Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [56]
Archer didn't call her until she'd been at the tank for over an hour. “It's been too long, Melis. Did you miss me?”
“I hoped someone had stepped on you and killed you like the cockroach you are.”
“Did you know that cockroaches are supposed to inherit the earth? How did the dolphins tolerate the trip?”
“They're fine. And very well protected.”
“I know. I've had the situation checked out. But that doesn't mean I couldn't get to them if I wanted to do it.”
“You're here in Las Palmas?”
“Where you are, I'll be. Don't you realize that by now?” He paused. “Until you give me what I want. It shouldn't be hard for you. You're so experienced in giving men what they want. They say children absorb knowledge more quickly and permanently than grown-ups. Isn't it wonderful that that skill and memory will be with you forever? I envy Kelby. You must be showing him a very good time. But perhaps I won't stop at envy. Maybe I'll decide to taste you myself. I'll put you in a little white dress and—”
“Shut up.”
He was silent a moment. “Another break in the armor. It's gradually crumbling, isn't it? Give me Lontana's research, Melis.”
“Damn you.”
“If you don't, I'll be here for the rest of your life. It's no problem for me. I'm quite enjoying it.” His voice softened. “But women don't live long in places like Kafas, and if I get impatient, I may have to find a way to send you to one. I think you'd tell me what I want to know fairly quickly if I did.”
Don't speak. Don't lash out at him. Make him believe he's terrified you into silence.
“Poor Melis. You're struggling so hard. It's not worth it.”
“I can't tell— You killed—”
“What difference does it make? They're dead. They wouldn't want you to suffer like this. Give it to me.”
“No.”
“But that no is beginning to sound more like yes. I hear a hint of desperation.”
“I can't help what you hear.” She deliberately made her voice break. “I can't . . . help it. Go away.”
“Oh, I will. Because you need to think about what I've said. I'll call you back this evening. I believe we'll go over tape one. That was the first day they put you in the harem. You were very bewildered. You didn't understand what was happening to you. It was all fresh and full of pain. Remember?” He hung up.
She remembered all the pain. But for some reason she was less shaken than she'd been when Archer first started calling her. She had claimed she wasn't that little girl any longer, but perhaps she hadn't really believed it. Maybe by inundating her in that long-ago ugliness, Archer had calloused her to the sharpness of those memories. How disappointed he'd be if that was true.
“They're getting along splendidly.” Rosa Valdez had come up beside her. “The female let me pet her this morning.”
“She's very approachable.” Melis tried to block the thought of Archer as she thrust her phone back in her jacket pocket. She couldn't let that bastard disturb her any more than necessary. She had work to do. “Has anyone come around the tank since we put the dolphins in it?”
“No one but the other students on the team.” Rosa frowned. “I told everyone that those were the instructions. Is something wrong?”
“No, I just wondered.” She turned and headed for the tank. “Did you give the dolphins their toys?”
“Yes. They seemed to feel better after that. Does Susie always wear that plastic boa around her body? She looks very flirtatious.”
“She's very feminine. I saw her do the same thing with a length of kelp and decided she needed something more permanent.” But evidently Pete hadn't been playing with his plastic buoy in his customary manner or Rosa would have definitely remarked on it. “I thought the toys would help. They don't have enough roaming territory in the tank to combat boredom. It's a temp—”
“Mother of God.” Rosa's eyes widened as she stared at Pete. “What's he doing?”
“Just what you think he's doing. He likes to swim around with the buoy.”
“But it's on his penis.”
“Yes, he sometimes does it for hours.” Melis's lips twitched as she added, “He must think it feels pretty good.”
“I imagine he does,” Rosa said