Down Among the Dead Men (A Thriller) by Robert Gregory Browne Page B

his sidearm as he went.
    He pointed it directly at Vargas. “Alto! Manos arriba!”  
    Chancing a look behind him, Vargas saw that Ainsworth and crew had stopped short at the sight of the guard, their gazes unwavering. And none of them looked happy.
    “Alto o disparo!” the guard shouted, and Vargas snapped his head around. There were two more of them now, guns trained on Vargas.
    Coming to an abrupt halt, he dropped to his knees and threw his hands into the air as the guards ran toward him.
    “I’m an American!” he shouted. “Soy americano!”  
    And a moment later, as they pulled him to his feet, he repeated the words, much softer this time.
    “Soy americano…”

19
    Beth
     
    B ETH DIDN’T HAVE much of an appetite, but she went to breakfast anyway. After tossing and turning all night, she awoke early, only to find that Jen hadn’t returned and her bunk was empty.
    But Beth wasn’t surprised. Why should she be?
    This was typical Jen behavior. A symptom, Beth believed, of her sister’s unending restlessness. And the unhappiness that had plagued her since the death of their parents.
    Beth chose the dining room rather than fight the crowd at the food court. It was a risky choice, considering what had happened there last night, but she decided to take her chances.
    Heading to Deck Five, she made her way inside and went straight to her assigned table, which was, thankfully, as empty as Jen’s bunk. Maybe she could eat in peace.
    As she sat, their waiter, Timothy—who, according to his name badge, hailed from Germany—came over and put a menu in front of her.
    “And how are we this morning?”
    His English was very good, with only a trace of an accent.
    “We,” Beth said, “are seriously considering retiring to a convent.”
    Timothy smiled. “And what fun would that be?”
    “Apparently I’m not allowed to have fun.”
    “Oh? Why is that?”
    “Long story,” she said, then gave the menu a quick scan and closed it. “I’ll have the lox and bagel with extra cream cheese and a cup of coffee. Black.”
    “Would you like capers with that?”
    “Sure. Why not live a little.” She handed him the menu. “My sister didn’t happen to drop by this morning, did she?”
    “Sister?”
    “The girl I was sitting with last night. The one who thought she was at a rock concert?”
    He smiled slightly. “Yes, I remember.”
    “How could you forget? I’m still mortified at the thought.”
    Timothy shook his head. “You shouldn’t let such things bother you. People drink, they go a little crazy. It’s nothing new. We see it all the time.”
    Beth nodded. “One of the perks of the job, I guess.”
    These people lived and worked on this ship 24/7 for weeks on end, so she imagined they did see quite a lot of crazy behavior. Enough to make Jen’s display last night fairly innocu—
    “Hey, Sis.”
    Beth snapped her head around and saw Jen crossing the dining room toward her.
    Jen looked—to coin one of Peter’s favorite phrases—as if she’d been rode hard and put away wet. “I was hoping I’d find you here.”
    She pulled out a chair and sat, leaning her elbows on the table. Her eyelids were drooping. Not that this made her any less beautiful.
    “Just coffee for me,” she said to Timothy.
    Timothy gave Beth a quick look, then with a small bow said, “I’ll put in your order,” before disappearing into the kitchen.
    “If I were alive,” Jen said, “I’d say he’s kinda cute. Is he the same one from last night?”
    “You don’t remember?”
    “They all wear those gold tunics, it’s hard to keep them straight. Besides, I think I’ve lived about three lifetimes since then. Are you still mad at me?”
    “Mad?” Beth said. “I wasn’t the one screaming to be left alone.”
    “I’m sorry, okay? You know how I get when I’m high.”
    “Unfortunately, yes.”
    Jen frowned. “Look at you, still in mom mode. You really have to find a new hobby, Beth. I can’t keep you entertained