He was moving quickly, almost eagerly, as he saw Luis Kyler.
Judd suddenly caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. He swung the rifle to the window on the sixth floor of the hotel.
Had the curtain moved?
Dear God, the boy looked terrible, Dominic thought as he drew closer to the bench. “Luis.”
Luis’s eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to take you away.”
Luis struggled to his feet. “You’re not supposed to be here.” His voice was shrill. “Elena is supposed to be the one. It has to be Elena.”
“We’re going to get you away from here. You’ll see Elena soon.” He stepped closer. “Come with me, Luis.”
“Go away, Dominic. Tell Elena to come.” His eyes were glittering feverishly. “It has to be Elena.”
“You’re hurt. You’re not feeling well. Listen carefully. Elena is waiting for you. You have to come with me.”
“I can’t go. I have to do what they say. They won’t give me anything unless I do what they say.” His voice was shaking. “They haven’t given me anything in two days. I have to have it.”
“Coke?”
“Heroin.”
Dominic felt sick. “We’ll get you off it.” He took Luis’s arm. “Come on.”
Luis pulled away from him. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I can’t take it. I’m … hurting. Send Elena.”
“Why?”
He pulled a pistol from his jacket pocket. “I have to shoot her. I have to shoot Elena.”
Dominic stiffened. “You don’t mean that.”
“They said I had to do it. They said they’d give me my injection if I did it. I have to do it.…”
“She’s your sister. She loves you.”
Luis looked at him in wonder. “Doesn’t matter. Why should it matter? I have to do it.”
Dominic was filled with horror. “Give me the gun, Luis. This isn’t you speaking. Give me the gun.”
“You always interfered. You should have made her come. It has to be her.”
He reached for the gun. “Don’t let Chavez and his drugs do this to you. Let me help you.”
Luis’s lips twisted. “You should have made her come. You’ve ruined everything.”
His finger pressed the trigger.
Pain ripped through Dominic’s chest. Dear heaven, he was shot, he realized. He stared at Luis in disbelief.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s your fault,” Luis said shrilly. He pressed the trigger again and again. “You should have made her come.…”
Three shots.
Dammit. Galen jumped out of the truck and ran into the garden.
Another shot.
Dominic was on the ground and Luis was standing over him.
One more shot and Luis crumpled to the ground.
Where had it come from? No time to check. He had to get Dominic out of here.
He fell to his knees beside him. “Come on, Dominic. Let me help you up. We’ve got to—”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Judd waddled slowly out of the hotel.
The street was humming with activity. Four police cars were parked outside the hotel, and guests were streaming out and being ushered down the block.
Galen was standing beside a truck parked at the curb. Emblazoned in green letters on the side of the white truck was ORLANDO BOMB DISPOSAL.
“Get in.” Galen opened the door to the back of the truck. “We have to get out of here before the real bomb squad arrives.”
“I’m going to get you for this.” Judd scowled at him through his protective visor. “I look like someone from outer space.”
“Someone had to be the bomb tech.”
“And you nominated me.” He threw his gun case in the truck. “Hell, I don’t think I can even climb into this truck. You called in a bomb threat?”
“It was the only thing I could think of to make sure that the police cleared everyone from this area. It wasn’t easy. I had to construct an entire scenario that would convince them to send a disposal unit. I thought the truck would protect Luis and Dominic.” Galen helped him into the back of the truck. “You can get rid of the suit as soon as we get out of town.”
“I hope so. It’s hot as hell.”
“Was there another gunman?”
“Yes, the window on the sixth floor. I took care of it.” He paused. “Is Dominic dead?”
“Yes, he’s dead.” Galen slammed the truck door.
Galen parked the truck beside the hangar and stared blindly at the helicopter.
Move, damn you. Tell her. Get it over with.
He heard the truck door open behind him and Judd get out. A moment later Judd was standing beside the driver’s window. “You stay here. I’ll send her to you.” He turned and sprinted toward the helicopter.
Yes, separate her from Barry. If he hadn’t been so bummed, he would have thought of the boy himself.
Elena was coming toward him. She was walking slowly, warily, as if afraid of stepping on a land mine. She knew something was wrong. But, Jesus, she didn’t know how wrong.
She stopped and looked at him. Maybe she did know. He had to say the words anyway.
He reached over and opened the truck door for her. “Get in. You won’t want Barry to see you.”
She couldn’t cry. She mustn’t cry. If she did, she might never stop.
“Both of them?” Elena asked dully. “Luis and Dominic …”
“It all went bad.”
“Why?”
“There was a second shooter.”
“But you expected there might be. I should have been there. You shouldn’t have let Dominic go. I would have been more cautious. I might have been able to turn it around.”
“Okay, you’re right. I made a mistake.”
“For God’s sake, stop being so noble.” Judd was again standing outside the window. “I’m glad I decided to come back. Tell her the truth.”
“The truth?” Elena repeated.
“Chavez threw in a monkey wrench neither you nor Dominic expected. He gave Luis a gun and evidently ordered him to take you out. He killed Dominic instead.”
“Luis …” Horror on top of horror. “Luis couldn’t have done it.”
“I was watching the entire time,” Judd said. “He did it.”
“And then the shooter took out Luis?” Her lips twisted with pain. “I suppose Chavez wasn’t pleased at the substitution.”
“Blast you, she didn’t have to know,” Galen told Judd.
“No, but I always opt for clarity. It’s better that she realize it wasn’t something you could have anticipated. Oh, and I’ve told Barry that Dominic had to stay over on business.” Judd turned and walked back toward the helicopter.
“What happened to the shooter?”
“Judd took care of him. He thought there might be someone in that room.” Galen glanced away from her. “I don’t want to rush you, but we should get out of here. We weren’t followed, but we need to get as far away as we can.”
“Yes, of course.” She had to get out of the truck and go back to the helicopter. She mustn’t think of Dominic or Luis. She must do what was necessary and grieve later. She could do this. She had been a soldier. She had lost other people in the past.
But not Dominic, her best friend, her teacher …
The pain was too intense. She had to move now or collapse. She opened the door and jumped out of the truck. “Let’s go.”
13
It was dark when they arrived back at the cottage.
“I’ll take the kid and put him to bed.” Judd picked up Barry and took him into the cottage.
That was kind of him, Elena thought wearily. He had kept Barry occupied and oblivious to anyone but himself during the trip back from Orlando. What a strange man. Strange and violent and yet somewhere in him there must be a soft streak. “I’m glad he kept Barry busy. I didn’t know how I would cope, what to say to him.”
“Don’t s
ay anything until it’s the right time.” He helped her out of the car. “You’ll know when it feels right.”
“Will I?” She wasn’t sure of anything. “I don’t want him to hurt like this. He’s so little. He doesn’t understand.”
“None of us understands death. It sucks.” Galen led her toward the cottage. “I’m calling Logan as soon as I get you settled and asking him to take care of arrangements for Dominic and your brother. The authorities probably won’t release the bodies for a while.”
“I know. It doesn’t matter. I guess we should give Dominic a Catholic burial, but I don’t think he’d really care what happened to his body. He knew his soul wouldn’t be there anymore.” She paused. “Luis? I don’t know. I can’t think of him right now. Dominic would call him a lost soul and forgive him. But I don’t believe I can. Not yet. Maybe never.”
“Neither can I.” He opened the front door. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“I can get myself to bed.”
“I know you can. I’ll just feel better helping you.”
She was too numb to argue as he led her to her room and helped her out of her clothes and into bed. He got a washcloth and wiped her face and hands before sitting in a chair beside the bed. “Want to talk?”
She shook her head. “There’s nothing to talk about. It’s done. They’re dead.”
He was silent for a moment. “Do you blame me?”
“No, it was Dominic’s call. He did what he wanted to do, what he felt he had to do. You just went along with him.”
“That’s not quite true. I jumped at the chance he offered me. I was looking for any way I could find to keep you out of that garden.”
“Like you did that night when I went after Chavez at the ranch?”
He nodded. “I … found something in you. It had never happened to me before. I didn’t want to lose it.”
“It was wrong of you to shut me out.”
“I’ll never do it again. I promise you.”
She looked away from him. “Please. Go away.”
“Let me stay. I won’t talk anymore.”
“Please,” she whispered. “I’m going to cry now. I … can’t keep it back. I want to remember Dominic and do my grieving for him. It’s a private thing.”
He stood up and gazed down at her. “I want to be with you.”
She shook her head. “You can’t share my sorrow. You didn’t love him like I did. I have to say my good-bye.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I’ll look in on you later.” He turned out the lamp.
The tears were already running down her cheeks as he left the room.
Think of Dominic. Think of the good times. Think of the gifts he’d given her, the laughter, the care, the understanding. Crush down the agony, think of Dominic, and say good-bye.…
Galen found Judd on the porch. “The boy asleep?”
“Out like a light. How is she doing?”
“Hurting, of course. After all, she lost a brother and her best friend.”
Judd nodded.
“After you jumped in the bomb truck, you asked whether Dominic was dead. Why didn’t you ask about Luis?” Judd smiled.
Galen gazed out at the lake. “I would have thought you’d be able to get that sniper before he shot Luis. You must not be as good as I thought you were.”
“We all make mistakes.”
“If it was a mistake.”
“What are you getting at?”
“Of course the sniper could have had orders to kill Luis if he fouled up or if there was a chance of us saving him.” He paused. “On the other hand, what if he didn’t?”
“The eternal ‘what if,’ ” Judd murmured.
“What if you did get off a shot at that sniper before he had a chance to fire his weapon? What if you swung the rifle back and took out Luis yourself?”
“Now, why would I do that?”
“You tell me.”
Judd tilted his head. “Hmm. You want me to play your little game? Okay. Why would I want to take out Luis? Let’s see … He was a drug addict who had betrayed Elena. Whether we saved him or not, he would be a weak link who would constantly endanger her and us. He would probably be a torment to her for the rest of her life. We would never be able to trust him if Chavez beckoned. Clear cold logic would dictate that he should be eliminated. Is that enough reason?” He smiled faintly. “Not that I’m admitting anything, you understand.”
“I understand.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.” Judd started to pass him and go into the house, then stopped and looked back over his shoulder. “Oh, one more reason. I liked Dominic Sanders, and the son of a bitch who killed him didn’t deserve to live.”
Barry’s expression was serious as he drew back the arrow of his bow.
“Attaboy,” Judd murmured. “Now focus on the target.”
Elena stopped on the porch and watched the two of them aiming at a target pinned to a pine tree.
Barry let loose the arrow and then whooped as it hit the cardboard. “I hit it this time!”
“Yes, you did.” Judd gave him another arrow. “Now let’s see if you can get closer to the bull’s-eye.”
“Your son’s got a good eye,” Galen said behind her.
“Where did he get the bow and arrow? I had to leave his in Tomaco.”
“Judd made it for him. They’ve been bonding big time for the last few days.”
“I can see that. I’m grateful to him. I’ve not been much use to Barry lately.”
“You deserved some healing time.”
And they had let her have that time. No demands. Little conversation. Just peace. “Barry’s my responsibility. I can take over now.”
“It’s not hurting either Judd or me to baby-sit. We like the kid.”
“You haven’t heard from Chavez?”
He shook his head. “He didn’t come out of this too well. I’d guess he’s licking his wounds.”
“We didn’t come out too well either.” Her lips twisted. “I’m sure he’ll come sliding out of his cave soon and twist the knife.”
“Then try to enjoy the hiatus.”
She couldn’t enjoy anything at the moment. It was an effort to hold on to her composure and keep from shattering into a thousand pieces. But she was much better than she had been yesterday, she told herself. Healing took time. Tomorrow she would be better still. “Has Barry said anything about Dominic?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. Children accept changes better than adults, and Judd has been keeping him busy.”
“He loved Dominic. He’ll ask about him.”
“Don’t borrow trouble. Why don’t you go for a walk and relax?”
That was what Dominic had suggested on that last night, and she’d done as he asked. While she was gazing at the lake and letting nature soothe her, he’d been making his plans. Dominic loved everything about this earth, and he’d taught her to love it too. She would go down there and breathe the pine-scented air and look at the sky and the lake.
And, maybe, she would feel him there.
Dawn was pearling the sky.
Elena stood at the window of her bedroom and looked out at the lake. She had slept only intermittently during the night, but she knew it was no use going back to bed. When she slept, she dreamed of Dominic—and Luis.
It had seemed as if her life was on hold for the past few days, but that was bound to change. Chavez would call and it would all start again. He’d never stop searching, planning. Maybe he was on his way here now.
Don’t think about it. She shouldn’t take on any more burdens until she could handle what she had now.
She turned away from the window. It was all very well to tell herself not to think of what Chavez was planning. It was harder to block him out.
But Barry could help her. She would go and sit by his bed and watch him sleep. She would let all the wonder of him flow over her and she would be calmer. Not at peace, but more able to cope with her memories of Domini
c and that phone call from Chavez lurking on the horizon.
She slipped on her robe and moved silently from the room to the one across the hall. She carefully opened the door and stood in the doorway.
Barry was huddled beneath his blankets, and she sat down in the rocking chair beside the bed. Children slept so deeply.…
She stiffened. But she should be able to hear him breathing.
She leaned forward and pulled back the covers.
Pillows. Not Barry. Pillows!
“No!”
She turned and ran toward the door. “Barry!”
“What the hell’s wrong?” Galen met her in the hall. “Is he sick?”
“He’s not there. He’s gone. I’ve got to find him.”
“He’s not in his room?”
“I told you he wasn’t. Chavez has taken him.”
“Hold it. You’re not thinking.”
“Of course I’m not thinking,” she said fiercely. “I’m scared to death. Barry’s gone.”
“What if he just went down to the lake?”
“He knows he’s not to go near the water alone.”
“Kids aren’t always predictable. And why wouldn’t Chavez come in and kill the rest of us if he’d found out where we are?” Galen went past her into Barry’s room and flipped on the light. “The window is still locked. If someone took him, they had to come through the house.”
“We should have heard him.”
“Maybe not.” He crossed to the bed. “It depends on how good—” He picked up a sheet of paper from the nightstand. “Shit.”
“What is it?” She ran over to him. “What does it say?”
He handed it to her.
Sorry, Galen. I have to have the money. It’s the key to unlock the box I’m in. I’ll call you.
Judd
She couldn’t believe it. She suddenly remembered watching Judd smiling at Barry as her son drew back the bow he had made him. He couldn’t have done this. It didn’t make sense.
She had to believe it. Her son was gone.
The note dropped from her hand. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Stand in line.” Galen moved toward the door. “I’m going to get some clothes on and see if Hughes or any of his guards saw them leave. If I get any leads, I’ll come back for you, Elena.”