Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [95]
“The engine room or the galley. Either would have enough compressed gas to fuel an explosion.”
“And how am I supposed to carry this explosive?”
“The sole of your right deck shoe. There will be a switch to arm and you'll have fifteen seconds to toss it. So you'd better be damn ready. We've just got to pray he doesn't search you that thoroughly.”
“I think I know how to prevent that.” She smiled without mirth. “I have a distraction of my own in mind.” She kicked off her deck shoes. “Get to work, Nicholas.” She turned to leave. “I'm going to go to my cabin and make a few preparations.”
“And it might be a good idea to say your prayers. Your chances of getting out of this alive are maybe fifty-fifty.”
His voice was cool and without expression, and she glanced back at him. “You're clearly upset about that.”
“Oh, I'll be upset if he kills you. So upset I'll have to justify letting you go after him by killing him myself. But since I've made a decision, I won't let emotion interfere. We've just got to get the job done and try to stay alive.” He picked up the white deck shoes. “I'll get these ready for you. Nice thick soles. That's a lucky break.” He headed toward his cabin. “We'll need all the luck we can get.”
She felt sick.
Don't look in the mirror. Don't think about it. Just go up on the deck to Nicholas.
He was standing by the rail next to the tender. “I polished up your deck shoes. No one would ever know— My God.” His eyes widened. “What the hell are you dressed up for? Halloween?”
She touched the white organdy empire-waist dress with a shaking hand. “No, but there's an element of horror in it. It's a present from Archer. I described it in one of my tapes, and he had it made up exactly. A child's dress in an adult size. You'll tie my hands and pin that note we wrote to the bodice of this disgusting abomination and send me to Archer with Kelby's compliments.” She swallowed. “He knows what putting on this dress would do to me. He won't think I can do it. So he'll deduce that it was Kelby.”
“Jesus.”
“One, it will add to the veracity of handing me over. Two, seeing me in it will definitely distract Archer. He'll be triumphant. He'll be excited. He likes little girls.” She drew a deep breath and slipped on the white deck shoes he'd handed her. “Now, let's get out of here. I want this dress off as quickly as possible.”
“We can't get any closer without them seeing us,” Nicholas said as he cut the motor. He sat and gazed at Archer's ship gleaming in the darkness. “Last chance. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I'm sure.” She held out her wrists. “Tie me. Tight. But make sure I can see my watch.”
He took the rope he'd brought and bound her wrists. “This is ugly, Melis.”
“He's ugly.” Dear God, she was scared as she gazed at the ship. The organdy dress, her bound hands, the feeling of helplessness. She could almost hear the pounding of the drums of Kafas. She wanted to scream—or whimper.
But she wasn't helpless. She was doing this of her own free will. So get it started. “One more thing, Nicholas. Knock me out.”
“What?”
“Hit me. Make sure I have a bruise, but I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't break my jaw. I want Archer to feel I'm totally helpless when he looks at me through those binoculars.”
“I don't like to—”
“I don't care what you like. You know you should do it. Hit me, dammit.”
“Then don't look at me.”
“Some shaman.” She shifted her gaze back to the ship.
“Shamans were magicians, not warriors. Though they did officiate at the burnings at the stake. That's what I feel like I'm doing at—”
Pain exploded in her jaw as he unleashed a right hook.
Nicholas gazed down at Melis crumpled in the seat. She looked like a little girl taking a nap in that dress.
And he felt like a son of a bitch. He was tempted to just turn the boat around and go back to the Trina.
He couldn't do it. He was committed, and in these kinds of situations it was often suicide to pay attention to second thoughts. Besides, Melis had gone too far to be cheated. He patted her cheek. “Good luck.” He pressed the timer to set the