Gentle Pirate (21 page)

"Completely," she responded without even thinking, realizing as soon as the words were out that it was the truth.

"Ummm. Remember that when I'm giving you hell later on for having let you talk me into sending you back to your own apartment!" he advised. "Put Hagood back on the line."

But the other man was already grabbing the phone out of Kirsten's hand.

"You've got an hour, Kendrick. No more. Take one minute longer and the lady has had it. What? You're not in any position to make threats, pal. Just do as you're told." The receiver was smashed into its cradle and Kirsten found herself tugged roughly back to the car.

"Could you please remove the blindfold now?" she requested, amazed at the calm in her voice. But, then, wasn't Simon on his way?

"It's been my experience that a little bindness can be extremely effective in controlling a prisoner. Just like a little cold. Tends to make folks more manageable."

The casual ruthlessness of the remark made Kirsten realize Phil Hagood had kept prisoners before. What had he done with them? That question really didn't need an answer, she decided grimly. She and Simon both knew who he was and could testify against him. Hagood would have no option but to dump them in the river when he had what he wanted. Simon would recognize the fact, of course, and act accordingly. He certainly wouldn't be bringing the Zippo. He no longer even had it. It, at least, was safely in Seattle.

The long drive back to the dock was over too soon as far as Kirsten was concerned. Hagood removed the blindfold before leaving her behind in the darkened cabin again, but he took her hard-won blanket with him.

The cold was the worst part, she decided as she sat shivering helplessly. Her legs, at least, remained free, although her hands were tied. Occasionally she attempted to walk around the cabin, but the adventures usually terminated in skinned knees. Curtains appeared to cover the small windows, but there was no point trying to work them open with her teeth when she would only be confronted with the greater darkness of the boathouse. Hagood and his partner had left the small building, probably on their way to meet Simon.

The minutes ticked by with excruciating slowness. It would have to end sometime. Simon would take care of things, she thought.

It was so quiet. Then it wasn't so quiet any longer. Over her head the hatch opened. She could hear it more than see it. The only thing her eyes could truthfully detect was a faint change in the quality of the darkness in that particular region.
But
it did change. And there was no sudden glare of a flashlight or the shouted instructions of her captors. Kirsten held her breath, knowing instinctively who had lifted the hatch.

"The Marines to the rescue?" she asked, feeling somewhat light-headed.

"I'm here, honey. Keep quiet," Simon ordered.

The relief was dazzling! Simon had pulled it off, just as she had known he would. There was a small scraping sound and then she could feel his presence filling up the tiny cabin. For all his size he made barely a sound.

"Over here," she breathed. "My arms are tied." She felt his hand grope and then make contact with her cold arm. The strong fingers slid down to the ropes that bound her wrist.

"Right. Hang on a second. I've got a knife." His tone was clipped and totally unemotional. How could he be so calm, she wondered dazedly. A moment later she felt the pressure as her bindings resisted and then gave way beneath the thrust of Simon's knife. With a small murmur of relief she sagged into his arm, delighting in the brief hug he allowed her.

"You're all wet!" she gasped, surprised.

"So will you be in a minute." She thought there was a smile in his voice now. "You're going to have to swim for it, sweetheart. You can swim, can't you?" he added as an afterthought, loosening her grip and guiding her toward the small steps to the hatch.

"Yes, but…" Kirsten's voice trailed off as she contemplated the coldness of the river water. She was feeling almost frozen already! Still, there was nothing she could say. If Simon had decided the most expedient way out of the situation was to swim to shore, then that probably was the best option. It was just bad luck that she was already so very cold.

"But what, Kirsten?" he prodded just before lifting the hatch.

"Nothing, Simon. I can swim as well as any fish!"

"Good. I thought you probably could. Now, follow me and try not to make the smallest sound, understand?"

"Yes."

Simon helped her protesting muscles make the climb out onto the deck of the boat. The door to the boathouse was still closed and Kirsten realized he must have swum underneath the wall in order to surface inside near the boat. A minute later, she understood that was how they were going to exit the scene also.

She watched as Simon slipped into the cold water and then reach up for her. His dark form was barely visible against the darkness.

"Sink in as quietly as you can," he ordered. For the first time she realized he was not wearing the hook. Probably didn't want to get the webbing wet, she thought, as she followed instructions and slipped over the edge of the boat.

It was cold. Every bit as cold as she had imagined it would be. Stifling a gasp, Kirsten shut her mouth firmly against any complaints and followed the guiding tug of Simon's hand. It must be awkward to swim with only one hand, she thought as he released her with a whispered order to follow him. At the boathouse wall he took a breath and ducked under the water. Kirsten followed suit, wondering if she would ever be warm again.

And then they were on the other side. It was still dark, but now she could make out Simon's half-nude form more clearly. They weren't far from the water's edge, although it seemed like the longest swim she had ever made. When her feet touched bottom she automatically attempted to stand, only to be pulled down smartly.

"Stay low, for God's sake. They aren't that far away!" Simon hissed.

Trembling, Kirsten crawled over the slippery, rounded river rocks on her hands and knees, the night air striking her cold skin brutally. They were protected by the incline of the land as it sloped to the river's edge. Low scrub trees and an assortment of weeds provided more cover as Simon led her in a crouch for several yards. When at last he straightened, she almost couldn't imitate the action because of the weakening effect of the damp cold. Simon pulled her close, listening for a moment like an animal trying to sense his surroundings, and then he bent low.

"The car is parked about a hundred yards farther along. Just follow the river and you can't miss it. The keys are under the seat. There's a blanket in the trunk. Get it and get into the car. Wait half an hour. If I'm not back, drive immediately back to town and get help. Do you understand?"

"Simon! Why aren't you coming with me?" she choked, shocked that he would risk everything now that they were free.

"I'm going to fry a couple of guppies for breakfast." He grinned and in the faint light she could see the flashing white of his teeth.

He's enjoying this, she thought furiously. He's looking forward to taking Hagood and his friend all by himself!

"Simon, that's stupid! Come back with me for the cops. Let them handle this!" she argued.

"Hush, honey, and do as you're told. And I mean exactly as you're told! If we drive all the way back for help, it's a cinch those two jokers will get away. I'm not letting that happen. Now move!

He slipped away into the darkness, not giving her a chance for further protest. In mute astonishment and anger Kirsten watched him as he was absorbed into his surroundings and then she turned and started off slowly in the direction of the car. She had taken about forty steps when she began to think better of the idea. True, she would be warmer in the car but the suspense of waiting for Simon's return would be almost unbearable. In a burst of decision, Kirsten came to the conclusion that she was not the type of woman who could sit meekly awaiting her warrior's return. She would follow him.

Once again trying to put the cold out of her mind, she slipped into the brush in the direction Simon had disappeared, grateful for the ballet instructions and the fencing lessons her father had insisted upon so many years ago. For the first time in her life she found a use for the delicate way one could move on feet that had been properly developed.

It wasn't until the quarry popped unexpectedly into view that Kirsten stopped congratulating herself on her stealthy movements and was brought forcibly back to reality. The sight of the two figures sitting in the parked car caused her to retreat instantly back over the small rise she had just topped. Heart pounding, she collapsed onto the ground, abruptly terrified that just because she had spotted them, Hagood and his pal would know instinctively she was in the vicinity.

Be realistic, she told herself severely. They don't suspect a thing yet. Stay calm and stay clear. Simon won't thank you for interfering at this point! In fact, what would Simon say when he found out she had disobeyed his instructions? No, orders. Well, she'd worry about that when the time came. Right now it seemed vastly more important to stay as close to him as possible.

The silence stretched on for a few more minutes. Kirsten wondered what the two in the car were thinking. Surely the hour they had allowed Simon would be just about up? And what was Simon doing, for that matter? How could he take the two men as long as they were safely locked in the car? Or were the car doors locked? So many unknowns!

The speculation came to an end with the angry slamming of a car door.

"He should have been here by now!" Hagood's voice snapped. "You stay with the car. I'm going to see if I can spot any car lights coming. He knows better than to bring along the cops, for God's sake!" The anger was overlayed with a touch of worry that was not lost on the other man. The second door slammed and Kirsten realized both men would be out in the open by now.

"Let's get out of here, Phil. I don't like this set-up. It feels wrong. You know that as well as I do. Let's get rid of the girl and get out!"

"You fool! We can't leave Kendrick behind. He knows me!"

"So? You can disappear. If we can get that electronics stuff out of the country so easily, we can get you out. Come on, Phil. Pack it in!" There was a pause and then the man burst out, "Please, Phil! Let's get out of here. Nothing's gone right since Talbot died!"

"Can't you understand, you fool? Nothing's going to go right until we have that list! We've got to get it or kiss the whole business good-bye!"

"Phil, listen to me… Phil!"

Kirsten caught the panic in the man's voice just as she was aware of a soft thud. The unmistakable sound of something the size of a man hitting the ground.

Then Simon's voice snarled into the night. It came from a point several yards to her right, uphill from the river.

"Don't move or you'll join him!"

In spite of herself, Kirsten went as motionless as the one to whom Simon had issued the order. She could tell, even though she couldn't see him, that Hagood's friend was terrified.

"You killed him!" the strange man finally whispered.

"He'll live," Simon announced laconically, his voice coming from a different point now, closer to the car. "Get over there beside him, put your hands on your head, and kick the gun in my direction. Move!" This last remark sounded very similar to the manner in which Simon had issued the same order to her several minutes earlier, Kirsten thought with a grimace, still keeping out of sight behind the brush-covered rise.

It was inconceivable to Kirsten that anyone could willfully disobey Simon when he sounded as coolly violent as he did now. Therefore it came as a shock when there was a sudden scramble and a shot rang out.

"No!" The word was torn from her throat as Kirsten clambered to the top of the small rise, absolutely certain she would find Simon's body on the ground. She couldn't bear it! He must be all right! Her conviction that he might be badly wounded was so great that she had trouble taking in the scene that met her as she finally got a view of the three-man play going on below her. Hagood's body lay un-moving on the ground. The other man had fired a shot with the gun he was supposed to be kicking and now he swung around in her direction, the weapon held in a panicky, unprofessional grip. It was probably the only factor that saved Kirsten's life. She didn't need Simon's thundering yell to get down to send her flat onto the ground. The hastily squeezed off second shot missed her by a couple of feet, but it felt a good deal closer.

There wasn't a third shot. A thud made Kirsten lift her head in time to see Simon send the full weight of his strong body against the gunman, knocking the gun from his grasp. She scrambled once again to her feet and then tore down the incline, intent on retrieving the gun from the fingers that had suddenly come to life near it. Phil Hagood was far from dead! Simon must have known that. It was the reason he had taken the risk of forcing the other attacker to kick the gun away. There was no doubt that Hagood wounded was still a more dangerous threat than his pal.

She wasn't going to make it! Simon was totally involved overcoming the frenzied struggles of his victim and that meant Kirsten was going to have to do something quickly. Bending low, she scooped up a handful of small rocks and sent them sailing with remarkable accuracy. They did no damage, but the sharp peppering caused Hagood to wince, duck his head, and momentarily forget about the gun. In the next instant, Kirsten had it safely clutched in her own hand. It was then she noticed the odd-shaped object with a cord near Hagood's head.

She withdrew a couple of feet to a point where she could keep an eye on Hagood and watch Simon and the other man at the same time. The battle on the ground was practically over already. Simon paused for a moment to make sure the other was truly subdued and then bounded to his feet, glittering gaze swinging instantly to take in the tableau of Kirsten standing guard over Phil Hagood.

"Where the hell did you learn to handle a gun like that?" were his first words as he assessed her stance with a knowledgeable eye. The soft light of a late-rising moon was now illuminating the scene and Kirsten caught the glint of the hook at his side. He must have replaced it after leaving her, she thought, and then answered his question.