Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [50]
“Son of a bitch!” She heard the slamming of the glass door behind him as he left the lanai.
She was barely conscious of him leaving. She could see why this tape was Archer's favorite. It was full of pain, torment, and graphic detail, destined to bring back hideous memories.
Hold on. She wasn't that girl any longer. Don't let him win.
Kelby was in the kitchen furiously chopping up carrots on the butcher block when she came in from the lanai. He didn't look up. “Finished?”
“Yes, he knows we're going to Las Palmas. He's been having the Trina watched. He's been having you watched too. He knows we're taking the dolphins.”
“I never tried to hide it.” His butcher knife bit deep into the wood. “I was hoping he'd step up to the plate so I could take him out.”
“You're not supposed to use a butcher knife for chopping carrots. You'll cut off a finger.”
“No, I won't. Archer isn't the only one who knows how to use a knife.”
“I thought Nicholas was supposed to cook tonight.”
“He needed help and I need the therapy. I wanted to feel a weapon in my hand.” He still wasn't looking at her. “Nice call?”
“Not too bad.”
“Don't lie to me. I saw your face.”
“Okay, it wasn't my best moment. Why didn't you tell me about Cobb and Dansk?”
“Why worry you? I didn't get Archer.”
“Because I don't want to be kept in the dark. Because Archer used it against me.”
“Okay, next time I'll tell you when I take out one of those bastards. What else did you talk about?”
“He played one of Carolyn's tapes.”
“She should have burned them.”
“How could she know?”
“We know now. I'll burn them. And after I catch Archer, maybe I'll burn him too. Over a slow-roasting fire like the pig he is. At the moment I'm thinking a knife is too clean for him.”
She tried to smile. “May I stick the apple in his mouth?”
He glanced up, and she took a step back at the ferocity in his expression. “I'm not being funny, Melis. You may be able to put up with Archer's sadistic bullshit, but I can't take much more of this crap. I can't stand seeing you take it.”
“It's my choice.”
“Until I get a line on Archer. Then all bets are off. You wanted help taking him down. You'll get it.”
“You listen to me, Kelby. I want help, not protection. You're not closing me out. I'm the one who— Oh, shit.” Blood was pouring out of Kelby's thumb. “I told you to get another knife.” She ripped off some paper towels, wrapped them around his thumb, applied pressure, and raised his hand over his heart to stop the bleeding. “Oh, sure, you know about knives. I'm surprised you didn't cut it to the bone.”
“It wasn't the knife.” His tone was surly. “I was distracted.”
“And making threats. It serves you right.” After the bleeding stopped, she rinsed and dried off his hand, squirted some Neosporin on the cut, and then applied a Band-Aid to his thumb. “Now tell Nicholas to finish making dinner. He's got to do a better job than you.”
“Whatever you say.”
She glanced up at the curious note in his voice. He was looking down at her and a ripple of shock went through her. She was suddenly aware of their closeness, the heat of his body, the hardness of the hand she still held. She took a step back and released his hand.
“That's right, Melis.” He turned back to the cutting board. “It's much better not to touch me.”
She stood there uncertainly for a moment and then turned to leave.
“Or maybe I'm wrong.” His soft voice followed her. “At least you're not thinking about that damn tape anymore, are you?”
Chapter Ten
“Be careful.” Melis watched in agony as the dolphins were lowered in their slings into the tanks on the jet. “For God's sake, don't let them fall.”
“It's okay, Melis,” Kelby said. “We've got them.”
“Then let's get the hell out of here.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “It's seven hours until we get to Las Palmas and they're stressed already.”
“It's not only the dolphins that are stressed,” Kelby said. “Tell that pilot to get in the air,