“Are you in pain?” she asked tentatively.
“Barely. Stitches sting. Why?”
“Jason, would you take me to the stateroom. Make love to me—”
“Babe—”
“Two reasons. Firstly, I don’t want to have another excuse to have traumatic flashbacks or nightmares in that lovely room. Let me conquer the fear as quickly as possible. Secondly, I really, really need you to make love to me before I fall asleep.”
They were about to descend the stairs when McKenzie buzzed on the intercom. He wanted to tell them what Gaspar had told him. Jason allowed him to join them under the mast arch.
“Sorry.” McKenzie took the offered chair. “You both must be very tired, but this needs to be said. You may want to change your mind about what to do with Modesto.”
“Go on,” said Jason.
“Gaspar is too afraid to speak with you. He feels responsible in some way, although he’s not. He and Modesto have been gossiping, their time not well spent, and they’d been hearing noises. Unexplained noises from the sundeck. To be blunt, you, Mrs Lucas. Apologies, I don’t wish to embarrass you.”
“I understand. We have been rather noisy as you put it.”
She leant towards him. “You didn’t gag me yesterday.”
McKenzie shifted on his seat, his hands gripping his thighs tightly. “Yes. Well, Modesto was concerned. Gaspar refused to join him. So, Modesto, of his own volition, climbed up from the main deck to the bow outside your stateroom. He saw through the windows what he interpreted as abusive behaviour. This is what he told Gaspar. Modesto was upset. For the rest of the day, he ranted about sinners and devils. Modesto is a devout Catholic.”
Jason scowled. “Religion!”
“Jason, please,” remonstrated Gemma. Her views on religion didn’t always match her husband’s.
McKenzie shuffled his feet. “Look, I’m not going to judge what you two do, but from an outsider’s point of view, it appears strange and violent.”
“Twice in one bloody week,” sighed Jason.
“I’m sorry, twice?” queried McKenzie.
Jason turned to her. She gave a quick nod before addressing the captain. “My brother and his fiancée also observed us by accident. Another unwanted intrusion. It caused some issues for a while. My brother is not religious, fortunately for Jason.”
Frowning, Jason thrummed his fingers on the armrest. He cleared his throat. “Modesto is in police custody, burbling away about me being the devil’s spawn. This can’t come to court, Gemma. The reason for his attack can’t be public knowledge. Here or anywhere.”
“Jason, he nearly killed you. You wouldn’t let anyone get away with attempts on my life. Why should Modesto?”
McKenzie pursed his lips. “May I make a suggestion?”
“Please.” Jason raised his hands invitingly.
“Drop the charges. You don’t have to give a reason, or you could say he needs medical help not prison. The police may still want to press charges, but they will have no witnesses. Sack Modesto now, here in Dubrovnik. Disown him. He is an illegal immigrant here and will be deported back to the Philippines. The police think he is crazy. A ranting nutter. They don’t want him in their cells. In the Philippines, he may get psychiatric help.”
Jason’s forefinger tracked back and forth along his lower lip. A brief silence ensued as he assessed McKenzie’s suggestion. She thought the solution plausible. It would enable him to deny anything the man might say concerning what he had witnessed.
He gave a brief nod of agreement. “We should find out about his background. Make sure he is not some kind of serial killer with a history. I can have Lubinsky’s company source this information. Modesto has a maritime employment history. Gemma?” She welcomed the involvement. It reminded her in certain situations, his control over her made no difference. He treated her as an equal. An easy decision.
“I accept whatever you decide, Jason,” she yawned. “I don’t think he is going to track us across Europe.”
Jason nodded in agreement. “Fire him. We’ll politely refuse to cooperate. I’m sorry, darling, we will depart as soon as possible. You will have to enjoy Dubrovnik another day.”
Gemma, increasingly sleepy, didn’t care about sightseeing. Her priorities had shifted. “Captain McKenzie, you should steer clear of me when you navigate. I attract murderers, stalkers, and other unsavoury people,” She attempted a smile but, deep down, the idea her private life would never be truly her own depressed her.
Jason took her hand, squeezing it. “Gemma, us. This is about us.”
Captain McKenzie sensed his dismissal. “I will ask Lubinsky to do some research and inform the police of your intentions. In a couple of hours, we can depart. You two should rest.”