“You were strong too.” Jessica frowned, troubled. “Do you think I was too patient with you?”
“No, of course not. You did everything exactly right. I was just wondering . . . Remember, I told you I thought she was hiding something? Do you suppose she’s using the monsters as an excuse to stay in the tunnel?”
“That’s a pretty complicated fantasy. She’s seven years old, Mellie.”
“You told me her father said she had a wonderful imagination. Put that together with an immensely strong will, and you might— Oh, I don’t know. Just think about it. Now eat that soup before you go back to Cassie.” She glanced at Galen. “Do you want a bowl?”
He shook his head and rose to his feet. “I’m going to take a look around the perimeter and make a few phone calls. As soon as Travis gets through with his little business with van der Beck, he’s going to hop on me to get you access to the Wind Dancer. I always like to be ahead of the game.”
“Fine.” Jessica began to eat. “It’s the only good I can see coming out of this mess. I want a chance to help Cassie before they catch us and line us up before a firing squad.”
“Don’t be a pessimist.” Galen smiled. “If Travis didn’t have my invaluable services, you might have to worry, but I’ve the reputation of a miracle worker.”
“God knows we need a miracle,” Jessica murmured as he left.
“No, we need to make a deal with Andreas and put an end to this craziness,” Melissa said. “He could force Travis to help Cassie.”
Jessica shook her head. “I told you what happened when I called his bluff. I won’t risk you or Cassie again.”
“The bastard.” She was silent a moment. “You don’t have to worry about me. I think I’m getting ahold of this thing.”
“There’s still Cassie.”
Her lips tightened. “And you won’t risk her.”
“You wouldn’t either.”
“Wouldn’t I? Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do.” She moved toward the door. “You finish that soup. I’m going to talk to Galen. I hope to hell his phone calls have come up with zilch.”
Galen was leaning against a tree a few yards from the porch. He switched off his phone as she came out of the house. “I was expecting you.”
“Why?”
“You’re not one to sit around when you’re not happy about something.”
“How do you know?”
“My impeccable intuition. Which at the moment is telling me that you want to grill me about my progress.”
“Consider yourself grilled.”
“Promising. If Travis can come up with the cash. A million dollars is not to be sneezed at.”
“For the Wind Dancer?”
“No way. For the privilege of spending four hours in privacy with the statue.”
“A million dollars for that short a time? He’ll never go for it.”
“You hope.”
“It wouldn’t help Cassie.”
“Shock value?”
“It wouldn’t help.” Her hands clenched into fists. “And I don’t want it happening. Don’t give Travis the proposal.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I don’t know what he’s paying you, but I’ll pay you more.”
“You have that kind of money?”
“My parents left a comfortable inheritance. I have a trust fund.”
“And you’d use it to bribe me?”
“I’ll pay you anything if you’ll forget about the Wind Dancer. If I don’t have enough money, I’ll find it.”
He shook his head.
“If you don’t want money, name your price. I’ll do anything you want.”
He tilted his head. “Are you offering me sexual favors?”
“I would if I thought it would do any good. But you’re not attracted to me. We’re too much alike.”
“Are we?”
“Yes. You must have sensed it too. It would be like making love to your sister.”
He laughed. “And I’m definitely not into incest.”
She tried to keep desperation out of her voice. “Tell me what you want and I’ll do it. I’m not dumb and I have terrific motivation. That can get most things done.”
His smile faded. “If we’re so much alike, then you should know I wouldn’t betray a friend. I have old-fashioned principles.”
She had known the chances were slim, but she’d had to try. “I mean it. I’ll do anything. Think about it. There must be something you want done that no one else is willing to do. It’s not often you get an offer like that.”
“It’s hard not thinking about it.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “I can see I’m going to have to keep my eye on you. You’re entirely too single-minded on this issue. You just might decide to make a call to Andreas.”
Jesus, he was sharp. “If you’ve talked to Travis, you know that’s not an option.”
“I’m not so sure. . . .” He shrugged. “Go back inside. I don’t want to take the chance of anyone seeing you. People remember good-looking women. I have to check with my guys in the woods.”
She smothered her despair as she watched him walk away. It had been a long shot, but she had been willing to try it. Okay, so it hadn’t worked. She would just have to think of something else before Travis got back.
If he came back. The impression she had gotten was that Travis’s “business” was not safe. His life had never been safe, and there was no reason to expect it to change now. It was possible he wouldn’t come back. He could be killed or sent on the run. All her worry might be for nothing. He might abandon them if his life was on the line.
He wouldn’t abandon them. As much as she resented and feared him, she knew he would keep his promise to Jessica. Christ, how she wished he wouldn’t do it. The dominoes were falling faster, and she couldn’t seem to stop them.
Stay away, Travis. Don’t come back.
Please, don’t come back.
“At last.” Jan van der Beck gave Travis a bear hug. “It’s about time you came and took over the reins. I’m too old for this.”
Travis laughed as he returned the hug and then stepped back. “You weren’t too old to chase after that pretty little Italian countess six months ago. Is she going with you on your cruise?”
“There’s a possibility. She has a daughter, in case you’re interested. I understand the woman even has a modicum of brains. Though I never understood why you make that a requisite. Stupidity is so much more relaxing.” He started toward the playground a short distance away. “Where are the goods?”
“My jacket pocket.” He fell into step with Jan. “You weren’t followed?”
“Is the student questioning the teacher now? I’m never followed when I don’t want to be.” He glanced at Travis, whose gaze was scanning the surrounding trees. “You don’t believe me. I’m insulted.”
“Sorry. It’s habit. I’ve had to be a bit cautious in the past several months.”
“And now also, evidently. That fake mustache definitely does not suit you.”
“I thought it wouldn’t hurt. One of Galen’s sources told him my picture was ordered to be circulated to every police officer in Amsterdam. Let’s hope they haven’t gotten around to it yet.”
“Well, they won’t expect you to be strolling in a place as public as this.” He thought about it. “Maybe.”
“Thanks for being so comforting. Is that the phone booth where we’re supposed to leave the package for Karlstadt?”
Jan nodded. “The minute we’re sure the money’s in the waste can.”
“Which waste can?”
“The red one by the front gate.” He grinned. “The one being discreetly monitored by the bearded man by the cotton-candy stand. I told you Karlstadt would be anxious.”
Travis glanced at the man Jan had indicated. Good-looking, blond hair, full face, beard. As he watched, the man casually folded his newspaper and strolled over to a bench by the gate. He frowned. “There’s something familiar about him.??
?
“How can you tell with that bush on his face? It’s got to be as phony as your mustache.”
“I don’t know. It’s just . . . something.” He shrugged. “I may have run into him before if he’s a hired gun.”
“Possibly. Are you worried enough to walk away?”
Was he worried? He was always worried when an unexpected element appeared in a deal. Yet familiarity was not recognition.... “I guess not.”
“Good,” Jan said. “I want the deal done. I don’t think Karlstadt’s man will try to stop us as long as he sees us make the exchange. And Karlstadt knows you’re holding back half of the goods.”
“Let’s get it over with and get you on that cruise.” He waited until the crowd around the playground entrance had dispersed before strolling toward the red waste can, keeping one eye on the man by the stand. “A department store shopping bag?”
“Right. De Bijenkorf’s.”
The shopping bag was jammed to one side of the can, the top stuffed with newspaper. So far, so good. While Jan blocked him from view, he retrieved it and moved quickly toward the phone booth. “Come on, Jan. I can practically see you walking up that gangplank now. You’ve got it ma—”
A popping sound.
Silencer.
Shit.
He dove for the ground as he reached for his gun. “Down, Jan.”
“ Too . . . late.” Jan was falling. “My . . . leg. Run, Michael.”
The blond man was sprinting toward them with a gun drawn.
Another shot.
The bullet whistled by Travis’s ear as he rolled over in the grass. He got off a shot.
The blond man faltered, blood sprouting high on his shoulder. But he was almost on top of Jan. He grabbed Jan’s shirt, jerking him to a kneeling position, then pressed the gun to Jan’s temple. “Throw down the gun and pitch me the money, Travis.”
“Screw you. Let him go, or you’ll have a bullet in your brain before you can press the trigger.”
“Do what I say and I won’t kill him. I’m actually grateful to van der Beck. He’s been very helpful. Give me the money and I’ll let him live.” His finger tightened on the trigger. “Even though you’ve caused me no end of trouble, I’ll even let you live for a while. Your usefulness isn’t at an end yet.”
“You’re lying. You won’t do it. There are witnesses all over the place.”
“I dislike witnesses, but I’ll make an exception. Look at my face.”
The cold son of a bitch would kill him. He threw him the shopping bag. “I’m putting down the gun. Now back away from him.”
“Very wise.” He glanced over his shoulder as he heard a commotion at the gate. Several security guards were racing toward them. He smiled. “Never mind. I’d love to stretch this out, but it seems we’re about to be interrupted. Next time.”
He shot Jan in the head.
“No!”
Agony twisted through Travis as he watched Jan’s blood and brains splatter on the grass. “Jan!”
Dead.
And the man who had done it was streaking down the path toward the street.
Travis grabbed his gun, leapt to his feet, and raced after him. He could hear the shouts of the security guards behind him.
Another shot. This one not muffled by a silencer.
Who was shooting?
It didn’t matter. All that mattered was catching the man running ahead of him and killing the son of a bitch.
Stinging pain.
Something warm and wet running down his side.
Keep running.
The man had reached the street and was ducking into a small Volvo.
Travis lifted his gun but couldn’t get a clear shot as the Volvo pulled away from the curb.
Gone. Rage tore through him as he watched the car screech around the corner.
Shouts behind Travis. Another shot.
Get away. Find the son of a bitch later.
He ran across the street, down the alley, and then around the corner. His car was parked four blocks away. Reach it. Get back to the farmhouse.
Streaks of pain ripped through him. Murder. Jan’s head exploding.
Don’t think about it yet.
Get back to the farmhouse.
Jan . . .
13
“Get me a first aid kit, Melissa.” Galen flung open the door and helped Travis into the kitchen. “The stupid ass got himself shot. I knew I should have gone with him.”
“Shot?” Melissa felt her heart jerk. “Bad?”
“A bullet wound is never good.” Galen lowered Travis gently into a chair. “It only grazed his ribs, but he’s lost some blood.”
“Who did it?”
Travis shook his head. “I’m not sure. I have to think about it. Just get a bandage on me and give me something to clear my head.”
“CIA?”
“This had nothing to do with Cassie.”
“How do you know if—”
“Get him bandaged before you cross-examine him,” Galen told her. “And women are supposed to be the gentler sex.”
“Shut up. Go in the bedroom and get Jessica’s medical bag, but don’t wake her. She just got to sleep.”
“She’s a doctor. Maybe we should—”
“I can take care of this. I don’t want her bothered.”
“Heaven forbid,” Travis murmured. “We wouldn’t want your sister bothered.”
“No, we wouldn’t. You’ve put her through enough hell.” She went to the sink and filled a basin of water. “Take off your shirt.” She saw him struggling and said through her teeth, “Oh, stop it. You look like you’re going to pass out. I’ll help you.” She put the basin on the table and carefully stripped the shirt off him. “I take it your ‘business’ didn’t work out as you hoped.”
“You could say that. Hurry, will you?”
“I’m hurrying. Do you think I like fussing over you?”
“Here’s the bag.” Galen set the leather satchel on the table and opened the latch. “May I help? I’m pretty good at first aid myself.”
“I bet you are.” Melissa deftly cleaned the long, jagged graze. “All those battle wounds . . .”
“What?”
“Nothing. Give me that antiseptic.” She glanced at Travis’s face. “This is going to hurt.” She didn’t wait for a response but put the antiseptic on the open cut. He didn’t flinch. He looked as if he didn’t feel it. Her lips twisted. “Macho man.”
“Yeah, that’s me.” Travis looked at Galen. “Get on the phone and find us another place. I wasn’t followed here, but we need to make sure that the man who killed Jan isn’t able to—”
“Jan’s dead?” Galen interrupted. “Oh, God, I’m sorry, Travis.”
“So am I.” Travis looked at Melissa. “Are you through with me?”
“I wish.” She finished bandaging the wound. “But that should hold you.” She gave him three Tylenol. “You’re not having enough pain for anything stronger.”
“Oh, I’m having enough pain.”
He wasn’t talking about physical pain, she realized. She smothered the ripple of sympathy. “If your head’s messed up, it’s not because of that flesh wound.”
He swallowed the Tylenol and said to Galen, “He knew we were coming and he knew about the delivery. He was either Karlstadt’s man or someone else who had access to the information. He said Jan had been helpful. Jan found two bugs in his apartment last week. I thought maybe CIA, but . . .” He shook his head. “He could have been a rogue agent, but that doesn’t smell right. I have to think about it. Just get us out of here.”
“ Paris?”
Travis shrugged. “Why not?”
“Right.” Galen rose to his feet and took out his phone. He hesitated. “I really am sorry. I know he was like family to you.” He strode out of the house.
Melissa barely heard those last words. “Paris? Why Paris?”
“You know why,” Travis said wearily. “I made a promise and I want to get it over and d
one with.”
She closed her eyes. “Shit.”
“I agree with you.” He put on his shirt. “I know you hoped I might be thrown off course by Jan’s—” He stopped. “Death.”
It hurt him to say the word. She could feel his raw pain. She wouldn’t feel it, dammit. Her eyes opened and she glared at him. “I can’t help it if your friend died. He must have been crazy or he’d never have thrown his lot in with you. You should have learned your lesson, but you haven’t. You’re going forward blindly, not caring who you hurt.”
“I won’t hurt anyone.”
“Tell that to your friend Jan.”
He flinched. “You would have had a ball practicing medicine in the old days before they discovered anesthesia.” He finished buttoning his shirt. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go outside and find Galen. I need some air.”
Her hands clenched as she watched him leave. She had caused him pain, but she would be damned if she’d show him the remorse she felt. He was tough enough to take almost anything, and she had to be just as tough.
She carried Jessica’s medical bag back to the bedroom and put it on the chair by the nightstand. Jessica was curled up on the bed next to Cassie. She stood looking down at the troubled child and her sister, who was willing to give up everything to protect her patient. They were both sleeping deeply, and she felt a sudden surge of protectiveness toward them. Strange. Jessica had always been the caregiver, the safety net in a shaky world.
Not now. Jessica was beyond her depth. Hell, maybe Melissa was too, but she couldn’t let that matter.
She had to dive in, try to keep them all afloat and hope they didn’t drown.
She moved over to the other nightstand, opened Jessica’s handbag, and began to search through it.
“You okay?” Galen asked as he walked toward Travis. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“Because of this wound? I remember hearing about a time in Tanzania when you walked five miles with a machete stuck in your leg.”
“Yeah, but not every man is a superman like me. And I always take R and R when I can get it.” He checked his watch. “You have forty-five minutes before transport arrives. Go on back in the house and sit down.”
“It’s more restful out here.”