Dark Moon by REBECCA YORK Read Free Book Online Page B

it.”
    “You will?” she asked, genuinely shocked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Why not now?”
    “Because it would be a distraction, and we have to focus on rescuing Karen Hopewell.”
    “Okay,” she whispered.
    “So are we as ready as we’re going to be.”
    “Yes.”
    He released the brake, and started off again.
    When she stole a glance at his face, it was set in a grim line. What the hell was his background, anyway? Too bad she hadn’t done the kind of prying that he’d indulged in. Or was it something so well hidden that she wouldn’t have found it anyway.
    Leaning back she closed her eyes, breathing deeply, struggling for calm—and for the character she was playing.
    Still, when she felt the car slow, her stomach tightened.
    Opening her eyes, she saw a sign that said “ Windward Dock. Authorized persons only.”
    As Cole pulled into a parking space, his cell phone rang. He glanced at Emma, then clicked it on.
    “Glad I caught you,” Frank Decorah said, speaking loud enough for both of them to hear. “There’s been a development. A lock of Karen’s hair was just delivered to her father, along with some of her pubic hair.”
    Emma dragged in a breath. “With a note?” I assume.
    “No. Only the hair.”
    “You’re sure it’s hers?” Cole asked.
    “As you saw in the photo, it’s a very unusual shade.”
    “Better than chopping off her ear,” Cole said, referring to the J. Paul Getty grandson who’d been kidnapped years ago—and finally returned to his family after they paid a sizable ransom.
    “Was the pubic hair pulled out or shaved?” Emma asked.
    “Shaved.”
    “Thanks for the information,” Cole said before clicking off.
    “They shaved her pubic hair,” Emma murmured. “That’s pretty nasty. I mean if it was against her will.”
    “Another indication of what we’re getting into.”
    “We’ve got to assume he did it so he can display her.”
    Emma nodded, struggling to stay objective. “It sounds like I need to check out the beauty salon when we get on board. There’s some chance that she’s not on the Windward , but maybe I can confirm it in the beauty shop.”
    “Yeah.” Cole’s voice had turned thoughtful as he looked at the phone he was still holding, then pressed some buttons, erasing the record of the call. “They’d take this away from me on the ship, and I don’t want them checking my contact list. Instead of slipping the phone back into his pocket, he shoved it into the crevice between the console and the driver’s seat, where it slipped down out of sight.
    “Will they search for it?” Emma asked.
    “If they do, they’ll have a devil of a time finding it.” He looked at Emma. “Get rid of yours, too.” She sent her phone to meet his, then swallowed hard and opened the passenger door.
    She swallowed hard and opened the passenger door.
     Before they could take the luggage out of the trunk, a muscular man in his thirties wearing a dark suit and captain’s type hat came rushing over. His name tag identified him as Greg.
    “Mr. Mason? Ms. Ray?”
    “Yes.”
    “Welcome to the Windward . Let me get your luggage.”
    Cole opened the trunk, and the man picked up both their bags.
    “You’re traveling light,” he said.
    “I was hoping to buy some new outfits on board,” Emma murmured. “There’s a women’s shop—right?”
    “Yes. Several. You can buy anything from a formal gown to a peasant outfit. There’s also a lingerie boutique. And if you want to buy costumes for special occasions, we have them, too.”
    “Costumes?” Emma asked.
    “If you like a role you’ve played on the ship and want to duplicate it at home. And you can buy the toys to go along with it.”
    He laughed. “Of course, you may want those shipped.”
    “How come?”
    “They might be embarrassing at airport security.”
    “Oh—right,” she managed, then glanced at Cole. “You’re not going to mind if I do some shopping are you, sweetie?”
    “Just don’t get too carried away,