He turned on his heel, and a moment later, he’d left the columned mansion.
He called Joe Quinn the moment he got into the car. “I’ll call Eve with the rest of the info I got from Kaskov, but I wanted to give you the name Sean Norwalk used from the time he and his brother parted ways. Marc Sanford. And he was working for Jacques Manard at least a good part of that time. Got it?”
“I’ll check it out,” Joe said. “I’m glad you managed to gather something of value from that trip to Kaskov’s lair. You’ve been gone a long time, Jock. Eve was getting nervous. What the hell were you doing there?”
“Not much.” He started the car. “Just playing chess, Joe.”
CHAPTER
10
LAKE COTTAGE 9:05 P.M.
Changes.
Cara stopped playing and gazed out at the lake. The water was still, but she could hear the wind in the trees. Soon it would touch the crystal smoothness of the lake surface and bring it to life. And the storm would follow the wind. She could feel it coming. She could feel him coming.
Just as she could feel those changes coming, as haunting and unable to escape as the sonata she had just played. Dear God, how desperately she had tried to escape it. But in the end, she had to face who she was, who she had become, even if that meant that she could no longer be what Jock wanted her to be. Yes, everything would change, and she might not weather the storm.
She fought off the fear at the thought. Choices. Her own soul, her own choices. And the music. She had the music. She could weather anything. She lifted the bow and started to play again.
It had started to rain by the time she saw the headlights of the gray Toyota Jock had used the last time he’d been here. She stopped playing as she felt the relief sweep through her. Eve had told her that Jock was fine and on his way back to Atlanta, but she was always on edge when Jock and Kaskov were anywhere near each other.
And she had known that she couldn’t hide any longer.
She got to her feet and moved to the top of the steps as she heard the car door slam.
“I heard you playing as I drove up the road.” Jock was running around the car, raindrops catching in his fair hair. “Magnificent welcome.” He smiled up at her as he took the steps two at a time. “Relax. I’m fine. Were you staking out the porch to check me for battle wounds? Both of us survived without incident.”
“I don’t believe that. Eve told me that you found out some information we needed about Norwalk, but Kaskov might have given that to Eve without your going after him.”
“True. But perhaps not as quickly. And with much less satisfaction on my part. I was very frustrated when I left here, and I needed an outlet.”
“And did you get it?”
“Aye.” He looked beyond her at the door. “I need to see Joe. On the plane, I was going over the timeline of what had been happening, and I made a few phone calls. I think I have an idea of what’s been going on.”
She tensed. “What? Tell me.”
He moved toward the door. “Sure. Right after I talk to Joe and get his—”
“No. Now.” She moved between him and the door. “I want to know now.” First test, don’t worry about anything but being who she was and not what he wanted her to be. “I don’t want you to pat me on the head, I don’t want you to put me aside or set me on a shelf in some kind of crystal showcase. That’s what you do all the time, Jock, and it’s got to stop.”
He went still. “You’re being weird again. I know you’ve been upset by all that’s been going on, but this isn’t the time to get temperamental on me.”
“Temperamental?” She laughed incredulously. “I guess that’s an apt description of who you think I am. Just an artist, a musician, a dreamer, with all the emotional hang-ups that traditionally go along with it. Just a kid you have to protect because you think I can’t protect myself. You’ve done that ever since the day we first met.”
“You were a kid then. What did you expect?”
“Nothing. I suppose you’re not that different from anyone else. Darcy and Eve have been hovering over me all day.”
“Good for them. You’re a target, dammit.”
“But I’m no longer a kid,” she said fiercely. “I have to accept responsibility for myself. I can’t let you or Joe or Eve wrap me in cotton wool. For God’s sake, even Kaskov treats me like a doll he takes out to play with and puts away when I bore him. Perhaps I bore you, too, Jock. That’s too bad. I should never have let you go tearing down to New Orleans to see him.”
“You had no choice.”
“Yes I did. I could have gone with you. I could have refused to let you put me back on my shelf where you like to keep me. But I didn’t want to upset you or make you angry. You were always too important to me. But that’s a child’s excuse, and I won’t use it any longer.” She moistened her lips. “You have to stop it. I’m not going to sit on that damn shelf and watch you get yourself killed. Temperamental? Hell yes. You haven’t seen temperamental, Jock.”
Jock was silent, gazing at her. “I believe I may have just gotten a sample. Wrong word?”
“Yes.” She met his eyes. “But not all your fault. I allowed myself to be treated like that because it’s what people seemed to want of me. I guess somewhere down deep I thought if I gave what was wanted, I’d never be alone again. You came into my life when I’d lost everyone, friends, family … so I was particularly vulnerable to you. And you were wonderful to me, you enriched my life. I just wanted to hold on to you. Not fair to you, Jock.”
“The hell it’s not,” he said roughly. “Shut up, Cara. This is tearing me apart.”
“See?” Her smile was shaky. “Not fair to you. That’s what I’m trying to change. I can’t be that kid you felt you had to take care of any longer. I thought I could pretend, but I don’t think I can. It’s too dangerous for you and too scary for me. I have to be on my own.” She paused. “Even if it means that you find you don’t like me that way.”
“Shh.” His hands were suddenly cupping her face. “Hey, best friends, remember. You’re always reminding me. I’m not sure what you’re going through right now, but we’ll work it out.”
She loved his hands on her. She loved his silver-gray eyes shimmering down at her. She loved his lips, which were smiling that wonderful smile. She loved the way he was trying to soothe away the hurt he sensed she was feeling.
Too much.
“Best friends.” She took a step back so that his hands fell away from her. “Good friends. Friends that are honest with each other.” But maybe not totally honest right now. Tonight she had taken the first steps, but she found herself clinging desperately to the comfort of the past. It would take time. She forced a smile. “And if we can’t work it out, we’ll be honest about that, too.” She turned around to face the lake. “So what did you want to talk to Joe about? Timeline you said.”
“We’re back to that?” He went to the porch rail and leaned against it, his gaze still studying her. “It’s not as if I’m trying to keep anything from you, Cara.”
“No, you just don’t want it to get too close to me. Timeline?”
“It was over five months ago that Norwalk contacted Eve about doing reconstructive work on Sean. That means that it was probably shortly before that he was killed in that explosion. Joe pinpointed the coffin purchase in Connecticut or New York. But Sean Norwalk worked out of Nice for Jacques Manard and any other crime organization who would hire him. What was he doing in the New York area?”
“You think he was on a job? Eve said he was an enforcer and assassin.”
“I thought it likely he was sent to do what he did best. So I called Benoit, my agent in Nice. He couldn’t find out details, but he did verify that Sean was sent to New York on a job around that time. Benoit couldn’t definitely confirm, but it was presumably contracted by Jacques Manard.”
“A job for Manard? Then it must have gone wrong.”
“Obviously,” Jock said dryly. “Since Sean ended up in pieces. I have
to tell Joe to narrow down that search on those caskets to Manhattan. And then we have to figure out why Manard sent a hired killer to New York and got him killed.”
Her gaze was searching his face. “But you have an idea or two on that, don’t you?”
“One. Singular. Because it fits in with the timeline. That was also about the time that Stanton told me you were being followed, and we found that your place was bugged. I thought it might be Kaskov or someone targeting you because of him, and I flew off to Moscow to find out. But it might have been Sean Norwalk. He could have been the man Stanton saw tailing you.”
“After me?” she whispered. “Manard sent him to kill me? Why?”
“I have no idea. I could be wrong. But it fits.”
“If he was sent from Nice … It could still be because of Darcy.”
“Not according to Rory Norwalk. He was the only one using Darcy and Sylvie for his own purposes.” He shook his head. “I’m thinking Manard sent Sean after you. I’m having Benoit try to probe deeper and come up with an answer why. He said that Manard had never been at odds with the Russian Mafia. Yet that doesn’t make sense to me. I’m betting that Benoit is going to find a feud between Kaskov and Manard.”
“But you said Norwalk was working with Manard.”
“Until he wasn’t. I’d bet that sniper who took him out was financed by Norwalk.” He straightened. “That’s all I have in mind. Most of it is guesswork. I’ll let you know more when I do. Okay?”
“It has to be.” She grimaced wryly. “However, I do appreciate knowing that I’m still tops on the hit list.” She added, “Better me than Eve.”
“I knew you’d say that.” He paused. “Do you want to come in and talk to Joe with me?”
“How accommodating you’re being now.” She shook her head. “Thanks for the courtesy, but I never said I wanted to take over anything. I know how valuable and experienced you both are. I just don’t want to be left out. And when I’m needed, I want to be there.”
His lips tightened. “I can’t promise you that.”
“I know. I’ll have to do it myself. But I had to give you fair warning.” She made a shooing motion. “Go talk to Joe. I’ll see you later.”
“Dismissed?” He was smiling curiously. “That’s another change, Cara. I’m not certain I like it.”
Changes …
“I’m not certain either.” She turned around and looked back at the lake. “I guess we’ll both have to get used to it and see how we feel as time goes by…”
* * *
Changes.
A presence in the darkness.
But she knew that presence very well now …
“Hi, Darcy,” Michael whispered. He was standing beside her bed. “I was sitting in the rocking chair, but my feet are getting cold. Can I climb into bed with you and cover up?”
“What are you—” She shook her head to clear it of sleep. “Michael, it’s after midnight. What are you doing out of bed? And don’t tell me you want me to go have breakfast.”
“I just thought you might be lonely. Sylvie went away this afternoon.” He smiled. “And then my feet got cold. Can I come to bed?”
“Why not?” She lifted the cover. “But only for a little while. Your mom won’t like you wandering around.”
“She won’t mind if you don’t.” He jumped into bed and cuddled close to her. She could hear the rain pounding rhythmically on the roof. The scents of lemon shampoo, Dial soap, and Michael suddenly surrounded her. Her arms instinctively went around his small, warm body. “Mama always listens when someone needs her to do it.”
“Yes she does.” She paused. “And your mom did the right thing sending Sylvie away. It was time for her to go. I’m not upset about it, Michael. Though I’m glad you decided to pay me a visit.”
“Yes, time for her to go … Always a time … Not upset…” He yawned and cuddled closer. “But maybe a little lonely because things are different and sometimes it gets confusing…”
“Different?”
“You know … Sylvie’s like you now, but still herself. She didn’t lose anything. You’ll get used to it…” He was dozing off. “She did…”
Sylvie. Still herself, all the joy and gentleness. Like Darcy, all the strength and clarity. How wonderful it would be …
As wonderful as this little boy who had come to her in the middle of the night because he’d thought she might need comfort.
“No, Sylvie didn’t lose anything,” she whispered. She brushed a kiss on his head, her arms tightening around him. “And we didn’t lose each other. You’re right, we just have to get used to something a little different. It’s just a sort of change…”
* * *
Changes.
“I think that Michael’s probably paying a visit to Darcy,” Eve said, as Joe came into their bedroom after his last check of the property. “I took a peek after I left the bathroom, and he wasn’t in his room.”
Joe stiffened. “What?”
“Don’t panic. The house is perfectly secure. He was in his room earlier, and I think I heard his voice talking to Darcy. I expected he might go see her tonight or tomorrow morning.”
Joe relaxed. “Okay. Though I’d expect he’d go visit Cara instead.”
“She’s not having the same kind of problems Darcy is having. He thinks Darcy needs him.” She thought about it. “And I don’t think he could really identify with Cara’s problems at the moment. He’s only six. Maybe in a few years…”
“What in hell are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Just thinking out loud. If we don’t hear Michael go back to bed, I’ll go get him. He’s got his first soccer game tomorrow afternoon, and he should get his rest. Come to bed. No sign of a problem on the property?”
“No.” He was already stripping off his clothes. “I have a hunch that Sakov’s murder was a swan song on Norwalk’s part, a last statement before he initiates phase two. He’d know that there would be police and state troopers all over those woods from now on. I’ll still be on the watch because he’s a tricky son of a bitch.” He slid into bed and took her in his arms. “I was hoping you might get another call from him. Though Jock seems to be getting close to finding out the big picture. But we need to know which direction he’s going to jump next.”
“Hell would be nice.” She cuddled closer. “He’d feel comfortable there. Jock would be delighted to show him the way.”
“So would I. And at least Jock’s free to go on the hunt for him.”
Eve stiffened as she heard the barely repressed impatience in his voice. She had been sensing that raw edginess since Norwalk’s call. She said quietly, “And you’re not free. I know it’s frustrating you. All your life, you’ve been a warrior of some sort. SEAL, FBI, police. It’s your instinct to go on the attack, and it’s probably driving you crazy to have to sit here and just play defense.” She was silent trying to find the words. “It’s a completely unnatural role for you, and I’ve been wondering lately if you’re regretting that day you came knocking on my door and let yourself in for it.”
“What? You’re the one who drives me crazy when you talk like that,” he said roughly. “Hell yes, I want to go after Norwalk. But so do you. And are you running out and leaving Michael and Cara to do it? What about it, Eve? Would you rather have not opened that door and devoted your entire mind and heart to all those skulls?” He got up on one elbow and stared down at her. “I know the answer to that because I know you. And you should know me well enough not to worry about me like you do the rest of the people you love. I have a special status.” He suddenly smiled down at her. “I’m the guardian at the gates. Can’t you see my shiny armor and mighty shield?”
“Yes, I can see it,” she said unsteadily. “All the time, Joe.”
“I thought you could. And that’s what keeps me from mounting my trusty steed and going out in search of demons to conquer.” His index finger gently traced the line of her upper lip. “Who needs glory? I’ve been there. It’s not so gr
eat. Everything changes, Eve. And every change connected to you and Michael is beautiful. Okay, right now some of those changes are causing a lot of upheaval. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re going to face next. But every day offers a chance to keep what I have intact by just guarding those gates. I’d be a fool to give it up.” He settled back beside her again. “So stop trying to make trouble. Unless you decide to give me my walking papers, you’re stuck with me. But I’d advise against it, you don’t see a gate guardian with my qualifications very often.”
“Never,” she said thickly. “It appears you’re irreplaceable. So I guess that means no walking papers. We’ll just have to get through this as we have everything else.”
“Together.”
Her arms tightened around him. “Guarding the gates or beyond. Together, Joe.”
CHAPTER
11
SATURDAY 8:25 A.M.
“You’re sure, Benoit?” Jock asked. “No mistake?”
“You insult me. A man of my experience and stature never makes mistakes. Occasionally, I have a slight omission in information, but never a true mistake. It was Manard who made the mistake. Arrogance can sometimes blind one to one’s limitations. I struggle constantly with my own, but Manard evidently did not.” He paused. “I hope you’re not planning on doing anything with that information. Even Manard was clever enough to avoid direct confrontation.”
Jock didn’t answer. “Concentrate on any movement of Norwalk’s men and get back to me if they head this way.” He hung up.
Timeline completed. Picture in place.
And to hell with avoiding confrontation.
He punched in the number on his phone.
This time Kaskov himself answered within three rings. “I’ve been waiting for you to get in touch with me. You took a little longer than I thought you would.”
“Perhaps your contacts are a little better than mine since they crawl on the underbelly. That avoids all kinds of traffic problems. But I did get there.” He paused. “A huge arms shipment to Pakistan by Robert Akim. Sound familiar?”