Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [85]
Her eyes flicked open. “Will there be trouble with the law?”
“I don't think so. The Spanish authorities are very aggressive with arms dealers who supply terrorists, as Archer does. I've called Wilson to come here from Madrid and supply records and mug shots and generally smooth the way. Naturally, he won't tell them we had anything to do with it. But I'd bet when they discover what kind of lowlifes are lying on the side of that mountain, they'll find a way to forget they existed.” He smiled crookedly. “Because this is such a ‘peaceful' island.”
“Dr. Gonzales seems very nice.”
“We didn't see eye to eye. But he knows what he's doing. He says we can take you out of here if you promise to rest for the next couple of days. I assume you don't want to hang around here?”
She shook her head. “Will you help me get up?” She looked down at herself. “Where's my shirt?”
“It was too bloody to save.” He took off his black shirt. “Wear this.” He helped her sit up and carefully put her arms in the shirt. “Okay?”
The room was going around and her side throbbed. “Okay.”
“Liar.” He picked her up and carried her toward the door. “But you'll be better when I can get you home.”
Home? Oh, yes, the Trina. That was Kelby's home, and for the past days it had become her home too. Strange . . . “Am I too heavy? I can walk.”
“I know you can. But I'm all for efficiency. It's faster this way.” He stopped at the door when he saw Dr. Gonzales, and said curtly, “I'm taking her. Thank you for doing your job.”
“Thank you for leaving.” Gonzales smiled at Melis. “Don't break my stitches, and stay away from violent people like this Kelby person. They're not good for you.”
The last sentence was said to Kelby's back as he strode past the doctor toward the car parked in the gravel driveway. Nicholas jumped out and opened the back door. “Why don't you lie down and stretch out? Maybe you can nap.”
Melis shook her head as Kelby placed her carefully in the backseat. She didn't want to nap. There was something very wrong and she had to think. “I'm better sitting.”
“Debatable,” Kelby said as he got in the passenger seat. “But I'm not arguing. I want to get you to the south shore where we left our tender. We'll leave your tender at the dock, and Nicholas can pick it up tomorrow.”
As Nicholas started the car, she sat very straight and tried to block out the dull pain in her side. Think. There was a piece missing. And a question she didn't want to ask Kelby.
She had no option. She had to ask him.
“The chest was empty, Kelby.”
“I know it, dammit.”
She moistened her lips. “Did you do it?”
She saw his shoulders stiffen, and he slowly turned to look at her. “I beg your pardon?”
“You came here to Cadora last night.”
He was silent a moment, and when he spoke, each word was precise. “We both knew how crucial it was that Archer be distracted from you. You almost got killed when he wasn't. And you're asking me if I came here and snatched those damn papers?”
Nicholas gave a low whistle. “Oops.”
She barely heard him. “I have to ask it. Just tell me yes or no.”
“No, goddammit, I did not take the papers.” He turned around to face the front. “And you'd better shut up until we get to the dock or I just might complete the job Archer screwed up on.”
She could feel the rage he was emitting. Rage and hurt. She couldn't blame him. She would have felt the same.
But she couldn't worry about Kelby. She had to think. She was beginning to get a terrible feeling. . . .
Chapter Sixteen
They were a few miles from the dock when she leaned forward and said to Nicholas, “Turn left at the next road.”
“What?”
“Just do it.”
Kelby gave her a cool glance. “Are you delirious?”
“No. Maybe. I think I know where Phil moved the papers. There's a place on the coast. I have to go there. Please. Don't ask questions.”
“You think the papers are there?”
“They might be. I have to go.”
Nicholas looked at Kelby.
Kelby shrugged. “Go ahead. Give him directions, Melis.”
The cottage was just as she remembered it.