"My dear Fraulein we can hardly sail away with our prized possession without an insurance policy. I need to take one of you with us. I mean after all I can't leave you all here to contact the authorities. So you will be my insurance."

"Don't move Nat," Dennis said.

"You've got what you came for," Hutchinson shouted across the deck.

"Indeed I have. Your ship's communications and guidance controls have been neutralised by a virus we've installed. You will be unable to pursue us. Your ship's position is currently being given as ten miles from here. Even your mobile phones won't work."

Hutchinson reached into his pocket.

"Please feel free to try."

There was no signal obtained. On anyone's.

"You will be quite alone out here once we've left. Now please miss Feltham. I'm a busy man!"

"Stay where you are Natalie. Nobody is going with you," Hutchinson said to Von Werner as he moved in front of her and alongside Dennis.

"Danilov!"

The Russian pointed the Heckler and Koch as he advanced on them.

"Take me!" Dennis blurted out.

He stood directly in front of Danilov who now shouldered the sub machine gun. He grabbed Dennis in both hands and was about to throw him bodily out of the way.

"Danilov wait," Von Werner called.

The big Russian let Dennis go. Von Werner came closer.

"What did you say Mr Dennis?"

"I said take me instead."

"May I remind you that I am a professional doing my job. I assure you Miss Feltham will not be harmed. I could not hurt such beautya."

He tried to touch her face but she pulled her head away.

"a.Miss Feltham will be put down, blindfolded, but quite unharmed at a neutral port. She will be quite safe. I give you my word."

"If you're a gentleman as you say you are then take me as a hostage. You don't need the girl."

"Now there's a thought. How very gallant of you. How very English."

Danilov was bored with all these mind games.

'Why can't we just kill them all now?' he was thinking.

"Very well Mr Dennis," Von Werner said, "I shall use you as a hostage."

He looked at Danilov.

"Take them both."

"Wait a minute. That wasn't part of the agreement."

Von Werner reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small Beretta pistol and levelled it at waist height.

"Who said we had an agreement? Now move!"

Dennis knew he had no choice.

"It'll be all right," he said to Natalie, cradling her face in his hands. He turned and led her towards the steps and down to the small boats waiting. Danilov right behind. Von Werner raised a hand and said in a cheery voice.

"Thank you gentlemen for your hospitality. I bid you good day."

"I swear to you if anything happens to them." Hutchinson shouted after him but Von Werner was now too far away to hear it.

Once in the boat and away Dennis looked back at the *Volante', apparently now adrift, stricken, the crew still safely on board. He tore his eyes away and looked at Danilov. The big man just stared back coldly. Dennis stared at him for thirty seconds or so and finally tutted, rolled his eyes and focused back on the *Volante'.

*There must be something they can do,' he was thinking.

The three little boats were zipping across the water towards the *Wavecrest' flat out. Natalie rubbed the goose pimples on her arms. The wind was making her cold. Her nipples had become hard and were pressing through her vest. This had not gone unnoticed by Danilov who was looking at them, his mouth open. She caught him looking and tried to cover herself with her arms. Dennis, sitting directly behind her, leaned forward and spoke into her ear.

"Are you cold?"

She half turned and nodded. He reached around her, held her close and rubbed her skin to help. This stirred Danilov even more. His tongue flicked out over his lips. Natalie saw it and fought the urge to vomit.

Dennis was now studying the 'Wavecrest.' As their boat got near he could see it was much bigger than the 'Volante.' The two domes, one at the bow and the other at the stern, he could now see were machine guns. Once on deck he could see more crew members.

"How many crew does your ship carry?" Dennis asked.

Von Werner only replied with a smug grin. Dennis guessed it had to be at least forty. He also noted that he couldn't see any of them carrying arms.

'That's good,' he thought, "But there are fifteen that are."

"What?" Natalie asked. He hadn't realised he'd said the latter out loud.

"I can't see any of the crew carrying weapons. While we're here use your eyes and ears. Make mental notes of everything, even something that seems insignificant could help us if opportunity arises."

"Opportunity?"

"Yes. I intend to escape if I can, we can, don't you?"

She suddenly felt a thrill rush through her.

"It's like being in the movies. Is your life always like this?"

"Sometimes. Though I never get the girl."

"Well this time you may have Mr Dennis."

"No talking," Danilov said shoving Dennis in the back. Dennis whirled round on him.

"You know Danilov you really are a nasty bastard aren't you?"

He didn't even attempt to duck the fist that landed squarely on his chin.

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

"Peter! Peter! Wake up."

Natalie was vigorously shaking his arm. He was laying on his back on a bunk where Danilov had dropped him. The Russian had carried him there after knocking him out. Dennis turned his head this way and that.

"Where? Where am I?" he groaned.

"Peter it's me Natalie. You're safe."

"Are we alone?" he asked still groaning.

"Yes."

He opened his eyes and suddenly shot up out of the bed, startling her with his so sudden recovery. He checked the door. It was locked from the outside. They were in a cabin with two bunks and a ridiculously small toilet. He went over to the window to inspect it. It was permanently fixed and wouldn't open. He stopped to look at her. She was staring at him open mouthed.

"Are you all right?"

"Of course."

"But Danilov knocked you out."

He winked at her.

"I was pretending."

He rummaged through the room looking for anything of use.

"Pretending?"

"Yes."

He was searching the toilet area again. He stopped and looked in her direction.

"Sorry. I had to. That's the only way I could get this off him."

He reached into his back jeans pocket and threw a small object to her. She caught it and turned it over in her hand.

"My phone," she said.

"Yes. But still no signal. We need to get topside."

"How did you get this? Danilov took it from me."

"I saw him put it in his pocket. That's why I pretended he'd knocked me out. He really is an oaf. I guessed that he'd carry me somewhere like here and I hoped he wouldn't feel me take your phone from his pocket. I just hope he doesn't remember it too soon."

Tears were building in her eyes.

"I thought he'd hurt you."

He hugged her close and they kissed.

"Sorry," he said, "But it was necessary."

She nodded.

"Ok. But if you're going to do anything like that again try to let me know first please."

"Hope I don't have to," he said rubbing his chin, "Not sure I can take many more of his hits. I'm surprised he didn't break my jaw. Now can you give me a hand I think this pipe is loose."

He got down by the toilet, took a small coin from his jeans front pocket and turned the toilet's water supply off.. He then put a foot against the wall and pulled the metal pipe that allowed water in to the toilet off. The water from the toilet poured onto the floor. He lifted the cistern lid. It wasn't refilling.

"Good," he said, "Now we just need someone to open the door."

Danilov waited until the helicopter had dropped the sarcophagus safely on the stern of the 'Wavecrest' before leaving. He knew that Von Werner's attention would be totally absorbed by the artefact and he was sure he wouldn't be missed. He had unfinished business. He couldn't stop thinking about the girl. He couldn't get the image of her nipples straining against her vest out of his head. He felt himself harden at the thought and he knew as he descended the stairs that one way or another he had to have her. He was hoping that Dennis was still out cold. He would have to bind him if not. A sick grin spread itself across his face.

*Maybe I should make him watch'

He turned the corner of the corridor and saw the guard he'd posted. The guard was alert and saw Danilov approaching.

"Has there been any trouble?" the Russian asked.

"No sir."

"You're relieved."

"Yes Sir."

The guard raced past Danilov, only too keen to be away from him. He sprinted up the stairs and was gone. Danilov checked the corridor, there was no one else near.

Inside the cabin Peter Dennis and Natalie were just remaking the bunk. He had successfully hidden the piece of metal pipe down the side of the single mattress so it would be easy to get to but not noticeable unless a thorough search was made. They stopped and both looked towards the door.

"Did you hear voices?" he whispered.

She nodded and whispered back.