Death Diamonds of Bermudez (21 page)

Storm smiled and added, “If you think we look bad, you should see that poor shark!”

As they walked down the floating pathway away from the tourists Savage whispered, “Van Eck is tracking us now with his GPS device, and the last thing we need right now is gunfire with all these tourists around. We need to get to the surface as quickly as possible, and get away from this tourist attraction.”

Storm asked, “You have something in mind?”

Savage replied, “Yeah, I do. I’ll tell you when we get on the topside.”

The small group made their final one hundred feet assent to the surface by using the concrete stairs to the surface.

Rumble in the Jungle

By the time Storm and Savage limped their way up and out of the cave
, the Spinners had been out in the fresh air for a few minutes. Half-blinded by the sunlight, Savage said, “Storm, I know what it feels like not being able to see a thing.”

Storm replied, “I hope the hell you can recover your sight before I do or we’re in big trouble.”

Savage had quit blinking by now. He nudged Storm in the side and said, “
You can relax; I can see again.”

Storm snapped back, “It’s about damn time, now what?”

Savage signaled to the Spinners and said, “Spinners, get your butts over here.” Within seconds Michael, Sam, Keno, Graham, and Portagee were front and centre. Savage went on to say, “Listen up! We don’t have a lot of time. I’m sure Van Eck is almost here by now. So here’s what’s going to happen.” He pointed to Sam and said, “Sam, you and the boys go to the gift shop and call 911. Tell them who you are and that I said to rush as many armed officers as possible to Tom Moore’s Jungle.”

Portagee jumped in saying
, “Roger that, sir. Once we make the call where will you and Agent Storm be so we can find you?”

Savage replied, “I’ve got bad news for you, Portagee.”

Portagee asked, “What’s that, sir?”

Savage continued to say, “None of you are going anywhere except to call your parents, and let them know where you are. Now go and call 911 right now!” The Spinners took off at a dead run towards the gift shop. They all knew the Inspector meant business.

Savage turned to Storm and said, “Come on, mate. Let’s get this GPS device communicating with Van Eck.”

Storm replied, “You lead the way. I’ve got your backside.”

Since Tom Moore’s Jungle almost fringed the Crystal Cave property Savage decided to walk as the crow flies and stay off the roads. He knew that Van Eck would have no choice but to come in after them. Storm’s sight was good enough now that as long as Savage stayed within a few feet of him he could keep up with him. As they entered the jungle Savage stopped and pulled out the GPS device. After looking at it Savage said, “I just wanted to make sure this blasted device was still working. By the way the terrain is going to get a little rougher from here on out, so watch your step.”

Storm laughingly said
, “That’s easy for you to say. You just go and keep talking to me.”

The two worked their way through the jungle. Savage tried to stay off the main trails to keep from being detected. He was hoping to keep Van Eck guessing until the other police officers arrived. The jungle has several small caves and ponds. Savage knew it would do no good to try to hide in the caves. Finally the two men made it to a spot which Savage thought would be their safest place. It was a good sized clearing surrounded on three sides by jungle, and their backside would be protected by a large rock formation.

Savage flipped open the GPS communicator and hit the call button, but nothing happened. He pushed the button again and still nothing happened. Savage yelled out, “What the bloody hell is wrong with this device?”

Storm said, “Let me see it.”

Savage asked, “What the hell for? You can’t see.”

Storm was getting a little upset now and said, “Just give it to me. I can see close up.” Savage handed him the device. In about five seconds Storm said, “This device is customized with a thumb print recognition button. Only one person in the world could ever use this phone and that was Lynch.”

Storm and Savage were interrupted by the sounds of crackling in the brush. By the time they looked up it was too late. Savage and Storm were now surrounded on three sides by South Africans holding Uzis on them. The four South Africans walked within fifteen feet of Storm and Savage. Van Eck had heard every word that Storm and Savage had said. Van Eck smiled and said, “Ever since you took Lynch’s communicator I knew it. Lynch was a good loyal solider who will be missed.” He saw Storm holding his pistol with fully extended arms pointing at them. Van Eck laughed and said, “We know your FBI agent friend is blind. He might as well drop his pistol.”

Savage replied, “He’s his own man. He can do whatever he wants.” Savage lifted up his left arm trying to read the time on his watch. While he was looking at his watch he tapped Storm’s ankle with his left foot. Savage then asked, “What the hell time is it? My watch hasn’t worked for days.” He quickly whispered to Storm, “Nine, eleven, twelve and I’ll take two o’clock.” He went on to say to Van Eck, “My watch says its two o’clock.”

Van Eck gave Savage a dirty look and said, “Who gives a damn! You’re both dead men anyway. We won’t tolerate any loose ends.” He lifted his pistol and said, “Men, kill these cops! I want no witnesses left alive.”

At that moment Storm started firing his pistol from left to right in a systematic motion of a watch hand. Van Eck couldn’t believe what was happening; a blind man was shooting and killing his highly trained men. Before Savage could get to Van Eck, he fired at Storm striking him in the right shoulder. Storm spun around losing sense of his direction and timing. Savage reached out and grabbed Van Eck’s hand that was holding the pistol. The two struggled over the weapon. The pistol fired, and Savage fell backwards with blood spurting from his side. As he was falling he got a fix on Storm and yelled out, “Four o’clock, Storm.”

Storm now had his bearings. He turned slightly to the right and fired off two rounds
striking Van Eck in the chest. Van Eck was dead before he hit the ground.

Storm yelled out, “Savage, are you alright?”

Savage lying on the ground said, “What’s one more bloody bullet in my body? Hell yes, I’m fine.”

As Savage got back to his feet he walked over to Storm and said, “I was sure hoping that you could tell time, mate. It appears your sight might be getting better.”

Storm replied, “Yeah, you’re looking as butt ugly as ever.” Both men laughed as they hobbled and limped down one of the jungle trails that led them back to the main entrance. By the time they made it to the entrance, the 911 respondents were just arriving. Both Storm and Savage along with the Spinners were whisked off to King Edward the VII Memorial Hospital while other officers trekked into the jungle to find the bodies of the Van Eck and the other South Africans.

Just another day in Paradise

Three days later at Savage’s cottage the two crime fighters were well on their way to recovery. They were resting on the garden terrace in recliners overlooking St. George’s Harbour. Both men were recovering from their wounds. Storm had fully recovered his eyesight, and the hospital was happy to give Storm and Savage an early release. To put it mildly the hospital was ready for some peace and quiet after having Storm and Savage around for two days.

Both men were sipping on
‘Dark 'n Stormy’s’. The Spinners had been to the cottage checking on Storm and Savage some hours earlier in the day. They had stayed for awhile, but it was clear that Storm and Savage did not need any babysitters.

Savage remarked to Storm, “I hear we now have a geyser on Long Island. It’s been gushing up to fifty feet high in the air twice a day for hours at a time. I think they’re going to name it ‘Old Stormy’.”

Storm smiled and said, ”You’re full of it, Savage.” He went on to ask, “Are you going to tell the Commissioner that we might know something about the origin of the geyser?”

Savage replied, “Hell no! The Government is going to bring in some scientist from the US next week. We’ll let them figure it out.”

Storm asked, “Savage, aren’t you a tiny bit worried that they might blame us for this new natural wonder?”

Savage snapped back, “What the hell are you saying? I didn’t do anything wrong; however I can’t vouch for you, mate.”

Storm laughed as he raised his drink up high and said, “Cheers to the Lost City of Bermúdez!”

Savage smiled raising his drink up high and said, “Cheers to the Death Diamonds of Bermúdez! May they stay bloody buried under the ocean forever.” They both clinked their glasses together and enjoyed another sip.

Savage added, “Let’s hope the Lost City of Bermúdez stays lost for another thousand years.” Both men reached over from their chairs and shook hands in agreement saluting each other with their glasses.

Front covers of the four previous novels go here: