Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [69]
Archer phoned an hour later, as she was going out the door of her cabin.
She stopped and looked at her phone on the nightstand. Jesus, she wanted to ignore it.
It rang again.
Bite the bullet. She turned and went back to the phone and answered it.
“You were very naughty,” Archer said. “And you know how naughty little girls are punished.”
Her hand tightened on the phone. The ugliness washing over her was almost overpowering. She'd hoped that the period of freedom from Archer's venom would permit her to regroup, but it hit her with the same force. “Did you expect me to just let you pull me into that car?”
“I admit I expected you to freeze like a rabbit. I certainly had no idea you'd shoot poor Pennig.”
“I hope I killed him.”
“You didn't. You grazed his neck, and he bled quite a bit. He was very angry with you. He begged me to let him have the privilege of chastising you, but I told him that I couldn't bear to relinquish you. I have far too many plans.”
“You weren't too eager to execute them after you failed at Las Palmas.”
“It was discreet to stay out of sight for a while. However, don't think I didn't have someone keep an eye on you. At the moment you're near the lovely island of Cadora.” He paused. “And you've freed the dolphins. Don't you think that's risky?”
“Are you going to go after them with a harpoon? I'd like to see Mr. Peepers in a wet suit.”
There was a silence. “That's not the first time I've been compared to that weakling. I don't believe any comparison makes me angrier. Yes, I'll kill the dolphins. I was planning on waiting until you've been in a house like Kafas for long enough so that you won't care what I do. But I've changed my mind. You need to be punished now. I can't think of anything that would hurt you more than killing your fishy friends.”
Fear knifed through her. There was a note in his voice that was dead serious. She'd been too defiant. It was so hard to remember when she was so filled with anger. It was time to backpedal. “The dolphins?” She didn't have to fake a tremor in her voice. “I didn't think you meant it. You'll hurt Pete and Susie?”
“You're frightened? I warned you. You should be more obedient. If you're very good and give me the research right away, I might reconsider.”
“I . . . don't believe you.”
“I'm being pressured to turn that sonic weapon over to my friend in the Middle East. That's why I pushed a little hard myself in Las Palmas.”
“Pushed,” she repeated. “A good man died there.”
“And you got scared and took your dolphins and ran away.”
“Yes, I was afraid. Why shouldn't I be? You keep at me. I can't sleep. I can't eat.” Her voice was uneven. “And now you tell me you're going to kill Pete and Susie.”
“Poor child.”
“I'm hanging up.”
“No, haven't you learned I'm in control? We're going to talk a little longer about Kafas and what I'm going to do to the dolphins. Then I decide when we hang up. Are you listening?”
She waited a moment and then whispered, “Yes.”
“That's a good little girl. Now we're going to pretend we're back at Kafas and I'm just coming into your room in the harem. . . .”
Chapter Thirteen
“You took long enough,” Kelby said with a smile when she walked into the main cabin. “I've had to pacify Billy for the last ten— Jesus.” His expression turned grim. “Archer?”
“He was in very good form.” Her lips tightened. “But so was I. I convinced him I was on the edge of breaking. I was really pitiful. A few more times and he'll think he has me.”
“It was the usual bullshit?”
“As ugly as usual, but he's added something new to the mix. I think he's decided to change his focus. And there's something you should know. He told me that he has someone keeping an eye on us. He knew we'd freed the dolphins.” She paused. “And he said he's going to kill them. It's my punishment for what happened in Las Palmas.”
“He's threatened to hurt them before.”
“I don't think it was a threat this time. I think he meant it.”
“We won't let it happen.” He met her gaze. “But if you want to take Pete and Susie out of the