Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 15

Captain Cavan Osouda listened patiently to Mathew's urgent story; his own inclination one of thoughtful consideration before action. He briefly examined Patton's jaw and saw the swelling and slight discolouration, making appropriate notes in his file.

"And what time was this again?"

"I don't know three thirty, quarter to four. What the hell difference does that make?"

Osouda stood and straightened his jacket. "It tells me how long Mr. Riddler will have at the villa before we arrive."

Mathew gawked at the man, his gesture one of disbelief. "I waited while you got your uniform on then sat here and answered all these stupid questions when we could have been there already!"

"Here in the islands we proceed more cautiously, Mr. Patton."

"Cautiously . . . that's what you call it. You wanna know what I call it? I call it--"

The hand came up in a stop sign inches from Mathew's tender jaw. "No, sir. I do not know what you call it nor do I wish to. Now you will accompany me and these constables to your villa." The Captain strode out to his Jeep wasting no time.

Mathew ground his teeth and regretted it immediately.

********

Rodney was furious when he learned Constance had left the villa and gone to be with Barton at the hospital. He had made all his plans for forcing Patton's hand with the acquisition of a small boat that he was going to use to take both women back to Conch Cay. Lillian began to fear for her safety.

A wash of light suddenly swept across the side of the villa, settling on the thick vegetation and the sandy beach below. Rodney looked out the window to see the police captain and others making their way to the front door. He grabbed Lillian, showing her the knife and holding it to her lips, assuring her silence.

They slipped down the stairs to the sliding doors leading to the beach behind the villa. Rodney hurried her through the sand to the boat he had waiting and shoved her unceremoniously inside. He could see people at the window of the villa and heard the warning shout followed by the vain glow of a flashlight trying to highlight their departure.

The engine coughed, caught and immediately revved to high speed as the bow lifted out of the water and Lillian sprawled between the seats. Skidding to a halt in the sand, Captain Osouda shouted a futile command to halt then ordered his men to fetch a boat.

The race across the water was physically battering. Lillian stayed on the floor clutching the hand rail as she felt every slap of the hull on the waves. Rodney steered up to his dock, bumping it with enough strength to toss Lillian forward once again. She cried out as her leg cracked against the seat board.

"Up, outta there!" Rodney shouted.

"I-- I can't . . . my leg-- it's broken I think."

"Bloody hell!." He grabbed her arm and yanked her up onto the dock, hearing a brief scream and then silence. She had passed out.

Swearing even louder, Rodney picked her up and turned to see the lights of the police launch approaching. He hurried up the dock and across the sand to his cottage.

*******

Captain Osouda stood on the bridge of the launch and blared his message through the amplified megaphone. Rodney was to come out and surrender peaceably with a promise of a fair hearing.

"I can hear you just fine!"

Osouda frowned and looked at Patton who was sitting restrained by one of the constables.