"Well, I said my brother knew where we were, and they'd better be careful. It didn't work. Then I pointed out that they didn't even dare to kill us, because our bodies could be traced back to the houseboat. Everyone knew we'd just gone for a swim, and everyone knew we could take care of ourselves."
Rick thought privately that any time Spindrift was in danger from then on, he'd make sure his self-reliant sister had a bodyguard at all times.
"I said other things, too, but finally they slapped me and told me to shut up."
"Who did?" Scotty demanded.
"One of the women. It doesn't matter, Scotty. It didn't hurt. Anyway, they said we could stop worrying about what was going to happen to them. Then one of the men asked if we knew what had happened to the three scientists. We said yes. And he said ... he said ..." Barby suddenly turned white.
Jan finished for her. "He said they were going to erase our minds, too. Then they were going to put us back in the water." The words were no sooner out than Jan had a delayed reaction, too.
Rick rushed the two of them into the cabin and made them sit down with heads bent low. Scotty found water and gave them each a drink.
"You've acted like a couple of champs," Rick told them. "But for the love of mike, don't faint now!"
Barby lifted her chin. "I have no intention of fainting," she said defiantly. "It's just ... well, it's ..."
"I know," Rick assured her. "Take it easy, Sis."