The man at the end of the table was awakened by the announcement. He walked over to Max, who was still sitting near Vin, sipping the last of his milk, and chatting about his adventures at the amusement park.
"Vin, this is my Papa," Max introduced the man.
"Hello. I'm Apela."
"I'm Vin. Max has been telling me about your trip. You've got a fine son." Vin stood up as he shook hands with the man, clearly a native to the islands. Vin observed that Max must have inherited the majority of his fairer-toned looks from his mother. He didn't resemble his father at all.
"Thank you. He is my life and quite a handful. I see he talked you into giving him some more food. Max is not shy in that department. The boy has a healthy appetite and good skills of persuasion.
"Yes. He is quite the conversationalist," Vin concurred with a smile.
"You were not on the plane. So that means you must have arrived with the ship. Of course, I remember now! You were at the rail helping pull everyone to safety. Thank you for that."
"Yes, that was me and my friend, Ben."
"Ben is the doctor's husband. I met him earlier. Nice fella. If it weren't for you two and the other lady I met on the plane, Max and I might not be standing here now."
"Really? It sounds like there is an interesting story in those words. Which lady should I ask to tell me about it, Caeli or Salma?" Vin knew they were the only two women on that flight, and he suspected he already knew the answer.
"I'm talking about the younger lady, Caeli. Dr. Salma was helpful, too, but Caeli saved my son and worked a small miracle on a leak that would have been a huge problem without her intervention. Ah, now I remember your name! And I can see by the way her eyes light up when she looks at you that you must be her husband."
Caeli finally returned and walked up behind Vin, still looking a bit pale.
"Yes Apela. Vin puts up with me," she answered with a smile, having heard the last part of Apela's remark.
"Given that he is here with you instead of on his fishing trip, I doubt that is how he would phrase it. Your wife is a special woman. You are a very lucky man, Vin."
"Yes, I am," Vin agreed as he put his arm around her.
Caeli blushed at the flattery and rested her head against Vin's shoulder as they stood there. Apela could see that Caeli was not feeling well and graciously took his leave of the couple.
"Well, I think Max and I have imposed on you two long enough. We are going to gather our belongings and head up top. Remember, Caeli, my offer stands. My hotel is not too far from where the convention is being held, and I have plenty of room. I would love to have you stay with me. It was nice to meet you, Vin." Apela carried Max off to the next room. The boy waved over his father's shoulder as Apela walked away.
"Ok, first a brash young man tries to steal your affection, and now another man boldly invites you to a hotel stay, right in front of me. We are definitely going to have that talk once we get settled. What exactly did you do on that plane?" Vin asked as he looked down at Caeli and smiled.
"I simply offered my help, that's all," Caeli returned tiredly.
"Oh, I think it was a bit more than that. You can't fool me so easily. I know you too well, but you can tell me about it later."
"It has been a rough day. It will be nice to crawl into bed," Caeli responded. She did not want to worry Vin any further until she had a chance to talk to Salma.
Vin could tell she was not in a playful mood, so he let the comment that her reply brought to mind remain unvoiced.
They turned to make their way to the ladder and caught sight of the dual monitors on the opposite wall. On the first screen, Salma was clearly visible inside the steering room talking to the captain. Then the camera was jostled enough so that they could see Ben come into sight as he walked from the railing toward the steering room. The second monitor showed the pier where a large crowd began to cheer or jeer; they could not tell which. Then a sound like distant gunfire echoed from both screens.
"Ben!" Caeli saw him fall to his knees a split second before Vin. She dashed toward the ladder until jolted to a stop by the pressure of Vin's arms encircling her waist from behind. And then, just as quickly, he stood blocking her path with his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"No, Caeli! It's not safe for you to go out there. You could get yourself killed." Vin's voice was stern. He knew how much Caeli cared for Ben. He did, too. But more often than not, especially when her family was involved, Caeli tended to react impulsively rather than employing her better judgment by thinking a matter through completely. In this instance, Vin was better suited to offer assistance.
"Caeli stop!"
She still struggled against him, albeit weakly, with fear in her eyes. The gathering rain visible on the monitors matched her mood. Vin gently took her chin in his hand and forced her to look up at him.
"Honey, listen to me. I am going up to help Ben. I want you to stay down here. I will find out what happened, but I don't want to have to worry about you, too. You can watch from the monitor. Will you please stay here?"
Caeli stopped struggling and looked up at him through weary eyes and answered with reluctance.
"Yes. Please hurry."
Vin kissed her quickly and took off. He flew up the ladder and disappeared faster than she could believe. He had always been a fast runner, but she sometimes forgot how much quicker Vin could move with a little wind at his back. Caeli kept her eyes glued to the monitors. Within moments, Salma was at Ben's side and Vin knelt down opposite her as Ben lay flat on the deck. In the dim evening light, it was difficult to see, but Caeli noticed the small pool of blood forming near Ben's lower back. The wind seemed to gust around them, and Caeli knew that nothing else would be able to harm any of them. Unfortunately, the damage was already done.
"Somebody better give me some information about this helicopter and its pilot right now or there's gonna be hell to pay! It took off from somewhere. It didn't just appear out of thin air." Colonel Franks was already perturbed by what he thought assumed to be a college prank or some liberalist group trying to get media attention. Sticky cherry syrup stilled matted his hair. He had been attempting to get the other craft to land without using force, but found such passive methods unsuccessful. Without actually being permitted to fire at it prior to a hostile provocation, the colonel's hands were tied. So his crew had spent the last twenty minutes uselessly chasing the black helicopter up and down the coast.
Now the hunt was on. Since someone fired a gun into the crowd on the pier, and the people in the helicopter shot at those who were exposed on the open deck of the ship, the colonel had permission to vent his anger against the attackers. Someone was going to pay for this nonsense. Who would have the audacity to fire on a Coast Guard ship in the midst of a National Guard patrol? It was a bold act of utter stupidity.
"Colonel, a report from HQ says the craft was reported stolen by one of the tour guide agencies last week. They filed all the correct paperwork, but there hasn't been much effort put into the investigation."
"Hmm…well, since they fired the first shot, it only seems fair that we return the favor. Fire a shot at their rudder. Perhaps we can shake them up a bit. Let's stop playing cat and mouse and give them something tangible to worry about."
The shot went high and to the left. It didn't even come close to hitting the mark. The other helicopter immediately returned fire, and were apparently much better marksmen. A bullet pierced the window and hit the left shoulder of the Sergeant sitting in the copilot's seat. The pilot immediately turned their craft sideways, so the sergeant would be out of the direct line of fire. This also allowed their gunman a better shot out the side door, should the colonel order return fire.
The colonel pulled the injured sergeant from his seat and laid him on the floor in the back of the helicopter. He looked at the wound and determined that the bullet went straight through. Colonel Franks grabbed the medical kit from its place under the pilot's seat, put a field dressing on the wound, and then bound the
sergeant's arm in a sling. A makeshift remedy at best, but it would keep him stable until he could get proper medical attention. Right now, they could not risk leaving the scene and losing their position for a non-life threatening wound. If they left, the people on the pier and the ship would be unprotected. The attackers would be free to move in closer. The colonel could not permit that to happen. Nor would he allow the attackers to flee. For the moment, a stalemate stayed his retribution.
Vin looked up as he heard the helicopters overhead. A black helicopter was being chased by a larger, military version of the same craft. The military aircraft was forced to break off when the civilian helicopter began to fire at the exposed people on the ship and on the pier each time the military craft drew near. This must be how Ben had been hit. It made Vin angry to think of such careless violence against people who did nothing to deserve it. Salma tended to Ben, so all Vin could do was lend his help to catch the ones responsible for Ben's injury as he stood protectively over the couple.
The military aircraft held its position between the ship and the assailants. This forced the unknown helicopter to stay further out over the water where the wind suddenly picked up. The door of the black aircraft hung partially open and a large gun aimed at its opponent. A loud bang accompanied the firing of the weapon, and a trail of white smoke followed the projectile across the distance between the two adversaries.
Vin blew the round far enough off course that it missed the military aircraft and fell harmlessly into the waves below. Then the strong, angry gusts began to harry the unknown helicopter. The pilot had difficulty maintaining the craft's altitude. It spun around as if in the center of a funnel cloud and continued to drop closer and closer to the water. The craft spun and dipped four or five times, each time breaking free moments before being pulled down into the watery depths. In a final round, however, the fierce power of the wind threatened to overwhelm the helicopter.
Vin took a moment to look directly into a camera, knowing that Caeli would be watching from below, and smiled slightly. Caeli could not help him, but she would appreciate his final touch. A gust of wind knocked the camera around to conveniently point at the black helicopter still struggling in the air. As it hovered and spun above the water's surface, a strong wind blew it sideways and down, directly into an oncoming wave. The helicopter was engulfed, taking all of its hostile occupants along with it, tumbling over and over into the deep, blue waters. The threat was neutralized, and the people responsible for Ben's downfall had been held accountable for their actions.
"You idiot! What was that? That is not what I told you to do," Dr. Jacobs whispered harshly to his nephew as he watched the scene unfold on the monitors in the infirmary.
"But it will work. He will be laid up and unable to travel right away; so she will most likely attend the conference as planned," Scott smiled smugly, ignoring the images on the screens. He did not care to watch.
"Just because it worked out, doesn't mean it wasn't stupid. What if they had missed? What if they killed him, or worse, her? It was risky and foolish! It could have cost us everything." Dr. Jacobs ranted as he stood in his office. After the incident on deck, he slipped out the back entrance of the wheelhouse and rushed Scott below before anyone called for their assistance.
"Calm down, Uncle Neal. Don't worry about something that didn't happen. You've made your point, now let's move on. What do we do next?" Scott asked in a casual voice. He leaned against a long, white counter that was empty except for a stainless steel centrifuge at the far end.
"For starters, you are going to have to do something about this friend of yours. He will be a liability if the cops get hold of him. He could lead them straight back to you. Can I assume that you will take care of this properly?" Dr. Jacobs fumed.
"Yes, yes. I'll handle it. Geez! Chill out. Once we find out whose blood Dr. Erickson used, are you certain it will allow us to use the book? Are you sure she is the right blood type?"
"Of course, I'm sure. The book responds to the bloodline, not the specific person. All we need is a large enough sample to test it. Didn't Antonius teach you any of this while you were under his tutelage? Some of this is basic information, Scott."
"Hey, I told you what happened. The crazy old timer got tunnel vision. He was so obsessed with destroying the barrier, that he ignored the obvious problems such an attempt would cause. Eyvindr's devotion to his family proved more problematic than Antonius ever imagined it would be. In the end, it cost the man his life."
"Well, I suppose the small fortune I paid to arrange your infiltration into that organization was only partially wasted. At least you learned a shocking trick or two. You even turned one, if what you told me about Dalla was true," he stopped to stand next to Scott and nudge the younger man knowingly.
"Never mind that the misguided old fool reached for things far beyond his grasp. My ambition is not nearly so earth shattering. I don't wish to destroy any barriers. I don't need that cursed book to reach my goal. I simply wish to enjoy all the privileges that money can buy. Taking over Dr. Erickson's research will give me that. Finding the source of her medicine is the key to taking it from her. That is enough for me." Dr. Jacobs smiled in anticipation of his plan to amass a great fortune.
"Not for me, thanks. I have only one interest at the moment. I want the power. I want to be able to access the book directly, any time I choose. I don't want to be dependent on someone else's blood to do it for me. Then, no matter my desire, I will have the means to accomplish it. I think this mystery donor will provide that for me. Perhaps I have a lesser goal as well. I would very much like to meet Eyvindr's wife. I'm certain she is the one who took the book. I got word that she survived the battle against Antonius, though it has been exceedingly difficult to get any verifiable information about the incident since that day. The FBI and the cops have kept a tight lid on the details. The news reports can't be trusted, and I never saw either of them return to their house during the week afterward; but she is the first one I plan to visit once I have access to the book."
"Did you get a good look at either of them? Have you seen their photos?" Dr. Jacobs kept pointing out the obvious flaws in his nephew's logic. Either Eyvindr or his wife could have been dressed in a police uniform to mislead anyone who might be watching for their return. Scott's tunnel vision often limited his perspective.
"I would know Eyvindr. His image is engrained in my mind; but I never did get a good look at his wife. I only saw her briefly and from a distance. I caught a glimpse of her when Nemi first brought her out near the training field. Then I didn't see her again until she was at the top of the ridge with Antonius, right about the time all hell broke loose. I was not able to see her clearly either time. I think I would have enjoyed a closer look. After all, Eyvindr crossed the barrier between life and death twice to protect her. I should think that would make her a woman worth seeing, don't you agree?" Scott talked himself into an intrigued state of excitement.
"Really, Scott, can you think of nothing better?"
"Honestly, Uncle, we do not share the same desires in life. I enjoy the simple pleasures. But, I will see to it that your wish is fulfilled. It conveniently coincides with my own. Now, if you will excuse me, I will go take care of that loose end before it unravels." Scott left Dr. Jacobs' office, catching a glimpse of the television monitor as he went by. He watched a helicopter being overtaken by a gigantic wave which, unbelievably, did not cause any problems for the boat or the people near the shore. Scott continued on, walking casually down the hall until he turned the corner out of sight.
Caeli came rushing onto the deck from below. She crossed the distance in a hurry and knelt down beside Salma, offering her assistance. Her hand slipped in the pool of blood, but Caeli quickly wiped it on the bottom of her shirt and forgot about it as soon as the mild tingling in her hand went away.
"How can I help, Salma? Can we take him inside?" Caeli offered.
"We can't move him. He is losing a lot of blood," Salma said fighting back tears as best
as she could. She attempted to maintain her professional detachment; but watching her husband's blood spread across the deck was making it very difficult.
"Where was he hit? How many times?" Caeli asked.
"Only once, Lass. Would you believe they went and shot me in the same place as that wiry old weasel's stab wound?" Ben rasped. He tried to laugh and then started coughing as the chill of the wet deck crept into his body. The cough caused more blood to seep out of the wound, enlarging the already substantial pool beneath him.
"I think the bullet is still inside him. I can't do anything until we get him to a hospital. But, he won't make it to a hospital if I can't stop this bleeding. The entry wound is on his lower back. If I turn him over, it will bleed more." Salma could barely contain her panic as she detailed the seriousness of Ben's injury, trying to think of a solution. Meanwhile, Caeli could feel life within the blood flowing around her knees as she knelt beside Ben. Something about it triggered an unexpected reaction. Caeli dipped her fingers in the blood and the tingling sensation recurred.
"Salma, how much of the body is made up of water?" Caeli asked, curiously and suddenly calm.
"About sixty percent." Salma couldn't imagine why Caeli would ask such a question at a time like this.
"And how much of the blood is water?" Caeli persisted.
"About eighty percent; why do you want to know this now?" Salma was a bit annoyed with the question.
Caeli was not deterred by Salma's abrasive response, understanding that Salma was scared for Ben.
"Salma, I can help. You have to trust me. I can help! I need you to go inside and get two blankets. When you come back, put one under Ben's head, and cover him completely with the other. Then I need you to go down to the infirmary and get whatever antibiotic and bandages you can find. Will you do that?"
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 17
