Death Echo

it.
    â€œPut your clothes on,” Mac said gruffly.
    She gave him a real slow smile. “You sure, big guy?”
    Mac’s eyelids lowered. “Babe. You need spanking.”
    She licked her lips and lowered her eyelids right back at him. “Works for me.”
    He forced himself to look at Stoneface. “You feel more like a man now?”
    Lovich cleared his throat, went through Emma’s clothes like they burned, and threw them at her.
    She wiggled into her jeans, slid into her snug black pullover and ignored the wind jacket. She clipped on her cell phone and smoothed everything in place with slow hands as she waited for orders like a good little girl.
    Or a really bad one.
    Mac didn’t know whether to cheer or strangle her. She’d taken what could have been an ugly situation and turned it into a farce. He glanced over at Amanar. The yacht broker’s cheekbones were flushed. With jerky motions he searched the stuff they had brought aboard. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, condoms, clothes, cooking supplies.
    Emma watched indifferently. She knew there was nothing more deadly than hot sauce in the provisions.
    Stoneface saw that Emma and Mac both had computers and fired off fast questions.
    Lovich asked, “Why the computers?”
    She rolled her eyes like a four-year-old. “Same reason I have a cell phone. Just because I’m on vacation doesn’t mean I’m unplugged.How else can I keep up with the latest Hollywood sex swaps?” Before Lovich could ask, she added, “Mac uses his as a backup nav system. He’s real cautious.”
    Lovich translated.
    Stoneface let them keep the computers. And the camera Emma had brought with her. Their cell phones drew a look, but he didn’t touch them. In the modern world, cell phones were like oxygen, a required part of living.
    Silently Mac kept counting the money he’d been given. Accurate to the last rumpled bill. Nice to work with professional crooks. They paid up front and on time, in cash.
    â€œSorry about the search,” Lovich said roughly. “He’s from the old country. Doesn’t even trust his reflection in a mirror.”
    â€œI’m surprised he has a reflection,” Mac said. “We finished with the party games now?”
    â€œUh…”
    Stoneface got to his feet and stalked out the door. Seconds later he reappeared on the dock. With smooth, powerful strides, he went up the gangway and vanished.
    Both cousins let out a silent breath.
    â€œThe fuel tanks are full,” Amanar said to Mac. “When you get to Campbell River, top up the tanks. Then motor north like you’re going to the Broughton Archipelago. You’ll hear from us if and when we want you to change course. You have five days to get to the Broughtons, max. The owner could be ready to pick up even sooner.”
    â€œWeather permitting,” Mac said neutrally.
    â€œThat boat will take anything the Inside Passage can dish out,” Amanar said.
    â€œThat boat hasn’t had a shakedown cruise. You know as well as I do that something will go wrong. Likely more than one thing. Just a fact of life and complex electronic and mechanical systems.”
    â€œYeah. Whatever.” Amanar glanced quickly at his cousin, andjust as quickly away. “Get going. Don’t spare the fuel—you’re sure as hell being paid for it. You’ll hear from us.”
    Mac stuffed the money into the front pocket of his jeans. “Any preferences in Campbell’s fuel docks or is it captain’s choice?”
    Emma swallowed laughter. She hadn’t known Mac long, yet she had no doubt that he was pissed.
    â€œUh…no,” Lovich said. “All the documentation you need for crossing the border is in that ring binder,” he added, waving a hand to the wide, padded pilot’s bench.
    Mac picked up the binder, read through the documentation, and looked up. “Anything else I need to know? Radio codes, rules of the sea, Canadian nav markers?”
    Amanar’s mouth flattened at the unsubtle mockery. “You’re being well paid.”
    â€œDid I complain about the money?” Mac asked.
    Lovich grabbed his cousin’s arm. “C’mon. I’m ready for breakfast. It will be good for what ails us.”
    With a final glare at Mac, Amanar allowed himself to be led out the door.
    Emma was careful not to say anything she wouldn’t mind having overhead. “What a