Fatal Tide

by Iris Johansen

  Kelby lowered his own infrared binoculars and turned to Nicholas. “Can we expect someone to relieve him?”

  “Probably. I’ve been here since midnight and I didn’t see anyone but him. But sitting out on a boat in the middle of beyond isn’t too comfortable.”

  “Maybe he’s on the night shift.” Kelby glanced at his watch. “It’s still a few hours until dawn. You go back to the island and I’ll take over here.”

  “You’re going to follow him when he’s relieved?”

  “You know it. If Archer was here the other night, then he may still be in the area. He evidently has a hands-on mentality.”

  “And so do you,” Nicholas said. “Why don’t you delegate this one to me?”

  He shook his head. “I really want this bastard. Go back to the island and keep an eye on Melis. But I don’t want her to know about this in case it doesn’t pan out.”

  Nicholas shrugged. “Whatever you say.” He started the engine of his boat. “Keep in touch.”

  Kelby settled back in his own boat and picked up the binoculars again.

  Dawn had barely broken when Dave Cobb tied his boat at the pier at Tobago and strode to his hotel on the dock.

  The shabby lobby of the Oceanic Hotel smelled of some kind of cleaning solution and the tropical flowers in the vase in the center of the reception area. The odor was as distasteful to him as everything else connected with this town, Cobb thought as he took the elevator up to his room on the third floor. He’d wanted Pennig to set him up downtown, but the bastard had wanted him available at the dock.

  He called Pennig as soon as he got in his room. “Nothing much important to report,” Cobb said when Pennig answered the phone. “Like I told you, Lyons left yesterday evening and took off in the direction of Tobago. Kelby left the island about three this morning.”

  “Same direction?”

  “Yes, Tobago.”

  “That’s not unimportant, Cobb. I told you yesterday that Lyons’s movements were very important.”

  “But you won’t let me leave to go after him. Dansk is going to let you know when they come back to the island. I’m getting in a hot shower and going to bed. How much longer are we supposed to sit out there staring at that damn island?”

  “Until Archer says you can stop. You’re getting paid.”

  “Not enough,” Cobb said sourly. “Twelve hours in that damp, moldy boat is too long. I’m a city boy.”

  “Would you like to tell that to Archer?”

  “I’m telling you.” Shit, maybe he’d better backtrack. Archer was a sadistic son of a bitch, and Pennig wasn’t much better. He’d heard too many stories for some of them not to be true. “I’m doing my job. Just get me out of that boat as soon as you can.”

  “When the job’s done.” Pennig hung up.

  Screw him. Cobb crashed down the receiver and headed for the shower. He wouldn’t have taken this job if he’d been in the money. He’d been a little flattered that a big player like Archer had picked him, but he liked action, not sitting around on his ass.

  He turned on the shower and let the hot water stream over him. That was better. It had gotten chilly toward dawn, and he’d been tempted not to wait for Dansk and to just come back to Tobago and tell Pennig to stuff it. One more night and he might still do it. The money wasn’t that good and he— What the hell!

  The shower door had opened.

  “Did anyone ever tell you how vulnerable a man is in the shower?” Kelby asked softly. “You can slip on a bar of soap or get scalded or—”

  Cobb grunted and lunged toward him.

  Kelby stepped aside and gave him a karate chop to the carotid artery. “Or someone like me may do serious damage to your nervous and skeletal systems. Let’s talk about it, shall we?”

  Melis was sitting at the kitchen table having coffee the next morning when Nicholas Lyons came into the room. “Ah, that’s what I need. May I?”

  “Help yourself.”

  “I will.” He poured himself a cup and sat down across from her. “Kelby’s gone to Tobago to try to track down two tanks for your Flipper friends. He asked me to tell you.”

  “He moves fast.”

  “Always. Your hair’s wet. Have you been swimming with Pete and Susie?”

  She nodded. “Every morning. They’re good company.”

  “Some people wouldn’t understand that concept. But since I’m a shaman, I’ve no problem with animal-spiritual interaction. Maybe you were a dolphin in another life.”

  She smiled. “I doubt it. I get too impatient when they don’t understand what I need from them.”

  “But they give you what you need, don’t they?” He lifted his cup to his lips. “They interest you, they amuse you, and they prevent you from being lonely. That’s important when you’re a loner like you.”

  She leaned back in her chair. “You think I’m a loner?”

  “Oh, yes. There’s a wall around you a mile thick. No one comes in. Except maybe your friend Carolyn.”

  “You make me sound very cold.”

  He shook his head. “You’re kind to your dolphins; you’re nice to Cal. From what he told me, Lontana wasn’t the easiest man to live with and you were very patient with him. You were practically ripped apart when Carolyn Mulan died. You’re not cold, just wary.”

  “I can’t tell you how happy I am you’ve come to that conclusion. I had no idea you had me under your microscope since you’ve been here.”

  “I’m a student of humanity, and you’re very interesting.”

  Her gaze narrowed on his face. She was again aware of the complex shadings of his character. What was behind that seemingly frank open smile? “So are you. Why are you coming with us? Marinth?”

  He shook his head. “I like money and I like Kelby. And there are enough fireworks going on that I thought it might be like the old days. Like you, I’m a loner, and I don’t let many people in.”

  “Fireworks? You were in the SEALs with Kelby, weren’t you?”

  He nodded. “And we bummed around the world together afterward for a few years. Then we parted company and went our own ways.”

  “Considering his background, it’s difficult imagining Kelby in the SEALs.” She looked down into the coffee in her cup. “Everything I’ve read about him paints a rather undisciplined picture. Was he competent?”

  He was silent a moment. “That’s a loaded question.”

  “Is it?”

  “Let’s see, let me use my shaman powers to see what’s behind it. Archer’s a very dangerous man. You want to know if Kelby can give you Archer’s head in a basket?”

  She nodded. “That about covers it.”

  “I do like a woman who doesn’t pussyfoot around.” He studied her. “What do you think about Kelby?”

  “He’s tough. Tough enough?”

  “How hard do you think just SEAL basic training was for Kelby? It’s supposed to be a level playing field, but he was a rich boy with media swarming all over him. There are a hell of a lot of ways for other recruits to make life miserable, and they used all of them on Kelby.”

  “You too?”

  “Sure. I can be as sadistic as anyone else. Maybe more. I’ve always believed in tests. Testing yourself, testing others. It’s the only way to get ahead of the game. You set the bar and then you go for it. If you fail, you get out of the way and let someone else have his turn and you don’t bitch if you get bruised. Survival of the fittest.”

  “That’s a pretty harsh philosophy.”

  “Maybe it’s my Native American heritage. Or it could be slum-kid mentality. Either way it works for me.”

  “You’re proud of your Indian heritage, aren’t you?”

  “If you’re not proud of who you are, then you’re in trouble.” He smiled. “I joke about it, but I can see myself back in frontier days stalking, tracking. The hunt always excites me. It could be that was why I became a SEAL.” He shrugged. “Anyway, Kelby took the punishment during those days of basic training and didn’t b
ack down. He was stubborn as hell.” He grinned. “And later he got back at every one of us.”

  “It sounds like he has a good deal of endurance.”

  “Endurance?” His smile faded. “You could say that. You want to hear endurance? We were on a mission inside Iraq during the Gulf War, and aerial reconnaissance had located a small underground biological-warfare facility in the north. They sent our team on a hush-hush mission to destroy it. They didn’t want to arouse public disapproval of the war by exposing the fact that the troops could be subjected to germ warfare. Everything went wrong from the get-go. We blew the facility, but we had two dead and Kelby and I were captured by local tribesmen before we could reach the helicopter site.

  “They were still lying about biological facilities, so they stuffed us in this tiny jail in the desert and sent word to Saddam that they’d captured two American SEALs. Saddam sent word back that he wanted confessions and repudiation of the American war effort. I’m not sure why they chose to work on Kelby first instead of me. Maybe they found out his background and wanted to show the weakness of capitalist moguls.”

  “They tortured him?”

  “Big time. Three days. They didn’t allow him food or water and kept him in a hot box for most of the time. He had two broken ribs and was a mass of bruises when they tossed him back in the cell. But he didn’t break. Like I said, too stubborn. I didn’t think he could survive an escape, but he did and took two guards down. We hid out, trekking through the hills and over the border. We weren’t able to radio for a helicopter until five days after we escaped.” He smiled crookedly. “Yes, I’d say he has a certain amount of endurance. And I don’t envy Archer having him on his trail. Is that what you wanted to know?”

  It was more than she wanted to learn. She didn’t like the idea of Kelby as a victim—even one who’d overcome all odds. The mental vision of Kelby in that cell, bruised and in pain, was too disturbing. “Yes, that’s what I had to know.” She poured another cup of coffee. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” He pushed his chair back. “Now, what are we going to do this morning?”

  “We?”

  “Kelby says I don’t let you out of my sight until he gets back.”

  “I don’t need you. I’m safe here on the island.”

  “I’ll just make double sure. Are we going to go play in the water with the dolphins?”

  “Play?” She tilted her head, considering. “That wasn’t my intention, but why not? Go put on your swim trunks. Pete and Susie would positively love playing with you.” She smiled slyly. “Ask Cal.”

  “Archer was in Tobago,” Kelby said curtly when Nicholas answered the phone four hours later. “At the Bramley Towers. He’s not now.”

  “He flew the coop?”

  “Hell, yes. Cobb was the guy on the stakeout, and he said Pennig was nervous about you leaving the island and heading for Tobago. Evidently Archer got a little uneasy and took off.”

  “Do we know where?”

  “Cobb was hired in Miami. I called Detective Halley in Nassau to see if he could put a trace on Archer in Miami. And I told him to come and pick up Cobb and his buddy Dansk.”

  “Didn’t Cobb know where Archer could be located?”

  “Believe me, if Cobb had known, he would have told me.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Nicholas said. “I’m just surprised you decided to turn Cobb over to Halley.”

  “He’s small potatoes. I got what I wanted from him. You go pick up Dansk and deliver him to Halley at the airport.”

  “Delegating at last? I suppose I don’t get to have fun like you did?”

  “Dansk doesn’t know anything either. It wouldn’t be worth your time. Just give him to Halley. You can leave right away. I’m on my way back to the island.”

  “That’s good to hear. Your Melis has a malicious sense of humor. She let me in for a watery interlude with the dolphins that outraged my dignity.”

  “She’s not my Melis, and anyone, human or mammal, who takes you down a peg gets my vote. Call me if you have any problem with Dansk.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Did everything go well today?” Melis asked Kelby. “You look tense.”

  “I’m not tense.”

  “Did you arrange for the tanks?”

  “Tanks? Oh, yes, I took care of it.” He turned to look at her. “Do you want coffee?”

  “Not right now. It’s almost sunset. The guys should be coming to say good night.”

  “I think I’ll make a pot for myself.”

  She watched him as he strode into the house. If Kelby wasn’t tense, he was definitely edgy. He’d been charged with energy since he’d come back this afternoon. But she didn’t know him well. Maybe that was natural for him when he was in high gear.

  But it didn’t make her uneasy, she realized. She was becoming used to him and there was even a tentative trust emerging.

  Her phone lying on the table rang.

  She tensed and then slowly answered it.

  “Why didn’t you call and tell me Lontana had been killed?”

  “Kemal?” Relief surged through her. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”

  “All you have to do is pick up the phone. You’re the one who distanced herself. I’m always here for you.”

  “I know.” She closed her eyes and could almost see his dark mischievous eyes and that smile that had warmed her heart when she’d thought it would always be cold and barren. “How is Marisa?”

  “Wonderful.” He hesitated. “She wants a child.”

  “You’d make a wonderful father.”

  “True. But it would only make things more difficult for her. I won’t have that. We will wait. But that’s not why I called you. I only heard today about Lontana. How are you? Do you need me to come?”

  “No.”

  “I knew that would be your answer. Melis, let me help you.”

  “I don’t need help. How did you find out about Phil?”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t keep an eye on both of you? That’s not my nature.”

  No, his nature was to protect and surround those he cared about with warmth and love. Thank heaven he hadn’t found out about Carolyn. “It was difficult at first, but I’ve adjusted. It would be foolish of you to come to my rescue when I don’t need it. But thank you for calling.”

  “No thanks are necessary between us. We’re two of a kind.” He paused. “Come to San Francisco.”

  “I’m fine here.”

  “Do you need money?”

  “No.”

  Kemal sighed. “Don’t close me out, Melis. It hurts me.”

  And she would never hurt him. “I truly don’t need anything, Kemal. Take care of your Marisa. I’m used to being alone. It doesn’t bother me.”

  “It bothers you. Don’t lie to me. We go back too far. You’ve never learned to open up and let people near you.”

  “Except you.”

  “I don’t count. But your friend Carolyn does. How is she?”

  “I haven’t seen her for a while,” she said carefully.

  “Well, at least try to keep in touch with her.” His tone lightened. “Or come here and let me get to work on you. You’ve always been one of my unfinished masterpieces.”

  “That only makes me more unique. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Impossible.”

  “I’ll come to you if I need you. Good-bye, Kemal. Say hello to Marisa for me.”

  He was silent a moment. “I always think of you with love. Remember that, Melis.”

  “I love you, too, Kemal,” she whispered. She hung up.

  Her eyes were stinging as she gazed down at the phone. His voice had brought back so many bitter memories, but she would not have missed that call.

  “Melis.”

  She looked up to see Kelby standing in the doorway with a coffee carafe and two cups on a tray. She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “You were quick. I think I could use that coffee now.”

  “I wasn’t
quick. I’ve been standing here for the last five minutes.” He came toward her and set the tray down on the table with a resounding thump. “Archer?”

  She shook her head.

  “Don’t lie to me,” he said roughly. “He tore you up.”

  “I’m not lying.” She paused. “It was Kemal, an old friend.”

  “Is that why you look like you’re going to— Who the hell is he?”

  “I told you, he’s my friend. No, he’s more than that. He’s my savior. He took me from Kafas. Do you know what that meant to me?”

  “No, and I’m not sure I want to know.”

  “Why not?” She smiled crookedly. “Aren’t you curious?”

  “Of course I am.” He was silent a moment. “I’ve thought about it. But I don’t want to know bad enough to be accused of putting smudges on a soul. That’s pretty serious stuff.”

  “Christ, did I say that? How melodramatic.” She drew a deep breath. “This is different. You’re not stealing anything from me. I don’t care if you know about Kafas. Carolyn once told me that only the guilty should feel shame. I refuse to feel ashamed. At some point Archer will probably call you and drop some poison in your ear anyway.”

  “It’s not good enough for you not to care. Do you want to tell me?”

  She did want to tell someone, she realized. That conversation with Kemal had brought too many memories to the forefront. She was choking on them, and there was no Carolyn to free her. “Yes, I . . . think I do.”

  He looked away from her. “All right, then tell me about Kafas.”

  “It means golden cage. It was sort of a special club in Istanbul.” She stood up and walked over to the edge of the lanai. “And adjoining it was an even more special place: the harem. Velvet couches. Golden fretwork panels. It was very luxurious because its patrons were either important or wealthy. It was a brothel that catered to every sexual taste. I was an inmate there for sixteen months.”

  “What?”

  “It seemed like sixteen years. Children live so much in the present they can’t imagine life changing. So if they live in hell, they think it’s going to go on forever.”