Page 94 of Code 6

“Could be someone who saw the body go over the rail,” said Patrick.

It was reason for hope. Olga screamed for help. Patrick stomped his feet, as if running in place from a sitting position. The cabin door opened.

“I’mba-ack,”said Javier.

They fell silent. How foolish it had been to think rescue was possible. The crewman had waited months for his wages, and no one cared what might become of him.

“You two look thirsty,” said Javier. He placed his knapsack on the counter, removed two bottles of water, and opened one.

“Something to drink, El Rubio?”

“No,” said Patrick.

“Don’t be stupid,” said Olga. “You need water.”

She was right, and with Javier holding the bottle to his lips, Patrick drank almost half a liter. Then Javier went to Olga.

“How about you?” he said, as he held the bottle for her. “Or do you need something stronger to wash last night’s taste out of your mouth?”

Olga ignored him and drank, but Patrick wanted to grab that bottle and smash it against Javier’s skull, the way he’d done to Inkface.

Javier stepped away and placed the near-empty bottle on the counter. “I’m guessing you could use a bathroom break. But first, let me explain how you get out of here alive. Sound good?”

Patrick didn’t answer.

“Yes,” said Olga.

Javier smiled insincerely. “Smart girl, Olga. El Rubio, you have some learning to do. If I ask a question, I expect an answer. If you don’t answer, that shows disrespect. If you disrespect me, there are serious consequences.”

He punctuated the sentence with a boot to Patrick’s belly, which left him gasping for air.

“Do we understand each other?”

Patrick managed to find enough breath to say, “Yes.”

“Good. Now, back to how you get out alive. I spoke to your friend Kate Gamble. I know exactly who she is. Or, should I say, I know who her father is. I told her this is no longer about money. There’s a new ransom demand.”

Patrick had a sick feeling as to where this monologue was likely heading.

“I give you one guess, El Rubio. What’s the new ransom?”

He didn’t answer. Javier delivered another swift kick, but this time it was to Olga’s ribs.

“Consequences,” said Javier. “Disrespect always has consequences. One more time, El Rubio: What’s the new ransom?”

“I don’t know,” said Patrick.

“But you do know,” Javier said, pacing like a professor as he spoke. “In fact, you are one of a very few people actually in a position to know. The new ransom is code. Not just any code. I’m talking about the code that you and Sandra Levy came within a whisker of stealing from Buck Technologies.”

He stopped and leaned toward Patrick, putting his face right in front of him. “That’s a name you didn’t expect to hear from me, isn’t it, Patrick? And for Olga’s sake, you’d better answer me.”

“It was unexpected.”

“So now you know I’m the real deal. And you know what you’re up against.”

“Who are you?” asked Patrick.

“Just a hardworking man who always keeps his customers happy. Whatever they want, I get it for them. Right, Olga?”