Love, Lattes and Danger. Sandra Cox

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СКАЧАТЬ your sister and come on up.” He lets himself out. The small room seems to expand without his larger than life presence.

      I get Amy and we take the backstairs up.

      “Another assignment? How are we going to build a jammer? The timing is terrible. We have to get out of here.”

      I hear raw terror in her voice. But knowing my sister, the concern is as much for her niece as herself.

      “We will. I promise you.”

      Our footsteps echo along the quiet hall. We’ve nearly reached Leif’s quarters when Craven steps out of his room. “And the hits just keep on coming,” I say under my breath.

      “What the hell are you doing up here where anyone can see? Get below. I’ll deal with you both later.” He shoves me.

      I stand my ground. Before I can reply, Amy is in his face, spitting and snarling like a wild thing. “Don’t you shove my brother.”

      “Or what, you little…”

      I draw back my fist. Before he can finish his sentence or I can slug him, Leif’s door opens. “What’s the problem?” he barks.

      “These two mutants aren’t in their cabins. They know this area is out of bounds.” He waves his finger at us wildly. “And they are being insolent. Get below now,” he all but screams.

      “Way to keep a low profile, Craven.” Leif frowns.

      Craven is so angry, spittle is dribbling from the corner of his mouth. Leif looks at him with distaste. “They’re here at my invitation.” He motions us inside and turns to Craven. “Go check the stats on the other rigs.”

      “But…”

      “Now.” For once, Leif doesn’t raise his voice, but in its own way, the quiet tone is even more terrifying. Leif’s a fair man, but no one in their right mind would cross him. Then again, I’d never accuse Craven of being in his right mind.

      We sit down to a small table loaded with food. Amy pours coffee, while Leif passes around the food. Silverware clinks against plates as we dig in. Caffeine in the form of hot, fresh coffee warms my throat and throws my brain in gear.

      “You’re probably wondering why I keep him,” Leif says after a while.

      Amy stares at her plate. I say nothing.

      “He’s damn good at his job. I don’t have to like him to appreciate his results. You two on the other hand, I do like.” He grins and tosses down his napkin.

      Amy gives him a shy smile.

      “Good to know,” I respond. “What’s the assignment?”

      “A leak on three. Actually it’s not even a leak.”

      “What’s going on?”

      “Not sure. The EPA found minute traces of oil five miles out and are making noises. Craven took the call. You can get more details on the way to the rig.”

      Right. Like I’d ask Craven anything.

      For the first time, Amy chimes in, “Three’s about forty miles from here isn’t it?”

      “Yeah,” Leif responds. “We have riggers all across the world. But the majority are located here along the Texas coast.”

      She nods.

      “And you need us both?”

      He runs his hands across his chin, making a light raspy sound. “Tell you what. I’ll send you out. If you need backup, have Craven call me and I’ll send Amy. That way she’ll be available if any other emergencies arise. Now if you’re done, why don’t you get packed and I’ll order the chopper.”

      I grab the last biscuit as I rise and shove it in my mouth. If I’m with Craven, no telling when I’ll eat again. Excitement floods my system in a rush of warmth. If Craven is with me, Amy can scout the ship at night for parts to make a jammer. As long as she keeps a low profile, Leif won’t care that she’s moving around.

      Her eyes bright, she throws me a triumphant smile as we hurry down the hall. “I’ll look for parts while you’re gone,” she whispers.

      “What if all the parts aren’t on board the rig?”

      “They have to be. These rigs are self-supporting. And if we don’t find everything, we’ll have to jury-rig it.”

      “Say what?”

      “We’ll have to make do.”

      “Oh okay. Gotcha.”

      I grab my bag, which is always packed, and give Amy a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see ya. Be careful and don’t take any chances.”

      “I won’t.”

      “I’ll be back as quick as I can. We’ll get these things made, and then we’re out of here.” I hustle up to the deck.

      Craven is already waiting. “Let’s go, mutant.”

      Before we can board, Leif comes trotting up. “I’ll expect a full report when you get back, Craven.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      “Joel, I’ll expect one from you as well.” He doesn’t even look at me. His gaze never leaves Craven. The message is pretty clear. Hands off.

      “Will do.” It’ll be more difficult, but Craven is crafty. He’ll manage to find a way to make my life a living hell.

      I climb on board, Craven behind me. He turns around once in his seat to stare at me. He says nothing, but if his glare is anything to go by, he’d like to bite into my jugular. I hold his gaze. When he finally looks away, I study the choppy gray water below and let my mind drift to how to get the materials to build the jammers. The clock oscillators should be no problem. We’ll just need to snag a couple of wristwatches for the quartz crystal. There should be mini-circuit breakers in the equipment room.

      The helicopter touches down before I can finish my mental reconnaissance. “Head for the water, freak. I don’t want any more people seeing you than necessary.”

      The pilot throws Craven a startled look but says nothing.

      I bend low and run from the chopper. Once away from the whir of the blades, I head for a shadowed corner, shuck down to my trunks and toss my duffle against the wall, hoping Craven doesn’t find it and toss it overboard or add an unpleasant surprise. I’ve found everything from poisonous spiders to jellyfish in my bag. The man’s a snake.

      I climb the ladder over the side and drop into the water.

      I sink into the cool blue water and let myself drift downward, losing myself in the ripples. There’s nothing like it. I imagine it’s similar to what a baby feels drifting in its mother’s amniotic fluid. The thought reminds me of the child floating in the tank of blue liquid. My muscles tighten and I swim for the surface. I need to figure out what’s going on here. СКАЧАТЬ