Found at Sea

by Anne Marie Duquette

  “That’ll buy us some time, but not much,” Aurora warned.

  “Ever the optimist, lady. Well, I’m open to ideas.”

  “I—I don’t know.”

  “I’m going to try to bluff them.”

  “Fingers crossed,” she said. “Make it good.”

  Motioning for Aurora to take the controls, Jordan picked up the mike and keyed it. His language changed to that of his Spanish ancestors, the words, cadence and accent as pure as that of his ancestors who once used it aboard wooden galleons.

  “Silver Dollar to the liar pretending to be Coast Guard. This is Jordan Castillo. You will never board any vessel I stand upon, you murdering piece of dung. Try it and I’ll feed you and your crew to the sharks.”

  “What did you say?” Aurora whispered in the ensuing silence. True Spanish was spoken at a rate of three hundred words a minute, while English only totaled a hundred. The European accent and Jordan’s speed made any translation impossible.

  Jordan held up his hand as the radio crackled, and someone responded in the same language.

  “This vessel is the Mako, cousin. You are a difficult man to track or kill, Jordan Castillo...and a very intelligent one. I am Luthor Castillo Flores, and my ancestor back in 1829 was indeed illegitimate. Bastards couldn’t inherit in the old days. They can now, and I plan to start with the San Rafael.” The voice switched to English. “In other words, kinsman, God bless America. Such an enlightened country, yes?”

  “He’s related to you?” Aurora groaned, pushing the Silver Dollar even faster. She hung on tightly to the ship’s wheel, keeping it steady as the bulky ship bounced over the swells. “Why didn’t you tell me you had an evil twin?”

  “He says he’s a cousin, but I’m not accepting kinship to that murderer.” Jordan depressed the microphone button again and spoke in English. “We’re armed, Flores—or whoever you are. I know every name on the family tree all the way back to Old Spain, and yours isn’t on it.”

  “Bastards rarely are” came the response.

  Aurora pointed at the navigation instruments, and Jordan nodded.

  “We’re in U.S. waters now. Come anywhere near this boat, and we call the Coast Guard. Over.”

  “Call them, and your two prisoners go back to their Mexican jail. So do your illegals.”

  Aurora met Jordan’s eyes as he answered. “Then, Flores, it appears we have a stalemate. Because I’ll have those same authorities arrest you and your thugs for attempted murder. Mine—or don’t you remember?”

  The radio crackled again. “Not exactly a stalemate. Because if you don’t show me the San Rafael right now, you can kiss a friend of yours goodbye.”

  “How—” she began.

  “When he was driven to the border, I just happened to be there waiting—he wasn’t hard to find. Say hello, Señor Geraldo.”

  “Rory? It’s me—Gerald.” The disembodied voice cut through the air, the straining of the boat’s engines and the loud beating of Aurora’s heart. “Don’t listen to him. He’ll kill us all—” The radio abruptly cut off.

  Jordan’s gaze flew to Aurora’s. “Please tell me they’re bluffing, that it’s not him.”

  Aurora had to swallow twice before answering. “It’s him. Flores has Gerald.” She immediately slowed the Silver Dollar to cruising speed and took the microphone from Jordan.

  “Silver Dollar’s first mate to Mako’s captain.”

  “Mako here.”

  “We’re dropping anchor. Stand by.”

  Aurora unlocked the anchor winch by flipping the locking switch. Jordan reached over her arm and flipped it into the lock position again.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “In case you’ve forgotten, this man’s a killer.”

  “We can’t outrun them, and he’s got Gerald.”

  “That changes nothing. We can’t let them board this boat. As captain, I won’t let him board this boat.”

  Aurora hesitated, unsure what to say, what to do. But Jordan acted as if he did know. “What’s your plan?”

  “We get Roberto on deck—with the harpoon. Then we talk to Gerald—in person.”

  * * *

  TEN MINUTES LATER, the Mako and the Silver Dollar were positioned within hailing distance. The predawn sea chop remained moderate, both bigger boats able to accommodate drifting. Jordan and Aurora left the flying bridge for the safer, wood-and-glass enclosed second set of controls on the main deck, where Roberto and Tanya joined them. Tanya stayed inside with Aurora, while Roberto and Jordan went outside on the deck, the latter now armed with the loaded harpoon. Marisol remained below, tending to Dorian and Yadira.

  “Wow.” Roberto pursed his lips in a silent whistle. “Their boat is sweet. Much faster, much stronger than ours.”

  “It’s not the boat we have to worry about, but her crew,” Jordan said, grim-faced. “You wouldn’t happen to have a gun, would you, Roberto?”

  “Poor men like myself cannot afford them. Besides, carrying a gun across the border is illegal,” Roberto said in a neutral voice.

  Jordan wasn’t fooled. “Across the land-border crossing, not the marine border. You’d be foolish not to carry one in circumstances like this. Unfortunately, I thought Aurora would have borrowed one from Donna. Turns out I assumed incorrectly. But a gun often means wild game to eat, and safeguards for goats and other stock. I did see a few goats on your land, didn’t I?”

  “You did.” Roberto grinned. “Now the neighbors I sold them to must guard them as I once did. As a matter of fact, señor, I do own a gun. It belonged to my father, and before him, my grandfather, may they rest in peace. I use it for protection only.”

  “Let me have it,” Jordan said. “You take the harpoon.”

  “Are you questioning my ability to protect my family?” Roberto asked.

  “No, but Flores tried to kill me once. I’ll have no problems pulling the trigger if I have to.”

  Roberto stared at him, then traded the gun for the harpoon. “Now what?” he asked.

  “We wait.”

  * * *

  INSIDE THE ENCLOSED bridge area, Tanya stood beside Aurora at the wheel.

  “What’s Jordan going to do? Are those men going to kill Daddy?”

  Aurora blinked. Tanya hadn’t called Gerald “Daddy” since she was ten years old. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  Tanya actually pressed close against her arm. “I’m scared.”

  “I know. Take the helm and keep her lined up against the swells.”

  Tanya grabbed at Aurora’s arm. “Where are you going?”

  “To find out what’s going on.”

  “But...can’t you stay here? Jordan told you to stay here.”

  “Sweetheart, this is about protecting people I love.” Including Jordan. Yes, I love him. Aurora gave her niece a quick kiss on the head. “You’ll be okay. You’re tough.”

  Tanya watched Aurora leave the cabin door for the main deck. No, I’m not. I’m scared to death, Mom’s sick, and I want to go home. I hope Rory and Jordan get my dad back alive.

  * * *

  MARISOL WAITED belowdecks with a large kitchen knife. Dread filled her heart. Yadira, Alfonso and the terrier were hiding in one of the cargo areas, but not Marisol. She remained just inside the entrance, the knife firmly in her hand. She would never stab an official, government or otherwise, but drug runners—that was something else.

  That stupid gringa girl brought her own family nothing but trouble. What if the drug runners were now chasing after her? Thankfully, the girl’s aunt and her man were different. They were like her Roberto—smart, brave, with big hearts. Who but Roberto would bring home another son for her to love? Who but Roberto would find an American woman willing to give him a green card and a new chance at life?

  If that gringa ruins things for my family I will take a hairbrush to her backside myself. If we survive.

  * * *

  AURORA WATCHED the Mako through narrowed eyes as the sun began to
rise. Usually she loved the quiet mornings, loved her routine of enjoying the dawn with a cup of hot chocolate and her newspaper. Today wasn’t one of those occasions. Her gaze roamed the sleek deck of the fiberglass craft. She gasped aloud as she took in the three men she remembered from the pier.

  “I recognize those men,” Jordan said.

  Aurora’s gaze tracked down to the gun in his hand.

  “It’s Roberto’s,” he murmured.

  “Remind me to give that boy a hug. He’s so resourceful—” Aurora broke off as one of the Mako’s infamous three thugs went into the lower-deck command room to be replaced by another.

  Aurora’s eyes widened at the appearance of the other ship’s captain. “It appears I was right about that evil twin,” she gasped.

  Despite Flores’s mustache and short hair, the resemblance between the two men was uncanny. Aurora had no doubt that any DNA testing would indeed prove Luthor Flores a Castillo.

  Jordan pulled her behind him. “Complete with his own gun.”

  “I saw, and I’m not about to hide,” she insisted, but Jordan yanked her back again and yelled out, “I’m this vessel’s captain, Jordan Castillo. And you?”

  “The Mako’s captain, Luthor Flores, at your service.” Luthor and Jordan studied each other.

  “Don’t think any blood relationship between us will keep me from pulling this trigger,” Jordan said. “Where’s Gerald Atwell?”

  “Where’s the San Rafael?” Luthor countered.

  “Bring him topside,” Jordan said. “We want to see him.”

  Luthor gestured toward “Harry” and “Tom,” and they went below. A few minutes later they returned, Gerald between them. He seemed confused and agitated, but appeared in good health. “Aurora?” Gerald said, surprised.

  A sudden noise caught Aurora’s attention.

  “Daddy.” Tanya rushed up from the deck, her face eager. “Daddy!”

  “Get back to the controls,” Jordan ordered, neither his attention nor his gun wavering from Luthor. Roberto grabbed Tanya’s arm and shoved her toward the enclosed bridge.

  Sobbing, she ran back to shelter.

  “Tanya? Rory, what’s going on?” Gerald asked. “I don’t understand. I was released from prison and driven to the border. Then these men showed up. I thought they were supposed to take me home....”

  “Shut up, Señor Geraldo. It’s all quite simple,” Luthor told Jordan. “I trade Geraldo here for the San Rafael. You’ll sign the papers, which I just happen to have with me.”

  “Of course,” Aurora interrupted sarcastically, still held behind Jordan’s back by one of his strong arms.

  “Next, you’ll show me the galleon’s location. Then you get Geraldo.”

  Aurora remembered the brutality of the men on the pier. “No way,” she said quietly to Jordan. “I want Gerald back first.”

  Jordan’s voice rose. “Try this. We agree not to identify you to the San Diego police—who will charge you with attempted murder once they know who you are—and you return Gerald to us.”

  Flores laughed, the sound easily carrying across the water between idling boats. “Wrong. I get the San Rafael cargo in exchange for Gerald.”

  Jordan’s lips thinned. “You’ll have to find her first.”

  “Take him below,” Flores ordered his thugs. “Dick” and “Tom” disappeared, Gerald between them, leaving only Flores on the deck, with “Harry” at the controls.

  Aurora immediately spoke up loudly. “You can have fifty percent of the galleon. I’ll forfeit my half share.”

  “Aurora...” Jordan began, but she shook her head.

  “He can have it, Jordan. I don’t care about the money.”

  “He won’t play fair,” Jordan warned.

  “Fifty percent,” she yelled out. “And I get Gerald back as soon as I sign the papers.”

  Flores shook his head. “Fifty-one.”

  “No deal.” Jordan would not lower the gun he had pointed at Flores.

  “Jordan, what are you doing?” Aurora gasped.

  “Tanya, take the engines off idle. We’re leaving,” Jordan ordered, his eyes still on Flores. “We’re outgunned and outmanned.”

  “We can’t just leave!”

  “We can, and we will. Gerald’s safe now. Give Flores what he wants and Gerald is dead. We need to retreat, Aurora. We can’t fight him—not with a sick woman and a couple of children on board. I’m getting us out of here.”

  “I...” Aurora swallowed hard. “What if I never see Gerald again? How can I possibly explain to Dorian what happened?”

  Jordan shoved Aurora toward shelter with the same force Roberto had used on Tanya. “We can’t make any deal with this man, Rory. As long as we know the location of the San Rafael and Flores doesn’t, Gerald stays alive. We give in, and we have nothing to bargain with.”

  Aurora’s blood chilled. “So we give up? We just give up?”

  “We retreat, Rory. We go home and live to fight another day. Go down below. Do it now. That’s an order,” he said, his gun still trained on the man who looked so much like him.

  Aurora took one last look at the Mako, then silently headed back to Tanya and the enclosed bridge.

  “What’s going on?” Tanya asked as Aurora entered the bridge. “Where’s Dad?”

  “We’re going home without him,” Aurora said. Her throat was so tight, the words sounded harsh.

  “You’re leaving?” Suddenly Tanya threw herself at Aurora, fists flying. “Go back! Go back and get my father!”

  Aurora pushed Tanya off her. “Get yourself under control and help get this boat under way,” she hissed. “You’ll do what you’re told when you’re told—or do you want to risk our lives again?”

  Tanya slid to the floor on the deck and buried her face in her hands, sobbing wildly. Aurora would have gone to her side if she’d had the strength. As it was, it took every ounce of resolve she had to follow orders.

  To turn the vessel away from Gerald and head north toward San Diego.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Mission Bay Hospital, San Diego

  Noon

  JORDAN WATCHED AURORA on the pay phone inside the reception area of the hospital lobby. She was making yet another call, and he wondered how much longer she could go on sheer adrenaline—or how long he could, for that matter. They’d both been up all night and hadn’t been to bed since.

  Earlier, Aurora had spent time on the phone with Donna, updating her on the situation.

  “We’ll have to go to the police later on,” Donna had said. “But not until we hear from Flores about Gerald. Let’s keep the officials out of it as long as we can. I’ll do all I can to help.”

  Jordan made his own phone calls, checking with staff at his salvage company and asking them to dig up whatever information they could on Luthor Castillo Flores. Discovering a previously unknown family member had been nowhere near as shocking as learning that this man actually wanted him dead. To Jordan, family was sacred, obviously a belief not held by Flores. Jordan also made a phone call to the Mission San Diego de Alcala and spoke to the bishop, telling him everything that had happened.

  “If Flores gets his hands on the San Rafael before I do, there probably won’t be anything for your orphanage,” Jordan concluded. “I don’t know what connections you have, Your Excellency...but whatever they are, we’d appreciate any help you could give us.”

  “I will do what I can,” the bishop assured him. “Although I’m sorry to report that the boat’s owners wish to use their vessel for the weekend. You won’t get it back until Tuesday.” However, the bishop had made arrangements for Alfonso and for Roberto’s mother and sister, dog included, to stay at one of the church’s safe houses until the appropriate documents could be obtained. Tanya waited at the hospital with them, and Roberto remained aboard the Silver Dollar, an armed guard faithfully at his post.

  Right now, Aurora spoke on the phone with her parents, her drawn face and weary body looking far past the point of revival with
coffee. Jordan thought she’d taken the doctors’ prognosis hard. They’d been guarded in their statements regarding Dorian. “Viruses are tricky things. We can only treat the symptoms,” they said. “Not the source.”

  As for the final member of their party, Tanya... Jordan frowned. Drug dealers were shown little mercy on either side of the border. Gerald, too, was on his own. Jordan stood guard over Aurora and Tanya. He figured he’d done all the damage control he could.

  He glanced over at Aurora, assessing her state of exhaustion as she stood by the phone, body slumped, head bent. He’d been amazed by her feetfirst approach to solving problems. First she’d found the San Rafael, then she’d found him, then she’d saved his life, and now...she’d carried out a jailbreak that had actually succeeded. She’d beaten the odds so many times. How much further could she push her luck?

  How can I hope to have a future with her if Gerald ends up dead because of my decision?

  That thought demanded his attention. As a man who’d had a traditional family upbringing, he’d grown up believing that someday he, too, would enter a traditional marriage, of the kind his parents had experienced. But Aurora was far too independent for that and always had been. He doubted a woman who’d left home at age sixteen to follow her own path could accept a conventional marriage. There was no question in his mind, though, that she was the wife he wanted. That she had a place in the long line of Castillo brides.

  I don’t want her to change— I love her just the way she is....

  Jordan’s gaze swiveled toward Tanya. She sat in her seat, tense and wary. Of them all, Tanya alone didn’t show the results of the night’s ordeal. Eyes blazing, fists clenched, she looked like a prizefighter about to enter the ring. If nothing else, she’d actually obeyed when Aurora had told her to sit and wait. Tanya had risen just once when he’d asked her if she wanted something from the vending machines.

  She’d taken his change, bought him the coffee he’d wanted, then spent her share on a bottled citrus blend—the kind Aurora liked—and a candy bar. The latter went promptly into her mouth.

  She’s still a kid, he thought. Things couldn’t be worse, yet she wants candy. Both Tanya and Jordan watched as Aurora left the phone and came to rejoin them. Tanya held up the unopened citrus.