The ‘Volante’ crew now watched as Danilov and two others set about dismantling the outboard motors on the dinghy. They pushed the engines over the side where they slipped into the deep. Next Danilov stood back and fired a burst into each of the ship’s life rafts puncturing them. Ali and his crew stood by helpless. The team leader returned.
“Everything is done Herr Count.”
“Thank you.”
Von Werner faced Hutchinson.
“You may regret not taking my money. It was a genuine offer. Now I will take the artefact for free. You may begin loading the helicopter. Take the sarcophagus first and then these crates,” he instructed the team leader.
“Yes Herr count. Do you want me to open them first to see if they’re of value?”
“No there is no time. Just take them. We can get rid of them later if they’re of no use.”
Von Werner extended his hand to Natalie.
“It’s time for us to leave my dear. If you’d be good enough to join us.”
Dennis got in front of her and held her behind him.
“What?” she asked.
“My dear Fraulein we can hardly sail away with our prized possession without an insurance policy. I need to take one of you with us. I mean after all I can’t leave you all here to contact the authorities. So you will be my insurance.”
“Don’t move Nat,” Dennis said.
“You’ve got what you came for,” Hutchinson shouted across the deck.
“Indeed I have. Your ship’s communications and guidance controls have been neutralised by a virus we’ve installed. You will be unable to pursue us. Your ship’s position is currently being given as ten miles from here. Even your mobile phones won’t work.”
Hutchinson reached into his pocket.
“Please feel free to try.”
There was no signal obtained. On anyone’s.
“You will be quite alone out here once we’ve left. Now please miss Feltham. I’m a busy man!”
“Stay where you are Natalie. Nobody is going with you,” Hutchinson said to Von Werner as he moved in front of her and alongside Dennis.
“Danilov!”
The Russian pointed the Heckler and Koch as he advanced on them.
“Take me!” Dennis blurted out.
He stood directly in front of Danilov who now shouldered the sub machine gun. He grabbed Dennis in both hands and was about to throw him bodily out of the way.
“Danilov wait,” Von Werner called.
The big Russian let Dennis go. Von Werner came closer.
“What did you say Mr Dennis?”
“I said take me instead.”
“May I remind you that I am a professional doing my job. I assure you Miss Feltham will not be harmed. I could not hurt such beauty….”
He tried to touch her face but she pulled her head away.
“….Miss Feltham will be put down, blindfolded, but quite unharmed at a neutral port. She will be quite safe. I give you my word.”
“If you’re a gentleman as you say you are then take me as a hostage. You don’t need the girl.”
“Now there’s a thought. How very gallant of you. How very English.”
Danilov was bored with all these mind games.
’Why can’t we just kill them all now?’ he was thinking.
“Very well Mr Dennis,” Von Werner said, “I shall use you as a hostage.”
He looked at Danilov.
“Take them both.”
“Wait a minute. That wasn’t part of the agreement.”
Von Werner reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small Beretta pistol and levelled it at waist height.
“Who said we had an agreement? Now move!”
Dennis knew he had no choice.
“It’ll be all right,” he said to Natalie, cradling her face in his hands. He turned and led her towards the steps and down to the small boats waiting. Danilov right behind. Von Werner raised a hand and said in a cheery voice.
“Thank you gentlemen for your hospitality. I bid you good day.”
“I swear to you if anything happens to them.” Hutchinson shouted after him but Von Werner was now too far away to hear it.
Once in the boat and away Dennis looked back at the ‘Volante’, apparently now adrift, stricken, the crew still safely on board. He tore his eyes away and looked at Danilov. The big man just stared back coldly. Dennis stared at him for thirty seconds or so and finally tutted, rolled his eyes and focused back on the ‘Volante’.
‘There must be something they can do,’ he was thinking.
The three little boats were zipping across the water towards the ‘Wavecrest’ flat out. Natalie rubbed the goose pimples on her arms. The wind was making her cold. Her nipples had become hard and were pressing through her vest. This had not gone unnoticed by Danilov who was looking at them, his mouth open. She caught him looking and tried to cover herself with her arms. Dennis, sitting directly behind her, leaned forward and spoke into her ear.
“Are you cold?”
She half turned and nodded. He reached around her, held her close and rubbed her skin to help. This stirred Danilov even more. His tongue flicked out over his lips. Natalie saw it and fought the urge to vomit.
Dennis was now studying the ’Wavecrest.’ As their boat got near he could see it was much bigger than the ’Volante.’ The two domes, one at the bow and the other at the stern, he could now see were machine guns. Once on deck he could see more crew members.
“How many crew does your ship carry?” Dennis asked.
Von Werner only replied with a smug grin. Dennis guessed it had to be at least forty. He also noted that he couldn’t see any of them carrying arms.
’That’s good,’ he thought, “But there are fifteen that are.”
“What?” Natalie asked. He hadn’t realised he’d said the latter out loud.
“I can’t see any of the crew carrying weapons. While we’re here use your eyes and ears. Make mental notes of everything, even something that seems insignificant could help us if opportunity arises.”
“Opportunity?”
“Yes. I intend to escape if I can, we can, don’t you?”
She suddenly felt a thrill rush through her.
“It’s like being in the movies. Is your life always like this?”
“Sometimes. Though I never get the girl.”
“Well this time you may have Mr Dennis.”
“No talking,” Danilov said shoving Dennis in the back. Dennis whirled round on him.
“You know Danilov you really are a nasty bastard aren’t you?”
He didn’t even attempt to duck the fist that landed squarely on his chin.
CHAPTER FORTY ONE
“Peter! Peter! Wake up.”
Natalie was vigorously shaking his arm. He was laying on his back on a bunk where Danilov had dropped him. The Russian had carried him there after knocking him out. Dennis turned his head this way and that.
“Where? Where am I?” he groaned.
“Peter it’s me Natalie. You’re safe.”
“Are we alone?” he asked still groaning.
“Yes.”
He opened his eyes and suddenly shot up out of the bed, startling her with his so sudden recovery. He checked the door. It was locked from the outside. They were in a cabin with two bunks and a ridiculously small toilet. He went over to the window to inspect it. It was permanently fixed and wouldn’t open. He stopped to look at her. She was staring at him open mouthed.
“Are you all right?”
“Of course.”
“But Danilov knocked you out.”