Assignment: Amazon Queen

Sam had gotten the safe open and was looking at the envelopes when he heard the first thump on the deck outside.

He had no time to look further.

Footsteps sounded in the pilot room adjacent to the safe. Durell's face went blank. He tossed the envelope and the papers quickly back into the safe, closed the door, started to withdraw the key.

A rusty, grating voice that sounded as if its owner hadn't been sober in a decade spoke behind him.

"Hold it just like that, Samuel. One move, and I'll be happy to blow your goddamn head off. Now turn around, real slow like."