'I still don't understand why, but the sharks kept away from me. They were in a frenzy and Tommy
had become their target. Jade had gotten Colin into the boat by then.'
'I tried to help,' Colin whispered. His voice was hoarse. 'But I passed out. The next time I opened my eyes, I was on the Emerald. The oddest-looking man I'd ever seen was trying to press me into a game of chess. Honest to God, Caine, I wasn't sure if I was in heaven or hell. Then I saw Nathan sleeping on the cot next to me. I saw his sister, too, and I suddenly remembered everything. It seemed to me that it had all just happened, but I found out I'd been ill for quite some time.'
Caine leaned back in his chair in an attempt to ease the tension in his shoulders. He took several deep breaths, then noticed Colin and Nathan were doing the same thing.
'Did she know… when she went into the water, did she know there were sharks?'
'Oh, yes,' Nathan whispered. 'She knew.'
'My God, the courage that must have taken…'
'She won't talk about it,' Colin interjected.
'She dreams about it.'
'What?' Nathan asked.
'She has nightmares,' Caine explained.
Nathan's brother slowly nodded.
'Matthew and Jimbo wanted to go after the bastards who'd tried to kill us, of course,' Colin said. 'Jade wouldn't let them. She had good reason, though. She wanted the men to report back to their superior that we were both dead. Jade felt it was the only way to keep us safe. It was the right decision, I think. Nathan and I are content to stay dead for a while longer, until we find out who in hell is behind this treachery.'
'Hell, Caine, we were sanctioned by our own government,' Nathan muttered.
'No,' Caine countered. 'Your government didn't even know you worked for them. Did you ever report to Richards or his superiors? Were you ever acknowledged…'
'Go ahead and say it,' Colin interrupted.
'All right,' Caine replied. 'You worked for the Tribunal.'
'I knew you were going to say that,' Colin whispered.
'You can't be certain,' Nathan argued.
'Richards didn't know until he was informed of your deaths that you worked for the department,
Nathan. He's investigating now.'
'Then he'll be killed,' Nathan predicted.
'He's quietly investigating,' Caine qualified.
'Damn, I know I've made mistakes,' Nathan muttered. 'I almost got you killed, Colin. I never should have involved you in this.'
Colin shook his head. 'We're partners, remember?' He turned back to his brother and said, 'Do you really believe Richards can be trusted?'
'I trust him with my life. Jade's going to have to give him the letters as soon as possible, or recite the contents to him.'
'We can write copies,' Colin suggested. 'That way, the originals stay safe. No one will find the Emerald.'
'The ship was named for her, wasn't it?' Caine asked. There was a hint of a smile on his face now. 'I should have guessed that sooner. Her eyes are the color of emeralds, especially when she's angry.'
'Yes, Harry named the ship after her,' Colin said. 'Can you understand now why you became the target?'
Caine nodded. 'Yes. I was searching for Pagan. The Tribunal couldn't take the risk of me finding the pirate and gaining the truth.'
'You're still at risk, Caine,' Colin reminded him.
'But not for long,' Caine countered. 'I have a plan.'
Colin grinned at Nathan. 'I told you he'd have a plan.' He couldn't keep the relief out of his voice.
Jade walked back into the room. She looked much calmer now, almost serene. She wouldn't look at him, Caine noticed, didn't spare him a single glance as she made her way back over to the chair in front of the hearth and sat down.
'Sterns has ordered two rooms made ready for you and Nathan,' she told Colin. 'As soon as yours is ready, you must go upstairs and rest.'
'Are you certain we should stay here?' Nathan asked. He nudged Colin in his side. 'My country home is in a very remote area. I just finished the remodeling before our last assignment,' he added with a glance
in Caine's direction. 'We'd be very comfortable there.'
Colin grinned. 'I've heard so much about this palace of yours I know each room by heart. That's all you ever talked about.'
'Well, then, you have to agree with me. I have to say, Caine, that it's the most beautiful house in all of England now… Jade, why are you shaking your head at me? You don't think my house is grand?'
She gave him a quick smile. 'Oh, yes, Nathan, your house was very grand.'
