Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [3]
Not Phil. He was as close to Peter Pan as a man in his sixties could be. “What are you afraid of?”
“I'm not afraid. I just wanted to take care of you. I know we've had our ups and downs, but you've always stood by me when I needed you. You've pulled me out of scrapes and kept those bloodsuckers from—”
“I'll pull you out of this scrape, too, if you'll tell me what's happening.”
“Nothing's happening. The ocean is unforgiving. You can never tell when I'll make a mistake and never—”
“Phil.”
“I've written it all down. It's on the Last Home.”
“Good. Then you can read it to me when we're on our way back to the island.”
“That may not be possible.” He paused. “I've been trying to get in touch with Jed Kelby. He's not been answering my calls.”
“Bastard.”
“Maybe. But a brilliant bastard. I've heard he's a genius.”
“And where did you hear it? His publicity agent?”
“Don't be bitter. You've got to give the devil his due.”
“No, I don't. I don't like rich men who think they can make toys of everything in the whole damn world.”
“You don't like rich men. Period,” Phil said. “But I need you to contact him. I don't know if I'll be able to reach him.”
“Of course you will. Though I don't know why you think you have to do it. You've never called in help before.”
“I need him. He's got the same passion I have and the drive to make it happen.” He paused. “Promise me you'll get him for me, Melis. It's the most important thing I've ever asked of you.”
“You don't have to—”
“Promise me.”
He wasn't going to give up. “I promise. Satisfied?”
“No, I hated to ask you. And I hate being in this spot. If I hadn't been so stubborn, I wouldn't have had to—” He drew a deep breath. “But that's water under the bridge. I can't look back now. There's too much to look forward to.”
“Then why make out your last will and testament, dammit?”
“Because they didn't get a chance to do it.”
“What?”
“We should learn from their mistakes.” He paused. “Go home. Who's taking care of Pete and Susie?”
“Cal.”
“I'm surprised you're letting him do it. You care more about those dolphins than anyone on two legs.”
“Evidently I don't, if I'm here. Cal will take good care of Pete and Susie. I put the fear of God in him before I left.”
He chuckled. “Or the fear of Melis. But you know how important they are. Go back to them. If you don't hear from me in two weeks, go get Kelby. Good-bye, Melis.”
“Don't you dare hang up. What do you want Kelby to do? Is this about that damn sonic device?”
“You know it's never really been about that.”
“Then what is it about?”
“I knew it would upset you. Ever since you were a child, you've always had a thing about the Last Home.”
“Your ship?”
“No, the other Last Home. Marinth.” He hung up.
She stood there, frozen, for a long moment before she slowly closed her phone.
Marinth.
My God.
THE Trina
VENICE, ITALY
“What the hell is Marinth?”
Jed Kelby stiffened in his chair. “What?”
“Marinth.” John Wilson looked up from the pile of letters he'd been scanning for Kelby. “That's all that's written in this letter. Just the one word. Must be some kind of prank or advertising gimmick.”
“Give it to me.” Kelby slowly reached across the desk and took the letter and envelope.
“Something wrong, Jed?” Wilson stopped sorting the letters he'd just brought on board.
“Maybe.” Kelby glanced at the name on the return address of the envelope. Philip Lontana, and the date stamp was over two weeks old. “Why the hell didn't I get this sooner?”
“You might have, if you'd stay in one place more than a day or two,” Wilson said dryly. “I haven't even heard from you in two weeks. I can't be held responsible for keeping you current if you don't cooperate. I do my best, but you're not the easiest man to—”
“Okay, okay.” He leaned back and stared down at the letter. “Philip Lontana. I haven't heard anything about him for a few years. I thought maybe he'd quit the business.”
“I've never heard of him.”
“Why should you? He's not a stockbroker or banker, so he wouldn't be of interest to you.”
“That's right. I'm only interested in keeping you