Mis-directed email

chapters 23 - 24

CHAPTER 23

Dominic was beginning to feel even more frantic. They had searched the upper deck and had not found a trace of Rosa. Now in the lower portion they were in the last section and still had no sign of her. What could they have done with her? Did they kill her and toss her overboard after going to so much trouble to bring her to the ship? Would they do that when they thought they had gotten away free? His mind was becoming fevered with such depressing thoughts.

Dominic had searched the crew's quarters and had just passed up what looked to be a utility closet. He spoke to the midshipman with him as he continued down the corridor when he heard a thumping noise. Turning he looked at the utility closet and shouted thru the door. At her answering yell he had the midshipman find something to break the door handle.

"Hurry man we've got to get her out of there," His impatience making his voice harsh.

When the door opened, Rosa fell into his arms.

He didn't care if the midshipman watched or not he had to kiss her.

"Rosa, Rosa. Are you OK? Did they hurt you? Sweetheart please don't cry," His hands felt over her body as he spoke frantically. His brain registered the fact that she was uninjured, but he couldn't stop touching her. Finally he kissed her hard on the lips letting his fear and anguish dissolve in the fire that blazed thru his kiss.

The midshipman cleared his throat noisily and said he'd continue to search the corridor, just to make sure they didn't miss any one. And he hurried away.

Dominic held her tightly as she gave way to the fear that she'd struggled to keep at bay. With the flood of relief Dominic realized he was trembling just as badly as she was. Holding her tightly he murmured her name over and over as he kissed her dear sweet face. He stroked her back unable to release her. His hands gently wiping the tears that continued to fall, he tenderly kissed the bruise that had formed on the left side of her face

Shivering from the effects of the past hours ordeal, Rosa wept. They clung to each other and Dominic said prayers of thanks for her safe return.

Trembling with reaction Rosa clung to him her legs feeling useless. Dominic helped her back toward the stairs and passing an open cabin door found a blanket and wrapped it around her. He could not let her go so he swung her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs and onto the deck.

When they had arrived back on deck, the captain of the cargo ship began to lay the blame on Madam Navrotova and Misha. Saying he had no knowledge of who Rosa was or how she came to be on his ship. When they questioned him about Misha he spluttered. He didn't know where she was. He demanded to meet with his diplomatic attaché. "Oh don't worry we'll set you up," Roger assured him, "you will be given access to council. I'll see to it that someone from the Homeland Security office will talk to you," a long pause before the last word was uttered,..."eventually." His smile broadening as the captain's shoulders slumped with understanding.

Later several of the Coastguardsmen had reported large catches of drugs scattered throughout the ship, along with ammunitions. The Captain had stubbornly gone silent when that had been reported: so that Roger knew that he'd understood they had been caught transporting drugs and weapons. They were going to be charged additionally with kidnapping of an American citizen.

The Coastguard escorted the ship to the American harbor. They impounded the ship and sent the crew for interrogation. Now many of the crew was eager to talk, to make a deal.

Madam Navrotova was taken into federal custody until they could determine the full reach of the terrorist cell into the US. An alert was issued for the still missing Misha and the bald driver, Duncan.