“They never bother me unless I stop at an island that’s inhabited,” replied Barfoot. “I feel safer here than to the south, where the pirates hang out.”

During the next hour, Razak appeared and took over steering the yacht while Jack and Barfoot joined Oskar and Pike on the stern. The sky had a few clouds clinging to some of the islands they passed by, but for the most part, the weather was hot and even the breeze off the ocean felt warm.

After passing a cluster of islands, Barfoot glanced at his watch, then stood up and used his hand to shield the sun from his eyes as he peered out at the last island Razak had circled. Then he stared at a piece of kelp floating in the water.

“What’s up?” asked Jack.

“See that island about half a mile away?” said Barfoot, pointing. “The closest one?”

“Sure. That little one that we went around a few minutes ago,” replied Jack. “It looks deserted.”

“That’s the one. Do you think the tide is going in, out, or neither right now?”

“Can’t tell,” replied Jack. “The water is pretty choppy. Why?”

Barfoot grinned. “The three of you pups might be young, strong, and full of vitality, but this old boy is going to teach you a thing or two about fishing. Hang tough while I tell Razak to lower the anchor.”

When Barfoot left, Pike turned to Oskar and said, “I should teach him how to fish like I did in the marines. Toss a grenade in the water and pick ’em up when they float to the surface.”

“I think John prefers to give the fish a sporting chance,” replied Oskar.

“Sporting chances are for suckers,” replied Pike.

“Okay, gentlemen,” said Barfoot upon his return. “The first thing I’ll teach you from my experience, is fish like to feed more when the tide is going in. We’ll each get a rod. Last one to catch something does the supper dishes.”

“I thought your two crew members would do the dishes,” said Pike.

“Did you now?” replied Barfoot. “Well let me tell you something, right now I consider you part of the crew. If you don’t like it, I’ll have Razak and Khalid toss you overboard. Then you can swim to that island and try to find your own dinner to eat.”

Pike looked serious as he studied the distance to the island, then said, “Does seem a bit far to swim.”

“Not that far,” said Barfoot. “If the tide is going in, you’d show up there in about two and a half hours.”

“Actually, I don’t really mind washing dishes,” replied Pike.

Barfoot chuckled and called for Khalid, who soon handed a fishing rod to each of them.

They split up so Barfoot and Jack were on one side of the yacht, while Oskar and Pike were on the other. Barfoot gave them the option of being able to cast their line, or simply lower it in the water and jig. Jack decided the latter would work best for him.

The lines were barely in the water when Oskar caught a fish and reeled it to the side of the yacht where Khalid hauled it in with a fish gaff.

“Barracuda,” noted Barfoot. “Good eating.”

Barracuda on both ends of the line, thought Jack.

Khalid disappeared into the galley with the fish, but seconds later, Pike had a bite. Everyone watched as he pulled on the rod in short bursts while reeling madly. Seconds later, the reel malfunctioned and it was evident that the fish was no longer hooked.

Pike cursed and gestured to a mass of tangled line around the reel.

“Well, I’ll tell ya what,” drawled Barfoot. “I’ll blame that one on the reel. There’s a small plastic toolbox in the cubbyhole beside you. Cut the line and I’ll give you my rod. I have to use the head anyway.”

“Likewise,” said Jack, putting his fishing rod in a holder. “Where is it, by the way?”

“That’s right, I never did give you the tour,” replied Barfoot. “Come on. Once you do your thing, I’ll introduce you to the Princess.”

After Barfoot and Jack each used a washroom on the lower deck near the stern, Barfoot gave Jack a tour of the yacht.

One large guestroom was near the stern, complete with a king-size bed and private bathroom. Walking toward the bow, Jack passed a galley complete with Italian marble counters. Next came two smaller bedrooms on each side of a hallway.

“For Razak and Khalid,” said Barfoot.

“This is absolutely gorgeous,” said Jack. “I’m stunned by the beauty.”

“And my bedroom is here at the bow,” said Barfoot, opening up two French doors to reveal the largest bedroom.

Jack stared at the wall above the headboard, speechless.

Barfoot saw what Jack was looking at and gestured to the huge marlin mounted on the wall and said, “Caught that monster on a trip to Mexico. The guys still call me Mr. Marlin sometimes. It took me six hours to reel it in.”

Jack looked at Barfoot and knew he was looking at the real monster. A man capable of being a charming manipulator. It hid the fact that he was a psychopath.

Jack stared back at the marlin, stuffed and mounted on the wall. He felt like he had been reeled in himself.

Chapter Forty-One

Jack followed Barfoot back toward the stern. On the way he asked, “Where is my phone? I expect it should be charged by now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, that’s right,” replied Barfoot. “I forgot all about it. I think I left it up in the wheelhouse. I’ll go get it and put it in the charger right away.”

“It might not have been the battery,” replied Jack. “I’ve had trouble with it lately. Sometimes it cuts out when the battery is still good. Let me try it again.”

As soon as they went outside, Barfoot said, “Yup, I would say the tide is going in. I think it’s time to reel in the lines, guys. I’m going to move the Princess to a different position.”

“It’s time?” Pike asked, giving a sideways glance at Jack.

Barfoot nodded.

Jack knew then what was in store for him. The comment about the tide taking two and a half hours to float someone to shore was about him. Insurance companies were averse to paying out if they didn’t have a body for proof. He turned quickly and climbed the stairwell.

“Where you going?” asked Oskar.

“To the wheelhouse to get my phone,” replied Jack.

A quick scan of the wheelhouse told him his phone was not there. He looked at the island off in the distance. A good swimmer might be able to cover the distance easily enough. The trouble was, if they saw him swimming, he would not be given that option.

He slipped out one of the side doors leading onto the bow of the boat, where a rope used for moorage lay curled neatly on the deck. Jack tossed it into the water and hurried back to the wheelhouse as Pike and Barfoot arrived.

“What are you doing?” asked Barfoot.

“Couldn’t find my phone and got distracted by the beauty. It feels so wonderful, especially when you are out on the bow. Isn’t it gorgeous?”

“It certainly is,” Barfoot said, smiling. “Oh, and I remember, I did bring your phone downstairs. It’s on the counter in the galley. In the meantime, go reel in your rod. I’m going to move to another location.”

Jack made his way back down to the lower deck. When he arrived he saw that his rod had already been taken in and heard the yacht power up.

Oskar looked at him and said, “Jack, did I ever tell you what an asset I think you are to the company?”

Before Jack could reply, he was grabbed on each arm by Razak and Khalid.

“Hey, guys! What —”

Pike buried his fist deep into Jack’s stomach, doubling him over.

Seconds later, Jack was tossed off the back of the yacht. The ocean water surged over his head before he flapped madly to the surface, screaming for help as the yacht pulled slightly away from him, before cutting power.

“I can’t swim!” he cried. “Throw me the life preserver!”

Oskar picked up a life preserver ring hanging on a hook at the back of the yacht and shouted back to him. “You mean this one?”