He better not come any closer to me. One more step and I'll slash him across the face with my knife. That dirty good for nothing is going to try and steal my share of the loot. Will he kill me? He doesn't look like the type of person that could kill someone. But he also looks like someone who could keep a secret under lock and key so if he did kill me no one would know it was him.
How will he try to kill me? I don't see any weapons. He has about fifty pounds on me give or take a few. I don't think I will be able to wrestle him off. That's when I'll use my knife! Yeah that's a good plan. But what if he's carrying something in his pocket? I don't think I saw him put a knife in there. Maybe he could've left it on Miss Dotsy. Or maybe, while I was taking inventory he slipped away and went back to the boat. From there, he grabbed a knife and stowed it on the boot. He probably thinks that I have no idea but I've got him all figured out! Ol' Ellis has another thing coming for him. He won't have to worry about the bomb for much longer.
The bomb! What are we going to do? How are we going to deactivate it? Do I just cut a wire and hope for the best? No too risky! Maybe I could have Ellis cut it. Yeah that sounds like a good idea. I'll have to threaten him. I'm going to need more than just a knife. I'll have to make a run for it. If I move fast enough his old bones won't be able to catch up to me. I'll make a beeline straight for the hull of Miss Dotsy. Once I'm there I'll grab the pistol that we keep stowed away. Ellis won't even see it coming.
I'll have to be stern! I'll threaten to fire if he doesn't cooperate and then I'll have him cut the fuse. Wait! I can't be anywhere near here if he cuts the wrong fuse. This entire area will go up in flames. This plan is too risky. Not only would I risk my own life but I would be putting the people on Smith Island in harm's way. All of those innocent lives… and LuAnna. I could never hurt her. The pain of losing her would be not worth the millions of gold I would possess.
I need a new plan. Okay so I murder Ellis. Yeah, I think that'll work. With him gone I won't have to worry about splitting the profit. I will be filthy rich. LuAnna and I could move to a faraway island and build a beautiful new home. We could get married and have two or three kids. We wouldn't have to worry about neighbors or bills. We would live off the land.
Focus Ben! Ellis is eyeing you up. Maybe he's scared of what I'm about to do. I'm making him shake in his boots quite literally. All I have to do now if take the knife and make contact with his flesh. I'll have to be fast because he's going to put up one hell of a fight.
On the count of three do it Ben! One… Two… I can't do it. I can't take another life. I've done my fair share of killing in the service. That poor child! Ellis is such a good friend. He's been there for me for years since dad disappeared. Will I miss him? I don't want to have to answer that question. I think that's a sign that I shouldn't do it.
Okay Ben, relax. Everything is going to be alright. You need Ellis to help you get rid of the bomb. Put the knife down. Figure out a plan.
