He crouched behind a bank of large shrubs near the driveway, every sense alert.
Be patient, he told himself.
When you’re playing a hunch, you have to be prepared for it not to pan out.
But that hunch was strong and burning bright. He needed a break, and this might be the one.
No one seemed to be moving around inside. There were no cars in the driveway.
But they could be parked in the back. The trees were so thick that any vehicles wouldn’t be seen unless you were right on top of them.
So stake out the house.
And wait for lightning to strike.
* * *
Headlights from the sleek black Mercedes entering the gates, not surreptitiously as Joe would have thought, but boldly, recklessly.
The car was coming fast and was approaching the driveway in seconds.
A screech of brakes as the car stopped, and the driver’s door flew open.
Come on, Joe thought, let me see you. Is it true?
Then the driver jumped out of the car and was striding toward the front door, every step emotion-charged and full of explosive anger.
Joe stiffened. Oh yes, it was true.
Moonlight fell on sleek dark hair.
And the beautiful face and winged brows that were so very like her daughter, Cara’s.
Natalie Castino.
CHAPTER
7
Salazar flinched as the door slammed after Natalie came into the house.
“I see you’re in fine temper,” he said as he strolled out of the bedroom. “And you drove right up to the house instead of parking in the trees. Not smart, Natalie. The only way we’ve survived so far is to be careful. Do you want to get us killed?”
“I’d see that I wasn’t the one killed.” Natalie threw her handbag on the couch. “I’d just tell everyone that you lured me here to offer me information about the kidnapping of my little girls. A mother is always desperate and willing to take chances when it concerns a child. Of course, I’d have to shoot you so that it would make the story stick.” Her eyes were glittering with anger as she strode toward him. “But I’m not desperate, I’m furious, because I think that you’re going to tell me that you’ve made another mistake. Isn’t that right?”
“Duncan and Cara weren’t in the car. Franco doesn’t know where they are.”
“I knew it,” she said through clenched teeth. “I could see it coming when you told me that Duncan had taken Cara to Atlanta. What are you doing about it? You’re not relying on that stupid prick to find them?”
“I haven’t taken him out of the action. I may be able to use him.”
“What are you doing?” she asked again.
“I’ve tapped Jose Domingo, my distributor in Atlanta and told him to check out airline manifests on commercial airlines for the last two days. He’s checking out train and bus, too. But I’d think that Quinn would want Duncan and the kid to go far and fast to get them to safety. So far, no records of them have surfaced. So Domingo is checking private and charter flights.”
“How long before you’ll know?”
“Only a few days. I have to be careful about pushing Domingo. His contacts are valuable to me. He doesn’t want to make waves with ATLPD by any overt moves. After all, he could deal with any of the other cartels.”
“Then go after Quinn,” she said impatiently.
“We’re getting there. He’s been off the radar for the last several hours since we’ve heard about the forensic report. But Franco will locate him.”
“Maybe he’s gone to join Duncan and Cara.”
“He went to the trouble of staging that elaborate red herring. He won’t chance being followed and giving their hiding place away. He knows we’re watching him. Franco will gather him up if he doesn’t get another lead before that.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips. “I know, an incompetent fool.”
“You seem to hire no one else, first Walsh, now Franco. This entire thing has been bungled. You promised me. I trusted you.” Her hands clenched into fists. “I gave you my daughters. You said that it would be over in a heartbeat, and no one would ever know.”
“We’ve gone over this before. It didn’t work out.” He was sick to death of her attacking him. He just wished he was sick of her. He’d thought in the beginning that he’d grow tired of her and would be able to find a way to dispose of her and make his position more secure. It hadn’t happened. He only had to see her, touch her, and he had to have her. Just thinking about her, and he got hard. He wanted her now. “And you wanted those girls dead as much as I did. I did you a favor.”
“No, I told you I wanted them kidnapped. I didn’t say you had to kill them.”
“You knew that was the only safe way to handle it. You just closed your eyes. Why else were you so angry when I told you that Cara and that nurse got away?”
“Because at that point there was nothing else to do. I couldn’t go back. I had to go on with it.”
He slowly shook his head. “You wanted it.” He moved closer to her. She smelled of vanilla and that exotic Russian perfume she’d worn since the day he’d met her. She’d told him her father sent it to her every year. Whether he screwed her or not, before he left her he always had to shower and get her scent off him before he went home to Manuela. His wife knew he had other women, but she couldn’t know about Natalie, and that perfume was too distinctive. “And you wanted me. You still want me.”
“Not now,” she said impatiently.
“Now.” He put his hand on her breast. “You’re not sleeping with Castino. You need it. I can feel your nipples hardening.” He rubbed at the sensitive tips through her silk shirt. “I’m doing everything you’d want me to do about the kid. It won’t be long and you’ll be safe.” He unbuttoned her shirt. “But I need encouragement…” His tongue touched her nipple. “Give it to me.”
“I don’t need you.” She was starting to breathe hard. “There are other men.”
“None that I wouldn’t kill if I caught you with them.” He bit down hard and felt the shudder that went through her. “Like I did when I heard you were screwing that chauffeur you hired to take you around to your fancy parties. Do you remember what I did to him?”
“Yes. It was … bloody.”
“You liked it. You liked knowing that you’d caused it. That you had the power. It was difficult for me to do it in a way Castino wouldn’t suspect had a connection with you.” He pushed her away and took off her blouse and bra. “So I set him up to be caught in a Federales raid near the border. I protected you then, too, didn’t I?”
“And yourself.”
“It’s the same thing.”
She looked at him challengingly. “You only want me because I belong to Castino.”
“Not only. You know better. It might have started out that way, but we’re both caught now.”
“Not me.” She stared fiercely up at him. “I’ll let you have me only as long as you amuse me. When I get bored, I’ll walk away.”
“I haven’t bored you yet.” His hands tightened on her breasts. “Get in bed.”
She didn’t move. “That’s not why I came here.”
“It’s why I came here. Sometimes you’re so concerned someone will find out about this place that I can’t get you to come. But you came tonight, didn’t you?”
“Let me go.”
“Get in bed. Why not? We’re here now. You’re hot, you need it.” He added thickly, “And I need you. I’ll make you scream, Natalie.”
She smiled. “Perhaps.”
“Are you teasing me? That’s very dangerous.”
“I’ve heard nothing but what you want.” She took off the rest of her clothes and stood there naked. “I want to hear what you want to give me.” She took down her chignon and her hair flowed around her shoulders. “Oh, I’ll scream for you.” She came toward him. “And I’ll make you scream. But I came here for a purpose, and you’ll give me what I want.”
“I told you that
I was working on it. I have to be careful.”
She rubbed against him like a cat. “Not good enough. I don’t care about being careful any longer. I want a promise that you’ll keep.” She reached down, caressing him. “And you’ll give it to me.”
Her breasts brushing against him. The scent of her … “Shit.”
“I need it to happen. You either give it to me, or I’ll find someone who will.”
“I’ll kill you.”
“No, you’ll give me Duncan and Cara, and it won’t be in a few days. You’ll know where they are tomorrow. I don’t care if it causes problems with your distributor in Atlanta. You’ll do what you have to do.” She went to the bed and lay down. “And before you leave here tonight, you’re going to promise me that no matter what you have to do, I’ll know where to find them.”
“You?” He was over her, tearing off his clothes.
“Me. I can’t leave it to you any longer.” She gazed up at him as he came into her. “I have to make sure it’s done.” She whispered as she started to move, “Now promise me…”
3:15 A.M.
“Come back to bed,” Salazar said thickly as he watched Natalie dress. “I’m not done with you.”
“I’m done with you.” She slipped on her shoes and went over to the mirror on the far wall. “You were right, I needed it. You were very entertaining.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “We may have to arrange things so that we can do this more often. Would you like that?”
“I’d like to stay alive more,” he said dryly. “Too dangerous.”
“That’s what I always say, but I’m beginning to think we should explore the possibilities. We need a change.” She touched up her lipstick. “If you find me exciting enough?”
She knew damn well the effect she had on him. “Stop playing games and come back here.”
“You don’t have time. You have calls to make, don’t you?” Her smile was brilliant as she turned back to him. “And I have arrangements to take care of, too. Changes … Salazar.” She headed for the door. “I can hardly wait.”
He watched the door close behind her and cursed low and vehemently. He was still horny as hell, and that wasn’t his only frustration. He didn’t like it that Natalie was being so demanding, but he knew it had been coming. He had barely been able to restrain her for the last few years.
He looked at his phone on the bedside table. Those calls Natalie had spoken about were against his better judgment. Not good business. It was clever to stay beneath the radar and not do anything to disturb either the Feds or the police department and make them pay too much attention to his operations. But if he didn’t meet Natalie’s deadline, she would be even more likely to become difficult.
What the hell, he thought recklessly. He was ready for a change, too. He was tired of being careful. How many years had it been since he had been like Franco and taken what he wanted and made everyone around him fear him? He wanted that heady feeling again.
He picked up the phone and dialed Franco.
“I need to know where Duncan and the kid are by tomorrow night. Do you have any possibilities?”
Franco hesitated. “Your man here in town said that he’d discounted all the commercial airlines and narrowed it down to four or five private airlines. Three Quinn has used in the past nine years. I thought I’d check those out. I’ll be careful. Domingo said you wanted us to be discreet.”
“I want to know tomorrow night. Screw being discreet.” He hung up.
3:35 A.M.
Joe watched Natalie Castino drive out of the gates and waited another fifteen minutes for Salazar to leave. He didn’t come out of the house. The lights in the bedroom went off after another five minutes. He probably felt safe as long as Natalie wasn’t with him.
You’re not safe, you bastard.
He moved quickly toward the wrought-iron fence, and, a few minutes later, he was over the top and dropping to the grass.
A shadow in the bushes to his left!
He whirled and gave a roundhouse kick that hit the man in the throat, then moved in for the kill as he was falling.
“No!” Manez moved out of the bushes. “Madre de Dios, you’ve caused enough trouble, Quinn. I won’t have you killing my men.”
Joe stopped, breathing hard, trying to calm the rush of adrenaline. “Then you shouldn’t have men who set themselves up to be taken out. I saw him the minute I hit the ground.”
“Pedro is a very good man.” Manez helped the man to his feet. “You’re obviously just better. Go back to the car, Pedro. I’ll take it from here.”
Pedro gave Joe a glowering glance and turned and walked away.
“And you shouldn’t expect me not to react if you don’t tell me you’re going to be on stakeout, Manez.” Joe gazed after Pedro. “How much does he know about this house?”
“Why? Would you go after him and finish the job?” Manez said sourly. “He knows nothing. No one knows about this house but you and me and the prisoner who gave me the information. I just thought I might need backup.”
“Against me?”
“Against Salazar. I’d be an even greater target than usual if he saw me here. Though I had an idea you might be popping in and causing trouble.” He turned. “I need to get you off the street. I’ll walk with you back to your car.”
“I checked it out before I went to the house. Are you trying to protect me, Manez?”
“Only because I don’t need you blowing the only lead I’ve had since—”
“I’m not blowing it,” Joe interrupted. “I just had to verify so that I knew where I could go with it. I had to see what was happening.”
“You should have left it up to me. I was going to bug the place and make sure that I had all I needed.”
“This is Salazar and a woman he’s been screwing for years. They both know the consequences. Do you think that he wouldn’t take precautions? I had a listening device, and I should have been able to hear through the glass of the window and couldn’t do it.”
“So you found out nothing?”
“I found out that she went in angry and came out looking very sleek and satisfied. I don’t know the dynamics, but they’re definitely lovers.” He stopped at his rental car. “And presumably have been lovers for a number of years according to your informant. The question is if she’s his accomplice. I’d bet that she is.”
“I’d … hesitate. A mother doesn’t kill her children.”
“We both know that’s not true. It depends on what the stakes are and the personality of the mother.” He paused. “It’s the most unnatural crime imaginable, so the personality would have to be twisted beyond belief.”
“Perhaps … she doesn’t know?”
Joe looked at him.
Manez shrugged. “The idea offends me. What can I say?”
“You can say that you’ll give me all the information possible on Natalie Castino. I suppose you got photos of her going through the gate?”
“I thought it might be useful.”
“To stage an uproar between Salazar and Castino that would put the coalition in chaos? Not yet, Manez.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“No, not until Eve and Cara are safe.” His lips tightened. “Salazar will have put precautions in place to make sure he’s not connected to this place or Natalie Castino. That photo will mean nothing. Even if Castino makes a move on Salazar and takes him out, it won’t be good for me. Then he won’t be able to give the order to stop Franco and whoever else he’s put on tracking Eve down. Let me take care of him myself.”
Manez shook his head.
“You gave me a week.”
“That was before Natalie Castino appeared on the scene. I can use her, Quinn.”
“A week.”
Manez shrugged. “Five days. Subject to change if I find it necessary.”
“Done.” Joe got in the car. “You won’t find it necessary. I believe Salazar’s attention is going to be focused away from anything to do with the car
tels for the time being. He’s going to be doing everything he can to find Eve and Cara.”
“And what are you going to do?”
He pulled away from the curb. “Get back to Atlanta and make sure he comes up against a stone wall.”
* * *
“I like this.” Cara dug her spoon into the stony dirt of the courtyard and smiled at Eve. “I kind of thought Jane was joking about it, but she really gave me a spoon.”
Eve chuckled. “I believe it’s more of a way of teaching patience and care than necessity. I remember when she was digging at the site in Herculaneum, she was very impatient. She must have learned an important lesson.”
“But MacDuff hasn’t learned it.” Cara’s gaze went to the area where the Laird was working with Jock. “I didn’t think I’d see an earl with his sleeves rolled up and sweating. And he has a shovel.”
“It’s his idea of a compromise. He let us have spoons and he’s going for the big stuff. He believes that the chest might be in the dungeon area. It would take a long time for him to get down there with a spoon. We’re only looking for possible clues, keys, boxes, scrolls, or anything else written by family members. They’re looking for the chest itself.” She put her spoon aside. “But I’ll have to leave you to it by yourself for a while. I have to go and take a look around the surrounding area and get my bearings.”
Cara nodded. “It’s a new place. Elena always used to look around the neighborhood when we moved to a different place. She said it made it safer for us.”
Eve nodded as she got to her feet. She should have known Cara would not be alarmed. Her life had been one long flight for survival. “Stay close to Jane.”
“You’re going alone?”
“Jock was going to go with me, but he appears to be busy with MacDuff. I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, you will.” Caleb was suddenly beside her. “But Jock thought that you’d be even better if you had someone to keep you company. He asked me to take his place.” He grimaced. “A great compliment since he really doesn’t trust anyone but MacDuff. I don’t think he trusts me either, but he knows I can take care of you, and he knows where he can find me if he has to go after me.”
Cara laughed. “But Jock wouldn’t hurt you.”