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He began to run again

Abby felt sheunconsciousness Bootsie walked around--tap, tap, tap, tap, tap-- She had to find a way to take him by surprise--difficult when her hands were tied

He was old, for God’s sake, close to seventy But he was in good shape, good health--except for his mind, obviously--and he was decked out with a blunderbuss and sword

How the hell had he gotten those weapons? Where and when had he changed into the frock coat and hat he earing?

He couldn’t have coonslayer David Casould have seen him--would have followed hi around, stillto himself "Ach, I’ll worry about this one later We’ll need time Best wench, yes, I have Abby now, and she is the one I should have known before, yes This ork But I et rid of her now, out in the river Poor lass--not good enough She’ll have to die"

He was going for Bianca He walked toward the closed room in the boathouse At thisto take her out and kill her Bootsie didn’t keep ht, Abby thought, because he’d had the opportunity

Because he was losing control

Tap, tap, tap, tap

He was going for Bianca

She heard Bianca’s muffled screaot to her feet, looking for a weapon At least he’d tied her hands in front of her If he’d tied the in the shadowy expanse of the old boathouse except a discarded fishing pole It was better than nothing With her head still pounding, she took a step and staggered She froze, afraid he’d heard her, willing herself to find her balance Bianca screaain Bootsiepole and got it in her hands, then rushed for the door Bootsie was inside, hauling Bianca over his shoulder

He had powerful shoulders, a powerful physique he’d maintained all the years she’d known him

The room in the boathouse was just as Helen had described it--s vessel of days long gone A pirate’s vessel, perhaps

Bootsie started to turn; she slath He lurched backward, dropping Bianca She struck hiainst the wood, almost on top of Bianca

But as Abby drew back, ready to strike again, Bootsie recovered his balance Blood poured from a wound on his forehead and he was infuriated He bellowed out a curse and caht it and wrenched it fro only a little, watching him with the same fury

"Ah, lass! I will break you, you will see!" He walked toward her, bringing theof the seas Governments fall down before me, none may rule me And you will obey me or you will die! I am Blue Anderson! I am Blue Anderson, and I will rule the seas from here to eternity"

"You’re not Blue! Blue didn’t hurt anyone!"

"You’re not hurt! You’re a captive, and you want to stay with me!" he roared

Abby stared at hi--that he was Blue Anderson

"You will You will be the wench, and you ant me!"

He walked over to her; she raised her hands in self-defense He was incredibly strong--slapping her arain, the world see her arth

"Don’t want to scar you, lass, but I won’tyou within an inch of your life," Bootsie told her "Now, I’ll have to be hog-tying you until I get rid of the other one"

"Touch her again and you’re dead!"

The threat rang out with cold assurance

Relief filled Abby

Malachi

He was soaked and muddy; he’d apparently crawled up to the boathouse froun trained on Bootsie and his eyes were centered on the man

But Bootsie didn’t release her He spun her around in front of hi froainst her neck

"Can your bullet h to stop the blade of o"

"Fight for her Fight for her like a man, Scurvy Pete! You won’t take ht you, Blue," Abby said "He has no weapon hich to fight Blue wouldn’t fight hiot hihty pistol there," Bootsie said She felt the knife scratch against her throat

"Give him a sword He’ll put the pistol down"