Hostile Waters

by William Nikkel

  It was clear to Jack, Corey did not expect him to return to the cabin.

  Amanda had made a point of ordering him doubles—hundred proof Kentucky bourbon whiskey—and used her womanly wiles to maneuver him to the railing. Had he been consumed by her kiss, unaware of his vulnerability, had her brother not shown up and interrupted the embrace, he would have been sleeping with the fish.

  A watery grave in Davy Jones’ locker.

  Just like Sam King.

  He tossed his jacket on his bed and placed a call to Cherise.

  “I’m in my cabin. Corey searched it, like we figured he would.”

  “Then your idea worked.”

  “Have you seen Robert?”

  “He and Lindsey are up on deck somewhere. After Amanda and Corey bailed, they decided to take a stroll in the night air.”

  Jack still hadn’t adjusted to Robert’s attraction to Lindsey. He hoped they were getting their priorities straight.

  “Children,” he said. “What can you say?”

  “She’ll miss him when this is over.”

  “And he’ll miss her, I’m sure. Are you packed and ready for morning?”

  “We have our bags set out. Robert said his are out as well. All that remains is for you to pick up the idols.”

  “I’ll get my suitcase in order, set it out for the crew to pick up, and be right down. If Robert returns, have him wait there.”

  “Glad to. But I don’t think that will be an issue.”

  He changed into the bush pants and t-shirt he’d wear off the boat, put his suit into its garment bag, and folded it into his suitcase. At least Corey hadn’t emptied the contents of his luggage onto the floor. And it was still tagged. He zipped and locked it, and set it in the passageway outside his door.

  There were passengers crowded in the elevator when he stepped on. From their conversations, they were hurrying to their cabins to get their baggage in order. The activity of the evening, it seemed. Three stops later, he got off on deck four and followed the companionway to Cherise’s cabin. Her and Lindsey’s bags, with the same orange colored tags as his, were sitting next to the door. Cherise answered his knock without making him wait.

  Black compressive running tights, a short-sleeved black T, and running shoes. Not the first time he’d seen her dressed this way.

  “Like your outfit,” he said, stepping inside.

  “I didn’t dress to impress.” She closed and bolted the door.

  He flashed a grin. “Impresses me.”

  “You’re easy, though. And speaking of easy, you let yourself get a little carried away with Amanda, didn’t you?”

  “You talking about the fun I had with her tonight when she wanted to leave?”

  “Actually, every time the two of you were together. But that’s the incident I referred to.”

  “Couldn’t help myself. The bitch deserved to be screwed with after what she tried to pull.”

  “Robert told me. He was there watching and thought for sure you were going over the side.”

  “There at the lounge, huh? He’s getting good at shadow lurking.”

  “You realize neither Corey nor Amanda admitted to killing anyone.”

  “Not like we didn’t try.”

  “It’s not enough, Jack. There’s no case against them.”

  “By that, you mean no murder case. What about antiquities smuggling? They can at least go down for that.”

  “And Corey might even skate on that one. Amanda probably won’t even be charged.”

  “In addition to the photos and texts, don’t you have a recording of him admitting to bringing black market antiquities into the country?”

  “Every conversation you had with them.”

  “Including the ones when Amanda and I were alone?” A stupid question, he realized.

  “Everything.”

  He chuckled. “Some detective is really going to get an ear full.”

  “But like I said, there’s no murder case. We’re screwed.”

  “Before you ask me, once was enough. I’m done playing the part of helpless victim.”

  “I would never ask you to. We gave it a try and came up short.”

  He stepped to the window and stared into the night. The moonlight glistened on the ocean swells. “So we went through all of this for nothing. A hundred thousand dollars and a shitload of expenses down the drain.”

  “You have a right to be upset.”

  “Upset is not a strong enough word. Pissed is more like it.”

  “You’re not alone. I want you to know that when we get off this ship, I’m sending Lindsey home and going after them.”

  He turned and looked at her. “The way you did Yang Li?”

  She stared as though his question had taken her back. “I doubt I’ll stuff a baggie full of Fentanyl down their throats. But in a manner of speaking, yes.”

  “With the same outcome?”

  “For them.” She moved to the end of the bed where the white paper gift bag containing the idols sat. “I tried playing by the rules for Lindsey’s benefit and it didn’t work. So, game over. I won’t let one more person die by their hands.”

  “An angel of vengeance?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to go with me.”

  “You know I will.”

  “Not this time. What needs to be done, I’ll do alone.”

  CHAPTER 68

  At nine the following morning when the faceless voice announced his group designation over the speaker, Jack stepped into the chaotic atmosphere of cruise ship debarkation. A frenzied dash for the elevators and staircases leading to the gangway.

  He didn’t bother with an overcrowded elevator and used the stairs to descend the five levels to the crew quarters on deck three where the line of disembarking passengers formed. To his disappointment, he had grossly misjudged the flood of people waiting for their turn to leave the ship.

  If Cherise hadn’t already joined the throng, she soon would. Robert and Lindsey, too. Robert insisted on being the gentleman and help the women with their carry-on luggage. Which worked for Jack. The plan was for him to join up with them in the baggage area since his friends had nothing to declare and would likely breeze through customs.

  The crowd continued to grow. So did his concern. He stepped to the side, stood on his tip-toes, and felt relieved to see his friends a couple of dozen people ahead of him. One thing about a cheap blonde wig, it stands out in a crowd, especially when there are two such atrocities close together, and one is on the head of a six-foot-tall, one hundred and thirty-pound exotic beauty.

  He didn’t see Corey or Amanda anywhere.

  Which unnerved him more than he imagined it would. He had a very vivid recollection of dives when he encountered really big sharks in murky water. Knowing the killers cruised the gloom beyond his field of vision, but not knowing from what direction they might strike.

  At last, the line in front of him began to dwindle. He finally got his turn to show his cruise card for the last time and descend the gangway. The two dozen people who had been ahead of him were moving through customs. His friends were already on their way to collect their bags.

  As it worked out, the customs agent did not give him any trouble. He thanked the woman and started walking to where his bag and his friends were waiting. He had gone about fifteen feet before all three of them began waving and shouting something that got lost in the noise of the crowd.

  Given the number of departing passengers swarming the baggage area, he figured they were letting him know where they were standing.

  He tried to wave back and was stopped by a big hand gripping his bicep from behind. It became suddenly clear why they were trying to get his attention.

  He twisted out of Corey’s grasp and pasted on a plastic smile.

  “There you are,” he said. “Where’s Amanda? I was afraid I’d lost you guys.”

  “Not hardly, buddy boy. Amanda and I were one of the first ones off. She’s waiting at the car.”

>   Whether Jack wanted to or not, he was back to playing the helpless victim. He looked at his friends and saw them watching. Cherise stood in the shade of her white sunhat, hiding behind her Burberry sunglasses, shaking her head from side to side as though saying don’t do it. He mentally shrugged off the warning.

  “Has something changed?” he asked. “She had plans for us.”

  “She still does.” His smile wasn’t a nice one. “We have unfinished business to take care of first.”

  “You’re referring to finding a buyer for these?” He held up the paper bag. “If you remember right, you were supposed to take care of that.”

  “And I will. Come on.” He motioned his head. Then he placed a beefy hand on Jack’s shoulder, and dug his fingers in. “This way.”

  Jack tensed. “Give me a minute to grab my suitcase.”

  “Leave it for now.” Corey urged Jack forward with a push. “We’ll come back for it. Trust me.”

  Jack knew he needed to stall.

  “Hold on.” He stopped and started to turn around. “It’ll only take me a second to grab—”

  Corey tightened his grip. “I said we’ll come back for it. Now let’s go. Amanda’s waiting.”

  What the fuck?

  Jack still had his watch. He recalled Cherise shaking her head at him in a silent warning. His instinct had been to tell the man to keep his fucking paws to himself, to slap the guy’s hand away and bring an end to this sick game. But then he remembered her having pointed out that they had no case against Corey or his sister. To play along with these two now, might yet get Cherise the murder confession she wanted.

  And save her from herself.

  “You can take your hand off me, Corey. I certainly don’t intend to keep Amanda waiting.”

  CHAPTER 69

  Jack followed alongside Corey. The beefy hand gone from his shoulder. He saw Amanda standing next to a silver Range Rover parked in a loading and unloading zone. Her brother’s car, most likely. She didn’t look happy.

  Not even when she cast them a pasted-on smile.

  He glanced at Corey and said, “Nice Range Rover.”

  Corey gave him a not-so-gentle slap on the back. “A man in your line of work should own one.”

  That hand again.

  “I own a Jeep,” he said.

  Corey lengthened his stride. “Get in the front seat. We’re going for a ride.”

  Jack stopped, stalling for more time. “You’re not forgetting about my luggage, are you?”

  “Trust me.”

  “You said that already.”

  “Then don’t worry.”

  Jack glanced behind him and caught a glimpse of Cherise. Robert and Lindsey were nowhere in sight.

  “Hard not to,” he said.

  He kept his fear in check and walked up to Amanda who had yet to say anything or even acknowledge his presence beyond her fake smile. The new woman. No longer the anxious lover.

  Not her usual role.

  He said, “Good morning, dear. You look lovely.” He leaned in for a kiss on the lips and got a turned cheek instead.

  “You made me wait. Get in.”

  “How can you say that?” He feigned indignation, buying him a few more seconds. “I came right over when your brother found me looking for you guys.”

  Her expression didn’t crack. “You were supposed to get off the ship with us.”

  Where had that come from?

  He took a calming breath. “Be nice if you had told me.”

  She huffed. “I thought you were smart enough to figure that out.”

  The conversation was undoubtedly going nowhere. Swallowing the comment he wanted to make, he opened the front passenger door and stood for a moment watching her slide in back. The spider had revealed her red underbelly.

  Not that she needed to.

  He climbed in and buckled his seatbelt.

  Corey slid behind the steering wheel, started the engine, and drove away. “Ignore her,” he said. “She’s been cranky all morning.”

  Jack turned and looked out the rear window in time to see Cherise run to the curb where they had been parked a moment before. He realized now he should never have gotten into the SUV under any circumstance. The only hope he had was that his friends figured out a way to stay with him.

  He heard the automatic door locks engage. In the silence, there had been a finality in the way they snapped closed, not unlike that of a dead bolt turning.

  Or a cell door.

  They’ll soon know that sound.

  I hope.

  He asked, “Where are we going?”

  Corey glanced at him as though the question sounded ridiculous. “Taking care of business. I already told you that.”

  “Doesn’t tell me where we’re going.”

  “You’ll find that out soon enough.”

  Jack knew what that meant.

  Corey faced the windshield, his attention back on the road. Traffic jockeyed for position. Departing cruise ship passengers added to the congestion. He stayed in the center lane of one-way traffic.

  “I’m not playing this game.” Jack fumbled for the button to release his door lock. “Pull over right now and let me out.”

  Corey ignored the order.

  “You’re a fool, Jack.” Amanda chuckled behind him. “You have been from the day we met at the bar.”

  “You can’t be serious.” He started to turn and face her. Cold steel pressed into the back of his neck, stopped him.

  “Just relax and enjoy the ride.”

  “How do you expect me to do that with a pistol to my head?” He didn’t have to look to know the feel of a gun barrel. Round. No slide. A revolver.

  “Because you don’t have a choice. Be a good little boy and hand the idols back to me.”

  He didn’t argue, and tossed the bag into the back seat.

  “That crappy little duffle, too. You won’t be needing it.”

  “Take it.” He tossed his carry-on back as well. And as if he didn’t already know, he asked, “Now tell me what the hell is going on?”

  A lame question but he wanted to keep her occupied.

  “Change of plans,” she said.

  The gun barrel no longer drilled a hole in his neck. He didn’t know exactly what he expected when he climbed into the car, but this wasn’t it.

  Not even close.

  He didn’t know how much longer he could play dumb. But he needed answers he wasn’t getting. Answers Cherise wasn’t getting, provided she could hear him. For the time being, he had little choice but to play along.

  “We’re not going to your place?”

  “Did you really think I meant any of the stuff I said? All playacting, darling. Even the sex.”

  His turn to laugh. “If you were playacting, don’t wait for the reviews to come out. You weren’t that good.”

  “That’s not what you said the other night.”

  “Trust me, I’ve had better.”

  “Impossible. I’m the best. No one makes love the way I do.”

  “You’re nothing more than a pathetic narcissistic bitch. You’re lucky I could get it up.”

  Again, he felt the cold steel of the barrel.

  He drew in a breath.

  “You dumb bastard,” she said, when it appeared she had puffed up her ego enough to answer. “You’re forgetting, I’m holding a gun.”

  Obviously.

  She dug the bore into the flesh at the base of his skull.

  He cringed.

  “Careful with that thing,” he managed. “You might hurt yourself.”

  “The only person who’s going to be hurt, is you.”

  “Is that what gets you off?” he asked. “Or is hurting someone simply not enough? It’s killing that you enjoy.”

  Corey turned with anger flaring in his eyes. “Both of you, give it a rest.”

  “I’ll give it a rest, all right,” Amanda said with a tone of contempt.

  Jack sighed. The barrel gone from his head.

>   He didn’t need her to voice her thoughts. He could picture the disdainful smile on her lips. She wanted to shoot him in the back. Couldn’t wait.

  Only a matter of time.

  He looked at the face of his watch, not for the time. Rather for the transmitter inside.

  His only hope.

  CHAPTER 70

  Cherise turned at the sound of a vehicle and saw a taxi slow to a stop at the curb. Robert and Lindsey sat in back.

  She slid in next to her friends who moved over to give her room, slammed the door, and yelled, “The Intercontinental. And step on it.”

  The driver drove away from the curb and into traffic. Getting them to the hotel, but not fast enough. She doubted ‘fast enough’ existed.

  Fucking traffic.

  Death, it seemed, claimed the people she loved. When she was six, her mother, a French foreign intelligence agent. When she was twenty-eight, her father, who held a key position in US Naval Intelligence and laid the foundation for the person she’d become.

  He brought her to the US from France and immersed her in the life of a military brat. At eighteen, she’d enlisted in the Navy, hoping to follow in his footsteps. It was during her military service that, because of his position in Naval Intelligence along with influence from Admiral Casey, she had been permitted to attend SEAL training where she learned to fight and shoot.

  Had he not died, her life would have been much different.

  It was when her tour ended a few months later, that she left the Navy and went to work for Blackwater–since renamed, Xe Services. Being female and pretty and highly trained had its advantages. But after five years of private military work, she went into business for herself. And when she wasn’t devoting her life to the needs of others, she searched for the truth behind her father’s death.

  A quest that continued to haunt her.

  Maybe it was time to think beyond that.

  Beyond the desires of others.

  For once—instead of ignoring her needs while pursuing those of others—she may have finally found something for herself.

  Something she wanted.

  And couldn’t imagine losing.

  She dug a hundred dollar bill out of her purse and jammed it into the fare slot on the screen separating them from the driver. “Here’s a hundred. I said step on it.”