by Dick Waters
Another man came onto the boat. “Hello Mr. Tucker, my name is Max Gordon. I’m part of the FBI team. I’m glad we got to you in time.”
“The others are being held at her house. You have to get to them.”
He smiled. “They have already been rescued, and are all safe. The man that was holding them was found dead.”
I turned to question what I heard him say.
“He managed to get into one of the cells, holding your associate. When he tried to attack her, she managed to strangle him with the chains that were holding her. Other than providing some of them some clothes, the thing they wanted most was the toilet facilities upstairs.” He laughed.
Inspector Hughes came over to me.
“Chief-Inspector Hughes, can you please tell me what took your people so long to solve who was kidnapping these men?”
“Well Ms. Orion covered her tracks very well. It wasn’t until my nephew made the mistake of kidnapping you, that we learned where she was holding the men. We followed him this morning to her house, and watched what happened from that point in time. We had to be careful to make sure there wasn’t anyone else involved. Max also confirmed from his investigation in the Bahamas that it was indeed Orion who was involved. When we saw her return with Max’s FBI associates, we knew we had everyone involved in one location. However, before we could raid her house we saw her take you, and leave in her boat.”
He looked at the yellow raincoat, and Denny, with his blood soaked leg, being brought up from down below. “I would say you are a very lucky man.”
I thought of my prayers and commitment, replying, “Yes, you have no idea just how lucky.”
Chapter 91
After giving all of our statements to the police, we headed back to the Bermudiana Hotel. Holly had to give a detailed statement about Ray Hughes and what happened, but that was just a formality. Inspector Hughes apologized for his nephew’s actions, and the delay in the investigation. However, he also indicated that the people involved with the theft of the missing yachts have all been arrested. Unfortunately, the three women and the man who were last seen on Nils’ yacht have not been seen or heard from.
Jules and Holly hugged each other when we returned to the hotel, but quickly said a polite goodbye and left for his boat. From the looks of things, I wasn’t the only one in love.
Denny was rushed to the hospital. We received word he would not lose his leg. He has regained consciousness, but doesn’t remember anything from the time he pulled his boat alongside Orion’s.
Nils was taken to the hospital, suffering from an acute case of malnutrition. Mike called Paddy to let him know to tell Larz Nielsen that his son had been rescued and would be calling him personally. Mike also called Charlotte Williams to let her know her brother was rescued and he was doing okay, but was taken to the hospital. She cried a “thank God.”
Mike said goodbye and turned to Sam and asked him if he would like a nice dinner, and drinks on his nickel.
I lost sight of Mercedes. When I found her, she was seated at a table with Ralph. I quickly turned to leave them alone. “Wait!” Mercedes yelled. I turned to see Ralph get up and leave, headed to where Max was seated talking with the inspector.
I went over to the table. “Don’t you want to sit down?” she asked.
I remembered my lessons about answering quickly, and also my promise. “No, but I would like you to join me outside. I have some things I have to confess.”
She smiled and came over to me. I put my arm around her shoulder, guiding her out to the veranda. She put her arm around my waist. I could smell the sweet scent of Gardenia. I was going to make that something I would wake up to every day of my life. “Have I told you lately, that I’m madly in love with you?”
“Not with words you haven’t.” She smiled, and added, “Just how mad?”
I hesitated before answering. “I owe this to your sister… before she almost ended my life she reverted to her good side. She said ‘she can’t let her other do those things any more…please tell Mercedes that a part of her loves you and wants you to forgive her. She hopes you have a wonderful life together with me.’ Now to answer your question about how mad, I’m mad enough to ask—will you marry me?”