Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [93]
He nodded slowly. “Because what's a good piece of ass in comparison to a ship like the Trina?”
“You have Marinth. You don't need the tablets or the research. You've gotten everything material you wanted from me. All I am is a sex object. Archer understands that concept.”
“I don't.”
She smiled. “Yeah, but you would have voted the right way at that council of noblemen.”
“What's the purpose? Why am I serving you up to him?”
“I need to get on the ship.”
“Bullshit.”
Her smile faded. “You'll have to be convincing. It's probably best you tell him you have to think it over.”
“It's not going to happen,” he said flatly. “Not again.”
She studied his expression. There was no moving him. “Then buy time. When he calls, pretend you're considering it.”
“I'll consider cutting his balls off.”
“Kelby. Please. You know we need the time. Stall.”
He was silent a moment. “Okay, I'll stall. As long as he keeps his damn mouth shut about you.”
It was as much of a concession as she was going to get. She could only hope Archer was brief and to the point.
Chapter Seventeen
Melis's hopes were answered. When Archer called Kelby at eight the next morning, he was on the phone for only a few minutes. Kelby was just as brief, except for one very convincing outburst of obscenities. “You can't get away with that. I'll call in the coast guard.” Then he was silent again, listening. Finally, he said, “I'll think about it.” And hung up. He stared at her. “You were right. He threatened to blow me out of the water if I didn't turn you and Lontana's research over. When I mentioned the coast guard, he said I could call all I pleased and they wouldn't come. He has them in his pocket.”
“Like Nicholas suspected.”
He nodded. “And I didn't say any of the things I wanted to say. Satisfied?”
“It was as good as could be expected. Did he give you a time limit?”
“I didn't give him the chance.” Kelby got out of bed and started getting dressed. “If I'd talked for another minute with that greasy asshole, it wouldn't have been pretty.”
“Where are you going?”
“I can't stay here. I'm about to explode. I'm going on deck to wait for Nicholas to come back from his watch.”
She watched the door slam behind him.
He didn't want her with him. He was angry and protective and trying to shut her away from Archer. She'd never seen him more determined. She couldn't allow it. She had to be there when Nicholas got back.
She got out of bed and started getting dressed.
“As far as I can tell, Archer has four men on board,” Nicholas said when he came back at noon. “And they're good. They're moving around, watching for boats, watching for swimmers. They have searchlights constantly focused on the water around the ship. Chancy to plant an explosive on the hull. And it will be damn hard to board her without a distraction.”
“What kind of distraction?” Melis asked.
He shrugged. “We'll work it out.” He looked at Kelby. “I saw Archer. And he received a shipment last night. Four six-by-seven crates.”
“No additional manpower? The four men he has would only give him defense.”
Nicholas shook his head. “But they could come anytime.”
“Then we need to move fast. If we can't plant the explosives on the hull, we probably need a small rocket launcher.”
Melis stiffened in shock. “What?”
Kelby ignored her. “How long will it take to get it?”
“Twenty-four hours. Maybe a little longer. My nearest supplier is in Zurich. Do we have that long?”
“Maybe.” Kelby glanced at Melis. “We bought some time. He'll probably wait to go after us until he's certain I won't give him what he wants.”
“I don't like it,” Nicholas said. “We'll tip our hand the minute we use it. They could blow us out of the water if they brought on some of the really big stuff.”
“Then we'll have to find a way to not tip our hand. Get it.”
He nodded. “I'll get on the phone and start making purchases.” Nicholas started up the deck. “But we should keep an eye on the Jolie Fille to make sure the status doesn't change.