Part 12 (1/2)

She'd be safe now, she told herself as she fought the panic. He'd keep her safe.

”Pul yourself together, Morgan,” Nick ordered curtly, ”and tel me what happened.” ”Can't ...” She tried to burrow herself into him. In one quick move he jerked her away, shaking her. ”I said tel me.” His voice was cold, emotionless. He knew only one way to deal with hysteria, and her breath was stil rising in gasps.

Dazed by the tone of his voice, she tried again, then jolted, clinging to him when she heard the sound of footsteps.

”Hel o. Am I intruding?” Andrew's cheerful voice came from behind her, but she didn't look back. The trembling wouldn't stop.

Why was he angry with her? Why wasn't he helping her? The questions whirled in her head as she tried to catch her breath. Oh, G.o.d, she needed him to help her.

”Is something wrong?” Andrew's tone mirrored both concern and curiosity as he noted Nick's black expression and Morgan's shaking form. ”I'm not sure.” Nick forced himself not to curse his cousin and spoke briefly. ”Morgan was running across the beach. I haven't been able to get anything out of her yet.” He drew her away, his fingers digging roughly in her skin as she tried to hold firm. She saw nothing in his face but cool curiosity. ”Now, Morgan”

-there was an edge of steel now-”tel me.”

”Over there.” Her teeth began to chatter as the next stage of reaction set in. Swal owing, she clamped them together while her eyes pleaded with him. His remained hard and relentless on hers. ”Near the cove.” The effort of the two short sentences swam in her head. She leaned toward him again. ”Nicholas, please.”

”I'l have a look.” He grabbed her arms, dragging them away from him, wis.h.i.+ng he didn't see what she was asking of him-knowing he couldn't give it to her.

”Don't leave, please!” Desperate, she grabbed for him again only to be shoved roughly into Andrew's arms.

”d.a.m.n it, get her calmed down,” Nick bit off, tasting his own fury. She had no right-no right to ask for things he couldn't give. He had no right-no right to want to give them to her. He swore again, low and pungent under his breath as he turned away.

”Nicholas!” Morgan struggled out of Andrew's arms, but Nick was already walking away. She pressed a hand to her mouth to stop herself from cal ing him again. He never looked back. Arms encircled her. Not Nick's. She could feel the gentle comfort of Andrew as he drew her against his chest. Her fingers gripped his sweater. Not Nick.

”Here now.” Andrew brought a hand to her hair. ”I had hoped to entice you into this position under different circ.u.mstances.” ”Oh, Andrew.” The soft words and tender stroking had the ice of shock breaking into tears. ”Andrew, it was so horrible.”

”Tel me what happened, Morgan. Say it fast. It'l be easier then.” His tone was quiet and coaxing as he stroked her hair. Morgan gave a shuddering sigh.

”There's a body at the mouth of the cave.”

”A body!” He drew her back to stare into her face. ”Good G.o.d! Are you sure?”

”Yes, yes, I saw-I was ...” She covered her face with her hands a moment until she thought she could speak. ”Easy, take it easy,” he murmured. ”And let it come out.”

”I was col ecting shel s in the inlet. I saw the cave. I was going to peek inside, then I ...” She shuddered once, then continued. ”Then I saw the face- under the water.”

”Oh, Morgan.” He drew her into his arms again and held her tight. He didn't say any more, but in silence gave her everything she had needed. When the tears stopped, he kept her close.

Nick moved rapidly across the sand. His frown deepened as he saw Morgan molded in his cousin's arms. As he watched, Andrew bent down to kiss her hair.

A smal fire leaped inside him that he smothered quickly.

”Andrew, take Morgan up to the Theoharis vil a and phone the authorities. One of the vil agers has had a fatal accident.”

Nodding, Andrew continued to stroke Morgan's hair. ”Yes, she told me. Terrible that she had to find it.” He swal owed what seemed to be his own revulsion. ”Are you coming?”

Nick looked down as Morgan turned her face to his. He hated the look in her eyes as she stared at him-the blankness, the hurt. She wouldn't forgive him easily for this. ”No, I'l stay and make sure no one else happens across it. Morgan ...” He touched her shoulders, detesting himself. There was no response, her eyes were dry now, and empty. ”You'l be al right. Andrew wil take you home.”

Without a word, Morgan turned her face away again.

His control slipped a bit as Nick shot Andrew a hard glance. ”Take care of her.”

”Of course,” Andrew murmured, puzzled by the tone. ”Come on, Morgan, lean on me.”

Nick watched them mount the beach steps. When they were out of sight, he went back to search the body.

Seated in the salon, her horror dul ed with Alex's best brandy, Morgan studied Captain Tripolos of Mitilini's police department. He was short, with his build spreading into comfortable lines that stopped just short of fat. His gray hair was careful y slicked to conceal its spa.r.s.eness. His eyes were dark and sharp. Through the haze of brandy and shock, Morgan recognized a man with the tenacity of a bul dog.

”Miss James.” The captain spoke in quick, staccato English. ”I hope you understand, I must ask you some questions. It is routine.”