Hatteras Blue by David Poyer

Author:David Poyer [Blue, Hatteras]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-03-24T18:30:00+00:00

Galloway didn't answer. He examined the tiny set once more, carefully. He and Keyes looked at each other.

He turned, and swung it against the water jacket of the port engine. The plastic cracked at the first blow. He swung it twice more before throwing what remained into the bilge.

He did not look back at her.

"Coast Guard," Keyes was repeating. 'You told her—what? That you were going to call them, when we found the gold?"

"That's what my parole officer advised me to do. I don't know if I would have. But she seems to have forced my hand."

"I see. Yeah, I see it. Blow the whistle, claim your salvor's cut, and to hell with me, eh?" "It wouid've been legal, anyway. We'd have gotten title to it eventually—if your story held up."

'You weren't going to do it," said Hirsch suddenly.

"Bernie—"

"No. Don't bother. I understand now." She shuddered. "You weren't going to call at all. You want that gold as much as he does. You're just like him"

"I don't know about that. But you're damned right I want my share, yeah."

4You can't do this, Galloway. You can't do it to yourself. Not again."

"Go to hell," he said then. You're not my conscience."

Still staring at him, she put her hand to her mouth.

Her scream broke Keyes's control. One stride and his hands were around her neck, forcing her down. Caffey yelled and dove at him, but the older man shrugged him off; the boy staggered into a bulkhead. You little bitch," Keyes said, in a detached, unemotional tone. "Dirty little Jewish whore—"

The butt of the carbine made a hollow sound against his skull. Galloway, holding the rifle reversed like a bat, looked down at the crumpled figure.

"Look out!" screamed Caffey, behind him.

Galloway turned in time to duck the fire axe. The blade whacked deep into a beam and stuck. Aydlett let go of the handle. He came for Galloway, his big scarred hands held wide. Then one of them moved, to his belt. When it came back up it held a fid.

"Shad—goddamnit, what are you doin'!"

"Killin' you, Tiller. Just like I promised I would."

The six-inch taper of steel feinted toward his eyes. Galloway got the carbine up just as the point dropped and lunged toward his stomach, too fast and close to avoid. He was anticipating it in the pit of his gut when Caffey grabbed the waterman's arm from behind.

Aydlett jammed his elbow back without looking. It caught the boy in the bandaged ribs. His mouth opened soundlessly; he let go and reeled back. But by then Galloway had the barrel up, a round in the breech, and the muzzle firmly centered on Aydlett's massive chest.

"Siddown, Shad," he said.

The man glared down at him, then glanced at the barrel. For a moment Galloway thought he might try to brush it aside. His finger tightened.

Aydlett squatted slowly on the deck.

Galloway breathed out. He looked dqwn at Hirsch. "Help her up, Jack," he said tightly.

"Right." Caffey, pale and scared, jumped to obey. He tried to lift her in his arms and failed.

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