Read Online Dead Asleep by Jamie Freveletti - Free Book Online

the blunt question.
    â€œTen million.” The man showed no emotion at the figure.
    â€œAnd the collateral?”
    â€œThe proceeds from my salvage company.”
    â€œWhat company is that?”
    â€œIt’s called Deep Sea Treasure Hunters. We search for buried treasure from sunken Spanish galleons throughout the world.” The man raised an eyebrow.
    â€œAnd are you successful?”
    Kemmer puffed up a bit. Treasure hunting was his passion. “Very. We just discovered coins from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon that will be worth millions at auction.”
    â€œHow much are you allowed to keep?”
    â€œFifty percent of the proceeds.”
    â€œWhy do you need my money, then?”
    â€œIt will take close to three years to catalog, verify, and auction the coins. I need the money by next week.”
    â€œI know of your tax trouble. This money will be confiscated, I’m sure. I want you to hand deliver the majority of the company’s shares to me and then begin an expedition to the blue holes.”
    Kemmer was astonished. He’d thought he would be the one directing this meeting, but it was clear that this man had his own plans hatched. Still, he felt compelled to tell him that the blue holes were an unlikely spot for a shipwreck. The odds of finding treasure there were slim.
    â€œThere’s nothing in the blue holes except mineral deposits.” The man gave him a considering look.
    â€œI understand that many believe them to be guarded by a sea monster. Are you afraid?”
    Kemmer snorted. “Of monsters? No.” He stared at the man a moment. The request was extraordinary. And easy to fulfill, given enough time. “How soon do you require this expedition?”
    â€œIn three days.”
    â€œWhat? Impossible. It’s high season, my boats are booked for the next three weeks.”
    The man shrugged. “Then we have no deal.” He turned to go. Kemmer grabbed his arm.
    â€œWait. If I arrange this expedition, you’ll lend the money?”
    â€œThe expedition and the shares.”
    â€œAs collateral only. They remain mine unless I default,” Kemmer said.
    The man nodded. “That is acceptable.”
    Kemmer felt something akin to elation at the idea that his immediate money troubles might be over. “You’re on.” The thin man turned back to his boat. “But tell me,” Kemmer said, “what’s in the blue holes that you want so much?” The man shot him a look from the corner of his eyes.
    â€œNot what, who. Just prepare the expedition. I’ll arrange the rest.”
    Kemmer watched him step back onto the boat. The crew untied it and turned it back out to sea. Walking past his burned beach house toward the estate above, Kemmer couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d agreed to something much more deadly than a simple expedition.

Chapter 9
    T erra Cay’s harbor was unlike those of any Emma had seen in the islands. Pristine and well regulated, it only accommodated a few ships, a design created deliberately to control the number of boat owners requesting to dock. If you didn’t have enough money to buy or rent a villa, the island didn’t want your company.
    Seahook Tours operated out of a blue painted shed at the dock’s far end. She parked and started over to it, strolling in the sunlight. From twenty feet away she spotted Elliott Marwell on the deck of a beautiful white yacht. As she drew near, Emma saw the boat’s name: Siren’s Song. Marwell’s dark skin gleamed under a white baseball cap. He wore a navy tee shirt, black cargo shorts, and a small silver hoop earring in his left ear. He glanced up and straightened to watch her approach. When she got closer he began to smile.
    â€œSomething tells me you’re Emma Caldridge,” he said.
    Emma smiled back. “I finally made it here.”
    â€œCome aboard. It’s nice to meet you in person.” He came to the