Page 84 of The Library on Plum Island
“Why do I feel like I’ve stepped into the real-life version of a Keeunu Reeves movie?” Alex said.
“Isn’t Speed one of your favorite movies?” Malcolm asked, knowing how many times Alex watched the movie on their many cruises.
“Yeah.” Alex nodded before moving the subject back to their immediate problem. “I think I know who their boss is, an obsessed man named Ron Jackson.” He glanced back at the rescue boat. “Can we radio that boat?”
“Nope!” Malcolm shook his head. “The radio was disconnected before we left Plum Island. They took anything that I could call for backup with.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “We’re on a ticking time bomb with no way of calling for help?”
“The backup mobile device went out of range a few minutes ago,” Malcolm explained. “I knew we should’ve waited for the proper ones to arrive.”
“I didn’t think we were going to get hijacked,” Alex defended his actions. “We need to get everyone off this yacht.” He started to pace the cockpit as Malcolm dragged the goon inside and used safety rope to tie the man up.”
“I say, let’s put the boat on autopilot, signal Miss Joyce to collect us, and jump,” Malcolm told him.
“What did you say?” Alex frowned.
“That boat on the horizon, it’s Miss Joyce,” Malcolm told him. “She messaged me on the secret mobile phone before we went out of range.”
“How did she know?” Alex asked, his heart starting to pound. “Does she know there’s a bomb on board?”
“I didn’t have time to tell her everything except for the secret code before we went out ofrange,“ Malcolm emphasized the word range.
“I know, I know!” Alex hissed. “As soon as we’re out of this mess, I’ll get the proper ones.”
“That’s assuming you still have a boat, and it doesn’t explode.” Malcolm looked at him with raised brows and pursed lips, which to Alex was anI told you solook.
“That goon mentioned there was still a dingy,” Alex said. “If we tie everyone up, we can get them on it. Put the yacht onto autopilot and hopefully get out of range of the boat before it explodes.” He glanced toward the horizon. “We can’t bring Harriet closer.”
“How are we going to get those goons onto the dinghy without them trying to kill us?” Malcolm asked.
“Knock them all out?” Alex shrugged. “You’re the former marine.”
“I’d leave those thugs and jump,” Malcolm stated. “You’d be doing the world a favor.”
“There’s also Todd,” Alex pointed out. “While the man is as crooked as they come and a horrible human, we can’t just leave him.”
“Fine!” Malcom sighed. “You stay here and keep the boat at a steady speed on the coordinates set. “I’ll deal with the others.”
Alex moved into the cockpit as Malcolm took the thug’s gun.
“In case things go sideways,” Malcolm said at the door, “I managed to hide a flair beneath that seat.” He pointed. “There are also two lifejackets I hid under there.”
“Thanks.” Alex stepped up to the helm while Malcolm snuck out.
Ten minutes later, Malcolm was back with a snarling Todd with him.
“I knew it!” Todd said. “What is the meaning of this?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Alex drawled. “While I know why I was kidnapped, I’m not sure why you were.”
“Mr. Spiers said he was getting ready to leave the hotel to head back to New York when he was attacked and woke up on your yacht,” Malcolm told Alex. “As we’re out on the ocean and not able to confirm his story…” He glanced coldly at Todd. “I say we just throw him overboard and be done with him.”
“Wait!” Todd’s face broke into a shiny sweat at Malcolm’s threat. “I was wearing my jacket when the thugs took me. It must be on the boat somewhere. It has my mobile phone in it.”
“Your mobile won’t work out here,” Malcolm told him.
“Yes, mine will,” Todd told them. “It’s a satellite phone.”
