Running Dark

20

“I’M MARINA SCHULLMANN,” THE GIRL SAID.

Block stood up and put out a hand. “I’m Harry. And this here’s Sumner. What’s your first name again?” Block asked him.

Sumner stood. “Sumner’s fine. Not too many people use my first name.” He held the rifle down and slightly behind him. Marina’s white-blond hair, chopped to her chin, blew around in the breeze, flicking over her ice-blue eyes. She had a reserved, cool way about her, which he knew from watching her was alleviated somewhat when she smiled, but she wasn’t smiling now.

She pointed at the gun hanging by Sumner’s leg. “This is what caused them to leave?”

Block shot Sumner a cautious look.

Sumner nodded. “It is. But it’s illegal on a cruise ship, so I would ask that you not broadcast that I have it.”

Marina looked surprised. “I am happy you have it. Who is Clutch?”

“The head of security. He had the flare gun. Did you see him over there?”

Marina shook her head. “I found the flare gun on the deck floor. No one was near me.”

Sumner made a mental note to throw Clutch against a wall and explain the rules of engagement to him. The first being this: Never run and leave your comrades to go it alone during a firefight.

“How long before they return?” Marina said, getting right to the point.

Sumner was about to tell her that it could be anywhere from a few hours to a matter of minutes when Block broke in.

“They turned tail and ran. We may never see them again.”

Sumner frowned. He wouldn’t have lied to the girl. She struck him as no fool. He watched her take in the information and shake her head.

“That is not true, Herr Block.”

Block shifted. “Now, don’t you worry, miss. Sumner and me here got the situation as far under control as it can be, considering the circumstances. You should go back to your cabin and lock the door.”

Marina raised an eyebrow. “I think the situation was better controlled when I shot the flare gun.”

Sumner suppressed a smile.

“And we thank you,” Block said, clearing his throat. But you still should go back to your room. Didn’t I see you with your parents?”

A cloud passed over her face. “My mother is frightened for me, that’s true. But I wanted to know what was happening. The ship’s captain is not informing us. He only says that he has sent a distress signal and an American aircraft carrier in the region is coming to our aid. But this I don’t believe.”

Block gave Sumner a worried look.

“Why not?” Sumner said.

“The Frenchmen in cabin 216 said that Americans will not come to the aid in Somali waters.”

“Did they say anything else?”

“Not to me. They moved away. Besides, it’s rude to listen to another’s conversation, is it not?” Marina gave Sumner a reproachful look.

Just what we need, he thought, a woman with a proper upbringing.

“And,” she continued, “I do not speak French.”

“That’s a shame,” Block said.

Marina looked a little annoyed. “Do you, Herr Block?”

Block grinned. “Hell no. I speak Texan.”

Block’s comment seemed to mollify Marina. She gave him a small smile.

“Is this your first cruise to the Seychelles?” Sumner’s question sounded mundane, given the situation.

Block snorted. “Guys, I’d love everyone to get to know each other better, but those pirates are gonna come back. Don’t you think we should be preparing for that?”

Sumner wanted to tell Block that he was preparing for it, but he couldn’t. Instead he raised his eyebrows at Marina to encourage her to answer.

“No. My father made this cruise six months ago. He liked it so much that he suggested to my mother that we go with him this time.”

Did he, now? Sumner thought.

“What does your father do?” Out of the corner of his eye, Sumner saw Block begin to protest the continued conversation. Sumner gave a sharp nod of the head to indicate that he remain quiet. Block must have understood, because he didn’t comment.

“He sells armored cars.”

Sumner thought Block would fall over with surprise.

“What kind of armored cars?” Block said.

“Kind?” Marina looked confused.

“What brand? Fords? Chevys? BMWs?”

Marina shrugged. “All kinds. They bring the car to our shop, and we take it apart and armor it.”

Sumner wondered what the odds were of an armored-car salesman taking this particular cruise to the Seychelles.

“I’d love to talk to him about how he does it,” Block said. “Bet I could sell a ton of armored cars to the guys in Mexico. That country is in the middle of a drug war.”

Sumner appreciated that Block wanted to learn about the marketing opportunities for armored cars, but he thought the more interesting question was why an armored-car salesman was taking the same cruise twice only six months apart.

“Do you know the Frenchmen’s business?” Sumner asked Marina.

She shrugged. “No. But there is a Russian with his girlfriend. He sells drugs throughout the Eastern Bloc countries.”

“Legal drugs?” Sumner said.

Marina smiled. “Yes. A heart medication.”