Page 58 of Murder Island
AS KABERA LED Lial out toward the balcony, the two bodyguards started to rouse themselves. Kabera gave them a subtle shake of his head.
The men settled back heavily on their stools as the blond woman and the Asian woman turned their full attention on them. Lial knew the men were in good hands. They were about to have a very interesting night. And they wouldn’t remember a minute of it.
The air on the balcony was at least fifteen degrees cooler, and about a hundred decibels quieter. The beat still throbbed in Lial’s head as she pulled the plugs out of her ears.
“I should have brought a pair of those,” said Kabera, rubbing his head as if he was trying to scrub away the noise.
“I dated a rock drummer once,” said Lial. “He’s deaf now.”
Kabera was right next to her. Lial shifted her weight to one leg, moving her hip closer to his. She leaned forward and rested her arms on the balcony railing. “Beautiful out there,” she said.
Kabera slid around behind her. She felt his hands on her shoulders, his lips close to her ear. “It’s even prettier from up there,” he said. He poked his index finger toward the sky.
“I saw you fly in,” said Lial, stroking his arm playfully. “Very smooth.”
“I trained in F-16s,” said Kabera. He nodded toward the floatplane. It had been towed to the end of the dock just below the club. “That’s my little weekend toy.”
“Sorry,” said Lial, pulling back. “I don’t ride in toys.”
She felt Kabera’s hands slide off her shoulders. He grabbed her right wrist and tugged her toward the stone staircase.
“Stop!” Lial grabbed the stone railing and jerked her hand away. “I’ve never been in a plane that tiny before!”
“Trust me,” said Kabera. “You’ll love it.”
“No!” Lial shouted. “I’m too scared!”
Two minutes later, she was strapped into the front passenger seat as the props began to spin. Kabera looked over from behind the controls. “Relax,” he said over his headset mic. “You’ll be fine.”
Lial realized that he hadn’t even bothered to ask her name. The arrogance was stunning. She adjusted the headset over her ears. Her knees were trembling—voluntarily.
Kabera pushed the throttle forward. The plane started to cruise toward the center of the lake. “Don’t act so nervous,” he said with a smile.
“I can’t help it!” Lial moaned, gripping the seat with both hands.
She was an excellent actor.
CHAPTER 70
KIRA SUNLIGHT WAS chained to a metal chair in a command tent. She’d been there for about an hour, alone. Two of the huge men had carried her back from the riverbank, trussed up like a hunting trophy. They were taking no chances with her. Kira had been working at the lock behind her with her fingernails, but so far, no luck.
Her clothes were soaked, clinging to her body like a wet skin. In spite of the heat, she felt clammy. She’d realized right away that she was in Hemple’s old quarters. A small length of twine still dangled from the front pole. She prayed that the snake had been dispatched.
Peering through the tent flap, Kira could make out shapes moving back and forth in the darkness outside.
Suddenly, the flap whipped open.
Captain Rupert Gurney stepped in.
Kira tensed up, but tried not to show it. She had studied Gurney for so long from a distance that it was a joltto see him this close. He had clean, even features. Thick, wavy hair. A delicate, almost feminine mouth. Two of the giants stood behind him—the guy with the crew cut, and the one who looked like The Rock.
Gurney stopped two feet from Kira’s chair. “This is our jungle demon?” he said. “She doesn’t look so evil to me.”
“Appearances are deceiving,” said Kira. “You look like you should be in a boy band.”
She saw a smirk crack Crew Cut’s face. Gurney leaned down so that his eyes were level with Kira’s. He reached over and ran his fingers through her wet hair. He wasn’t rough. He was gentle. Even creepier.
“Shaba,” he said softly. “Who do you work for? Who hired you?” Kira twisted her head and clenched her teeth. “CIA?” Gurney pressed. “MI6? FSB?”