Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [40]
“He'd been stung before by crooks like you.”
“I know. But if he didn't want to play with the big boys, he should have stayed home on that island. The potential is too great to ignore. I have three buyers right now clamoring for the right to give a first bid. And there are signs that there may be other sharks buzzing around. I want Lontana's research papers.”
“I don't have them.”
“Not on the island. Lontana told me that you didn't have them there. I think he was trying to protect you. But he did let it slip that you knew where they are. So tell me.”
“You're lying. He wouldn't have made me a target.”
“He still thought I was going to invest in his lost city at the time. He was rather naive, wasn't he? And very, very stubborn. Like Carolyn Mulan. Like you.”
“You're damn right I'm stubborn. Do you think I'd give you anything I could keep away from you?”
“But you can't keep it away from me. You may be able to resist for a while, but I've listened to your tapes. I know how delicately balanced you are.”
“You're mistaken.”
“I don't think so. It's worth a shot. So here's how it's going to be. I'm going to call you twice a day and you're going to answer and listen. We'll talk about Kafas and the harem and all the lovely events of your childhood. If you don't answer, I'll kill the dolphins.”
“I can pen them close to the house.”
“Dolphins don't take well to pens for any extended period. They often become ill and die.”
“How do you know?”
“I've been researching. A good businessman always does his research.”
“Businessman? Murderer.”
“Only when frustrated. I usually get what I want and I've grown spoiled over the years.” He added softly, “I do hope you give in before I totally break you. I feel as if I know you very well. At night I lie in the dark and pretend I'm with you. Only you're much, much younger. Do you know what we're doing?”
She closed her eyes. Smother the anger. Ignore the panic. Breathe slowly. Breathe deep.
“You're not answering.”
“You said I had to listen, not talk.”
“I did, didn't I? And you're being very obedient. That deserves a reward. Good night, Melis.” He hung up.
It was over.
But it would start again tomorrow. Only it would be worse, uglier, more obscene. He would blend the present with the past into a nightmare whole.
She got up and headed for the bathroom. She would take a shower and try to feel clean again. She could take this punishment. Only twice a day. Just block his words from her mind. Think about what he'd done to Phil and Maria and Carolyn.
And think about what she was going to do to him.
TOBAGO
“The Trina has left Athens,” Pennig said as he came out on the terrace. “Jenkins said it left port last night.”
“Destination?” Archer said.
“He's not sure. He's asking questions.”
“He'd better do more than that. It probably means that we can expect them to leave the island soon. Make sure that we know what they're doing every minute.”
Pennig hesitated. “Maybe we should get out of here. We're too close to that island. I told you that Cobb said Lyons has left the island several times. This evening he saw him gunning it in the direction of Tobago.”
“I'll think about it, but he can't know where we are.” Archer gazed thoughtfully out at the beach. “It seems Kelby is moving and shaking. I didn't think he'd wait long before he started putting out feelers. Our sweet Melis is evidently giving him what he wants.”
“Why? She wouldn't help Lontana.”
“But I wasn't on the scene then. She's feeling threatened.” And would feel more threatened, Archer thought with a surge of anticipation. Melis Nemid was proving to be very exciting. When he'd first listened to those tapes and read the records, he'd only been interested in finding a weapon. Yet now he could visualize every scene, imagine every emotion she had felt all those years ago. It was incredibly arousing. “She'll pay Kelby anything he wants to save herself.”
“The tablets and research?”
“Maybe. I'd guess he's more interested in Marinth, but from what I've heard, he likes control