The Ashes of Pompeii (Purge of Babylon, Book 5) Read online

  Maybe keeping it is more trouble than it’s worth, Will. Maybe it’s time to go.

  She watched the sun rising in the distance as Blaine, Roy, and Maddie were prepping the bass fishing boat behind her. Everyone was moving on automatic pilot, strung out on coffee and the work in front of them. Bonnie had returned to the hotel to rest, though Lara was surprised Roy was still there. She guessed he was still trying to make up for two nights ago.

  “Keo,” she said into the radio. “We’re about to head over to you now. Any word on the eighth guy?”

  “What, no good morning?” Keo said through the radio.

  She smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning to you, too.”

  “So, about the eighth guy…”

  “Not a peep all night.”

  “Are we even sure there’s an eighth guy?”

  “I’ll ask the captain again when he’s awake. I guess he’s not a morning person.”

  She glanced down at her watch. 7:22 A.M.

  Sunrise had come about thirty minutes ago, and she had watched it with barely contained glee from inside the boat shack, where she had been sleeping on a cot. Keo was certain the collaborators wouldn’t attack, not with the mess he had made at their staging area yesterday and the chaos of last night. His reasoning was sound, but then these days you couldn’t always count on logic to save the day.

  He had turned out to be right, though, and she had never been more happy to be wrong in her life.

  She concentrated on the Trident now. It was almost two football fields away but looked much closer, like she could swim to it with a few strokes. Well, maybe Keo could. She had seen the man swim like a fish the last two nights.

  “Boss lady,” Blaine said behind her. “You coming, or what?”

  Lara turned around and walked back to them. They were already inside the boat, Maddie settling in behind the steering wheel while Roy sat on a chair up front with his M4 in his lap. Blaine was seated on another chair at the back, next to the outboard motor that sent out puffs of smoke and coughed loudly, sounding as if it was going to die at any moment.

  She climbed into the boat and nodded at Maddie. “Let’s go.”

  Maddie guided the boat away from the pier. The back dipped slightly as it gained speed, and Lara hurried up to the front to help balance out the weight distribution.

  Roy looked over at her and shouted over the roar of the engine, “What about the last guy?”

  “I don’t know!” Lara shouted back. She glanced at Maddie and Blaine. “Keep your eyes peeled! He might be waiting for us!”

  “If there’s actually an eighth guy!” Blaine said.

  “Take no chances! If you see a head, and it doesn’t look like Keo’s, shoot first and ask questions later!”

  The big man nodded back and checked his rifle.

  The boat had already carried them halfway to the Trident, the yacht growing in size (and sharpness) as they got closer. Lara unslung her own carbine and flicked the safety off without even realizing it.

  Jesus. I really have become used to this thing.

  “I can’t believe that guy took the whole boat by himself!” Maddie shouted at her. “Let’s make a reminder to ourselves: Don’t piss this guy off!”

  “I’m glad he’s on our side!” Roy said.

  Lara nodded. She thought about telling them how close she had come to not trusting Keo, but she didn’t. They didn’t need to know the details right now.

  Is this what being a leader is, Will? Keeping things from people, for their own good? Making big decisions that could cost everyone their lives and knowing you’re solely responsible for the outcome?

  How in God’s name did you ever manage the burden all by yourself all these months? You should have told me. I would have been there for you…the way I wish you were here for me right now…

  “Approaching!” Maddie shouted behind her.

  Lara gripped her M4 tighter, and so did Roy next to her.

  The Trident really was long, though not nearly as wide (What had Keo called that? The beam?) as she had thought when looking at it from afar. Even so, it was an intimidating sight, especially the large chain connected to the massive anchor sitting at the bottom of Beaufont Lake at the moment, keeping the white beast from floating away. The yacht had three decks, with the bridge at the very top. Windows lined the sides, sweeping from front to back.

  She eyeballed every inch of glass and railing within range, looking—waiting—for that elusive eighth man that may or may not exist.

  Maddie steered them alongside the boat, then turned completely around until they were facing the back. They were greeted by a large, flapping flag hanging from a long metal pole, featuring an eagle eating a snake over green, white, and red stripes. The engine shut off and they continued drifting toward what looked like a lounging area, complete with chairs and recliners for sunbathing. A ladder dipped into the water, though it looked like it could be folded back up when not in use.

  Roy stood up with his rifle at the ready, while Maddie manipulated the smaller craft over, deftly spinning the steering wheel left, then right, then left again. Lara felt anxious just watching the smaller woman grit her teeth as she cautiously moved closer and closer. Behind her, Blaine remained seated, but like Lara, he was sweeping the visible parts of the yacht looking for something—someone—to shoot.

  Lara unclipped her radio and keyed it. “Keo, we’re at the back of the yacht now.”

  “I heard you on approach,” Keo said through the radio. “Did you see me waving?”

  “Uh, no.”

  “Too bad. I was doing a jig and everything.”

  She smiled. “I’m sure you were. What about the eighth guy?”

  “You don’t see him out there?”

  “Not a living soul.”

  “Maybe he’s hiding. If el capitan’s numbers square up, he’s the only rat left that hasn’t tried to jump off this sinking boat yet. That means he’s either very determined, or a dumbass. Either way, that makes him unpredictable.”

  “Understood. We’ll make our way to you as soon as we can.”

  “Roger that,” Keo said.

  Lara put the radio away, then watched Roy sling his rifle and position himself precariously at the front of their boat. She wanted to tell him to be careful, but doing so might undermine his courage, so she didn’t say anything. Roy waited, and when Maddie had gotten close enough to the yacht, he jumped. For a second Lara thought he had missed his target, but he landed soundly on the Trident, barreling into one of the chairs and causing it to skid along the smooth floor.

  “Easy there, Oklahoma,” Maddie said.

  Roy gave them an embarrassed grin.

  “Throw him the line, Lara,” Maddie said.

  Roy held out his hands to catch the rope Lara tossed over to him, then began pulling them all the way in.

  “Blaine, you first,” Lara said.

  Blaine got up and moved forward before jumping the short distance onto the luxury cruiser. He landed next to Roy, who was already tying up the rope. Lara had to admit, they were working pretty well for people who had never done any of this before. She almost felt like a proud parent.

  Adapt or perish, right, Will?

  She followed the men further onto the Trident while Maddie stayed behind at the lounge area to keep an eye on their boat.

  Lara climbed onto the deck with Blaine and Roy before unclipping her radio a second time. “Keo, we’re on our way now.”

  “Take it easy,” Keo said. “No rush. The captain woke up, and we’re having a nice talk.”

  “Try not to shoot him again.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  She followed Blaine and Roy toward the nearest ladder. The bridge would be on the top deck, which meant they had to climb two floors. That was preferable to traveling through the interiors, where anyone could be waiting around any corner. Out here, in the sun, she felt slightly safer.

  “What’s he saying?” she said into the radio.
/>   “He’s spinning a pretty interesting story,” Keo said.

  “About?”

  “How he and his buddies commandeered the boat. They’re originally from Mexico, you know.”

  “I saw the flag. He’s Mexican?”

  “Nope. Looks like a gringo to me.”

  “What happened to the owners of the boat?”

  “Let’s just say they didn’t give their pride and joy up willingly.”

  “They killed them and took the boat?” Blaine asked.

  Lara nodded. “Sounds like it.”

  “A Mexican boat staffed by an American crew?” Roy said from up front. “That’s a new one.”

  Blaine chuckled. “End of the world, man. Everything’s upside down these days. Monsters are real, silver’s more valuable than gold, and Mexicans are using Americans to clean the poop decks.”

  *

  They didn’t find the eighth crewman on the first deck. He wasn’t on the second one, either. The third also didn’t yield a hidden shooter, and they had to go inside this time in order to access the bridge at the front. Walking through the top floor, Lara almost slipped on the congealed blood in her path. Keo had left behind a hell of a mess as he took the boat last night.

  Blaine moved diligently in front of her, while Roy stayed behind outside in case someone tried to sneak up on them. He also kept an eye on Maddie. Will would probably have come up with a better system of watching each other’s backs; but then, Will was a soldier and she was just a third-year medical student masquerading as one.

  She and Blaine had to circle around two bodies before they reached the hallway that connected a roomy area—a combination entertainment center and living room, complete with couches and a big screen TV along one wall—to the bridge. One of the bodies was missing its head and lay half on and half off the floor, the rest of the man draped over a spiral staircase that connected two of the decks. The other body lay on its back in a thick pool of blood. His face was pale, lifeless eyes staring up at her as she stepped over him.

  “Keo!” Blaine shouted as he stepped around the second body and into the adjoined hallway.

  They heard the sound of a door opening, then Keo appeared. He had that German weapon of his and was clad all in black. He looked dry for someone who had been swimming most of last night. “I was wondering who was stomping around out here. You guys ever heard of a subtle entry?”

  Blaine ignored him and said, “We couldn’t find the eighth guy.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about him. He’ll poke his head up sooner or later.”

  “Where’s the boat’s captain?” Lara asked.

  “Inside, resting. Got questions? He’s in a very talkative mood this morning.”

  “I’m sure he is,” Lara said, reminding herself what a good decision it had been to recruit Keo onto their side instead of making an enemy out of him. It could have gone either way, but she had trusted her instincts.

  Maybe you were right, Will. Maybe I can do this leadership thing.

  Maybe…

  *

  The yacht’s “captain” looked like he had seen better days. Even so, despite the blood loss and obvious pain on every inch of his face, he seemed to be taking captivity reasonably well. If nothing else, he looked well-rested for a man who was missing one of his kneecaps.

  Blaine stayed outside the bridge to stand guard, with Roy and Maddie remaining at their posts. If the eighth man was out there, he was biding his time. Which was fine with her. She didn’t feel like adding another victim to her growing body count this morning anyway.

  Sorry, lake, you’ll just have to wait until tonight for more bodies.

  Keo nodded at the man in the white hat. “Gage, this is Lara. Lara, that’s Gage. Say hi.”

  “Hi,” Lara said.

  Gage peered through a sweat-covered face at her. “Hey.”

  Lara focused on Gage, which helped her to ignore the body sitting against the Trident’s control console across the room, along with the chunks of…something sticking to the windshield. She hadn’t asked Keo where he had gotten the shotgun and AK-47 he was carrying around with him this morning, but she could guess. There were three bodies on this deck alone.

  “What happened last night?” she asked Keo.

  “They were Trojan Horsing you,” he said. Then to Gage, “Tell her.”

  Gage nodded. “He’s right.”

  “You’re admitting it?” she said.

  “Yeah, why not? Everyone’s dead. I’m half dead. What’s the point in lying now?”

  “See?” Keo said. “Gage here’s the pragmatic type. He figures that if he doesn’t lie, I won’t have any reason to shoot him in his other kneecap.”

  “Yeah, that, too,” Gage said, and this time he did managed a full grin, though she noticed it was half-amusement and half-mortal terror. “What else you wanna know, lady?”

  “What were you going to do?” Lara asked. “When you got to the island?”

  Gage quickly lost some of his enthusiasm and began noticeably squirming in the corner.

  “Don’t start lying now, el capitan,” Keo said. “The truth. Nothing but the truth. So help your other kneecap.”

  “We were going to take it,” Gage said. “Then we would take everything else.”

  “What’s ‘everything else’?” Lara asked.

  “Whatever you had. The food. The supplies. The…people.”

  “The people? What were you going to do with the people?”

  “Not everyone. Mostly…just the women.”

  “The women…”

  “Yeah.”

  “What were you going to do with the women?” was the next question that she never asked. She knew. Keo knew. They all did, even the dead man with half of his head blown across the windshield.

  She turned to Keo. “What are we going to do with him?”

  “That’s up to you,” Keo said. “It’s your island he was going to raid. It’s also your people he was going to do probably-not-very-nice things to.”

  She nodded and looked back at Gage.

  “Hey, you promised nothing bad would happen to me,” Gage said, but she noticed he had said it to Keo and not her. He wasn’t even looking at her now. Maybe he was afraid, or maybe he thought his salvation lay with Keo.

  He was wrong.

  She drew the Glock and shot him.

  The bullet hit the wall an inch from Gage’s ducking head, and the yacht’s captain might have actually squealed.

  Footsteps pounded the deck behind them just before Blaine burst through the open door. “Jesus, what’s going on?” He looked at Gage, at Keo, then finally at her. “Lara?”

  “It’s okay,” she said, holstering her sidearm. “I was just making a point.”

  “Oh.”

  “I need you back outside, Blaine.”

  The big man nodded, then exchanged a brief look with Keo, who shrugged back at him. “She was making a point,” Keo said.

  Blaine didn’t look convinced, but he left anyway.

  Her radio squawked, and she heard Maddie’s voice. “Guys? What’s happening? I heard a gunshot.”

  “Everything’s fine,” Lara said into the radio. “Everyone stay where you are. We’re just…interrogating the survivor.”

  “You sure?” Maddie asked.

  “Yes. Keep an eye out for the eighth guy.”

  “Will do.”

  “Well, that was fun,” Keo said.

  Lara stared at Gage, who peered back out at her from the corner of the room. When he saw her looking, he quickly glanced away. If he could have gotten up and run, he probably would have. But his days of running were over with that still-bleeding kneecap.

  “He can be useful,” Keo was saying.

  “How?” she asked.

  She hadn’t thought about putting Gage to use. The very idea of the man’s continued existence offended her at an almost primal level.

  “The yacht,” Keo said. “You’re going to need someone who knows his way around it.”
r />   “You know boats.”

  “I know boats, but I don’t know that,” he said, pointing at the long console behind them. “He does.”

  “You also told me a boat this size needs a big crew to run it. All of his crew is dead, except for an eighth guy who may or may not exist. How is one man going to keep this thing afloat, even if he does know what all those buttons are for?”

  “We’re talking about a twenty-first-century luxury yacht here, Lara. It might break down eventually, but it’s still in good enough shape right now that you could use it to get to wherever you needed to go. I think that’s worth keeping him alive for a little while longer, don’t you?”

  Keo wasn’t wrong. She was already thinking about all the things she could do with a boat this size when she first saw it last night, and seeing it sitting on the lake under the morning sunlight had crystallized so many of those possibilities.

  Keep the island if you can, but if you can’t…

  Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, right, Will?

  Gage was still cowering in the corner, probably trying to figure out if he was going to live past the next few minutes. She could have reassured him, but Lara decided to let him keep wondering instead.

  Her radio squawked, breaking the silence, and Carly’s voice came through. “Lara, come in.” Carly was back on the island in the Tower with Benny, and Lara thought she sounded slightly anxious. “You still there, ol’ fearless leader?”

  “I’m here,” Lara said into the radio.

  “I have your boyfriend on the other radio,” Carly said. “Should I tell him you already found someone else?”

  *

  “We’ll get home,” Will said through the ham radio. “Whatever it takes. We’re not going to leave the island undefended for another day.”

  He sounded noticeably tired. She could only imagine it was the culmination of what he had gone through the last few weeks, coming through in his voice even if he didn’t mean for it to. So much of Will’s life was about making the right choices for the right reasons and internalizing most of it, and she hadn’t realized how draining all of that was until the last few weeks.

  How did you do it all these months, Will? How did you not break down?

  She was glad she was by herself on the Tower’s second floor. It was easier to talk to Will when no one else was around. She could let her guard down and for just a brief moment strip away the façade of leadership that they had given her, that she wasn’t certain she was capable of living up to.