Chapter Seven: And Into The Sea
La Cage Aux Folles sounded her boarding horn impatiently once so Dr. Wells clapped her hands sharply and announced, “Let's make an end of this- bring it !”
Sylvia disappeared into the kitchen and then came dragging out a three oxygen tanks fastened together with duct tape. A bright yellow box was mounted on the side of one of the tanks. Doctor Wells pointed to the box and said,”It's a thermite charge, we use them to cut through the hulls of old wrecks when we salvage, so they're easy to come by. When it ignites, you'll have about 10 minutes before it cuts into that oxygen tank. After that, there won't be enough left of you to identify.”
“I want no part of murder.” Sylvia declared.
“You want to spend the next 30 years in a Central American prison if these women talk ?” Dr. Wells threw back. Sylvia just shook her head.
“I didn't think so.”
After that, the three criminals went around the circle of captives and re-tightened the ropes and the gags before Dr. Wells pulled the pin on the thermite charge. The device beeped loudly and the countdown began. Sylvia, Ilsa and Dr. Wells loaded up the rest of their gear and left. After the door had slammed shut, Corrine, Sasha and Bella threw themselves desperately at their restraints. The desperate muffled grunts of the three captives filled the room. Sasha looked around hopelessly for something to cut her bindings with.
6:15....
6:14....
6:13....
Aboard La Cage Aux Falles, Dr. Wells was passing by the wheelhouse when Percival Yorkshire grabbed her by the arm and brought the young woman to a halt.
“And what took you so long ?” he asked .
“We were tying up a few loose ends.” the Doctor replied lightly.
“Indeed. And have you given any thought about my offer?”
“What offer?” Dr. Wells asked, confused. Percival suddenly stiffened and let her go.
“Another time.” he said with a broad grin and quickly left. Dr. Wells turned and saw Bianca Yorkshire staring daggers at them both. She managed a half-smile before turning and walking away. Sylvia, Ilsa and Doctor Wells had barely gotten their gear stowed when the yacht lurched forward.
4:21....
4:20....
4:19....
In the intervening space of time, Sasha had managed to shove her chair across the carpeted floor toward an end table where a large glass ashtray sat tantalizingly within reach. If she could reach it and break a piece off suitable enough to cut the ropes. Corrine twisted in her seat, wriggling furiously - meanwhile Bella was leaned forward as far as the ropes left her. Her wrists popped out fom behind her back, in one hand she was clutching a Swiss army knife. Bella reached up and removed her gag.
“Sylvia slipped this to me when she was supposed to be checking the ropes. I had to wait until I was sure they had left and I nearly dropped it twice!”
Bella cut herself loose and then helped cut Sasha loose before the pair aided Corrine in getting untied.
2:16....
2:15....
2:14....
“Let's get out of here !” Sasha cried. The trio dashed for the front door but then Corrine turned on her heel and ran back to the kitchen area.
“What are you doing ?!” Bella yelled in disbelief.
“The bags!” Corrine shouted.
“Forget them, there's no time!” Sasha called.
“Are you kidding ? Mine is a Prada!” Corrine emerged, lugging the bags with her as she ran past her stunned companions and out the door. Sasha and Bella followed suit and the three hit the sand face first. The explosion that came seconds was deafening. Flames, and smoke shot from every window of the beach house and a fine layer of charred stucco covered the detectives as they lay huddled a few yards away. Another explosion ripped through the house. One by one the girls rolled over on their backs gasping for air. Sasha elbowed Corrine in the side.
“Prada ?!” Sasha cried in disbelief,”You nearly got yourself killed over Prada?”
Then they couldn't stop laughing.
Back aboard La Cage Aux Falles, Dr. Wells lowered a pair of binoculars and smiled with grim satisfaction. On shore, the beach house was now fully engulfed in flames. Police and fire trucks were arriving and large crowd of spectators was circling the disaster area.
“Something amusing?” Bianca Yorkshire asked from behind her back.
Dr. Wells turned more sharply than she intended but said evenly,” I was just making certain no one was following.”
“And why would there be?” Bianca Yorkshire asked,”No one knows what we're doing out here.”
“It never hurts to be cautious, Bianca.” Dr. Wells said. Bianca nodded.
“We can agree on that, my dear.” she replied with a tight meaningful smile. Dr. Wells felt very uncomfortable under the woman's withering gaze and walked away. Bianca stepped to the rail and eyed the waters surrounding the yacht suspiciously.
Dr. wells made her way below decks and found Ilsa on her way back topside, her beach towel draped over one arm. She corralled her partner into an alcove and made sure no one was eavesdropping, then said,” Can you rig up another bomb?”
“Sure,” Ilsa said,”but Sylvia's the expert.”
“You heard what she said back at the beach house. It's clear we can't trust her anymore, so we might have to expedite matters. Once the cargo is safely aboard, I'll radio our friends who will storm the boat and we'll take possession of it. Sad to say we might have to leave Sylvia to sink with the others afterward.”
Bella, Corrine and Sasha had managed to slip away from the burning beach house before the authorities arrived. A huge crowd was gathering at the site, which made escape easier. The group re-convened at the motel room to discuss the next move. A dozen different strategies were proposed and discarded over the next few hours. The sun was setting and Corrine ordered some food from a near-by delivery place. She payed the delivery boy and returned to the discussion.
“I believe our next option is obvious- we have to go after that boat.” Bella declared.
Corrine nearly choked on her sandwich,“That's suicide.” she scoffed.
“Not really,”Sasha replied,” As far as our adversaries are concerned we're already dead, right? And we're no closer to actually finding the treasure than we were when we started. So I say we let the criminals do the work for us and get them caught red-handed with the goods.”
Bella nodded enthusiastically.
“Some vacation this is turning into.” Corrine said rolling her eyes, biting into her sandwich with gusto.