Page 89 of The Situation Ship
“They’ll… find out… what you did,” Poppy rasped, each word heavy and laboured. She collapsed by the edge of the pool and shook her head, trying to get her vision to focus, trying to stay conscious. Specks plagued her vision, and when she tried to get away from the water’s edge, her limbs, which were as heavy as stone, refused to cooperate.
“I wouldn’t be so sure; this isn’t the first murder I’ve got away with.” Sophia crouched down beside her. “I also have to back out of our deal. I’m afraid Mina and Isaiah will have to die too. Given their unwavering loyalty, I can’t trust them not to leave yourdeath alone. If you’re dead and I’m in prison, then this really would have all been for naught, and I can’t let that happen.”
Poppy attempted to swing at her, but Sophia easily dodged her.
“I wouldn’t waste your energy. You’re going to need it.” She tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind Poppy’s ear, looking at her like a helpless, injured bird. Then she shoved her harshly.
Poppy crashed into the water and sank into darkness.
Isaiah was opening the small gate to the villa when he heard a bell chime behind him.
“I thought you’d be gone a couple more hours,” Phoebe said, pulling up beside him on her bike. A tote bag filled with groceries was tucked into her bike basket.
“The police want me to bring Poppy to the station this afternoon. I told them everything and they’ve collected all the evidence, so there wasn’t much else I could help them with,” he said, taking the groceries from the basket and carrying them up for her. He’d left out what he knew about Sophia. Though he hated impeding their investigation, he didn’t want to break Poppy’s trust.
“Pity you’re back so soon. I was looking forward to gossiping about you with Poppy,” Phoebe joked as they walked down the side passage so she could lock up her bike. Chaining it to thewall, she paused. “Did you leave the side gate open when you left?”
“No, I used the front door,” Isaiah said, not liking the look on Phoebe’s face. He knew when she was worried. “Maybe it was the workers?”
“No, I checked it last night before Axel and I left, or at least I thought I did,” Phoebe said, walking toward the door and pushing it open. “Poppy could’ve gone for a walk.”
“I doubt it– not with her shoulder causing her so much pain.” Isaiah pulled her gently behind him and handed her the groceries, which she put back in her basket before following him.
“Stay here and call the police. Tell them you have an intruder.” He drew his gun.
Phoebe pulled out her phone immediately and started dialling, but before he could go anywhere, they both heard a loud splash.
“Poppy!” Isaiah shouted, bolting into the garden just in time to see Poppy sink beneath the clear water. He dropped his gun and dived into the pool without thinking, wrestling her back to the surface. Above the water, he prayed for her to open her eyes, but she was out cold.
Fear coiled around his heart, threatening to squeeze the life from him. He couldn’t lose her now, not when they had come so far.
“Please, Poppy, open your eyes for me,” he pleaded, wading through the water to the edge.
He was about to lift her out when they were covered by a shadow.
“Let her go,” Sophia ordered, and Isaiah stilled in the water. She must have hidden in the hedges when she heard him approaching.
He stared up at Sophia, pointing his own gun at him.How could he have been so careless? He should have left his weapon with Phoebe, just in case.
“Sophia, you don’t want to do this,” he said, trying to buy time until the police arrived; if she heard the sirens, she might run off.From the blood soaking through Poppy’s shirt, her wound had opened up.
“I really do, and I’m glad you’re both here,” Sophia said, smiling smugly. “I might as well do you now and save myself the time later.”
“I told the police about you,” he lied. “They’re already looking for you. You’ll never get out of the country without being arrested.”
Behind Sophia, Phoebe approached slowly with a brick in her hand.
“You have nothing on me. Even if I’m arrested, there’s no evidence other than your meaningless accusations. Now, let her go. Or I’ll shoot the both of you.”
“You didn’t plan on killing Calliope, and you were sloppy. They have hair fibres that will lead them to you, and she scratched her killer. How much do you want to bet that they find your skin cells under her nails?” Even if she killed them, she wasn’t going to get away with murder.
“I was her guest on board; it wouldn’t be a stretch to find my hair or DNA on her.” Sophia shrugged. Your delaying tactics aren’t going to work. You’re both going to die today.”
“I don’t think so,” Isaiah argued.
Sophia glared at him, aiming the gun, her anger making her less aware of her surroundings.
“I don’t think so either,” Phoebe said, bringing the brick down on her head.
