Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [98]
“He doesn't have it. Do you think I'd share that with him? It's mine.”
He studied her. “No, I can see how you'd need a little insurance. And, after all, he has Marinth.”
“And that damn boat.”
“Such bitterness. We'll discuss you giving me the chest later. Now, come over to the bed and lie down.”
She shook her head.
“Why, you've turned pale. It's such a soft, lovely bed. And do you know what we're going to do in it? We're going to lie together and listen to the tapes. And I'm going to watch your face. I can't tell you how much I missed that when I was phoning you. I wanted to see every expression.”
“I . . . can't do it.”
“Don't make me use the drugs. It might dull your emotions. Look at the bed.”
Red velvet, heaped with cushions.
“Now, go over and sit on it. We'll go slowly. I like slow.”
But every moment would be a century. She moved across the room and sat down on the side of the bed.
“You hate the feel of that velvet against you, don't you?”
“Yes.” Only two minutes had passed. “I can't stand it.”
“You'll be surprised what you can stand. We'll explore that after the tapes.” He lay down and patted the bed. “Lie down by Daddy, sweetheart. Isn't that what a lot of them said to you?”
She nodded jerkily. “I'll . . . give you the papers if you'll just let me out of here.”
“In time. Lie down, Melis.”
Two minutes more had passed. “Take the ropes off me.”
“But I rather like them. Say please.”
“Please.”
He took out his pocketknife and cut the ropes. “Lie down or I'll tie you again.”
She slowly lay back on the pillows.
Oh, God, it was happening again.
She was going to scream.
No, she could control it. It wouldn't happen. She just had to hold on.
Deal with it.
Was that Carolyn's voice?
“Your expression is priceless,” Archer said hoarsely, his gaze fixed hungrily on her face. “I wish I had a camera handy. I'll have to remember the next time.” He reached over and turned on the tape recorder on the nightstand. “But I'm too eager right now. I have to watch you. . . .”
Then she heard her own voice on the tape.
Chapter Eighteen
Five minutes to go.
“Two men on the bridge,” Nicholas murmured. “One will probably stay at the helm even if the other runs to the explosion. You or me?”
“You do it. I'm heading for the cabins.”
“I thought as much.”
Kelby's eyes strained as he stared up at the deck. God, he wanted to move now.
Four minutes.
Melis sat bolt upright on the bed and covered her mouth. “Jesus, I'm going to throw up.”
“How annoying.” Archer sat up in bed. “When we were just getting to the good part.”
She bent over the bed, gagging.
“No, you don't. Not on this bed. I have too many plans for it.” He jumped up and jerked her out of bed. “The bathroom, bitch.” He dragged her over to the adjoining bathroom. “Hurry up. And don't get anything on that dress.”
He pushed her into the room and slammed the door.
Alone.
She had been afraid he'd come in with her. But most people didn't like to see others throw up. That didn't mean he wasn't probably right outside the door.
She made gagging sounds as she reached down and stripped the tab on the back of her right shoe. She carefully removed the slender explosive device and set it on the top of the commode. Then she retrieved the stiletto from her left shoe.
“Are you through?” Archer said.
She gagged again. “I guess so.”
“Then wash your face and rinse out your mouth like a good girl. You've made me a little angry. I may have to spank you.”
She started the water running in the sink. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. Her hand tightened on the hilt of the stiletto. She had to move. Don't turn off the water. It would give her a few seconds of surprise when she went through the door.
“Melis.”
She threw open the door and leapt forward. She had a fleeting impression of the shock on Archer's face as the stiletto entered his upper chest. He started to fall.
Was the wound enough?
No time to check. It was a minute past time. She ran out of the cabin. She'd noticed when they'd brought