Silver Linings

second time.
    “Got him.” Hugh bent down and dragged the second man into the side tunnel.
    Silk moved in and quickly used the rope to secure both unconscious men.
    “Well, that eases the odds a bit,” Silk observed as they made their way out past the waterfalls. “With any luck the rest of 'em will keep floundering around out here in the jungle for a while, and we won't have to cross their paths at all.”
    “There's always good old Howard the vegetarian gourmet chef.”
    The moon was almost gone by the time Hugh and Silk made their way over the waterfall pool rocks and found the stream. There was a familiar oppressive weight to the warm air. Hugh sensed the rain that was on its way.
    They followed the stream until the sound of the ocean was clear, and then Hugh angled to the right. He and Silk pushed more or less blindly through the jungle, using what was left of the moon as a guide until the lights of the house came into view.
    “No problem,” Silk observed. “Plenty of cover right up to the house, itself.”
    “Let's go.”
    Hugh fumbled a bit trying to find the hidden entrance that opened inside the pantry. It had been a couple of years since Cormier had taken him on the grand tour of the white mansion. But he eventually found the panel in the side of the wall. It was shrouded in pale white lilies.
    Inside the entrance a short flight of steps led up to the darkened pantry. Hugh risked the flashlight long enough to get a feel for the arrangement of canned goods, liquor bottles, and supplies that were stacked on the floor. Silk trailed silently behind him.
    Hugh turned the flashlight onto the wall and found the circuit-breaker panel. He hit the switches, shutting off everything. Then he opened the pantry door onto darkness. He and Silk crawled out into the kitchen and waited.
    “What the hell?” Rainbird's voice came from out on the veranda, sounding annoyed but not alarmed.
    “The electricity has gone off, Colonel. I'll check the panel. Probably blown a fuse.”
    “Contact the men and tell them to get back to the house immediately,” Rainbird snapped.
    “But I'm sure it's just a problem with the fuses or maybe down at the generator. I'm pretty good with that kind of thing, Colonel…”
    “I said call in the others. Do it now, Howard. And find some flashlights.”
    “Yes, sir. I think there's one in the kitchen.”
    Crouched in shadows behind a counter, Hugh listened to boot heels ring on marble. The redoubtable Howard was hastening to obey orders.
    “Mine,” said Silk in an almost soundless whisper.
    Hugh nodded and Silk moved across the short distance to step back into the pantry.
    Howard came around the edge of the counter, yanking open drawers and groping inside. Then his gaze fell on Hugh.
    “Hi,” Hugh said pleasantly.
    Howard's mouth fell open, and he groped for his gun. Silk stepped out of the closet and coshed him. Howard slumped to the floor.
    “You keep an eye on the main entrance,” Hugh muttered. “If the rest of them come back, they'll probably come that way.”
    “Right. Give my regards to Rainbird. Tell him I'm sure sorry he didn't die six years ago.”
    “I'll do that.”
    Hugh moved quickly through the gloom of the living room and on down the hall. All of the main rooms opened onto the veranda, where Rainbird was standing. Hugh wanted the shortest approach to his quarry. From the sound of Rainbird's voice when he had given orders to Howard, the library would probably provide the ideal point from which to step out onto the veranda.
    As soon as Hugh moved silently into the library, he saw he had calculated correctly. Through the open French windows he saw Rainbird standing with both hands planted on the veranda railing. He was peering into the darkness below him, obviously searching for the men who should have been returning on the double from the hunt for Mattie.
    “Howard? Have you recalled them yet? Damn it, I said move, boy. I don't like this setup. Something's wrong. I want every available man back here right now.” Rainbird paused when there was no immediate response. “Howard?”
    “Howard's busy, Colonel. You know how it is. Always a lot to do in the kitchen.” Hugh stepped out onto the veranda, his revolver in his hand.
    “ Abbott .” Rainbird swung around, clawing for a pistol that was stuck in his belt.
    Hugh kicked out suddenly, aiming for the pistol. He caught it with the toe of his boot just as Rainbird started to aim. The weapon went flying over the