Tahereh attended to Maynard's wound with a sense of urgency. She had to play the part in order to execute the plan correctly. Using odds and ends from Hiram's first aid kit, she stuff the bullet wound to stop the bleeding. Carefully she wrapped the elastic bandage around his shoulder to hold the gauze pads in place. Her work wouldn't stay put for long but secretly that is what she wanted. Why would she want to help this back stabbing low life? He would only double cross her once they had found the gold and Blackshaw.
"Honey, you need to listen to me when I speak to you. You are only baggage. Remember that you are very easy to dispose of, right Slagget?"
"Right boss!" replied Slagget.
"With all do respect Mr. Chalk, I believe you need me more than you even know. You see, my men and I have valuable information on Dick Blackshaw. You are your… sidekick… don't seem to know anything about Dick or his son."
"Well Tahereh, I would be more than happy to learn about the Blackshaws. Right now!"
"Mr. Chalk, do I look dumb to you?"
"Do you want to know my real answer?"
"Let me tell you that I am not. I am a well trained professional who will find Dick Blackshaw and when I do the gold will be returning with me."
"Don't humor yourself, baby. You are a minor playing in the major leagues. Your men are stupid for believing that someone like yourself could properly execute this plan."
"So if you're in the major leagues, what position do you play?" Chalk became puzzled. So did Slagget.
"Slagget why don't you go and get our friends here something to eat. I believe we have some conservations to share and plans to negotiate."
"You got it boss," screamed Slagget as he ran off toward Hiram's skiff.
"So, my darling, the answer to your question is very simple. I am the coach of the team. My men do as I say. If you'd like to be on my team you will listen to me too."
"You know, it's funny because I was under the impression that Dick Blackshaw was the coach of the team. He seems to be calling a lot of the shots. He brought us together. He also caused your boat to sink. Am I painting a clear picture?"
Chalk's blood began to boil and slowly course through his veins. His frustration had hit an all-time high. He remained calm and asked "no, what are you trying to say?"
"Mr. Chalk, with all due respect I am implying that you are the weakest link on the team. You are the team's personal bench warmer." Chalk had had enough! "What I am trying to politely say, Maynard, is that due to your inability to perform, we have decided to cut you from the team."
Tahereh and her men sprang into action. Quickly, she grabbed the arm she had been attending to and twisted it behind Chalk's back. Without a fight, she was able to capture the other arm. With both arms secure, one her men tied Chalk's wrists together using old fish netting.
"Slagget you waste of space, help me!" screamed Chalk. But it was too late. Tahereh began stuffing gauze pads, bandages and cotton balls into Chalk's mouth. Slagget would never hear him. Nobody would hear him. He had been overthrown.
Tahereh bent down and picked up a dull pocket knife that had been hiding under her shoe. Slagget had dropped it when he frisked her and never noticed. "Now, listen to me Maynard. The game has changed. We are not playing by your rules. My rules. My game. Get it?" Chalk didn't respond. "I asked you a question and I expect an answer!" she screamed as she slashed his cheek with her knife. Chalk's body stiffened.
"I'll ask you again. Do you understand?" Her knife was now resting on his adam's apple. Unwillingly but fearful, Chalk nodded his head up and down signaling his allegiance to Tahereh's game. "Great! I am so glad we understand each other!" With a slight head nod, both of her men wrapped an arm around Chalk's restricted arms and began to drag him away.
He did not know what would happened next but he did know that Tahereh was a force to be reckoned with.