Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [79]
But that wasn't why the sight of it held her spellbound. She reached out a tentative finger and touched the rim. Thousands of years ago some man or woman had drunk from this goblet. Their lips had touched this rim. They had laughed and wept and loved in that ancient city below them. Strange, it had just come from the sea, yet it felt warm. . . .
She looked up and met Kelby's gaze. He smiled and nodded with perfect understanding of what she was feeling.
Wonder.
The afternoon's bounty was not as rich, but there was enough to encourage them to keep them diving.
It was late in the afternoon when Kelby indicated they should go up.
She nodded and pushed upward through the murky water. Lord, she was tired. Her arms felt like lead, and the air tank was a burden she didn't—
Pete swam back and forth in front of her, blocking her way.
Not now, Pete. She definitely didn't want to play. She treaded water, waiting for him to—
Something hard and big brushed by her.
Another dolphin? No, she hadn't seen any sign—
A glimmer of something black and shiny up ahead. Wet suit. Not Kelby. He had a navy blue wet suit, and Kelby was behind her.
Spear gun!
Pete was clicking wildly as he tried to get between her and the man in the black wet suit.
Blood in the water.
Oh, God, he'd shot Pete. She could see the spear sticking out of his side. She swam toward him.
And Kelby was swimming toward the man with the spear gun. She caught a gleam of steel in Kelby's hand as he closed on him. His knife.
They were struggling, turning over in the water.
It was over in an instant.
More blood in the water.
Kelby pushed the man away from him. No, it wasn't a man any longer; it was a body that drifted toward the bottom.
Kelby was swimming back to her. He motioned for her to go up, but she shook her head. Pete was moving, but sluggishly. She was afraid to take the harpoon out of his side, but she wasn't going to leave him. She tried to nudge him upward. He didn't move.
Then Susie was beside him, nudging, swimming around him, clicking worriedly.
A moment later Pete slowly moved upward toward the surface.
My God, the blood . . .
Chapter Fifteen
Archer didn't call until after midnight.
“What have you done with poor Angelo, Melis?”
“You bastard.” Her voice was quivering. “You killed Pete. He wasn't doing you any harm. Why did you have to kill him?”
“I warned you that I'd do it if you didn't cooperate. Did Angelo kill the female too?”
“No.”
“Then she'll be next, won't she?”
“No!” Her voice rose. “Kelby killed this Angelo. He'll kill anyone else who tries to hurt Susie. You can't get near her.”
“I have other employees, and it's a big ocean. I'll get her. Tell me, did your dolphin suffer?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I thought he would. I told Angelo to make sure of it. The female will suffer more.”
“Dear God,” she whimpered, “please don't kill Susie.”
“But I have to do it. You won't give me the papers. It's really you who are killing her, Melis. Remember that when you see her die. Good night.”
“No, don't hang up.” Her voice was panicky. “I'll give you the damn papers. I'll give you anything you want. Just don't kill Susie.”
“Ah, at last.” He was silent a moment. “And all it took was a dead dolphin. I should have moved before this.”
“Don't kill her. Tell me what to do. You said you'd go away if I gave you the papers.”
“Stop sobbing. I can't understand you.”
She drew a deep breath. “I'm sorry. Just don't hang up. Tell me what you want.”
“Is that what you told the men who came to you at Kafas?”
“No.”
“That's not the right answer. Tell me what I want to hear.”
“Yes, I begged them. I said . . . anything . . . anything you want, I'll do.”
“That's a good girl.” Archer's voice was silky with satisfaction. “You may be able to save your dolphin after all.”
“Don't put me through this. Just let me give you the damn papers.”
“I'll let you. But you'll do it my way, my rules.”
“If I give them to you, you'll leave me and Susie alone, won't you?”
“Of course.” He paused. “But you know, I'm going to miss this.”
“Where can