Part 18 (1/2)

LOGAN STARED OUT the aft window. Everything in his life felt frustratingly out of his control-the investigation, his emotional responses toward Sarah, his job. the aft window. Everything in his life felt frustratingly out of his control-the investigation, his emotional responses toward Sarah, his job.

He'd been awake the rest of the night, tossing and turning due to stifled desire for Sarah. He could work with women cops, stand beside them on the front lines as he had with Mel, but he didn't know if he could be in love with one. As if he seemed to have any choice in that matter, either.

Sarah hadn't come up yet. He glanced at his watch, worrying. If she didn't show soon, he'd go after her, whether she liked it or not. They would only be on the s.h.i.+p for another twelve hours or so-they were heading back to land that evening. He only had one shot at helping Mel, and he had to take it soon. After he left this s.h.i.+p, there was a chance he'd never know what had happened to her. His jaw hardened at the unacceptable thought.

He turned toward the stairs to go find Sarah, and nearly slammed into a member of the staff who stood before him, handing him a small envelope.

”Telegram for you, sir.”

”Are you sure you have the right person?” Who would be sending him anything?

”You are Mr. K. MacKenzie?”

He took the telegram, frowning. No one else knew about his alias except...he took a deep breath, realizing.

”That's me. Thanks.”

He tore open the small envelope and tried to decipher what the heck was on the inside. The name Ian Chandler stopped him in his tracks-Sarah's boss. His breath came up short, realizing that Sarah must be in trouble.

TO: Karl MacKenzieFROM: Ian ChandlerRE: URGENT BUSINESSCritical meeting has been detained. Urgent contact at 555-8888 to reschedule immediately.

Logan looked around. Much like with airplanes, cell phones weren't allowed on board because of terrorist threats, and the only phones were in staff offices and on the bridge. He had to get to one, fast. He looked around for the young woman who had delivered the message and approached her, smiling as charmingly as he could manage.

”Ms. Simpson-” he spotted her name tag just in time ”-I have some urgent business to attend to. I wonder if you could show me to a telephone?”

She looked up into his face. ”s.h.i.+p-to-sh.o.r.e calls are very expensive-your account would have to be directly billed.”

”Of course. But this telegram is about a problem that must be settled this morning.”

”Of course, sir.”

That was easy. He was led down the stairs to a narrow hall where doors seemed more compact-staff quarters and offices, probably. She led him into the small, crowded office and he tried not to pounce on the telephone too eagerly.

”I should just be a few minutes, I think.”

”We can't leave any offices unattended, sir, for security reasons. I'll have to stay in the room.”

Logan flatted his mouth disapprovingly, but nodded. It would cause less suspicion this way, anyhow.

”Fine. Glad to know you run a tight s.h.i.+p.”

He dialed the number, and waited as the slow connection made its way through. The line was somewhat fuzzy with static, but relief overcame him when someone picked up on the other end.

”Ian?”

”Yes.”

”It's Karl. What've ya got?” He a.s.sumed a casual familiarity with the stranger on the other end of the phone-it wouldn't exactly be convincing that he had urgent business with someone he didn't even know.

”Logan, are you alone?”

”No.”

”Okay, then just listen. We've tested this line, we're scrambling, but I'm going to make this quick. Sarah is locked in a cabin in the lower stern-they're holding her there. She's okay, and we're keeping track of her. We need your help, though.”

”Sure. Tell me what you need to make this happen.”

”We need to do two things-get Sarah out of there safely, and get into their computers before we send in the Coast Guard. They'll wipe their systems if they suspect anything or know they are being boarded, so we need to get into their network first and download as much as we can before we raid.”

”What's my part in all this?” Logan looked up and saw the staff member leaning by the door, looking at her fingernails while he spoke. She didn't seem to have any particular interest in his conversation. Good.

”We're going to make a drop later this morning-we have someone on the way now. The Coast Guard is going to pa.s.s by, do a routine check. The cruise lines expect this, so it won't be suspicious. They'll send out a diver who'll leave a small package attached to the stern. In that package you'll find a receiver, so you can communicate with us, and a small computer card.”

Ian took a breath, then continued. ”Here's the hard part. You need to get that card attached to one of their main computers-Sarah said she saw one in the room they took her to this morning, Valente's cabin. Just slip the card in the slot on the side or in the back of the computer tower and leave. Then we'll locate Sarah, and you can get her out. When they're being raided, they won't hesitate to get rid of her, or any other witnesses. You need to get to them beforehand. Got it?”

”Yeah. I'll be in contact.”

He hung up, shaking his head. He'd felt as though he'd stepped through the looking gla.s.s as soon as he'd arrived at the inn, and things had only gotten crazier. All these secret transmissions, coded messages and things being attached to the sides of boats. In his other life, police work was never this complicated. It was a lot of footwork and a lot of paperwork, and he did his best not to get shot. All this James Bond stuff was unfamiliar, but if it worked, it was fine by him.

They had Sarah, and while the thought made him sick, he had to cool down and trust that she was okay, that she could handle herself. Chandler had a trace on her, and they had backup waiting, so all he had to do was get the card in the computer and get her, and whoever else was being held-maybe Melanie-out.

That's all.

He walked through the gaming room, trolling the tables as if deciding which game to play, figuring out his next move. There wasn't much he could do until he had that card in his hand. Antic.i.p.ation of seeing the Coast Guard vessel draw alongside buzzed through his bloodstream, but he saw nothing on the water just yet. He glanced at his watch un.o.btrusively, returning to the c.r.a.ps table to watch the early rollers.

He realized that the resentment he'd felt at having control over the investigation taken away from him had suddenly evaporated. The short conversation with Ian replayed in his head. Logan had thought he wanted to go it alone, but he had to admit it was good to be part of a team again, ad hoc as it might be. It was a feeling he'd missed since he'd lost Mel and been on the outs with his own department.

And whatever it took, he was going to make sure he didn't let Sarah down. Regardless of what the future did or didn't hold for them.

13.

SARAH WAS LYING silently on the bed when Valente walked in, eyeing her with displeasure. silently on the bed when Valente walked in, eyeing her with displeasure.

”You should be dressed and ready by now.”

She continued to stare at the ceiling. ”I told you, I'm not going to do it. I don't care what you do with the tapes.”

He opened the door again, and whispered something. Out of the corner of her eye she saw more movement, and a large man came in behind Valente. He had a gun. A large gun.

Sarah didn't move until Valente grabbed a fistful of her short hair and yanked her up. She bit back a whimper at the stinging pain, glaring at him. b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

”You will shower, you will dress in the clothes I have provided, you will make yourself beautiful and do everything you are told without argument, or Lex here will have some fun with you. Before he kills you.” He tugged her head back, forcing her to meet his eyes. ”Are we clear?”