Storm replied, “I understand, Sam, but that might possibly be our way out of here.” The three continued to look around the inside of the tower for escape routes.
Back under the cobble stone bridge the Spinners were trying to formulate a plan, but they were not having much luck.
Keno asked, “How can we break our friends out? We don’t have any weapons.”
Graham broke into the conversation saying, “First of all, we’re not going to use any weapons. If we do get any it will be for the Inspector and Agent Storm. Secondly, there’s no way we’re going to breakout anyone from that tower with those big goons on guard.”
Portagee asked, “Then what are we going to do?”
Michael spoke up, ”That’s simple. We create a diversion and pull the goons away from the tower. One of us will be there to open the door and let our friends out.” The Spinners continued to discuss their plan of attack. They all agreed that their plan of deception would have to be in the light. At night with the South Africans having the night vision goggles the Spinners would be at a disadvantage. At least in the light there would be equal vision, although it might not matter at all. The Spinners were at a huge disadvantage no matter what.
A few hours later, three of the Spinners showed up in the middle of the street which led directly to the Death Diamond tower. They were in formation like three old western gunslingers would be. Michael, Graham, and Keno were standing there like characters from the Clint Eastwood movie “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. They were all holding small wooden clubs that they had made, and they were slapping the clubs into the palms of their hands.
Michael yelled out, “Hey, Blondie!” Nobody responded. He yelled out again, “Hey, Blondie!”
The South Africans one by one stepped out of a nearby by building. They were very puzzled at what Michael was saying. Lynch looked at one of his men and said, “Who the bloody hell is that kid calling Blondie?”
The man replied, “He’s calling you Blondie, sir.”
Lynch turned red as a beet. He yelled back, “You little Yank! I’m going to beat the hell out of you!”
Graham whispered to Michael, “He’s really pissed. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Michael was silent for a moment then whispered back, “Oh yeah, I’m ready.” Michael banged his club in his hand a couple more times and yelled back, “The way I figure there's really not too much future with a sawed-off runt like you.”
Lynch stomped his foot and just stood there. The Spinners could tell he was about to explode.”
Michael continued with his movie dialog, “I like big fat men like you. When they fall they make more noise.”
Lynch ripped his Uzi off his shoulder yelling, “Just one more word out of you! “
Before he could finish his sentence Michael winked at Graham and yelled, “Blondie! You know what you are. You’re nothing but a dirty son of a bitch!”
Lynch cocked his Uzi back and started uncontrollably firing it in all directions. Finally he stopped and ordered, “Get those brats and beat the hell out of them!”
Keno nudged Michael in the side saying, “I think our plan worked. He looks plenty provoked to me.”
Before the men could move, the three Spinners started running for their lives down the narrow street. At the first intersection they came to each Spinner went down a different street. The South Africans including Lynch went running after them.
As soon as they were a hundred yards away Portagee came running out of the bath house on a bee-line towards the tower. Portagee made it to the door in just a few seconds. He quickly unlatched the door and flung it open. Storm and Savage were shocked it was Portagee.
Savage yelled out, “We wondered what the shooting was all about. Are you guys OK?”
Portagee in a panicked voice said, “No time to explain. Quick, follow me.” He turned and started running down another side street away from the South Africans.
Storm said, “We’d better get our butts moving or he’ll lose us.” Sam didn’t waste a moment; she was out the door like a flash of light with Storm and Savage not far behind. After about fifteen minutes of running Portagee, Sam, and Storm had made it to their hiding place under the bridge. Savage showed up a couple of minutes later.
Sam looked at Portagee asking, “Where are the others?”
Portagee smiled and replied, “They were a wild west diversion. Lynch got so mad at them he couldn’t think straight.”
Storm joined the conversation saying, “You boys need to be careful. Lynch is a killer and not to be messed with.” No sooner had he finished talking than the other Spinners showed up one after another. Michael was first followed by Graham with Keno bringing up the rear.
The Spinners all gave each other the hi-five. Savage tried to keep the noise down hoping the South Africans were not close by. After the excitement settled down Graham asked, “Inspector, what now?”
Savage thought for a minute and replied, “None of you are going to care what I have to say, but I need to bring this up.” The Spinners all gave Savage their undivided attention. Savage went on to say, “I believe our best way out of here is through those damn trap doors in the tower.”
Keno asked, “What are you talking about? Trap doors in the tower?” Storm went on to tell the others about the tower and the underwater current flowing under the tower.
It was time for everyone to relax for awhile. Soon they would be facing Lynch and his goons again. They all knew that Lynch was a cold blooded killer, and the events today didn’t help their chances of survival. For now they were all together again.
The Tower of Life
While the Spinners were talking about their close call with Lynch and the South Africans, Storm and Savage walked down the canal walkway to discuss plans. Savage spoke first, “Look, mate, if those goons are out looking for us then we probably should move quickly to get back to the Death Diamond tower.”
Storm replied, “I know you’re right, Savage, but I hate like hell thinking that we’re going back to where we just escaped from. We don’t even have a weapon.”
Savage snapped back, “What the bloody hell do you mean, we don’t have any weapons? What the hell do you call these?”
Storm looked at the two small wood clubs and said, “Savage, you’re crazy. You do have to admit we’re a little out gunned right now.”
Savage laughed and said, “Only for the moment, mate, only for the moment. No matter what, we should be headed back in the light and hopefully show up at the tower shortly after dark.”
Storm agreed and added, “Let’s go tell the Spinners. That will make their day.” The two walked back to the bridge. On their arrival Storm announced, “Everyone, come here. Savage has an announcement.”
Savage turned to Storm and said, “Thanks a lot, mate.” He turned back to the Spinners and continued, “There may be many ways out of here, but Storm and I feel only one way is workable for us.”
Keno replied, “Good, tell us the plan, man.”
Savage went on to say, “We found an underground river or ocean current. There’s air in it and it has to lead somewhere. Hopefully back to the surface.”
Sam knew exactly what her father was talking about. She said, “Daddy, you’re kidding, right?”
Michael asked, “Sam, what do you know that we don’t?”
Savage interrupted, “She knows our way out is hopefully in the tower.”
Portagee said in a high pitched voice, “What do you mean the tower? We just risked our lives getting you the heck out of the tower, and now you want to go back?”
Storm replied, “Little brother, we didn’t say it was going to be easy. In fact it probably won’t be easy for the rest of the journey.”
Graham added, “Don’t worry, Storm. We’re all with you even if we’re a bit worried.”
Savage entered back into the conversation saying, “All right then, let’s move out. We’ll keep to the back streets and try to stay out of the open. When we get close w
e’ll stop and wait for darkness. Then we’ll try to do the last leg under the cover of the dark. I’ll go first, and Storm will bring up the rear. Absolutely no talking; just tap the person on the shoulder in front of you if you need their attention. Any questions?” Everyone was silent. Without saying a word, Savage signaled the others to follow him. He ran down the canal walkway about fifty yards. He took the first stairway up to the street level. Once at the top he looked both ways then shot across the street to the cover of a close by building. He turned around and first making sure the coast was clear, he signaled the Spinners one at a time to cross the street as fast as they could. Storm didn’t wait for a signal. He looked both ways and made a mad dash for himself.
Savage looked at the Spinners and gave them a thumbs-up. He looked at Storm and gave him a thumbs-down. When the Spinners weren’t watching Storm gave Savage a single finger signal.
They continued this zigzag and in-out strategy of crossing Bermúdez. Finally after about twenty minutes of doing this Savage felt they were as close as they could get to the Death Diamond tower without taking the chance of being spotted. They decided to hole up in what appeared to be an ancient bakery. As the Spinners looked around the bakery they found stone ovens and large flat round tables with stone rollers on them. Sam picked up one of the rollers saying, “They rolled out the bread with this, but I wonder where they got their flour? There’s no wheat on the island.”
Graham picked up what appeared to be old seaweed that once had been long and stringy. He said, “That’s simple. They pounded dried seaweed into a type of flour. It would have been very nutritional. Here, Keno, do you want to try a bite?”
Keno said, “I am hungry, but not that hungry.”
All the group could do now was to wait for darkness and hope that the South Africans would not see them with their night vision goggles.
The manner in which the Death Diamond tower differs between day and night is simply how fast the trap doors open and shut in the tower. While Storm was looking out the front window to the shop it went from day to night in a blink of an eye. Storm signaled that he was going out to scout around a bit. Savage gave him the thumbs-up.
Storm slipped outside and slowly walked down the side street towards the tower. He was now within one hundred yards of the tower. He stopped for a minute making sure he could go on undetected. As he stepped out into the street he felt a gun barrel tingling in the back of his neck. A voice then said, “Blackie, are you going somewhere?”
Storm knew one of the South Africans had outmaneuvered him. He believed he must be by himself or his buddies would have surrounded him by now. Storm chose not to answer the goon.
The South African said, “Are you a dumb ass? Can’t you speak or should I just blast your ass now?”
Storm had just about enough. Without warning he spun around on one foot and with the other foot kicked him in the head as hard as he could. The goon dropped to the street and was out cold. Storm bent down to take his Uzi and said, “Whitey, thanks for giving me your weapon.” He grabbed the South African by the collar and dragged him back to the bakery. As Storm entered the building he threw the South African across the floor and said, “Let’s tie this scum bag up and gag him. He’s got a filthy mouth.”
Savage picked the South African up throwing him over his shoulder and took him to the back room. A few minutes later when he came back to the kitchen he said, “He won’t be going anywhere for a few thousand years.” Savage looked at Storm and said, “I see we now have an equalizer. Good job, mate.”
Storm smiled and replied, “We need to get going. There’s bound to be more of them waiting for us around any corner.”
Savage added, “You’re right, except I don’t think any of them are anticipating us going back to the tower.” Savage turned to the Spinners saying, “Alright, guys and girl, it’s time to shove off. Storm is going to lead the way. Stay close behind and don’t stop for anything until we’re safely locked behind that iron door.” Savage gave Storm a thumbs-up and said, “Storm, we’re right behind you, mate.”
Storm ran out into the street. About half way to the tower he dropped to one knee and motioned for the others to follow him. One by one the Spinners ran out the door with Savage close behind. As Michael, the first Spinner, made it to Storm he was signaled to keep on going to the tower. No sooner than Michael was halfway there, gun fire erupted from the darkness. Storm yelled out as he returned fire, “Don’t stop now! Run like hell for the tower.”
Michael made it to the tower with Sam close behind him. As Graham made his final dash for the door he tripped and went rolling head over heels. With no lost motion Keno reached down and picked him up carrying him the final twenty yards. Portagee was still with Storm and Savage.
Storm yelled to Savage, “I’m wasting ammo! Let’s move!”
Savage tapped Portagee on the shoulder saying, “Shadow my side and stay with me.”
Portagee replied, “Roger that sir.” Savage and Portagee jumped up and ran side by side with Savage acting as a shield. Storm was only a few steps behind them. He was now firing off only single shots hoping to keep the South Africans pinned down. All three made it safely inside the Death Diamond tower.
Once the door was slammed shut and bolted from the inside, the Spinners gathered around Storm and Savage. Savage pointed down to the closed trap doors and said, “When those doors open, it’s our ticket out of here. The question is how long do we have to wait for the doors to open, and can we hold off the South African goons that long?”
Storm added, “Everyone sit down, and take a short rest for a while. I’m going up top to see if there’s any movement out there on the streets.”
Portagee jumped up asking, “Agent Storm, can I go with you?”
Storm grinned and said, “Yeah, I guess so. Come on.” The two went up the stairs while the others took a much needed rest.
As the others sat there and rested, Savage could tell something was wrong with his daughter. He walked over and sat down by her asking, “Sam, what is it? I can tell something’s wrong.”
Sam replied, “It’s really nothing. I’m fine.”
Savage nudged her and said, “Tell me.”
Sam said, “Alright, but what I don’t understand is that we’re all calling these diamonds Death Diamonds.”
Savage added, “Yes, go on.”
Sam continued, “To the inhabitants of Bermúdez these diamonds were Life Diamonds. This isn’t the Death Diamond tower, Daddy. It’s the Tower of Life. It gave life not death.”
Savage thought for a minute then replied, “You’re so right. You’re so right.” He reached out and gave her a big hug.
The Great Escape
Lynch and his men slowly moved towards the tower. Upon reaching the tower two of Lynch’s men tried to kick down the iron door, but to no avail. Being his usual impatient self Lynch stepped in and shoved his men aside yelling, “Get the hell out of the way!” He threw his shoulder at the door. Although from the inside of the tower it sounded like the door was about to explode, nothing happened. Lynch couldn’t control himself. He started pounding and kicking at the door, but he might as well been attacking the tower’s stone walls. The door was so solid Lynch was never going to budge it in a million years. Lynch turned to his men and said, “Let’s blow this damn door open.”
Before the South Africans could do anything bullets began raining from above. It was Storm firing at them from the platform at the top of the tower. Storm yelled down, “You bastards better back away from that door or I’ll blow your butts back to South Africa.”
Lynch yelled back, “You’re a dead man, mate.” He twirled his hand around in the air signaling his men to back off. As they walked away from the tower Lynch screamed out, “Kill him!” Each of Lynch’s men laid down a barrage of fire that sent Storm and Portagee diving for the hatch doorway.
Death Diamonds of Bermudez Page 13