The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

Jared." Max Butterfield spoke from the shadows of the open wall. Another flashlight beam penetrated the darkness. "I'm right here. Together with my insurance policy, of course. No, don't bother reaching for that old dagger. Leave it right where it is or someone will get hurt." He motioned with the gun in his hand.

    " Dad ." David stood at Max's side, held fast by Butterfield's grip on his arm. The boy's eyes were huge in the shadows. "What's going on? Max said you wanted to see me right away. He said you were in trouble. Are you and Kate okay?"

    "As you can see, my boy, they're just fine," Max said. "For now, at any rate. Although I am saddened to see that my rather inept friend has not fared so well. You always were a trifle too precipitous, Taylor. You're an excellent planner, but you lack creativity."

    Kate felt something very cold squeeze her stomach and she could only imagine how Jared must be feeling as he realized his son was now a hostage. The carefully controlled tension in him lapped at her in waves.

    "Let David go, Max." Jared gazed unwaveringly at Butterfield. His voice was very quiet. "You don't need him. Get in the cruiser and go. No one will stop you."

    "Now we both know it's not quite that simple, Hawthorne." Max sounded mildly regretful. He glanced at Kate and shook his head. "A pity about your curiosity, my dear. This entire matter could have been handled far more neatly if you had not gotten involved. Now I fear it will be rather messy. But a writer's life is filled with ups and downs, is it not?"

    "Your life has definitely gotten a lot more messy than most," Kate said. "What made you decide to turn traitor?"

    "Such a dramatic turn of phrase, my dear. I don't quite see it that way. Remember our little philosophical discussion at poolside concerning fate? I believe I mentioned then that once in a while one is given a golden opportunity to reshape one's destiny. I have been handed such an opportunity and have decided to take it."

    "You really believe your own bull, Max?" Jared asked conversationally.

    "Dad?" David tried to pull free of Max's grip and looked up angrily when he was not released. "Hey, Max. Let me go. Come on, let go of me."

    "Not yet, David, my boy. I'm afraid I need you to ensure your father's good behavior." Max looked at Kate, paying little attention to his small hostage. "And also that of Ms Inskip. Come along, boy." He started to drag David toward the cruiser, motioning with the gun to urge Jared and Kate out of the way.

    "I'm not going anywhere with you." David started to struggle.

    "Behave yourself, boy, or I'll put a bullet through your father right now. Do you understand?" Max jerked David forward.

    David looked at Jared, his small face taut with fear. "Dad?"

    "Don't fight him, son," Jared said, his voice calm. "Just go along quietly, okay?"

    "But, Dad, I don't want to go with Max." David was near tears as he was dragged toward the boat.

    "Everything's going to be all right. When this is all over, you and Kate can practice some of those things she taught you. Remember what you learned from her?"

    David blinked a couple of times and the tears were halted. He glanced at Kate and she could see awareness dawning in his eyes. She nodded reassuringly.

    "You might even want to start practicing right away, Dave," Jared said.

    "Yeah," said David, gathering himself.

    "This is all very touching," Max Butterfield said as he started to step into the boat, "but I'm afraid we really don't have time for these sentimental farewells. Jared, go open the sea wall. Come along, David."

    "I'm not going anywhere with you," David announced in the distinctly stubborn accents only a nine-year-old can manage.

    "Of course you are."

    "Wanna bet?" David lashed out without warning, slamming the sole of his right foot squarely against Max's kneecap.

    For the next few seconds, everything happened very quickly. Max yelled in pain and surprise and lost his balance. He clutched his knee and then flailed wildly for his balance. He missed the boat and toppled with slow grandeur into the black water.

    David ran straight to his father. Jared caught him close in a short, fierce hug. "You are a hell of a kid, you know that?"

    "It was Kate's trick," David reminded him.

    "Kate is a hell of a woman. And I am one hell of a lucky man." Jared gently pushed the boy toward Kate, who held him tightly to her. Then he walked over to the edge of the quay and stood looking down at Max, who was bobbing