o g(ards !ere headed to!ards the ,o!" str(ggling against the rain 6(st as they !ere& -ndre! too a ste$ to!ards
the+" then shoo his head and ran for the edge of the ,o!" gathering hi+self ($ and lea$ing o#er the railing to $l(nge
feet first into the !ater&
He disa$$eared i++ediately into the s(rging !a#es&
.ar s$otted the +en dashing for the+& /4an yo( s!i+=1 She yelled at 2erry& /2erryA1
2erry hesitated" 6(dging the shainess of her +(scles& Her ,ody see+ed to ha#e reco#ered in the ,rief rest and she too
a ca(tio(s ,reath& /3esA1 She ans!ered" no!ing she had little choice at any rate& She gra,,ed the railing and held on
as the ,oat rolled" 6(dging the distance to the !ater& /'%+ oayA1
.ar held onto her& /Go onA '%ll 6(+$ after yo( !hen yo(%re clearA1 She gra,,ed the ,ac of 2erry%s shirt to ee$ her
steady as the ,oat di$$ed to!ards the !ater" then gently sho#ed her 6(st as she lea$ed" $(shing her !ell clear of the
,oat&
-n)io(sly" she !atched the !a#es" her heart in her throat (ntil she sa! a faint" $ale ,l(r ,rea the s(rface&
- hand gra,,ed her ro(ghly fro+ ,ehind 6(st as she readied herself to follo!& .ar !hirled" and fo(nd a $istol ,arrel in
her face& Her refle)es sa#ed her life as she t!isted and her hand sna$$ed ($" s+acing the g(n to the side 6(st as it !ent
off& The s$ace !as too close for fighting" ,(t .ar +anaged to dra! her ar+ ,ac and $(nch the g(ard in the face"
so+eho! e#ading his gra,,ing hands& 't didn%t really st(n hi+" ,(t he ,lined and $a(sed long eno(gh for .ar to $(sh
free and sla+ the door ,ehind her&
She gra,,ed a fending $ole cla+$ed ne)t to the door and 6a++ed it side!ays" ,locing the door sh(t as the g(ard inside
thre! his ,ody against it trying to get o(t& Shaen" .ar glanced at the !ater" the ocean%s sa#age !a#es looing +ore
and +ore friendly to her e#ery single second&
9aintly" she heard the so(nd of -ndre!%s !atercraft engine roar to life" a s!eet so(nd o#er the th(nder and sla$ of the
!a#es& She gra,,ed the railing and $re$ared to lea$ o#er,oard" !hen a +otion ca(ght her eye on the ,o!&
T!o g(ards !ere there" shining a ,la5ing" handheld s$otlight into the !ater& The light $inned -ndy%s s+all ,oat" and
the other g(ard raised his rifle and ai+ed&
.ar heard the .i)ie%s horn so(nd a !arning& She released the rail and ,olted for!ard instead" heading straight for the
t!o g(ards& 0ith a gro!l" she do#e headlong at the first" hitting hi+ at the nees and taing hi+ do!n& They crashed
into the second" and he st(+,led ,ac!ards" falling do!n and rolling across the $itch of the dec& He slid (nder the
railing and h(ng there" his light falling do!n into the !ater !ith an (nheard s$lash&
.ar fo(nd the rifle clattering ,y her and she iced it" sending it s$inning o#er the side& The g(ard !ho had held it
6(+$ed on to$ of her" tho(gh" $inning her to the dec and sla$$ing her hard across the side of the head&
/3o(%re dead" ,itch&1
.ar felt the tr(th of that& She gathered her flagging strength and fo(ght hi+" ri$$ing one hand loose of his gri$& Her
fingers ,r(shed against so+ething hard" and she cl(tched at it" $(lling hard !hen she recogni5ed the o(tline of a di#er%s
nife stra$$ed to his thigh&
He lifted a fist and ai+ed for her head&
.ar $(lled the nife free and dre! her ar+ o(t side!ays" s!inging it in a hair%s ,readth ,efore his fist arced for her
face& She ,(ried the ,lade in his side" feeling the harsh" ethereal sensation as the nife $enetrated his clothing and
entered flesh&
1K*
He screa+ed&
.ar arched her ,ody" rolling to one side !ith all the effort she co(ld +(ster& She +anaged to thro! hi+ off" and as he
rolled one !ay" she rolled the other& She slid (nder the railing and iced off against the ,o! as the ,oat ,(ced in the
!a#es" sailing thro(gh s$ace for a ,rief $eriod (ntil she hit the shocingly cold s(rface of the !ater&
9or a +o+ent" she 6(st let herself sin ,elo! the !a#es" finding a c(rio(s $eace there& Then she iced her sneaers off
and s!a+ for the s(rface" stri$$ing off the short slee#ed shirt no! ha+$ering her as !ell&
Her head ,roe a,o#e the !a#es" and she shoo it to clear the hair o(t of her eyes" her #ie! filling !ith the sight of
cold" dar r(,,er a scant ar+s length in front of her& She reached ($ and her ar+ !as ca(ght as she tried to $(ll herself
for!ard" then a hand gri$$ed her ,y the seat of the $ants and yaned her (ncere+onio(sly ($ and o#er the $ontoon and
into the ,oat&
- !a#e crested o#er the ,o!" and they !ere drenched ,y it& .ar felt the cool air" and the strong s+ell of salt fill her
l(ngs& Then she felt a !ar+th en#elo$ her legs" and she t(rned o#er" to find 2erry cra!ling o#er her to dra$e herself
o#er .ar%s chest !ith a tiny" !eary gr(nt&
.ar e)haled& Bothing else +attered& They !ere ,oth here" and safe& Her !orld !as co+$lete&
/.ar" yo( all right=1
.ar looed ($ into her father%s eyes and nodded& /C(st fine&1 She ras$ed& /3o(=1
-ndre! ga5ed at her !ith a gentle" (nfatho+a,le e)$ression& /3ea$&1 He !as steering the ,oat as he s$oe" ai+ing it
for the stern of the .i)ie no! $itching in front of the+& /' do ,elie#e !e need to get the hell o(t of here"
ho!so+ee#er&1
/3o( got +y #ote&1 .ar let her head rest against the hard $lastic ,otto+&
/Me too&1 2erry +(+,led& /They co+in after (s=1
-ndre! looed ($" $ast the .i)ie%s stern& .eSallier%s ,oat see+ed to ,e at the +ercy of the sea" it%s angle $itching
!ildly& Men !ere no! r(nning ,ac and forth" not searching for the+ ,(t instead !orried a,o(t their o!n fates&
/Bo$e&1 He said" as he slid the craft side!ays and reached ($ for the line 4harlie !as frantically tossing to hi+& /' do
,elie#e this here chase is done and o#er&1
/Good&1 .ar closed her eyes& /:ery" #ery da+n good&1
GG
.ar !as content to stay in the ,otto+ of the ,oat" regardless of it%s $itching" (ntil -ndy had gotten B(d%s still
(nconscio(s for+ ($ onto the .i)ie%s dec& She !as so tired" it !as an effort 6(st to ,reathe and e#en the rain $elting
her f(rio(sly didn%t +(ch ,other her&
2erry !as c(ddled ($ ne)t to her" eyes closed" one ar+ thro!n o#er her eyes& 'n the di+ light" .ar co(ld see ho! $ale
she !as and des$ite her o!n fatig(e" she rolled o#er and !ra$$ed an ar+ aro(nd her& /2er=1
/L+&1 2erry (ttered a soft res$onse&
/Ho! are yo( doing=1
/S(cy&1
.ar sighed&
/' ha#e a +igraine" and '%+ seasic on to$ of it&1 2erry ela,orated& /' ha#e to !onder ho! +(ch !orse death co(ld
$ossi,ly feel&1
.ar leaned o#er and issed her on the chee& /Ho! a,o(t !e stay on land for a fe! days&1
/Ho! a,o(t !e stay in ,ed for a fe! days=1 2erry +ade a !an atte+$t at h(+or&
/S(re&1 .ar $(lled her a little closer" shielding her fro+ the !orst of the rain (ntil she felt her father%s !eight roc the
,oat ,ehind her& She t(rned her head& /0e clear=1
/>et%s go&1 -ndre! ste$$ed o#er her and nelt ne)t to 2erry" taing hold of her sho(lder gently& /2(+8(at" yo( need a
hand ($ there=1
2erry $ried one eye o$en and ga5ed at hi+& She 8(icly closed it& /There are three of yo(&1 She groaned&
1KI
/4%+ere&1 -ndre! gathered her ($ in his ar+s and got his ,alance" then stood as .ar str(ggled to her feet& /3o( !ant
to stay there" let +e gi#e yo( a ride too" .ardar=1
/Bo" thans&1 .ar held the ,oat as steady as she co(ld !hile -ndre! caref(lly transferred hi+self and 2erry onto the
.i)ie& She follo!ed the+" #ery glad to feel the dec (nder her feet as she t(rned and closed the hatch and dogged it&
9or the first ti+e" no! < she looed o#er at .eSalliers ,oat& 't !as still dead in the !ater" listing to one side slightly and
drifting a!ay fro+ the+& T!o +en !ere on the stern arg(ing& - third !as on the ,o!" cli+,ing ($ to an o$en hatch&
>ightning flashed" and she s$otted .eSalliers% distincti#e for+ near the ca,in" a$$arently screa+ing at so+eone&
The .i)ie%s engines ca+e o(t of idle and +o#ed the+ a!ay fro+ the other craft& .ar !atched (ntil the stor+ +ade
the+ indisting(isha,le" then t(rned as she felt her father%s hand on her sho(lder&
They regarded each other& /-h+ gonna go r(n this here ,oat" let 4harlie get a loo at his +ate&1 -ndre! told her& /He
got s+aced aro(nd" ,(t he%s gonna ,e oay&1
.ar nodded& /Thans&1 She searched his face& /'%+ glad yo( fo(nd hi+ so fast&1
-ndre! snorted& /-in%t hardly no $laces yo( can hide a ,ody on one of the+ things" .ar&1
/M+& 3eah" ' g(ess&1 .ar felt a !a#e of e)ha(stion co+e o#er her" +aing her nees shae a little& /C(st glad it%s
o#er&1
/3o( get c(t=1 -ndre! looed do!n at her ,ody&
.ar stared at the ,loodstains& /Bo&1 She re$lied& /'t !as that last g(y& ' had to?(+? / She sto$$ed s$eaing and 6(st
looed at her father" the +e+ory of the nife going in #i#idly in her +ind%s eye&
/Had to do !hat yo( had to do&1 -ndy said& /-nd yo( done that" .ar&1
The rain $elted her in a steady rhyth+ as she a,sor,ed the no!ledge& /3es" ' did&1 .ar +(r+(red&
He !atched her for a fe! heart,eats" then fished in his $ocet for so+ething and $(lled it o(t& 0itho(t s$eaing" he
$inned so+ething to her s!i+s(it stra$" then $(lled her head closer and ga#e her a iss on the to$ of it& /That%s +y
girl&1 He $atted her chee" then t(rned and !aled to the ladder" cli+,ing ($ it !itho(t a f(rther ,ac!ard glance&
Startled" .ar looed do!n at her sho(lder& Pinned to her stra$" i++ediately recogni5a,le to her" !as her father%s SH->
insignia& .ar ,lined" and reached a shaing hand ($ to to(ch it" tracing it%s sha$e !ith a sense of st(nned dis,elief&
9or half her life" she%d drea+ed of !earing it&
Th(nder r(+,led o#er head& >ightning craced" and .ar forced herself to +o#e" going to the door to the ca,in and
sli$$ing inside&
't felt #ery good to ,e o(t of the rain& .ar collected herself and ran the fingers of one hand thro(gh her hair" sniffling a
little and !i$ing the dro$s o(t of her eyes !ith an i+$atient s!i$e of her ar+& Bo, !as sitting on the co(ch" !atching
her !ith !ide" scared eyes&
.ar ca(ght sight of her reflection" and hardly recogni5ed the drenched" !eather ,attered and ,loodstained fig(re looing
,ac at her& She started to !al $ast Bo,&
/>isten" '%+ really sorry&1 He ,l(rted& /This shit !as !ay o#er +y head and ' dragged yo( all into it and al+ost got yo(
illed&1
.ar looed at hi+&
/' ho$e? ' ho$e e#eryone%s all right&1 Bo, finished" in a s+all #oice& /'%+ sorry ' !as s(ch a 6er&1
/0hate#er&1 .ar si+$ly didn%t ha#e the ti+e or energy to deal !ith hi+& She had so+ething +ore i+$ortant to do& She
tr(dged $ast the li#ing area and headed for the ,edroo+" !anting nothing +ore than to ,e 8(iet" dry" and !ith 2erry&
She $(shed the door o$en" finding 2erry leaning against the co(nter" 6(st $(tting do!n a c($ of !ater after taing a
+o(thf(l& She !as in a T-shirt" and looed lie she%d ,een r(n o#er ,y a ,(s& /Hey&1
/Hey&1 2erry see+ed $athetically glad to see her" and o,li#io(s to !hat she looed lie& She t(rned and ,raced herself
against the dresser" gi#ing .ar a !oe,egone loo& /0ho%s dri#ing=1
/.ad&1 .ar !aled o#er to her and gently c($$ed her chee" ti$$ing her head ($ a little& /.id yo( tae so+ething for
yo(r headache=1 2erry%s face !as $ale and dra!n" ,(t a distinct !ar+th entered her eyes at .ar%s to(ch" and the
+(scles in her chee +o#ed" $rod(cing a slight s+ile&
1KJ
2erry nodded& /-nd +y sto+ach& The ey is? !ill it stay do!n long eno(gh to do so+ething or not&1 Her eyes
dro$$ed to .ar%s chest" and she lifted a hand to to(ch the insignia& /0o!&1 Bo! the s+ile really e+erged" and tho(gh
tired" it lit 2erry%s face ($&
.ar looed do!n& /3eah&1 She (n,(cled her shorts and sli$$ed o(t of the+" dra$ing the+ o#er the dresser& /'%+ not
really s(re !hy he did that&1 Her #oice !as e)ha(sted in her o!n ears&
2erry $(shed off fro+ her s$ot and caref(lly (n$inned the insignia" holding it c($$ed in her hand !hile .ar eased o(t
of her s(it& /' no! !hy&1 She looed ($" !incing as .ar t(rned and she sa! the ,r(ises on her lo#er%s ,ody& /3o(
sa#ed his life&1
.ar sto$$ed in the +iddle of $(lling on a dry T-shirt& Her eyes stared at 2erry fro+ the o#er the edge of the fa,ric& /0&&
!hat=1 She ,l(rted& /0hen=1
2erry set the $in do!n on the dresser and reached ($" $(lling the shirt o#er .ar%s head and settling it aro(nd her ,ody&
/4%+ere&1 She sat do!n on the ,ed and $atted the s$ot ne)t to her& Belo! decs" !ith the engines r(nning f(ll o(t" the
sea%s rocing !as +(ch less e#ident and she !elco+ed the co+fort of the ,ed" and .ar%s !ar+ ,ody nestling against
hers&
/Tal to +e&1 .ar $(t her ar+s aro(nd 2erry and leaned ,ac against the head,oard& /0hat did ' +iss in all this=1
/0hen yo( !ere on the ,oat& -fter ' 6(+$ed off&1 2erry told her& /.ad !as in the r(,,er ,oat" holding B(d& ' !as
hanging on the side" trying to get in& The light hit (s&1
/M+&1 Her $artner nodded slo!ly& /3eah&1
/The g(ys on the ,oat !ere going to shoot .ad& He !as !hat !as in the light&1
/7h&1 .ar ,lined& /' g(ess ' ne! that" so+eho!&1
2erry looed at her& /.o yo( re+e+,er !hat yo( did then=1 She ased c(rio(sly& /.o yo( re+e+,er going after those
+en" .ar=1
Go after the+= .ar%s ,ro! creased& /0ell" ' re+e+,er !anting to noc the+ do!n" s(re&1 She ans!ered slo!ly& /'
ran o#er there" ' g(ess&1
.ar%s $rofile !as di+ in the la+$light" the loo of tho(ghtf(l $(55le+ent #ery e#ident& /3es" yo( did&1 2erry said"
softly& She eased off the ,ed and retrie#ed the insignia" ad+iring it for a +o+ent ,efore she sn(ggled ,ac ($ to .ar
and $inned it onto her T-shirt& /- lot ha$$ened to (s today&1 She fle)ed her hand slightly" thining a,o(t the reason for
it%s soreness&
/3eah&1 .ar ans!ered" !ith a sigh& /- lot&1
/0ant to !ait till !e%#e had so+e rest to tal a,o(t it=1
/3eah&1
/Me too&1 2erry !his$ered& /Beca(se ' !ent to a $lace ' didn%t lie at all today" .ar&1
.ar !as silent for se#eral ,reaths& /Me too&1 She stared tho(ghtf(lly at her hands" resting $al+ ($!ard on her thighs&
/'%+ really tired&1 Her eyes t(rned to 2erry" !ho !as leaning against her& /Ho! are yo( doing=1
2erry s$ent so+e ti+e thining a,o(t that 8(estion& /' co(ld (se a sn(ggle&1 She ad+itted&
Me" too&1 .ar gently $(lled 2erry o#er" settling her ,et!een her legs and !ra$$ing ,oth ar+s aro(nd her sto+ach&
2erry leaned ,ac against her and she ga#e her a h(g" long and solid" feeling the tension in 2erry%s ,ody rela) as her
head dro$$ed ,ac against .ar%s collar,one&
-fter a +o+ent" 2erry s8(ir+ed aro(nd and slid her ar+s aro(nd .ar" resting her chee against her $artner%s sho(lder
and ga5ing ($ into her eyes&
.ar%s eyelashes fl(ttered& /' sa#ed his life=1 She !his$ered" !atching 2erry%s face intently&
2erry s+iled& /3es" yo( did&1
/H(h&1 The dar haired !o+an gr(nted& /' thin yo( sa#ed o(rs&1
/Me=1
.ar nodded faintly& /3o( e$t the 6acass fro+ calling for hel$&1 She said& /-ny +ore g(ards and&&&1 She stroed
2erry%s drying hair& /0e got so l(cy in there&1
1KK
/M+&1 2erry reflected so+,erly& >(cy& She re+e+,ered the feeling of (tter rage that had torn thro(gh her" and ho!
good it had felt to release it on .eSalliers&
't scared her& 2erry e)haled in silence& B(t it !as o#er" and they%d ,oth s(r#i#ed& That really !as the i+$ortant $art of
e#erything& Her fa+ily and friends !ere oay& She !as oay& .ar !as oay&
Her eyes closed& They had ,een l(cy& :ery l(cy& She !his$ered a $rayer of thans as she felt the sea cradle the+ in
its rocing hands&
GG
The +arina at St& Tho+as !as in total chaos& Boats fro+ all o#er !ere co+ing in to shelter there fro+ the stor+" and
the tossing !hiteca$s +ade the danger of collision #ery real&
.ar $(t her rain slicer on and cli+,ed ($ to the flying ,ridge to 6oin -ndre! as they r(+,led at 6(st o#er idle in a
holding $attern& /0hat a +ess&1 She +(r+(red to her father&
/3ea$&1 -ndre! agreed& /Told the+ doc+asters !e had a ,ody needing to go ($ to the hos$ital on ,oard& They%re
getting (s a $ath in&1 He infor+ed her& /Ho!%s 2erry doing=1
/She%s all right&1 .ar said&
-ndre! st(died her& /3o( doing all right=1
.ar nodded& /' feel lie ' !as hit ,y a ,(s" ,(t other than that" Mr& >incoln" ' en6oyed the $lay&1
Her father ch(cled&
/Thans for co+ing o(t here after (s&1 .ar leaned her el,o!s on the console& /' !as $retty o(t of +y de$th here&1
/See+s lie yo( done all right to +e&1 -ndy re$lied& /' fig(red yo( t!o had things co#ered till 2erry done sent that last
note" a,o(t B(d and all&1 He shoo his head& /Too +e one of the+ there sea$lanes o#er&1 - $a(se& /-h do not lie
the+ things&1
.ar had to s+ile& /Me either&1 She !atched thro(gh the rain as the lights see+ed to di+inish ahead of the+& The radio
cracled&
/.i)ieland 3anee" doc+aster& 4o+e on in&1
.ar $iced ($ the +ic& /.oc+aster" this is .i)ieland& 0e co$y&1 She set the de#ice do!n and straightened& /0ant +e
to tae her in=1
-ndre! eyed her& /3o( s$ec(lating on +ah dri#ing" yo(ng lady=1 He ased& /-h a+ not the one !ho?1
/'%#e gotten ,etter since then&1 .ar interr($ted hi+&
/So 2erry !as saying&1 -ndy slid o#er and offered her the $ilot%s seat& /G%!an&1
.ar too the controls and settled into the chair" still !ar+ fro+ her father%s ,ody& She c(rled her fingers aro(nd the
throttles and ad6(sted the+" foc(sing her attention on the dar sea ,efore her& 7n ether side of the+ the channel +arers
,o,,led !ildly" ,arely #isi,le in the high s(rf&
Slo!ly the engines o#erca+e the cho$" and they !ere +o#ing for!ard thro(gh the cl(ster of ,oats on either side&
/2erry%s got coffee do!nstairs if yo(%re interested&1 .ar re+ared" ee$ing her eyes flicing o#er the $atch of !ater
6(st in front of the+&
-ndre! gr(nted& /-h%d rather not&1 He ans!ered" s(r$rising .ar& /The+ ,oys ,elo! got so+e iss(es !ith +e&1
.ar s$ared a 8(ic glance at hi+& /-h&1 She +(r+(red& /3eah" !e inda fig(red that o(t&1
Her father snorted" and shoo his head& /.one tho(ght !e%d cleared that all ($ !ay ,ac !hen&1 He half stood" $eering
o(t thro(gh the $le)iglass& /-in%t this a +ess&1
't !as& .ar concentrated on na#igating the o,stacles" g(iding the ,ig craft thro(gh the channel littered !ith s+aller
,oats& So+e !ere trying to get or stay o(t of their !ay" ,(t others !ere ,eing tossed ,y the !eather to a $oint of losing
control&
.ar half stood as !ell" her !eight co+ing ($ onto her thighs as she ga#e the engines a little +ore diesel& /.a+n&1 The
rain ca+e do!n harder" al+ost o,sc(ring her #ie! and +aing the s(rface near indisting(isha,le& She co(ld feel the
!ind rising at her ,ac" and a g(st fl(ttered her slicer hard against her ,ody&
-nd yet" she felt no fear& /3o( e#er ,een scared o(t in !eather lie this" dad=1 .ar ased " in s(dden c(riosity&
1KM
/Ba!&1 -ndre! re$lied a,sently& /Part of ,ein a sea+an is no!ing yo(%re a $art of all that&1 He said& /4an%t control it"
no sense in ,eing scared of it&1
M+& .ar felt the rhyth+ of the sea (nder her and (nderstood !hat he +eant& She follo!ed the riffle of the !a#es"
car#ing a caref(l $ath thro(gh the+&
- sail,oat heeled !ith sicening s(ddenness < it arced into their $ath not a length in front of the ,o!& .ar reacted"
s!inging to her right and g(nning the engines& The !ind sho#ed the sail,oat 6(st shy of their h(ll" the s$ar scra$ing
lightly against the+ ,efore falling free&
'n the rain" she co(ld 6(st ,arely see it%s cre! frantically !oring to regain control of their sheets" and !as +ore than
glad to ha#e the sec(re $o!er of her engines (nder her& The sea!all loo+ed ahead" and .ar !as glad to see +ost of the
,oats ee$ing !ell clear of it&
/4aref(l there" .ar&1 -ndre! +(r+(red& /Got a strong ri$ tide co+ing in&1
/' feel it&1 .ar ans!ered" and did" thro(gh her legs& /Hold on&1 She t(rned the ,oat into the !ind and increased the
engines" hearing their r(+,le a,o#e the !eather no!& The ,oat s(rged against the !a#es" cresting the+ and fighting
against the strong c(rrent&
She ga#e the engines f(ll $o!er" and they s(rged $ast the 6etty" heading f(ll on into the cl(ster of ,oats ,eyond it& .ar
heard her father inhale" and she grinned $ri#ately as she c(t the throttles and s!(ng the ,o! aro(nd& The c(rrent $iced
the+ ($ and t(rned the+ #ery neatly into the center of the +arina channel& .ar edged the throttles for!ard again
slightly" and headed for the concrete docs&
/Son of a ,isc(it&1 -ndre! ch(cled&
.ar a$$roached the docs and s!(ng aro(nd to the larger ones& She co(ld see a cl(ster of $eo$le !aiting at the e+$ty
sli$ they%d ,een assigned and she tho(ght she sa! +edical $ersonnel& The !a#es !ere r(shing ($ against the docs"
,reaing o#er the+ and do(sing the !atchers" tho(gh&
Ls(ally" she !o(ld let the ,oat drift gently in" ,(t the tide !as r(nning the !rong !ay& .ar s!(ng the ,oat into line"
then set the engines into re#erse" allo!ing the !ater to $(ll the+ #ery gr(dgingly into the sli$& The doc+asters had
already thro!n ,(+$ers o#er the side" and she sillf(lly +ane(#ered into $lace (ntil her h(ll 6(st to(ched the+&
T!o of the +en on the doc ho$$ed on ,oard and gra,,ed their lines& .ar c(t the engines and sat ,ac" cocing her
head and gi#ing her father a 8(estioning loo& /Better than !hen ' !as ten=1
-ndy r(ffled her da+$ hair affectionately& /Good 6o,&1 He co+$li+ented her serio(sly& /3o( +ade a da+n good sailor"
.ar&1
.ar crossed her ar+s and s+iled& /Thans&1 She glanced ,ehind her& /G(ess !e%d ,etter get +o#ing& 2erry and ' ha#e
a roo+ ($ at one of the hotels" if it%s still o$en in this +ess& 0e can $ro,a,ly get yo( in there&1 She stood ($" and eased
aro(nd the console chair&
/-h do thin ' can scra,,le ($ +y o!n ,(n&1 -ndre! re+ared& />et%s get B(d and 4harlie settled do!n first off" and
then find (s so+e shelter&1
So(nded #ery good to .ar& So+e$lace dry" and 8(iet" and ideally s($$lied !ith lots of ice crea+&
GG
2erry had finally do5ed off" nestled into the ,ed in the .i)ie%s ,edroo+& She hadn%t tho(ght she%d ,e a,le to" o!ing to
the ,oat%s +otion and the stress of the day" ,(t her ,ody had si+$ly taen o#er and de+anded she close her eyes and
sh(t the !orld o(t for a !hile&
Her drea+s !ere for+less& She e$t seeing fire!ors" as tho(gh re$laying the 9o(rth of C(ly in her +ind o#er and o#er
again& 9inally" the last cracer !ent off" and the faceless cro!d aro(nd her faded a!ay" their noise slo!ly altering to a
so(nd of clining that ,ro(ght her ($ into reality&
She o$ened her eyes" ga5ing at her s(rro(ndings in +o+entary conf(sion ,efore +e+ory iced in& /Lr+f&1 2erry
r(,,ed her face !ith one hand and rolled o#er" +issing .ar%s $resence& She s$ent a +o+ent !ondering !here her
$artner !as" then reali5ed the ,oat !as relati#ely still and the engines !ere off&
/Ces(s& 0e +(st ,e in doc&1 2erry rolled o(t of the ,ed and straightened" holding on to the chest of dra!ers for
,alance as they rolled !ith the !a#es& /0hy the hell didn%t she co+e get +e=1 She fli$$ed the la+$ on and stretched"
feeling aches along the entire length of her ,ody&
1M0
Her ar+s h(rt& 2erry leaned against the dra!ers and fle)ed her hands& They !ere stiff and felt slightly s!ollen and there
!ere ,r(ises across the heels and n(cles of the+& 9or a ,rief +o+ent her sto+ach ch(rned" and then she re+e+,ered
.ar%s hands after .ar had sa#ed her fro+ a $ac of scr(ngy car6acers&
Painf(lly ,r(ised& B(t in a good ca(se&
Her ca(se& 2erry lifted her head and ga5ed into the di+ness of the stateroo+& /3o( no! !hat" St(art=1 She addressed
herself& /3o( don%t ha#e a da+n thing to ,e sorry a,o(t& That g(y !as a sc(+ s(cing !hore $ig" and he deser#ed to
ha#e his cloc cleaned&1
She let the echo of the !ords die& 't +ade her feel a little ,etter& She t!itched her shirt straight and ran her fingers
thro(gh her hair" then left the ,edroo+ and sli$$ed into the head& 't !as 8(iet on the ,oat& She listened for so(nds of
.ar%s $resence as she s$lashed !ater on her face&
The ca,in door o$ened and she st(c her head o(t" a s+ile a$$earing as she s$otted her lo#er entering& /Hey&1
.ar $(shed her slicer hood ,ac and !aled o#er to her& /Hey&1
/0hat did ' slee$ thro(gh=1 2erry ased&
/So+e ,rilliant +ane(#ering on +y $art" and a lot of +en taing B(d o(t to the hos$ital&1 .ar told her& /Ho! are yo(
feeling= ' didn%t !ant to !ae yo( ($&1
/Better&1 2erry anno(nced ,risly& /0hat%s o(r $lan no!= Stay here=1
/0e can%t&1 .ar told her& /That da+n stor+%s d(e here in t!o ho(rs" and they%re e#ac(ating the +arina& 0inds are ($
to se#enty +iles $er ho(r" and '%+ da+n glad !e%re tied ($&1 She r(,,ed 2erry%s ,ac& /.ad !ent !ith the+ ($ to the
hos$ital&1
/M+&1 2erry dre! in a ,reath" and released it& /So? are !e going ($ to the hotel=1
/0o(ld yo( lie that=1 .ar ased& /'s that !hat yo( !ant to do=1
't see+ed to 2erry to ,e a strange 8(estion& She finished ,r(shing her teeth and rinsed her +o(th o(t" then she t(rned
and faced her $artner& /3o( no! !hat ' !ant to do=1 She ased .ar" !ho had ,een standing and $atiently !aiting for
her&
/0hat=1
/Be !ith yo(&1 2erry re$lied" si+$ly&
.ar s+iled" and nodded& /;ight ,ac at yo(&1 She said&
/3o( loo really tired&1 The ,lond !o+an +o#ed a ,it of .ar%s hair o(t of her #isi,ly ,loodshot eyes& />et%s go find (s
a nice ,ed on dry land&1
/' a+ really tired&1 .ar ad+itted& /-nd" (+?1 She shifted slightly& /Sore ' thin ' t!isted a co($le things in the fight&1
2erry co(ld see the dra!n lines in her face& /3o( s(re yo( don%t !ant to get yo(rself checed o(t=1 She ased
fr(itlessly" already no!ing the ans!er&
/Bah&1 .ar dis+issed the idea& /' 6(st need so+e rest" and +ay,e so+e as$irin&1 She said& /-nd yo(&1
/-nd that Cac(55i&1 2erry re+inded her& /4%+on& >et%s go&1
.ar $(t her ar+ aro(nd 2erry%s sho(lders and they headed o(t into the stor+&
GG
They entered the hotel lo,,y" to ,e greeted !ith the sight of a +ass of h(+anity" 6ostling for s$ace& /Ces(s" ' ho$e they
e$t o(r roo+&1 2erry !his$ered&
.ar sho(ldered their o#ernight ,ag& /Me" too&1 She n(dged 2erry to!ards the stairs& />et%s go find o(t& ' ha#e a feeling
.ad +ight ,e slee$ing on the co(ch in there if they did&1
2erry follo!ed .ar as they !aled ($ the stairs and +ade the t(rn to!ards their assigned roo+& The ($stairs hall!ay
!as ,(sy also" and they had to edge $ast se#eral gro($s of arg(ing $eo$le to get to the end of it& .ar re+o#ed the ey
fro+ her 6eans $ocet and tried it" o$ening the door ca(tio(sly and sticing her head inside&
Silence& .ar fli$$ed the light on and entered" !aiting for 2erry to follo! her ,efore she closed the door after the+ and
leaned against it& /This roo+ isn%t +o#ing" is it=1
1M1
2erry e)$lored the roo+ ,riefly" then ret(rned to tae the ,ag fro+ .ar%s hands& /Than god" no&1 She (n,(cled her
rain 6acet and re+o#ed it& /Those !indo!s loo ind of scar?oh&1 She%d dra!n aside the dra$es to re#eal !ood
$laning $rotecting the $late glass& /Bifty& They !or fast&1
/3o( get (sed to it after a !hile&1 .ar re+ared" re+o#ing her rain gear and tr(dging o#er to the ,ed& She colla$sed
onto it and lay there looing ($ at the ceiling& /Getting ready for stor+s" ' +ean& Hs$ecially o(t here&1
/3eah" ' g(ess yo( !o(ld&1 2erry let the dra$es close& /0ill the ,oat ,e all right o(t in the +arina=1
.ar%s eyes had closed& /-s it !o(ld ,e any!here&1 She said& /They%#e got it tied do!n and ,olstered $retty good& ' feel
,ad for those little g(ys they don%t ha#e s$ace for&1
2erry set the ,ag do!n and o$ened it" $(lling o(t their $a6a+as& She set the+ on the ta,le and !aled o#er to the ,ed"
sitting do!n and $icing ($ one of .ar%s feet& /0hat !ill they do=1 She rested the foot on her nee and started to
(nlace the sneaer on it&
/3o( don%t !ant to do that& They%re !et&1 .ar !arned her&
/-nd=1 2erry shot her an a+(sed loo&
/3o( no! !hat !et sneaers and socs s+ell lie&1
/>ie o(r dog !hen she gets !et& 3es" honey" ' do&1 2erry $(lled off the sneaer" and the da+$ soc (nder it& /0hat%s
yo(r $oint=1 She ticled the ,otto+ of .ar%s foot and felt the leg (nder her hands t!itch&
.ar 6(st s+iled&
/' don%t thin !e%re going to ,e a,le to get roo+ ser#ice right no!&1 2erry !ent on" $(tting .ar%s foot do!n and
$icing ($ the other one& /'%+ going to see !hat they left (s here in o(r $alatial a,ode" other than r(+&1
@That !ors too&1 .ar +(r+(red& /B(t it%s ,etter o#er ice crea+&1
2erry r(,,ed .ar%s anle" feeling the 6oint fle) (nder her to(ch& /'sn%t e#erything=1 She tossed the footgear to!ards the
door" and iced off her o!n to 6oin it& Then she eased do!n on her side ne)t to .ar" and started !oring on the to$
,(tton of her lo#er%s 6eans& /3o( no!" so+ething really $rofo(nd 6(st occ(rred to +e&1
.ar rolled her head to one side and o$ened an eye& /0hat%s that=1
/B(tton fly 6eans are +(ch se)ier than 5i$$ered ones&1 2erry told her serio(sly&
- tired snicer shoo .ar%s ,elly&
/Bo" really&1 2erry e)a+ined .ar%s !aist as she (ndid the second ,(tton& /Thin a,o(t it& 0ith 5i$$ers" yo( (ndo one"
then ,oo$A 't%s done& This !ay" yo( ha#e to tae yo(r ti+e&1
/2erry" ' thin yo(%re o#ertired&1 Her $artner ad#ised her&
/Hey" ' got a na$& 3o( didn%t&1 2erry s+iled" contin(ing her tas& /'t%s lie glo#es&1
/Glo#es=1
/3eah& Bac in the days !hen !o+en !ore glo#es& >ie the ones that !ent all the !ay ($ yo(r ar+=1 2erry glanced
o#er" seeing an e)tre+ely $(55led e)$ression on .ar%s face& /4%+on" .ar& 3o( !atch the History 4hannel& .on%t gi#e
+e that @!hat the hec is the 0-SP taling a,o(t no!=% loo&1
.ar%s ,ro!s scr(nched together& /7h&1 She r(,,ed her te+$le& /3o( +ean the e#ening dress things&1
/;ight&1 2erry agreed& /They had ,(ttons all the !ay ($" and they e#en had little hoo things they (sed to ,(tton the+&
't !as considered #ery se)y ,ac then to !atch a !o+an tae off her id leather glo#e& So+e of the+ had a h(ndred
,(ttons&1
There !as a ,it of silence" as .ar conte+$lated that& /;eally=1
/Lh h(h&1 2erry (ndid the last ,(tton and $l(ced at the !aist,and of .ar%s (nder!ear& /3o( no! so+ething else=1
/3o(%re glad yo( !ere ,orn in the latter half of the t!entieth cent(ry after glo#es !ent o(t of style=1 .ar s(ggested&
/Beca(se if ' had to !ait for yo( to (n,(tton a h(ndred ,(ttons" '%d co+e after yo( !ith a $air of leather c(tters&1
2erry chortled" and leaned her head against .ar%s hi$&
/0ell" ' !o(ld&1 .ar said&
/' ,et yo( ne#er s(ced yo(r Tootsie $o$ do!n to the candy" did yo(=1 2erry contin(ed the silliness& /3o( che!ed it&1
1M2
/Bo&1 .ar re$lied !ith a dignified sniff& /' 6(st ,o(ght Tootsie ;olls to ,egin !ith&1
2erry s8(ir+ed ($ a little and started !oring on .ar%s shirt& /' ne! that&1 She !atched the gentle rise and fall of
.ar%s chest (nder her hand& The !ind o(tside rattled the !ooden sh(tters against the ,(ilding" and they co(ld hear a
r(+,le thro(gh the !alls& /-re !e safe here=1
.ar glanced aro(nd the roo+& /This $lace has ,een here for a h(ndred years&1 She stated& /' thin !e%re fine&1
/7ay&1 2erry laid .ar%s shirt o$en and $(t gentle fingers on the ,r(ises dotting her chest& /-re yo( h(rting"
s!eetheart=1 Her tone !ent fro+ $layf(l to serio(s& /3o(%re inda scra$ed ($ here&1
/'%+ too tired to h(rt right no!&1 .ar ad+itted& /May,e later ' !ill ,e&1 She sat ($ slo!ly and stri$$ed her shirt off"
then stood ($ to re+o#e her 6eans& /3o( 6oining +e in this stri$ sho!" or are yo( snoo5ing in yo(r clothes=1
/3o( thin !e%re going to get a chance to slee$=1 2erry re+ained !here she !as" !atching .ar cross the roo+ in her
(nder!ear to $(t her no! folded clothing near their ,ag& The soft la+$ light erased the +ars of the fight fro+ her ,ody
and rendered it in golden shado!s for 2erry%s a$$reciati#e eyes&
She lo#ed the strength of her& The grace and solid $o!er e#ident in e#ery +o#e& Bothing a,o(t .ar !as for sho! < it
!as all real" and all f(nctional&
-nd all hers& 2erry s+iled to herself at the tho(ght& She s$ared a +o+ent to re#el in the no!ledge of !hat it felt lie
to lo#e so+eone lie this < and to ,e lo#ed < to the #ery core& 't !as a tr(e gift" and she ne! it" and in that one
+o+ent" it h(+,led her&
/God" ' ho$e so&1 .ar sighed" as she $(lled on her $a6a+as& She t(rned and looed at 2erry" s$ra!led on the ,ed in
cas(al disarray& /'%#e had eno(gh ad#ent(res for today&1 She $eered closer at the !o+an !atching her& /2er=1
't !as lie !ading thro(gh the +ists of ti+e& 2erry s(ddenly sensed the de$th of !hat !as ,et!een the+" sensed the
ancientness of it and heard the faint echoes fro+ li#es ,eyond their o!n& 't !as !eird" and scary and her eyes !idened
as she stared into .ar%s&
4(rio(s" .ar ca+e o#er to her and sat on the ,ed& /2er=1 She ased again" her ,ro! f(rro!ing !ith concern& /3o(
oay=1
2erry too a ,reath& /3eah&1 She +(r+(red& /C(st had so+e !eird dO6T #( thing ha$$en&1 She said& /' thin it%s ,een
too long a day for ,oth of (s&1
.ar $atted her chee& /Get (ndressed" and let%s ho$e the stor+ doesn%t?1
The lights flicered" then !ent o(t&
- sigh& /2noc the $o!er o(t&1 .ar t(rned and $eered aro(nd the no! co+$letely $itch ,lac roo+& /Sho(lda gotten
candles o(t& 0hat a ,onehead +o#e that !as&1
/'%#e got a flashlight in the ,ag&1 2erry ch(cled !earily" rolling off the ,ed and getting to her feet& She felt her !ay
o#er to the ta,le and fished for it" re+o#ing the sli+ ite+ and t(rning it on& /-re there candles in here=1
.ar 6oined her and too the light" +aing her !ay o#er to the ca,inet that held the tele#ision& She $oed inside" and
disco#ered a fe! h(rricane candles < so+e already started& /Here&1
2erry too the candles fro+ her" and they lit the+" $(tting the+ aro(nd the roo+ in strategic $laces&
Lnder candlelight" the interior too on a ne! loo" the tiny flicering fla+es ,o(ncing shado!s off the ceiling and
lending a 8(aintness to the old fashioned ,ed& 2erry fo(nd the co(rtesy ,ar ,y accident" and raided it after she changed
into her $a6a+as&
.ar listened to her r(++aging for a +o+ent" then ,ro(ght a last candle o#er to the ,ed" setting it on the side ta,le& She
$(lled do!n the to$ sheet and got into ,ed" fl(ffing ($ the $illo!s and settling ,ac against the+&
2erry a$$eared shortly thereafter fro+ the shado!s" her $ale hair no! dry and collecting glints of the candlelight as she
6oined her $artner& She handed .ar a +(g and set a ,aset of goodies ,et!een the+& Then she cra!led into ,ed and
rela)ed" letting o(t a heartfelt sigh&
The stor+ raged o(tside& They co(ld hear things sla++ing against the !indo!s" and far off the so(nd of siren& /.ar=1
2erry ased s(ddenly& /0hat do yo( thin ha$$ened to .eSalliers=1
.ar si$$ed fro+ her +(g" finding an agreea,le +i)t(re of r(+ and $inea$$le 6(ice in it& /3o( +ean" o(t there=1
1M3
2erry ,roe a cooie in half and $(t a $ortion in .ar%s +o(th& /3eah& 4o(ld he? ' +ean" it%s a $retty ,ad stor+ e#en if
that is a ,ig ,oat& 0hat if it goes do!n=1
>et it& .ar fo(nd herself shoced to hear that tho(ght echo coolly in her s(,conscio(s" ,(t after a +o+ents re#ie! she
contin(ed che!ing her cooie and s!allo!ed it& /The ,astards idna$$ed B(d" +ade o(r li#es +isera,le" and al+ost
illed ,oth of (s not to +ention +y father& ' don%t gi#e a rats ass !hat ha$$ens to the+&1
2erry ni,,led on her cooie tho(ghtf(lly& /;eally=1
.ar considered $retending other!ise& She decided she !as 6(st too da+n tired& /;eally&1
/M+&1 The ,lond !o+an leaned her head against .ar%s sho(lder& /' ho$e they don%t sin&1
.ar looed at her&
/.ying%s too easy& Ha#ing hi+ li#e !ith the no!ledge he got ,eaten is a lot +ore fitting&1 2erry !iggled her toes
contentedly and s$lit another cooie&
/H)ce$t that he did get !hat he !anted&1 .ar re+inded her !ryly&
/Bo he didn%t&1 2erry lifted her hand and tossed so+ething onto .ar%s chest& /.a+ned if ' !as going to let hi+ get
a!ay !ith this&1
.ar stared at the $lastic co#ered sheet sitting in the center of her chest& /Son of a ,itch&1
/.a(ghter of a ,astard" act(ally&1 2erry corrected her& /7ne of the things yo( and ' don%t ha#e in co++on&1 She too
a si$ of her o!n r(+ and s!allo!ed it" then leaned against .ar again& /So&1
/So&1 .ar re$eated" t(rning the sheet o#er in her fingers&
/.eath is a high $rice to $ay for st($idity&1 2erry said& /-nd '&&& don%t !ant that on +y conscience& 's there any !ay !e
can hel$ the+ if they%re in tro(,le=1 She ased in a serio(s tone&
.ar%s li$s t!itched& /' called the 4oast G(ard for the+ on the !ay in&1 She ad+itted& /So yeah" ' don%t gi#e a da+n if
they sin" ,(t ' !asn%t a,o(t to a,andon a +ariti+e la! ' had dr(++ed into +e fro+ the age of fo(r&1
2erry $(lled herself ($ and ga#e .ar a iss& She liced her li$s as they $arted and ga5ed into her lo#er%s eyes& /' feel?
really strange a,o(t !hat !e did tonight" .ar&1 She said& /Part of +e is freaing o(t" ,(t $art of +e?1
/>ied fighting for the greater good=1 .ar re$lied in a cas(al tone&
- little silence fell& 2erry dro$$ed ,ac against the $illo!s !itho(t taing her eyes off .ar& She inhaled a(di,ly &
/Greater good&1 The !ords felt interesting in her +o(th and she $layed !ith the+ a little" tasting their +eaning& /'s
that !hat !e did=1
.ar shr(gged& /' don%t no!& 't%s so+ething +y father (sed to tal a,o(t all the ti+e& .oing things for other $eo$le or
acting !hen it%s not in yo(r ,est interests 6(st ,eca(se it%s the right thing to do&1 She reached o#er and co+,ed thro(gh
2erry%s dishe#eled hair !ith her fingers& /'t%s !hat the fols in the +ilitary do" if yo( thin a,o(t it&1
/.e$ending on !ho%s defining @right% this year&1 2erry re$lied" !ith a to(ch of !ry se$ticis+& /B(t ' no! !hat yo(
+ean&1 She $(t her ar+s aro(nd .ar& /.id yo( lie doing that=1
.ar ret(rned the e+,race as they listened to the !ind ho!l& /'%+ not #ery good at it&1 She said& /'%d +(ch rather tae
care of +y o!n ,est interests than anyone else%s&1
2erry raised ($ on her el,o! and looed at her !ith ,oth eye,ro!s raised& /.ar" that is s(ch a lie&1 She stated flatly&
/3o( $(t yo(rself on the line for +e ,efore !e%d ,arely e#en +etA1
/That%s ,eca(se yo( GareG +y ,est interest&1 .ar $(t a fingerti$ on 2erry%s nose&
0asn%t really +(ch she co(ld say to that& 2erry c(rled ,ac ($ ne)t to .ar and shoo her head& The !ind !as getting
stronger o(tside" and she heard a lo(d ,ang as so+ething hit the ,(ilding& She $(t tho(ghts of the greater good o(t of
her +ind for the +o+ent& /-re yo( scared=1
/Bo&1 .ar told her& /C(st tired&1
2erry too the hint and $(lled the co#ers ($ o#er .ar%s long fra+e" t(cing the+ in aro(nd the t!o of the+& She $(t her
ar+s ,ac aro(nd .ar and laid her head on her $artner%s sho(lder& She felt .ar%s +(scles rela) al+ost i++ediately"
des$ite the raging noise o(tside& The heart,eat (nder her ear e#ened o(t and slo!ed and she concentrated to co(nt its
rhyth+&
1M4
They !o(ld !eather the stor+&
They al!ays had" a +(55y internal #oice re+inded her&
2erry tho(ght a,o(t that" losing herself in the flicer of the near,y candle as the !inds ,le! o#er the+&
GG
The hotel !as !ar+" and cla++y inside as 2erry #ent(red into the lo,,y& The $o!er !as still o(t" ,(t the staff had
ste$$ed ($ to the challenge and $(t o(t a ta,le f(ll of relati#ely tasty looing foods for the g(ests to $ic thro(gh&
Her eyes roa+ed the roo+" and she sto$$ed as she s$otted -ndre! seated on the $orch" his hand c(rled aro(nd a c($&
/-h&1 2erry gra,,ed a +(ffin and !aled o(t to 6oin hi+& /Hi" dad&1
-ndre! looed ($ at her& /Morning" there" (+8(at&1 He greeted her" as his eyes drifted $ast her sho(lder& /0here%s
+ah id=1
/Slee$ing&1 2erry sat do!n and ni,,led her +(ffin& /She !as so tired last night& ' tho(ght it !o(ld ,e ,etter if ' let her
get so+e rest !hile ' scro(nged ,reafast for (s&1
-ndy nodded in agree+ent& /She done things to ,e tired fro+&1 He said& /She oay=1
/' thin so&1
/Too the+ fellers ($ to the hos$ital" then ca+e ,ac do!n here and ,(ned o(t !ith so+e of the +arina fol&1
-ndre! #ol(nteered& />oos lie they $(t a fe! cracs in B(d%s head& Be there a fe! days&1
/3o( co(ld ha#e co+e ($ to o(r roo+&1 2erry scolded hi+& /0e had $lenty of roo+ ($ there&1
/Bah&1 -ndre! too a s!allo! of !hate#er !as in his +(g& /3o( t!o yo(ng ladies deser#e yo(r $ri#acy&1
2erry $ro$$ed her chin ($ on her fist& /.ad" !e !ere 6(st slee$ing&1 She grinned at hi+& /'%+ glad B(d%s going to ,e
oay& .id he !ae ($=1
/3ea$&1
/.oes he no! it !as yo( !ho $(lled hi+ o(t of the ,oat=1
/3ea$&1
2erry st(died his $rofile& /Bot really ha$$y a,o(t that" !as he=1
/Bo +a%a+" he !as not&1 -ndre! t(rned" and looed at her& /B(t ho! !o(ld yo( ,e no!ing a,o(t that=1 He set his
c($ do!n and st(died his ta,le+ate& /They say so+ething to yo(=1
2erry nodded& /3es" and .ar told +e a little&1 She said& /' al+ost iced B(d in the n(ts a fe! ti+es (ntil he finally
cal+ed do!n and sto$$ed saying +ean things&1 Her fingers $layed !ith the edge of the ta,le& /0hat !as ($ !ith that=1
- ser#er !ith a $itcher ca+e ($ to the+" and offered the+ a drin& -ndre! held o(t his +(g and they refilled it" then
the ser#er handed 2erry a c($ as !ell&
/Thans&1 2erry too a ca(tio(s si$" relie#ed to find so+e!hat l(e-cold fr(it 6(ice& She sensed -ndre! !asn%t
co+forta,le disc(ssing B(d !ith her" and decided not to $(sh the s(,6ect& /' tho(ght ' sa! cereal in there < did yo( eat
yet=1
/-h did&1 He told her& /0ent do!n and checed o(t the ,oat& H(ll got ,anged ($ a ,it" ,(t nothing ,ig& Sho(ld ,e fine
to head ,ac !ith&1
/Than yo(&1 2erry said& /.id anyone say if .eSalliers% ,oat !as ,ro(ght in=1
/Bo" +a%a+&1
2erry ga5ed 8(ietly at hi+& -fter a +o+ent" -ndre! +et her eyes& /Sorry if ' ,(tted in !here ' didn%t ,elong&1 She
told hi+&
-ndre!%s e)$ression softened" and he ,lined a fe! ti+es& /0asn%t that" 2erry&1 He ans!ered& /C(st so+ethin that
,(rns +y shorts" and ah don%t lie chatting a,o(t it&1
/7ay&1 2erry nodded& /-re yo( flying ,ac ho+e=1
/3ea$&1 -ndy said& /' fig(re yo( t!o got things all s8(ared off no!& Got a flight ,ac o(t tonight& They ain%t reo$ened
the air$ort yet&1 He told her& /Still cleaning ($& Stor+ raced ($ so+e f(ss" ,(t not a !hole lot o(tside the +arina&1
1M*
2erry st(died the hori5on" !hich !as clear and clo(d free& /'t%s f(nny& ' al+ost feel lie last night !as a drea+&1 She
ad+itted& /B(t ' no! it !asn%t&1
-ndre! coced his head in a listening attit(de&
/'%+ glad yo( ca+e o(t here after (s&1 2erry told hi+& /Thans&1
- s+ile t(gged at the scarred face across fro+ her& /S%!hat a father%s for" ain%t it=1
2erry stared off $ast hi+" her eyes distant& /7nly if yo(%re #ery l(cy&1 She e)haled" d(sting her fingers off fro+ the
+(ffin& /'%+ going to gra, so+ething for +e and .ar&1 P(shing against the ta,le" she stood ($" s(ddenly !anting to ,e
o(t of the s(n and ,ac !ith her $artner& /May,e !e can find yo( for l(nch=1
-ndy got ($ and $atted her on the sho(lder& />e++e gi#e yo( a hand !ith yo(r gr(," (+8(at&1 He said& /0e +ay,e
need a chit chat" and ' !ant to see +y id&1
2erry s+iled" feeling the tension ,et!een the+ rela) a little& /7ay" .ad& 't%s a deal&1
They !ent inside to the ta,le" !hich didn%t ha#e +(ch in the !ay of $lates& -ndre! i+$ro#ised ,y stealing a ,aset of
flo!ers" d(+$ing the flo!ers" and standing hel$f(lly ,ehind 2erry as she filled it& They !ere half!ay do!n the ta,le
!hen 2erry%s $rogress !as interce$ted" and she looed ($ to see the $olice ca$tain $olitely ,locing her& /7h& Good
+orning&1 She greeted hi+ !ith !ary cordiality& /G(ess yo( had a ,(sy night&1
/Most certainly" yes" Ms& St(art& That !e did&1 He re$lied !ith co(rtesy& /' a+ glad to see that yo( are safe& 's Ms&
;o,erts safe as !ell=1
/:ery +(ch so" yes&1 2erry told hi+" then noticed his eyes flicing o#er her sho(lder& /7h" '%+ sorry& This is +y father
in la!" -ndre! ;o,erts& .ad" this is 4a$tain -lala(" of the St& Tho+as $olice&1
/>o&1 -ndre! iss(ed a +oderately cordial greeting&
-lala( ga#e hi+ a ,rief nod& /Sir&1 He t(rned his attention ,ac to 2erry& /Might ' as" Ms& St(art" if yo( and yo(r
friend Ms& ;o,erts co(ld find a +o+ent to chat !ith +e later on today= Perha$s o#er l(nch=1
Lh oh& 2erry didn%t thin they !ere in tro(,le" e#en in the :irgin 'slands she fig(red cri+inals !eren%t in#ited to l(nch"
,(t gi#en all that had ha$$ened so far" yo( ne#er ne!& /L+&& s(re&1 She agreed ca(tio(sly& /'%+ s(re that !o(ld ,e no
$ro,le+ at all&1
/H)cellent&1 The ca$tain s+iled" and d(ced his head slightly at her& /Please" en6oy yo(r ,reafast& Lnfort(ntely" the
$o!er !ill +ost liely ,e o(t for the rest of the day" ,(t !e are !oring on restoring it&1
/Thans&1 2erry !atched hi+ !al off& /H+&1
/Bice feller&1 -ndre! dra!led&
/:ery nice&1 2erry sighed" d(+$ing a last fe! ite+s into their ,aset" and snagging a ther+os of 6(ice& /4%+on& >et%s
go !ae .ar ($ and tell her the social agenda%s changed&1
They left the lo,,y" lea#ing the increasingly cro!ded s$ace ,ehind&
GG
The cell $hone ,(55ed near her head" and .ar 6ered herself o(t of a dee$ slee$" reaching for it ,lindly in the darened
roo+& /B(h&1 She ca$t(red the instr(+ent and o$ened it" her head $o(nding as her ,ody tried to !ae itself& /3eah=1
/.arA1
-lastair%s #oice !as so nor+al" it al+ost h(rt& /Morning" -lastair&1
/-re yo( oay=1
.ar o$ened an eye and rolled it aro(nd" taing in her s(rro(ndings& /3eah" '%+ fine& 't !as 6(st a da+n stor+&1
/Stor+= 0hat the hell are yo( taling a,o(t= ' got a call last night saying yo( got held ($ or so+ethingA1 -lastair said"
his #oice a(di,ly ($set& /0hat the hell is going on o(t there" .ar=1
0here do ' start= .ar cleared her throat& /Hang on and let +y ,rain ,oot&1 She told hi+& /' !as slee$ing&1
- +o+entary silence& /-t ten a+= Good hea#ens& >et +e get +y diary&1
/' a+ s($$osed to ,e on #acation&1 .ar told her ,oss" in a $ee#ed tone& /'n case that sli$$ed yo(r +ind&1 She r(,,ed
her eyes and tried to shae so+e sense into herself& /9irst off" ' didn%t get held ($&1
1MI
/0ell" that%s !onderf(l&1
/My hotel roo+ got ,roen into&1
/That%s terri,leA1
/B(t they didn%t tae anything" so they 6(st +o#ed (s to a ,igger roo+&1
/0ell" that%s not so ,ad&1 -lastair said& /Ces(s" .ar& 3o( had +e !orried for a +in(te& '%#e got a lot of co+$any
reso(rces sitting o(t there in the islands at the +o+ent&1
Sho(ld she tell hi+ a,o(t the rest= /0e had a co($le snags o(t here" +atter of fact&1
/Lh oh&1 Her ,oss said& /May,e that%s !hat Mar !as taling a,o(t& He so(nded half n(ts&1
/Mar= 0hat the hell is he calling yo( for= .oes he thin he%s +y +other all of a s(dden=1 .ar sna$$ed&
/Bo" she called +e last ti+e&1 -lastair ans!ered ,enignly& /-$$arently he $iced ($ so+ething on a $olice record" and
!asn%t ha$$y a,o(t it&1
Mother hens& .ar sco!led" ga5ing ($ at the ceiling& /0ell" !e ran into a co($le of old ,(ddies of +y father" and had to
hel$ the+ o(t of a 6a+& That" and the stor+ is +aing +y life c(rrently +isera,le&1 She said& /H#erything oay there=1
/Here=1 -lastair%s #oice dri$$ed !ith s(r$rised innocence& /7h" s(re& ;ight as rain" .ar& Bo $ro,le+s here&1
Lh oh& .ar stared at her $hone" then sighed& /Great& G(ess '%ll tal to yo( ne)t !ee !hen ' get ,ac in the office then"
h(h=1
/S(re? s(re& 3o( t!o ha#ing a good ti+e other!ise=1 -lastair ased& /Getting so+e rest and rela)ation in=1
/0ell&1 .ar%s ears $iced ($ the so(nd of footste$s a$$roaching& /;ight no! '%+ flat on +y ,ac" and yo( !oe +e at
ten& 0hat does that tell yo(=1
/Good to hear" .ar& Good to hear& 3o( tae it easy" and try to ee$ o(t of tro(,le for the rest of yo(r tri$" h++=1
/'%ll try&1 .ar told hi+& /Tal to yo( later&1 She folded the $hone and set it aside as the door o$ened" ad+itting 2erry
and the (n+istaa,le ,(l of her father& /-h&& hi&1 She felt +ildly e+,arrassed at ,eing ca(ght in ,ed&
/Morning" slee$yhead&1 2erry teased her as she closed the door and set the ,aset do!n& /' fig(red yo( +ight ,e ($ ,y
no!&1
/7nly ,y the graces of -lastair&1 .ar ad+itted& /Mar told hi+ !e !ere ha#ing $ro,le+s&1
2erry sto$$ed and stared at her& /0hat=1
/3eah& H(ndred ,a5illion dollar cor$oration r(n ,y t!o nanny !orry!arts&1 .ar laid her ar+ across her eyes" !incing
at the d(ll headache& /Hi" .ad&1
/Hey there" .ardar&1 -ndre! cro(ched do!n ,y the ,ed and $atted her ar+& /3o( doin all right=1
/M+$fh&1 .ar gr(nted& /-ny chance of getting so+e fresh air in here=1
2erry !aled to the !indo!s and o$ened the ,linds& Part of the !ooden slats had ,een re+o#ed" and light flooded in&
She (nlatched the !indo!s and $(lled the+ o$en" re!arded !hen a g(st of air $(ffed her hair ,ac& /Ho!%s that=1
/Better&1 .ar still had her eyes closed& /0hat%s going on o(tside=1
/Bo $o!er" gr(+$y to(rists" +(ggy !eather" and the $olice !ant to ha#e l(nch !ith (s&1
.ar%s eyes $o$$ed o$en" and she hitched herself ($ onto her el,o!s& /Ls=1
/Ls&1 2erry confir+ed&
/Bc&1 .ar laid do!n" and $(lled the co#ers ($ o#er her head&
/3eah&1 2erry agreed r(ef(lly& /That a,o(t co#ers it&1
GG
The ,oat roced gently (nder her as 2erry 6(+$ed on ,oard& .ar !as still on the doc" e)a+ining the +ild da+age the
h(ll had taen" and 2erry dro$$ed into one of the chairs on the stern to !ait for her& The s(n !as o(t" and the air !as
clearing of it%s +oist(re" the light ,ree5e lifting strands of her hair idly& She leaned ,ac and looed aro(nd the +arina"
!incing a little at the s+all ,oats tossed ($ onto the sea!all and the de,ris floating in the !ater&
1MJ
The +arina itself had taen little da+age < it%s concrete docs had !eathered the stor+ 8(ite nicely" and $ro#ided
$rotection to +ost of the ,oats sheltered inside it& Many of the ,oat o!ners !ere aro(nd" checing things o(t" and
aro(nd the shore cre!s !ere re+o#ing do!ned li+,s and other de,ris&
2erry felt oddly itchy& She%d reali5ed on the !al do!n to the ,oat that she !anted" +ore than anything" to ,e gone
fro+ the island and a!ay fro+ the chaos their #acation had ,eco+e& - corner of her ,rain !ondered !hat had ha$$ened
to .eSalliers" ,(t that corner !asn%t +aing +(ch head!ay against the rest of her !ho !anted to $(t the last fe! days
far ,ehind the t!o of the+&
.ar a$$eared on the doc" and circled the stern" ho$$ing on ,oard and ste$$ing do!n onto the dec& /Bot too ,ad&1 She
confir+ed& /C(st a fe! scra$es&1
/Good&1 2erry held a hand o(t to her& .ar ste$$ed closer and too it" !aling aro(nd ,ehind the chair 2erry !as sitting
in and letting her other hand rest on 2erry%s sho(lder& /.o !e ha#e a $lan=1
/- $lan&1 .ar ya!ned" her 6a! cracing softly& /'%+ still too !i$ed to ha#e a $lan&1 She eased into the chair ne)t to
2erry and sl(ng one long leg o#er it%s ar+& /' g(ess !e%ll go tal to the co$s first&1 She rested her head on one hand&
/0hat do yo( !ant to do after that=1
>ea#e& 2erry ,it ,ac the ans!er" no!ing her sense of res$onsi,ility !o(ld ill her for it& /0ell" if that all t(rns o(t
oay?1
/3o( thin it !on%t=1 .ar interr($ted +ildly& /'t%s a l(nch date&1
/' no!&1 2erry agreed& /B(t '%d rather not tae anything for granted& Bo!" if that t(rns o(t oay" !e co(ld go see B(d
and +ae s(re he and 4harlie are oay&1
/Lh&1 .ar gr(nted&
/0e co(ld tae .ad o(t for dinner ,efore his flight&1
/H+&1 That got a +(ch +ore interested res$onse& /7ay" that so(nds good&1 .ar agreed& /0here did he r(n off to"
any!ay=1
2erry shoo her head& /He didn%t say& C(st that he%d ,e ,ac&1 She glanced at the dec $ensi#ely& /' thin ' $issed hi+
off ,efore&1
The chair creaed as .ar leaned to!ards her& /3o(=1 Her #oice e)$ressed dis,elief& /Ho!=1
/' ased hi+ a,o(t hi+ and B(d and 4harlie&1 2erry ad+itted& /' don%t thin he lies $eo$le no!ing a,o(t all that& '
g(ess it%s e+,arrassing for hi+&1 She $a(sed tho(ghtf(lly& /7r so+ething&1 She t(rned her head and ga5ed at .ar& /'%+
sorry ' +entioned anything&1
.ar reached o#er and ga#e 2erry a scratch on the ,ac of the nec& /S!eetheart" it%s not !hat yo( thin&1 She said&
/3eah" the !hole da+n thing e+,arrasses the hell o(t of hi+" that%s tr(e&1
/Ha#ing the+ thin he !as gay" yo( +ean=1 2erry ased& /'n that !orld" it%s inda (nderstanda,le&1
.ar ch(cled& /Bo&1 She re$lied& /He didn%t really care a,o(t that? ,(t let +e start at the ,eginning&1 She cleared her
throat& /'t !as all really +y fa(lt&1
/3o(r fa(lt=1 2erry ased in +(ch the sa+e tone .ar had (sed +o+ents earlier& /Ho!=1
/'%d 6(st co+e o(t to the+&1 .ar related& /'t !as to(gh for +y fols" ,eing $art of the +ilitary !orld and seeing as ' !as
s(ch a $ain in the ass child any!ay&1
2erry s+iled" ,(t e$t 8(iet&
/So" +y dad !ent o(t and read a !hole ,oatload of st(ff a,o(t ho+ose)(ality at the li,rary&1 .ar !ent on& /He e#en
checed a fe! ,oos o(t" and too one of the+ !ith hi+ on a +ane(#er !ith a co($le of s8(ads off the ,ase&1
/Lh oh&1
/3eah&1 .ar nodded& /So then he got assigned to sea d(ty for fo(r +onths& The ca$tain of the ,oat he !as on !as a real
tight assed conser#ati#e" and one day he !ent off a,o(t gays in front of the g(ys&1 She $a(sed to reflect" then sighed&
/So +y dad" ,eing +y dad" too hi+ into a tor$edo roo+ and nearly re+o#ed a co($le teeth fro+ his +o(th&1
/3ies&1
/0ord got aro(nd a,o(t it" and e#eryone $(t t!o and t!o together and got si)&1 The dar haired !o+an stretched her
legs o(t& /So after that" 4harlie fig(red he !as fair ga+e&1
1MK
/7h&1 2erry fro!ned& /B(t? ' +ean" .ar < he !as +arried" and had a child& .idn%t they get a cl(e=1
.ar looed at her" one eye,ro! lifting in !ry sarcas+&
/3es" ' no! that%s not necessarily an indication of heterose)(ality" ,(t Ces(sA 3o(r father dri$s it&1 2erry $rotested&
/Tr(e& B(t that%s really !hat he%s $issed off a,o(t&1 .ar e)$lained& /'t !asn%t that they tho(ght he !as gay& Since ' a+"
that !asn%t so+ething he fo(nd offensi#e&1
2erry coced her head& /7?ay?1 Her ,ro!s contracted& /B(t?1
/He !as f(rio(s that they tho(ght he !as the ind of +an !ho !o(ld cheat on his !ife&1 .ar said" si+$ly& /He ne#er
forga#e the+ for that&1 She $(shed herself o(t of the chair& /0ant a drin=1
/S(re&1 2erry nodded" a,sor,ing the $re#io(s infor+ation& /0o!& That +aes sense&1 She shoo her head slightly& /'t
!as hard for +e to thin .ad !o(ld ha#e ,een that e+,arrassed a,o(t so+ething thining he !as !hat !e are&1 She
ad+itted& /B(t ' can (nderstand" no!&1
/M+&1 .ar agreed& /He told +e a,o(t it !hen he ca+e ,ac that ti+e& He said he co(ldn%t tell +o+" ,(t he !anted to
share that !ith +e so ' ne!" in case ' heard anything on the ,ase" !hat really ha$$ened&1
/.id yo(=1 2erry ased" in a soft #oice& /Hear anything=1
- half s+ile t!itched at .ar%s li$s& /Bot directly&1 She said& /By that ti+e" '&& (+&& had 8(ite the re$(tation for a te+$er"
and +ost of the other ids on the ,ase ne! if they ri,,ed +e a,o(t +y father" it +eant a fight&1
2erry ti$$ed her head ,ac and regarded .ar !ith a slight grin& /T!o of a ind&1 She reached ($ and to(ched the
insignia no! threaded thro(gh the sil#er chain aro(nd .ar%s nec& 't nestled together !ith .ar%s 6oining ring and
collected 6(st the faintest hint of reflection off its d(lly ,(rnished s(rface&
.ar st(c her hands in her $ocets and looed do!n at the ite+" (na,le to hide the (na,ashedly $ro(d grin& /3eah&1
Her eyes t!inled& /That !e are&1 Her attention ret(rned to 2erry%s face& /.on%t !orry" 2er& .ad !o(ld ne#er ,e +ad
at anyone 6(st for asing a 8(estion& Hs$ecially yo(&1 She stroed 2erry%s hair& /He lo#es yo(&1
The green eyes looing ($ at her filled !ith (nshed tears" as 2erry re+ained silent" 6(st !atching .ar%s e)$ression&
/0e%#e got a !hile ,efore l(nch&1 .ar said" in a gentle tone& />et%s go inside" and rela)& 7ay=1 She held a hand o(t to
2erry& 't !as taen" and she g(ided ,oth of the+ thro(gh the ca,in door and o(t of the s(n&
'nside" 2erry t(gged her to a halt& She +o#ed in and $(t her ar+s aro(nd .ar and h(gged her fiercely&
.ar ret(rned the h(g" r(,,ing 2erry%s ,ac as she did so&
/Lrgh&1 2erry e)haled& /4an !e 6(st go o(t and get lost so+e!here to+orro!" .ar=1 She ased& /9ind another of those
,l(e holes" and 6(st lea#e o(r +inds o(t to dry=1
/H++& That%s an a$$ealing tho(ght&1 .ar inclined her head and ni$$ed 2erry on the 6a!,one& /' co(ld see s$ending a
co($le days o(t lost !ith yo(" as a +atter of fact&1 She felt 2erry%s ,ody $ress against hers& /' thin ' no! so+e nice"
deserted islands o(t there !here it%ll 6(st ,e yo(" +e" and if they%re #ery l(cy" a co($le of dancing lo,sters&1
/.ancing into +y nice ,ig $ot=1 2erry ,(rro!ed into .ar%s chest" ,reathing in her scent greedily& /' ha#e a ,ottle of
cha+$agne in here that !o(ld lo#e to +eet the+&1
/7h yeah&1 .ar ass(red her& /0e%ll s$end the !hole day 6(st ,eing sea ,(+s&1 She s8(ee5ed her $artner" feeling her
sho(lders shift and rela)& /Hey" '%#e got an idea&1
/M%s(re it%s a good one&1 2erry +(+,led into the sin of her nec&
/' no! !e !ere going to go ($ to the condo for Be! 3ears? ho! a,o(t !e s$end it do!n at the ca,in=1
/M++&1
/2ind of get o(r co($le days of #acation ,ac=1
/M+++++1 2erry +ade a lo!" $leased h(++ing noise& /H#en if !e don%t ha#e f(rnit(re" ' thin '%d really" really lie
that&1
.ar rested her chee against 2erry%s hair" content !ith the reaction to her $lan& 0hile she ne! the interr($tion !as
really none of either of their fa(lts" she still felt ,ad a,o(t the net effect of it%s ro,,ing the+ of their needed ti+e o(t&
1MM
't !as f(nny" ,(t already she fo(nd the $receding day%s e#ents fading into +e+ory des$ite their fantastic nat(re& She%d
al!ays had a $hiloso$hy of setting aside things once they !ere o#er and done !ith" ,(t she fo(nd it strange that she
co(ld loo ,ac on !hat she%d done last night and not ha#e it see+ terrifying to her&
't had ,een a ,ad sit(ation& She had dealt !ith it as ,est as she%d ,een a,le to" and in the end things had t(rned o(t all
right& 0hat +ore" really" co(ld she ha#e ased=
't !as o#er& Most often" !hen tra(+atic things ha$$ened" she e)a+ined the+ for lessons to ho$ef(lly a#oid the $ro,le+
the ne)t ti+e ro(nd" ,(t (s(ally that !as in a ,(siness sense& .ar sincerely ho$ed she !o(ld not ha#e to $(t her
e)$erience in esca$ing !aco $se(do $irates to (se any ti+e soon in the '>S ,oardroo+&
Her ,l(e eyes t!inled s(ddenly& 0ell?&&
/0hat are yo( doing=1 2erry ased&
/C(st thining&1 .ar re$lied& /0hy=1
/' can feel yo( s+iling&1
.ar ch(cled& /' !as 6(st i+agining -lastair dressed as 4a$tain Blood&1
2erry%s ,ody con#(lsed into a,r($t la(ghter& /' can ,arely i+agine -lastair dressed as 4a$tain 2angaroo&1
/Heh&1
The ,lond !o+an sighed" and circled .ar%s nec !ith her ar+s" s!aying against her as the ,oat roced& /0ell" one
thing for all the st(ff that%s ha$$ened&1
/H+=1
/Made +e totally forget +y fa+ily&1 2erry +(r+(red&
.ar lifted her head and looed do!n at 2erry%s $rofile& /'s that a good thing=1
2erry nodded& /May,e seeing other $eo$le !ith cr(++ier relati#es than +e hel$ed&1 She stated& /' !as thining a,o(t
that this +orning after ' taled to dad& My $arents !ere $edantic and cl(eless" .ar < ,(t yo( no! so+ething=1
/M+=1
/' thin yo( !ere right& ' thin? at so+e le#el" so+e!here" they ,oth did lo#e all of (s&1 2erry ,lined& /H#en +y
father& H#en +e& Beca(se as ,ad as he !as" so+e!here in all that t!istedness he tho(ght he !as doing the right thing&1
.ar ,lined" s(r$rised at the s$eech&
/' thin '%#e seen eno(gh tr(e hatred the $ast fe! days to tell the difference&1
/-h&1
/He hated !hat ' !as doing& He hated (s& He hated +y ,eing gay" he hated +e s8(ealing on hi+&1 2erry !ent on& /B(t
' don%t thin he e#er hated +e&1
.ar nodded silently&
/' can li#e !ith that&1 The ,lond !o+an said& /Beca(se it gi#es (s so+ething in co++on&1
-nd then" .ar considered" she%d al!ays li#ed ,y the theory that things ha$$ened for a reason& She c($$ed 2erry%s face
in her hands and s+iled at her& Their eyes +et" and she co(ld see a note of tired $eace in 2erry%s e)$ression for the first
ti+e since they%d gotten ,ac fro+ Michigan& She leaned for!ard and r(,,ed noses !ith her&
2erry $(lled .ar to!ards her and traded a nose r(, for a iss& Then they h(gged each other again&
/7ay&1 2erry released a long" heartfelt sigh& />et%s get ,ac to the serio(s ,(siness of ha#ing f(n&1
.ar issed the ,ac of 2erry%s nec" +o#ing the $ale hair aside as she !as re!arded !ith a s(dden intae of ,reath at
the action& /'%#e had a,o(t eno(gh? / She gro!led into the ,lond !o+an%s ear& /7f real life intr(ding on +y
hedonistic #acation& Ho! a,o(t yo(=1
/3o( ,et&1 2erry felt a n(dge& /Hey? /
.ar n(dged her again&
/' thin '%+ ,eing ,(+$ed&1
/3o( are&1 -nother gentle sho#e&
200
/>oos lie it%s to!ards the ,edroo+&1
/Good sense of direction&1
/Heh&1
GG
2erry lay on her ,ac" her ,ody half tangled in sheets and .ar%s head $illo!ed on her sto+ach& She stroed the dar
hair laying across her ,elly idly !ith one hand" t!irling a fe! strands of it aro(nd her fingers& -fter a +o+ent" she
lifted her ar+ and e)a+ined her $al+" fle)ing it a little and t(rning it into the light&
The ,r(ises !ere already fading& 't felt a little stiff" ,oth her hands did" ,(t +ore lie she%d had a to(gh !oro(t on the
,ag at the gy+ than anything else&
0ith a ,rief" $ensi#e sigh" she !ent ,ac to $laying !ith .ar%s hair" her eyes tracing her lo#er%s face and !atching the
faint t!itches of a drea+ flicer (nder her closed eyelids& .ar had gotten a little ,r(ise herself" 2erry noticed" as she
s+oothed a fingerti$ o#er a discolored $atch of tan sin across one high chee,one&
She leaned closer& More of a ,(rn" really" than a ,r(ise& 2erry fro!ned" thining ,ac o#er the fight and !ondering
!here it co(ld ha#e co+e fro+& She re+e+,ered hearing .ar c(rse as she%d ,een tossed head o#er tail to safety" and
then the so(nd of a g(n going off and?
2erry%s eyes !idened&
Had it co+e that close= Horrified" she stared at the +ar" i+agining if it had ,een 6(st a fraction of a hair different in it%s
$ath&
't had co+e that close& She had co+e that close to losing .ar&
2erry ti$$ed her head ,ac and looed ($ at the ceiling& Her eyes closed and she !his$ered a fe! !ords of heartfelt
thans to the god that s(rely" s(rely had ,een !atching o#er ,oth of the+& She had no do(,t no! that she !as ,lessed <
that .ar !as ,lessed" and that the lo#e ,et!een the+ !as as sanctified as any that had e#er ,een&
't !o(ld ha#e ,een so easy to $(nish her other!ise& 2erry looed ,ac do!n at .ar%s face& C(st a fraction of a inch" and
lie a !is$ of s+oe" it all !o(ld ha#e ,een gone&
She felt .ar%s ,reath !ar+ the sin on her ,are ,elly& She%d still ,een tired" e#en after their night%s rest and lying here
slee$ing she looed as $eacef(l as a child& 2erry a,sor,ed the sight of her" ne!ly +ade a!are of 6(st ho! fragile" and
ho! $recio(s life !as&
0ith a soft +(r+(r" .ar stirred" stretching her ,ody o(t and c(rling it ($ again& Her eyes drifted o$en" and she regarded
2erry !ith slee$y affection& /M+&& !%ti+e is it=1
2erry stroed her chee& /Bear one&1 She said&
.ar sighed" a rel(ctant e)$ression a$$earing on her face& /' g(ess !e sho(ld go find o(t !hat o(r l(nch date%s all a,o(t"
h+=1 She dra!led& /.idn%t +ean to fall aslee$ on yo(&1
/>iterally&1 2erry s+iled& /3o( !ere tired&1
.ar nodded& /' tossed aro(nd a !hile last night& Too +(ch noise" ' thin&1
/Too +(ch e)cite+ent&1 2erry agreed& Her inde) finger traced the +ar on .ar%s face& /' didn%t notice this (ntil no!&1
/H+=1 .ar%s ,ro!s contracted in $(55le+ent& /.idn%t notice !hat=1
/The ,(rn on yo(r face&1
/B(rn=1 .ar lifted a hand and to(ched the s$ot" then her e)$ression cleared& /7h&1 She nodded& /3eah" st($id ,astard
nearly ,le! +y da+n head off&1
2erry r(,,ed the s$ot !ith a tre+,ling hand& /3eah" so ' see&1
.ar%s e)$ression gentled& /Bo chance ' !as going to let hi+ get a!ay !ith that" tho(gh&1 She settled ,ac do!n ato$
2erry& /'%+ not nearly done li#ing this life !ith yo( yet&1 Her fingers clas$ed 2erry%s" and she $(lled her hand close
and issed it" ni,,ling the sin !ith fran sens(ality&
2erry co(ld only s+ile at that& /.ar" did yo( e#er get the !eird feeling the $lace !e ne! each other fro+ ,efore !e
+et !asn%t in this $artic(lar lifeti+e=1
201
Both of .ar%s dar" finely sha$ed ,ro!s hied ($!ard& She ga5ed at 2erry in silence for a fe! +o+ents" +(scles in her
face +o#ing slightly as she tho(ght& /' ne#er really considered the 8(estion&1 She finally ans!ered" !ith a ,arely #isi,le
shr(g&
/H+&1 2erry felt slightly silly for +entioning the idea& /0ell" ne#er+ind& C(st so+ething that crossed +y +ind" '
g(ess&1
/'nteresting idea&1 .ar +(sed& /' thin '%d acce$t the notion of reincarnation if ' ne! it%d ,e !ith yo(&1 Her face
creased into a $leased grin& /That%d ,e #ery cool&1
2erry grinned ,ac& /3es" it !o(ld" !o(ldn%t it=1 She released her resid(ally +or,id tho(ghts and ga#e .ar a light
scratch on her ,are ,ac" r(,,ing in little circles !ith her fingerti$s& .ar res$onded ,y $(rring" and arching her ,ody at
the to(ch& /3o(%re #ery $layf(l today&1
.ar rolled o#er and changed $osition" sliding her ar+s and legs o#er 2erry%s and ,lo!ing a gentle $(ff of air into her
ear& /C(st glad it%s today& Bot yesterday&1 She rested her chin on 2erry%s sho(lder and ga5ed at her& /4+on& The sooner
!e get this all o#er !ith" the sooner ' can steal yo( and tae yo( off to +y deserted island&1
/7o&1 2erry fo(nd it #ery hard to resist the +ische#io(s grin ,eing #isited on her& She tilted her head and issed .ar
gently& Then they ,oth rolled o(t of ,ed still tangled together" giggling as they atte+$ted to $re#ent the+sel#es fro+
crashing headlong into the ,(lhead&
They se$arated and 2erry handed .ar her clothing" !hich !as dra$ed ha$ha5ardly across the dresser& She !atched .ar
slide into her s!i+s(it" reaching o(t and to(ching the soft" silen fa,ric& /' lie this&1
/'t%s lie !earing tiss(e $a$er&1 .ar re+ared dryly& /7r nothing&1
/M+h+& That%s !hy ' lie it&1 2erry agreed" !ith an i+$ish grin& /'t only lea#es a tiny ,it to the i+agination&1
.ar looed do!n at herself" then ($ at 2erry" as a faintly s(r$rised ch(cle esca$ed fro+ her chest& She reached o(t and
ticled 2erry%s still ,are na#el& /' thin yo(%re o(tgro!ing yo(r ($,ringing&1
2erry ch(cled a little herself" and donned her (nder!ear& She looed ($ to find .ar holding her ,ra" and o,ligingly
$(t her ar+s thro(gh and t(rned to allo! her $artner to hoo it& She felt .ar%s n(cles !ar+ against the sin of her
,ac" then a +(ch +ore intense !ar+th sent goose,(+$s o#er her as .ar ni,,led at her nec& /M+&1
.ar released her" and $iced ($ 2erry%s cotton shirt" holding it for her to don& She ad6(sted the collar and ret(rned to
her ni,,ling as 2erry atte+$ted ,(ttoning it" reaching aro(nd to hel$ her !hen the holes see+ed to el(de her fingers&
/.ar=1
/M+=1
/'f yo( ee$ that ($" this is a $ointless e)ercise&1
/0hat%s $ointless=1
/.ressing&1
.ar relented" and 6(st finished her ,(ttoning" gi#ing 2erry a $at on the ,ehind as she released her again& She $(t on her
shorts and ,(cled the ,elt" then $(lled a $olo shirt o#er her head and t(ced it in&
2erry regarded her& /Blac and ,l(e& -re yo( sending a +essage" honey=1 She $l(ced at the rich" royal ,l(e $olo&
.ar ran her fingers thro(gh her hair and settled her !ra$aro(nd s(nglasses on her nose& /.o ' loo +ysterio(s and
inti+idating=1
/Lntil ' loo do!n at yo(r .il,ert socs" s(re&1 2erry snicered&
.ar st(c her tong(e o(t and !ent in search of her sneaers& 2erry finished ,(ttoning her deni+ shorts and follo!ed"
shaing her head&
GG
They fo(nd the ca$tain !aiting for the+ at the hotel%s front entrance& He s+iled as he s$otted the+" and inclined his
head" then indicated the o(tside garden area& /7(r $o!er is still off" and the inside is 8(ite st(ffy&1
/' can i+agine&1 2erry glanced ($ at the s(n" o(t in it%s f(ll glory& .es$ite the ,ree5e" she co(ld feel a little s!eat
gathering (nder her clothes" and she !as (na$ologetically looing for!ard to taing the+ off again& She follo!ed the
ca$tain into the garden" and they too a seat at a one of the only t!o o$en ta,les" the !ooden chairs !ar+ fro+ the s(n&
202
.ar settled ne)t to her" !atching the ca$tain !arily fro+ ,ehind her s(nglasses& /So&1 She said& /0hat can !e do for
yo(=1
The $olice+an +otioned a harried looing !aiter o#er& /So+e ice tea" if yo( $lease&1
/0e ha#e no ice" sir&1 The +an ga#e hi+ an a$ologetic loo&
/Ho! a,o(t so+e l(e!ar+ tea=1 2erry s(ggested& /-nd a co($le of !hate#er sand!iches yo( $ro,a,ly ha#e
a#aila,le&1
The !aiter glanced at the $olice+an&
/-s the lady says&1 The ca$tain s+iled& /Since !e ha#e little choice" ' gather&1
/3es" sir&1 The !aiter scri,,led" then d(ced a!ay&
The ca$tain sat ,ac and clas$ed his hands aro(nd one hai co#ered nee& He regarded the+ ,oth for a +o+ent in
silence" then s$oe& /Many things ha#e occ(rred o#er the $ast se#eral days&1
Bo!" that !as a tr(e +o(thf(l& 2erry $ro$$ed her chin ($ on her fist& /S(re ha#e&1
/0e !ere not a,le to locate the intr(der into yo(r roo+s&1 He stated& /-nd it a$$ears the re$(ted e+$loyer of that
$erson also has left the islands&1 His eyes st(died the+ intently& /0e fo(nd that 8(ite c(rio(s" since the +arina tells (s
he had $re$aid his engage+ent for so+e ti+e1
.ar e#al(ated her o$tions& Then she $(lled her glasses do!n and +et his eyes #ery s8(arely& /'f !e ne! !hy he
!asn%t here" !o(ld yo( !ant (s to tell yo(=1
The ca$tain%s face t!itched a ,it" and his head coced to one side& /' ha#e heard so+e interesting things ,o(t a,o(t this
+an" and a,o(t yo(rself" Ms& ;o,erts&1 He co++ented& /'f ' in#estigate yo(r state+ent" $erha$s ' !ill learn +ore
interesting things&1
/3o( +ight&1 .ar agreed&
/Ho!e#er" ' +ight also learn so+e things that !ill re8(ire +e to !or #ery" #ery hard&1 The ca$tain ga#e her a
char+ing s+ile& /-nd it is too ,ea(tif(l a day to ,e !oring so hard& So" Ms& ;o,erts" ' !ill regretf(lly decline yo(r so
genero(s offer of infor+ation&1
.ar ga#e hi+ a +ental $oint" and re+o#ed a +oral one& /Good choice&1 She said& /Beca(se" franly ca$tain" nice as
yo(r island is" !e%re looing for!ard to seeing it ,ehind (s&1
/That is e)cellent to hear" Ms& ;o,erts&1 The +an t(rned" as the !aiter $(t do!n a $late of sand!iches" and a flas of
tea& /May ' ass(+e then" that yo( ha#e no interest in $(rs(ing yo(r co+$laint=1 He ased& /7r the disagreea,le
enco(nter yo( had at sea=1
.ar leaned for!ard& /'%#e settled !ith .eSalliers" and no" yo(r friends the $irates are safe&1 She en(nciated the !ords
caref(lly" ,(t lo!ered her #oice& /'%#e had eno(gh tro(,le the last fe! days to last +e the entire ne)t year" thans&1
/My friends=1 The $olice+an re$lied& /-h" ,(t yo( ha#e s(ch friends as !ell" do yo( not=1
.ar inclined her head in agree+ent& She $iced ($ a half sand!ich and ins$ected it" then grinned& /7h" ' ,et this is
$o$(lar !ith the rest of the to(rists&1 She sho!ed 2erry the contents& /Pean(t ,(tter&1
/'t does not s$oil so 8(icly&1 The $olice+an gracio(sly acce$ted the change of s(,6ect and selected his o!n s8(are of
!hite ,read& /7ther!ise" yo( ha#e en6oyed o(r hos$itality" ' ho$e=1
2erry $a(sed in the act of $o(ring so+e tea& /The islands are ,ea(tif(l&1 She said& /' can g(arantee !e !on%t forget o(r
#isit any ti+e soon&1
The ca$tain too a ,ite of his $ean(t ,(tter sand!ich and s+iled&
GG
/-re yo( s(re this is a good idea=1 2erry !his$ered" as they relie#ed the gratef(l grocers of so+e of their $erisha,les&
/' don%t thin those g(ys get along" .ar&1
.ar re#ie!ed the choices in the ra$idly +elting ice& /They%ll ,e fine&1 She $ointed at a fish& /Get that one& .ad lies
the+&1
203
2erry +otioned to the +an ,ehind the co(nter& - tri$ to the hos$ital had re#ealed that B(d !as ref(sing to re+ain in
it%s care" and he and 4harlie !ere +ore than ready to lea#e the $lace ,ehind& .ar had i++ediately offered the+ a ride
,ac to their island" and cas(ally in#ited the+ to 6oin her" 2erry and -ndre! for dinner on ,oard their ,oat&
There !as" e#eryone had reali5ed" no real !ay for the+ to ref(se gi#en the circ(+stances" and no! 2erry !as gathering
eno(gh food to feed the+ !hile ho$ing the e#ening didn%t t(rn o(t to ,e a disaster& /' don%t no!" s!eetie&1 She sighed&
/' ho$e yo( no! !hat yo(%re doing&1
.ar added se#eral loa#es of local ,read to 2erry%s ,aset" and sent the grocer into ra$t(res ,y taing so+e endangered
ice crea+ off his hands& /.ad agreed to it" so don%t !orry&1 She tossed a 6ar of hot f(dge in& /Ti+e to $(t all that cra$
,ehind the+ anyho!" and ,esides" !hate#er yo( +ae%s gonna ,e a lot ,etter than anything !e%d find o(t here tonight&1
2erry acce$ted the co+$li+ent !ith a grin& /7nly ,eca(se !e%#e got $o!er&1 She re+inded .ar& /0e%re going to ha#e
to r(n the engines to charge the ,atteries" re+e+,er&" if yo( !ant anything +ore than half cooed&1
/Bo $ro,le+&1 .ar +(r+(red& /They%#e got hand $ress(red $(+$s& ' !as a,le to get the+ to fill the tans this
+orning&1 She eyed the rather sad looing #egeta,les& /Those loo nasty&1
2erry snorted& /.ar" if they !ere $erfect e)a+$les of their s$ecies" $resented in the ,est refrigerated case P(,li) co(ld
offer" yo(%d still thin they !ere nasty&1
/M+&1
/Ho!e#er" ' need so+e of the+ so close yo(r eyes or go loo at the c($caes&1
.ar ch(cled& /'%ll go get so+ething for (s to drin&1 She said& /Meet yo( at the register&1
GG
2erry !as 6(st finishing the folds on the al(+in(+ foil she%d !ra$$ed aro(nd the filets !hen she felt the ,oat roc and
looed ($ to see -ndre! $oing his head inside the ca,in& /Hi dad&1
/>o there" (+8(at&1 -ndre! entered and !andered o#er to !here she !as !oring" o,ser#ing her creation c(rio(sly&
/Maing (s so+e fancy dinner=1
/'t%s not fancy&1 2erry d(sted the fish !ith so+e finely cho$$ed her,s then $o(red a ca$f(l of cider o#er it ,efore she
sealed the $acets& /'t 6(st a different !ay of cooing it&1
-ndy leaned on the co(nter& /See+s a lot of tro(,le for ,(nch of old sea dogs&1
2erry t(rned her head and s+iled at hi+& /Bah&1 She $(t the $acet !ith the others on to$ of the stea+er grill insert in
the ,ig $ot on the sto#e" and set a layer of #egeta,les on to$ of it& -nother $ot held !ater for $asta and she $(t a lid on
it ,efore she !i$ed her hands on a to!el and leaned ,ac& /7ay" !e%re ready&1 She said& /4offee 6(st finished < !ant
so+e=1
/S(rely&1 -ndre! re$lied" taing hold of her slee#e& /Go sit yo(rself do!n and rela)& '%ll gra, it&1 He t(gged& /G%!an&1
2erry decided to h(+or hi+& She eased o(t fro+ ,ehind the galley and !aled o#er to one of the chairs" dro$$ing into it
and leaning ,ac& She !atched her father in la! setting the c($s on the co(nter and fi)ing the coffee" his +otions
+eas(red and $recise as al!ays&
She sa! .ar in that& Her $artner had the sa+e" (nconscio(sly +ethodical !ay of doing things& /Hey" dad=1
-ndre! glanced at her and raised one gri55led eye,ro!&
/-re yo( oay !ith o(r dinner $lans" or are yo( 6(st h(+oring yo(r da(ghter=1
- t!inle a$$eared in his ,l(e eyes& /0all&1 He $iced ($ the coffee c($s and !aled o#er" setting hers do!n and
folding his ,ig hands aro(nd his o!n as he too a seat ne)t to her& /7ne thing ' done learned a,o(t +y id& She does
so+ething" it%s got a reason&1 He said& /She ain%t the fri#olo(s ty$e&1
That force a ch(cle o(t of 2erry& /Lh" no& That%s #ery tr(e&1
/So" if she !ants (s to +i) ($" ' fig(re !e%ll all s(r#i#e it&1 -ndre! said& /.on%t yo( !orry" 2erry& ' no! yo( had a
to(gh ti+e the $ast fe! days < no,ody%s gonna +ae this a ,ad night for yo( if ' can hel$ it&1
/Thans&1 2erry s+iled at hi+ !ith 8(iet affection& /B(t ' thin it%s ,een to(gh for all of (s& B(d didn%t ha#e any $icnic
in there&1
/Bo&1 -ndre! said& /That%s tr(e eno(gh& He done all right tho(gh& 4o(lda ,een a lot !orse& The+ fellas on that there
,oat !ere +ean fols&1
204
2erry si$$ed her coffee& /Mean $eo$le really s(c&1
/3ea$&1 -ndre! $(t his c($ on the s+all ta,le and leaned for!ard" letting his el,o!s rest on his nees& /Hell of a thing
to go on d(ring yo(r ; and ;&1 He said& /3o( t!o sho(ld go find so+e 8(iet s$ot for ,it no!&1
/0e are&1 2erry said& /0e%re going to s$end a fe! days at the ca,in& 0e fig(re !e can%t get into too +(ch tro(,le
there&1
-ndy snorted softly&
/3eah" ' no!& ' s(ggested Biagra 9alls" and .ar said it%d $ro,a,ly sto$ !hile !e !ere there and !e%d get ,la+ed&1
2erry sighed& /' thin !e%re fated for that sort of thing&1
/0ell&1 He reached o(t and $atted her nee& />east yo( no! if yo( get into tro(,le" yo( got fa+ily to call on to hel$
yo( o(t&1
2erry ,lined at hi+" then e)haled& /That%s tr(e&1 She nodded& /That%s ind of ne! for +e&1
-ndre! nodded ,ac" his e)$ression serio(s& /-h no! that" 2erry" ca(se it%s the sa+e thing ' had !ith +y o!n fols&1
He said& /0hen 4eci and ' ran off" they scratched +e off the front $age of the ,i,le" so ' no! !hat it feels lie to ha#e
yo(r o!n in t(rn their ,acs on yo(&1
/'t s(cs&1
/3ea$&1 -ndy agreed& /'t does that& Too +e a long ti+e to get $ast it&1
/B(t yo( did&1
/3ea$&1 He said again& /' co+e to reali5e yo( can%t fig(re no,ody else%s attit(des& -ll yo( got control o#er is yo(r o!n"
so ' got +ine" and 6(st $(t the+ all o(t there&1 His eyes +et hers& /' ain%t taled to +y fols in thirty so+e years&1
2erry leaned for!ard (ntil they !ere al+ost nee to nee& /.o yo( e#er feel g(ilty a,o(t that=1
/So+e&1 -ndy ad+itted& /' !as close !ith +y +other&1 He said& /B(t ' ne! the hating !asn%t on +y side" and li#ing
+ah life !ith 4eci +ade all that !orth the tro(,le&1
2erry too his hand and s8(ee5ed it& /Thans&1
He !ined at her& She grinned" then fo(nd herself $(lled to her feet as -ndre! stood and offered her a h(g&
She acce$ted !illingly& /3o( roc&1
/3o(%re not so ,ad yo(rself" (+8(at&1 -ndy $atted her on the ,ac and released her& /.on%t yo( !orry a,o(t +e and
the ,oys& Bo(t ti+e !e fl(shed that old +ess do!n the ,ilge anyho!&1
/7ay&1 2erry s+iled& /Bo! all ' ha#e to !orry a,o(t is !hether or not e#eryone lies fish&1
/2erry&1 -ndre! $(t a hand on her sho(lder& /3o( s$end the ti+e $(tting do!n the hatch !hat !e did" yo( da+n near
lie anything that ain%t cra!ling or +ade of sand$a$er&1
/H!&1
/0anna hear a,o(t !hat li#e cricets taste lie=1
/Bo&1
/Ho! ,o(t !or+s=1
/B7A1
GG
.ar !aled do!n the to!ards the docs" ha#ing settled their ,ill !ith the hotel and $iced ($ a last fe! things for their
o(t,o(nd tri$& The hotel" she !as s(re" !as +ore than glad to ,e rid of the+" es$ecially since they%d co+$ed their roo+
and only charged the+ a fe! incidentals& .ar had gracio(sly left a decent ti$ in the roo+" and fo(nd herself 6(st as glad
to ,e #acating it&
The so(nd of lo(d engines +ade her $a(se as she t(rned the corner that lead to the !aterfront" and she sto$$ed as she
sa! the ,ig red and !hite 4oast G(ard c(tter idling into a sli$&
.ar leaned a hand on the !all and looed tho(ghtf(lly at it& She co(ld 6(st !al $ast it and get on the .i)ie" ,(t her
sense of c(rio(sity !as getting the ,etter of her and instead she angled her ste$s to!ards the ,oarding ra+$ the cre!
!ere +(scling into $lace&
20*
- tall" ,lond officer trotted do!n it" his ste$s slo!ing as he got to the ,otto+ and s$otted .ar co+ing straight for hi+"
+aing eye contact 6(st to tae a!ay any do(,t that he !as the o,6ect of her interest&
He sto$$ed at the ,ase of the ra+$ and !aited" t!itching his sho(lders straighter as .ar closed in& /Ma%a+=1
/4a$tain&1 .ar inclined her head& /Mind if ' as yo( a 8(estion=1
/Bo" +a%a+" go ahead&1 The officer res$onded& /0hat can ' do for yo(=1
.ar collected her tho(ghts a +o+ent& /0e !ere o(t in the stor+ last night&1 She ,egan&
/-nd it !as a ro(gh one&1 The ca$tain agreed& /0e !ere o(t there o(rsel#es& ' tr(st yo( got in safely=1
/3es&1 .ar nodded& /B(t !e radioed in a distress call for a ,oat !e sa! o(t there& ' !as !ondering if yo( !ere the ones
!e taled to" and !hat ha$$ened&1
The +an coced his head to one side& /0e had 8(ite a fe! calls&1 He said" !ith a a$ologetic grin& /0hat ti+e !as it=1
/>ate& Hle#en +ay,e= 7(t to the so(theast of here&1 .ar%s eyes fliced to the +an%s na+e tag" then ,ac to his face&
/-h&1 The ca$tain +(r+(red& /3es" ' re+e+,er the call& Tell yo( !hat" let%s go chec the logs&1 He t(rned and lead
the !ay ,ac ($ the ra+$ !ith .ar at his heels& /' don%t !ant to gi#e yo( the !rong infor+ation&1
.ar ga#e the scattering of coasties ,(sy !oring a friendly nod as she follo!ed the ca$tain on ,oard& They entered the
,ridge" and the ca$tain d(ced inside the co++(nications roo+ and $iced ($ a ,oo& He ,ro(ght it o(t and th(+,ed
thro(gh it as she stood there !atching&
/-h&1 He leaned on the ,oo& /3eah" here it is& 11:32 local& -re yo( the .i)ieland 3anee=1
.ar ch(ced& /0ell" ' o!n it&1 She dra!led& /She%s a little ,igger than ' a+&1
The ca$tain glanced at her" and grinned& /Sorry&1 He glanced ,ac do!n& /S7S re$orted in !ith latit(de and longit(de&
0e !ent to those coordinates" Ms?=1
/;o,erts&1
/;o,erts" ,(t (nfort(nately ' ha#e to tell yo( !e didn%t find any ,oat there to resc(e&1 4a$tain 4(l#er told her" !ith an
a$ologetic loo&
.ar !as +o+entarily st(nned& /-h&1 She +(r+(red& /3o( didn%t find anything=1
/0ell&&1 The ca$tain lifted his hand& /0e didn%t s$end a lot of ti+e looing" to ,e honest !ith yo(& The stor+ !as a,o(t
on (s" and !e !ere $itching lie no,ody%s ,(siness& 0e didn%t see any ,oat" and o(r s$otlight didn%t $ic ($ any de,ris"
if that%s !hat yo( +ean&1
/M+&1 .ar inhaled& /0ell" ' (nderstand" since !e !ere ,eing tossed aro(nd last night too& 0e !ere glad to see the
+arina&1
/Good 6o, to get in safely&1 The ca$tain said& /0ere they friends of yo(rs=1
/Bo&1 .ar shoo her head& /C(st a fello! ,oater" in tro(,le&1
/0e%ll tae a r(n o(t there after !e finish here" and see if !e see anything&1 The coast g(ards+an told her& /-nd if
yo(%re in the area '%ll? ah?1
.ar glanced at hi+ as he hesitated& /3es=1
He ,lined& /7h" sorry&1 He r(,,ed the ,ac of his cre! c(t in +ild e+,arrass+ent& /3o(r neclace ca(ght +y eye&
'%#e ne#er seen a !o+an !ith one of those ,efore&1
0ith !hat= .ar%s ,ro!s contracted" then she looed do!n at herself& /7h&1 She +(r+(red& /'t%s +y fathers&1 She told
hi+" !ith a faint s+ile& /Bo" they ha#en%t let !o+en into the $rogra+&1
The ca$tain grinned& /Gotcha& 0e%ll let yo( no! if !e find anything& 0ill yo( ,e in $ort here for long=1 He closed the
,oo and folded his ar+s across his chest" !atching her&
/0e%re lea#ing tonight&1 .ar re$lied& /B(t !e%ll ,e aro(nd& Gi#e (s a holler&1
/-,sol(tely&1 4a$tain 4(l#er held a hand o(t& /Bice to +eet yo(" Ms& ;o,erts& Ha#e a safe tri$&1
.ar clas$ed his hand" then allo!ed hi+ to g(ide her o(t of the ,ridge and do!n the ra+$& She left the c(tter ,ehind and
!aled on do!n the docside" dee$ in tho(ght&
20I
GG
/Hey" 2erry=1 4harlie s$oe ($" as 2erry !as $o(ring another ro(nd of !ine& /3o( interested in changing $rofessions=
' got a 6o, for yo( if yo( are& This is so+e first rate cho!&1
2erry seated herself" gi#ing 4harlie a s+ile as she acno!ledged the co+$li+ent& /Thans" ,(t no < '%+ ha$$y !ith the
6o, ' ha#e&1
/3o( s(re= Hos$itality ,(siness%s got great ,enefits&1 4harlie co(ntered&
2erry s(ced on her for& /0ell&1 She +(lled the idea o#er& />et%s see& 'n +y c(rrent $osition" ' can !al into +y
,osses office" sh(t the door" and get a iss that sends +y stocings flying o(t the !indo!& 4an yo( ,eat that=1 She
en8(ired" !ith a co+$letely serio(s e)$ression&
- tiny s8(a!ing noise +ade her loo right" to see .ar ca(ght in +id che!" her ,l(e eyes !idening in startle+ent as
e#eryone t(rned to stare at her&
/7o&1 2erry +(r+(red& /'%#e ne#er seen yo( ,l(sh lie GthatG ,efore&1
.ar s!allo!ed and shoo her s$oon at her $artner& /'%+ gonna +ae yo( ,l(sh in a +in(te" 2errison&1 She !arned&
/'%ll tell the+ !hat yo( lie to do !ith i&&f+$f&1
/.arA1 2erry co#ered her $artner%s +o(th& /Bad girlA Bot in front of yo(r fatherA1
-ndre! started la(ghing" his lo! r(+,ling ,reaing the +o+ent&
.ar ni$$ed her fingers" +aing her yel$ and re+o#e her hand&
/>ord&1 -ndre! ch(cled& /'f yo( t!o ain%t so+ething&1
/3eah=1 .ar t(rned her head& /;e+ind +e to tell yo( so+eti+e a,o(t 2erry%s #ie!s on $arental se)&1
2erry co#ered her eyes& /Ces(s" .ar& '%+ going to ill yo(&1 She (ttered in a hoarse s8(ea&
B(d" !ho had ,een silently eating his dinner since his arri#al" chortled softly at that& He !as still o,#io(sly stiff and
sore" ,(t he%d re+ained $eacef(l d(ring the +eal" his (s(al acer,ic co++ents +issing
4a(tio(sly" 2erry $eeed o(t fro+ ,ehind her hand" trying to ignore the t!in $air of t!inling ,l(e eyes& .ar $oed the
#ery ti$ of her tong(e o(t at her" and 2erry +ade a gra, for it" snatching her $artner%s nose instead and t!eaing it&
/Tro(,le+aer&1
.ar $ointed at herself in +oc innocence" then at 2erry& /3o( started it&1
/2erry" ' gotta gi#e it to yo(& ' can%t ,eat that ,enny $ac&1 4harlie shoo his head" his ,earded face crinling into a
grin& /-nd ' !o(ldn%t !anna try&1
2erry leaned her fl(shed chee against her fist& /' no!& ' ased for that&1 She $oed .ar%s sho(lder& /B(t thans for
the co+$li+ent& '%#e al!ays en6oyed cooing" and ' es$ecially lie doing it for $eo$le !ho a$$reciate the res(lts&1
/Hey" ' a$$reciate it&1 .ar inter6ected&
/' no!" honey < that%s !hy ' al!ays do it for yo(&1 2erry s+iled&
H#eryone ch(cled& 2erry rela)ed" relie#ed that the e#ening hadn%t ,een nearly as (nco+forta,le as she%d i+agined it
!o(ld ,e& They !ere all cl(stered aro(nd the s+all ta,le" en6oying her fish and #egeta,les as the ,oat roced gently"
the !indo!s o$en to catch the cool e#ening ,ree5e&
She%d lit candles to sa#e the drain on the ,atteries" and in the ,acgro(nd .ar had a light" $eacef(l ne! age 4. $laying&
She had s(r$rise for .ar& So+ething she%d held in the ,ac of the s+all free5er and earlier had $(t in the refrigerator to
tha!& /;eady for dessert=1 2erry in8(ired&
/.oes it in#ol#e chocolate=1 .ar ased i++ediately&
/Heh&1 2erry got ($ and !ent into the galley& She $(t an already co+$leted $ot of coffee on the co(nter" along !ith
crea+ and s(gar&
/So" -ndy& .ar said yo(%re li#ing o(t on a ,oat no!=1 4harlie ased" ,reaing the ,rief silence&
/3ea$&1 -ndre! agreed sole+nly& /Bo(t $(lled +y shorts o(t& 4eci ($ and figgred she !anted to li#e on one" after all
the+ years icing +e to get off e+&1
/Hard to ,elie#e&1 B(d contri,(ted" in a lo! +(tter&
20J
/She still doing her $ainting=1 4harlie said&
/.efinitely&1 .ar ans!ered& /She%s got a !orsho$ set ($ in the li#ing s$ace" right aro(nd there&1 She indicated the
si+ilar area in their ,oat& /7nly it%s ,igger&1
4harlie $(t his for do!n& / 3o( got one of these things=1 He ased -ndre! in a s(r$rised #oice& /0hat the hell%d they
$ension yo( off !ith" e)cess Sandinista f(nds=1
-ndy ch(cled" and ref(sed to tae offense& /Ba!&1 He reached o#er and t(gged a ,it of .ar%s hair& /My id too care
of it&1
4harlie and B(d ,oth looed at .ar& .ar shr(gged +odestly& /Bot really& My a(nt May left +e a tr(st f(nd after she
died& ' signed it o#er to the+&1 She glanced at her father& /'t !as their choice ho! to (se it&1 She said& /' ne#er felt lie
that !as o!ed +e any!ay" after her lea#ing +e the condo" and this thing& /
4harlie !histled (nder his ,reath& He looed at -ndre!& /Bet yo(%re glad she didn%t end ($ a s!a,,ie" ain%t yo(=1
-ndy snorted& /Hell" '%da ,een ha$$y in a N(onset h(t&1 He leaned ,ac& /B(t that there ,oat%s a hoot and a half" no
8(estion& 4eci%s ha#ing her a good old ti+e !ith it&1
B(d eyed hi+& /3o( g(ys l(ced o(t&1 He re+ared" ,(t in a +ild tone&
/Hell yes&1 -ndy hitched a nee ($ and circled it !ith ,oth ,ig hands& /S$ent all the+ years in hell" no! !e got so+e
good ti+es& >ife%s e#ened o(t for a change&1 He glanced at ,oth +en& /' done $aid +y d(es&1
/That%s for s(re&1 4harlie +(r+(red& /Glad things ca+e o(t all right for yo(" -ndy&1
/M+&1 B(d gr(nted&
- little silence fell& 2erry $iced ($ the tray and ret(rned" setting it on the ta,le& /This is a fa#orite of .ar%s&1 She
e)$lained" $ointing to the ro(nd" f(dgy looing creation in the center& /So if yo( don%t lie chocolate" ,la+e her&1
.ar e)haled as the tension dissi$ated aro(nd her& She cast an a$$reciati#e glance at the tray" recogni5ing the chocolate
on chocolate on chocolate +o(sse cae 2erry had created for her for her last ,irthday& /M+&& !here did that co+e
fro+=1 She ased& /.on%t% tell +e yo( +ade it !hile ' !as o(t this afternoon&1
2erry $assed $lates aro(nd" and collected the (sed ones& S(r$risingly" B(d got ($ and too the dinner $lates fro+ her"
carrying to the galley and setting the+ in the sin& /Bot 8(iet& ' +ade it ,efore !e left ho+e& 't%s ,een in the free5er&1
/3o( didn%t tell +e that&1 .ar o,ser#ed the car#ing of her $ortion !ith a 6ealo(s eye&
/Beca(se ' !anted it to last the tri$&1 Her $artner dryly co++ented& /-nd ' !anted to get at least a s+all $iece&1
/0o!&1 4harlie had tasted the cae& /Mind if ' get this reci$e fro+ yo(" 2erry= '%d sell a +illion $ieces of this in the
sho$&1
2erry sat do!n and $iced ($ her for& /Bot at all&1 She $(t her free hand do!n on her nee and fo(nd it i++ediately
ca$t(red and s8(ee5ed (nder the ta,le& /'%+ 6(st really glad e#erything t(rned o(t oay&1
H#eryone +(r+(red agree+ent& B(d cleared his throat" and rel(ctantly +et -ndre!%s eyes& /Thans&1 He +(ttered&
/0elco+e&1 -ndy re$lied&
/-ny !ord on the 6er=1 4harlie ased s(ddenly&
There !as another a!!ard silence& /The 4oast G(ard didn%t find the+&1 .ar stated +atter-of-factly& /There !asn%t
anything at the coordinates !e ga#e&1
-ndre! snorted& /Ser#es the+ ,astards right if they san&1
/.a+ned if !e don%t finally agree on so+ething&1 B(d said& /-ssholes&1
4harlie nodded& /3e$& Ho$e the fish had a da+n good dinner&1
/Hey&1 B(d s$oe ($& /3o( and 4eci e#er ride o(t this !ay=1
-ndre! finished his cae& /Thining a,o(t it&1 He re$lied& /4eci%s done into $ainting the+ ocean things again& >ooing
for ne! st(ff&1
/Sto$ ,y and ha#e dinner&1
H#en 4harlie looed s(r$rised&
20K
/S(rely&1 -ndy dra!led& /Thans for the in#ite&1
B(d gr(nted and !ent ,ac to eating" a$$arently ha#ing e)ha(sted his socia,ility for the +o+ent&
.ar and 2erry e)changed loos& 2erry felt the clas$ on her hand tighten" and she s8(ared her sho(lders" digging her
for into her dessert and taing a ,ite !ith deter+ined en6oy+ent& -fter all" they%d done !hat they co(ld" +ore than
+ost !o(ld ha#e gi#en the circ(+stances&
.ar had ,een right < at so+e $oint" yo( ha#e to acce$t res$onsi,ility for the things yo( did& She had" and !hate#er fate
.eSalliers had co+e to" he !o(ld ha#e to do the sa+e&
0hat yo( cast o(t onto the !aters ca+e ,ac to yo(" in the end& So+eti+es it too a !hile" and so+eti+es yo( had to
go thro(gh hell ,efore it did" lie -ndre! had& So+eti+es yo( got off scott free for a lifeti+e and had it all yo(r !ay"
lie her father had&
B(t e#ent(ally the circle !o(ld close&
2erry s+iled" and looed ($ to find .ar s+iling ,ac at her&
So+eti+es" yo( didn%t e#en ha#e to !ait a lifeti+e&
GG

2erry s!(ng gently in the ha++oc" doing nothing +ore stren(o(s than !atching the seag(lls& She lifted a hand and
too a s!ig fro+ the longnec ,ottle of ,eer" finding an interesting $atch of clo(ds !andering its !ay across the clear
,l(e sy& /Hey?& .ar=1
/Lh=1 The other occ($ant on the ha++oc gr(nted in her ear incoherently&
/3%thin ' sho(ld chec +y ,lood $ress(re right no!=1
/.oes that +ean ' gotta get ($=1 .ar +(+,led& /' thin yo(r $ress(re%s fine& ' can hear yo(r heart,eat& 't%s !histling
.i)ie&1
/M++&1 2erry agreed& /' feel #ery" #ery rela)ed&1 She lifted her other hand" lined !ith .ar%s" and issed her $artner%s
fingers& /4o+ing ,ac here !as a really good idea&1
/Lh h(h&1
/' co(ld stay here for !ees&1
/Lh h(h&1
/There%s a ra,,it on yo(r hi$&1
/4ool&1
2erry t(rned her head and ind(lgently !atched .ar%s +ostly aslee$ $rofile& There !as a d(sting of ,each sand on her
chee" and the dar hair" slightly o#ergro!n" !as hiding al+ost all of one eye& /0o(ld yo( lie to tae the ,ie o(t and
ride do!n LS 1 naed !ith +e=1
/S(re&1
/' thin the idea so(nds ,etter than it really is&1 2erry ,le! a loc of .ar%s hair ,ac& /'t%s gnat season&1
7ne ,l(e eye o$ened& /H!&1
/M+&1 2erry $(shed against the $orch railing" s!inging the+ ,oth gently& /' !as 6oing a,o(t the n(de riding" ,(t !e
co(ld go do!n the road a ,it and !atch fire!ors tonight&1
/0e co(ld do that&1 .ar agreed slee$ily& /Ho! a,o(t !e ,ring that ,ottle of cha+$agne !ith (s" and toast the ne! year
o(t on the ,each=1
/7o&1 2erry r(,,ed the side of her nose" !hich itched& /Hey& 0e%re +issing the co+$any $arty&1
.ar 6(st snorted& /7nly thing '%+ gonna +iss is not getting to dance !ith yo( in front of all of the+&1 She gr(+,led&
/-nd !e can do that here !itho(t ha#ing to s(ffer thro(gh high heels&1
20M
/7ay&1 2erry rolled onto her side and s$ra!led o#er .ar" dra!ing in a ,reath f(ll of cocoa ,(tter and a$ricot ,ody
scr(,& /'%ll ,ring +y MP3 $layer !ith (s on the ,ie&1
/.oes it ha#e s$eaers=%
/' intend for (s to share the ear ,(ds&1
/That +eans 0ho >et the .ogs 7(t isn%t on the $laylist" right=1
2erry ch(cled ha$$ily& /-h" no! this is a #acation" .ar&1 She n(55led her $artner%s ear& /C(st yo( and +e" no $irates"
no land shars" no snooty ,(t c(rio(sly ineffecti#e $ri#ate eyes?&&1
/Lh h(h? a #acation fro+ o(r #acation&1 .ar said& /9ro+ no! on" !e%ll 6(st tae e+ t!o !ees at a ti+e& 7ne !ee to
get into tro(,le" one !ee to reco#er fro+ it&1 She t(rned her head slightly and issed the li$s that had ,een ni,,ling
her ear& /M+& 3o( taste lie hot $e$$ers&1
2erry liced her li$s& /Those !ere #ery tasty +(d ,(gs&1 She held ($ her ,eer& /'%#e ,een trying to cool +y +o(th
do!n since !e had l(nch&1
.ar tasted her li$s again& /There%s a little rednec stea 6oint a,o(t three +iles so(th of here& 0anna 6oin +e there for a
#ery lo! class Be! 3ears H#e dinner=1
/'s this the ind of $lace !here yo( get a side order of ,(tter !ith yo(r dee$ fried garlic ,read=1
/Lh h(h&1
/-nd they ser#e ,ro!n gra#y !ith the fries=1
/That and cheese sa(ce&1
/'%+ there&1 2erry glanced o#er her sho(lder at the s(n& />et%s go gra, a sho!er and dress do!n&1 She s(ggested& /0e
can la(gh a,o(t $oor Mar in his t()edo&1
.ar too her ti+e getting ($" !ra$$ing her hand aro(nd the ,ac of 2erry%s nec and gi#ing her a thoro(gh" $assionate
issing first& Then they eased o(t of the ha++oc and !ent inside" still attached to each other&
GG
Sho!ered and dressed" 2erry $erched on the !icer stool ne)t to the itchen co(nter and st(died the en#elo$e in front
of her& She $iced ($ her ,lac" $er+anent +arer and !rote on the +anilla face" caref(lly o(tlining a na+e and
address&
0hen she !as finished" she $iced ($ the ,attered" +(ch folded $iece of la+inated $lastic and s$read it flat" $ressing it
,et!een t!o $ieces of card,oard& She ta$ed it in $lace" then slid the entire thing into the en#elo$e&
/Bo," '%d lie to ,elie#e yo(%re on the ($ and ($" ,(t yo( no!" yo(%re $retty s(ny&1 2erry said" as she sealed the
en#elo$e& /-nd as +(ch as yo( $raised yo(r friend Tanya" ' gotta !onder a,o(t anyone !ho !o(ld either hang o(t !ith
yo(" or hire yo( to do so+ething&1
She $iced ($ the sta+$s she%d gotten at the local $ost office and affi)ed the $ro$er n(+,er of the+& /So" ' fig(re the
one $erson !ho act(ally sho(ld get this !ill $ro,a,ly no! !hat the ,est thing to do !ith it is&1
.ar ca+e o(t of the ,edroo+" t(cing a $ristine !hite hea#y!eight T-shirt into her !orn 6eans& /;eady=1
/3e$&1 2erry held ($ the en#elo$e& /' need to call ;ichard and than hi+ for deli#ering this to the n(rsing ho+e for
+e&1
/He%s a good g(y&1 .ar agreed" $icing ($ her leather 6acet and slinging it o#er her sho(lder& /There%s a +ail,o) in
to!n& 0e can dro$ it there&1
2erry $iced ($ her o!n 6acet and follo!ed .ar o(t the door& The ,ie !as already !aiting for the+" and she
shr(gged into her 6acet as they !aled o#er to it /Hey& ' !anna dri#e&1
.ar $a(sed" and eyed her&
/4+on" c%+on&&1 2erry handed her the en#elo$e& /'t%s 6(st a fe! +iles" re+e+,er=1
/Lh h(h&1 .ar held the ,ie steady !hile 2erry cli+,ed on" then she settled herself ,ehind her $artner" her longer legs
a,le to hold the +achine ($ des$ite her $erch& /3%no!" 2er?1
/' no!& ' no!&1 2erry ho$$ed ($ onto the seat& /H(+or +e&1
210
.ar ch(cled&
/0atch it" .i)iec($&1 2erry !arned& /7r '%ll ha#e the+ $(t tiny tires on this so ' can reach&1
.ar issed the ,ac of 2erry%s nec& /3o(%re so c(te&1 She handed her $artner her hel+et& /Here&1
2erry started the engine" and !aited for .ar to !ind a long ar+ aro(nd her +iddle ,efore she started off" heading for
the road and t(rning caref(lly onto it& /0here%s the $ost ,o)=1 She ased" getting (sed to the difference in ,alance
!ith ,oth of the+ on the ,ie&
.ar%s hand $ointed" and she ai+ed for it" $a(sing ,y it long eno(gh for her $artner to dro$ the en#elo$e in& /That%s
that&1 She called ,ac& />et%s go ha#e so+e f(nA1 She felt .ar%s other ar+ !ra$ fir+ly aro(nd her" and she g(nned the
throttle& /Ho! fast does this go" any!ay=1
/' don%t re+e+,er&1 .ar ans!ered& /0hy=1
/>et%s find o(tA&1 2erry o$ened the ,ie ($& 0ith a roar" and a ,ac ,last of sand" they headed off to!ards the s(nset&
GGGGGGG
The Hnd&
211

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