Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [74]
“We're within a mile of where we saw the dolphin band.” Kelby left the bridge and came down to where the screen was set up on the main deck. “Now we'll see about dodo birds.”
The yellow sonic imager was being dragged behind the ship, its huge extensions looking like a pelican's wings.
“Yes, we will.” Melis was beginning to be a little excited in spite of her doubts. She glanced at the graph. “It seems to be working okay. Maybe technology will triumph.”
“It had better. The navy charged me a fortune for this dodo.” He shook his head. “Dammit, now you've got me saying it.”
“Perhaps you're not as machine-oriented as you'd like to believe.” Nicholas leaned on the rail, his gaze on the imager. “It's really pretty stupid-looking. Would you like me to do a little magic to give it soul?”
“No, I would not,” Kelby said. “All we need is one of your incantations to make this attempt a disaster.”
“Incantation? I was thinking more on the lines of clipping a Stevie Wonder CD to the dodo's neck.”
Melis smothered a smile. “Good idea. But I prefer Aretha Franklin.”
“Very funny,” Kelby said sourly. “We're over the site. We'll see who has the last— Shit!”
Melis's gaze flew to the dodo. “Oh, dear.”
Nicholas started to laugh.
Pete had erupted out of nowhere and rammed the imager with full force. The dodo swayed drunkenly before righting itself.
Kelby was cursing. “Call him off. He's trying to sink it.”
Melis was afraid he was right. Pete was swimming away to where Susie was waiting, but it was only a matter of time until he'd turn and ram it again.
“No, Pete.” She blew her whistle.
The dolphin ignored her. He swam in circles, gaining momentum.
She blew the whistle again.
Nicholas was laughing so hard he had to hold on to the rail. “He looks like a bull pawing the ground before going after the matador.”
“I'm going to murder you, Nicholas,” Kelby said between his teeth. “Why the hell is he doing it?”
“I don't know. It looks like a bird. But perhaps he's confused. It could be he thinks it's some weird kind of dolphin or shark. Maybe it's territorial.” Melis could no longer hold back the laughter. “I'm sorry, Kelby. I know it's a valuable piece of—”
“Stop laughing.”
Melis was trying desperately to do that.
Pete rammed the dodo again, sending it spinning drunkenly in a dizzy circle.
“Jesus.” Then Kelby started to laugh. “Oh, what the hell. Sink it, you neurotic mammal.”
“No.” Melis wiped the tears from her cheeks. “We've got to save that poor, silly dodo.” She kicked off her deck shoes. “Faster than a speeding bullet . . .” She dove into the sea and struck out for the dodo. “Hold on. Fear not. I'll rescue you.”
“You won't rescue anyone or anything if you don't stop laughing.” Kelby was in the water beside her. “I'm going to remember this.”
“Is that a threat? I didn't know Pete was going to get pissed.”
“No, it's a statement. It's the first time I've seen you really laugh. I like it.” He struck out ahead of her. “Now, how do we get Pete to stop ramming the dodo?”
“I've no idea. Swim along with it to show him it's a friend?” The idea was so ridiculous she started to laugh again. “Get in his path and try to deter him?” That wasn't so funny. “Maybe we can use Susie to disarm him. We'll think of something.”
“I hope so.” Kelby gave a lethal glance back at the Trina. “Because Nicholas is getting far too much entertainment out of this.”
Chapter Fourteen
It took them over an hour to persuade Pete to leave the imager alone. Melis tried everything from hanging on to the dodo herself to getting Susie to swim beside it. Pete was his usual stubborn self and refused to give up. Finally, Nicholas drove the tender out to the dodo and tossed Pete and Susie fish until the male began to associate the imager with something pleasant.
“Just a fishmonger again,” Nicholas said as he helped Melis into the tender. “I was going to bring out the Stevie Wonder CD. You know that quote: Music hath charm to soothe the savage beast.”
“It's breast, not beast,