Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [97]
“If she's still alive.”
“She's smart, Jed. She's not going to do anything dumb.”
Kelby knew that, but it didn't stop the fear that was eating at him. He had to stop it or he wouldn't be able to function. “Okay, where's the explosive?”
“Her right deck shoe.” Nicholas smiled. “I put one of my favorite stilettos and a skeleton key in her left.”
“Easy to get at?”
“All she has to do is rip down the back tab and strip off the sole. She can do it with one hand.”
“Both hands are tied. Your idea?”
“I told you, it was all Melis. If he doesn't untie her, she can use the stiletto. It will be awkward but doable.”
“If she has the chance.”
“Yeah. If she has the chance.”
“You could have stopped her.”
“I chose not to try.” He looked him in the eye. “Blame me all you please. It's not going to change a damn thing. It's done.”
He was right. It was done. And there was no way Kelby could turn back the clock.
Nicholas's face softened as he saw the despair in Kelby's expression. “I'm sorry it has to be this way. I don't feel good about this either, Jed. I'm worried as hell.”
“Worried? You don't have a clue.” He turned away. “Let's get going. Where's my wet suit?”
Golden fretwork panels hung on the cabin walls.
Velvet coverlet on the bed.
Melis leaned back against the wall, sick, after the crew member pushed her into Archer's cabin. It was her nightmare come to life. There were even Moroccan lanterns sitting on the floor beside the bed.
Did she hear drums? No, that was her imagination. She closed her eyes to shut out the sight. But it didn't shut out the memories.
Then use all her will and shut them out herself. This response was what Archer wanted from her. Don't let him get anything he wanted.
What time was it? She forced herself to open her eyes and look at the gold-framed clock on the wall. Fifty minutes to go. Fifty minutes to stay in this hellhole of a room. If she stood very still and stared only at the ceiling she could stand it.
The door opened and Archer stood there, smiling at her. “You look like a cringing mouse. Where's your dignity, Melis?”
She straightened with an effort. “You went to a lot of trouble. When did you do all this?”
“As soon as I arrived here from Miami. There was no doubt in my mind that you'd be in this cabin eventually. It was only a question of when. I took a good deal of pleasure out of choosing and matching. I'd listen to the tapes and then send for the merchandise. It kept me from being bored.” He shook his head. “I only wish I'd seen your face when you first caught sight of it. I was a little angry or I wouldn't have forgotten I intended to do that.” He moved to stand before her and touched the bruise on her chin. “Kelby wasn't as soft about you as you thought, was he?”
“He's a bastard.” She stared him in the eye. “Like you.”
“Sticks and stones.” One finger stroked the pink satin ribbon in her hair. “But you mustn't blame him. You told me yourself that he was nuts about that ship.”
“I didn't think he'd sell me down the river for it.”
“Haven't you learned that whores are dispensable? There's always another one. But you're rather special. I feel a certain bond with you.” He took a step back. “And you look so pretty. Turn around for me.”
“Go to hell.”
He slapped her. “Don't you remember? Disobedience was always punished.” He tilted his head. “But they also used drugs on you, didn't they? I don't want you all bruised to begin with. Maybe I'll go that route.”
“No!” She wouldn't be able to function if she was drugged. Forty-five minutes.
She turned around in a circle.
“Again. Slower.”
She bit her lower lip and then obeyed.
“Good little girl.” He was looking down at her deck shoes. “But where are the shiny patent-leather shoes I sent you?”
She kept her expression from showing the panic she felt. “They had to hold me down to get me in this dress. After I kicked him in the nuts, Kelby decided not to try the shoes.”
He chuckled. “He obviously doesn't know how to handle naughty little girls. It takes experience.