The Cove

matter, Amory. She's frightened. She doesn't know what's going to happen to her."

    Sally said, "I know exactly what's going to happen to me. He doesn't have Doctor Beadermeyer to hold me prisoner for him anymore. No, he's going to kill me, Amabel. You know that as weii, otherwise you wouldn't have admitted everything to me. No, don't deny it. You've already accepted it. But I don't really count. What will bring both of you down is hurting the FBI agents. You try killing James, and all hell will break loose. I know his boss, and you can count on it."

    "They're stupid, all of them," Amory said. He shrugged. "I know things will get even more difficult, but we'll deal with it. Actually I've already set things in motion. It's true I just didn't count on that bastard getting you away from Doctor Beadermeyer again. That's what ripped it apart. All my plans, Sally, everything has had to be rearranged. It has put me out. Now I'm no longer dead, thanks to the two of you. Now I'll have to leave the country forever."

    "Just try it. They'll catch you. With those arms sales to Hussein, you've got the Feds ready to tear the world apart looking for you."

    "I know. Such a pity. But it will be fine. I got most of my money out of the Caymans and Switzerland nearly a year ago. I left just a bit in all those foreign accounts, just to tantalize the Feds, just so they'd realize I knew exactly what I was doing. It will make them crazy, and they won't catch me."

    "James will catch you."

    "Your James Quinlan isn't going to catch a cold. He won't have time before he's sent six feet under."

    She felt such rage she couldn't stop herself. She heaved up, hitting him in the face with her bound fists. Hard. He cursed, shoving her back, his own fist raised. She heard Amabel yell, "Don't, Amory!" But that fist just kept coming down, not toward her face but toward her ribs.

31

    "WELL, HELL," QUINLAN said. "Sorry, guys, but the old codgers were thorough. My army knife is gone. I always taped it to my ankle. Damn."

    Thomas said, “Damn is right. Corey, what are you doing? Why are you heaving around like a gutted fish? Why are you making those weird groaning sounds?"

    She was breathing hard. "You'll see. I didn't count on Quinlan finding that knife. Just wait a moment, I've nearly made it through."

    "Made what through?" Quinlan said, desperately straining to see her in the darkness.

    "I was a gymnast. I have the dubious honor of being the most flexible agent to go through the program at Quantico. I'm getting my arms beneath my butt and pushing on through and in just a minute-Jesus, this is tougher than it used to be when I was younger and skinnier-" She stopped, breathing hard, straining. "There."

    She was panting, laughing. "I did it!"

    "What, Corey? For God's sake, what did you do?"

    "My hands are now tied in front of me, Thomas. Thank heaven they left enough leeway between me and the wall. The rope around my waist was higher than the rope tying my wrists together. Now, I'm going to turn around and untie the rope around my waist. When I'm free, I can do my feet and then get to you guys."

    "Corey," Quinlan said, "if you get us out of this, both Thomas and I will recommend that you become the special agent in charge of the Portland field office. Right, Thomas?"

    "If she gets out us out of this, I'll beg her to marry me and be the SAC."

    "Thomas, you're a sexist. I won't ever marry a sexist."

    "Corey, how are you doing?" Quinlan said.

    "It's coming. The knot at my waist is pretty easy."

    "Good. Just hurry."

    But how much time did they have left before the old folk came for them? Where was Sally? Quinlan hadn't prayed much in his life, but he was praying now. Did Amabel have her?

    "Got it! Now let me get my feet."

    "Oh, shit, I hear something," Thomas said. "Hurry, Corey, hurry!"

    "Don't hit her, Amory!"

    Amabel grabbed his arm, jerking it away. It slammed against the bed just an inch from Sally's ribs.

    He was panting. He wheeled about, his fist raised. "You shouldn't have done that, Ammie. You shouldn't have done it."

    Sally reared up, yelling, "Don't you dare hit her, you fucking cretin!"

    But he did, his fist hard against Amabel's jaw, knocking her against the wall. She slid down to the floor.

    Sally didn't say a word. She was staring at her aunt, praying she wasn't dead.

    "How could you?" She stared up at the man who had to be mad. "You're lovers. She called to tell you I was here so you could come and get me. You hit