Ghost Ship

“You destroyed my bike, didn’t you?”

Sam said, “I’ll buy you a new one. I promise.”

“All right.”

“So, at this stage, there’s only one person I know for certain was probably involved in betraying me — Tom Bower.”

She sighed heavily. “There’s one other person you haven’t considered, but you’re not going to like it.”

“Who?”

Her voice sounded somber. “Me.”

Chapter Fifty

Sam said, “What are you talking about?”

“Think about it. I was the first person to see you. You have no idea who I am. I could have called anyone.”

“But you said we dated years ago. We were apparently madly in love.”

“Sure. We were. In many ways I never stopped loving you. But you don’t know that. You don’t really know anything about me. You can’t be sure.”

Sam said, “If I couldn’t trust you, you wouldn’t be telling me this.”

“Or, I’m telling you this because I want you to trust me,” she countered.

“So which is it? Are you my friend or my enemy?”

She answered without hesitation. “I’m your friend.”

He didn’t know whether he was a good judge of character or not, but when he listened to her voice, and the concern in its tone, Sam heard nothing but the concern of a dear friend.

He said, “I believe you. And right now, I need every friend I can find.”

“Thank you,” she said, relief in her voice. “I wasn’t sure how you would take that, but I wanted you to know that I had your best interests at heart.”

“Catarina, of course I trust you. Right now, you’re the only person I know I can trust.”

He then filled her in about what he found on the Betamax tape.

When he was finished, she said, “So what’s next?”

“Can you meet me somewhere?”

“Where?”

“The Hague, Netherlands…”

“I thought you said the video showed a recording of you a few days ago making sure that your future self didn’t try and work out what happened. Didn’t he say for you to leave this alone?” she admonished.

Sam grinned. “Yeah, well I decided not to listen to myself. Instead, I’m going to The Hague to find answers.”

“Did you work out what you’re supposed to be doing there?”

“No. But the time’s running out. So I have to try. I’ve bought tickets on an overnight train. I’ll be in the Netherlands by the morning.”

“Okay. I’ll book the first flight I can find and will meet you there.”

Sam said, “Thank you, Catarina. I mean it; you’re the only one I can trust.”

“It’s all right, I’m happy to help,” she said. Her voice was soft, full of warmth and suppressed concern. “Have a safe train trip, and catch up on some rest.”

Sam smiled. “I will.”

Chapter Fifty-One

The cashier at the pawn shop called a number.

A man picked up immediately. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry to call you on this number, boss — I thought you’d want to know right away.”

“What is it?” the man replied.

“He was just here.”

“Who?”

“Sam Reilly.”

“You’re kidding me. What are the chances?”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Did he recognize you?”

“No.”

“Good. What was he doing there?”

The cashier said, “Looking for a Betamax player.”

“What did you do?”

“I sold him the only one I have.”

“And then he left?”

“No. He paid me double to use it on the premises. Then left without taking the Betamax player.”

“Did you see what was on it?”

“Yeah. But there was nothing that appeared to link you to the truth.”

“Good.”

The cashier asked, “What do you want me to do?”

The man on the other end said, “Nothing. I’m going to find out what happened to Andre Dufort. Then I’m going to make sure the man finishes the job I paid him to do.”

Chapter Fifty-Two

Andre’s cell phone started to ring.

Sam answered it.

A man on the other end of the line started speaking without preamble. “Holy shit, Andre! What the hell went wrong? First you tell me you killed the guy… and now I hear that there was an explosion on board the C17 and the pilots had to ditch the aircraft into the Baltic Sea!”

Sam grinned. “I’m sorry, sir. I’m going to have to stop you right there… Andre’s a little predisposed right now?”

“Where is he?”

Sam grinned. “Right now… he’s going for a little swim in the Neva River… but it doesn’t look like he’s very good at it. He seems to just bob up and down like a dead fish…”

The voice on the other end of the line cursed. “Sam Reilly?”

Sam nodded. “That’s what everyone keeps calling me.”

“You killed him?”

Sam shrugged, suppressed a grin. “Technically, he jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft without enough parachutes. When he realized his mistake, he kindly offered me his.”

“You’re not going to get away with this…”

Sam said, “Yeah… I guess you’re right. But if you’re wrong… well, let’s just say I’m going to make sure as hell that you get what’s coming your way.”

“Listen here, you arrogant fool. We’re coming after you, and when we’re done, no price will be spared to see you suffer.”

Sam grinned. “Then I suggest you try and send someone competent this time.”

Chapter Fifty-Three

Warsaw, Poland — Twelve Hours

The train hurtled through the spectacular countryside beyond the window. Sam had the compartment to himself and he was grateful for the space. A uniformed server bent with impeccable politeness.