In Like Flynn (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #4)

I glanced up at him, wondering if he could be reasoned with. Then I reminded myself that this was a man who had caused three deaths and for whom a fourth killing would be no problem. And I had heard his full confession. I could never be let go alive.

I lay there on the floor of the boat, my eyes going from Joe Rimes’sfaceto the gun. It lay on the seat beside him, within easy reach of hisrighthand. I'd have no chance of reaching itfirst. My one hope would be totipthe boat over and throw us both into the water. But with the swirling current and the rocks, I didn't like our chances. I didn't think drowning wouldn't be a preferable death to being shot.

We continued. The shoreline began to open out. We were almost to the Tappan Zee. The midday sun came out from behind hazy clouds and beat down on us. Joe was clearly tiring at the oars. Then suddenly a loud siren brought me up to my knees and made Joe jump and spin around. The pleasure steamer had left its dock in Peekskill and was bearing down on us, closing rapidly in the narrow stream. Joe grabbed the oars and fought to row us out of harm’s way. But the more he struggled, the more he splashed, and we were getting nowhere. Then he reached forward for a mighty pull, missed the water entirely and went over backward. This was my chance. I scrambled to my knees. The gun had disappeared somewhere beneath Joe. One oar had floated away. The steamer was closing on us rapidly. The siren sounded again and warning shouts came to us over the thrashing of the two great paddle wheels. Joe struggled to right himself, and came up, grasping for the remaining oar.

The giant bow cast a shadow over the rowboat as it loomed above us. I could hear women screaming.

“Jump!” I screamed and dived into the water.

“1 can't swim!” Joe’s voice came to me as I broke the surface.

I could hear shouts and bells as the steamer changed course and the bow swung to the left of the rowboat. For a moment it looked as if it might pass him by. I was still too near those mighty paddle wheels and had no wish to be dragged under them. I felt my wet skirts wrapping themselves around my legs as I attempted to swim away. I turned on my back, hitched up my skirts and kicked out. The current caught me and swept me out of harm’s way.

I raised my head and watched as the prow of the steamer grazed the rowboat. Then the great wheel approached him. At first it seemed that it too would pass him by. Instead, it drew the small boat in, like afishermanreeling in his catch. Joe threw himself down as the boat was tossed around, then dragged into the path of the wheel. It rose up andflippedbefore the blades came down on it. On the bridge above the captain cut the engine, but it was too late. The wheel had smashed thetinycraft to matchwood. I waited for Joe’s body to appear, but it didn't.





Thirty-two

Minutes later I was on board the steamer, wrapped in a blanket and sipping brandy from a flask. We waited in midstream until a police launch boarded us, having been summoned from Riverside by Daniel. I had hoped to see Daniel himself, but Joe Rimes had taken the only boat at Adare. Daniel would probably have to drive to the nearest public ferry, and that would take time.

Small boats circled the area, but Joe Rimes’s body never surfaced, for which I was grateful. After a while the search was called off and the steamer limped on to the next port of Croton-on-Hudson. I was taken to the police station to make a statement. I wasn't sure what would happen to me after that. My clothes were still at Adare, but I didn't fancy going back there to face Barney again. I was wet and miserable and close to tears. Someone at the police station was kind enough to give me a drink of coffee and a blanket from the prison cell to wrap around me.

The sergeant who took my statement was not the brightest nor the most patient and I was becoming so frustrated with having to explain and repeat what had just happened to me that I was about to explode, when I heard voices outside the door. The door burst open. The sergeant got to his feet muttering, “What in blazes do you think—”

But Daniel strode past him as if he was invisible. “Thank Godl” he exclaimed. “I've been worried out of my mind. It took ages to get a boat launched from the Van Gelders and when we finally crossed the river we heard about the accident and people kept telling me that the boat was crushed and they found no survivors.”

“That’s because I jumped overboard intime”I said. “Joe Rimes couldn't swim so he was scared to jump. It was horrible to watch.”

“I'm sure it was,” he said. “My God, woman, you're freezing cold.”

“So would you be if you'd been dragged from ariver,”I said.

This is a police interview room,” the sergeant interrupted. ”May I ask what you think you're doing, barging in here?”

“Captain Sullivan, New York Police,” Daniel said. This young lady was taken hostage by a ruthless killer. Ill get a report to you later, but at this moment she needs dry clothing and a chance to rest. I've already spoken with your chief.” And with that he put an arm around me and led me from the room.

I looked up at him admiringly. “It must be nice to be a captain.”