Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 35

“I’ve got an idea,” Gail said to Novak as they lined up at the lifeboat.

He blinked rain from his eyes and nodded, indicating that he was listening.

“If there is stuff on the island that we can salvage,” Gail continued, “then maybe we should leave some room in the boat, so we can bring it back? Which means taking less people ashore.”

Sighing, Novak pulled off his rain hat, ran a hand through his hair, and then plopped the hat back on again. He shook his head. His smile was rueful.

“You’re right,” he said. “What the hell was I thinking? Goddamn it.”

McCann shrugged. “It’s cool, boss. You’re tired. We’re all tired. Nobody’s bringing their A-game anymore, you know.”

“Yeah, but still… this is just common sense. And now we’ve wasted time and woke everyone up.”

Morgan raised his hand. “I’ll be glad to stay behind.”

“I’m sure you would.” Novak glared at him. The silence between them lasted a full thirty seconds before Morgan finally turned away.

Warren sneezed.

“Go on back to your rack,” Novak told Morgan. “If you’re skipping out on this then you’re pulling double watch tonight so that someone else can get caught up on their sleep.”

“I’ll do no such thing.”

“Fine.” Novak turned to McCann. “Go get Riffle. Then I want the two of you to throw Mr. Morgan over the side. I’ve had it with his shit.”

Morgan sputtered. “What? Now just wait a goddamn minute!”

“I’m kidding.” Novak grinned, but it was a humorless expression. He stared at the man a moment longer, as if daring him to respond, and then turned back to the others. “Okay. Gail brings up a good point, so let’s split this up. Who wants to volunteer to go ashore?”

Warren and Lynn raised their hands. Morgan glanced down at the deck.

“Mylon?” Novak said. “Tatiana? Paris? How about you guys?”

“I’d be okay with pulling a double tonight.” Paris spoke so softly that they had to strain to hear her over the rain and the waves. “I could use some more sleep this morning.”

Tatiana nodded in agreement. “I know that’s right.”

“Doesn’t matter much to me,” Mylon said. “I’ll do whatever you think is best, Novak.”

“Okay, then. Me, McCann, Gail, Warren and Lynn will go ashore. That leaves enough room in the lifeboat to carry back supplies—unless we hit the mother load, in which case, we’ll just make a couple trips. You guys stow those weapons again, and then get some frigging sleep.”

“Sounds good.” Mylon’s tone was relieved.

As they walked away, Morgan muttered something about being woken up. Gail noticed Novak stiffen and bite his lip, but he said nothing.

“Would you have really thrown him overboard?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” Novak climbed into the lifeboat. “I just don’t know anymore. The kind of man I used to be? Of course not. But sometimes it feels like that man was part of another life.”

* * *

Gail was tense during the short journey from the ship to the mysterious island. She assumed that the others were, as well, because nobody spoke. The only sounds were the waves, the oars creaking as Warren and McCann rowed, and the ever-present patter of the rain. Novak sat at the bow, leaning forward and watching the formation intently. Lynn and Gail watched either side of the lifeboat, alert for any signs of trouble.

Despite their fears, the crossing was uneventful. Debris churned by, floating on the surf, but none of it was salvageable. They encountered an eight-foot-long aluminum bass boat with the name ‘Goffee’ emblazoned on the side with the type of block letter stickers usually used for mailboxes or front doors. Gail wondered if ‘Goffee’ was the name of the boat’s owner or the boat itself. Warren prodded the capsized craft with one oar. It spun slowly, and they recoiled. One side was covered with white mold.

“You didn’t get it on the oar, did you?” McCann asked.

Warren shook his head. “No, we’re okay.”

They fell silent again. It occurred to Gail that she hadn’t heard any seagulls or other birds. Normally, they were as ever-present as the rain, but now they were noticeably absent. She frowned, trying to remember when she’d actually last seen one. A few days ago? A week? She didn’t know.

The mist grew thicker as they approached the formation. It swirled around them in thick, chilly clouds. Gail glanced behind them and was alarmed to see that the ship was no longer visible. What if they got lost out here? What would they do then? Would Novak’s suicide solution become more palatable after a few days of drifting aimlessly in the lifeboat? Suddenly, she toppled forward in her seat as the lifeboat came to a jarring halt against the island.

“Easy,” Novak hollered. “What the hell, McCann? You trying to bottom us out?”

“I can’t see shit out here. This fog’s like cream of mushroom soup.”

“You’ve gotta be more careful.”

McCann nodded, and then laid the oar across the bench. “Look on the bright side, boss. We’re here. Let’s check it out.”