“What will those against you think of that?”
“I told you—they’re in the minority.” She looked at the men on either side of her. “These men are armed, and we’ll take them with us when we enter the camp. There also are others waiting for us there—all of them with guns. If anyone tries something, we’re not afraid to fight back. With my husband and my sons gone, we see this as our chance to finally get off this island. To leave this life. If you’ll help us, we will help you.”
“Done,” Tank said.
“Thank you for that. But we must hurry.”
“I’m going,” I said.
The woman nodded at me. “I thought that you would.”
“Jennifer,” Tank said.
Before he could say another word, I stopped him short. “I’m going. End of story. That’s my husband out there, and he’s not going to face this without me. Besides, I can assist you.”
“How?”
“By helping to find that boat, for one. And by watching your back, for another. But before we find that boat, we need to make two phone calls—one to the local police, who, at this point, must be aware of the search for our plane, and one to Ann at Wenn, who will make certain that whomever is in charge of the search knows where we are.” I looked at the woman. “By the way, where are we?”
“You’re in the Marshall Islands.”
“What’s the name of the island we’re going to?”
“Majuro Atoll.”
“How many people live on it?”
“Twenty-five thousand?”
“What is your name?”
“Catherine.”
“Does the island we’re on have a name?”
“It does. Bokak Atoll.” She lifted her head at me. “Presumably, it’s one of ten uninhabited islands here. So, when you talk to the authorities, feel free to tell them that this island is indeed inhabited—and that most of us want off of it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
BEFORE WE LEFT, I WENT into the hut to tell Cutter that Tank and I were going for help. But there was no response. He was shivering, unconscious, and struggling to breathe. He no longer was taking in fluids. His fever was perhaps the highest it had ever been. And in my heart, I knew that when I returned, he very well might be gone. And so I kissed him on the forehead, and told him to wait for me and that he was loved by me, by Alex, by his friends, and also by his family.
“Believe in me,” I said. “If you can hear me, I need you to do that, Cutter. We’re so close to ending this, I can’t tell you. This will end today, so please, hold on. You’re a strong man. Don’t let this beat you. Fight for yourself, and fight for the rest of us. We can’t lose you now.”
With tears in my eyes, I gave him a hug and held his body close to mine, but I refused to say goodbye to him. Instead, I said that I’d see him soon. And then I left the hut in a haze of frustration, despair, and a crushing sadness that would have overwhelmed me if I hadn’t locked eyes with Catherine, who was eager to leave. In haste, I hugged Blackwell, Lisa, Alexa, and Daniella. And then, Catherine and the others led Tank and me over the beach and into the jungle.
WHEN WE ARRIVED AT the compound, I couldn’t believe the size of it, though I could see how it could have gone unnoticed all these years. Just as Tank and Alex had said earlier, it was built within the jungle, with a canopy of palm trees hovering over all of it, thus concealing it from sight if, say, a plane should fly over it. Still, it was difficult for me to believe that nobody knew that these people lived here. Perhaps it was just tolerated.
And perhaps I shouldn’t give a damn and should instead focus on just getting off this island.
As we moved through the compound, I was aware of hundreds of eyes upon me, and the tension I felt was so great, it unnerved me. Men, women, and children either stopped what they were doing as we walked past them, or they came out of their huts to join the others. Many of the men carried guns, though none of the weapons were trained on us. Instead, we were allowed to move through the space in an uneasy silence.
Until one man spoke.
“I might be in the minority, Catherine,” he called out. “But I won’t remain silent. You’re about to destroy everything we’ve built here. Not all of us are unhappy. Some of us are the happiest we’ve ever been. I know nothing else but this island. And because you dare to betray your husband and sons when they are gone, I consider you a coward. You’re about to steal away everything from us—and you can go to hell for it.”
At that, Catherine stopped and turned to her accuser, who was a young man in his late twenties.
“You think my husband is king?” she asked him. “Then what do you make of my face? Would a proper leader do this to his wife? Would you do this to your own wife? And what about what he’s done to me before—time and again? You’ve all seen it. These bruises on my face are nothing new to any of you. Nor is it new to many of those who support me now. Too many people have felt my husband’s wrath. My sons have betrayed plenty of you. I believe my husband also has beaten your wife. So, let me ask you this in front of everyone who stands in judgment of us now. How can you stand by my husband knowing what he did to your wife, to me, and to others? What kind of a man are you? What kind of husband? What kind of friend? My husband put his fists on your wife. All of us know that. He’s gone mad. He’s not the man I married. For me and for those who join me, I’m ending this cycle of abuse now. If you want to remain here, good luck to you. But most of us are leaving here. That’s something you’re just going to have to accept.”
“You’re a coward!” I heard one woman shout.
“A coward is a person who doesn’t stand up for themselves, as many of us are doing now—with this opportunity. So, here’s my advice,” she said. “Rescue planes and helicopters will be arriving here shortly. What you need to decide in the meantime is either simple or complicated, depending on where you stand. If you stand by my husband, then expect him to repress you even more—if the authorities even allow him or you to stay here. Otherwise, talk to your families and friends, and decide whether this current situation is right for you. If you want to go back to the States with us, you are welcome to join us.”
“And what will be there for us?” the woman asked.
“Freedom,” Catherine said. “The end of my husband and sons’ oppression of us. There will be a chance for a new life. So, consider it. Many of us have chosen this opportunity to leave this hellhole. We’re getting off this island, and we have the support of many. Just so we’re clear, those people are armed. So if you try to stop us, be forewarned—we outnumber you. If you try anything, we will protect ourselves. Consider that before—or if—you decide to act.”
With that said, Catherine turned to us. “Enough of this bullshit. We’re losing time. The boat is just over there, through those trees.”
When we arrived at the boat, I noticed that it wasn’t as old as I was expecting. Instead, it was sleek and relatively new, which confirmed our thoughts that somebody on this island had money.
“At this point, they have a good fifteen minutes on you,” Catherine said as one of the men started the boat’s engine. She was standing on the dock, surrounded by dozens of men, women, and children, who had followed us from the compound. “But this boat is equally as fast, if not faster, so those fifteen minutes should be all the time that separates you.”
“How many here are expected to leave with you?”
“At least two hundred. And after that exchange, possibly more.”
“Then I’ll prepare the authorities for that. What language do they speak on that island?”
“Both Marshallese and English. You’ll be fine.”
“Good. Now, please go back to my friends,” I said. “They need you. Cutter is dying. I need you to use all of the knowledge you’ve learned since you’ve been on this island to help keep him alive. All we need is a few more hours, but I’m not sure he has even that left in him without absolute support, which he needs to feel. And to hear. He’s unconscious now
, but I believe that he’s still able to hear you when you speak to him. He needs to hear from everyone. Not just his friends, but from you as well. Will you do that for us?”
“We’ll do it for you. And for him. Now go.”
And with that, I turned to Tank, who took my hand and helped me down onto the boat. Then, with a fierce jolt that came the moment the throttle was pressed forward, we roared across the ocean—and into an adventure that might save our lives.
Or end them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THREE HOURS LATER, when we approached Majuro Atoll, it was as if we were back in the first world.
As the boat rocked through the ocean and the warm air cast my hair off my shoulders, I could see what looked like hotels along the beach. Sailboats in the water. Cars moving in the distance.
It was unbelievable to me that this island even existed considering the isolation of where we’d come from. But the men who had joined us—Glenn and Steven, each of whom were fit, friendly men in their early thirties—told us that Majuro Atoll was the most populated island of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It also was the capital. Apparently, the island even had an international airport, which astounded me. I’d read about the Marshall Islands in grade school, but I’d never given them much of a thought since.
“There are sixty-four islands here,” Steven said as we neared Majuro. “All scattered around in something that might best be described as a crude circle. Bokak Atoll, where we live, is on the outskirts. Unlike some of the islands here, it’s not considered a great spot for fishing or for catching other kinds of wildlife. Beyond that, because there’s no electricity, lodging, or infrastructure there, most people don’t bother to come near it. If they do, they typically stay for just a few days on the beach, and try to fish or to snorkel, but when they see that it’s best to go to the other islands for that, they leave without even knowing that we exist. It’s been that way for years.”
“We should go to the lagoon,” Glenn said to him. “That’s where Wes usually docks because it’s the closest to our bank and to the shops.”
“Who is Wes?”
“Catherine’s husband.”
“What if they aren’t there?”
“If the marina is full, then they’ll choose one of the ports, likely the smaller one for the same reason—it’s closer to the bank. So, we’ll go to the lagoon first. If they’re not there, then they’ll be at that port. I guarantee it.”
With time against us, Steven pushed the boat harder. We swung around to the right side of the island, and I prayed that we’d find their boat there. But after ten minutes of searching for it in the lagoon’s marina, which was packed full of boats, it was clear that it wasn’t there.
They had docked somewhere else.
“How far away is the port?” I asked. “They’ve been here nearly a half hour at this point. They’re probably at the bank now. It won’t be much longer before they leave. I need to make those phone calls before it’s too late. What’s the name of the bank?”
“The Bank of Guam. It’s at the intersection of Main and Kitco.”
“Can you drop us here?” Tank asked. “Jennifer is right. What we need to do first is get to a telephone and make those calls. Those alone could end this.”
“Then make the calls,” Steven said. “We’ll go to the other port and hope that we find the boat. If we do, Glenn will steal it away from them and take it back to the island. But first, I need to know if you have any money on you, because you’re going to need it if you’re going to make those calls.”
“I still have my wallet,” Tank said. “I have money.”
“Good. You’re also going to need protection.” He came over to where I was sitting on one of the benches and asked for me to stand. When I did, he lifted the seat’s lid, pulled out a black leather bag, and removed two handguns from it, which he gave to us after checking each to see if they were loaded.
“Put them in the back of your pants,” he said. “Conceal them with your shirts. They’re loaded, so you need to be careful with them. But should you go to that bank—or if for any reason you should run into Wes and his sons in town—you might need them. Better safe than sorry. Do you know how to use a gun?”
“I know how to use a gun,” Tank said.
“So do I. And thank you for them.”
“Let me get you next to the dock so you can depart.”
As he maneuvered the boat forward, I said, “How will we know if you found the boat? And if Glenn made off with it?”
“That’s the problem with splitting up. You won’t know until you come back here. If I’m here waiting for you alone, you’ll know at once that we found the boat, and that Glenn has it in his possession. But if Glenn is with me, that will mean that we were too late, and that they got away. If that’s the case, we’ll have to chase after them so we can stop them from killing your husband. So with that said, you need to hurry, make those calls, and come back here after you make them. Hopefully, at that point, I’ll be here alone waiting for you.”
He nudged the boat next to the dock.
“Now, go,” he said. “Glenn and I need to get out of here so we can secure that boat if we’re going to make this happen.”
With that, Tank stepped onto the dock and helped me off the boat, and then we started to hurry down the dock toward land.
And whatever waited for us there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
WHEN WE HIT THE MAIN street, Tank and I found it crowded with shops, businesses, people walking along the sidewalks, and several hotels near the beach at our left. We entered the first store we came upon, which sold women’s clothing, and when we went inside and moved toward the cashier, a few customers shot us curious looks, likely because of our rough appearance.
Or because they’d never seen anyone as big as Tank.
The cashier was an older woman in her early fifties with dark skin and black hair that curled up at her shoulders. When she saw us, she immediately looked uneasy. After all, Tank’s white shirt was still stained with Alex’s blood.
“There’s been an emergency,” Tank said. “We need to use your phone to call the police. Would you mind?”
“You’d have to ask my manager,” the woman said. “And she has stepped out.”
“Would this make things easier for you?” He removed his wallet from his pants, pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, and gave it to her. “As I said, this is urgent. We need to make two calls. And we need privacy.”
She took the money, stuffed it into her pants pocket, and then quickly assessed us. “What’s this about?”
“Our plane crashed on Bokak Atoll.”
Her eyes widened.
“We’ve been there for nearly two weeks. And then we were abducted. Today, we managed to break free, but there are others on that island now who are in danger. We need your help. Please. Can we use your phone?”
“You’re the ones they’re searching for,” she said with surprise. “I recognize your faces now—you’ve been all over the news. People are saying that you’re dead. They’re trying to recover your bodies now.”
“How long have they been searching for us?” I asked.
“Just a few days ago, the black box on your plane started to emit a signal. They’ve been searching all around these islands since.”
“If we could just use your phone, we’d be grateful,” Tank said. “Time is against us. If you have the number of the local police, that would help.”
“Of course I have their number,” the woman said. “And here—take your money back. I had no idea it was about this. You can make your calls in my manager’s office. Follow me.”
THE OFFICE WAS AT THE back of the store, and when we entered it, the woman went behind the room’s only desk, picked up the phone, dialed a number, and handed the receiver to Tank.
“It’s the police,” she said. “Tell them that you’re at The Unique Boutique.”
Tank took the phone from her and when someone answered, I just li
stened to him, fearing in my heart that Alex already might have been swept away from us.
“This is Mitch McCollister,” Tank said, giving the police his real name. “I was on a plane with Alexander Wenn and his wife, Jennifer Wenn, when it crashed on Bokak Atoll. I understand you’ve heard of the crash? Yes? That’s right—we landed there. No, five of us died in the crash, but Alexander Wenn, Jennifer, myself, and others did survive. Right now, I’m on Majuro at The Unique Boutique. Do you know of it? Good. Here’s what I need you to do at once—Alexander Wenn has been taken to the Bank of Guam at the intersection of Main and Kitco. Four armed men are with him. They plan to kill him after he wires fifty-million dollars to their offshore accounts. I need you to get plainclothes officers into that bank, and arrest those men before they leave. If they’ve already left, they’re likely heading for their boat now. Before they can leave here, I need you to shut down all of your ports and marinas ASAP. Nobody can leave. Nobody can arrive. I’ll be calling U.S. authorities next to inform them of the situation. Are we understood? Good. Now hurry.”
When he hung up the phone, he asked the clerk if he could make another call.
“Of course you can.”
“I’m calling Ann,” he said to me as he punched out her number.
“To release the funds, Alex would have had to call her. She can tell you how long ago that was.”
“Exactly. And she can inform U.S. authorities that we’re alive but in danger, and that they must get a rescue helicopter immediately to Bokak. If we’re lucky, Cutter is still with us. They’ll have the proper medical equipment on that helicopter to handle his infection until they can get him to a hospital.”
He held up a hand. “Ann,” he said. “It’s Tank. Yes, we’re alive. Have you spoken with Alex? When?” He looked at me in surprise. “Just now? Are you certain? If that’s the case, they must still be at the bank waiting for the transfer to go through before they leave. I need you to kill that transfer now. Do it immediately. Let the authorities know that we crashed on Bokak Atoll—Blackwell, the girls, and Lisa are still there. Jennifer, Alex, and I are on Majuro. Cutter has a severe infection in his leg, and he’s dying. They need to send a rescue helicopter to Bokak immediately if we’re going to save him. I’ll talk with you soon.”
Annihilate Him (Volume 2) Page 15
