Read Online Fatal Tide by Iris Johansen - Free Book Online Page B

legend?”
    “Perhaps part of it is legend. But if even a tenth of it is true, the possibilities are damn exciting.”
    “Like I said, your dream.” His gaze went to the adjoining door. “But it’s not her dream, is it? After all that’s happened, it has to be more like a nightmare.”
    “I’ll see that she reaps a profit.”
    “ Profit can have a number of interpretations too.”
    “God, I can’t stand you when you’re philosophical.”
    “I was more enigmatic than philosophical.”
    Kelby crossed to the phone. “I’ll order you a bourbon. Maybe it will blur your—”
    “Don’t bother. You know we Indians can’t take firewater.”
    “I don’t know any such thing. You’ve drunk me under the table any number of times.”
    “Well, I have to keep a clear head when you’re trying to get it blown off. Besides, I don’t think you’re in any mood to amuse me tonight. My shaman powers sense a definite emotional downswing.” He turned and headed for the door. “I still have to check into this hotel. I’ll call you when I have a room number.”
    “You haven’t asked what I want you to do.”
    “You want to make me rich. You want me to make your dream come true.” He paused to glance again at Melis’s adjoining door. “And you want me to help keep her alive while we’re doing it. Does that cover it?”
    “That covers it.”
    “And you said I wasn’t a true shaman.” The door closed behind him.
    Nicholas was right, Kelby thought wearily. He was tired and frustrated and his mood was definitely somber. It was good to have Nicholas here, but he didn’t want to deal with him right now. He couldn’t shake the memory of Melis Nemid’s face as she had looked down at the horror that had once been her friend. He had wanted to curse and rage and then scoop her up and carry her out of there.
    An unusual reaction from him. But then, his every response had been unusual since he’d met Melis. He could generally transform any softening in his feelings toward her by concentrating on some other element, such as her sexuality, as he had in the hospital in Athens. But he hadn’t been able to do that since he’d met her at the airport in Tobago. Yes, he’d been sexually aware of her, but there had been so damn much more. She seemed to trigger emotions that he wasn’t even aware he had anymore.
    And she hadn’t opened the adjoining door as he’d told her to do.
    Kelby crossed the room and opened it a narrow crack. There was no light in her room, but he could sense she was awake—and in pain. It was as if he were connected to her in some way. Crazy.
    He’d be glad when she was less vulnerable and he could get more perspective on the situation.
    Don’t think about her. He’d call Wilson and see if he’d managed to trace that cruiser. Then he’d contact Halley and give him his room number in case he had any new info.
    Don’t think about Melis Nemid sitting in that room. Don’t think of her pain. Don’t think of her courage. Just keep busy and work toward the goal. The dream. Marinth.
     
    Kelby knocked on the adjoining-room door and then opened it all the way when she didn’t answer. “Are you okay?”
    “No.”
    “Well, I’m coming in anyway. I decided to let you alone to grieve for a while, but you’ve been sitting here in the dark for the past twenty-four hours. You need to eat.”
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “Not much.” He flipped on the light as he entered the room. “Just enough to combat the shock. I’ve ordered some tomato soup and a sandwich.” He grimaced. “I know you don’t want me here, but you’ll have to tell me if there’s someone else you need me to call.”
    She shook her head. “Have they finished with the autopsy?”
    “You don’t want to talk about this.”
    “Yes, I do. Tell me.”
    He nodded. “They rushed it and the DNA test. They wanted a final confirmation for a number of reasons.”
    “The people whose records were stolen.”
    “I admit Halley’s taking