They pulled up short of the gates. The gates were closed.
"We could ram gate," Majid suggested.
"I have a better idea," said Rashid, drifting back to where Lamar Booe sat.
"You recognize where we are, Cross-Worshipper?" he asked.
Lamar Booe nodded.
"We have come to the time when you repay the benevolent Islamic Republic of Iran for your worthless life. Can you get them to open the gate?"
"Yes," Lamar Booe whispered. He was staring at the floor, his eyes hollow.
"If you do this, you will not be harmed. We guarantee this. We only want to capture this Sluggard." Lamar Booe stood up. He looked Rashid Shiraz straight in the eye.
"Not if I get to him first," he said in a dead voice. His shaking hands gripped an imaginary object tightly. Rashid made a mental note to make certain that Lamar Booe didn't get his hands on Reverend Sluggard's throat. He doubted all the force in the universe could pry them loose.
Chapter 20
Remo Williams was standing guard at the door of Reverend Eldon Sluggard's shipboard quarters when Chiun descended the companionway attired in a simple saffron kimono.
"Problem?" Remo asked.
"I bear glad news for the Sluggard."
"The Reverend Sluggard," Remo corrected. "Calling him the Sluggard is disrespectful."
Chiun shrugged. "Lamar Booe has returned to the Sluggard's flock," he reported.
"Great. Who's he?"
"Do you not remember, Remo? The missing boy. The one whose parents claim that he never returned from this place."
"Oh, right. Reverend Sluggard will be happy to hear it. "
"Then why do you not knock on his door?"
"He asked not to be disturbed. Victoria is there with him. They're having a prayer session. It's been very quiet, but they should be out any minute. We're casting off for the Christian Campground soon."
"I see," said Chiun, pushing Remo aside. He looked into the keyhole of the great door. He did not have to bend very far to see.
"Chiun. That's snooping!"
"Information gathering," Chiun shot back. He moved this way and that, trying to see.
"It's our jobs if you're caught," Remo said in a resigned voice.
When Chiun suddenly withdrew from the keyhole, a look of disgust etched on his wrinkled features, Remo asked, "Had enough?"
"Judge for yourself," Chiun said, stepping aside. Reluctantly Remo looked. He saw Victoria Hoar's back. She was on her knees facing Reverend Sluggard. One meaty hand rested on her head, the other flailed the air. Reverend Sluggard's face was reddening by the second. His eyes were squinched shut as if in pain. "Well?" Chiun demanded after Remo stepped back from the keyhole.
"Well what?" Remo asked. "He's leading her in prayer."
"Who is leading whom is another question," Chiun snapped. "But of one thing I am certain, you are as blind as the Sluggard is disgusting."
"Reverend Sluggard. And I don't know what you're talking about. So why don't you tell them to bring the kid here? I'm sure Reverend Sluggard will want to talk to him when he's done."
"Men like him are never done." And with that cryptic remark, the Master of Sinanju stamped up to the deck.
Minutes later, when Remo heard talking coming from the other side of the door, he decided it was a good time to break the wonderful news to Reverend Sluggard. He knocked loudly.
"What is it?" Reverend Sluggard snarled. "Ah said Ah was not to be disturbed."
"Great news," Remo called back.
There was a flurry of sounds and Reverend Sluggard's face appeared through a crack in the door. His jowly face was flushed, his hair unkempt.
"Did we nuke Ah-ran?"
"No. Lamar Booe's back," Remo said cheerily. "Isn't that wonderful?"
Reverend Eldon Sluggard's face did not register pleasure. At first it registered a kind of dazed blankness. Then, as the name sank in, his blank expression started to come apart. The mouth went slack. The eyes grew wild. His nostrils dilated explosively and Reverend Sluggard's hand on the door edge turned so white his many rings seemed to flush with added color.
"Whaaaa-" he said.
"Lamar Booe. The kid whose parents are suing you. He says it's all a big misunderstanding. He wants to see you."
"Whaaaa-" Reverend Sluggard said again.
"Lamar Booe," Remo said, frowning. "He-"
"Ah know who he is!" Reverend Sluggard snapped. "Don't let him in. Ah don't want to see his cowardly face. Stop him!"
"But Chiun's bringing him aboard."
"What is the problem?" asked Victoria Hoar.
"That Booe boy. He's back!" Sluggard's voice was hoarse.
"Back? How can he be back? He was with the others?"
"Someone's at the gate sayin' he's him."
"I don't get it," Remo said. "I thought you'd be pleased. "
"Tell the captain to cast off now!" Sluggard ordered.