Two powerful strides each carried the larger men to the gangway, where their reception was understandably chilly. A man barked out a threat from the deck of the boat, snarling in a language neither Mulder nor Doggett understood. Nigel hurried in behind them, translating, "He says you don’t look seaworthy." The young scholar yelled back to the captain in a halting variation of the guttural tongue. Nigel’s phrase drew pouts and groans from most of the crew and a look of disgust from their challenger. "He’s the captain," Nigel explained in an aside. "I told him you’re health inspectors. I told him either you board with his cooperation or you can seize his boat and impound it for a month."
Playing along, Mulder nodded knowingly in the direction of the captain, whose frown deepened even as reluctant acquiescence seeped into the slouch of his shoulders.
The captain leveled an angry glare at Doggett and Mulder, but they were allowed to board. The young historian was blocked. Nigel shrugged helplessly. "They said I’m not a health inspector so I don’t need to join you!" he called to the current and former FBI agents. He didn’t look terribly disappointed at his exclusion.
Winds whipped the water into a frenzy, suggesting that a storm was on its way. There were shouts from inside and outside the boat, but Mulder and Doggett focused on a thorough search, winding their way through the narrow passageways, largely ignoring the scowls and unintelligible demands of their ‘guide’. Their eyes skimmed over the refrigeration section, its ice makers standing ready. Both men were surprised to find that the storage compartments truly were clean.
They didn’t really expect to find the hostages in the refrigerator, but it would be tricky to manipulate a tour of the crew quarters and all the niches and crannies. As tight as things were, there were still endless hiding places. Finally Doggett glared at their tour guide and sniffed, "You afraid we’re gonna find something? Let us do our jobs!"
The scruffy young man let loose with a rapid-fire response and stalked away, giving them the opportunity they needed. The duo agreed to split up so they could do a better job of hunting. With the crew topside preparing to depart, Mulder and Doggett were pretty much left alone.
Half an hour later they met back at the door to the refrigeration unit. They exchanged glances. "Nothing?"
"Nope."
Mulder’s jaw worked. "Taking any bets?"
"That we’re out in the middle of the ocean? Nope. It’s a sure thing." Doggett leaned against the bulkhead, pursing his lips. "I guess you could say we fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
Go to Part Twelve.