Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [86]
“For God's sake, Melis.” Kelby caught up with her as she moved toward the cottage and took her arm. “You're weak as a kitten. You'll be lucky if you don't fall on your face.”
She didn't feel weak. The fear-driven adrenaline was surging through her.
“Why do you think they may be hidden here?” Kelby asked.
“We lived in that cottage for a few months while we were searching the area.” Her eyes were focused on the front door as she shook Kelby's hand away from her arm. “It's the only explan—”
The front door opened and a figure was silhouetted against the lamplight.
She felt Kelby tense beside her.
He was afraid of that unknown danger. She was afraid, too, but not for the same reason. She took a step forward. “Phil?”
“You shouldn't have come, Melis.” He came down the two steps toward her. “I hoped to see you at a happier time.”
“Where? At the pearly gates? You're supposed to be dead, Phil.”
“As Mark Twain said, the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
Kelby took a step forward. “Lontana?”
Phil nodded. “Hello, Kelby. Great job. I knew you could do it. Of course, I could have done it better.”
“What?”
“Why, Marinth, of course.” He smiled. “I'd like to shake your hand, but that's not in the cards, is it?”
“I don't know yet.” He took Melis's arm again. “I do know that I want Melis to sit down. She's been hurt.”
“Hurt?” Phil looked at her with concern. “Is it bad?”
“What the hell do you care?” Melis said. “What did you expect to happen, Phil?”
“I care very much,” Phil said. “It's not fair of you to doubt I'd worry about you.”
“But not enough,” Melis said. “You didn't care if you put my head on the block by moving that chest.”
“Is that how you were wounded? I hoped Archer wouldn't try to get those papers from you.” He looked pained. “I didn't want to do it. It was necessary. You wouldn't help me, Melis.”
“This is beginning to reek,” Kelby said. “What the hell did you do, Lontana?”
“He staged his own death,” Melis said. “He blew up the Last Home himself.”
“Do you realize how much that hurt me?” Phil asked.
“How did you get away? Scuba gear and someone in a boat nearby to pick you up?”
Phil nodded. “I was so sad when I saw her blow. I loved that ship.”
“But it was worth the sacrifice,” Melis said. “It got you what you wanted.”
“What?” Kelby asked. “He didn't want to deal with Archer any longer?”
“On the way here I was hoping that was it.” She met Phil's eyes. “But I know you, Phil. You'd never have sacrificed the Last Home unless it was going to bring you something better. And the only thing you valued more was Marinth. You made a deal with Archer, didn't you?”
“Why would you think—”
“Didn't you?”
He nodded slowly. “I didn't have any choice. You wouldn't help me. Marinth was lying there, waiting for me, and I couldn't touch it. It was your fault.”
“Why, you son of a bitch,” Kelby murmured. “So you set Archer on Melis's trail.”
“I told you, I didn't want to do it. It's not as if she was the target. We just wanted to make her upset enough so that she'd turn to you to help her. I knew you'd make Marinth a bargaining chip. You know what's important.”
“Do I?”
“I tried for six years to get her to use the dolphins. You can understand. I had to have Marinth.”
“But you don't have it,” Melis said. “Kelby has it.”
Lontana glanced away from her. “I may not have the glory, but I'll know that I was the one who made it all possible.” He shrugged. “As for any profit, I'm getting older. I don't need much money. All I want is to stay here and watch Marinth come to life.”
“And you've been here in this cottage all this time?”
“Except when I was out in the boat keeping an eye on you with my binoculars.” He smiled eagerly. “Admit it, Melis. Wasn't it a thrill? I wish I'd been down there with you. When I saw you pull up those nets, I wanted to shout with joy.”
“You were in the second boat I saw,” Nicholas said.
Phil nodded. “You surprised me that time. And you are . . .”
“Nicholas Lyons.