"Let's tie him up before he comes too," Fenton said.
Frank nodded but instead of going for rope, he pried open the man's mouth and searched for the false tooth. Finding it, he gave it a little pull and dislodged the cyanide pill contained within. Standing up, he tossed it into the sink and then went after the nylon line he had seen earlier in the utility room.
"Kevin, would you please fix us all something to eat?" Laurel asked shortly after Joe had made his exit.
As Kevin made his way to the small portable stove, Laurel went to Joe's room and knocked on the door. Receiving no answer, she eased the door open expecting to find him asleep. Finding an empty bed, she pushed the door open all the way and entered. "Lance!" she called out, her eyes spying the waste can Joe had used.
Lance was in the room in seconds. "He's gone," he observed in surprise.
"Indeed," Laurel agreed through tight lips. "This is only the eye of the hurricane," she continued. "He could get hurt up there. Have one of the men return to the house and look for him then radio the captain of the submarine and tell him to surface and scan the beach for Joe. Joe may have decided it was safe to explore if he did return to the house and find everything quite."
"At once," Lance agreed. "I will have the rest of the men sweep the exits from the tunnel in case he never reached the house."
"Very good," Laurel agreed, picking up the waste can. Taking care of Danny had gotten her used to cleaning up these kinds of messes but she was grateful Joe had used the can instead of the floor.
Fenton bound the man's hands while Frank took care of his feet. "Let's get him to the basement," Fenton directed.
"What if the others come looking for him?" asked Frank with a frown.
"Maybe they'll think he left the house and got hit by a tree branch," Fenton suggested with a shrug. "At any rate, we can't let him go. He knows we're here."
They hauled their captive through the dining room, down the hall and into the basement. "I am going to check the tunnel," Fenton said after they gagged their prisoner and returned to the hall.
"You can't," argued Frank. "There could be more Assassins in there. We'll have to figure out a way to get Joe after he's topside."
"In that case, let's awaken our prisoner and start questioning him," Fenton said opening the basement door once again. "Stay up here and let me know if you hear any more movement. We may have to make a hasty retreat."
Frank nodded his agreement although he preferred to be present for the questioning. He shut the basement door after his dad then returned to the kitchen. There were no viable hiding places where they could surprise the Assassins when they returned and no way for a quick exit even if there were. The house had no back door.
Frank frowned as he looked out the window. He could see two men roaming around; seemingly searching for something or someone. Had their presence been discovered? Frank left the kitchen and went into the living room. Outside that window he could see more men walking about the premises.
Frank returned to the basement just as his father was replacing the gag in the Assassin's mouth. "There are Assassins everywhere," Frank informed his father.
Fenton nodded. "They're looking for Joe," he informed Frank, smiling. "He got away on his own."
After what seemed like forever Joe saw some light and followed it. He had realized some time ago that he was lost and had turned around to retrace his steps but couldn't find his way in the darkness. He thought if he could at least get out of the tunnel he could make his way back to the house from the outside.
He stumbled as his toe connected with a rock he didn't see and he fell. Groaning, he put his hand against his knee and held it tight to block the pain. He just knew he had lost a little skin.
Not really wanting to get up, but knowing he had too, he rose to his feet and continued toward the light. As his eyes adjusted to the light he could see the submarine that had brought him to the island surfaced just beyond reach of the rocks.
Joe's stomach rolled as he watched the ship rocking on the waves. Gagging, he bent over and became ill. As he finished, a cloth, wet with seawater, was thrust into his hand.