Sea of Fire

There was a firm rap on the door. Jelbart moved aside to open it. Communications Specialist Edie Albright was standing there with a radio.

'FNO Loh,' she said.

'Thank you,' Jelbart said. 'There's timing for you,' he said to Coffey as he took the radio and raised it to his mouth. He hit Send. 'Jelbart here.'

'Warrant Officer, our shore patrols report no success in finding the Malaysian vessel from the 130-5 site,' the woman said. 'They regret to say the trail is very cold.'

'I'm not surprised. They had a big head start in a bigger sea,' Jelbart said. 'FNO Loh, Mr. Coffey and I would like to have a private conversation with you. Is your line secure?'

'It is. What is this in reference to?' she asked.

'Mr. Coffey has information about someone who may be involved in this operation,' Jelbart said.

'Mr. Jervis Darling?'

'Yes,' Jelbart said. He felt as though he had been punched in the back. 'What made you say that?'

'We have been watching him since he killed his wife,' she replied.

Chapter Thirty-Two

The Celebes Sea Saturday, 1:00 A.M.

The Malaysian fishing ship moved slowly toward the yacht. Kannaday watched from the deck. The fishing vessel had only one light on, a lantern attached to the prow. If they were spotted or pursued, the captain could douse the light and run dark on a different course. He would try to get behind the much larger yacht so that his movements would be blocked from radar. The yacht was at minimal lighting, which meant it was dark save for a light at the bow, one at the stern, and one amidships at the base of the mainmast.

But Kannaday did not expect any problems. Not from sea or air patrols, anyway. There was nothing on the radar. The only problem might come from Hawke. Kannaday had come up with a plan to deal with the security chief. He had worked out every convolution. There were two chances in three that it would go his way. He liked those odds.

Still, the captain was anxious. Kannaday had never had to deal with insubordination. Ego was never an issue with his crew. They were paid to do a job, and they did it. Moreover, unlike the incident in his cabin, this was going to be a public confrontation. Below deck, only Kannaday's pride had been at risk. On deck, his ability to command would be in jeopardy.

Kannaday stood at the port-side railing. He watched as the shipping vessel pulled within fifteen meters of the yacht. Neither boat went to anchor. The captains wanted to be mobile. Four Hosannah security men came from belowdecks. Each man was carrying a small barrel. Hawke was behind them. He had been watching the loading of the mini-launch. The Hosannah had two, both suspended from the rear. The vessel would be loaded with the valuable cargo and then lowered. The Hosannah would take nothing in return. Payment on delivery was worked out through other means. Kannaday did not know what they were. Overseas bank transactions most likely.

Kannaday walked over to his crew. 'Mr. Hawke, I'd like you to go with them.'

'I always do,' he replied.

'Not with our crew, with the Malaysians,' Kannaday said.

Hawke turned to face Kannaday. The lantern was behind Hawke. Kannaday could not see his expression.

'Why would I want to do that?' Hawke asked.

'To ensure the security of the cargo. To reassure the chief,' Kannaday told him.

'Did he order me to do that?'

'I'm asking you to go,' Kannaday replied. The captain made a point of asking rather than ordering. He hoped that would make it go down easier. He also refused to say whether or not the order came from Darling. Hawke would not dare call to find out. That would appear openly mutinous. Hawke had to know that Darling would not be sympathetic to that.

How and why was not important. What mattered was to get Hawke into the launch. Kannaday would log the order and show Jervis Darling that he was still in command.

Hawke was silent as the men continued working behind him. He was obviously considering the same options Kannaday had contemplated.

'What if I decline to go?' Hawke asked. He moved closer to Kannaday. His eyes were steel resolve.

'Why would you do that?'

'My post is here, on the yacht,' Hawke replied.

'Your post is where the captain sends you,' Kannaday said. 'Patrols are out there. You know that. They may be looking for us and anyone we meet. Or would you prefer that I radio the chief? Tell him that you do not consider the cargo to be worth protecting?'

'I'll send some of my security team,' Hawke replied. 'We do not need them here at the moment.'

'They are not as capable as their leader.'

'They are capable enough,' Hawke insisted. He turned to go.

'Would you prefer that I call the chief and tell him that you are afraid to go?' Kannaday asked. The captain was speaking loud enough now that the other crew members could hear.

Hawke did not even look back. 'Do that.'

'Mr. Hawke, you will go aboard that fishing vessel or you will go below,' Kannaday ordered.

'I have work to do,' Hawke replied.

'Your work is finished,' Kannaday told him.

'Not until we are back at the cove,' Hawke shot back. He was still looking ahead.

Kannaday felt as if he'd been hit by a swinging spar. Hawke had defied him in front of the crew. The security officer had embarrassed him in front of the Malaysians, who were watching with night-vision glasses from the deck of their vessel. They would carry word to their boss, who would relay it to Darling. Kannaday's brain, spirit, and flesh were all affected by a disorienting sense of humiliation. Reason left him. His ego winked off, then came back like a nova. His flesh grew hot and prickly. Kannaday felt as though the dignity had been baked from him. He wanted it back. He had considered the possibility that Hawke would refuse the order. But he had not imagined exactly how it would feel.

Nonetheless, there was only one thing for Kannaday to do.

Without hesitation, Kannaday reached for the back of the security officer. He placed a strong hand on each of the man's shoulders. He did not grab just the fabric of Hawke's sweater. His fingers dug deep, wrapping tightly around the meat of the man's shoulders. Kannaday took a long step back, pulling Hawke with him. The captain immediately turned and dipped and slammed Hawke onto the deck. The security chief lay on his back. He whipped the wommera from his sash and pointed the blade up. Kannaday wanted to drop on the man's chest and pound him senseless. But he forced himself to step back. Kannaday did not want to give Hawke the opportunity to kill him in self-defense.

Hawke rose quickly. 'You bloody bastard! No one puts his hands on me! No one!'

The men were less than ten feet apart. Hawke walked forward slowly, holding the blade waist high. The captain stood firmly on the gently rolling deck. His legs were wide and his fists were low at his sides. His eyes were on Hawke, who was now walking into the light.

There was no going back.

'Come at me again, damn you!' Hawke said.

'Back off, Hawke. You disobeyed an order!'

'You're not fit to give them!' Hawke said.

'Then relieve me of my command, Mr. Hawke.'

The launch was loaded but did not lower into the water. The crew had stopped working. Everyone was watching the altercation between the captain and the security officer.