“And you’re willing to let us interfere with your cleanup?”
“There’s no torture more painful than losing when victory is on the horizon. You see, I don’t think you’ll make it to the end of the tunnel, much less to the ruins. If by some improbable chance you do reach the ruins, you’ll have to cope with Turkish soldiers, British security, and Krakow’s antiterrorist group.” He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a stainless steel flashlight. Before handing it to Caitlin he flicked it on and off a few times. “You’ll notice the batteries are very weak. What a pity. They may go out at any minute. On the other hand, they might last until you reach the end of the tunnel. You won’t know, will you?”
Caitlin’s hand tightened on the flashlight. “Chelsea has nothing to do with this. If you’re so sure you’re going to escape anyway, you could let her go.”
“And leave you without a companion to ease you in your last moments? Alex would never forgive me.” He smiled. “Now, run along. You have a great adventure awaiting you.” He snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. Please remove your shoes and stockings.” His smile vanished as both women stood there, staring at him in bewilderment. “Quickly. There’s nothing like wandering barefoot in the darkness to make one feel vulnerable, and I do want you to feel very vulnerable, Miss
Vasaro.”
Caitlin and Chelsea removed their shoes and stockings and dropped them on the floor.
“Very good.” Ledford nodded approvingly. “And now I bid you good-bye.” He pushed them out into the clammy darkness of the tunnel and slammed the door behind them.
An instant later they heard the key turn in the lock.
20
“Christ, the whole countryside is swarming with soldiers.” Jonathan looked back over his shoulder at the truck filled with Turkish soldiers that had just roared past them. “How the hell does Ledford think he’s going to pull this off?”
“He loves it.” Alex turned at the Truve signpost and sped down the road. “It’s a challenge. The greater the challenge, the better he likes it. It proves how clever he is.”
“To you?” Jonathan asked.
“Yes.” Alex’s gaze searched the shrubbery at the side of the road for a sign of Kemal. “And to himself. What time is it?”
“Two twenty-five. The conference bus should be right behind us if it’s supposed to arrive at the ruins at two forty-five. How are we going to get through the barricade?”
“That’s up to Kemal.” Alex’s lips tightened grimly. “I’m sure a clever lad like Nemid will have an answer. He’s thought of—”
He broke off as Kemal stepped into the road ahead of them and held up his hand to stop the car. Dressed in a red cable-knit sweater and worn brown corduroy trousers, he looked almost as young as he did on the day Alex had first seen him.
Alex jammed on the brake and the jeep screeched to a stop.
“You made good time.” Kemal moved quickly around to the passenger seat, where Jonathan was sitting. “You’re Andreas?”
Jonathan nodded.
“I thought so. I recognize you from your newspaper photographs. You’re almost as famous as Bruce Springsteen.”
“Thank you,” Jonathan said dryly. “I gather you’re the Kemal I’ve heard so much about.”
Kemal opened the car door and told Jonathan, “Get in the back and let me sit up front. They’ll be checking papers at the roadblock up ahead.”
Jonathan got out of the car. “And you have papers?”
“Of course, Krakow supplied Ledford with special entry and exit papers for all his men.”
Jonathan settled in the backseat and slammed the door. “And who are we supposed to be?”
“Members of Krakow’s antiterrorist team. It allows us to go anywhere without being stopped,” Kemal said. “Let me handle everything.”
Alex put the jeep in gear. “Why not? You’re good at that.”
Kemal glanced at Alex’s set face. “You’re very angry with me.”
“I’m very angry at myself. My God, I believed you.”
“You mustn’t be hard on yourself. I’m very good at what I do.”
“And just what do you do, Kemal?”
“What I have to do. I told you I was going to be a very rich man.”
“By earning blood money from Ledford?”
“Ledford is a means to an end.” Kemal made a face. “And I seldom enjoy spilling blood. It’s not my specialty.”
“What is?” Jonathan asked.
“I think Alex has probably figured that out.”
“Supply and demand,” Alex said. “The Gypsy.”
Kemal nodded.
“Irmak?”
“Oh, he was a Gypsy too. As a matter of fact, he was my uncle. When I ran away from my tribe, I felt very comfortable coming to Istanbul to Adnan.” Kemal’s voice deepened with bitterness. “After all, wasn’t he my mother’s brother?”
“You killed him.”
“He used me. He almost destroyed me as he destroyed many others. No one deserved more to die.”
“I won’t argue that point, but why didn’t you kill him before?”
“It wasn’t the right time. Adnan had many powerful friends in the city who would have been delighted to slit my throat as I did his,” Kemal said. “Do you think I act on impulse? I did only one impulsive thing in my life, and that landed me in my dear uncle’s house of pleasure. Since then I take my time and plan every step. I knew I would soon be leaving Istanbul and it would be safe to take Adnan out. His death would serve a triple purpose. It would divert your attention from searching for me, it would free the children.” He smiled tiger bright as he ended, “And it would give me great pleasure.”
“And you planted the ledger and passports in his desk.”
Kemal nodded. “The idea of Adnan as the Gypsy was a bit thin, but I hoped you’d become too involved with the supply lists to question it too closely.”
“And I was. God, I was stupid.”
“No,” Kemal said softly. “You trusted me.”
“Which proves I was stupid. You even risked showing me the ledger with the supply lists.”
“A mistake. I didn’t think you’d have time to put everything together. I’ve had to move very delicately. Ledford’s known where you were since the night Ferrazo tried to kill Caitlin, but he didn’t know I was in contact with you before that. I’d told him I hadn’t been able to find you after you came back from France. But after you contacted McMillan I knew Barney would tell him, so I got there first.”
“If Ledford knew where we were, why didn’t he make another attempt on Caitlin?”
“Ferrazo’s death threw him off balance. Barney had told him McMillan hadn’t done it, and you were out of the picture too.” He grimaced. “I persuaded him that perhaps you might have made a deal with Krakow to protect you in return for helping him remove Ledford from the scene. He decided to wait and watch for a while. It was what I hoped would happen.” As Alex continued to look at him skeptically, Kemal shook his head. “You don’t understand. I have been protecting Caitlin. I like you. I don’t want anything to happen to you or Caitlin.”
“So you served up Caitlin and Chelsea on a silver platter,” Jonathan said.
Kemal glanced at Jonathan’s grim face over his shoulder. “Ms. Benedict insisted on going along. I tried to talk her out of it.” He turned back to Alex. “I truly hoped to keep Caitlin out of this. I’m sorry I found it necessary to involve you both.”
Alex’s hand tightened on the steering wheel. “He’ll kill her.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“You son of a bitch, you won’t be able to keep him from it.” He could feel the helpless rage rising within him. “And all to make you the richest man in the damned hemisphere.”
Kemal’s lips tightened with pain. “You don’t understand. When I ran away from the Harem I had to protect myself in the only way I knew how. How many opportunities do you think a street child has in Istanbul? No one wa
s waiting out there in the world to hand me an education or a security blanket.” Kemal smiled sadly. “You always thought I was joking, but I will succeed, Alex. I’ll have my great house and fine life. I’ll be so rich, no one will ever be able to use me again.” He sat up straighter in the seat. “Slow down. The checkpoint is up ahead.”
“Well, do we turn on the flashlight?” Caitlin asked.
“Maybe for a quick look,” Chelsea said. “I doubt if the little surprises that bastard has planned for us will be in the first ten steps. He’ll want us good and panicky first.”
“I’m well on my way.” Caitlin turned on the flashlight and extended her arm full-length. The weakened batteries cast a pale yellow glow and pierced the darkness for only a few yards. She had a quick impression of rounded stone and earth walls supported at intervals by crisscrossed lumber. Caitlin turned off the flashlight. “Did I ever tell you how I hate to be closed in?”
“It’s a piece of cake,” Chelsea said. “One step at a time.” She began to move slowly forward. “Are there snakes in tunnels?”
“Sometimes. But it’s very cold in here. Snakes don’t like the cold.” Caitlin added, “I hope.” The rocky ground chilled the soles of her bare feet, but at least it was hard and firm. Heaven knows, she didn’t want to touch anything slick and slithering in this blackness. It was bad enough to—she stopped in midstride, her eyes straining to pierce the darkness. “What was that?”
“What?”
“Listen.”
It came again. A low, deep hissing sound issuing from the darkness up ahead.
“Wind?”
Or things that go bump in the night. Anything seemed possible in this preternatural nothingness, Caitlin thought desperately. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”
“The flashlight?”
“Whatever it is, it’s too far away.” Caitlin started forward again. “We’ll have to wait until we’re closer.”
The hissing came again, low, deep, menacing.
The wind, she prayed. Oh, God, she hoped it was the wind.
Alex started to park the jeep beside a blue four-door Ford with rental car license plates.
“No, not there.” Kemal gestured toward a little thicket of pine trees across the clearing. “Draw in there behind the shrubbery.”
Alex obeyed. “Your friend Ledford doesn’t appear to be so nervous about being seen.”
“He thinks nothing can touch him and enjoys taking chances. I’m a more cautious man.”
The triangular red rock towered over six feet high, but the trapdoor behind it had been artfully camouflaged with canvas, mud, and brush. Kemal lifted the door by the iron ring of the trapdoor. “Be careful, the ramp is pretty steep and there’s no railing.”
The wide wooden ramp he spoke about led down fifty feet into the earth. Once they had all entered the tunnel, Kemal closed the door and moved past them, leading them down to the bottom of the shaft. A door was positioned at either side of the thirty-foot clearing at the bottom of the shaft. The entire area was brilliantly lit by twelve sodium vapor lanterns affixed to the stone walls.
“Very efficient,” Alex said dryly. “A home away from home.”
“Ledford had to move the paintings and statues safely from the surface down here,” Kemal said. “Originally there was only a rope ladder. The original ladder had rotted away centuries ago and we—”
“Ah, you’ve brought our guests.”
Ledford!
Savage satisfaction tore through Alex as his gaze flew downward to see Brian Ledford strolling across the clearing toward them. He reached the bottom of the ramp at the same time they did and handed Kemal the Uzi he was carrying. “Keep an eye on them. I want to enjoy this.”
Kemal nodded and cradled the Uzi comfortably in the crook of his right arm.
“At last!” Ledford’s gaze fixed eagerly on Alex’s face. “How well you’re looking. There’s nothing like tension to hone down the edges and make a diamond shine brighter.”
“Where’s Caitlin?”
“Alive. Both ladies were alive and well when I last saw them.” Ledford looked at Jonathan. “You really shouldn’t have come, Andreas. I heard you had a great career ahead of you.” He turned to Alex. “I admit I’m disappointed you decided to bring help, Alex. I thought you’d realize this confrontation was strictly between us.”
Alex glanced at Kemal. “You appear to have a crony of your own on hand.”
“Nemid?” Ledford shook his head. “Kemal is his own man. He’s rather like you. He takes assignments but he doesn’t belong to me. A brilliant lad.”
“So I’ve noticed.”
“I have great plans for Kemal. But how rude of me to keep you standing there.” He turned and led them across the clearing in the direction from which he had come. “I’m afraid there are only two barely habitable chambers down here. It was very difficult making even this clearing and shoring up the tunnel itself.” He opened a door to the left. “Come in, gentlemen, and make yourselves comfortable.”
“Shit!” Chelsea screamed the word. “Stop! Don’t go any farther.” Her hand reached out, her nails digging into Caitlin’s forearm. She began cursing beneath her breath.
Caitlin froze. “What happened?”
“My feet. Nails or broken glass or something. Glass, I think. We’ve stumbled onto one of Ledford’s surprises. For God’s sake, don’t move.” Chelsea released Caitlin’s arm and moved back a pace. Caitlin heard her give another gasp of pain. “Hell!”
“I’m going to light the flashlight.”
“No, not yet. We can’t waste the batteries. I’m going to sit down and you can dig the bigger pieces out.”
“Bigger?” Caitlin knelt on the ground beside Chelsea and ran her hand down Chelsea’s left leg to her foot. “How many pieces of glass . . . merde!”
Several large, jagged splinters were sticking out of Chelsea’s foot. Caitlin could feel the warm blood flowing over her fingers from a multitude of wounds. “I need light.”
“No,” Chelsea said sharply. “Feel your way. Just get the worst of them out and let’s get on our way.”
“Will you be able to walk?” Caitlin pulled a half-inch piece of glass from Chelsea’s instep.
“You’re damn right I will. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl before I let that bastard stop us.” She gasped as Caitlin pulled out another bit of glass. “Hurry.”
“I am hurrying. There must be dozen of bits and—are you laughing?”
“I just thought about Pauley and his damn foot fetish. I may never be an object of lust to him again. What a depressing—” She broke off as Caitlin jerked out another shard. “I never thought I’d think dancing on grapes as pleasant, but it’s looming among my favorite things in contrast to—”
“Shut up, Chelsea.” Caitlin tried to keep her voice steady. “You don’t have to be onstage with me. I know it hurts.”
Chelsea was silent a moment. “I hate this darkness. It’s like being in a coffin. You know, I never really thought about dying. It was always something that happened to somebody else.”
“We still have a chance.” Caitlin ran her hand over Chelsea’s foot. She doubted if she had gotten out all the shards, but she couldn’t feel any protruding glass. “Give me your other foot.”
“Are you scared too?”
“Good God, of course I’m scared.” Caitlin pulled out a thin glass sliver. “This foot isn’t so bad.” She finally sat back on her heels. “I’ve gotten out all I can.”
“Then help me up.”
Caitlin stood up and helped Chelsea to her feet. “All right?”
“Moderately.” Chelsea drew a deep breath. “Okay, now turn on the flashlight and we’ll see if we can get around Ledford’s little booby trap.”
Caitlin lifted the flashlight and prepared to flick it on.
A hiss.
Louder.
Echoing in the darkness.
A shiver went through Caitlin, and she braced herself against the impulse to turn aro
und and run. One booby trap at a time.
She pressed the button on the flashlight. The carpet of broken, jagged glass extended only five or six feet ahead of them. The beam weakened, flickered, and Caitlin quickly turned off the flashlight. “To the left. If we press against the wall and stand on our tiptoes . . .”
Chelsea was already limping past Caitlin. She pressed against the wall and edged slowly forward.
Caitlin followed her, clutching the metal flashlight tightly.
A hiss.
Closer.
It wasn’t the wind.
“Are those boxes what I think they are?” Jonathan asked, looking at the stack of pine boxes and crated canvases around the small room.
Ledford smiled. “I’m sorry for the heat in here, but it was necessary to keep it warm and dry to protect the paintings.”
“Where’s the Wind Dancer?” Jonathan’s alarmed gaze searched the room. “Is it in one of those boxes?”
Ledford answered. “No, the Wind Dancer’s in the other room, where I spend the majority of my time. I like to have it where I can see and touch it. I have great plans for the Wind Dancer.”
Kemal had not only known what the Wind Dancer contained but also how that information could be broached. Had he told Ledford? “What plans?”
Ledford laughed and turned toward Kemal. “Tell them what I’m going to do with the statue, Kemal.”
Kemal met Alex’s stare and then moved his head in an almost imperceptible gesture of negation. “He has a more modest initial aim than Krakow,” Kemal said lightly. “He doesn’t want to be king of Europe, only emperor of South America.”
“Actually, mine is a much more manageable plan. The art treasures could never have been used as a backup for a united European treasury, but South America is a different proposition.” Ledford sat down and leaned back in the chair. “I got the idea from the Salazar fiasco that set you up so nicely, Alex. Once I’ve solidified my position in a small Latin American country, I can go on from there. Who knows where I’ll end up? I have a much better chance at success than Krakow.”