Promise of Gold by Kristen Kyle

Author:Kristen Kyle [Kyle, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-48983-8
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2012-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Michael halted his stealthy progress without warning.

Dickie plowed into Michael’s back, who in turn was knocked off balance when Esteban ran into him.

“Faith and what are you doing?” Michael complained in a hushed tone. “Don’t be mowing a body down.”

“If you wouldn’t stop for no reason, you big ox, it wouldn’t be a problem,” retorted Dickie. “It’s too bleedin’ dark out here for that nonsense. The only light is that weak lantern at the stern. Can’t see a bleedin’ thing.”

“Quiet, both of you,” Esteban whispered irritably. “This will never succeed if you spoil the element of surprise.” The unknown quantity of Dickie’s and Michael’s tempers left him nervous, not to mention his anxiety over their daring plan.

The threesome had stopped amidships, next to the structure that housed the laboratory.

“I had a reason for stopping. I heard something.”

“Where?” Dickie pivoted quickly.

Cold metal touched Esteban’s arm. Ever so cautiously, the Spaniard pushed the gun away until it wasn’t in such nerve-wracking proximity to his heart. He didn’t trust Dickie with the revolver. After all, the weight of the gun in his own hand felt clumsy and unfamiliar.

But they had to try. They couldn’t allow that loco Lord Graystone to sail away tomorrow from a fortune in treasure!

“I don’t like this,” Michael muttered. “Where is everyone?”

“Yeah. What do you say to that, Esteban? I know your plan was to pick off each crewmember and tie them up until we could take Graystone hostage, but we sure can’t do that if we can’t bleedin’ find them!”

“I do not know,” Esteban admitted. “This is strange.”

Michael sighed. “I wish Rosa was with us instead of tucked in her bed. I’d feel a sight better if this was her plan.”

Offended, Esteban hissed, “She would not approve. At least I came up with a plan, while you two only complained.”

“Hey, don’t make it sound as if you’re the one doin’ all the work, mate. I picked the lock on the gun cabinet.”

“Did you remember to put bullets in the guns?” Esteban retorted snidely.

“Sure did, but I didn’t like it, no sirree. Hate to admit it, but I kind of like Graystone and his mates.”

“We don’t really have to shoot them to take over the ship, do we?” Michael whispered.

With a sigh of aggravation, Esteban said, “The plan is to take Graystone hostage without firing a single shot. Will you stop arguing and get on with it?”

Esteban nudged Dickie, who nudged Michael. They started to creep forward again. Suddenly, the grating scratch of several flints broke the silence. Light flared as lanterns were lit.

The three elderly men froze, caught in the glow.

Tim, Geoff, and Richard emerged from around the laboratory and came up behind them. Each man carried a rifle. Richard took the revolvers from their numb fingers.

Graystone walked calmly around the opposite corner and paused before them. Dressed simply in black trousers and a black shirt, with a revolver shoved in his waistband, he looked just like the buccaneers that populated Dickie’s and Michael’s more colorful tales.

“Did you … overhear what we were sayin’?” Dickie muttered.

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