could across the back of the head with the pipe. Danilov’s eyes flashed open and he bellowed in pain. Natalie dived out of the way. Stunned and dazed Danilov tried to turn while fumbling for his handgun. Natalie wrestled it off him as Dennis hit him hard again. A strange animal sound was coming from his mouth. Slowly the Russian sank to his knees. Dennis hit him hard for a third time across the back of the head and this time the iron pipe shattered. The big man pitched forward onto his face. His dark blood pumped across the floor of the cabin. He twitched twice and was still. Blood coming from his ears, nose and mouth. Dennis’ hands were stinging from the blows. He studied the shattered pipe.
“Is he dead?” Natalie asked.
“I hope so or he’s going to be in one hell of a mood when he wakes up.”
Natalie suddenly found herself pointing the Glock handgun at the back of the Russian’s head. Dennis threw what was left of the pipe still in his hands onto the bed. He saw her hands shaking, holding the, to her, strange weapon.
“Bastard!” she said, “How dare you put your hands on me.”
“Go on,” Dennis said, “Pull the trigger. Two seconds and it will all be over.”
She pointed the pistol harder, the muscles in her arms taut. Then she started sobbing and the gun was lowered. Dennis held her close while she cried into his chest.
“Let it all out,” he said soothingly.
“I feel dirty.”
She rushed over to the tiny wash basin and turned the tap and frantically began scrubbing her hands.
“I….I….need to wash my hands,” she continued, her tears dripping from her cheeks. Dennis knew how she was feeling.
“Natalie we need to go,” he said kindly.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wash this off.”
He took her hands and held them up to her face.
“Look at them,” he shook them firmly, “Look at them!”
She took her eyes off his to look at her hands.
“See,” he said, “No blood.”
“I’ve never seen anyone killed before.”
“Just remember Danilov wouldn’t have thought twice about killing you or raping you or killing me. He would have done it with a smirk on his face. Do you agree?”
She looked at the prone body on the floor. Then she felt stupid for her tears.
“Yes I know he would.”
“It was him or me.”
“Yes.”
He grabbed her hand and went for the door.
“Come on,” he said, leading the way.
Outside the cabin the corridor was empty. Dennis released the safety catch on the Glock and led her out into the passageway to the end. They paused at the bottom of the stairs. Dennis motioned for her to stay back and he ascended slowly to the next deck. The coast was clear and he waved her up. They waited together at the top of the stairs.
“You know you played your part well, back then I mean, with Danilov. You should have been an actress.”
“Who said I was acting.”
Now he glared at her. His mouth open. She smiled.
“I’m joking.”
“That’s a relief!”
For a moment he’d thought she was serious.
“Is the way clear?”
“I think so.”
She was about to go first but he stopped her.
“Wait!”
He pulled her back. A door had opened halfway along the corridor. It was a guard coming out of the lavatory. Dennis knew he had to move now or when the door closed they would be seen. The man turned and closed the door and glanced up as Dennis crashed into him. Dennis punched him twice in the face forcing the man around. Dennis grabbed his forehead from behind and pulled him to the ground. The guards head hit the floor with a sickening smack.
“Quick! Help me get him back into the toilet.”
Natalie approached slowly.
“Is he dead too?”
Dennis paused. The man’s chest was still moving.
“No just unconscious. Get his legs for me.”
Together they bundled the inert form into the cramped cubicle. Dennis quickly unbuttoned his own shirt, took off the man’s black shirt and put it on. He lifted the strap of the Heckler and Koch MP5 over the guards shoulders and checked it for ammunition. It was a full clip. He took the Glock out of his pocket.
“Do you know how to use one of these.”
She was absolutely terrified but knew she had no choice but to take it.
“If you need to fire it just release this,” Dennis demonstrated by releasing the safety catch, “point it and pull the trigger. The recoil will snap your hand and arm back so use both hands