Shadow Zone

by Johansen, Iris; Johansen, Iris

  True, it was Melis Nemid’s ship, but could Hannah Bryson actually be on board?

  Doubtful.

  But Melis Nemid would almost certainly be there. He felt a surge of excitement mixed with the sheer rage he was feeling. Hannah Bryson and Kirov had orchestrated this nightmare. They had put him on the run as he hadn’t been since he had first started in the arms business. He felt . . . diminished.

  He couldn’t let them get away with it. He would search them out and butcher them if it took the rest of his life.

  But he would take what satisfaction he could until he could find them. Although this mission had been a miserable failure, he could still take away some victory if he could hurt Bryson in some way.

  And what better way to hurt her than to blast her friend Melis Nemid to kingdom come?

  “Melis, you need to get everyone on board into flotation vests,” Hannah said tersely into the radio. “Give the order to uncover and prepare the lifeboats. Immediately.”

  Before even questioning Hannah, Melis ordered her captain to prepare Fair Winds for an emergency evacuation. She came back on the radio. “Okay, Hannah. Why did I just do that?”

  “Gadaire’s in the area. We believe he might be in a sub. We just ruined his plan, and he might decide to take a parting shot at you before he goes on the run.”

  “What kind of weapons?”

  “We don’t know. He may have just destroyed one of his own minisubs, so there could be a heat-seeking component.”

  “Dammit.” Melis’s voice dropped to a tense whisper. “We’re defenseless against something like that.”

  “I know. We’re going to find him, Melis. But get your crew ready in case the worst happens.”

  “I will. And I’ll take care of Ronnie. Don’t worry.”

  Don’t worry? She was scared to death. “Thanks, Melis.”

  “Good luck.”

  Hannah turned toward Kirov. “Anything yet?”

  “No. Next time you’re looking for a way to make another breakthrough on these tiny subs, come up with a sonar system with a broader sweep.”

  “I’ll work on it. Any ideas for right now?”

  “Push closer to Fair Winds. If we still don’t get a reading, we should break the surface and take a look around. If he’s using a sub, I doubt if it’s sophisticated enough for underwater launch tubes. He’ll have to surface to make a strike.”

  “Hurry.” Gadaire stood on the top deck of the submarine, watching Asad quickly position and lock down the heavy iron tripod and gyroscopic stabilization unit for his deck-mounted rocket launcher.

  Asad gave him a noncommittal glance but said nothing. They both knew Gadaire’s urging was unnecessary. Asad was moving with utmost efficiency. Whatever Asad was getting from the Somalis, Gadaire was sure the man could make much more from some of his other clients. Another conversation for another time.

  On the tripod’s underside, Asad connected a thin piece of string attached to a marble sphere. It hung from the contraption like a pendulum, though it remained rock steady as an indicator that the gyroscope was doing its job even on the choppy seas.

  Asad hunched over his eyepiece to line up Fair Winds in his sights.

  Hannah pushed the engines hard and broke through to the surface, leaping over the waves. The electronic periscope immediately scanned the surrounding area and highlighted visual points of interest. Fair Winds was displayed on the monitor immediately, but after another few seconds it also showcased something that they couldn’t quite make out.

  “What is it?” Kirov asked.

  “I think it may be pay dirt. I’m crossing my fingers.” Hannah magnified the image and showed what appeared to be two men walking on water.

  “Can you get a closer view?”

  Hannah magnified the image, and it was immediately apparent that the men were standing on the deck of a small submarine. Hannah tapped her finger on the device between them. “Damn, is that—”

  “It’s a rocket launcher,” Kirov said. “No time to waste. What’s the range on our surface-to-air missile?”

  “Far enough, in a perfect world.” Hannah put on her left controller glove.

  “What are you doing?”

  “There isn’t time to move closer,” Hannah said. “You line up our show with the stick. I’ll watch the targeting monitor and fire.”

  “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  “I’ve read the manual. Whoever designed this weapons system has a sense of humor.” Hannah held up her hand wearing the controller glove and balled it into a fist. “Hurry. Line up the shot.”

  Kirov swung the targeting scope around.

  “That’s Gadaire himself,” Hannah said as she looked at the scope’s enhanced image. “And they’re ready to fire!”

  “Tell me when,” Asad said without expression. “All is in place.”

  Gadaire could feel the exhilaration soaring through him as he gazed at Fair Winds. There was some activity on the ship. Had one of the crew spotted them and sounded the alert? Too late. One word, and he would send death hurtling toward Melis and her crew. He could taste and savor the triumph and godlike power.

  I wish you could see me, Hannah Bryson. This is what I am. This is only the start. I can take anything and anyone away from you.

  And I will, bitch.

  He turned to give Asad the order.

  “Get ready,” Kirov said. He struggled to focus the electronic scope’s crosshairs in the deck beneath the men.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “We’re rocking too much . . . I can’t get it.”

  Hannah looked at the monitor as she held up her gloved hand. “Come on . . .”

  “Now!”

  Hannah flipped up her middle finger, and the missile launched from the tube over their heads.

  Gadaire lifted his binoculars and stared at the minisub that had appeared a few hundred yards off his port side. Although the vessel protruded only a few feet over the waterline, he recognized those fanciful curves immediately from the television commercials and magazine articles. It was clearly one of Hannah Bryson’s Marinth minisubs.

  Fine. He had a rocket for that one, too.

  His gaze narrowed at it. This vessel looked different somehow. “Was that—”

  There was a white flash over the viewport.

  “Shit!”

  Asad had seen it too. He swung his rocket launcher around.

  “Too late!” Gadaire yelled. He leaped from the deck as the missile exploded against his submarine.

  His ear drums burst. The blast hurled him thirty feet over the water.

  Ringing in his ears. Numbness all over.

  Another explosion rocked the sub from within. It split open, and a fireball roared through what was left of the craft’s superstructure. No one could survive that hell.

  Except him, he realized. He had survived, as he always did. He always found a way to survive.

  He watched, motionless in the water, as another explosion tore the sub apart, leaving only twisted wreckage and debris in its wake.

  Gadaire smiled. They had failed. He would live to take revenge on Kirov and Hannah Bryson.

  The burning mass slowly went under and sent a small wave toward him. He tried to turn and swim away.

  He couldn’t. He couldn’t move.

  What the hell? He couldn’t move at all, he realized.

  He was paralyzed.

  No!

  This couldn’t be happening. Surely he was just stunned from the blast. Just concentrate. Focus.

  Water lapped at his nose and mouth.

  He still couldn’t move.

  No! No! No!

  A burning wave rolled toward him, on fire from the oil in the water.

  Must get out of the way . . .

  He couldn’t.

  No!

  The blazing oil consumed him, frying his face and hair, and still all he could do was expel a hoarse whisper where there should have been a scream.

  His lungs filled with th
e burning oil.

  Oh God, no . . .

  Hannah stared at the burning oil and debris where Gadaire’s submarine had been. Had it not been for the black smoke still rising into the sky, she might have thought it was all just a nightmare.

  It didn’t seem possible. Only a minute before she had been hideously afraid of the malice that was Gadaire. Now he was gone, no threat to Melis and Ronnie. No threat to anyone else in the world from the bastard.

  She leaned back in her seat and tried desperately to catch her breath.

  Kirov leaned close to her, straining against his seat harness. “Hannah,” he said gently.

  “Yes?”

  “You can put your finger back down now.”

  “You do like to make a grand entrance,” Melis said, as Hannah and Kirov got out of the minisub they’d docked alongside the Fair Winds. “I’m only glad you weren’t the center of that huge explosion. Ronnie and I were worried.”

  “I was a little worried myself.” Hannah hugged Ronnie. “How are you doing?”

  “Okay.” His gaze was on the water where Gadaire’s sub had disappeared. “What happened out there?”

  What could she say? She had promised him the truth. “We had to get rid of Gadaire.”

  Ronnie turned to Kirov. “The bad guy?”

  Kirov nodded. “The very bad guy. He was trying to hurt many people. Including you and Melis.”

  Ronnie shook his head. “We would have been okay. We can take care of ourselves.” He grinned at Melis. “Isn’t that right?”

  She nodded. “We’re a good team. But he was concerned about you, Hannah.” She paused. “And Pete and Susie. They disappeared right after you left the Fair Winds early this morning.”

  “Early this morning,” Hannah repeated in wonder. The sun was going down now in a blaze of scarlet, and it seemed impossible that everything that had transpired had happened in the course of one single day.

  Kirov met her gaze and smiled. “But it was one hell of a day.”

  She nodded. “So it was.” She turned back to Melis. “I don’t think that you should be fretting about Pete and Susie. I believe they got a call and had somewhere else to go. I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”

  “A call?”

  “You told me that the dolphins communicate. I had a radio message from Matthew on the way to the ship that indicated a call had definitely gone out.” She gave a relieved sigh. “And that Matthew was safe, thank heavens.”

  “A call,” Melis murmured. “It’s what I’ve been afraid of all these years. That they’ll answer that call and never come back. You’re sure that they’re safe? I can take it if they leave me as long as they’re all right.”

  Hannah hesitated. How could she assure Melis that the dolphins were safe? There had been deadly missiles flying down there in the depths. Explosions and shrapnel and all kinds of weapons that could kill a dolphin venturing too close. Pete and Susie were friendlier than the other dolphins and that could have been lethal for them.

  Melis read that hesitation and her expression became haunted. “You’re not sure.”

  Hannah couldn’t lie to her. “Things were . . . happening. We’ve got to hope for the best.”

  “Oh yes, hope. And pray.” Melis turned and headed for the steps leading to the lower decks. “Let’s go down to the galley and get a cup of coffee, and you can tell us all about it.”

  Hannah nodded. “That would be good.” She reached for her phone. “As soon as I call Eugenia and tell her about Gadaire.”

  Melis paused before going down the steps. “Was Anna Devareau on board that sub?”

  “We don’t know for certain,” Kirov said. “But I can’t see her crammed in that antiquated monstrosity. She would definitely want an escape route. I’ll bet Eugenia and Charlie are going to be checking under every rock to see what they can come up with.”

  “More than likely.” Hannah wearily rubbed her temple. “I know Charlie won’t give up until he knows for certain.”

  “You’re tired.” Kirov leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Go down to the galley and get your coffee.”

  “You’re not coming?”

  He shook his head. “I’m going to take the sub back to the Copernicus before Sandford can charge us with piracy.” He headed for the sub. “And then I have a few other things to tie up. Things aren’t quite as they should be.”

  She stiffened. “Dammit, you’re going away again. I know it.”

  “Yes, I am. But I’m coming back soon.” He called to Melis, who had started down the steps. “I’ll be back in time for your grand gala opening at the museum.” He ducked inside the sub. “I promise.”

  “And I’m supposed to believe you?” Hannah asked.

  But he’d closed the metal door and couldn’t hear her.

  She went to the rail and watched in helpless frustration as he backed away. No, this couldn’t be happening. They had been so close, every move as if they were connected by invisible bonds. Stifle the panic and the shock. Anger. Be angry with him. She wanted him here so that she could scream at him, pound at him, tell him that it wasn’t fair that he was leaving her again.

  She wanted him here . . .

  “It’s okay, Aunt Hannah.” Ronnie was beside her. “He said he’d be back.”

  Which was a promise Kirov hadn’t given her the last time, she thought bitterly. “It doesn’t matter. We don’t need him.” Ignore the hurt, the sudden loneliness. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t survive without him. Their relationship was tentative at best, and this move on his part showed just what an enigma he really was. She would have to decide whether that enigma was worth all the pain and bewilderment he was putting her through to solve it. Dammit, he was evidently giving her plenty of time to make that decision. She put her arm around Ronnie’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go down to the galley and I’ll tell you a rip-roaring tale that will shiver your timbers, my lad.”

  He chuckled. “Dad always used that corny phrase. What does it mean?”

  “I don’t know. We’ll have to look it up. It probably has some—”

  “The dolphins,” Ronnie interrupted. His smile had disappeared and his gaze was on her face. “I’m scared, Aunt Hannah. You think something could have happened to them. Melis could see it too.”

  “I don’t know anything. Let’s not borrow trouble.”

  “I . . . love them.” His hands clenched at his sides. “They’re my friends.” He gazed at her helplessly. “When I’m with them I feel . . .”

  Healing.

  Dear God, as terrible as it would be for Melis to lose Pete and Susie, it might be even worse for Ronnie. Another loss with which he’d have to cope.

  “Ronnie, even if they don’t come back it doesn’t mean that they’re not alive and happy with their own kind,” she said gently. “Sometimes we just have to let go and trust. They’ll always be with us even though we may not see them.”

  Ronnie gazed out at the sea. “Except in our dreams . . .”

  She hadn’t expected that connection with his dreams of his father and it nearly broke her heart. “Yes.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Now come with me and don’t let Melis see how upset you are. You don’t want to worry her.”

  “I know. I promised I’d take care of her for you.” He swallowed hard as he started down the deck. “She loves them too. She taught me—” He stopped short. His head lifted, listening. “What is . . . ?”

  A chortle. A squeal.

  Hannah’s gaze flew to the water.

  “There they are!” Ronnie ran back to the rail and was waving in sheer ecstasy as if the dolphins could understand him. “They’re here! Pete and Susie!”

  Jumping and arcing in the water, joyously diving and surfacing in a giddy dance of life. There was no question that Pete and Susie had come back to them.

  “Thank God,” Hannah whispered.

  “They came. I knew they would. I knew it!” Ronnie’s face was luminous as he whirled and ran for the door to the galley. “I’ve got
to go tell Melis.”

  Hannah turned back to gaze at the dolphins. So much joy. So much life.

  “Proud of yourselves, aren’t you?” Hannah said softly as she finally turned away. “Maybe we’re a little proud of you too. Go ahead, you have a good time. Now that we know you’re safe I’ve got to go tell Melis what you’ve been up to.”

  EPILOGUE

  Two Weeks Later

  Marinth Museum

  Athens, Greece

  “You look beautiful, aunt Hannah.” Ronnie suddenly grinned. “But I like you better in jeans and your faded blue shirt. All that sequin and stuff looks like it belongs to someone else.”

  “It does.” She straightened the chocolate brown silk skirt of her gown and stood up from the vanity in Melis’s private suite in the museum. “Melis borrowed it from a designer friend in Rome. A big favor since all his models are size zero and it had to have massive alterations.” She ruffled his hair. “And my shirts are honorably faded by sun, sea, and hard work. So I agree that they suit me much better. Are your mom and sister here yet?”

  He nodded. “They’re talking to Melis. She’s showing them the trellis that just arrived from France. Melis’s husband, Jed, flew them here on his private jet. Donna is excited out of her mind that she got to come for the official opening of the museum. Mom bought her a pink dress with lots of ruffles.”

  “Then you should be with them.”

  He shook his head. “No, they don’t need me.” He gravely offered his arm to her. “I came to escort you down to the party, Aunt Hannah.”

  She was touched. “Thank you.” She took his arm. “It’s very kind of you, Ronnie.” She moved toward the door. “And I’ve been thinking that since we’re going to be working together next summer, maybe you should drop the aunt and just call me Hannah. It’s more professional. And it might keep you from taking any flack from the team.”