The Atlantis Plague(74)
“You think—”
“There’s something else. Something I have to say. I’m in love with you, David, and I’m sorry I hurt you by leaving in Gibraltar. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Keegan. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. It won’t happen again. No matter what happens, from here on out, you and I will finish this together. No matter what. And for the record, I don’t give a damn how many times you’ve died or what scars you do or don’t have.”
He kissed her on the mouth, and it was like the kiss in Gibraltar. She seemed to feel the rage draining out of him, as if the kiss were releasing some pressure valve that had been about to blow.
When they separated, he stared at her, the softness back in his eyes.
“And one more thing: I will follow your orders.”
“Actually… I think maybe you should give the orders for a while. I’m just kind of… zooming out here, getting a little perspective, remembering some of the things I just said.” David shook his head. “Not the sanest stuff that’s ever come out of my mouth, or entirely rational for that matter. And you seem to know what’s going on. You do the thinking, I’ll do the shooting.”
“I can do that.”
David stood and glanced around the stateroom. “Murder mystery cruise and a countdown to a global apocalypse. Hell of a second date.”
“You’re certainly not boring.”
“Just trying to keep you interested. Now where do you want to start: with the plague or Martin’s murderer?”
“I think—”
The boat suddenly lost speed. Kate felt as though it was coming to a stop in the water. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” David put his arm around her, and guided her across the room. He pointed at the hallway that led to a short flight of stairs and, at the bottom, an elaborate master bathroom. He handed her a gun. “Stay in there. Lock the door. I—”
She kissed him again. “Be careful. That’s your first order.”
CHAPTER 61
Immari Advance Fleet Alpha
Near Tangier, Morocco
Dorian strode onto the ship’s bridge. The men turned quickly and stood rigidly. “Attention on deck!”
“You have a message for me,” Dorian said to the captain.
The captain held out a slip of paper, and Dorian unfolded it.
I have Warner.
She has code.
Request exfil.
She is well guarded.
On yacht near Ceuta.
Destination unknown.
Be ready.
Dorian considered his options. If those damn British hadn’t mined the straits… his fleet could reach them. The Berber control of Ceuta and northern Morocco also further limited his options.
“We’ve sent ships from Fuengirola after them,” the captain said.
“Estimated intercept time?” Dorian asked.
“Unknown.”
“What do you mean, unknown?”
“They’re moving at almost thirty knots. We don’t have a ship fast enough to catch them.”
Dorian shook his head.
“But if they slow down or stop, we’ll be on them. Or— if they enter port somewhere, we can corner them.”
“Notify our source. And get me a map of Ceuta’s firing radius. I need to know how to fly around their guns.”
CHAPTER 62
Somewhere off the coast of Ceuta
Mediterranean Sea
David waited at the door to his and Kate’s stateroom, listening, hoping for any sound, any clues as to what was happening on the ship. The engines had completely stopped and the one-hundred-thirty-foot yacht was cruising almost silently now. David glanced out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that led out to their balcony.
He backed away from the door. If whoever had killed Martin was taking the boat, they would be set up outside the master stateroom, waiting for him.
He exited onto the balcony. There were no other boats in sight. Even the lights from Ceuta had faded, leaving only the moon to light the boat.
David inched forward on the balcony and peered into the saloon—the living space beyond the bedroom. Empty.
Tiny recessed lights twinkled, illuminating the lavish living and dining accommodations.
The main deck was devoted entirely to the master stateroom and living and dining spaces. The lower deck below them housed the crew quarters and guest rooms. David didn’t hear any movement there either.
Assuming he lived through the next few minutes, he would have to move Kate belowdecks, to a room with no balcony and fewer windows. It would be easier to defend her there. However, he could also fold the balcony off the master into the ship, closing off the side entrance to the master stateroom. Which would add better protection? He’d have to sort it out later.